ADHD and politics has been at the top of my ‘topics I want to cover’ list for quite some time now, but given the extreme political division within the United States and around the world, I wanted to wait until I had something to share that could possibly make things better and wouldn’t add more fuel to the fire. Well, I recently read the book The Molecule of More by Dr. Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long, and I was inspired to finally tackle this topic in a way that I thought my listeners especially would be able to understand: with biology. What if, just like with ADHD, we could connect the differences in how we see the world to our brains, rather than character flaws or a moral failing? I’m hoping that by answering this question, I can give you a new, gentler lens through which to view those on the other side of the political spectrum. The only way we’re going to bridge the political gap is by trying to understand those who are different from us. If we can find an understanding through biology, rather than shaming and blaming, perhaps we can let down our guards enough to come together and start doing the work. Resources The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race By Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and Michael E. Long.
Last episode I did a solo overview of imposter syndrome to lay the foundation for my wonderful conversation with my guest this episode, Danielle House. Danielle is a shining example of how imposter syndrome can weasel its way into the lives of even the most accomplished ADHD women. At 30 she became the CEO of a medical device company, yet, up until recently, she held the belief that her success was due to luck, a mistake–anything but her own intelligence and ability. Danielle says the biggest factor in tackling her imposter syndrome has been finally understanding how her brain works: “The imposter syndrome is still very much there, but I’m starting to recognize and be able to come to terms with my success and how I got here, not despite my ADHD but because of it.” Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence, and Danielle’s story gives me hope that we can all learn to see ourselves as the badasses we are. Resources: Website: OCTOdent Dental Aerosol Suction Unit Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/housedanielle/
Every day I meet amazingly brilliant ADHD women who cannot see their own brilliance. These women may have an impressive list of accomplishments, but because they struggle to keep up with the behind-the-scenes tasks that society tells us are a measurement of our value, all they can focus on are those struggles. In this episode, I’m covering the basics of imposter syndrome–what it is, why it develops, and why I believe it impacts so many ADHD women especially–and giving some tips for changing the internal narrative that you aren’t good enough. Imposter syndrome relies on shame and self-doubt to thrive, and when we can step out of that shame and into our most authentic selves, that’s when we take back our power.
If you got a puppy during the COVID lockdown like I did, you’ve probably seen some weird and frustrating social behaviors and anxieties crop up as a result of missing out on crucial socialization time. Between the nightmarish vet appointments and the anxiety-fueled barking, my dog is driving me bonkers and I’ve been at a loss for what to do about it. Luckily, canine behavior consultant Rene Smith is here to help us take a closer look at the purpose behind our dog’s behaviors and reevaluate our approach to intervention. Being ADHD herself, Rene understands that strict training schedules will never work for her mostly ADHD clients, nor do they need to. Instead, she focuses on building trust and connection between dogs and their humans by giving dogs agency over their space and providing humans with the tools and know-how to interpret communication attempts and reinforce healthy behaviors. Rene’s passion for helping a population that’s often misunderstood is inspiring (not to mention, so ADHD!), and I’m delighted to have you join our wonderful eye-opening conversation. Resources: Instagram: @streetdogrehab Website: Street Dog Rehab Facebook group: Human End of the Leash Podcast: Dog Life with No Spoons Organization/Cleaning coaching: https://www.freshstartdetailers.com/virtual-organizing-coaching Website to book sessions and learn more: www.streetdogrehab.com Discount code for listeners: NOSPOONS
We ADHDers are often unfairly labeled as “flaky” in the workplace, but in my experience, if you find the right ADHD person who’s motivated by an interest and investment in the work, there is truly no one better for the job. I believe I’ve found the cream of the ADHD crop in my podcast producer, Grace Bourey, who has reorganized everything for me and put systems in place that keep the podcast running smoothly, leaving me with the mental energy to focus on the work that matters most to me. Beyond her organizational skills, Grace has a clever sense of humor that comes in handy on her own podcast, Weirds of a Feather, which she and her childhood best friend created to provide a shame-free space for ADHDers to laugh about the challenging, incredible, and absurd aspects of life with ADHD. This episode, we’re talking about the importance of embedding creativity and fun into anything you do, the challenges of trying to follow a linear career path when you have non-linear thinking, and more. Like me, Grace isn’t afraid to march to the beat of her own weird drum, which is key to discovering your bravest and most authentic self. Resources: Instagram: @graceminna; @weirdsofafeather Facebook: Weirds of a Feather Podcast: Weirds of a Feather on Apple Podcasts
Of all my ADHD gifts, interpersonal intuition is the one that I consider my ultimate superpower. I’ve always had this ability to walk into a room and know what’s going on without hearing one word, it’s like I can read the energy of everyone around me and determine who’s happy, who’s pretending to be happy, who’s struggling, who cares about others and who doesn’t. ‘Intuition’ may sound like a woo-woo concept to some, but at the most basic level it’s simply a subconscious level of thinking; it’s that automatic “gut feeling” you get when you know what to do but can’t explain why. Our intuition has the power to guide us in the right direction, but only if we can learn how to listen to and honor it. This episode I’m diving into what intuition is, why it’s so strong in ADHDers, and how to tune into your intuition and use it as your decision-making rudder. My interpersonal intuition is so important to me because it allows me to see gifts in others before they can see it in themselves, and I believe you, too, can channel your intuition into one of your greatest strengths.
At this point in the podcast I’ve covered just about every ADHD topic under the sun, but one area I’ve always tiptoed around has been sexuality and ADHD; I’ve never been quite sure how to approach it, or whether my listeners even wanted to hear me talk about it for that matter! Luckily, sex educator, journalist, author, and podcaster, August McLaughlin, isn’t afraid to run head-on into the scary and taboo. She offered to hold my hand this episode as we slowly wade into the tricky but wonderful world of sex and ADHD, from self-connection and masturbation, to rejection sensitivity and relationships, to even ‘girl boners’–yup, you read that right. If you’ve ever wondered how ADHD impacts your own relationship with sexuality but have felt embarrassed or unsure of where to start, August’s brilliance, empathy, and passion for this work will give you the perfect jumping-off point and may even empower you to go on a self-discovery journey of your own. Resources: Instagram: @augustmclaughlin Podcast: Girl Boner Podcast Her website: augustmclaughlin.com/august/
ADHD women have heard every excuse under the sun for why their doctors won’t consider an ADHD diagnosis or take their concerns seriously; everything from the classic “it’s just anxiety,” to “you’re too smart to have ADHD,” to even “you just think it’s cool to have ADHD and that’s why you want a diagnosis.” Seriously, what the hell?! Being gaslit, misdiagnosed, and dismissed by medical professionals can prevent us from getting a proper diagnosis and accessing treatment for years, even decades, because of the shame and self-doubt that follows these appointments. This episode I’m sharing misdiagnosis stories from members of the Facebook group to highlight just how often it happens. I’m also giving you some tips and tools for pushing back against the ADHD stereotypes that still very much exist in the medical community. We know our brains best and we know ADHD is real, and my hope is to empower you to keep advocating for yourself and your health until someone finally listens. Resources Help With ADHD Diagnosis: Symptom Evaluation Mistakes (additudemag.com) Was ADHD to Blame All Along? 8 Reasons Symptoms Are Mistaken (additudemag.com) ‘If you can pay attention, you do not have ADHD’ — and 9 other misperceptions about the disorder - The Washington Post ADHD Signs Hidden in Plain Sight: Overlooked Symptoms (additudemag.com) ADHD Misdiagnosis Stories: Symptoms Mistaken for Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar (additudemag.com) 3 Defining Features of ADHD: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, Hyperfocus, Emotionality (additudemag.com) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-40-how-to-prepare-to-meet-with-your-adhd-doctor/id1443678424?i=1000452867649
There’s nothing quite like the ‘aha’ moment of realizing you have ADHD after a lifetime of trying to understand yourself, but after the initial shock wears off many of us are left wondering: okay, so what comes next? I’m frequently asked how to go about pursuing a diagnosis and finding a team of medical and mental health professionals who actually understand ADHD, which is why I’m so excited to invite Kalin Johnson onto the podcast to answer these questions and more. Kalin, a clinical pharmacist, healthcare advocate, and neurodivergent mentor, recognized a huge gap in supports for neurodivergent people trying to navigate the complicated medical world after struggling to find the right medications and treatments herself. So, like the Smart Ass woman she is, she decided to do something about it. Kalin now uses her medical knowledge and personal experience living life as a queer person and late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic individual to help others create sustainable, individualized healthcare plans with a team of neurodivergent-affirming providers who will take a whole-person approach to treatment. For those of you who are ready to take the next steps on your ADHD journey but are apprehensive about starting, you won’t want to miss this encouraging and informative conversation with the delightful Kalin Johnson. Resources: Website: https://www.kalinjohnson.com/ Instagram: @kalinpharmd TikTok:@kalinpharmd Book an Initial Consult: https://www.kalinjohnson.com/get-started Upcoming free class: Unmasking Your Health
I always love talking with ADHD women who are making waves in positions traditionally held by men, so when my guest this episode, Danyell DiLena, mentioned she was kicking ass in not one but two male-dominated fields, I knew I had to have her on to share her story. Danyell’s journey hasn’t been easy–she’s had to deal with sexism both in her career as a medic and on the literal field as a baseball coach–but her determination, creativity, and resiliency have made her an unstoppable force when she sets her mind to something. For the past 5 years she has served as the first female Coach Coordinator for district33/San Diego where she’s in charge of thousands of baseball teams. Even since recording this conversation, she has been offered a new position managing an all-girls U-16 baseball team to take to the Nationals Tournament; seriously, she’s unstoppable. Danyell is passionate about empowering women and girls to feel like they can succeed in any area they choose, gender barriers be damned, and I know her words will empower you too. Resources: Instagram: @CoachDiLenaBaseball Youtube: Coach DiLena Baseball Facebook: Coach DiLena