"You Are A Lot" (an ADHD/AuDHD podcast) – Details, episodes & analysis

Rest can feel confusing, uncomfortable, or even stressful when you're neurodivergent. In this episode, I talk about how rest shows up differently for ADHD, autistic, and AuDHD brains, why typical advice doesn't always work, and how to stop treating rest like a reward. I walk through the difference between rest and isolation, how to rest with people, and offer 27 quick, micro break ideas. If rest makes you feel guilty, or restless, I hope this episode will help you rethink what rest can look like on your terms.

Show Notes:

• Click to Get Jen's Free Guide How To R.I.D.E Out Panic Attacks

• Click to Get On The Waitlist For Jen's Panic Course Feb 2026

• Jen's Monthly Action Club Just $19.99

• You Are A Lot Podcast On Patreon 7 Day Free Trial

• You Are A Lot Podcast Website & Blog

• Follow Jen's ADHD/AuDHD Tips on Pinterest

• Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: "This Is A Lot"

• "You Are A Lot" Black Tote Bag

• "You Are A Lot" coffee mug & travel mug

• "You Are A Lot" black long-sleeved tee

• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

• Jen's Bookshop.org Gift Guide (books, bags, games, more) 20% Off

• Jen's Sensory Seeking Gift Guide From Kitsch 15% Discount

• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

Sources Used:

• The Power of Micro Breaks For Well-Being

• 7 Types of Rest

• How Sleep Affects Your Immune System

• Rest Is Resistance The Nap Ministry

• Laziness Does Not Exist 20% Off

If holiday gift-giving stresses you out, you need to listen to this one. In this episode, I talk about why gifting can be so overwhelming (executive dysfunction, decision fatigue, social pressure) and how to make it easier. I share simple ways to lower the mental load, like using gift categories, anchoring to one idea, and giving yourself permission to give late (or not at all). I also created a few curated, neurodivergent-friendly gift guides to help you shop with less stress. Listen now and take some pressure off your season! Gift Guide Links: Kitsch, Bookshop, Appointed

Jen's Gift Guide Affiliate Links:

• Kitsch
• Bookshop
• Appointed
• Hugimals
• UnHide

Sources Used:

• The Psychology of Gift Giving
• A Quick Guide to Gifting With ADHD
• Understanding the Brain Science Behind Giving/Receiving Gifts
• The Art & Science of Gift Giving

This episode started with a simple question I asked on social media: "What's a weird habit of yours that you wonder if it's tied to your ADHD/AuDHD?" Hundreds of responses came in. This is part 3 of this three part series. In this episode the themes explored are systems and rituals around time tricks, sorting, and hyperfocus.

SHOW NOTES

• You Are A Lot Podcast On Patreon 7 Day Free Trial
• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!
• Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: "This Is A Lot"
• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com
• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN
• You Are A Lot Podcast Website

SOURCES USED:

• Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin 20% off
• Unmasking Autism by Devon Price 20% off
• Smart But Stuck by Dr. Thomas Brown 20% off
• Autism in Polyvagal Terms 20% off this book
• The ADHD Productivity Manual by Ari Tuckman 20% off this book
• Laziness Does Not Exist By Devon Price 20% off this book
• TLC Foundation For BFRB's
• Dr. Kieran Rose, autistic educator & advocate
• Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory 
• Dr. Aimee Daramus, Clinical psychologist/specialist in neurodivergent sensory issues 

This episode started with a simple question I asked on social media: "What's a weird habit of yours that you wonder if it's tied to your ADHD/AuDHD?" Hundreds of responses came in. This is part 2 of this three part series. In this episode the theme is the body-based side of ADHD and AuDHD—the textures we can't stand, the stims that keep us grounded, rituals around food, the need for symmetry, and all the little physical quirks that help us regulate.

SHOW NOTES

'This Is A Lot' Resources:

• You Are A Lot Podcast On Patreon 7 Day Free Trial

• You Are A Lot Podcast Website

• Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: "This Is A Lot"

• Call The "A Lot" Line at (347) 674-2201

• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources:

• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

• Jen's Book Recommendations With 20% Off

Sources:

• Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin 20% off

• Unmasking Autism by Devon Price 20% off

• Smart But Stuck by Dr. Thomas Brown 20% off

• Autism in Polyvagal Terms 20% off this book

• The ADHD Productivity Manual by Ari Tuckman 20% off this book

• Laziness Does Not Exist By Devon Price 20% off this book

• TLC Foundation For BFRB's

• Dr. Kieran Rose, autistic educator & advocate

• Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory 

• Dr. Aimee Daramus, Clinical psychologist/specialist in neurodivergent sensory issues 

For the ad-free audio and video version of this episode - join me over on Patreon by clicking here for a 7-day-free trial. This episode started with a simple question I asked on social media: "What's a weird habit of yours that you wonder if it's tied to your ADHD/AuDHD?" Hundreds of responses came in. The traits or quirks that I read were hilarious, heartbreaking, and a lot were relatable to me. While these behaviors might sound random or odd, or overly specific to a neurotypical, they're loaded meaning once you understand how a neurodivergent brain works. This is part 1 of a three part series. In this episode the themes are having trouble with TV shows ending, wanting spoilers for books and movies, and an intolerance of awkward moments

'This Is A Lot' Resources:

• You Are A Lot Podcast On Patreon 7 Day Free Trial
• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!
• Follow Jen's ADHD/AuDHD Tips on Pinterest
• Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: "This Is A Lot"
• You Are A Lot Podcast Website
• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources:

• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN
• Jen's Book Recommendations With 20% Off

Sources:

• TLC Foundation For BFRB's
• Dr. Kieran Rose, autistic educator & advocate
• Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory 
• Dr. Aimee Daramus, Clinical psychologist/specialist in neurodivergent sensory issues 
• Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin 
• Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price 
• Smart But Stuck by Thomas E Brown, PhD

In this Patreon Only episode: I give advice (and information backed by neuroscience and trauma informed experts) to a Patreon subscriber who wrote a question in the chat community. The themes in this question are so relatable to us ADHD/AuDHD humans like; feeling overwhelmed when we finally have time to ourselves, freezing when it's time to make a decision, struggling to know what we actually want in the short-term and long-term; feeling ashamed about all of that, and having trouble asking for help.

SHOW NOTES:

• You Are A Lot Podcast On Patreon 7 Day Free Trial
• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!
• Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: "This Is A Lot"
• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com
• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN
• Jen's Book Recommendations With 20% Off

SOURCES USED:

• Dr. Russell Barkley - ADHD researcher and author 
• Pete Walker - CPTSD expert/psychologist 
• Dr. Sharon Saline 
• Leanne Maskell – ADHD coach and author 
• Dr. William Dodson – Psychiatrist and ADHD expert 
• Psychology Today: "Why Some People With ADHD Refuse To Ask For Help" 
• 20% Off Book:  Smart But Stuck by Dr. Thomas E. Brown 
• 20% Off Book: The ADHD Productivity Manual, by Ari Tuckman 
• 20% Off Book: The Joy Reset: 6 Ways Trauma Steals Happiness & How To Win It Back by Mary Catherine McDonald, PhD
• 20% Off Book: Self-Compassion by Kristen Neff, PhD
• 20% Off Book: Healing the Shame That Binds You, by John Bradshaw

In this episode, I am talking about an article in Psychology Today called Why Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD Students Are Stressed at School that shines a light on a new study that shows that schools place double emotional burdens on neurodivergent students. I talk about how so many of us were overlooked for diagnosis as kids and how our emotional needs weren't being met and how we carried that emotional neglect from the world into adulthood. This show exists because of my Patreon members — and I'm pushing hard to reach my first milestone: 750 subscribers by the end of the year. For $12/month (with a 7-day free trial), you'll get the video version, bonus episodes, and the satisfaction of knowing you're helping me keep creating. Click here to join.

'This Is A Lot' Resources:

• Sign up for my 'This Is A Lot' Newsletter: - sent every 10 days

• Call The "A Lot" Line at (347) 674-2201

• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources:

• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

• Jen's Book Recommendations With 20% Off

Sources:

• Why Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD Students Are Stressed at School, Psychology Today

Autistic & AuDHD Humans Do Not "Understand" Hierarchy

This month's Out From Behind The Paywall Episode is a Little Pod bonus episode that until today was on Patreon only. I'm talking about the AuDHD and Autistic tendency to not be motivated by social climbing and not wanting to cooperate with workplace hierarchies. I know what it's like to feel alone with your brain. That's why I make this show—and most of the deep-dive, honest stuff lives on Patreon. This episode is just a taste. If it helped you feel seen, come hang out with us. I'm giving listeners 50% off of their first month right now! You get bonus episodes, videos, and access to a private chat community where we all talk about our challenges being neurodivergent. Click this link https://www.patreon.com/c/ALOTADHDPOD to pay just $6 right now and use CODE C1782

In this episode: It's all about letting go of self-esteem as a goal. It's vague, unmeasurable, and often just makes things worse—especially for people with ADHD/AuDHD. But self-efficacy is EVERYTHING. Simply put: it's the realistic belief that you have the skills to do a task or handle a situation. Your self-efficacy can be improved (thanks to neuroplasticity) and there is irrefutable science and studies that support its life-changing results. I'll explain more about the findings on self-efficacy, how it works, and give you some ways to start focusing on your self-efficacy today so that you can start projects, and actually follow through. Let's go! 

SHOW NOTES

"This is A Lot" Resources

Sign up for my "This Is A Lot" Newsletter: sent every 10 days

Call The "A Lot" Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

Sources

Why Self-Efficacy Is More Important Than Self-Esteem; YouTube

Dr. Albert Bandura Quotes

Self-Efficacy Theory Of Motivation Explained; YouTube

Self-Efficacy and Agentic Positive Psychology

Self-Efficacy And Why Believing In Yourself Matters; VeryWell Mind

In this episode: Most people don't associate ADHD with hope — but they should. This episode explores the science behind hope as a cognitive process. Drawing on research I look at how hope is built, how it functions in the brain, and how it can get eroded by chronic adversity — especially for people with ADHD and AuDHD. If you've been struggling with follow-through, feeling stuck, or wondering why things feel harder than they "should," this is an episode that explains why — and how you can cultivate hope! 

SHOW NOTES

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

SOURCES

Build Resilience By Learning To Hope; ADDitude Magazine

Promoting Hope in ADHD; Dr. Hallowell

The Gift of Hope; Dig Coaching

The Science And Power Of Hope; Dr. Chan Hellman