Explore every episode of the podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP. 357: Seeing Is Freeing: Dr. Kalaki Clarke on ADHD Without Shame | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:55:20 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _____ A 10-year-old boy sat across from Dr. Kalaki Clarke, MD during her psychiatry rotation, and she saw herself. Smart, charming, good grades but couldn't get it together. That's when she knew she had ADHD too. Dr. Clarke was in her first year of residency at UC Irvine, working 80-hour weeks in a system designed to test you constantly. She'd been the good kid, the high achiever, the one who always kept it together. But in residency, surrounded by neurotypical colleagues, sleep-deprived, and constantly performing, the mask finally came off. Her 2015 diagnosis became a turning point, launching her into advocacy for physicians with ADHD. She helped craft equity guidelines for neurodivergent resident physicians, spoke at the International Conference on ADHD, and delivered a TEDx talk called "Seeing is Freeing: How Observation Releases ADHD Potential." Now, as a board-certified family physician and Associate Professor of Medical Education at USC's Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Clarke spends her time providing care for underserved communities in Los Angeles while shaping the next generation of doctors. In this conversation, Dr. Clarke and Tracy talk about what it's like to have ADHD in a profession that demands perfection and how "seeing is freeing" applies to both patients and physicians. Dr. Clarke introduces her CAT method (Capture, Analyze, Transform), a framework for turning struggles into strategies. She also talks about leading by example, why she came out publicly about her ADHD at work, and what it means to create space for others to be seen when you've spent so long feeling invisible yourself. Resources: Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Episode 356: The Science of Memory and ADHD with Dr. Daniella Karidi | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:00:16 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _____ You walk into a room and forget why you're there. You miss deadlines even though you care deeply about the work. You can remember a random conversation from 15 years ago but not what someone just told you five minutes ago. Welcome to life with an ADHD brain and a memory system that works differently. Dr. Daniella Karidi knows this firsthand. Diagnosed with ADHD in college, Dr. Daniella finally understood why she'd always felt "off" despite being highly successful. A researcher who earned her doctorate from Northwestern University studying memory and ADHD, Daniella is now the founder of ADHDtime, where she works as a professional ADHD and executive coach. She's spent years translating complex memory research into practical strategies that actually work for ADHD brains and in this conversation, she breaks down exactly why our memory fails us and what we can do about it. Daniella and Tracy dive deep into prospective memory (remembering to remember in the future), why time-based cues are terrible for ADHD brains, and the five steps where memory can break down. Daniella explains why we forget we took our medication, why she needed multiple cues instead of just one, and why she believes people who master their own memory patterns can finally stop feeling like they're failing at life. She also shares the grief and relief of late diagnosis, and why she'll never stop advocating for better understanding of how ADHD women's brains actually work. Resources: Website: https://www.adhdtime.com Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 347: Barbara Baskin on Dating After 60 with ADHD | 27 Aug 2025 | 01:01:03 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _ Barbara Baskin spent 30 years convinced she wasn't very smart. School was academic probation and "needs to try harder" report cards. Then came an ADHD diagnosis at 30, followed by three decades of raising four kids (including triplets), caring for her mother with dementia, and running a business while being everyone's executive function. At 60, Barbara made a decision that shocked everyone: she moved from a small town in Florida to a fifth-floor walk-up in New York City and started online dating. Barbara is a writer, journalist, and author of The Ponytailed Guy from Last Night. She discovered that journalism was perfect for her word-loving, curious ADHD brain after struggling through university with brilliant workaroundsāalternating "hard" semesters that put her on academic probation with "easy" semesters of ceramics and tennis. She learned she could master anything if she could touch it, which made her an excellent videographer and producer. But decades of being the family's executive function while masking her ADHD took its toll. High functioning, Barbara realized, wasn't the same as being okay. When a psychiatrist asked what she'd done for herself that week, she couldn't think of a single thing. In this episode, Barbara and Tracy explore how she built a successful career around her learning differences, survived the chaos of managing everyone else's life, and found the courage to reinvent herself in her 60s completely. They talk about why New York City feels like home to an ADHD brain, how online dating became an unexpected path to self-confidence, and what it means to choose adventure over settling. Her motto: if they're not interesting, they better be damn interested in me. Resources:
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 257: The Challenges of ADHD and Aging in Women with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau | 06 Dec 2023 | 01:06:29 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Weāve known for quite some time that ADHD doesnāt just āgo awayā with age, yet only about 4% of boomers have a diagnosis. So why the huge discrepancy, what are the impacts, and most importantly, what can we do about it?
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Ep. 256 Cults, Child Marriage and ADHD Optimism with Dr. Tamara MC | 29 Nov 2023 | 01:27:53 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking Lived Experience Expert who advocates for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence worldwide. Married off at 12, Tamara has firsthand experience with fundamentalist cults, giving her valuable insight into how these organizations operate. She now uses her experience combined with her PhD in applied linguistics to research and educate others on how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 255: Emotional Resilience in ADHD: Building a Happier Brain | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:47:35 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought the topic of ADHD and gratitude couldnāt be more perfect. Gratitude is so important for every single human to feel good, but for those of us with ADHD, it's crucial. With our dopamine deficiency, we can't get anything if weāre not in positive emotion! Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 254: In the ADHD/Autism Trenches with Dr. Nanci Smith | 15 Nov 2023 | 01:08:10 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ When Dr. Nanci Smith realized her neurodiverse childrensā needs werenāt going to be met by the public school system, she knew she had to try a different approach to education. Luckily, Nanci has a background in psychobiology and is motivated by a challenge, so the transition to homeschooling was a no-brainer. Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 253: When You Feel Unexplainably Unwell: Your Nervous System and ADHD with Pharmacist & Patient Advocate, Kalin Johnson | 08 Nov 2023 | 01:22:36 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ For years, Kalin Johnson was operating with a dysregulated nervous system and putting her body through unnecessary stress, and it was only once she started listening to her bodyās needs that she realized how much easier things could be.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 252: ADHD in the Workplace with Lisa Lewis | 01 Nov 2023 | 01:21:29 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Lisa Lewis's skill of talking to anyone and everyone has taken her on unexpected adventures around the world, from the Scottish Highlands to the running of the bulls, and now she's here to talk to us about her ADHD journey. For the last twelve years Lisa has worked as an HR professional who focuses on diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. She received a late diagnosis of ADHD and now attributes her diverse background and success to her neurodiversity. Join my conversation with Lisa to hear her take on disclosing ADHD in the workplace, ways to advocate for your needs without fear of judgment or stigma, why ADHD awareness is so crucial for our success and well-being, and more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 251: What Happens When We Learn How to Lead with Alice Gendron | 25 Oct 2023 | 01:07:19 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ When Alice Gendron entered the workforce, she struggled to manage the workload of a nine-to-five job and also stay on top of the endless demands of adulting. When she was diagnosed with ADHD at 29, it all finally made sense. Alice started making doodles about her ADHD experience, a skill she had been honing since grade school. Before she knew it, her illustrations had grown into the popular online platform 'The Mini ADHD Coach', with over half a million Instagram followers and a brand new book of the same name. Looking at them, it's easy to see why so many ADHDers are drawn to Alice's illustrations; her simplistic doodles get right to the heart of what having ADHD feels like in such a sweet and relatable way. Join our conversation to hear how Alice was able to turn her passion project into a fulfilling career, what she's learned about leading since becoming an entrepreneur, the cultural shifts around ADHD in France, and so much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 250: Coaching Yourself with Executive Leadership Coach Antonia Bowring | 18 Oct 2023 | 01:02:23 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Antonia Bowring is a top executive coach who works with founders, C-Suite executives, and leadership teams. One of Antonia's areas of expertise is helping neurodiverse leaders create the necessary scaffolding to leverage their gifts and maintain their focus. She is a frequent speaker to companies and groups on topics ranging from mindfulness, ADHD in the workplace, and communication best practices. Her new book, Coach Yourself! Increase Awareness, Change Behavior and Thrive provides practical frameworks for exploring the power of performance coaching to become the best version of yourself. Join our conversation to hear about Antonia's unique life-changing experience that led her to an ADHD diagnosis, how she helps her coaching clients move past shame and into confidence, the importance of managing up no matter your position, her thoughts on disclosing ADHD in the workplace, and more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Bonus EP: Are We Really Stubborn, Irreverent, and Oppositional? | 13 Oct 2023 | 00:29:32 | |
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Resources: Visit: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 249: Adieu Beautiful Mama: ADHD and Grief | 11 Oct 2023 | 01:14:31 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ This is the hardest episode I've had to record to date. In truth, I've been avoiding it like the plague, which means procrastinating everything so I don't have to go there, but I knew I had to do it for my beautiful mother. Since starting this podcast back in 2019, many of you have asked for an episode on grief. Just like my episodes on trauma that took years, I dug my heels in because the words I was telling myself sounded like, "how can you talk about grief when you haven't experienced it?" Unfortunately, I am now part of this illustrious club that no one wants to be part of. In this episode I talk about grief and how those of us with ADHD may handle it differently, from time perception challenges to social challenges to how we react in a crisis. But first, I hope it's okay that I share the story of my incredible mother because hers is a story that I need to tell.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 346: How Justine Glaser turned sensory chaos into creative genius | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:57:28 | |
*This episode has been updated* Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _ What would it be like if you could see music as colors dancing in front of your eyes? For Justine Glaser, that's just a normal Tuesday. Justine is a creative force who doesn't just hear music, she sees it. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 3 and born with synesthesia, a rare neurological trait where sound shows up as color, Justine has always experienced the world differently. Instead of masking these traits, she's made them her superpower. As the founder of Blue Midnight Music and Colors by Midnight, she creates work that's bold, multi-sensory, and completely original. Diagnosed so young that her babysitter lost weight chasing her around, Justine's childhood was marked by curiosity, creativity, and, unfortunately, relentless bullying from ages 8 to 16. She calls the K-12 system "broken" for her neurodivergent brain, but everything changed when she left traditional school behind. Art school became her sanctuary, where her project-based learning style finally made sense. In this conversation, Justine and Tracy dive deep into how synesthesia shapes creativity, why she believes color comes from "an inherent sense of self," and how she creates personalized color palettes by listening to people's voices. They talk about performing as an alter ego named Blue Midnight, why ADHD makes it easier (not harder) to blend multiple disciplines, and how she's learned to honor her need for breaks and nature to stay creative. Justine's journey from a bullied kid drawing on people's houses to a multi-disciplinary artist proves that what makes you different isn't something to fixāit's your greatest gift. Resources: Website: https://www.bluemidnightmusic.com Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 248: Educating Neurodivergent Students with Former NYU Professor and Author Sivan Hong | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:56:31 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Growing up, Author Sivan Hong struggled to focus on reading long enough to connect with the text, until she discovered audiobooks and a whole new world opened up for her. Years later Sivan was diagnosed with ADHD and she finally understood why visual reading had been such a challenge for her and had caused so much unnecessary shame. Sivan's diagnosis opened her eyes to how much easier things could've been if her different learning style had been encouraged and she was inspired to start writing books that show how neurodivergent differences can be turned into strengths if given the right support. Her books, which are of course offered in both written and audiobook format, focus on helping neurodiverse children face changes and challenges with courage, and just as importantly, they aim to normalize different behaviors and support for all children. In her words, "We normalize these differences. And then it becomes okay, right? It becomes something that isn't seen as different." Sivan's journey from struggling reader to bestselling children's author along with the incredible work she's done through her books is truly inspiring and I'm so delighted to share her story with you in this episode.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 247: Breaking Up with Booze and Living Your Best Life with Amanda Kuda | 27 Sep 2023 | 01:04:26 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Amanda Kuda was acutely aware of being different from her peers growing upāthe movie Matilda made her feel seen, minus the telekinesisāso when she discovered that alcohol made it easier for her to fit in, it became a regular part of her social life. After an ADHD diagnosis in her early 20's, Amanda started to take note of what was and wasn't helpful for managing her symptoms and realized the habit change that benefitted her the most was removing alcohol from her lifestyle. Now, seven years later, Amanda is an author and holistic life coach who helps other ambitious women stop drinking and start manifesting the lives they want and deserve. She tells me, "What transpired after I stopped drinking alcohol was that my potential, my authenticity, my magic came online at a level that I hadn't before been able to access it." Join my insightful conversation with Amanda to hear about how alcohol may be holding you back from your authenticity and all the ways life can open up for you when you take a step back from substances and embrace who you really are.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 246: Make it Funny with Comedian, Blaire Postman | 20 Sep 2023 | 01:01:13 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Personally, I can't think of anything scarier than being a live performer, but there's something about the ADHD brain that seems to make us happier when we're running into the fire rather than away from it. For comedian Blaire Postman, what scared her more than getting up on a stage was the idea of never trying, which is why at 43 she chose to run headfirst into that metaphorical fire and turned her passion for comedy into a full-time career. Speaking with Blaire, it's easy to see why she was drawn to comedy; with her quick wit and affinity for the silly she can't help but be funny. Join our conversation to hear more about Blaire's gutsy leap from lawyer to performer, how her ADHD diagnosis helped her embrace her traits and led to her comedy special "LADY ADHD," and much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 245: When You Love What You Do, it Rarely Feels Like Work with Stephanie Calderon | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:58:02 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Stephanie Caldero is a self-made, self-taught interior designer who owns a boutique design firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stephanie has always loved interior design starting when she was a child circling items in catalogs and learning from her seamstress grandmother. For years she designed for friends and family on the side while she worked various marketing jobs, until 2021 when she finally turned her side hustle into her main hustle and never looked back. Stephanie knew she had to turn interior design into a career when she realized it was the one thing she could always get lost in for hours, a decision that was only bolstered by her ADHD diagnosis. Stephanie now understands that this level of passion for her work isn't just important, but crucial in order for her to find sustainable success in a fulfilling career. Stephanie's story shows us how much easier things can be when we build our careers around our natural motivators and flow states. I hope our conversation inspires you to start thinking about ways to incorporate your own natural motivators into everyday life.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 244: Perfectionism, Confidence and ADHD with Dr. Fiona Peters | 06 Sep 2023 | 01:09:20 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Perfectionism causes so many of us ADHD women to get in our own way and stops us from reaching our full creative potential for fear of criticism. My guest this episode, Dr. Fiona Peters knows firsthand just how disabling the anxiety-perfectionism spiral can be, which is why she's so passionate about helping others escape it. Dr. Peters is a speaker and trainer for schools and is currently touring with her talk entitled "Perfectionism and Anxiety," with which she helps parents, educators, and ADHDers recognize the true cost of this obsession with perfection. "We really rob the world of the genius that we are because we are so worried about external validation and the fear of criticism that actually we don't start things." Join our conversation to hear the brilliant Dr. Fiona Peters share her incredible ADHD journey from struggling student to PhD program, why it's so important to be a last 5% finisher, her tips for navigating the workplace when you have ADHD, and ways to start moving away from the need for external validation and toward a more balanced life that allows you to experiment, to make mistakes, and to find validation from within.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 243: Learning to Trust Yourself with Sarah McCall | 30 Aug 2023 | 01:05:24 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Sarah McCall is the author of the book, Cecil Gets a Haircut, which she wrote as a tool to help parents, educators, and superintendents of schools work with children with anxiety. Her work both on the pages and in the classrooms helps get the conversation started about ADHD, autism, and mental health, making it easier for students to get the understanding and support they deserve. Sarah's life goal is to help children and their adults better understand mental health, but it wasn't until she went through my "Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!" program that she figured out how to channel her passion into a fulfilling and sustainable career. My program is designed to help ADHD women like Sarah discover who they are and what's important to them, giving them the foundation and skills to build long-lasting success. Sarah says, "Now that the doors have opened, opportunities are abounding. And it's because I'm ready, it's because I'm equipped. I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for coming through [the program]. I wouldn't have the skills, tools, and techniques, I wouldn't be believing in myself. I wouldn't even dream that I could make any money at this." Join our conversation to hear about Sarah's ADHD journey, her impactful work in mental health, and how by getting clear on who she is and learning how to trust herself she is able to build a wonderful career beyond her wildest dreams. Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 242: Hyperfocus Your Way to Success as an Artist Entrepreneur, with Jessica Liddell | 23 Aug 2023 | 01:05:37 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Jessica Liddell is a professional mosaic/mural artist and the owner and founder of Bella Mosaic Art, where she's been making mosaics professionally since 1997. Before becoming a professional artist Jessica tried pursuing a more practical career in teaching, but after an eye-opening trip to Barcelona, with its exquisite mosaic buildings, she realized that art is where her true passion lies. When Jessica returned home she dove headfirst into mosaic art, eventually merging her two passions of teaching and art together into one fulfilling career. She's been able to sustain her business for the last twenty-five plus years because the work is dynamic and ever-changing, which keeps her creative ADHD brain engaged. Jessica's story is a great reminder that, for ADHDers, our passions are our greatest motivators, and we have the ability to turn those passions into incredible careers when we have the drive, the hyperfocus, and the self-belief to make it happen.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Ep. 241: ADHD, Adventure and Doing Things Her Own Way, with Expat Entrepreneur, Jessi Kingan | 16 Aug 2023 | 01:17:10 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Jessi Kingan left the United States at age 22 for what was meant to be a six-month adventure of traveling and teaching scuba diving around the world. Like so many ADHDers with a plan though, she ended up on a completely different path than she was expecting. Now almost 13 years later, Jessi lives with her husband and children in Iceland, where she owns and operates a restaurant, hostel, and apartment hotel on the south coast, and she couldn't be happier. Jessi makes entrepreneurship work for her by leaning into her ADHD strengths and letting others take over in the areas where she struggles, which keeps her work engaging and saves her unnecessary stress. Join our conversation to hear more about Jessi's ADHD journey, including the unique experience of going from a freshman in high school to a freshman in college, how she ended up where she is today, what she's learned about entrepreneurship so far, and much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 240: How We Lead in What We Love with YouTube Influencer Kathy Joseph of Kathy Loves Physics | 09 Aug 2023 | 01:18:14 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Growing up, Kathy Joseph was convinced she wasn't smart because she struggled to memorize facts like everyone else. But as she got older she realized she is smart, she just has to do things her own way. Kathy leaned into her pattern recognition skills and became a math whiz; she went on to receive four higher education degrees in physics, engineering, and science education and spent 12 years teaching high school physics before ultimately starting her popular YouTube channel, Kathy Loves Physics. Kathy's channel is so engaging because she not only uses real human stories to teach science, she also lets her ADHD intensity and curiosity take center stage, which makes her content feel authentic and super fun to watch. Join our conversation to hear more about Kathy's mission to make science fun again, her personal ADHD journey, how her book "The Lightning Tamers" led her to find success doing what she loves, and much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 239: ADHD, Autism and Other Neurodivergent Insights with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Megan Anna Neff | 02 Aug 2023 | 01:10:56 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ I have been searching high and low for the perfect specialist to come on the podcast and talk about autism and ADHD, and I think I finally achieved that with this episode's guest, Dr. Megan Anna Neff. Dr. Neff is not only a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent adults, but she herself is an autistic ADHDer, giving her an essential understanding of the internal experience. She was officially diagnosed at 37, and since then her work has grown to focus on educating the mental health field on non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. During our conversation Dr. Neff shares her expert insights into AuDHD, the overlaps and differences between the two, the challenges and gifts of having both, what alexithymia is and ways it affects emotional regulation, how to talk about autism using neurodivergent-affirming language, and much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 345: Stop Apologizing and Start Asking with Lucia Kanter St. Amour | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:07:25 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _ You know that feeling when someone tells you you're "too intense" or "ask too many questions"? Lucia Kanter St. Amour has built an entire career on exactly those traits. Lucia is a negotiation expert, law professor, and the kind of ADHD woman who writes Amazon reviews so detailed she got invited to their exclusive Vine program. She's the author of For the Forces of Good, a guide to everyday negotiation that flips traditional power dynamics, and The Covert Buccaneer, a nonlinear novel that mirrors how her ADHD brain actually works. With a background in global law and leadership at UN Women, she combines strategy with a genuine understanding of how women navigate the world. Diagnosed with ADHD at 54, Lucia finally understood why she'd always felt like a "disco ball" in a world of dimmer switches. Her childhood was marked by misdiagnosed seizures (likely panic attacks) and years on experimental medication that left her struggling. But she found her superpowers in foreign languages, piano, and tennis, activities that naturally regulated her nervous system. Lucia and Tracy explore how the traits that make us feel "too much" actually become negotiation superpowers. Our intensity, emotional intelligence, and hyperfocus are assets, not liabilities. They discuss why women avoid negotiating, how to practice with everyday situations like getting your toddler to eat dinner, and why deep listening transforms every interaction.Ā Resources: Website: https://www.pactumfactum.com/Ā Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 238: Regulating our ADHD Nervous System with Psychologist Anna Daphna | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:46:23 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Anna Daphna is an ADHD and executive function coach, mentor, and psychologist based in London. She started off her career in education with the goal of giving kids a better school experience than she had herself, but eventually she felt called to psychology and pursued a psychology degree. Now, Anna combines her two passions by coaching people with ADHD using holistic and neuroscience-based strategies specifically designed for neurodivergent brains to maximize happiness, confidence and performance. In this episode Anna provides an easy-to-understand overview of how the nervous system works, the basics of polyvagal theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol, why a dysregulated nervous system impacts our ADHD symptoms, and tips for nervous system regulation. We also discuss neuroplasticity, ways to grow your confidence, how to be mindful even if you struggle to sit still, and more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 237: What Do I Do If I Really Hate My Job/Career with Shell Mendelson | 19 Jul 2023 | 01:11:28 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ ADHDers tend to be good at a bunch of different things, but just because we're good at something doesn't necessarily mean it's the right career path for us. In fact, career counselor Shell Mendelson is here to ask us: forget about the things you're good at, what are the skills you love using? As a career coach and counselor of 30 plus years, Shell specializes in supporting ADHD adults in building lasting, fully satisfying careers and businesses. She has developed a unique career counseling system based on Richard Bolles's book What Color is Your Parachute? that involves taking a deep dive into all the aspects of what would make up an ideal job on an individual level. During our conversation Shell shares her own ADHD backstory before getting into how to identify whether you're in the wrong job, why building a career foundation based on what excites you is so crucial for ADHD health and happiness, ways to advocate for your specific needs during the hiring process, and much more. Shell believes in focusing on the skills that bring us joy rather than simply what we excel at, a simple yet important mindset shift that just may have you considering a whole new career path.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 236: The Golden Ticket All Kids Really Need with Irena Smith | 12 Jul 2023 | 01:26:05 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Applying to college feels more like a grueling competition these days, with an acceptance into one of the top 20 schools being the ultimate prize. But when you "win" the competition, what are you actually winning? That's a question author Irena Smith poses in her recent memoir, The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays. Irena, who also runs a private college counseling practice, has seen how much the pressures of college are impacting our kids' mental health and limiting their futures, and she believes that it's our job as parents to take a step back and remember what's really important. "Pushing a kid to punch above their weight in terms of applying to college is not necessarily a healthy thing. Maybe the goal is simply that the kid graduates from high school with health and sanity intact. There's a lot of time to figure out what to do." During our conversation we discussed Irena's brilliant book and the writing process behind it, her ADHD childhood and emigrating from the Soviet Union, some measurable ways parents can reduce the pressure on both their children and themselves during the college admissions process, and so much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with JULIANNE DECKER | 07 Jul 2023 | 00:29:10 | |
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Juliann Decker: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with TRINLEE CHODREN | 30 Jun 2023 | 00:21:28 | |
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Trinlee Chodren: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 234: How to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Start Anything with Laura Vig | 28 Jun 2023 | 01:15:37 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Whether it scares or excites us, artificial intelligence is here to stay. So instead of fighting it, what if we learned how to make it work for our ADHD brains? Unfortunately, even talking about AI is completely out of my wheelhouse, which is why I invited product designer Laura Vig onto the podcast to talk about how we can use AI to improve our lives. Laura recently got her ADHD diagnosis back in February, which unlocked a new level of understanding and insight into how to best support herself. She learned how to make AI work for her and she's cautiously optimistic about what this technology can do for us in the future. In our conversation Laura provides a breakdown of AI in really simple termsāwhat it is, where to start, what tools to use, and all the ways we can use it to help us structure and simplify our lives.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with Haley Lin | 23 Jun 2023 | 00:28:12 | |
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: or with the code PODCASTSASS Haley Lin: Instagram @7am.hlzĀ Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 233: The Overlap of ADHD and Autism with Andonette Wilkinson | 21 Jun 2023 | 01:14:58 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ If you connect with some of the ADHD traits but have never really felt like the label fits you perfectly, you might relate to my guest this episode, Andi Wilkinson, who has both ADHD and autism and describes the combination as "having internal opposite personalities that are constantly fighting with each other." Andi, who is a creative and digital marketer, didn't get her ADHD and autism diagnoses until 45, but once she did she realized just how much it explained about her lifeāwhy she's so good at creating a mess but can't stand messiness, why she loves to visit new cities but gets overwhelmed by travel, and why she's able to spend hours and hours on organizational tasks that other people find incredibly boring. During our conversation, Andi shares what it's like to manage the often-opposing interests of ADHD and autism, the overlaps and differences between the two, her experiences with early trauma and a strict religious upbringing, the intersection of ADHD, ASD, and tech, and so much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 232: You Can Change Your Brain and So Can Your Child with Neuroeducation Expert Barbara Arrowsmith-Young | 14 Jun 2023 | 01:23:29 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ I don't think I've broken my rule yet that all guests must be women who are either diagnosed or have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD, but I think that what our guest is going to talk about in this episode warrants me breaking my rule. Besides, as I told her during our interview, she has a lot of ADHD traits. An innovator and author in the field of neuroeducation, Barbara Arrowsmith-Young's work utilizing the principles of neuroplasticity is used worldwide to enhance cognitive functioning. Her work, begun in 1978, is recognized as one of the first examples of the practical application of neuroplasticity to address learning difficulties. Since then, its use has expanded to include those dealing with traumatic brain injury, addiction, cognitive decline with aging and those who want to enhance performance. Barbara's vision is to "put the Brain in the Education Equation" and she's well on her way to making that happen, with her Arrowsmith Program already being used in over 100 schools around the world. I am so fascinated by Barbara and the work she's done, and I'm confident that after our conversation, you will be too.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 231: Inattentive ADHD with Cynthia Hammer | 07 Jun 2023 | 01:01:33 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Author Cynthia Hammer's journey with inattentive ADHD first began when she received her diagnosis at the age of 49, a pivotal moment that sparked her passion for advocacy and education. She founded the non-profit ADD Resources, which aimed to educate adults about ADHD and grew to become a thriving organization. Then, while in Covid isolation Cynthia wrote her memoir, Living with Inattentive ADHD, and through her book she discovered the disheartening truth that children and adults with inattentive ADHD in particular continue to be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This realization led her to establish The Inattentive ADHD Coalition, a new non-profit with a mission to ensure that children with inattentive ADHD are diagnosed by the age of 8 and that adults seeking help receive accurate diagnoses. During our conversation, Cynthia and I discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals with inattentive ADHD, the reasons why it's missed so often, the value of early diagnosis, and the critical work her organization is doing to change things, thirty years after her diagnosis. Cynthia's expertise and advocacy efforts shed light on a lesser-known aspect of ADHD and bring hope to those who have long struggled without a proper diagnosis. I'm just delighted to share Cynthia's insights with you this episode. What I love most about her is that she has no plans to retire and fade into the sunset. Instead, she spends hours a day helping those with ADHD. When I grow up, I hope to be just like her.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 344: What to Do When You Feel Stuck | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:19:23 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _ You want to make changes, but can't seem to start. Or maybe you're doing the work, but it's not working fast enough. This solo episode tackles the number one thing that keeps ADHD women stuck, and it's not what you think. Tracy Otsuka breaks down why change feels so hard even when you really want it, and why having access to all the tools in the world won't help if you're stuck believing you're not making progress. She explores the real culprit: the story your brain tells you about who you are and how you're doing. From the 95% of thoughts and actions that run on autopilot, to why your words literally shape your reality, Tracy reveals why ADHD isn't a discipline problemāit's an identity problem. She shares why progress is never a straight line, how to shift from "I should be farther along" to "I'm learning," and why the real work isn't about managing your timeāit's about managing your emotions. Plus, Tracy celebrates the international success of "Your ADHD Brain is A-OK," now available in Polish, Romanian, Turkish, Korean, and more languages. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don't have to do it perfectly, you just have to keep going. Because stuck doesn't mean stopped, and you're not behind, you're becoming. Resources: Website: https://tracyotsuka.com Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 230: Why ADHD is a Feminist Issue | 31 May 2023 | 00:49:06 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Thanks to fearmongering and misinformation, being a feminist nowadays comes with all kinds of political baggage that leaves many running away from this label. But put quite simply, a feminist includes anyone who supports equal rights for women. So if you believe that you or the women in your life should have equal rights to a man, then congratulations, you're a feminist! Viewing ADHD through a feminist lens allows us to see how gender factors into our experiences, from diagnosis and treatment to ongoing impact. Feminism allows us to question gendered expectations, to see them as social constructions that bear no basis in reality, to stop conflating them with virtue, and to start embracing our uniqueness. Women with ADHD have so many gifts to offer, the problem is we cannot recognize and celebrate those gifts without a more level playing field. Join me this episode as I take a closer look at the impacts of inequality on ADHD women and explore some ways to level out the playing field and start taking on more roles that generate positive emotions and self-worth.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 229: A Strength-Focused Approach to Relationships with Psychotherapist, Anita Robertson, LCSW | 24 May 2023 | 01:33:19 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ If youāve ever wished for a compass to help you navigate the complexities of ADHD relationships, look no further than psychotherapist Anita Robertson and her book, ADHD & Us: A Couple's Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 228: Raising a Spirited ADHD Child with Pulitzer-prize Winning Investigative Reporter and Author, Katherine Ellison | 17 May 2023 | 01:06:27 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Raising a strong-willed ADHD child when you have ADHD yourself is a specific challenge that connects so many of us, including my guest this episode, author Katherine Ellison. Too often as parents we can find ourselves in power struggles over things that ultimately don't matter and only serve to damage our relationships, which is why Katherine is here to tell us that when we're in those power tug-of-wars with our children, it's our job to drop the rope. Katherine is the author of the brilliant book, Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention, where she details her experiences raising a spirited ADHD child and the lessons she learned about how to support him best. "You can't be the person, as the mother, having the power struggles with them and teaching them what they need to know. You just have to love them. They're getting so much negativity from the rest of the world that they need you to be their solid ally." Join me and the extraordinary Katherine Ellison as we dive into the ups and downs of raising spirited ADHD children, ways to take a step back when you notice a power struggle starting, the importance of identifying our children's strengths and areas of brilliance, and the absolute necessity of creating a loving and supportive environment where that brilliance can flourish.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 227 How to Start and Finish Anything with Roxanne Jarrett | 10 May 2023 | 00:59:58 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ As ADHD women we are often endlessly creative and optimistic about how much we can accomplish, but when that optimism turns into setting impossible goals for ourselves, it stops us from actually bringing our brilliant ideas into reality. My guest this episode, Roxanne Jarrett, is an entrepreneurial coach who helps her ADHD and dyslexic clients tackle this problem head-on by giving them the skills and supports to follow through on their dreams from beginning to end. Roxanne is ADHD herself, so she knows firsthand that a traditional approach won't work for her clients' unique brains. Instead, she teaches people how to get realistic about time, set up a positive environment, prioritize self-care, and reduce lofty expectations in order to create goals that are actually achievable. Roxanne is passionate about supporting creators as they reduce overwhelm by designing a structure and environment in which to thrive. I hope her incredible insights inspire you to start taking small steps toward your own big dreams.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 226: ADHD and the Gut-Brain Connection with Nicole Malcher | 03 May 2023 | 01:01:26 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ When nutritionist Nicole DeMasi Malcher first came onto the podcast three years ago to talk about nutrition and ADHD (go back and listen to Episode #84 if you haven't yet!), she briefly mentioned the gut-brain connection and how what we eat can directly influence our central nervous system, and therefore our physical and mental health. At the time I asked Nicole if this connection was controversial, but she reassured me that the science is there to support it. Ever since, I've wanted to get her back on the show to dive deeper into this important topic, which we're finally doing this episode. Join us as Nicole gives a breakdown of what the gut actually is (aka the "second brain"), the research behind the brain-gut connection, how the gut microbiome impacts mood and ADHD symptoms, and some easy ways to improve your gut microbiome when you're already struggling with the executive functioning and sensory aspects of eating and meal-planning.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 225: Challenging the Status Quo with Welsh Politician, Sara Robinson | 26 Apr 2023 | 01:07:05 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Growing up in a politically active environment, Welsh local politician Sara Robinson was always drawn to social justice, and when she realized she had ADHD at 41, her life path started to make perfect sense. Sara's strong reaction to injusticeāone of her ADHD strengthsādrove her to get involved with local politics in order to make positive changes at the community level, and most recently, led her to advocate for changes in U.K. legislation around ADHD in criminal, education, and healthcare settings. Like many of us, Sara struggles with rejection sensitive dysphoria, but her passion for social justice has always overridden any fears she has of being seen. She says, "Now that I've opened my eyes to it, post-diagnosis, I can't unsee the injustice." Join us as Sara shares her ADHD journey, what's changed since getting diagnosed, how building community has transformed how she sees her ADHD, the importance of women getting involved in politics at the local level, and so much more.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 224: ADHD, Autism and Making Friends with Steph West | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:29:59 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Steph West is the creator and director of Starfish Social Club, which teaches neurodivergent kids and teens how to make friends without masking or conforming. She's on a mission to change the way we teach social skills, as well as the way we raise our neurodivergent kids in general. Steph was formally diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, which has made her even more committed to her students and helps them relate to her on a very personal level. Her goal with her work is never to teach autistic and ADHD students how to conform to neurotypical society, rather, it's to help them develop dynamic social awareness and problem-solving skills to connect with their peers, while still preserving the traits that make them unique. Steph's ideology serves as a great reminder that we can all learn how to move through social interactions more easily without sacrificing our authenticity, and I'm so delighted to share her valuable perspective with you this episode.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 223: Why We Love Schitt's Creek and How We May All Be a Little Like Moira Rose, with Author Rachel Floyd | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:00:36 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Get ready to finally learn how to fold in the cheese, because author Rachel Floyd is joining me this episode to discuss her hilarious new cookbook Tastes Like Schitt: The Unofficial Schitt's Creek Cookbook and share how her ADHD led her to find sustainable success in a field she's always been passionate about. Rachel and her sister Hannah started the parody cookbook as a fun way to stay connected during Covid, and over time their unique idea snowballed from a self-published online resource to a traditionally-published cookbook lining the shelves of independent bookstores, all because they were brave enough to follow through on their dreams. Much like Moira Rose, Rachel lets her curiosity guide her and isn't afraid to dream big, and I hope her boldness inspires you to channel your own inner Moira, outrageous wigs and all.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 222: Overcoming Adversity through Gratitude & Optimism with Jen Kohms | 05 Apr 2023 | 01:04:21 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Jen Kohms has faced huge hurdles throughout her life, raising herself from age 13 and living on her own starting at 15 all while managing undiagnosed ADHD. Despite a difficult start, Jen figured out many pre-diagnosis workarounds and always held onto her optimism, which carried her through to the other side. She got an official ADHD diagnosis at age 34 after her son was diagnosed, and this new understanding allowed her to lean into her gifts and build a supportive life around her unique brain. Now, Jen is working toward her goal of becoming an ADHD coach and still incorporates gratitude into everything she does. She tells me that she has found success through her innate ability to listen around corners and through walls, to read people and their needs, and to care enough to help, all of which shines through in speaking with her. Jen's optimism, gratitude, and determination make her an inspiration for anyone, and I'm so excited to share her story with you this episode.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 221: ADHD and Grief After a Later in Life Diagnosis with Amelia Etherton | 29 Mar 2023 | 01:02:55 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ Amelia Etherton, a freelance editor and writer living in Ireland, bravely reached out to me with a request that I have more older (personally, I prefer venerable) ADHD women on the show who can speak to the specific type of grief that comes with a later-in-life diagnosis and all of the 'what-if's that come with it. Amelia herself was recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD at 57, so I thought, who better to speak on this topic than her? Amelia's diagnosis brought with it an almost overwhelming sense of grief over how hard it was to bring up her kids mostly alone without knowing they were all neurodivergent, but it also gave her a newfound feeling of hope and self-understanding that has been life-changing. She wants other late-diagnosed ADHD women to see that it's possible to move beyond the grief of what could have been and to embrace your unique brains in order to truly enjoy the time you have left, and I'm delighted to share her message of hope with you this episode.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 343: Raising Emotionally Safe Kids After Domestic Abuse with Dr. Shafer Stedron | 30 Jul 2025 | 01:02:23 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes from dropping the mask and reclaiming your story after decades of living someone else's version of your life. Dr. Shafer Stedron knows this journey intimately. Dr. Shafer is a neurologist, life coach, author, and host of Talks with Dr. Shafer. Drawing from both clinical expertise and lived experience, she helps others reframe their stories with creativity, compassion, and courage. Her work explores the intersections of burnout, movement, and emotional regulation, plus why traditional systems often fail ADHD minds. In this conversation, Dr. Shafer and Tracy dive into the reality of being neurodivergent in medicineāfrom the 2016 study showing 34% of medical students with disabilities have ADHD, to why doctors with ADHD often catch things others miss (hello, pattern recognition and environmental scanning). They explore Shafer's journey from a 19-year-old who said yes to marriage after two weeks, through decades of domestic abuse, to finally learning to listen to her "harm alarm" and reclaim her story. Dr. Shafer also shares her approach to helping people drop the mask and create what she calls a "bubble sheet"ānot a linear trajectory, but a sheet covered with all your goals and interests, because that's who you are as a person. Plus, she breaks down her children's book The Boy and His Brightly Colored Blocks, which explores pathological demand avoidance and why connection beats correction every time. Resources: Website: drshaferstedronova.com Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 220: ADHD Strengths, a Late in Life ADHD Diagnosis and Why You Should Talk to Strangers with Angela Raspass | 22 Mar 2023 | 01:01:32 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ When I work with older ADHD women they often ask me, "I've made it through life this far, what would really change if I got a diagnosis?" Well, self-leadership coach and author Angela Raspass is here to answer that question, and her response is "everything."
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| EP. 219: ADHD Tenacity: Using No to Get Closer to Yes with Jamie Cutino | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:47:43 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ ADHD women are known for being tenacious (probably because we've had to be!), but my guest this episode takes it to a whole new level. Jamie Cutino is a Master of Occupational Therapy, an entrepreneur, and an ADHD advocate and coach. Her tenacity has gotten her through a difficult upbringing, onto the TedX stage, and has driven her to found two different companies where she gets to do what she loves.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||
| Ep. 218 How an ADHD Diagnosis Taught Micah Clasper-Torch to Rethink Entrepreneurship | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:57:03 | |
Tired of ADHD strategies that donāt work? Hereās what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup ___ In true ADHD style, artist Micah Clasper-Torch has had a winding career path, leading her to a variety of jobs in art, fashion, and startups. When Micah discovered the traditional craft of punch needle rug hooking, however, she unexpectedly uncovered a passion that would finally allow her to focus her creativity in a single direction. After completing a rug hooking program in 2019, she successfully launched her own business, Punch Needle World, with a mission to uplift the craft and make high-quality supplies and training accessible to all.
Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Explore more from me: ADHD isnāt a productivity problem. Itās an identity problem. Thatās why most strategies donāt stick. They were not designed for how your brain actually works. If youāre ready to stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits, start with the free training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup Connect with me: Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/adhd-book Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com... | |||