ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Priscilla Tollin was born with neurofibromatosis (NF), a neurological disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue and can impact mobility. Priscilla’s physical limitations meant that any hyperactivity she experienced growing up was turned inwards, and her ADHD flew under the radar until finally getting a diagnosis at 32. Once Priscilla understood her ADHD brain, so many pieces of the puzzle fell into place. She was able to address her RSD, to shift her mindset to one of optimism and positivity, and to pursue a career she’s genuinely passionate about. Now, Priscilla is studying pet nutrition and working on starting her own dog treat business. She is also an advocate for neurofibromatosis, disability, and ADHD. During our conversation Priscilla shares her unique experience of having ADHD with no physical outlet, what NF is and the range of ways it can manifest, how self-acceptance led her to create the life she had always imagined, and her helpful advice for ensuring our pets are getting the nutrition they deserve. Resources: spyhappy.me/bookreview Dog Treat Instagram: @ro_dogtreats Personal Instagram: @potatoesocks_

Many people know I'm a gusher, meaning that when I find something I really believe in, I want the whole world to know about it. I truly believe that the bottom-line goal with ADHD is to master our nervous systems, which is why I'm so delighted to sit down with clinical social worker and coach, Gabrielle Juliano-Villani. Gabrielle began her career in child protective and victim’s services and eventually started her own private practice working with older adults, folks with chronic pain and illness, and trauma. After hitting her own ADHD burnout in 2021, she sold her practice and made it her mission to educate others on the impact stress has on our everyday lives. Gabrielle pulls from her experience as an EMDR and polyvagal-informed therapist to utilize mind/body approaches to help others implement everyday strategies to manage stress and live their best lives. During our conversation she provides an easy-to-digest breakdown of what EMDR is and how it works, the basics of Polyvagal Theory, what it means to “map” your nervous system, and how these somatic therapy approaches can help us to get out of our heads and back into our bodies. Resources: Instagram: @gjvconsulting Tiktok: @gabriellejulianovillani Youtube: @gabriellejulianovillani Website: Gabriellejulianovillani.com Medicareconsultingfortherapists.com GJVConsulting.Etsy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellejulianovillani/ Retreat discount code is ADHD

Katy McFee spent the bulk of her career undiagnosed, and struggled for years until she learned how to work with her ADHD and not against it. After 18 years in the corporate world she founded her company, Insights to Action, which is on a mission to help close the gender gap in senior leadership. Katy discovered through her entrepreneurship journey and ADHD diagnosis that we can all thrive as our authentic selves once we are ready to accept ourselves for who we are. She is passionate about empowering women and helping more women break into senior leadership and thrive as leaders without burning out, a passion that shines through in everything she does. Join my insightful conversation with Katy to hear about her personal ADHD journey, how she sets herself up for success each day with an energizing morning routine, everything she’s learned about leadership in the corporate world, and all the work she’s doing to help other incredible women like herself make meaningful changes in male-dominated industries. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-mcfee-3880b4a/ Instagram: @katy.mcfee Website: www.insightstoactioncc.com

After being diagnosed with ADHD at age twelve, Jessica McCabe struggled with a brain she didn’t understand. Determined to understand her challenges, Jessica reached out to experts, read articles, and decided to share her findings with others. This determination and curiosity set her on the incredible path she’s on today. Jessica is now the founder and host of the award-winning YouTube channel, How to ADHD, where she has built a community of millions who follow along as she uses up-to-date research, consultations with mental health professionals, and her own personal experiences to create fun educational content to help people better understand their unique brains. She is also the author of a brand new book, How To ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working With Your Brain (Not Against It). The ADHD world isn't pie, there’s plenty to go around for everyone. The more of us that are talking about ADHD, the more likely that we’ll actually change more lives, which is why I’m inviting you to join my conversation with Jessica and learn more about her new book and all the wonderful work she does helping ADHDers to live their most fulfilling lives. Resources: Book Events: spyhappy.me/bookclub adhdforsmartwomen.com/happywomendinners adhdforsmartwomen.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/howtoadhd Instagram: @howtoadhd Book link: https://howtoadhdbook.com

Dr. Ashley Portmann had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian ever since she was a little girl, but like with many fast-paced careers in the medical field she soon found herself hitting burnout from the chaos of general practice. Ashley attended a conference on home hospice care and realized that maybe she wouldn’t have to leave the profession she loved so much after all, maybe she could pivot in a new direction that would work for her ADHD brain and allow her to dig her way out of burnout instead of contributing to it. In early 2018 Ashley decided to start her own practice, Home Together Veterinary Services, offering in-home care for senior pets and their people. This style of practice allows her to form genuine connections with her patients and take a more holistic approach to veterinary medicine, which has reignited her self-confidence and her passion for the field. The services Ashley offers and the empathy and comfort she brings to families during a difficult time are so crucial, and I hope Ashley’s story of finding her niche inspires you to start thinking about how you could make a meaningful pivot in your own life. Resources: Website: https://www.hometogethervet.com/ Facebook: Home Together Veterinary Services Instagram: @hometogethervet (business); @abportmann (personal) IAAHPC website: https://iaahpc.org/

Melinda Shepherdson’s sense of adventure has led her up mountains, down rivers, and across the world. Her long list of travel destinations is impressive, but what Melinda cares about most on these adventures is her connection with nature. The outdoors provides her with regulation, energy, positivity, and helps to calm her ADHD mind–all benefits she knew she had to share with others when starting a business. In the last few years, Melinda discovered the Adventure Bush Therapy space and partnered with an experienced outdoor education specialist to create small group programs for children, including autistic individuals and those with ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities. The work allows her to combine her passion for nature with her desire to help children and the results are pretty incredible. Join my conversation with Melinda to hear her personal ADHD journey, what her travels have taught her, how she was able to pivot from occupational therapy into the career she has today, the differences in medication when you have ADHD vs. AuDHD, and so much more. Resources: Website: https://www.inmotu.com.au Email: ot@inmotu.com.au Video of a beautiful song our women's choir sang - definitely worth a look. I'm in it! https://youtu.be/LZ_fXuy6R1k?si=2fqJ5UzzpKh4cHW3

Last episode, I had the pleasure of introducing you to five brilliant women who were all in different stages of their own ADHD journey, and what I discovered is they found reflection and resonance within our book. All of these women shared their personal stories that showcase the unique paths they've walked, and they discuss the impact that our book had on them. In this episode, we’ll hear from four more incredible women who share their warmth, wisdom, and community in their stories and insights. Let's dive in and see where their experiences might echo your own, or even better, help you add that missing piece to your own ADHD puzzle. Resources: 📕 ADHD FOR SMART ASS WOMEN 📖 adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

For this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women and the next episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with 9 real women who are in different stages of their ADHD journey and have also found reflection and resonance within our book. You’re going to meet 5 of them and then in our next episode you’ll meet 4 more of these wonderful women. They've generously shared their personal stories, that showcase the unique paths they've walked, and they'll share with us the impact our 📖 has had on them. You'll find warmth, wisdom, and a community in their stories and insights. So let’s Dive in and see where their experiences might echo your own or even better help you connect that missing piece to your own ADHD puzzle. Resources: Stephanie Bilotta (Ballada) Hookedasheville.etsy.com Ruth Malloy facebook.com/ruth.malloy.90 Kathy Spence podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/align-hustle/id1521886538 Esther Nagle redshoesrecovery.com 📕 ADHD FOR SMART ASS WOMEN 📖 adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

This is going to be a very different episode than anything we've ever done here. I have invited my good friend, Dr. Christine Lee, to the podcast to interview me about my new book, ADHD for SMART ASS WOMEN. Christine is a procrastination coach, a seasoned clinical psychologist, and was the first ever guest on my podcast, which makes her the perfect person to help me reflect back on how far we’ve come and what I’m hoping for this book. Christine and I discuss my relationship with control and how that played out during the writing process, why writing this book has been both the most challenging and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, what we have to gain when we push ourselves past our comfort zones, and the lessons I hope ADHD women will take away from my work. I have spent two and a half years pouring myself into this book and I’m so delighted to finally share it with you, our wonderful listeners, who reminded me why I was writing it every step of the way. Resources: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Doing this kind of work, I often feel like I’m going up against an industry that sees ADHD only as a weakness. But not only is there science and research to refute these negative misconceptions, there's also you, the thousands of ADHD women that I've had the privilege of meeting. And I just know after meeting all of you that they're getting it wrong. Everywhere I go, there's another kick-ass entrepreneur who tells me that they have ADHD too. So the way I see it, I had to write this book not just for you and other women, but for the young girls who will follow us, because if they can grow up in a world that values their brilliant, albeit unique brains, their lives are going to be completely different. Writing this book is about more than just turning pages in a book, it's about changing chapters in women and girls' lives. I hope that my book doesn't just flip the script on ADHD, I hope that it totally rewrites the ending. So now I bring you the Audible introduction of my book, ADHD for Smart Ass Women.

We’ve known for quite some time that ADHD doesn’t just “go away” 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? Dr. Kathleen Nadeau has been working to answer these questions for the last few decades. Along with many other accomplishments, she’s the author of Still Distracted After All These Years, the only book focusing on the needs of older adults with ADHD. During my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Nadeau, she shares about her personal ADHD journey, her work in the field, the three biggest factors impacting older ADHD women, and ways to support your body, brain, and well-being through all stages of life. Dr. Nadeau’s work serves as an important reminder that life doesn’t have to stop at retirement, and we can always continue adding joy and meaning to our lives no matter our age. Resources: Website: thechesapeakecenter.com

Show Notes–Ep. 256: Cults, Child Marriage and ADHD Optimism with Dr. Tamara MC 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. Join my conversation with the wonderful Dr. Tamara MC to hear about her harrowing story and the bravery it took to leave, how ADHD, autism, OCD, and complex PTSD contributed to both her confinement and her freedom, ways to identify when a community is exhibiting cult-like behavior, and how to find optimism in the face of hopelessness. Resources: Website: https://tamaramc.com/ https://muckrack.com/tamaramc/portfolio https://linktr.ee/tamaramc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaraMC11 Twitter: @TamaraMCPhD Instagram: @tamaramcphd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramcphd/

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought the topic of ADHD and gratitude couldn’t 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 we’re not in positive emotion! Positive emotion has been shown to increase dopamine, which drives our memory, our behavior, our focus, and our motivation. When we're in positive emotion, we get stuff done, we're happier, and we're more driven, and it all begins with a simple shift in mindset. Join me for a special solo episode, where I’m sharing some easy and effective ways to change your thoughts from self-doubt to gratitude. Our thoughts have the power to create the lives we want, and I think you’ll be amazed by how different life starts to look when you make positivity a priority. Resources: Tamara Rosier: drrosier@miadhd.com Vanessa Gorelkin: https://vanessagorelkin.com Denese Marshall: info@denesemarshall.com

When Dr. Nanci Smith realized her neurodiverse childrens’ needs weren’t 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. Nanci learned how to support her childrens’ sensory, socio-emotional, and executive functioning needs, and along the way she learned how to support her own unique brain as well. She has since gone on to become certified with the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) social skills program, is an expert in teaching executive function skills, runs Improv classes for kids on the spectrum, and is training to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider. Nanci’s belief is that kids do well where they can, and her empathetic approach to education will have you seeing neurodivergence in a whole new way. Resources: Get $15 off classes at Outschool by entering coupon code NORELPODCAST15 at checkout. Promo available until Nov 28, 2024. https://outschool.com/teachers/Nanci-Norelli-Smith-Ph-D https://www.wyzant.com/match/tutor/87452302

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 body’s needs that she realized how much easier things could be. Kalin now combines her personal experience with her professional training as a healthcare provider to help others bridge the gap between mental and physical health. Through her work, she shows high-achieving, neurodivergent, and hypermobile individuals how to “unmask their health” and feel their best. Join me in welcoming Kalin back onto the podcast (you can listen to her first episode here, ) as she shares her knowledge on hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the ways it impacts ADHD, why so many of us are stuck in fight-or-flight, and how to regulate our nervous systems and get our brains back online so we can start feeling our absolute best. Resources: Website: https://www.kalinjohnson.com/ TikTok: @kalinpharmd Insta: @kalinpharmd

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. Resources: Website: www.mindmosaic.ca LinkedIn: https://wwww.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lewis-cphr-46203236/ Instagram: @lisajolewis Photo credit: Sheena Davies Photography

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. Resources: Instagram: @the_mini_adhd_coach Website : Youtube: My new book:

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. Resources: Linked in: IG: antonia_abstrategies TikTok: @antoniabowring963 Website:

Resources: Visit: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

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. Resources

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 supports. 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 supports 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 this episode. Resources: Instagram: @sivan_hong_author Website: LinkedIn:

Show Notes–Ep. 247: Breaking Up with Booze and Living Your Best Life with Amanda Kuda Amanda Kuda was acutely aware of being different from her peers growing up–the movie Matilda made her feel seen, minus the telekinesis–so 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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @amandakuda

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. Resources: Website: TikTok: @ADHDComedy IG: @PostmanComedy

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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @StephanieCalderonInteriors

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. Resources: Instagram: @adhd_life LinkedIn: Website: Facebook:

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, these 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, she was able to build a wonderful career beyond her wildest dreams.

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. Resources: Website: Instagram: bellamosaic Facebook: bellamosaic

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. Resources: - restaurant - hostel, apartment hotel and cabins - chocolatier

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. Resources: Website: Youtube: Book:

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. Resources: Instagram: @neurodivergent_insights 1) My book is now available for pre-order: 2) My podcast is now live, which can be found here:

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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @annadaphnaofficial Facebook: LinkedIn: Twitter:

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. Resources: Website: Facebook: Career Coaching with Shell LinkedIn: Gmail: Tracy’s program: spyhappy.me/mc

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 just the goal is 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 discuss Irena’s brilliant book and the writing process behind it, her ADHD childhood and emigration 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. Resources: Website: Facebook: Instagram: @irena.smith Tracy’s program:

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Juliann Decker: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

When Mandy Zelinka and I first crossed paths in a women's marketing mastermind group years ago, her vibrant energy and unmistakable talent made it clear she was headed for big things. However, nobody including Mandy could’ve predicted the eccentric places her creative ADHD brain would wind up taking her. Mandy’s foray into filmmaking first began when she got bored and convinced her Mayor husband to run off to a nudist colony and live in a tiny RV nestled in the Issaquah Alps. Their three-year adventure in the nudist colony, which she describes as being “like one giant SNL skit that took place on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” became the catalyst for her captivating documentary, Escape from Tiger Mountain Family Nudist Park. Mandy’s documentary received recognition from film festivals around the world, and before she knew it, she was an award-winning documentarian. During our heartwarming and humorous conversation, Mandy shares her experiences as a self-taught documentarian and how she transformed her ADHD into a formidable asset. We explore the beauty of hyperfixation, the importance of embracing boredom as a creative person, and the power of treating ADHD as a lifelong journey of self-discovery. Resources: Substack: Youtube show: Documentary: Instagram: @MandyZelinka 12 Weeks of Mandy’s meal plans are usually $27, but Tracy’s listeners get them for $17. They are Perfect for neurodivergent people that forget to eat or get exhausted easily by the idea of having to come up with a different meal every day so they eat the same thing. You can the recipes at a reduced price over at Tracy’s program: with the code PODCASTSASS Instagram: @tracyotsuka

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Trinlee Chodren: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

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 terms–what 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. Resources: Instagram: Chat GPT: Bard by Google: Goblin.tools: Pi Bot Google: Pi Bot Apple: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Instagram: @tracyotsuka

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: or with the code PODCASTSASS Haley Lin: Instagram @7am.hlz Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

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 life–why 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. Resources: Instagram: @andonette

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. Resources: Website: Recent blog article: Arrowsmith Blog: Free webinar series on the brain: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young – TEDx Presentation: Book Resources (including The Woman Who Changed Her Brain, authored by: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young): Learn more about your cognitive profile by completing the free Arrowsmith Cognitive Questionnaire: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: @thearrowsmithprogram YouTube: Mastering your ADHD brain means learning how to trust yourself. Sign up now:

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. Resources: Website: Questionnaires that are helpful for identifying adults and children with possible inattentive ADHD: and Parent support groups on FB: Mastering your ADHD brain means learning how to trust yourself. Sign up now:

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. Resources: Mastering your ADHD brain means learning how to trust yourself. Sign up now:

If you’ve 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. Anita’s book, is built around what she calls the five pillars. These pillars –praise, growth mindset, games, positive acceptance, and acknowledgement– provide a much-needed foundation for couples to return to whenever they find themselves drifting apart. Anita's work stands out because it creates a bridge of empathy between partners, allowing them to recognize that ADHD is not a character failing but simply a difference in brain wiring. By providing this awareness and understanding, she equips couples with the tools to nurture their strengths, communicate effectively, and ultimately create a thriving partnership. Join me this episode for an encouraging and strengths-focused conversation with Anita that will revolutionize the way you navigate relationships as an ADHD couple. Resources: Website: Facebook: Instagram and TikTok: @strengthinyourmind LinkedIn:

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 childrens’ strengths and areas of brilliance, and the absolute necessity of creating a loving and supportive environment where that brilliance can flourish. Resources: Website: Book: BUZZ: A Year of Paying Attention - Facebook:

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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @roxannejarrett

When nutritionist Nicole DeMasi Malcher first came onto the podcast three years ago to talk about nutrition and ADHD (go back and listen to 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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @eatingwithadhd

Growing up in a politically active environment, local Welsh 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 injustice–one of her ADHD strengths–drove 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. Resources: Website: ; Insta: @sararobinson_81 Whatsapp group: Photo credit: Mike Hall

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. Resources: Website: Facebook: Podcast:

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. Resources: Website: Racheljfloyd.com Instagram: @racheljfloyd; @littlebisonpress

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. Resources: Facebook:

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. Resources: Website: Instagram: @ameliajmaiden

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.” Angela was diagnosed last year at 53, and even she was shocked by just how drastically her life was altered when she started to understand and accommodate her ADHD. She was lucky enough to find a medication that works for her brain, but Angela credits the biggest improvements to lifestyle and positivity changes, which have manifested into better relationships with her business, her family, and most importantly, herself. Angela’s ADHD diagnosis allowed her to finally feel like she was taking the reins on her own life after so many years of not realizing the reins were even there. I hope her story inspires you to grab your own reins no matter your age. Resources: Website: , (a new program) Insta:@angelaraspass LinkedIn: Promo Codes: SMARTSTRENGTHS - for $50 off SMARTBOOK - for $10 off

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. Jamie never questions whether she can do something, she just takes the leap and trusts that she can make a net appear. Her secret, she tells me, is an unwavering dedication to her purpose: “My ‘why’ is showing women with ADHD that they are brilliant, and if I allowed my fear to get in the way of that I wouldn't be able to help anybody.” Jamie has gotten to where she is today through her persistence and her refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer, and I’m so delighted to share her story with you. Resources: TikTok: @jamie_outsmartadhd FB Group: Instagram: @jamie_outsmartadhd Youtube: Website: Tedx Talk:

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. Micah’s passion may have inspired her to start her business, but it was when she received her official ADHD diagnosis that the rest of the entrepreneurship puzzle pieces fell into place. Her diagnosis taught her that her creative brain needs structure to thrive, and since building ADHD-friendly systems and supports into her days her business has only grown stronger. Join our conversation to hear how Micah structures her days to get the most out of her creativity, what’s changed since getting diagnosed, her thoughts on creative entrepreneurship, and much more. Resources: Personal website: Instagram: @claspertorch Punch Needle World website: Instagram: @punchneedle.world If you're interested in learning punch needle, check out her online courses here . Use the coupon code ADHDPODCAST for 20% off of Micah’s online course.

Emily McKaskle grew up in the 70’s during a time when girls “didn’t have ADHD,” so when she started struggling with reading in the 2nd grade her teacher dismissed her as just not being very bright and left it at that. It wasn’t until she discovered a Harlequin Romance novel at age 11 that her passion for reading, and therefore her reading ability, skyrocketed. Now, Emily is now an award-winning author of nearly forty books and co-founder of her own company, Book+Love Ink. Her impressive leap from struggling reader to bestselling author definitely improved her confidence, but the imposter syndrome and rejection sensitive dysphoria never really went away. Join our conversation as Emily shares how she quiets that negative voice by incorporating gratitude and positive emotion into her writing process, what’s changed since getting her ADHD diagnosis, how she survives the brutal book editing process, and much more. Emily’s journey just goes to show how crucial interest is for the ADHD brain and what we’re capable of when we follow it, and I’m so excited to share her story with you this episode. Resources: Website: ; Instagram: @emmaleejaynewrites

After grooming her own Shih Tzu during the pandemic and posting a picture online, Elly Linam started having neighbors reach out to her, asking if they could pay her to groom their dogs. One thing led to another, and within a month of that first neighbor asking, she knew there was a passion brewing and enrolled in grooming school. Now, only a few short years later, Elly is a Certified Pet Groomer with her own dog grooming business and a career she’s endlessly passionate about–one that’s dynamic, creative, and perfect for her ADHD brain. Elly found her dream profession at 35 by putting herself out there and growing her spark of passion into a flame, but she’s been able to maintain that flame by supporting her ADHD needs and giving herself permission to do things differently. Join our conversation to hear Elly’s ADHD entrepreneurship story, what changed once she got her official diagnosis, how she builds a balance of work, creativity, and rest into her daily routine, and much more. Resources: Instagram: @ellywentwest; @elly.scissorhands Time Timer:

In my 200th episode I made a callout for someone to come on the podcast who’s been listening for a while, but who doesn’t think they’re accomplished or successful enough to measure up to my other guests. I personally know having interviewed hundreds of ADHD women at this point, that regardless of how much we've done in our life, we still think we haven't done enough. So I challenged our listeners to raise their hand, because every listener resonates differently with every guest and we can learn so much from each other regardless of our age or where we happen to be in life. Well, listener Amanda Feliciano took a giant leap out of her comfort zone and volunteered for the challenge despite her fears, and I’m so glad she did. Amanda, who’s a customer service representative by day and the co-founder and president of Full Circle Theatre Collective by night, has seen huge changes in her confidence, anxiety, and self-talk since receiving her ADHD diagnosis at 32. Her story is a great example of what we can accomplish when we get out of our ruminating brains and into action, and I hope Amanda’s leap of bravery inspires you to take even the littlest step out of your own comfort zone–I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with just how much you’re capable of. Resources: Instagram: @amanda_eff @thefullcircletheatrecollective Email: fullcircletheatercollective@gmail.com

Emma Dodi is the founder of Emma Dodi Cakes in London, a luxury cake and hand-painted macaron business. In true ADHD fashion, Emma’s path hasn’t been a straight one. In a previous life, she was a banker working at top financial companies. Now with four kids, a hands-on husband, and a business of her own that’s creative and dynamic, she couldn’t be happier with where she’s ended up, no matter how unexpected. In our conversation, Emma shares her ADHD journey and diagnosis story, the challenges of socializing as you age, how she carved out a niche for herself in the baking world, the value in getting an ADHD diagnosis, and more. Not only am I blown away by Emma’s incredible edible works of art, but I’m inspired by her drive to discover her true ADHD self and live an authentic life, and I couldn’t be more excited to introduce this episode. Resources: Instagram: @emmadodicakes Website:

Emily Yudofsky struggled with reading growing up, but luckily her dyslexia was identified at a young age and she was given the proper reading interventions to support her differently-wired brain. Emily knows how different her life would’ve been if her dyslexia had gone undiagnosed, which is what inspired her to co-found her company, Marker Learning. Marker Learning’s mission is to level the playing field by making learning disability evaluations and supports more accessible and affordable for families, schools, and individuals no matter their location or financial situation. Emily says, “Previously, evaluations for things like ADHD and dyslexia have been incredibly expensive and cost-prohibitive for many families. Our whole goal is to make access to these services more equitable so that they're not just available for a small echelon of the world.” If you’ve been stuck on a year-long waitlist trying to get an evaluation, or if you haven’t even made an appointment yet because of the outrageous costs, Emily Yudofsky just may have what you need to finally access the supports you deserve. Resources: Website: emily@markerlearning.com

I always talk about how creative the ADHD mind is, but creativity can only get us so far if we don’t also have structure to make things happen. The problem is, there’s so much advice out there on how to create that structure and monetize creativity, most of which isn’t written for our unique brains, that it’s hard to know where to begin. This is why I invited Miriam Schulman back onto the podcast (go back and listen to her first episode if you haven’t already!) to talk about her recent book, Artpreneur. In Artpreneur, Miriam provides actionable steps to turn your creative ideas into a thriving business in a way that works for neurodivergent brains. She’s an expert at cutting through the noise and consolidating everything down into simple, straightforward advice for creative entrepreneurs and I’m so excited to be able to share her brilliance with you again. Join our conversation as Miriam and I discuss the book-writing process, what defines art, how to market your work, the importance of believing in the buyer, and so much more. Resources Podcast [The Inspiration Place]: YouTube: Instagram: @schulmanart Book pre-order: ; (free chapter of Artpreneur)

Kacy Peterson DeLong will tell you that she’s had a lot of goofy jobs that sometimes seemed like they were all over the place: librarian, apprentice cabinet maker, artist's live model, soooo much food service, bouncy castle carnival operator, Christmas tree shearer, goat-herder, self-employed science communicator, and fundraiser for kidney disease… you know, the usual ADHD career path. Today however, Kacy can look back at that zigzag path and see the path to the career she was always meant to have, the one that feeds her soul and helps her live her purpose. Kacy is a municipal politician and climate consultant and credits all those goofy jobs for helping her build tools for the toolkit that she regularly uses today. If you’re feeling directionless, all over the place and not sure what to do with your life, this is the episode for you. Kacy will confirm for you that the path that you can’t see looking forward becomes crystal clear once you look backwards; your journey will connect the dots. Resources: Email address: kacydelong@gmail.com

Kristen Baird-Goldman is a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD certified clinical specialist with a unique perspective on the intersection of psychology and integrative wellness. Kristen recently released her first book, The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD, which was inspired by her and her clients’ experiences as adults with ADHD. Reading through the workbook, it’s clear it was created with ADHD brain in mind; it has simple exercises designed to help you examine the most common obstacles that adult ADHDers encounter, followed by mindfulness and CBT-based techniques for navigating those obstacles successfully. Kristen’s philosophy and approach to therapy is strength-based, allowing individuals to discover their best selves, which is why I knew she would be the perfect person to cover these topics on the podcast. During our conversation she provides an easy-to-understand explanation of what CBT is, how she uses it with her ADHD clients and herself, the important role of discomfort, and more. Resources: Website: bairdintegratedtherapy.com Instagram: @theadhdguru

This episode I'm delighted to re-introduce you to Vanessa Garkin. We talked to Vanessa a few months ago about occupational therapy (go back and listen to if you haven’t already!), and as we were wrapping it up, it became very clear to me that in Vanessa we also had an expert in emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). So, at the end of our conversation I asked Vanessa if she would come back and share her expertise on these topics, and lucky for us, she said yes. During our conversation, Vanessa explains what DBT is, how it differs from CBT, and how she uses it to help her ADHD clients break out of the RSD cycle. We also dive into ADHD and emotional dysregulation, shame and perfectionism, the link between RSD and trauma, and so much more. Resources: Website: Instagram: @humanist_therapist

For years I used to write out a long list of New Year’s resolutions, only to not be able to remember what was on the list a week later, let alone where the hell the list even was. So a couple of years ago I started choosing one word and one word only to set the direction for my new year instead, and I discovered that I too could set goals and stick to them in the new year–I just had to start doing it my way. Choosing just one word for the year works so well for my ADHD brain because it's intentional and it’s simple. I may forget about a whole list of goals, but I can focus on one word every day, all year long because that one word sums up who I want to be in that specific year. My word acts as my compass and helps me make my daily decisions with intentionality. It serves as a North star for me, moving me toward my goals throughout the entire year. I think it'll have a huge impact on you too if you choose to join me. With one word as your focus, your New Year's goals don’t need to be big cosmic shifts and changes in action and behavior, because it's the little things you do, the tiny actions you take every single day that lead to fulfilling a very big intention or goal in 2023.

We know that shame grows in silence, but the thought of actually sharing our traumas and innermost thoughts out loud can feel so scary that many of us end up burying it down deep instead. Allison Lane, a marketer for non-fiction authors and people who should be, tried using this approach with her own childhood trauma; for years she kept everything inside, afraid of making others uncomfortable and unable to face it herself, until a suicide attempt forced her to confront how much pain and shame she had been hiding, and how isolating it was to carry her trauma alone. Once Allison started sharing openly about her experiences, she discovered how empowering it was to be able to say, “this happened to me, but this is not me.” Now, her mission in her work is to empower other women to share their stories and to use their voices in a way that reaches people. Allison has seen firsthand the value of sharing our stories and shedding light on our shame, and I hope her words give you the courage to let down some of your own walls, even when it feels vulnerable. Resources: @allisonlanelit on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn Website: allisonlaneliterary.com Email: allison@allisonlaneliterary.com

I initially started talking with fitness coach Marnie Bothmer because I told her that I often get pushback from ADHD women around exercise; they know it’s beneficial for the ADHD brain, but they want to know how “real people” are supposed to fit it into their busy lives. Marnie pointed out that the whole concept of what “real people” can do for exercise reveals the root of the problem: the societally-ingrained belief that exercise has to be extreme, and is therefore unattainable. My conversation with Marnie completely changed the way I think and speak about movement (in fact, it got me to stop saying ‘exercise’ and start using ‘movement’ with my students and clients), so I knew I had to get her on the podcast to dive into this subject. In this episode Marnie talks about the value of listening to your body and finding movement that feels good for you, how her multiple sclerosis diagnosis challenged her ideology around the fitness industry, her ADHD-friendly tips for making movement more rewarding and attainable, and so much more. Resources: Instagram: @mbstrength4life Website:

Luzia Tschirky was born and raised in the Swiss Mountains in a small town close to the border of Austria and Lichtenstein. As a child, she knew she wanted to become a journalist, so much so that she started her own newspaper at the age of eight and began working for the local newspaper at 14. Now 28, not only is Luzia a professional journalist, she’s the first-ever female correspondent in Moscow, where she covers all post-Soviet countries, including Russia and Ukraine. For the past nine months Luzia has been covering the war in Ukraine, which she says has given her a newfound appreciation for her ADHD. She credits her ADHD brain for her intense curiosity, her intuition, and her hyperfocus and quick thinking in moments of crisis, all of which have helped her to thrive in high-intensity situations and produce impactful journalism even in a warzone. What sets Luzia apart (on top of everything else) is her incredible empathy for the humans behind the stories, which shines through in everything she does and is one of the many reasons why I’m so excited to share her story with you this episode. Resources: Instagram: @luziatschirky Twitter: @luziatschirky

I’ve been doing intermittent fasting, well, intermittently for a few years now and have found that for me personally, it helps me eat intuitively and clears my brain fog. However, I’ve been hesitant to talk about it on the podcast because I know it isn’t a lifestyle that works for everyone, but when a listener recommended author Gin Stephens as a guest I knew that she was the right person to tackle this tricky subject. Gin, who’s written multiple bestsellers on clean eating and intermittent fasting, doesn’t promote the lifestyle as a weight loss strategy or make any claims that it can “cure” your ADHD or anything like that; rather, she focuses on the research into the gut-brain connection and how what and when we eat affects our mood, our immune systems, our cognitive functioning, and our cravings, among many other things. In this episode, Gin gives a great breakdown of what intermittent fasting is, the science behind it, and how to ease into it responsibly. We also talk about metabolic syndrome, how to find the foods that work best for your body, and much more. Again, intermittent fasting isn’t right for everyone, but if you’re curious to learn more about it, come join our conversation. Resources: Instagram: @GinStephens Website: Her books:

When Martha Barnard-Rae was finally diagnosed with ADHD after years of being told it was just anxiety, she started structuring her home and work life around her brain’s unique needs and saw a complete transformation in how she lives and speaks to herself. Since getting her diagnosis, Martha has gone on to give an inspiring TedX talk about ADHD and start her own copywriting business, Word Candy, where she has the freedom to let her ADHD strengths shine. “I want people to understand that ADHD is a part of me and I can use these powers such as they are for good. And I think the more that I can kind of say about it, the more people will understand and they can go, ‘oh, I want to work with her because she does those hyperfocus weeks because she can work in that way.’ That's a feature, not a bug.” Join us this episode as Martha shares all the ways she’s redefining success for herself, her vulerable experience on the TedX stage, how she fills her “bowl of resilience,” and so much more. Resources: Website: Instagram: @wordcandycomms LinkedIn: Martha Barnard-Rae

Alexis Tomaszewski knew she wanted to be a dentist by the age of 12. When she got to dental school, however, she realized that although she had the clinical and hand skills for dentistry, she struggled with multi-choice tests, which led to her essentially flunking out the first time around. Alexis thought about not returning to dental school, but after stepping back to get some clarity and rediscovering her purpose of opening up an ADHD-friendly dental practice, she returned to school in full force, this time with a lot more intention and positive emotions. Her imposter syndrome and RSD were and are still there, but keeping sight of her purpose has allowed Alexis to push through the negative thoughts even when things get hard. Alexis’s goal to create a comfortable, shame-free, and fun dental experience for ADHDers is admirable (and much needed!), and her story is a great reminder that, when we align ourselves with our purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Resources: Tiktok: @tooth_be_told Instagram: @toothbetoldbyalexis Email:

I first met Amanda Smith in my Your ADHD Brain is A-OK program, and ever since she has been bringing so much empathy and joy to the group that I knew I had to get her on the podcast. In Amanda’s own words, she is not your typical ADHD brain. She didn’t struggle with executive functioning or memory growing up, so when doctors discovered Amanda had a Multiple Sclerosis lesion on her prefrontal cortex, causing sudden-onset ADHD with working memory and cognitive impairment, she realized she was going to have to completely change how she had been operating for the past 32 years. Amanda’s life was turned on its head when she got the diagnosis –her life snow globe got kicked down the stairs, as she puts it– but her ability to find new ways to forge forward and move her life in the direction she wants it to go in is truly an inspiration. Resources Instagram: @dandylion_wishes

I wasn’t planning to do anything special for this 200th episode, but my wonderful friend Sandra wouldn’t hear of it. She suggested I invite my family onto the podcast to mark the occasion–after all, they’ve been putting up with this for 200 episodes now–so that’s exactly what I decided to do. In a podcast first, I’m sitting down with my husband and kids to get their perspectives on how ADHD impacts our family, what makes us different from other families, and what it’s been like behind the scenes of this whole podcasting journey so far. My family generates so much positive emotion for me and I truly couldn’t keep this podcast going without them, which is why I’m so excited to introduce you to them in this milestone episode. I also couldn’t have made it this far without the support of all you wonderful listeners, who have allowed me to show up as my authentic self and make something that matters to so many people. I am so appreciative of you all for showing up these past 200 episodes and I can’t wait to see where all our unique paths will take us in 200 more. Resources Instagram: @ateastefani

Okay, so you did a bunch of learning and self-reflecting and you suspect you might have ADHD. Now what? The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis can, ironically, be super inaccessible for the ADHD brain, so I wanted to do an episode on how to seek out a diagnosis for those of you who don’t know where to start. Whether you’re afraid that you won’t be believed by your provider, that you’ll be accused of drug-seeking, or that you won’t be able to remember anything you wanted to say in the moment, I’ve created a checklist of adult ADHD symptoms based on the DSM-5 and Russell Barkley’s Adult Scale that will help you discuss your experiences with confidence. I’m not a doctor, but I know how your brain works because I share it, and my aim with this episode is to give you the framework and the courage to fight for the medical support you deserve. Resources

I’ve always had a general idea of what an occupational therapist does, but I didn’t realize just how many areas of ADHD they can help with until I invited occupational therapist Vanessa Goreklin onto the podcast. As a licensed OT, Vanessa’s work focuses on helping ADHDers live their lives to the fullest while harnessing their unique skills. She may not have ADHD herself, but both her son and husband do, which has given her real-life experience in understanding ADHD. Vanessa works with her clients to develop skills in everything from basic self-care to executive functioning to exercise, taking into account that the ADHD brain has different needs, motivations, and ways of doing things than a neurotypical brain. She says, “The neurotypical world is for people who stand in line and color in the shapes just so, and are very, very good at showing up and doing exactly what they're supposed to do. And that's not people with ADHD, who can do what they're supposed to do but they have new and creative and wonderful ways of doing it.” Vanessa believes that occupational therapy can be a key to unlocking the potential of people with ADHD, and my hope is that our conversation gets people talking about all the ways occupational therapy can be a wonderful support for ADHDers through every stage of life. Resources Website: Instagram: @humanist_therapist

This episode is a little different from how I usually do things, but this story was so moving and has such a unique tie-in to ADHD, I knew I had to share it. Renee Grewe, who is the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, recently received a translated copy of her grandfather's journal that details his capture and imprisonment by Nazi soldiers and his miraculous and courageous escape. Renee believes that the details of her grandfather's escape are indicative of him having undiagnosed ADHD and that this was the very reason that he was able to survive all of it. During our conversation, Renee shares about her own ADHD journey and how she moved past learned helplessness before reading sections of her grandfather’s journal, which details his imprisonment and harrowing escape and outlines the aspects of his story that show bravery, empathy, quick thinking, ingenuity, hope–all strengths of ADHD. This story is so moving because, in all of the horror, there is something so hopeful and uplifting about it; it serves as a reminder that when we are really put to the test, it’s amazing what we can accomplish. Resources: Instagram: @reneegrewe

There are so many great ADHD podcasts out there that deliver the latest research and feature leading experts, but I think that what makes this podcast so different and valuable are the stories. Hearing about the lives and internal thoughts of other ADHD women who seem to have it all together from the outside reminds us that we’re not alone in our self-doubt. It also shows us that if even the most successful of us still struggles under the weight of imposter syndrome, maybe the problem is our thoughts telling us that we aren’t good enough, rather than a reflection of our actual abilities. My guest this episode, author and sales expert Shianne Sampson, is a perfect example of why these stories matter. From the outside, Shianne is a confident and outgoing sales leader whose hard work has led to incredible success, but no matter how many accomplishments she has under her belt, that imposter syndrome is always there to make her feel like she doesn’t deserve it. In our conversation, Shianne shares the ADHD strengths that shine in the sales world, the specific challenges that can lead to imposter syndrome as you climb the sales ladder, and we chat strategies for tackling the self-doubt, starting with celebrating our accomplishments. Shianne’s story is a great reminder that imposter syndrome grows in the shadows of shame, and the more we shed light on it through vulnerability and connection, the less power it holds over us. Resources Website: LinkedIn profile: Her book:

When I first started this podcast I had so many creative ideas and big ambitions for how to connect with other ADHD women, but actually executing my ideas consistently was a whole different story. Even though I was drowning on my own, I couldn’t imagine hiring someone to help me with the tasks I was struggling with. What if their work wasn’t up to my standards? Could I really afford to do that? Where would I even begin? It wasn’t until digital marketing strategist, Jen Lehner, came along with her brilliant program, Front Row CEO, that I was finally convinced that not only was it possible to hire help, it was a necessity if I wanted to grow my podcast and achieve all my goals. So, I finally caved and hired a virtual assistant, and I haven’t looked back since. Being ADHD herself, Jen knows how easily all the little tasks can start to snowball on us until we’re left buried under a pile of overwhelm and shame. Getting a virtual assistant completely changed her relationship with her business, her home life, and most importantly, her family, because it allowed her to focus her time and energy on the work she’s brilliant at and take the rest off her plate. Jen now helps others navigate the process of hiring a VA, including how to find quality candidates, what tasks you can delegate to a VA (it’s more than you’d think!), and how to establish and maintain open communication. If you’re drowning in overwhelm but don’t feel deserving of a virtual assistant or don’t know where to start, I know Jen’s guidance and encouragement in this episode will give you that push you need to take the first step, just like it did for me. Resources: Instagram: @jen_lehner 160 Tasks you can outsource to a VA: Front Row CEO program: Join our Front Row CEO Masterclass: Affiliate links: Front Row CEO Masterclass: VA Task List:

ADHD and trauma overlap quite a bit in how they affect the brain, so much so that clinicians often misdiagnose one for the other. So how do clinicians distinguish between ADHD and trauma when both impact the same areas of the brain and can cause similar symptoms? And moreover, what happens when ADHD and trauma co-occur, which they so often do, due to the inherent trauma of growing up with a differently wired brain? This solo episode I’m diving into the research on how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system, how untreated ADHD can lead to trauma, and where to start with treatment when you have that oh-so-wonderful combo of ADHD and trauma. Just like with ADHD, trauma is never your fault and your symptoms are not moral failings or character flaws to be hidden away. Shame is a component of both trauma and ADHD, and the more we shed light on it, the easier it is to eradicate it. In other words, what is sharable is bearable. Resources

When ADHDers are faced with a problem, we often try to either go around it or develop new strategies to get better at it. My guest this episode, author and money mentor Denise Duffield-Thomas, has mastered the art of stepping back from the problem and determining whether she can eliminate it altogether, which is the foundation of her “keyless life” philosophy. Born from the idea to literally go keyless by installing keypads on the doors after losing her house keys so many times, Denise’s keyless life philosophy is all about protecting your mental energy by automating, delegating, or removing the difficult-to-manage tasks that drain you the most, rather than trying to muscle or self-improve your way through them. Her philosophy is so supportive of ADHD brains especially because it’s rooted in forgiveness and self-love–the antithesis to the shame and self-sabotage many of us carry around. Join our wonderful conversation to hear the ways Denise uses this philosophy to set herself up for success and lean into her ADHD strengths, her shame-free approach to money management, how to live a life of abundance without the burnout, and more. Resources: Website: www.denisedt.com Instagram: @denisedt Twitter: @denisedt Facebook:

Sign up for "5 Days to Fall in Love with Your ADHD Brain" here:

It isn’t a stretch to say that imposter syndrome likely takes up space in most ADHD brains (and how could it not when we’re constantly feeling like we aren’t reaching our potential?), but there’s an extra layer of self-doubt that comes with the vulnerability of putting yourself out into the world creatively. Artist and entrepreneur Katie Hayes always felt drawn to art growing up and knew she had a great talent for it, but she never considered that she was good enough to turn her art into a full-time creative career. It wasn’t until 2019, after a college degree and a career in higher education that was gratifying but never felt like her ultimate calling, that Katie said “screw it” to imposter syndrome and started her printmaking business, New South Pattern House. She discovered that the more she aligned herself with her purpose and pushed herself out of her comfort zone, the less imposter syndrome she felt calling herself an artist, until one day it was gone completely. Katie may have taken the long way to follow her dreams, but she believes that she wouldn’t be where she is today if not for the detours, which gave her invaluable knowledge and helpful ADHD strategies that she incorporates into her business and her art every day. Katie’s winding journey on the way to living unabashedly as an artist is an inspirational one, and a great reminder that it’s never too late to become who you truly are. Resources: Instagram: @newsouthpatternhouse Website: Shop Wallpaper and Fabric: Photo credit: Mallory Cash

Parenting activist and author Debbie Reber had a difficult time with the structure of school growing up, so when her son Asher also started struggling to have his unique learning needs supported in the classroom, she knew she had to do things differently. Incorporating expert advice and a strengths-based philosophy, Debbie started creating the resources that she wishes she’d had when she was younger, and, after much collaborating and fine-tuning, she found an approach to teaching that supported Asher’s ADHD learning needs and encouraged emotional intelligence and self-understanding. What started as an alternative approach to schooling for her son eventually transformed into Tilt Parenting, an educational resource aimed at helping parents who are raising differently wired children do so from a place of confidence, connection, and joy. Debbie founded Tilt Parenting because she knows how isolating it is trying to navigate a system that wasn’t built for differently wired brains and she wanted to help other parents avoid the same painful roadblocks she and her husband encountered. For all the parents of differently wired children who are feeling hopeless about finding the right supports, Debbie’s story will give you encouragement that a different way of parenting and educating is out there and possible. Resources: Website: Instagram: @tiltparenting Twitter: @tiltparenting Facebook: Photo credit: Jacquelyn Tierney

Talk therapy can be a valuable resource, but what happens when you’re all talked out and still feel your body is holding onto trauma? This is where teacher’s assistant Lara Connolly found herself after years of trying talk therapy and never feeling like it was quite enough to help alleviate her physical exhaustion and stress. It wasn’t until she tried EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), a form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress caused by traumatic memories, that she finally started to feel her body come back to life. Looking back, Lara can see how much shame and rejection was stored in her body after a lifetime of having untreated ADHD and how significantly it had been impacting her emotional regulation and physical health. Lara not only took the steps to heal her trauma, but she also made real changes to her lifestyle that provide more balance and prioritize joy; her dedication to living an authentic ADHD life is truly inspiring and I’m delighted to bring you this conversation. Resources Instagram:

ADHDers are often stereotyped (accurately, admittedly) as being obsessed with psychology, personality tests, birth charts–anything that might give us answers on why we do the things we do. But when we’ve spent our whole lives feeling different and not knowing why, is it any surprise that we’re so hyperfocused on trying to understand ourselves? My guest this episode, Tenrikyo priestess and personal empowerment coach Latoya Williams, finally got some of these answers when she started studying the teachings of Tenrikyo, a Japanese religion that taught her the value of mindfulness and completely changed how she shows up for herself each day. Latoya’s spiritual practice, combined with her ADHD diagnosis, opened her eyes to what was possible in the world and gave her clarity on her purpose, which she knows is to help others. A self-described “professional disruptor of culture,” Latoya is dedicated to helping the other misfits out there uncover and embrace their own unconventional paths through her trauma-informed work. Join me as Latoya shares how embracing her uniqueness and following her passions led her to her purpose, the value in healing our trauma and examining our deeply-held beliefs about ourselves, and the absolute necessity of marching to the beat of your own weird drum. Resources Website: yggcoaching.com IG: @yourgreatestgood ;

Our ADHD brains are driven by interest, not importance, meaning that boring tasks can feel almost physically painful to us. On the flipside, when we find something that sparks our interest, we have the power to become unstoppable forces. Pastry chef and food blogger, Rebecca Eisenberg, felt this spark with cooking and baking, and, to even her own surprise, turned it into a full-time career through her blog The Practical Kitchen. Not only does Rebecca’s ADHD give her insight into how to structure her recipes in a way that will keep neurodivergent brains focused and engaged, but she also considers it to be the driving force behind making her business sustainable: “The amount of work that goes into a food blog, I don’t know that I could’ve sustained it without my ADHD really driving me to learn more and to do more and to just be excited about it even when it’s really hard.” Join us this episode as Rebecca Eisenberg shares her best tips for managing ADHD in the kitchen, her personal approach to simple meal planning, and how she works around her ADHD by working with it. Resources: https://www.tracyotsuka.com/podcasts/188/ Instagram: @the.practical.kitchen; @ryeisenberg Twitter: @practicalkitch Blog:

I always say that ADHD has the potential to be our greatest superpower if we can learn how to harness it, and my guest this episode, recording artist Devyne Bean, is the living embodiment of that. At a young age, Devyne figured out that if she could channel her hyperactivity and add structure to her days, her entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic would allow her to follow her passions wherever they led her, and she hasn’t looked back since. Now 17, Devyne already has an impressive list of accomplishments under her belt, from graduating high school early to starting 3 businesses in her passion areas of music and fashion. Her drive and determination are remarkable, but ultimately she credits patience and baby steps for her success: “Be patient with yourself. You may have those days where you may not achieve every single thing that was on your list, but if you achieved something, you did something right.” Devyne’s wisdom and insights blew me away during our conversation, and I know that no matter your age, her words will make you feel inspired to follow your own dreams, one small step at a time. Resources Webpage: Instagram: @iamdvynee @mooshoobeatzproductions @lussograndeur

DISCLAIMER: SIW'S PROGRAM IS NOT COMPLETE SO DO NOT PURCHASE IT. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO HER BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE BACK. WE'VE HEARD THAT SHE IS ILL. THIS EPISODE IS SO GOOD HOWEVER, THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO REMOVE IT AS THERE'S SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM IT. Curiosity is one of our most powerful ADHD strengths, but it can also be one of our greatest hindrances if the people around us see our curiosity as a challenge to authority, rather than a genuine interest in understanding the world. When my guest, Siw Slevigen, was growing up she always had her strong curiosity met with either excitement or disdain by teachers, and–surprise, surprise–it always impacted her ability and willingness to learn. Rather than shrink herself in shame, Siw leaned into her curiosity and let it guide her down a path of joyfulness and self-acceptance. Now a money management coach, Siw believes that the only way to change our relationship with money is by accepting ourselves exactly where we are and infusing curiosity and excitement into everything we do. Siw’s positive approach to economics has completely changed my own attitude toward money and my ability to save it, and I know our wonderful conversation will give even the most impulsive spenders out there a fresh perspective. Resources: Instagram: English: @happy.penger.money.magic; Norwegian: @happy_penger TikTok: @happy_penger

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

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: Linkedin:

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: Facebook group: Podcast: Organization/Cleaning coaching: Website to book sessions and learn more: 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: ; Facebook: Podcast:

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: Her website:

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

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: Instagram: @kalinpharmd TikTok:@kalinpharmd Book an Initial Consult: Upcoming free class:

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:

Those of us with ADHD brains know that no matter how vigilant we are, slip-ups are bound to happen, especially when sleep deprivation is thrown into the mix. We can only do so much to prevent mistakes, but what we can control is how we choose to react to them. This episode I’m joined by ADHD coach and reformed people-pleaser, Leslie Robbins, who took an embarrasing ADHD moment and turned it into a brilliant teaching opportunity. Like me, Leslie believes that what we pay attention to grows, good or bad, so we might as well learn to focus on the good. Besides, there’s no such thing as mistakes anyway, right? We either get what we want or learn something even more important. Join us as Leslie shares her late diagnosis story, some ways to stop from spiraling into rejection sensitive dysphoria, and the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously. Resources: Instagram: @leslierobbins_adhdcoaching Facebook: Robbins Life Coaching, @LeslieRobbinsADHDcoach Email: leslie.robbins.adhdcoach@gmail.com Website: Gas pump story: VIA Character Strengths Survey:

Since starting this podcast, I’ve been able to help thousands of ADHD women around the world discover their true selves and lean into their strengths. None of this would be possible, however, without the ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook group–the place where it all began–and the help of Catheryn Wreford-Holden, our lead Facebook group administrator. What makes our group different is the seventeen moderators who approve all posts. Catheryn leads this team of volunteer moderators and administrators, now known as the Mod Squad, and ensures that the 65K members of our Facebook group are focused on their strengths and have a positive place to find community and feel inspired to seek out solutions. Catheryn herself is a source of inspiration and strength; despite facing unimaginable hurdles throughout her life, she makes a conscious choice every day to focus on the good. Our Mod Squad is as strong as it is today because she empowers each member to find their gifts and let them shine through. I’m so excited to finally have Catheryn share her story with you. Resources Instagram: @essentially_cathie Facebook:

Dr. Grace Esan, now a pediatrician in Indiana, grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where it was the cultural norm to show up to parties and events fashionably late. It wasn’t until she moved to the United States, where time is taken much more seriously, that she realized she had difficulty with time management and procrastination that extended beyond cultural differences. Once Dr. Grace connected these traits to ADHD she also realized that ADHD was also responsible for her unique way of seeing the world. Since her diagnosis, Dr. Grace has been on a mission to create awareness around ADHD and destigmatize the diagnosis within the medical community, particularly for girls and women, who are often overlooked. Join me for a conversation with this wonderful doctor as she shares her diagnosis story, the workarounds she used to get through school, how she challenges the status quo in medicine, and so much more. References Instagram: @thrivewithdrgrace Website:

Many people who know me would describe me as a tough critic–just ask my kids–but I like to think of it as valuing excellence. This means that when I do recommend a product or service, it’s only because I believe in it so much that I want to shout it from the rooftops. In this episode, I’m sharing my list of rooftop-worthy ADHD hacks that have completely transformed my life. From organization to productivity to home care, these resources have helped me manage the more difficult aspects of my ADHD, leaving me more time and energy to focus on my strengths. At this point I truly couldn’t make it through the day without them, they’ve had such a positive impact on my ADHD brain, and I think they’ll make a big difference to yours too. Resources

As a dentist’s daughter, I have to admit I was always spoiled when it came to my dental health. That is, until a terrible root canal (is there any other kind?) made me realize I had to start taking my dental health more seriously, even if that involved wearing the dreaded night guard I had cast aside many years before. It also got me thinking: ‘Wait, is this another thing that is somehow related to my ADHD?’ After diving into the research and taking a poll in our Facebook group, I discovered that an overwhelming number of ADHDers have experienced dental problems at some point in their lives, and there are some explanations as to why. Join me for a solo episode, where I break down the causes of this correlation, and share helpful suggestions from our Facebook group members, and hopefully convince you to learn from my mistakes and wear your damn night guard! Resources and yay! They’re now made with recycled materials.

As Smart Ass women, we know ADHD varies wildly in how it presents compared to the stereotypes, but what do we do when the rest of the world hasn’t caught up? After a lifetime of having our symptoms dismissed by teachers, parents, and even medical professionals, it can feel terrifying and futile to pursue a diagnosis. My guest this episode, April Kane, was so worried about having her ADHD suspicions invalidated that she put off getting an official evaluation for years, despite being a clinical psychologist herself. April finally got assessed and received the affirming diagnosis of ADHD she had been hoping for, but she knows not everyone is so lucky, especially in cases of inattentive ADHD when symptoms are internalized and easier to miss. April Kane emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, gives a breakdown of the lesser-known signs of ADHD that are frequently missed in girls, women, and those with inattentive type, introduces me to schema therapy, and more. Resources: Instagram: @journeythree6five Website:

I always say our best purposes give meaning to our past, and my guest this episode, Dr. Abbey Weinstein, proves just how true this is. Abbey struggled with school for most of her life, so she surprised even herself when she not only turned it around and started getting straight A’s in college, but went on to get her Master’s degree and P.h.D. in Special Education. Now an Educational Diagnostician, Abbey has found her purpose in making learning more accessible for others and getting students the supports they need to be successful in school. Join our conversation to hear the inspiring Dr. Abbey Weinstein share how she was able to go from academic probation to completing her doctorate, some of the ADHD strategies she used to get herself through her dissertation (truly a feat of strength!), her tips on feeling good about yourself every day, and so much more. Resources Podcast: Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities Instagram: @weinsteinabbey Website:

Dating has changed quite a bit since I was last single–for one, dating apps have replaced personal ads and handwritten letters–but no matter how you’re approaching it, dating can feel overwhelming and impossible. My guest, Jackie Newman, is passionate about empowering people to face the challenges of the dating world, so she gave herself the challenge of going on 100 first dates to figure out how to make the whole process as easy as possible. Through trial and error, Jackie developed an ADHD-friendly guide to dating to help others find someone worth their time and hopefully avoid having to go on 100 first dates themselves–an invaluable gift to women if you ask me. Join us for this marathon episode to hear Jackie’s tales from the dating world, her insights and strategies for efficient online dating, and she even pulls a few dating stories out of me that I’m not sure I’ve ever shared on the podcast before. Resources: Dating Instagram: @the100datechallenge Personal Instagram: @jackienewm Resources mentioned: by Sari Solden by Brene Brown by Aziz Ansari

ADHD women constantly amaze me with their brilliance and fearlessness, and my guest this episode, atmospheric scientist Natalia Bliankinshtein, is no different. Natalia works in a flight research laboratory in Canada, where she collects data for climate research by flying a ‘flying laboratory’ aircraft directly into storms and treacherous weather–talk about fearless! Natalia may refer to her risk-taking as ‘craziness,’ but I call it a huge ADHD strength and one of the keys to her success. Join our conversation to hear how Natalia went from being a gifted kid to hitting a wall in her early 20s, and how understanding and working with her ADHD helped her to get un-stuck and discover a career and life she’s passionate about. Resources: Instagram: @prosto_blank

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking and nail biting can feel like a bad habit we need to break, but these behaviors go beyond just a habit; it’s actually a complex condition that causes people to repeatedly touch their body in a way that results in physical damage. For years, BFRBs were thought to be a member of the OCD family, but new research shows they’re commonly co-morbid with ADHD as welll, which shouldn’t surprise too many ADHDers including myself. In this episode I’m hoping to lessen the shame many of us have surrounding these behaviors by sharing some of my own experiences and looking into the physiological reasons behind why we do them and why we often can’t stop doing them with willpower alone. I’ll also provide some helpful strategies for stopping or lessening BFRBs that were shared with me by our amazing Facebook group members, many of whom have struggled with BFRBs themselves. Remember, the more we can understand why we do the things we do, the more power we have to change them.

I’ve always considered myself an avid reader. I read all the time, but up until recently I rarely finished any of them and had convinced myself that I needed a physical book, which led to an overwhelming amount of half-finished books scattered throughout my house. The clutter was a constant reminder that I wasn’t reading as much as I wanted to, and as that negative emotion built, so did my resistance–I felt like a reading fraud. I started asking myself if there’s a way to remove some of the resistance I have towards reading so that I can finish more than a few chapters. I also wanted to figure out a way to better integrate what I was learning into my life. Enter: the Kindle. Now, I read every spare moment I can, the book piles are dissipating, and my brain feels more organized and less cluttered. I also figured out a way to better integrate what I’m reading into my life. In this solo episode, I’m on a mission to help you remove your own negative emotions around reading and find the path of least resistance so that you can feel successful and fall in love with reading again, just like I have. Resources Kindle:

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for any length of time, you know that I’m a huge proponent of using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, to manage and alleviate ADHD symptoms. Kate Moryoussef, a wellbeing/lifestyle coach and EFT practitioner, shares my passion for tapping and helping ADHD women, so I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast to tell us more. Kate uses tapping with her clients, many of whom are ADHD women, to help them feel calmer, reduce overwhelm and anxiety, accept themselves, and step into their potential. Join me this episode as Kate provides an overview of what EFT is and why it works, describes how she uses tapping to clear negative beliefs and manage her own ADHD in moments of chaos, and much more. Please excuse any mic issues on my end, I know it’s a little annoying but I promise the episode is worth it! Resources Instagram: @kate_moryoussef Business Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod Website: coachingbykate.me.uk Podcast: ADHD Women’s Well-Being Podcast

Many of our ADHD traits bode well with entrepreneurialism, from our curiosity to our fearlessness. Other aspects of ADHD, however, like perfectionism and something I call “procrastilearning”, combined with outside influences telling us what we “should” be doing, can cause us to get in our own way. Entrepreneur and business coach, Jessi Romero, is here to remind us that ADHD women have all the skills necessary for starting and growing successful businesses, we just need to approach it in a way that works for our brains and aligns with our values, nervous systems, and even our circadian rhythms. In this episode, Jessi gives some of her best tips on structuring your business to fit your needs while avoiding burnout, shares how her approach to teaching sets her apart from other business coaches, and explains why changing your expectations for yourself can make all the difference in your business’s longevity. Plus, she has some valuable information about a little-known eye condition called Irlen Syndrome that changed her life and just may change yours too. Resources Instagram: @adhdfemaleentrepreneurs Website: Adhdfemaleentrepreneurs.com Irlen Syndrome website: irlen.com

Reading is everywhere and in everything we do, but most reading curriculums taught in schools aren’t aligned with the current research on the most effective way to teach reading. Kathleen Germs, a second-grade teacher and Instagram educator, is on a mission to change not just the way reading is taught, but the entire dynamic between teachers and students in the classroom–starting with asking kids what they need to learn best. Unsurprisingly, Kathleen’s students adore her because she makes learning as easy as possible and helps them feel empowered and valued in the classroom. Join our conversation as Kathleen explains how she adjusts her lessons to meet her students’ needs, the importance of bringing mental health into the classroom, and how her ADHD makes her the phenomenal teacher that she is. Resources: Instagram: @kathleengerms

Hypnosis is often thought of as a sensational magic trick used for controlling minds and embarrassing people on cruise ships, so I admit I was a bit skeptical when I heard about hypnotherapy being used in ADHD management. However, I always try to keep an open mind when it comes to alternative treatments, which is why I wanted to sit down with hypnotherapist Meggie Houle to discuss the science and research behind it. Meggie, now a certified hypnotherapist and self-hypnosis teacher, and author of Finish What You Start: Breaking out of the “Busy Mind, Restless Body” Trap to Create a Life You Love Even with ADHD, first discovered the benefits of hypnosis after experiencing a life-altering paragliding accident. She found that self-hypnosis not only reduced her stress and PTSD symptoms after the accident, but it also helped her manage her ADHD for the first time. In this episode Meggie gives us an introductory lesson into what hypnotherapy is exactly, the growing research behind it, and how she uses it to calm her nervous system in moments of stress. Resources: Website: Her book: Instagram: @meggie.houle

ADHDers are often drawn to entrepreneurship, and not only because we have difficulty working for someone else! When we have room to follow our creativity and work within our flow, that’s when our superpowers shine through. My guest today, Jennifer Zahourek, was working as an ER nurse when she discovered that her unique way of learning (due to ADHD and dyslexia) meant she also had a unique way of explaining complex medical concepts to patients in simple language they could easily understand. Jennifer realized she could use her simplifying skills to fill a need and help her fellow nursing community lessen the struggles she herself faced in nursing school. She got to work figuring out what else she needed to turn her idea into a business, and now only a few years later she is the founder and CEO of RekMed, a company that makes educational planners for nurses. Join me this episode as the innovative Jennifer Zahourek takes us through her ADHD and dyslexia journey, shares the aspects of her ADHD that make her an unstoppable entrepreneur, and makes a case for planners that’s so convincing, you just may decide to give them another try. Resources Website: Rekmed.org Instagram: @studentnurseplanner Tiktok: @JennRekMed Jennifer’s personal Instagram: @JennRekMed

I’m sure you’ve heard me say a million times that our best purposes give meaning to our past, we become incredible teachers when we’re driven by passion and personal connection. My guest this episode, Dr. Susan Varghese, knows firsthand just how important that personal connection is for living her purpose. Dr. Varghese is a General Practitioner and Family Physician who first discovered she has ADHD when perimenopause started to wreak havoc on her previously managable symptoms. As far as Susan could tell, no one in the medical community was talking about how much perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate the mental and physical symptoms of ADHD, so, being the leader she is, she decided to do it herself. Join me this episode for an insightful conversation with the incredible Dr. Susan Varghese, where she breaks down the role estrogen plays in our ADHD symptoms, the overlaps between ADHD and menopause (some of which even surprised me!), and so much more. Resources Instagram: @drsusanvarghese Website:

Many ADHD women are known for being bold, outspoken, and strong-willed, but in a society where those attributes are often reserved for men it can leave us feeling like we’re “too much.” My guest this episode, author Andrea Owen, used to let this fear of taking up space prevent her from letting her stand out. In her mid-30s when she started to embrace her “too-muchness” she realized just how much she had been diminishing herself for the comfort of others. Since then, Andrea has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to empower themselves and live their most kick-ass life. Her most recent book, Make Some Noise: , felt like I was reading something I myself had written; the things Andrea struggled with are exactly the things that I and many ADHDers struggle with as well. Join us for an insightful conversation where we discuss the impact people-pleasing has on ADHD women, the importance of taking up space with our emotions and voice, how to have compassion for ourselves, and more. Resources Instagram: @heyandreaowen Website: Her book: Workbook link:

Well before I was diagnosed with ADHD I was using exercise as a form of self-medication; it’s a way to start the day out right and it helps me to think more clearly and work off my excess energy. All my life I’ve known that exercise helps with focus and self-regulation, but I was curious to find out why that is. After all, if we know the ‘why’ behind something, we’re much more likely to do it. In this episode I break down some of the research into why exercise has such a huge impact on the ADHD brain, the connection between exercise and learning, and the importance of finding a form of movement you enjoy. Incorporating exercise into my daily routine has been the key to managing my ADHD, which is why if you were to choose only one goal to focus on for 2022 I believe it should be this: find a way to move that generates positive emotion and just focus on that. I think you can change your brain that way, and if that’s not motivation to exercise more, I don’t know what is. Resources

Like many ADHDers, I hate doing the same things everyone else is doing, and New Year’s resolutions are at the top of that list. A few years ago, instead of writing out a long list of unrealistic goals (and then losing that list a couple of days later), I started choosing one word and one word only to set the intention for my new year. Each year my word sums up who I want to be, it’s my compass when making decisions, and it shapes not only my year, but it shapes me as a person. Using a single word to guide my decision-making changed me in more ways than I ever could’ve imagined; in fact, this podcast never would’ve started if I hadn’t chosen ‘nervy’ as my first word back in 2018. Join me in this episode for some ideas on brainstorming your own word of the year, tips on how to use your word as your compass, and I’ll tell you my new word for 2022! Setting an intention for the year using a single word has had a huge impact on my life and I think it’ll have a huge impact on yours too.

Can you tell that dyslexia is my current hyper-focus? This will be the last episode on the subject for a while (I promise!) but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to speak with my extraordinary guest today, Jennifer Knopf. Jen is the Founding Director of REED Charitable Foundation, which is committed to putting an end to the literacy crisis and ensuring all children learn to read, write and spell by providing financially accessible, best-in-class structure literacy training - known as Orton-Gillingham - to all teachers. Jen first learned about dyslexia when her son Reed was diagnosed after a long, emotional struggle to figure out why reading was so difficult for him. As she dove deep into the research to find her son the right kind of intervention, Jen discovered there was a literacy training program that was not only ideal for dyslexic students but also the best instruction for all kids learning to read, only for some reason it was not being used in schools. Ever since this discovery, Jen has made it her mission to provide this literacy training to as many teachers as she possibly can, something she knows firsthand has the power to transform lives. Join our conversation to hear about Jen’s inspiring story, the incredible work of her foundation, and much more. Resources Foundation website: Instagram: @reedcharitablefoundation Email address: info@reedcharitablefoundation.org

I’ve wanted to talk about navigating ADHD emotions for a while now, but like many other great topics it has sat untouched on my list, waiting for the perfect guest. When I read the incredible book ‘Your Brain is Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD’ by Dr. Tamara Rosier, I not only immediately added it to the ADHD for Smart Ass Women book list, but I also knew I had to have Tamara on the podcast. Dr. Tamara Rosier is the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she leads a team of coaches, therapists, and speech pathologists to help individuals, parents, and families develop an understanding and learn effective skills to live with ADHD effectively. Tamara has gained an impressive amount of knowledge from working with ADHDers and those who support them across a variety of setttings, but just as importantly, she explains complex topics like divergent vs. convergent thinking in a way that sticks in my brain. The analogies she uses in the book and during our conversation are brilliant; among many others, Tamara likens the neurotypical brain to a pleasant butler and the ADHD brain to an angry neighbor. It’s simple and made me laugh and explains in real world language how the prefrontal cortex and limbic system impact our brain’s ability to function. We’ll also talk about the role anxiety and emotion play in our motivation, and why it’s critical to work on our emotions before introducing executive function strategies! You won’t want to miss this insightful and laughter-filled conversation. Resources Instagram: @brain_not_broken Book website: ADHD Center website:

Ever since we discovered that my son Markus has dyslexia--a diagnosis he now wears with pride--I’ve been on a mission to talk to everyone I can about ADHD and dyslexia, which is exactly why I wanted to have a conversation with my guest this episode, the incredible Melanie Florsheim. Melanie Florsheim is an ADHD Family Life Coach, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist in Texas. She has dyslexia and ADHD herself, which gives her a deep connection to her work and allows her to relate to her students and clients on a personal level. Melanie knows firsthand just how life-changing dyslexia therapy can be, so, like me, she’s also on a mission to increase awareness about the high co-morbidity rate between ADHD and dyslexia and encourages people to look deeper if they feel something else may be going on beyond ADHD. Join us as Melanie provides a comprehensive overview of what dyslexia is, gives some signs of dyslexia to look for even before children hit reading age, and explains how dyslexia therapy can rewire the circuitry of the brain and increase language processing speed. As for whether adults with dyslexia can benefit from dyslexia therapy, Melanie says, “The plasticity of the brain is a real deal, so there’s no age limit in teaching your brain how to read, write, and spell, how to re-circuit your brain to do it better.” Resources: Instagram: @melanieflorsheim1 Website: Email: Melanie@gatewaygrowth.net

It’s December 1st - the start of the holiday season - and WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE is that in this season of light and laughter there are a lot of people who aren’t feeling holly or jolly. This is exactly why I’m inviting YOU to join me in giving 29 gifts in 29 days. It's more difficult for us Smart Ass ADHD women to get out from under the overwhelming pile of gift lists, cookie making, and magic creating. We need something to help us change course. Enter the 29 Gifts Challenge (based on the book by Cami Walker). Beginning today, I’m going to give away a gift every day for the next 29 days and I want you to join me! The more Smart Ass ADHD Women who get on this giving train, the more fun it will be! I know you have a list that rival’s Santa’s, but these gifts are different. The gift can be a compliment given, a phone call to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, time volunteered, a thank you note written. The only “rules” are that it must be INTENTIONAL, and you have to WRITE IT DOWN (putting it in the comments counts!). The 29-day prescription also involves noticing the gifts that you receive from others every day. You can keep track of the gifts you give and the gifts you receive in our 29-day journal. Download it at What we focus on gets BIGGER, so let’s focus on JOY, GRATITUDE, & MEANING. Are you in? So we can see each other’s generosity in action, be sure to: Tag me in or on my Use #29SmartAssGifts I’m going to be highlighting some of your gifts in my stories over the next 29 days!

No matter how much we learn about our ADHD, there is always somehow more to uncover. One of my personal ADHD blind spots has always been social skills; for some reason, I was convinced that I didn’t have any difficulties with social skills and had escaped this ADHD trait. That is, until social skills expert and my guest this episode, the wonderful Caroline Maguire, brought me back down to Earth when she told me the areas of social intelligence that she likes to talk about and I realized I actually struggle with every single one. Who knew! Luckily, Caroline is the founder of a revolutionary social-emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults, so she came ready with some helpful insights on why we struggle with things like giving TMI and hating small talk and what we can do about it while remaining true to ourselves. Her work may be designed for children--her book Why Will No One Play With Me? was awarded Best Family and Parenting book of 2020--but all of her concepts and learning materials are just as applicable to adults. In her words, “It’s all the same dilemma, it’s just whether or not you’re 5 and you can’t articulate it or you’re 60 and you know darn well what’s going on.” Caroline doesn’t want us to change or hide who we are, rather, her goal is to help ADHDers of all ages learn how to be present in each moment in order to demonstrate the greatness that we all possess. Resources: Instagram: @authorcarolinecm New seminar starting Dec 7th: Adults with ADHD Social Skills Training: How to Get Along with Everyone Free download: Calming Intrusive Thoughts at

The role of motherhood constantly shifts as our children grow up and move through different stages of life, and then when they leave the nest that shift becomes more like a giant leap. My guest this episode, the wonderful Patricia Sung, has two young children who are still very much “in the nest.” Patricia reached out to me with an interesting question that I knew had to become the topic for our conversation: “When you’re looking back and your kids are out of the house, what really mattered?” Patricia is a podcaster herself and her work is aimed at helping other ADHD mothers get their “crap” together (as she puts it). She has built a supportive community of women, something she says has been integral to her own motherhood journey. Join us as we chat about our different perspectives on parenthood and Patricia shares her thoughts on how to let go of perfectionism and start seeing ourselves as the amazing mothers we already are. Resources: Instagram: @motherhoodinadhd Website (with free resources): Courses:

No matter how many extraordinary ADHD women I meet, I’m still constantly blown away by the incredible things they’re capable of, especially once they start to understand their own brains. I first met my guest this episode, therapist Emerald May Rubio, when she took my program Your ADHD Brain is A-OK; within only a few days of classes Emerald had determined that she was interested in activism and started taking steps toward making it happen. Embracing her ADHD unlocked a new level of understanding in herself and ignited a passion for working with those in the BIPOC community with complex trauma and ADHD. Emerald has a deeply personal connection to her work and uses her experiences to help others heal from their trauma and re-write their own stories. She brings so much creativity, light, and awareness into her practice and hearing Emerald speak gives me hope that therapy is shifting to encompass a wider range of needs and communities. Resources: Instagram: @healwithemerald Email: erubio@trihealing.com Website:

Many listeners and A-OK students have suggested I invite author Lisa Woodruff onto the podcast, and after this incredible conversation with her it’s clear why they were so insistent. Lisa is an author, former teacher, and parent who has spent the last 20 years researching ADHD and applying solutions to support executive functions in our home life. Not only are her ideas about home organization unique, such as organizing by the stages of life and a time-saving “Sunday Basket” system, but her approach to teaching contains so much kindness and understanding that home organization starts to feel possible. In this episode Lisa takes us through her systems and why they work so well for ADHDers, shares the script she taught her own children to use when they’re feeling overwhelmed by where to start, and explains why we need to stop using our incredible computer brains as to-do lists. Lisa believes we should all be spending as little time as possible doing household work so we can live our unique callings in life and I couldn’t agree more. Resources: Instagram: @organize365 Website: Podcast: Book mentioned: Phases of Life by Neil Howe

Normally (and ironically) there’s nothing that makes me fall asleep faster than talking about proper sleep hygiene. However, the more I learn about sleep’s impact on our overall health and our ADHD symptoms specifically, the more I realize how crucial it is for ADHDers to make good sleep a priority. Most of us know what we should be doing to get better sleep--keeping a consistent sleep schedule, no naps during the day, no technology at least an hour before bed--but actually putting these habits into action is easier said than done, especially when our ADHD is fighting us every step of the way. In this episode I cover not only the latest research behind why sleep is so important to our functioning and learning, but I also provide some concrete sleep strategies that are geared toward the ADHD brain, such as connecting positive emotion with getting into bed on time. Like all things ADHD, once we know why we’re struggling with these habits we can start to find workarounds and implement sustainable systems that allow us to be successful.

My guest this week, Juliana Hock, gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘resilient’. Seriously, this woman does not give up on herself; Juliana recently fulfilled her dream of becoming a realtor after 12 attempts at the Real Estate exam. Her difficulty with written tests is something I know many ADHDers can relate to, but where many people would have given up Juliana pushed through, knowing that once she overcame the hurdle of passing that exam she would thrive in the job itself. Juliana credits her resilience to a strong support system, a passion for everything she does, and a positive mindset, among many others. She wakes up every morning saying, “this is going to be the best day ever!” and then goes forward to make it so. My conversation with Juliana is a great reminder that prioritizing fun, passion, and self-determination is so important to living a fulfilling life. Resources: Instagram: @Juliana.Evolves Email: julianamhock@gmail.com

In our last episode we discovered why our ADHD brains struggle with time so much. Understanding this ‘why’ provides us with a foundation for building long-lasting time management skills, so make sure to listen to Episode #145 first if you haven’t already! Now that we have our ‘why,’ the next step is to figure out how to develop a more effective and less stressful relationship with time. In this episode I’ll give you some concrete strategies to help you work with your brain’s natural flow rather than struggling against it. When we learn how to pause, check in with our bodies, stare down our discomfort, create a plan based on history, and celebrate our accomplishments, we can stop waiting for the perfect time to feel inspired and instead we can start creating it ourselves.

What is it about our ADHD brains that causes so much difficulty with time and what can we do about it? Executive function plays a role, but like most of our ADHD challenges there are also other factors that, when combined, can make time awareness feel downright impossible. In this episode I’ll take you through the contributors to time blindness, such as emotional regulation and working memory, because the more we understand why we do what we do the more successfully we can tackle the problem. Then, next week I’ll talk about what we can do to improve our relationship with time and share some of the strategies that have really worked for me. I still haven’t mastered time, but I have gotten so much better at it the more I learn how my brain works. I hope I can do the same for you.

Why is it that a single negative comment can ruin my entire day, even amongst a sea of otherwise positive feedback? Our ability to hyperfocus is one of our greatest ADHD strengths, but if that hyperfocus gets ahold of a negative thought it can send us into a spiral of shame and self-doubt that feels impossible to break out of. In this episode, I’ll give you 7 unusual, research-based strategies to help you tune into your body, get out of your head, and calm your nervous system when you find yourself ruminating on thoughts that don’t serve you. Resources: ​​

My son Markus has always been incredibly introspective and self-aware, so when, even after receiving ADHD accommodations and visual processing intervention he felt there was still something else going on, I believed him. Markus suspected that dyslexia was the underlying cause of his inconsistent gaps in learning, yet whenever he was evaluated in the past these gaps were overlooked or attributed to his ADHD. Learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia are very common comorbidities with ADHD, so why weren’t these evaluators ever digging deeper? Enter the incredible Laurie Peterson, a brilliant Educational Diagnostician who you may recognize from Episode 61 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, and my guest this episode. Laurie evaluated Markus a third time, and to his relief, his suspicions were confirmed--it was dyslexia all along. Having the complete picture of his brain finally allowed Markus to advocate for his needs, which is exactly why Laurie does the work she does. Join me for another wonderful conversation with Laurie as she provides an overview of the different learning disabilities that can co-occur with ADHD, explains why whole-picture interventions are so important, and dispels some common myths surrounding learning disabilities. Resources: Website: Apps mentioned: Snap Type; Mod Math

‘Intuitive eating’ is a term we hear more and more these days, but in a culture where restrictive diets are king, the concept of listening to your own body may seem foreign and even “woo woo.” My guest this week, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Becca King, admits that she also thought intuitive eating was pretty “woo woo” when she first heard about it, but after closer examination, she discovered that intuitive eating wasn’t too out there at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite: intuitive eating helped Becca heal her relationship with food and her own body and started her on a path to help others, specifically those with ADHD, heal those relationships too. Whether you’re curious to learn more or you still need some convincing, in this week’s episode, Becca will teach you the basics about intuitive eating and provide you some helpful eating tips for the ADHD brain. Resources: Instagram: @adhd.nutritionist Website:

When licensed professional therapist, author, and speaker KC Davis first began a self and home-care TikTok account, she didn’t intend to make ADHD content. In fact, she didn’t even know she had ADHD at the time, she just knew her unique brain required equally unique systems in order for her to stay on top of home care tasks. When KC’s content inevitably ended up on the ADHD side of TikTok, her number of followers exploded. So many people with ADHD were relating to her content and finding success with her systems that, after receiving yet another comment asking if KC had ADHD herself, she decided to get an evaluation, and soon it was confirmed that she does indeed have ADHD. Since receiving her diagnosis KC’s content has expanded to include creative ADHD-specific systems and solutions for care tasks, but the underlying message in her work has always remained the same: “Care tasks are morally neutral. They have nothing to do with being a good or bad person, with failing or succeeding in life.” Join me this week as the insightful and hilarious KC Davis explains why thinking of care tasks as ‘morally neutral’ is so important for our mental health, teaches us her ‘condiments in the produce drawer’ ADHD fridge hack that everyone is talking about, and gives us the tools to implement a no-fold laundry system that saved her sanity. Resources Instagram: @strugglecare TikTok: @domesticblisters Website: Book:

This week I break my cardinal rule of only interviewing women with ADHD on the podcast, which should tell you just how strongly I believe in author and marriage consultant Melissa Orlov’s work. Melissa may not have ADHD herself, but her daughter does, which is exactly what prompts Melissa to learn as much about ADHD as she possibly can. She dove deep into the research, even working alongside renowned ADHD expert, Dr. Edward Hallowell, one of my only other guest to break the podcast rule (go back to Episode 106 to listen to his insightful interview). All of Melissa’s research led her to the surprising realization that her own husband had ADHD as well. Hello, rabbit ---> bunny! Suddenly, all of the disagreements that they’d been having for years around their relationship suddenly made sense. With this realization came a new level of compassion and understanding for each other. Together Melissa and her husband were finally able to find solutions and create systems that worked for both of them. Since this marriage-saving discovery, Melissa has been researching and writing about how ADHD impacts relationships and marriage with the goal of providing others with the roadmap she and her husband wish they’d had sooner. Whether you’re in a relationship with a neurotypical or another ADHDer, Melissa has some helpful tips and insights that may just end that argument about emptying the dishwasher for good. Resources: Melissa’s website: Her couples’ seminar: Her book:

When Covid hit the U.S. in 2020 and hair salons all across the country shut down, more and more people started taking the scissors into their own hands, often with disastrous results. While the rest of us were laughing at quarantine haircut memes (or creating our own), Jayne Matthews was brainstorming a solution: What if she could teach people how to cut their own hair using the same technique she used on clients at her salon? Now less than two years later Jayne teaches people all around the world how to give themselves stylish haircuts in a way that’s intuitive and easy to follow. This ability to problem-solve in the face of seemingly unsolvable problems is a skill Jayne attributes to her ADHD and is one she believes is the key to her success. Join me this week as educator and trendsetting hairstylist Jayne Matthews and I discuss the importance of blazing new paths rather than trying to fit in, how to be okay with not being great at everything, and some favorite ADHD workarounds. Resources: Website: Jaynematthews.com Instagram: @jayne_edosalon

This week I’m sitting down with ADHD expert, author and coach René Brooks to talk about Vertical Heterophoria -- a little-known eye condition that, when René stumbled upon the diagnosis by happenstance, changed everything for her. While René is grateful that she was able to find relief from a lifetime of headaches and neck pain, she’s frustrated by how close she came to missing such an important diagnosis and believes the medical community still has a long way to go in understanding and treating ADHD comorbidities. “It’s right there, it’s not hidden, people just don’t put it together. People are so mired down in the research about ADHD that it’s difficult for them to understand how these things apply to real-life scenarios.” Vertical Heterophoria and the connection to ADHD is so unknown that I myself had never heard of it, but by the end of the episode, René helps me to realize that this just might be the missing piece in my own son’s unresolved vision struggles. This realization is a great reminder of why these conversations are so important to have, and for that reason and many more I’m so excited to bring you this episode with the brilliant René Brooks. Resources Instagram: @blackgirllostkeys Twitter: @Blkgirllostkeys Blog: (scroll to the bottom of the blog post for a link to the online test for Vertical Heterophoria)

Tracy shares: Why forcing ourselves to do mundane tasks doesn’t work The real question to ask ourselves that helps us get things done Why do our ADHD brains struggle to get through boring, predictable, mundane tasks What three things must an ADHD strategy employ for us to successfully get a boring, predictable task done? What generates positive emotion? Why deadlines don’t work over time? How light and easy can work every time! Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Miriam Schulman to Ep. 136 of her podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women. So for all these reasons, I am delighted to introduce you to Miriam Schulman, artist and founder of The Inspiration Place. Through her online classes, business coaching programs, and popular podcast, she’s helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and sell more art. Miriam is a graduate of Dartmouth College and M.I.T. who has been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, Art of Man, Professional Artist magazine, and Art Journaling magazine. Her artwork has also been featured on NBC’s “Parenthood” and the Amazon series “Hunters” with Al Pacino. Her forthcoming book with HarperCollins Leadership on how to make it as an artist is scheduled to be released in October 2022. Miriam shares: Her and her family’s experience with ADHD Her challenging first year in college Why originality is so important to her Her observations on the link between creativity and ADHD What it means to be a lifelong learner Why she started The Inspiration Place The difference between selling art online or in person The ADHD traits that she regularly sees in artists What artists tend to struggle with The importance of practicing your creative The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? The key to living successfully with ADHD is? Her number one ADHD workaround? Resources:

This week Tracy welcomes Grace L’Orange to episode #135 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Grace is a school psychologist, behavior specialist, and suicide prevention coordinator working in public education with a B.S. in Psychology and an advanced Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. Grace is passionate about equity, inclusion, and advocacy for all students, especially those with disabilities and other differences. In addition to her direct work with students, she collaborates with and educates other adults to better understand and address the specific impacts these differences have on daily life. Grace recently implemented systemic changes in her district by developing updated policies and procedures for special education and suicide prevention/intervention focusing on equity and best practice. She serves as Director-At-Large on the board for her state school psychologist association. She also collaborates with the broader community through the Suicide Prevention Coalition in her county. Initially drawn to school psychology due to the school struggles of her brother with ADHD, little did Grace know that she would be diagnosed much later at the age of 32. Since then, Grace has been integrating this new ADHD facet of her life in the context of being an educator working with students with disabilities and behavior challenges. In this episode Grace shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis What has changed since she was diagnosed How learning about her ADHD shifted her understanding of how ADHD presents in girls and helped her better notice symptoms that are often overlooked in female students Information surrounding the alarming number of ADHD women who have attempted suicide and the societal factors that may contribute to these high rates Signs of suicidal ideation to look out for and ways you can responsibly help someone who may be at risk (resources listed down below) How she uses audio journaling to move past perfectionism, externalize her thoughts in order to process them, and speak more kindly to herself Her key to living successfully with ADHD Resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255 Mental Health Crisis Response Program: 1-888-989-9990 (for parents of children through age 17) Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ youth) Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) online training for anyone: Hopesquad Prevention: A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden, MS and Michelle Frank, PsyD (book mentioned)

This week Tracy welcomes Kamden Hainsworth to Episode #134 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Kamden lives with her husband and three (almost four) daughters in Springville, Utah. She enjoys spending time in the nearby mountains, traveling, working on home improvement projects, and serving in her community and church. Kamden worked as an educator in a variety of capacities for over ten years. She has always felt the most fulfilled helping others realize their true potential. Years after her daughter was diagnosed, Kamden received her own ADHD diagnosis at 36 years old and quickly began advocating and researching to learn how to build her new amazing life as an ADHDer. She now helps solopreneurs with ADHD find their voice and translate that into their business specifically with marketing and social media. Kamden shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis What has changed since she was diagnosed The importance of surrounding herself with people who see and appreciate her ADHD gifts Why social media can be so challenging for the ADHD brain The ways perfectionism and over-thinking can prevent us from posting on social media How asking the question, “Who makes the rules about what social media needs to look like?” can help us overcome perfectionism and get started Her strategies for building your online presence one puzzle piece at a time How determination and trusting her own creativity and problem-solving skills has led to her success Her #1 ADHD workaround: visuals, visuals, visuals Resources:

This week Tracy welcomes Adrienne Smith to Episode #133 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Adrienne is a beekeeper who was accepted into the Oregon State Master Beekeeper program. She will take her final journeyperson exam at the end of this month and has been studying honeybee beekeeping since 2014. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband on a small farm with her bees, chickens, donkeys, a cat and some koi fish. Adrienne shares: The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis Her struggle with Auditory Processing Disorder How she got into beekeeping after years of “hobby hopping” Why ADHD women are often drawn to careers that go against the status quo The challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field Why beekeeping is so appealing to the ADHD brain Her knowledge on native bees and which species need the most protection Why hyperfocus is her ultimate ADHD strength Resources:

This week Tracy welcomes Denese Marshall to Episode #132 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where the conversations will be all about ADHD and trauma. Denese Marshall, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. She has a BA in Psychology, a BA in Criminology and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Denese works with adolescents and adults facing addiction, trauma and OCD. She is passionate about the acceptance of differences and has authored a bullying prevention book to teach children ages 4-7 to accept differences and exercise acts of kindness. She has worked with clients with a criminal background to assist in both rehabilitative/reintegration following incarceration, as well as helping clients with addiction to prepare for incarceration. Denese believes that our past or life choices influence our behavior, but they do not define who we are. She helps clients find meaning in their experiences and develop a sense of peace that comes from making sense of our experiences. Denese has two teenage children, a private practice in Connecticut and she speaks regularly on trauma and finding the value and meaning of life challenges. Denese shares: The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis What has changed since she was diagnosed? Her definition of trauma How to distinguish between trauma and ADHD The symptoms of trauma Why it’s important to address trauma before working on ADHD executive function issues What happens to the traumatized brain when there is discomfort? What works to address trauma? What happens when trauma is not addressed? How to find ADHD professionals who are expert in both trauma and ADHD Resources: https://www.denesemarshall.com

Join Tracy for Episode #131 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she celebrates the one-millionth download of her podcast and expresses her gratitude for your support and confidence. Tracy spends this episode sharing how this podcast has changed her life. She discusses what she’s learned and how it might help you too. Discover: What it means to be future focused vs. past focused How to figure out your own ADHD formula The importance of not believing everything you think and how what they say about you is none of your business How action generates positive emotion Why it’s never too late and you’re never too old How to never be bored another day of your life What ADHD women have in common Three simple steps to moving that big thing forward Resources:

Join Tracy for Episode #130 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about challenging kids with ADHD and the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) system developed by Dr. Robert Greene. CPS was developed as a way to diffuse power struggles between parents and their challenging kids, specifically kids with explosive behavior issues. It’s used in juvenile detention facilities, prisons, schools and of course with families around the world. Tracy shares: Why even if you don’t have kids you will learn something about yourself from this podcast Why telling an ADHD child what to do, doesn’t serve them or the parent-child relationship over time The most important role that a parent plays in their child’s life The question she always ask when she’s trying to figure out what to do next The statement that underpins Dr. Greene’s CPS philosophy and changes everything Why switching from drill sergeant to coach and collaborator is so much more effective with ADHD kids The problem with lagging skills and how to assess them The 3 Step CPS system Who’s opinion must be considered to address challenging behaviors Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes her guest Mrinal Gokhale to Episode 129 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Mrinal Gokhale is a writer, business analyst, and mental health advocate based in the Midwest. Mrinal just published her first book, Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlighted, to increase education and acceptance on mental health in the South Asian diaspora. Her future goals include teaching self defense and developing a health and wellness app. Mrinal shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her struggle with school What has changed since she was diagnosed What made her write her book The model minority stereotype How the model minority stereotype impacts ADHD, mental health and affects self-esteem and increases shame What ADHD strengths make her good at her job Her key to living successfully with ADHD Her ADHD workaround Resources: @lotus_mkg Email

Join Tracy as she welcomes Jessica Fern to Ep. 128 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Jessica is a Senior Director of Training & Development for the 4th largest multifamily management company in the US and doubles as a national speaker, coach, and strategist. Jessica is a keynote speaker, who was most recently featured on a national panel for Women in Leadership. She has a series on Multifamily Leadership Studio that includes Legendary Leadership which earned her the nickname The Wolf of Leadership. Jessica's newest project is her solutions-oriented coaching/consulting and podcast called "Living with Einstein." Jessica shares: The circumstances surrounding her two ADHD diagnoses What has changed since her recent diagnosis Her struggle with and triumph over Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria How hyperfocus almost wrecked her How she discovered her gift of speaking Her advice on creating a winning speech every time The key to living successfully with ADHD Her ADHD workaround Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Adell Bridges to Episode 127 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Adell is an international yoga teacher, health coach, and author who applies her degree in psychology with her training in the neurology of movement to her yoga and movement teachings. She now splits her time between London and Florida, and shares her love for the power of mindful movement to her online community on and her half a million Instagram followers. She is currently coauthoring a book on hyper-mobility. Adell shares: The circumstances surrounding her recent ADHD diagnosis What has changed since she was diagnosed? Her advice around managing RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) What made her fall in love with yoga Why yoga is perfect for the ADHD brain The link between hyper-mobility and ADHD How she uses her Instagram to inspire and generate positive emotion not only for herself but also her followers ADHD and vertical heterophoria ADHD and cerebellar stimulation The key to living successfully with ADHD Resources:

Today Tracy welcomes Tiffany Jackson to the podcast. Tiffany shares her indefatigable childhood story of being abandoned by her mother, bouncing from one relatives home to another, and spending one perfect year at an elite boarding high school only to end up at a homeless shelter as a minor. Throughout all of this, Tiffany had a dream to make something out of her life. Since then she’s graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from the Dan Rather School of Communications at Sam Houston State University, attended a year of law school which is where she received her ADHD diagnosis and in 2018 she graduated from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with a Master of Biomedical Science. Tiffany plans to attend medical school and work as a physician epidemiologist. She loves photography and car racing. Tiffany shares: Her thoughts on how grit, drive and determination allowed her to keep going despite so many setbacks and challenges How she sees her drivenness as hyperactivity The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her childhood symptoms of ADHD What happened once she was finally diagnosed What she’s learned she needs to be successful and happy What she thinks the key to living successfully with ADHD is Her workarounds How she discovered what she’s always meant to do with her life Resources: Email: tiffany.jackson@me.com Instagram: @Texas_Senator

Tracy welcomes you to Episode #125 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she invites the ADHD non-believers to join her for a little education. She gets requests for this podcast every week so she decided to do something about it. Tracy shares: Why the authoritarian model of parenting doesn’t work with an ADHD child Nora Volkow’s research about ADHD and interest What the NIH, AMA, U.S. Surgeon’s General, American Association of Psychiatry and the U.S. Department of Education all say about ADHD Whether or not there’s ADHD in France If it’s true that ADHD is strictly an American phenomenon What it means that more kids are getting diagnosed with ADHD What happens when ADHD is not treated If it’s true that everyone has a little ADHD If ADHD is an invention of modern society If video games, social media, smart phones are making people more ADHD Whether or not medicating kids for ADHD turns them into addicts Why willpower, consequences, discipline and punishment is the wrong formula for the ADHD brain What happens to children when they’re told that they’re lazy, unmotivated and need to work harder What works to motivate ADHD children The one question you should ask yourself about your ADHD child Resources: Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk on Gillian Lynne who had to move to think. Here’s the excerpt: Here’s the full TedTalk: Erin Ez shared this link that gives you a real world snapshot of how your child feels struggling with attention and learning challenges:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Rebecca Brianceau to Episode 124 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Rebecca is an autodidact artist and an international mindfulness art teacher who hails from Toronto, Canada. Rebecca has lived in Dubai, the UAE, London, England, Zurich, Switzerland and São Paulo, Brazil. She spent 15+ years in the music industry where she worked with multi-platinum selling and indie recording artists in hiphop, soul and RnB, as well as with producers, video directors, DJs, and fashion designers. In 2011 she left a successful career in the music world to launch her art career. Her Ocean Soul Series of stunning ocean paintings has been exhibited in galleries and art shows throughout Canada and Mexico. She now lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Rebecca shares: The story of what inspired her to create her beautiful resin ocean paintings Her ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms What changed once she was diagnosed How she fell into the music industry and traveled all over the world as a band manager The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success The key to living well with ADHD Her number one workaround Information about her Ocean Soul Series, Riviera Maya art exhibit in Playa Del Carmen Resources: Music: Kamal's created a new guitar "the glissentar" that allowed him to play oud guitar sounds on a more comfortable guitar face

This week Tracy welcomes you to episode #123 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she is going to talk about ADHD, procrastination and tapping. Tapping combines Ancient Chinese accupressure and modern psychology. You tap specific meridian points on your body while focusing on negative emotions and/or physical sensations. Tapping can resolve stress, anxiety, phobias, emotional disorders, chronic pain and limiting beliefs and there’s science behind why it works. Tracy shares: The science behind tapping How the VA uses tapping for veterans with PTSD Why body-based somatic therapies work better for trauma What tapping can do for gene expression How tapping can help reduce anxiety for ADHD women How trauma encodes itself in the body What EFT/tapping can do to the brain’s learning How tapping calms the nervous system The difference between tapping out and tapping in How she uses tapping to start work that she doesn’t want to do The tapping process and how to do it Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells to Episode #122 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where the conversation will be all about ADHD and medication. Dr. Lentzsch-Parcells is a board-certified pediatrician and the owner and President of Girls to Women/Young Men’s Health and Wellness Fort Worth, a multi-faceted clinic providing integrated medical care dedicated to meeting the physical and emotional needs of young women and men from 10-25 years old. As a physician with ADHD herself, Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells has a special interest in caring for patients with ADHD and learning issues. She regularly speaks to parent, student, and professional audiences on subjects such as parenting, ADHD, depression, anxiety and stress, adolescent development, sexuality, preparing for college and medication. Carolyn shares: The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis What changed once she was diagnosed? What it means to be a slow metabolizer The importance of setting expectations around medication Her opinion around women, anxiety and ADHD medication The various types of medication used for ADHD Medications used for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria The medication that reduces the chance of misuse Her thoughts on genetic testing The medication that most 40+ women are usually prescribed What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is? Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Terry Matlen to episode 121 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. , is an internationally recognized expert on ADHD in women. She is a psychotherapist, author, consultant, and coach. She is also the author of the award-winning book, The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD. "” and "”. With over 25 years of experience helping women with ADHD, Terry is a sought-after presenter at conferences, webinars, and interviews. She has written hundreds of articles for various publications, including ADDitude Magazine, Attention Magazine, , and more. She served for many years on the board of directors of ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Assoc.) and is an immediate past coordinator of the E. Oakland County CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Chapter in Michigan. Terry has been interviewed by NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Glamour Magazine, and now ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Terry shares: The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis What hypersensitivities are Whether or not ADHD women have more hypersensitivities than neurotypical women If hypersensitivities are more prevalent in one type of ADHD over another Whether or not women with hypersensitivities tend to have more comorbidities. Her own experiences with hypersensitivities How hypersensitivities make parenting with ADHD even more difficult Ways to work with hypersensitivities Resources: Follow her at , , Terry can be reached at terry@ADDconsults.com.

Today on Episode 120 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy invites Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez to her podcast. Dr. Sanchez earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago and will join Adventist Health White Memorial (Los Angeles, CA) as a Family Medicine resident. While working with many underserved communities in Chicago and Los Angeles, Elizabeth found her niche in primary care where she integrates her passions of caring for underserved communities, public health advocacy, research and mentorship for the next generation of doctors. Prior to medical school, Dr. Sanchez spent over 5 years working in translational and clinical research at the UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, and later at UC Irvine, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia. Most recently, Dr. Sanchez worked as medical data manager for COVID-19 testing at a San Jose medical start up called Work Health Solutions. She also is dedicated to mentoring medical students with adult ADHD and eliminating the stigma within the medical community. Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez shares: Her ADHD story and the circumstances surrounding her diagnosis? Her experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) How her ADHD challenged her in medical school Her struggle with the NBME board and being denied additional time for the USMLE exams How socioeconomic status can affect a person’s ability to succeed with ADHD in medical school The importance of mentoring underrepresented minority medical students The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround? Resources: Anki : How to use anki in medical school: Peloton Desk Accessory: My email: drelizabethkeller@gmail.com

Join Tracy as she welcomes her delightful guest Dr. Lola Day to Episode 119 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Lola Day is the mom of 3 amazing children. She also is a double-boarded physician (pediatric and fetal cardiologist) who has ADHD herself. Dr. Day is the CEO and Founder of Lollie Tasking where she specializes in work-life balance for easily distracted women (ADHD) and high achieving moms who have the will to accomplish their goals, but their brain keeps sabotaging them. Lola coaches women on productivity strategies that help them harness their superpowers and put blocks on their kryptonite so they can thrive in their zone of genius without sacrificing time away from family or being overwhelmed. Dr. Lola Day shares: The circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis in medical school The surprising statistic her mentor shared with her about doctors and ADHD The two things that drove her hyperfocus in school Why getting diagnosed actually helps us to come to terms with just how smart our brains are How structure and organization help her to be happier and less anxious How she manages to not only work as a busy physician but also to carve out time in her day to work as a productivity and work-life strategist for struggling women Her five keys to entrepreneurial success How we can combat overlearning Why we should buy for just in time learning rather than just in case learning The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? The key to living successfully with ADHD is? Her number one ADHD workaround? Information about the programs that she offers Resources: Instagram: @lollietasker Lollietasking.com

Join Tracy as she welcomes Francesca Rizzo to Episode 118 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women to share her tips on downsizing and setting up an organized home for ADHD living. Francesca Rizzo is a multi-media artist expressing powerful, provocative ideas in funny, human ways. Her work is prolific. The multiple medias she has distinguished herself in range from the fine arts and interior design to her work as an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director in theater, film, television and digital media. As a college dropout, Francesca left NJ and struck out on her own at 19, mining her creative talents for skills she could use to pay the rent in New York City. Along the way she carved out a career as a children’s book illustrator, professional actor, co-founder of a downtown theater company and eventually, as a filmmaker and CEO of MovieBaby Productions, a Tribeca-based media company creating innovative videos, independent films and tv promotional campaigns. Does that sound ADHD or what? When she lost Moviebaby and her Manhattan apartment after 9/11, she landed back in Jersey and went back to the basics, earning her degree in Media Arts as well as the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. While making her mark in the fine arts and interior design, she penned and performed three theatrical productions, curated The Cinema-Femina film series and, created Believe Women, a rape activist initiative that championed the Cosby survivors along their journey to justice. Francesca shares: What made her downsize from a 3,000 square foot, 3-story home in New Jersey to a 600 square foot apartment in New York City The 3 requirements every item must meet to end up in Fran’s world How to let go of things and make room for those things that you really want in your life Her decision making tier of I love it I like it It does its job It annoys me I hate it When you need to just “pick the best” How she feels after getting rid of 98% of her possessions What she would do differently if she had to do it again How you can use Fran’s downsizing mindset to move through anything that causes you fear and overwhelm What the key to living successfully with ADHD is Resources:

Join Tracy in episode #117 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she shares the #1 most impactful concept that she has learned this year. She talks about this concept every day with students and those who contact her because they’re struggling with rumination, RSD, and just plain not feeling good. Tracy shares: Who she learned this concept from Why our ADHD brains can get stuck in a loop of negative thoughts which leads to rumination, RSD and general brooding The role environment plays in all of this What epigenetics and neuroplasticity can teach us How you can change your brain at any age and be happier The network in our brain that lights up when we’re in action The network in our brain that is responsible for our creativity The network in our brain that is responsible for many of our negative, depressive thoughts The reason why so many people are starting to look so distracted whether or not they have or don’t have ADHD The part of our brain that is responsible for addiction and what we can do about it What 6-3-8-3 breathing is and why it works When our ADHD brains are happiest Resources: Breaking Binaries: 10 Things You Can Do to Be an Ally to People Who Are LGBTQ+:

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about ADHD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and why she took such an interest in this episode. Tracy starts by mentioning the connection between OCD and repetitive body focused behaviors (RBFBs) and then discusses what they are. She then goes on to share: What OCD is What obsessions are What compulsions are The conditions that make up the OCD Spectrum What OCD is not What Pure Obsession is At what age does OCD typically show up Where ADHD and OCD look very different Where ADHD and OCD look similar What those with OCD are most concerned about The role that executive functions play in both ADHD and OCD How hoarding plays into ADHD and OCD How OCD is best treated What Exposure Response Prevention is The reasons why ADHD with OCD is often misdiagnosed A Do I Have OCD? Survey Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Lynn Miner-Rosen to Episode 115 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Lynn Miner-Rosen, M.Ed., ACC, CDCS is the founder of LMR Coaching and the creator of the ADHD JOB SQUAD™ where she provides coaching, instruction, and support to college students and adults with (and without) ADD, ADHD, Executive Functioning Deficits and Learning Differences worldwide. Lynn is a leading expert on ADHD career coaching and is an ICF Credentialed and Board Certified Career Development Coach, and an ADHD, Executive Function and Life Coach. She’s been a Special Education Teacher and an IEP coordinator and has a BS in business administration and two Masters Degrees in education and Special Education Like you she’s also learned how to manage the demands of her life and career whil navigating symptoms of ADHD. Lynn shares: Her ADHD diagnosis story The truth about our current pandemic job market Why women are struggling the most What we need to consider when trying to decide if we should make a career change Advice for those of us who are reentering the workforce decades after we left Why she decide to start the ADHD Job Squad A special deal just for ADHD for Smart Ass Women listener Resources: learn.adhdjobsquad.com/smartasswomen Instagram: @adhdcoachlynn LinkedIn: Facebook: facebook.com/groups/adhdjobsquadcommunity adhdpalooza.com/women/

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about women, ADHD and hormones. She starts out by thanking those female pioneers, most of whom have ADHD, for leading the charge in teaching us about what ADHD looks like in women. Experts like Dr. Kathleen Nadeau, Dr. Ellen Littman, Dr. Patricia Quinn, Dr. Sari Solden, Dr. Sandra Kooj who she has learned so much from. Tracy shares: Why ADHD has always been about the boys How ADHD looks different in girls The biggest problem among health care practitioners that impacts women Why girls/women are often misdiagnosed Who struggles more with ADHD, men or women How societal pressures and gender role expectations affect ADHD women Her thoughts around perfectionism and ADHD How estrogen impacts ADHD symptoms and is not stable during our lifespan New research about hormone related mood disorders that may impact ADHD women Whether or not there’s such a thing as adult onset ADHD Some information on is it dementia or ADHD Resources:

Join Tracy on Episode 113 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about how to live a life of meaning and to your potential with an ADHD brain. Tracy shares: How to know that the decisions you’re making in your life are the right decisions for you. What are the questions that you need to ask regarding if you’re in the right career, relationship, friendships, etc. Her 6-step Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! system How to answer the What Should I Do With My Life question Whether or not ADHD women care more than neurotypical women of living a life of meaning and to their potential Her favorite ADHD strength-focused resource What ADHD women need to be doing in order to be happy Her 25%/75% theory The sweet spot that plays right into our ADHD brilliance Why environment is so important to our ADHD brains Resources:

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Raven Baxter. Raven is also known as , she is an award-winning and science communicator, educator and molecular biologist who is working to share science and champion for inclusivity and diversity in STEM. Raven is also the founder of Science Haven, a non-profit organization that operates at the intersections of science, education, and the public. Science Haven houses , a live web series that connects the public with science and technology professionals, and , a group that works to build relationships in the science community, equipping others with the knowledge and resources necessary to share science with the world in their own flavor. Raven is an entertainer and content creator known for her unique style of combining science and hip hop music that teaches and empowers those in STEM and beyond. She has recently been featured in Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40 List of the most influential young leaders for the year, BuzzFeed News, Mother Jones Magazine, on the mayor of Buffalo’s social media accounts trying to convince teenagers to stay home in the age of Covid; and of course, she has her own TedX Talk. Raven shares: The circumstances surrounding both her ADHD diagnoses The tweet that she shared regarding her struggle to memorize even small snippets of text What has changed since her last diagnosis Why she started her science rap music videos What she thinks the key to living successfully with ADHD is ADHD brains work so that they too may discover their amazing strengths. And your reviews really help in that regard. Resources: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Website: 5 Days to Fall in Love with Your ADHD Brain:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Dr. Diana Mercado to Episode 111 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Mercado is the daughter of Mexican immigrant workers. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, earned her medical degree from the University of Texas and did her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Diana became a family medicine physician so that minority patients would have a physician who “looks like them.” Today Dr. Diana Mercado is a Nurse Practitioner mentor, Clinic Medical Director and was just elected Chief Medical Officer for Jackson County Hospital in Texas. Diana shares with us: Her struggles in medical school The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her symptoms in childhood What changed once she was diagnosed Her struggle with imposter syndrome The medication that works best for her The ADHD traits that make her a better doctor? What she believes to be the key to living successfully with ADHD Her interest in coaching Resources: Dr. Diana Mercado's email:

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Dr. Amy Cain. Dr. Cain is a Molecular Biologist who uses genomics to study deadly, antibiotic resistant bacteria. She completed both her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (graduating with first class honours) and then her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Sydney, Australia. After PhD submission, she moved to Cambridge, UK, for a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (where they first sequenced the human genome!) and was awarded a prestigious fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Cain then moved to Malawi in sub-Saharan Africa to track outbreaks in hospitals, employed by the Wellcome Trust charity. Since 2018, Dr. Cain has been a Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor at Macquarie Macquary University, Sydney, having received a number of grants to develop new antibiotics and study antibiotic resistance; setting up her research group across 3 different labs. Dr. Amy Cain is also Deputy Director of the JAMS organisation, a microbiology society that runs over 5 countries and she has just started a podcast called JAMSpod to spread microbiology knowledge far and wide. She loves travelling (having visited 70-odd countries so far), scuba diving, live music and cooking. Amy shares: The circumstances surrounding her diagnosis The ADHD symptoms that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD. Why she became an infectious disease and genetics expert What has changed since her diagnosis Why she loves science so much Why she started a podcast interviewing microbiologists Her advice to young women with ADHD Her ADHD workarounds What she believes the key is to living successfully with ADHD Resources: Amy’s Twitter handle: @flamycain

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Sarah Gise. Sarah is an award nominated Chicago actor who got her BFA degree for Acting at the University of Southern California (USC). She’s worked a thousand different jobs and gigs because she experiences intense FOMO (fear of missing out), so in addition to acting, she’s dipped her toes into teaching, writing, directing, podcasting, bartending, and coaching. She is currently an ensemble member with Interrobang Theatre Project, and has performed in numerous shows with different companies around Chicago. Her performance in Interrobang Theatre Project’s production of the one woman show THE AMISH PROJECT (2016) was nominated for Best Solo Performance at the 2017 Joseph Jefferson Awards. In addition to theatre, she has appeared in several web series, films, commercials, and audiobooks. Sarah currently works as an Executive Functioning Coach for Effective Artistry, and is the Host/Producer of The ADHD Artist Podcast, which explores and celebrates the lives of artists with ADHD. Sarah shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her childhood symptoms Why she chose to study the arts Her experience with medication What made her start The ADHD Artist Podcast The key to living successfully with ADHD Resources: Actor website: ADHD Artist Podcast: Effective Artistry: UCLA Mindfulness (the one Sarah uses every day is the first one, "Breathing Meditation" 5 min): Interrobang Theatre Project:

Join Tracy in episode 108 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Judith Houlding. Judith has been a professional organizer for 11 years. She is also an ADHD coach who has trained in “brain-based differences” and has received certification from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, Coach Approach for Organizers, and the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Judith is the mother of three adult children, two of which were diagnosed as having ADHD. She describes herself as being on the ADHD spectrum … but not quite at the tipping point. Judith understands the frustrations and struggles that the ADHD brain deals with when it comes to organization. She believes that perfection is an illusion that no organizer will ever promise you. Judith believes that, good enough is truly Good Enough! Judith shares: Her own personal story with ADHD. Why she decided to become a professional organizer What the Institute for Challenging Disorganization does Concepts that she uses with ADHD clients to help them with organization The questions to ask when you’re trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of Organization tips and workarounds for the ADHD brain What to start with when everything is a mess Tips on school organization Resources: Join the waitlist for the FREE 5-day Workshop, How to Fall in Love with Your ADHD Brain

Join Tracy and her delightful guest, 18-year-old Lucy Van den Heuvel. At 16 Lucy left high school, not knowing how she was going to go forward with her education. She eventually found a college that accepted students as young as 16, and applied. In May, Lucy will graduate from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Massachusetts, where she will receive her Associates of Arts degree instead of a high school diploma. In college she is studying sustainable agriculture, and co-manages the campus farm. When she’s not farming or studying, she spends her time hiking, oil painting, rock climbing, and crocheting. Today she looks at the decision to leave high school without graduating as one of the best she’s ever made. Lucy shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her childhood symptoms How her love of storytime got her into trouble in pre-K Her life-long struggle with school Her struggle with anxiety Why she decided to drop out of high school Why Bard college was the perfect fit for her curious brain Her plans after graduation What has changed since she was diagnosed The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? Resources:

Join Tracy as she breaks her women only guest rule by welcoming Dr. Edward Hallowell to Episode 106 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. If you know anything at all about ADHD you recognize Dr. Hallowell’s name as the leading authority in the field of ADHD. Dr. Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, and a New York Times bestselling author. He, along with Dr. John Ratey wrote what Tracy considers to be the bible of ADHD, Driven to Distraction. Now retired from the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hallowell has been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Oprah, PBS, CNN, Today, Good Morning America, and in The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time. He is a regular columnist for ADDitude magazine, and is also the host of his weekly podcast called Distraction. Dr. Hallowell is the founder of The Hallowell Centers in Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Seattle. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and their three grown children. Dr. Hallowell shares: The circumstances surrounding his ADHD diagnosis Why he and Dr. John Ratey decided to write their new book ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction. Who he wrote this book for Why most medical professionals have ignored the strengths in ADHD for so long His opinion on ADHD and intelligence Exciting research around the task positive network and default mode network and how you can use them to benefit the ADHD brain The ADHDers need to create and constantly improve their life Why those of us with ADHD should never worry alone Where he believes the field of ADHD research and treatment is going Whether he believes that there’s a relationship between introversion/extroversion and ADHD types Why ADHD women have not been part of ADHD studies Resources:

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to 21 year-old, Mikayla Kee. Mikayla is currently a senior, finishing her bachelor’s degree at The Evergreen State College in Washington. She will be entering the Master’s in Teaching program next. Mikayla also volunteers as a para educator at a local elementary school and, in true ADHD fashion, Mikayla has been doing all of this while working as a semi professional soccer player for the past three years. Mikayla shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms Her struggles during her first year in college How collegiate athletics is the perfect ADHD compliment to her education When she connected soccer as a workaround for her ADHD How her college addresses different learning styles and why this works so well for her ADHD brain How important trust is in dealing with emotional dysregulation What has changed since she was diagnosed The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround Resources: Instagram - @mikaylakfit

Tracy Otsuka welcomes you to Episode 104 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about goal setting, planners and planning, the perfect subject for the last podcast of 2020. Tracy talks about Why goals and planning can be hard for our ADHD brains The truth about multi-tasking Other episodes of this podcast that might be helpful when it comes to time and planning and ADHD. Why ADHD brains may need to externalize time What it means to have a short time horizon What time is actually linked to What it means to develop an awareness around time and how that can help you Why focusing on the actions rather than the goal might work better for you How to choose the right goal Why looking inside yourself rather than outside of yourself works better for us in choosing a goal Why knowing your values and what’s important to you helps makes goal setting so much easier Why having goals is even important The thing that most of us with ADHD share in common When a practice of gratitude may make goal setting easier Creative themes/mottos to help you reach goals and generate positive emotion What to look for in a planner for the ADHD brain Her A-OK! Brain Download and how she uses it to get everything out of her brain Her Goal Decode process that allows her to break down her goals into much smaller tasks Why Saturday morning planning sessions are the best thing that Tracy does If you’re procrastinating what the problem may be

Join Tracy as she welcomes Stacey Machelle to Episode 103 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Stacey is a multi-hyphenate doer of things. She is a sketch writer/performer, producer, comedian and former broadcast news reporter and anchor. Stacey’s credits include on-air contributor and writer for TMZ, commercials, television and film roles. She is also a live studio audience warmup comic in Los Angeles, most recently for the late-night show "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." But the biggest reason that Stacey really needs to be here with us today is the YouTube show that she created to raise awareness in black women and women of color about ADHD. It is called ADHD Is The New Black. Stacey shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis the first time, and the second time The symptoms she had as a child and now recognizes as ADHD What made her decide to start her YouTube show, ADHD is the New Black How ADHD is different when you’re a woman of color The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? Her number one ADHD workaround? Resources:

In Episode 102 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Dr. Melody Kuphal. Dr. Kuphal has a bachelor’s in Special Education with a minor in music, a Master’s in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate of Worship Studies. She currently works as Adjunct Professor at Judson University, is a member of the Teaching Faculty of IWS teaching research writing, works full-time as Music Director at Hosana Church, teaches private music lessons,and is a recording artist who records at least one new album per year. Melody shares: Her own ADHD story The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis RSD and her struggle with the emotional aspects of ADHD Her experience with medication The and what she learned about herself Advice on better reading and note taking for ADHD students pursuing higher education Advice on better writing for ADHD students pursuing higher education The key to living successfully with ADHD Her theory of leaving life with empty pockets Resources:

Episode 101 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, is actually part two of the 100th episode of this podcast. In the 100th episode Tracy reviewed all previous 99 episodes of her podcast and shared the key thoughts that reframed her personal understanding of ADHD. There was so much content that this ultimately ended up becoming not only podcast episode #100 but also episode #101. Episode #101 starts with a discussion on ADHD and RSD or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Tracy also created a 100th episode gift for her listeners which is a Podcast Index that organizes all 99 episodes. You can find it Episode 19: Episode 25: Episode 29: Episode 30: Episode 34: Episode 40: Episode 49: Episode 50: Episode 53: Episode 62: Episode 63: Episode 75: Episode 78: Episode 87:

Join Tracy as she celebrates her 100th episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. For her 100th episode, Tracy reviewed all 99 episodes of her podcast and shared the key thoughts that reframed her personal understanding of ADHD. This was a lot of content to go through and ultimately ended up becoming not only podcast episode #100 but also episode #101. Tracy also created a 100th episode gift for her listeners which is a Podcast Index that organizes all 99 episodes. You can find it Episode 1: Episode 3: Episode 4: Episode 8: Episode 9: - (you can find the link to join our ADHD for Smart Ass Women specific Focusmate group by joining our ) Episode 10: Episode 12: Episode 16: Episode 17: Episode 18:

Join Tracy in Episode 99 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes executive function coach and math tutor, Julia Clements. Julia has a strong affinity for teens with ADHD and has working with them for 23 years. She attended the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies at The University of Redlands and believes this is where she developed her love of the individualized and creative learning process. Julia shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her philosophy on teens and learning The one thing she never employs with her students or her child What ADHD teens need more than anything to learn What are executive functions Why she uses Sarah Ward’s executive function program with her students How it is different than other programs that help students learn Some suggestions for distance learning in the time of COVID How ADHD makes her outstanding at her job What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is Resources:

In Episode 98 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares information about planners and planning for 2021. She talks about her decades long struggle with planners and schedules. She had tried everything from Filofax, Steven Covey, Quo Vadis, Daytimer, the Palm Pilot, The Elephant Planner, The Passion Planner, The Bullet Journal (which she actually never used despite purchasing all the necessary materials) and her favorite, a planning system that felt like a restaurant menu. Tracy talks about: What a planner needs to work for ADHD brains The writing implement that Tracy now swears by A-OK! Every Day, The Unplanner System for Planning Success Gold stars, literally Her goals in creating a planning system Her beta launch for A-OK! Every Day What it will include The four simple resources that Tracy feels are a must for gaining control of your life. Who A-OK! Every Day is for and who it is not for Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Michelle Nickel to Episode 97 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Michelle earned a degree in liberal arts and followed that up with an MBA. She went to work for a major brokerage firm at the age of 25. Along the way she earned AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Specialist) and CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designations and also holds series 7, 63 and 66 Securities Licenses. Working in a small town, Michelle did everything from making sure little old ladies didn’t run out of money, designed retirement plans, set up college savings accounts and everything in between. Her favorite thing to do is to take a giant pile of financial statements and data and turn it into a comprehensible and workable plan for her clients. Michelle learned how to manage investments from her company, but managing day to day finances was harder, because of her ADHD. After 23 years working as an advisor, Michelle was able to retire at 48. Michelle lives with her husband and two teenage boys, both of whom have ADHD, in Alabama. Michelle shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms How to save The importance of automating everything you can How to save if we’re self-employed What we should do with credit cards How to pay bills How to budget The importance of cash The ADHD traits that Michelle feels are responsible for her success The ADHD traits that Michelle still struggles with Her key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround What it means to make decisions in advance Her future plans for “retirement” Resources: The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

In Episode 96 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Juliann Decker. Julie Ann earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Massachusetts and her master’s degree in Training and Development from Lesley University in Cambridge. She is a coach and an expert in leadership program design and delivery with broad work experience in industries such as technology, banking, consumer goods, retail and finance. Juliann designed, delivered and launched Monster.com‘s first global Management Development Program for high-potential leaders and trained and coached participants in their newly created MBA executive program. She also developed global leadership programs at Aspen Technology and founded her own leadership and coaching company. Juliann shares: Her childhood symptoms The circumstances surrounding her initial ADHD diagnosis Her recent re-diagnosis How midlife affected her symptoms What has changed since her recent diagnosis? Her experience with A-OK! What the key to living successfully with ADHD is Resources: Juliann’s email:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Aleta Storch to Episode 95 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Aleta has earned Master’s degrees in both Nutrition Science, Dietetics, and Clinical Health Psychology. She is an anti-diet Dietician, Therapist, and Certified Body Trust Provider, specializing in eating disorders, autoimmune conditions, and ADHD. Her work is centered around helping folks move away from diet culture and instead develop an intuitive, trusting, compassionate relationship with food and movement. She firmly believes that everyone is the expert of their own body. When she is not focused on her work, she can typically be found skiing or foraging for mushrooms in the mountains, snuggled on the couch with her dog, partner, and a good book, or making a creative mess in the kitchen. Aleta and Tracy talk about: The link between ADHD, disordered eating and eating disorders The grim statistics on bulimia and anorexia for ADHD women Which type of ADHD is the best predictor of an eating disorder in girls The circumstances surrounding Aleta’s own ADHD diagnosis Why she chose to study Nutrition Science and Psychology? The difference between disordered eating and eating disorders Why eating disorders and disordered eating are so prevalent in ADHD women? Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) and how it relates to ADHD How problems with self-regulation and executive function deficits can lead to disordered eating and ultimately, eating disorders What the pyramid of food needs is How to use this pyramid to address disordered eating How Aleta uses the hunger and fullness scales What to do if you are in the middle of an eating disorder but think you can’t afford to get help? Aleta’s favorite resources for a good relationship with food, your body and yourself What Aleta thinks about intermittent fasting How meal delivery services can help Aleta’s new eating with ADHD program Aleta’s favorite ADHD workaround Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes Jaimie Harris to Episode 94 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Jaimie is from Essex, just outside of London. She is 29 and was a paparazzi for a decade. She now works for celebrity magazines as a picture researcher, a job which she absolutely loves. In this podcast, Jaimie shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her childhood symptoms How she felt different her entire life How she ended up working as a paparazzi? Why this career was very ADHD friendly How her ADHD makes her very good at her job The ADHD traits that Jaimie feels are responsible for her success? Her key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround Jaimie's Instagram: @whatjamiedid @diaryofagirlpap Resources: Website: Waitlist: Facebook Group:

In Episode 93 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women,Tracy talks about the difference between being past and future-focused and which one is better for our ADHD brains. She shares: How you can tell if someone is future vs. past-focused Why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD brains to be future-focused How most of us start out being future-focused but then we opt for the security of being past-focused Which of the three types of ADHD struggle more with being future-focused and why How everything that is possible and what we dream about is built from our future and not our past Why being future-focused builds confidence Why being future-focused builds positive emotion Resources: Website: Waitlist: Facebook Group:

Join Tracy as she welcomes guest Isabelle Baker to Episode 92 of her podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Tracy interviewed Isabelle as one of four students who completed her Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! program. That episode aired last week but Tracy didn’t include Isabelle because she felt that Isabelle needed her own episode. In this episode Isabelle talks about trauma, never fitting in, giving up, thinking it was too late for her because she was too old. She also talks about AOK and ultimately falling in love with her ADHD brain. Isabelle Baker is from Lakeland, FL. With over 25 years of business development, C-suite partnerships, and enterprise training; Isabelle is now her own CEO. Today she combines her professional experiences along with her love of problem solving, listening to understand, and relentlessness, to serve her clients whom she loves to see succeed. Some of her best successes are personal though: she is passionate about helping children in the foster care system and looks forward to being a coach to those who age out. Isabelle shares: Her childhood trauma Her struggle with school Her struggle with social problems and always feeling different Her discovery of ADHD Her experience going through the A-OK! Program Her new found love and appreciation of her ADHD gifts The key to living successfully with a non-linear brain Her number one workaround Resources: Sign up for Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Isabelle’s

In Episode 91 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Hayley Lin, Trinlee Chodren and Juliann Decker who are all graduates of her Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! System. Hayley Lin is 25 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD 2 years ago while in college. She graduated last year from the University of Toronto with a specialist in Computer Science and a major in Cognitive Science. Haley is also a makeup enthusiast with two full bookcases of makeup and a social media account with 470k followers! Haley’s #1 value is living to her full potential. Trinlee Chodren is in her early thirties and is a former pharmacist, novelist, teacher, personal development junkie, an advocate of kindness and doing things that benefit humanity but most of all Trinlee is an ideation machine. She is entrepreneurial to her core. Juliann Decker, 56, is a coach and an expert in leadership program design and delivery with broad work experience in industries such as technology, banking, consumer goods, retail and finance. She designed, delivered and launched Monster.com‘s first global Management Development Program for high-potential leaders and trained and coached participants in their newly created MBA executive program. She also developed global leadership programs at Aspen Technology and founded her own leadership and coaching company. All three women share: The circumstances surrounding their experience with ADHD About their childhoods and growing up Their experience with our coaching system, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! Their key to living successfully with a non-linear brain Resources: Hayley Lin: Trinlee Chodren: Juliann Decker Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! ADHD for Smart Ass Women,

In Episode 90 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Katelyn. Katelyn is a special educator who has her masters in Reading and is the author of the childrens’ book, “Hi It’s Me! I have ADHD!” She just launched a podcast for kids titled Journey With Me Through ADHD which is designed for children with ADHD to listen to and feel understood. Katelyn lives in Wisconsin with her husband and 4 young kids and passion is to speak into the hearts and minds of children and families with ADHD so feel connected and understood! In this podcast Katelyn shares: The circumstances surrounding her childhood diagnosis The question that she was often asked by adults as a child that rocked her self-esteem Why she decided to get a master’s degree in Reading What made her start her new podcast for kids How to talk to your kids about their ADHD in such a way that instills confidence in how their brain works? How do you tell your child that he/she has ADHD? The best way to talk about your child’s weaknesses? How to teach your child to respond to other kids when they make inaccurate comments about ADHD? How to work with you child on mindset The “red dot” method The importance of breaking things down into bite-sized pieces Resources:

In Episode #89 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how she gets so many emails and DMs from young women with ADHD who have been positively affected by this podcast. This makes her want to have more young women on the podcast because the younger we start to see our ADHD brains for the brilliant brains that they are, the better. Tracy wants them to hear stories of young, inspiring women who are just like them so in this episode, she introduces you to Jade Le Quesne who just turned 23 yesterday. Jade is from the U.K. and was diagnosed with ADHD at the beginning of the year. Jade struggled through school, was always behind her classmates academically but since childhood she had a dream. Her dream was to attend college in the U.S. Jade did just that and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in International Studies from the University of Tampa. Jade is currently back in the U.K. studying nutrition and fitness which she uses as a way to manage her symptoms. She believes that mental and physical health are intrinsically linked and looks forward to starting her own business very soon. In this podcast Jade shares: Her life-long battle with anxiety and emotional dysregulation The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis How she always felt different than others Her interest in motorcross What has changed for her since being diagnosed Why she decided to write for ADDitudeMagazine The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success How she manages her ADHD symptoms The link between empathy and emotional dysregulation The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround Resources:

In Episode #88 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares her own personal experience with rumination. She talks about how even when you’re in your own zone of interest and genius and doing what you really love it’s still difficult to be on even the smallest platform because you will be roundly rejected by some. She shares: All about her critics on Reddit Information on essential oils Information on medication Her biggest fear around delivering this podcast every week How she feels about paying it forward What it means to be a Karen Her commitment to BLM: diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism Her favorite podcast for learning how to be anti-racist Why you’re no different than she is What to do when things don’t go so well The importance of getting back in the arena regardless Why what people say about you is none of your business How ADHD women are meant to lead The ADHD women that struggle the most Resources:

In Episode 87 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy announces that this podcast is now the #1 podcast for ADHD women and among the top 10-14% of all podcasts regardless of subject. Tracy then shares: Her experience with her amazing Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! students The fear that many of her students have, that it’s too late or they’re too old to do something really meaningful that allows them to make a difference in the world and live to their potential Her story of why it’s never too late to live to your potential and find and do what you love Her purpose and her big WHY How she became an expert in ADHD in an unconventional way The ADHD trait she’s discovered in all her A-OK! Women Information about inspiring women who reimagined their lives after the age of 50 Statistics about startups based on age Why she won’t share her age Resources:

Join Tracy Otsuka as she welcomes Dr. Kristen Nicole to Episode 86 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Always a feisty, fiery person who looks to be challenged to stay engaged, Kristen went to the Air Force Academy on a whim. After graduation, she left for Subsaharan Africa for a two-year stint in the Peace Corps. Deeply moved by this experience, Kristen went on to medical school in South Florida with the goal of responding to global humanitarian crises. She is also deeply passionate about the influence of lifestyle choices - food, rest, stress management - on one's ability to live a happy, productive life. Kristen has a health coaching business called Coach Kristen, MD. In her "spare" time, she loves tennis, running, and her 3 dogs. In this podcast, Kristen shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her childhood experience of ADHD Her approach to mental health and pharmacology What she learned about herself at the Air Force Academy Her experience in medical school The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible of her success What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is Her number one ADHD workaround Resources:

Join Tracy as she welcomes entrepreneur Helena Hills to Episode 85 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Helena co-founded True Start Coffee with her husband Simon when they were both triathletes. True Start is a feel-good coffee company that is all about positivity and putting people first. It is one of the fastest-growing young drink brands in the UK and has won a host of impressive awards. True Start retails in over 1000 UK outlets, and is exported to several international markets as well. Helena is also the mother of 2 little boys. Helena shares: How she started a business that she realizes today was literally her treatment The circumstances surrounding her diagnosis How ADHD affected her childhood What kind of teenager she was Her favorite subjects in school How she realized that drivenness is a form of hyperactivity The importance of interest to her brain The importance of environment and positive emotion Her experience with RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria) What she loves to do at TrueStart What she doesn’t love to do at TrueStart The ADHD traits that she believes are responsible for her success The key to living successfully with ADHD The importance of reducing stress levels Her best ADHD workarounds Resources:

Join Tracy in episode 84 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. introduces you to dietician and nutritionist Nicole DeMasi Malcher. Nicole is the founder of DeMasi Nutrition, a virtual private practice based in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Diabetes Educator with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition. Nicole spent 10 years working at Los Robles Hospital in the ICU, and as a nutrition coach at UCLA, Kaiser Permanente and DaVita Dialysis. In her practice, she uses nutrition therapy & coaching to help people lose weight, improve their health, and prevent & treat medical conditions through personalized diet & lifestyle changes. Nicole was diagnosed with ADHD (combined type) about a year ago at the age of 32 & since then has been determined to understand how nutrition impacts ADHD symptoms. THIS EPISODE IS NOT FOR WOMEN WITH DISORDERED EATING. Nicole shares: The circumstances surrounding her later in life diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms including those that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD How she always felt different than others How her childhood and teen years were impacted by her ADHD What has changed since you were diagnosed? The relationship between sugar and dopamine The food group that spikes our dopamine naturally What kind of carbohydrates help cognition How she feels about intermittent fasting for the ADHD brain Information on the gut-brain axis and how inflammation affects the brain What the enterac nervous system is and how it affects our brains The one food to get rid of to feel better Her number one ADHD workaround A page that she’s built just for us that’s all about nutrition for the ADHD brain Resources:

In Episode #83 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about the things you can do to increase your productivity, stop procrastinating and just start when your ADHD brain doesn’t want to cooperate. Tracy shares: Her experience working with the incredible women in her Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! Program Her new discovery about ADHD women and their need to make a difference and live to their potential How she procrastinated around creating the A-OK! System and why that was What she finally did to create forward movement on this big project Her favorite platform for an online business What procrastination actually is and what causes it What to do every morning to make yourself more productive Why there should be no big things on your todo list Why our brains are more productive when we’re having fun How to get out of your head and into action How she “templates” whatever she can Her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Focusmate group where women can buddy up with a virtual body double 24/7 Her writing protocol and the importance of figuring out your own unique productivity schedule How to create your own accountability How to reward yourself and increase your productivity The importance of doing things once and finishing How all of our ADHD weaknesses have opposing strengths and procrastination is no exception Resources: * some of these links are affiliate links but I would never recommend anything that I didn’t wholeheartedly love

In Episode 82 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Natalie Cluck. Natalie is 24 and works at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is training to become a certified flight controller to fly the International Space Station from Mission Control Houston. In this podcast, Natalie shares: The circumstances of her diagnosis which occurred shortly after arriving at NASA The light bulb event that triggered her desire to find out more about ADHD Information around her school career They symptoms that she always wondered about but now sees as part of her ADHD What has changed since she was diagnosed The ADHD traits that she feels make her an even better flight controller than those without ADHD The traits that she feels are responsible for her success The ways she has always felt different than others What she believes is the key to living successfully with ADHD Her ADHD workarounds Resources: STAR stands for Stop - Think - Act - Review

In Episode 81 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to the incomparable Gracie Dix. Gracie is a rising high school senior and author of two books that she released in 2020; Journey to Superhero School and Welcome to Superhero School, a fantasy fiction novel. Both books were Amazon #1 New Releases in the genre. Gracie lives in Dallas, Texas with her parents, Richard and Jennifer, her brother Nate when he’s home from college, and her beloved dogs, Snowball and Sandcastle. She attends Shelton School of Dallas which is a school for smart students who learn differently. Learn: About the article that Gracie wrote for ADDitudeMag About Gracie’s ADHD diagnosis How Gracie became so focused on her strengths What Gracie thinks her strengths are What Gracie wishes she could change about her ADHD brain. What made Gracie decide to write a book? What Gracie’s books are about? If there are any ADHD characters in her books? What Gracie wants to study in college What ADHD traits Gracie feels are responsible for her success What ADHD traits she feels are responsible for her success? Gracie’s ADHD workarounds Resources:

In Episode #80 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Janet Murray who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45. Janet is a content marketing expert, author and international speaker who has built a multiple six-figure business with multiple streams of income (including a membership community, and online courses). She is also the creator of the - a content planning tool for coaches, consultants and entrepreneurs. Over the past five years Janet has published over 400 podcast episodes, a book and thousands of words of email marketing copy - despite, in her words being one of the most disorganised people on the planet. How does she do it? She creates easy-to-follow systems and processes to help her stay productive (strategies that work for anyone who struggles to stay focused). Discover: The circumstances surrounding Janet’s diagnosis What Janet’s ADHD symptoms were/are How drivenness relates to ADHD How her ADHD presented in grade school, high school and college What has changed for Janet since her diagnosis? Janet and Tracy talk candidly about female friendships and ADHD. Not knowing the rules of female friendships Why entrepreneurs are such a good fit for ADHD brains How interpersonal intuition can get in the way of relationships How intensity plays a roll in choosing relationships When to just walk away Janet shares: The ADHD traits that are responsible for her success The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one and number two ADHD workarounds Resources:

In Episode 79 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about imposter syndrome, where the term comes from, what it is and why so many women with ADHD have it. She shares: How Reward Deficiency Syndrome contributes to imposter syndrome Why we rarely feel as we’ve accomplished enough Why we might not trust our success and believe we can recreate it How being hyper-critical of ourselves contributes to imposter syndrome What inverse imposter syndrome is What you can do to combat imposter syndrome How to deal with shame Why community and interest are so important to our ADHD brains

In Episode 78 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy updates her second most popular podcast episode which is all about what ADHD looks like. She discusses: The fact that there is no cookie cutter, one-size fits all formula when we’re talking about ADHD symptoms. That we all have our own individual ADHD puzzle to solve. What ADHD is Why she believes that ADHD is misnamed and is not a disorder The importance of a comprehensive strategy. Medication is not enough. Why she believes that all ADHD women are brilliant at something? What executive function skills are What ADHD is not ADHD statistics The fact that the existence and impact of ADHD has been validated for decades by various medical organizations. How ADHD brains are wired for interest not information. The role of trauma in ADHD The three sub-types of ADHD The 18 symptoms the DSM uses to diagnose ADHD What symptoms look like for hyperactive/combined-type ADHD What symptoms look like for inattentive ADHD What presentation of ADHD is seen most often in girls and women Why ADHD is often missed in girls Why smart girls struggle more than girls of average intelligence The positive side of ADHD The key to living successfully with ADHD Resources: by Kathleen Nadeau, Ellen Littman and Patricia Quinn

Join Tracy in Episode 77 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Jaklin Levine Pritzker (“Jak”): Jak is a certified health/life coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She’s also an ADDCA trained ADHD coach. After graduating from law school and receiving her own ADHD diagnosis, Jak founded AuthenticallyADHD where she coaches, runs retreats and hosts a membership group for women and/or non-binary. Jak shares information about: Receiving her own ADHD diagnosis at the end of law school Her own struggle with anxiety, depression and panic attacks Self-medication Her other health challenges How she came to terms with walking away from the practice of law and instead found a new direction more suited to her Things she always wondered about but now sees as symptoms of ADHD Getting off medication when it doesn’t work for you and finding other workarounds How her ADHD diagnosis changed her life The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround Resources:

In Episode 76 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces It’s a 6-step system that she created for her ADHD brain, to help her make better decisions around her career, relationships and interests. She shares: Why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD to pursue the right interests How to stop getting sidetracked by the newest bright, shiny thing Why we need a process, structure and system to tidy our brains The 25/75% What Do I Do With My Life formula Why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD to be clear on what we really value How getting clear on your values helps you make better decisions The importance of choosing a theme for your life How knowing your character strengths helps you begin to live values that you’re not currently living Why we feel disconnected when who we are is not in alignment with what we do The importance of knowing what you’re passionate about How to choose which of your many passions to pursue by discovering your purpose Her purpose formula Why purposes that give meaning to your past are often the best purposes to choose The importance of identifying the overlap or the sweet spot where your interests, natural abilities, positive emotion, and motivation converge. How to never forget what’s important to you again If you’re interested in learning more about Your ADHD Brain is A-OK, you can find it

In episode 75 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women Tracy talks about why she changed her introduction to her podcast. She shares her experience with coaching and why she didn’t believe that it worked. Since she’s always concerned with authenticity she felt she owed her community an explanation and wanted to tell you why she changed her mind and why she now believes that ADHD coaching is the best thing for anyone struggling with ADHD symptoms to try. Tracy shares: How she connected this need of hers to be crystal clear on her values and purpose with her ADHD Her constant quest around living to her full potential Her experience with regular life coaching How developing a program to coach herself ultimately led her to create Coretography and Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! How her desire to learn more about ADHD and how to respond to women and help them get out of their victim mindset in her facebook group led her to consider ADHD coaching Why telling people with ADHD what to do never works Why regular life coaching doesn’t work for the ADHD brain How the ADHD coaching model needs to go much deeper than traditional life coaching to be effective How important prompts are to the ADHD brain What it means to charge neutral and why ADHD coaches can’t do this and be successful with ADHD clients Why the best coaches for ADHD people, are those coaches who also have ADHD The steps of the ADHD coaching model and why they’re so successful with ADHD clients Resources:

Join Tracy in Episode #74 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Rachel Elliott. Rachel is a life-long resident of Washington, D.C., where she earned a BS in Biology at Salisbury University and will begin classes for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at George Washington University. Rachel has been using Focusmate to conquer her short-term and long-term goals for over two years. She has more recently realized the power of Focusmate to maintain daily routines and now uses Focusmate for her morning routines and to meditate, practice yoga and finish those nagging projects that need to get done. Rachel shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis as a sophomore in high school. The symptoms that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD How Focusmate works How Focusmate revolutionized her life and increased her productivity Why Focusmate is so effective for her How she has made friends on Focusmate Tips for using Focusmate How 4-7-8 breathing can help with anxiety, panic attacks and focus The ADHD traits that are responsible for her success The key to living successfully with ADHD Her number one ADHD workaround Resources: Unlimited Focusmate sessions are free until July 28, 2020 using this link. Rachel’s E-mail: crush.all.your.goals@gmail.com Internet + App Blockers Freedom (Works across all browsers and devices) Stay Focused Chrome Extension: StayFocused App: 4-7-8 breathing Rachel shared these additional Focusmate tips: Use two computers or a laptop + tablet or Chromebook ((Focusmate can take up a lot of CPU and drain your battery so many users have a main computer + a second device that runs Focusmate.) Use the recurring feature to set up Focusmate routines (Mouse over session on the FM calendar, then click on the pencil icon) Install an internet/app blocker. Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode during the session. My phone has a “don’t interrupt feature” that automatically silences the phone for an hour. My friend Meg puts her phone in her desk drawer during sessions. Physically remove your phone from view- out of sight out of mind. Share your screen for added accountability if you are getting off-track. I actually learned about 4-7-8 breathing from a Foucsmate partner Be honest with your partner. Share what worked and what didn’t, your partner may have suggestions.

In Episode 73 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares ADHD hacks contributed by members of her Facebook Group, also of the same name. There were so many good tips but here are some of the most popular ones. Discover: What every ADHD women needs in the shower How big is too big for a bathroom clock The trick to keep your bathroom clean How much time you really take for your morning routine How music might help you get to work on time The one thing you need at your front door How many laptop chargers do you really need How to never forget anything when you travel The best place to write down your morning and nighttime routines How to finally schedule appointments so you’re on time How to sign up for free trial apps or software without ending up paying for it What a Not Now List is What to keep in your desk at work Why you should always hit snooze and not turn off an alarm even though you’re going to get to the item next Resources:

In Episode 72 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares what social distancing has taught her about her ADHD brain. This episode is for those of you who have been practicing social isolation for a while, are growing weary, and are struggling to find more positive emotion in your life. Discover: Why awareness is so important to our ADHD brains How one little shift that we don’t even realize can contribute to a downward trajectory in our positive emotion How quickly we can bounce back if we’ve just recently fallen in the hole and haven’t yet buried ourselves in it How important routine and structure is not only to our ADHD brains but also to positive emotion The importance of nature to the ADHD brain How Covid reconnected me to nature, my family and myself What you actually need to feel more connection to others Resources:

Tracy is delighted to welcome Dr. Kirsten Milliken to Episode #71 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Milliken is a licensed clinical psychologist, an ADHD Coach, and the Author of PlayDHD: Permission to Play. A Prescription For Adults With ADHD. Dr. Milliken lives in Portland, Maine with her two amazing children, her partner, Perry, and her two dogs. As a licensed clinical psychologist Kirsten has worked in a variety of fields including juvenile justice, geriatric mental health, school psychology, community mental health and nonprofit development. Currently, Kirsten has a private practice where she offers services to military veterans, provides diagnostic evaluations, and coaches teens and adults with ADHD. Kirsten shares with Tracy: The circumstances surrounding her late in life ADHD diagnosis The symptoms she struggled with How she missed the diagnosis in herself What has changed since she was diagnosed How and why she educates her clients on the value of play, as a naturopathic treatment for ADHD The exciting project, that she started with Kris Mitchell. Its goal is to increase the awareness of the positive impact of ADHD on society How to submit written and visual works for potential publication What ADHD traits she feels are responsible for her success Her favorite ADHD workarounds Resources: by Kirsten Milliken, PhD., PCC

Join Tracy in Episode #70 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Kelsie Elizabeth. Kelsie grew up in NH and went to a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts where she earned a BS in clinical and research psychology and a second BS in music with a concentration in piano. Kelsie was also three credits short of a third degree in social welfare because she couldn’t make up her mind. Sounds pretty ADHD, doesn’t it? Kelsie was diagnosed with ADHD last year at the age of 25. At her young age, she has so much insight and wisdom and a remarkable sense of who she is. Tracy just knew that you would love Kelsie’s story. Kelsie shares: The circumstances around her diagnosis What her symptoms were Her struggle with disabling social anxiety Her love of psychology Her early career struggles What she finally did to right herself How the correct diagnosis helped to regain her confidence What her favorite ADHD traits are How her ADHD makes her even better at her job Her keys to living successfully with ADHD Her ADHD workarounds Resources: Kelsie’s email - pianoforteanima@gmail.com

In Episode #69 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Sally Mouzon. Sally is a member of the acclaimed San Francisco Opera Chorus. She has appeared in numerous roles with the company, including Second Priestess in Iphigénie en Tauride, Second Bridesmaid in Le nozze di Figaro, Second Girl in Show Boat, and Second Orphan in Der Rosenkavalier. She has also created roles in three world premieres; La Popolana in Two Women, Joan in Heart of a Soldier, and Sister Lillianne in Dead Man Walking. In real life Sally is an avid reader, union activist, baseball fan (Go Giants!), and single mother of a collegiate Shakespeare nerd. She is a dedicated alumna of the University of Virginia and now lives in the Bay Area. In this delightful interview, Sally shares: How an article about time blindness resulted in her adult ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms which were present since childhood Her music filled childhood Why structure was so important to her academic success How she pivoted back into music and ultimately parlayed her love of music into an audition with the San Francisco Opera How her degrees in African American Studies and Russian Literature help her to be a better opera singer The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her professional success? The key to living successfully with ADHD Her ADHD workarounds Resources: Twitter, Instagram: @sallymezzo

In Episode 68 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how to train your ADHD brain to deal with fear. This is an extension of last week’s episode and Tracy’s stab at simplifying concepts so they can be applied today if her listeners are struggling with their emotions. Learn about: Abraham Hicks The first place you should go if you’re feeling fear? How your inner guidance system (your intuition) can help you How fear can act as your rudder and is just information What it means to always reach for a better feeling Why controlling your environment doesn’t make you happier How to use your thoughts to always feel better regardless of the circumstances The importance of the journey The only freedom you will ever experience How to train your brain to always tune into positive emotions Resources:

Join Tracy in Episode #67 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes her guest, Vera Bruursema. Like many of us with ADHD, Vera has crafted a diverse career path from volunteer firefighter/EMT, soccer coach, Trader Joe’s Assistant Manager and bookkeeper. While earning her MBA she worked as staff accountant for many different companies but still struggled to find her place. It all finally came together when Vera decided to seek help for her ADHD and open her own practice as owner and founder of Verafied Accounting. Tracy wanted to talk to Vera because many believe that the ADHD brain is incapable of a career in accounting or finance. In fact, Vera is going to tell us how she took her nonlinear brain and created a really interesting niche for herself in accounting. Vera shares with us: The circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis in sixth grade Her very difficult teen years The ADHD program in Wyoming that changed her life How she finally learned executive function skills How she ended up in bookkeeping and ultimately accounting The “social handbook” that she finally read that explained so much of her struggles with other people and helped her to build her confidence back up The THING she started to embrace that turned her life around rapidly Why accounting plays into one of her biggest strengths. Hint: it’s problem-solving How her dog Atlas gives her the structure she needs to succeed Resources:

Join Tracy in Episode #66 where she talks about the coronavirus, why the ADHD brain struggles so much with uncertainty and how the only thing that we have control over are our thoughts. Discover: What Mister Rogers taught journalist Tom Junod. Why anything that is mentionable is manageable How panic comes from uncertainty and trying to control what we can’t control whether we’re talking about a pandemic or anything else What you really fear when you’re feeling uncertainty Why worrying has nothing to do with being prepared Why the journey is so important The importance of our thoughts What dictates our feelings/emotions What fear really is How the ADHD brain is motivated The formula that involves our thoughts, feelings/emotions, actions and results. How to control your thoughts What mindfulness is How mindfulness helps ADHD Who connected mindfulness with brain science ADDitudeMag’s mindfulness acronym STOP Tracy’s list of 100 experiences, observations that generate positive emotion and wouldn’t have come about but for the coronavirus Resources:

In Episode #65 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Jaime Fisher. Jaime lives in Connecticut where she is raising four kids and an infant while transitioning back into the workforce. With over 100,000 hours of parenting experience, Jaime is a strong advocate for both moms and babies. She runs a Facebook site called Hey New Mama, and is working on a book on the optimal care and feeding of new moms. Jaime shares: the circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis why ADHD mothers make great parents how her and her husband manage their household of five children under normal circumstances how her family is actually doing in the midst of COVID19 good news on the resilience of children what she works on paying attention to during this time her advice around learning and children why rituals are important during times of stress her personal ADHD workaround Resources:

Tracy introduces you to Francesca Joy Rizzo in Episode #64 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Francesca Rizzo is an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director in theater, film, television and digital media. Her powerful and provocative ideas are fueled by her mission to explore, illuminate and celebrate the female experience with passion, humor and imagination. Fran believes that the way the world sees women becomes the way the world treats women so she employs female creativity to even things out. As a college dropout, Fran mined her creative talents for skills she could use to pay the rent in New York City. Along the way she carved out a career as a children’s book illustrator, professional actor, co-founder of a downtown theater company and eventually, as a filmmaker and CEO of MovieBaby Productions, a Tribeca-based media company creating innovative videos, independent films and tv promotional campaigns. After 9/11, Fran went back to the basics, earning her degree in Media Arts as well as the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. While making her mark in the fine arts and interior design, she penned and performed three theatrical productions, curated The Cinema-Femina film series and, created Believe Women, a rape activist initiative that championed the Cosby survivors along their journey to justice. Fran is one of the founding members of ADHD for Smart Ass Women and is now one of our administrators. I regularly introduce her as the most creative person I know. I have talked about her in my podcast and actually have women request to join the ADHD for Smart Ass Women’s FB group just because they want to meet Fran. Fran shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms How her symptoms got worse in midlife? How important interest is to her driven brain The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? What she feels is the key to living successfully with ADHD Some ADHD workarounds Resources: MESSAGES - Facebook PM WEBSITE - FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM - GREAT DAMES MEDIA - FRANCESCA UNLIMITED - IMDB - VIMEO - YOUTUBE -

In Episode #63 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how complaining, venting, feeling sorry for yourself and playing the victim is the gateway drug to an unhappy life that puts you at the mercy of your ADHD, by completely focusing on your weaknesses and not your strengths. Learn about: BMW - and it’s not the car The science behind why rumination is bad for our brains Why what we say to ourselves matters What my definition of high-functioning with ADHD looks like What kinds of people I choose to have in my life Discover: A different way to see your ADHD and it’s not disordered What demotivates the ADHD brain What you need to focus on to drive your motivation How to become the hero in your own life The importance of mindset The importance of gratitude The easiest thing you can do to start slowly shifting your mindset What makes the ADHD brain happier Tracy then shares an amazing lesson that a young woman in her FB group taught her about her own beliefs around the brain, honesty, her own power and abilities. Resources:

In Episode #62 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about ADHD and cannabis. She specifically focuses on the adolescent ADHD brain. Discover: The history of cannabis in the United States Why the name was changed from cannabis to marijuana How immigrants popularized the recreational use of marijuana What state first passed the Cannabis Prohibition law. How the propaganda film Reefer Madness effectively criminalized marijuana What happened to cannabis in the 60s and 70s What the reports commissioned by Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson said about marijuana Tracy then shares why she initially thought that cannabis was safer than substances like alcohol and her experience at a cannabis dispensary close to her home. Learn: The truth about whether or not there really are medicinal and or therapeutic benefits of cannabis to the ADHD brain. The two active compounds that make up cannabis If research supports the use of CBD oil as a treatment for ADHD At what age the frontal lobe is fully matured in the ADHD brain What THC actually does in the brain What the FDA has approved medical marijuana for What rates of cannabis use look like for adolescents and young adults. The negative affects of cannabis and how this mimics the symptoms of ADHD How dendrites help a healthy brain process and learn better How THC can alter the architecture of your brain Why fully formed brains are at much less risk for damage by THC If THC is a gateway drug Cannabis’ effect on the heart Cannabis’ effect on mental health If cannabis is addictive and if so, who is more likely to be addicted What it means to be chasing dopamine and why those with ADHD are at a greater risk for this What Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is What the link between CUD and psychosis is Why cannabis is so appealing to the ADHD brain How to treat CUD and ADHD Resources: 1-800-662- HELP to locate a treatment center

Join Tracy as she welcomes her guest Laurie Harwood Peterson to Episode #61 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Laurie is the owner and director of Diagnostic Learning Services. She and her husband have five offices across the state of Texas and test for ADHD and learning challenges in children. She spends every day helping kids get identified and teaching parents how to help them. Laurie has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. She spent 8 years teaching students with learning disabilities in grades K-12. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on assessment and a second Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling. Laurie is also the mother to two boys. Learn about: the circumstances around Laurie Peterson’s ADHD diagnosis. Laurie’s symptoms in childhood how she got into diagnostic testing the difference between neuropsychological testing and diagnostic testing where diagnostic testing falls in the ADHD picture what signs parents should look for in their kids when considering diagnostic testing? the cost of diagnostic testing? how testing for giftedness and ADHD differs from standard ADHD testing? how Laurie’s ADHD makes her better at what she does? what Laurie feels the key to living successfully with ADHD is? Laurie’s number one ADHD workaround Resources: How to use a bullet journal - https://ediagnosticlearning.com

Join Tracy in Episode #60 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes her guest, Brandi Noll. Dr. Noll is currently Associate Professor at the University of Akron in Ohio where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses. She has 23 years of experience in education, which includes teaching children how to read and write, as well as teaching fellow adults how to best teach children to read and write. Brandi is also an author, presenter, and consultant in k-12 schools. She has co-authored a book related to preschool literacy curriculum, written numerous articles found within national journals regarding literacy instruction, and presented across the country at education conferences, sharing her knowledge and passion about how to best help students succeed. Brandi is also the mother of three. In 2016, while recovering from her second major hip reconstruction due to hip dysplasia, Brandi founded the Bucket List Adventure Company Ohio. Her focus was on bringing people together by encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zones to overcome their fears. Over the last few years Brandi has jumped out of a perfectly good plane, free-dived with sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, walked across fire, kayaked in alligator-infested waterways, ice climbed, rock climbed, and rappelled her way through much of the United State’s most strenuous and iconic trails. No surprise that Brandi’s also one of us. She has ADHD! Brandi shares: How she completed her Ph.D. in three years while working two part-time jobs with three children The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis Symptoms that she always wondered about but now with the benefit of hindsight she recognizes as clearly ADHD? What has changed since her diagnosis? Why she decided to start her travel company? Why she started the “Adventure Club?” The knowledge that Brandi imparts on every one of her students What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is? Her number one ADHD workaround Her advice to a young woman just diagnosed with ADHD Resources: Email: BucketListAdventureCompanyOH@gmail.com

In Episode #59 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces her guest Taylor Levy. Taylor is an immigration attorney in El Paso, Texas. She was the Legal Coordinator at Annunciation House, El Paso’s largest migrant shelter. During the summer and fall of 2018, Taylor worked with dozens of pro bono attorneys who traveled to El Paso from across the U.S. to provide free legal representation to immigrant parents separated from their minor children because of the “zero-tolerance” policy enacted by the Trump administration. Attorneys volunteering with Annunciation House provided legal consultations and pro bono reunification to more than 400 separated families. Currently, Taylor focuses her work on asylum-seeking families who have been returned to Mexico under the “Remain in Mexico” program. She also mentors attorneys from around the country on these cases and does advocacy, media, and policy work centered on protecting vulnerable asylum seekers arriving at our border. Taylor talks about an article that ProPublica just published about her clients, Honduran refugees Mirza, David and their kids. Taylor also shares: How she ended up in law school while working full time and raising a child as a single mother The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis Symptoms that she always wondered about but now with the benefit of hindsight she recognizes as clearly ADHD? What has changed since her diagnosis? How she ended up representing immigrants and asylum seekers before she even went to law school What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is? Her novel approach to medication Her number one workaround Her advice to a young woman just diagnosed with ADHD Information about the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Hybrid Program? Resources: Taylor’s email: The nonprofit that Taylor mentioned: www.santafedreamersproject.org And Taylor’s law school!

In Episode 58 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares five hacks that have changed her professional and personal productivity and play well with her ADHD brain. They are: Stickies app for IOS (or Sticky Notes for Windows), Multiple Desktops which is available for both IOS and Windows, TabResize app, Bear app; and New Kajabi, a platform for online businesses Tracy talks about: Her love - hate relationship with Post-it-notes The two things that new applications need in order to work well with her ADHD brain How to organize your computer workspace with multiple desktops How to automatically organize your desktop so it’s never a mess The application that keeps her the most focused because it allows her to stay within the four corners of one computer screen The application that ensures you will never lose another note, book or restaurant suggestion or link again The application that finally allowed her to understand all parts of her online business rather than delegating that which she didn’t understand Resources:

In Episode #57 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy invites her good friend Sandra Centorino to the podcast to talk about her recent mid-life ADHD diagnosis. Sandra is currently the founder of RealWomenGoLive where her mission is to help, inspire, share and connect real women to the power of their voice through audio and video. Prior to that, Sandra ran a non-profit called The CUREchief Foundation where she recruited and trained thousands of volunteers for more than a decade. Sandra shares: Why she decided to seek a diagnosis How her symptoms got worse in midlife Her families response to her diagnosis What has changed since she was diagnosed Her experience with medication Her number one ADHD workaround Her advice to anyone who’s listening who has not yet been diagnosed Resources:

Join Tracy and her guest Linda Karanzalis, M.S., BCCS in Episode #56 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Linda is a board-certified cognitive specialist and parent/student coach who provides executive function training and social-emotional learning programs for people of all ages. Linda also just wrote an article for ADDitude magazine’s Winter 2020 issue on ADHD and Non-verbal Learning Disorder. Linda shares with us: Her symptoms in childhood Her ADHD diagnosis How she figured out that she had something more than just ADHD Her Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) diagnosis What NVLD looks like What percentage of communication is verbal vs non-verbal and why that matters Why those with NVLD actually talk more, not less What it means to not understand the meaning behind words and take things literally How to tell the difference between ADHD and NVLD Why those with NVLD are often misdiagnosed with ADHD Why NVLD is still not recognized in the DSM even though they are both brain-based conditions What happens to those with NVLD who are left untreated Linda then shares the current treatment options for NVLD and explains why she believes they don’t work. She also shares what she has discovered does work. Resources: Addvantageslearningcenter.com Symptom test for adults, Could I have non-Verbal Learning Disorder? Article that appeared in Additude magazine on NVLD: Another article by Linda Karanzalis for ADDitude magazine. If you’d like to write a review for the podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women, ON YOUR PHONE ONLY. Scroll down to the very bottom after all episodes to Ratings & Reviews. There you will find a link that states “Write a Review.” Thank you!

Tracy talks about what she’s learned in the year since she started her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. She is hoping that her story might inspire you to tackle that one big bucket list item that you really want to do but are scared to start. After all, she’s been there. Tracy shares: Why she started the podcast What her biggest fear was around having a podcast How she feels about planning Her thoughts about accountability vs. responsibility The importance of structure Why she listens more and talks less How her podcast helped her to develop more tools and strategies for herself The importance of reminders How starting a podcast solidified for Tracy, her beliefs around ADHD not being a disorder but rather a brain difference that just requires another way of doing things How those with ADHD are gold star people How the members of her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group and listeners of the podcast helped her to grow in her knowledge of ADHD What her podcast taught her about confidence Resources:

In this episode, Tracy invites Esther Nagel to our podcast. Esther is a yoga teacher, author and writer from South Wales in the UK. She is also an expert in breathing and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Esther shares: why learning to breathe properly is a powerful tool in managing the ADHD brain how she connected breath to so much of her own personal struggles stemming from ADHD and how it changed her life how proper breathing reduces stress, stabilizes emotions, and makes us more mindful how breathing balances the autonomic nervous system and helps us to be more attentive (focused) and more relaxed. some simple steps for breathing properly and doing it anywhere her FREE 10-day breathing course Resources: (this is the FREE 10-day breathing course that Esther mentioned)

In Episode #53 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy tackles the science behind meditation, specifically neuroplasticity. Tracy introduces the book, Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD, An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions and Achieving Your Goals by Lidia Zylowska, MD. Learn: what neuroplasticity is and how it affects not only our ability to learn but also the brain’s ability to change and adapt when neuroplasticity occurs in our lifespan several interesting examples of neuroplasticity what one thing is a key factor in neuroplasticity how the concept of neuroplasticity has completely changed the thinking around meditation what long term meditators brains’ look like in regions related to attention, self-monitoring and emotional regulation what long term meditators brains’ look like as they age what attention blink is and how it is affected by meditation how long you must meditate in order to start seeing its benefits what areas of the brain are enhanced by mindfulness or meditation training and why this is important to those of us with ADHD why meditation is especially important to those of us with inattentive ADHD and especially those suffering from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Resources: from the Positive Psychology program in the Netherlands as another resource.

In Episode #52, Tracy shares a New Year hack that has helped her to be more productive and move her life forward in a manner that is consistent with her values and purpose. It also happens to work especially well for her ADHD brain in that she’s able to stick with it throughout the entire year. Discover: how the word NERVY helped her to get completely comfortable with live video and visibility in her business how the word CONSISTENCY helped Tracy create this podcast and show up every week for a year to consistently deliver it why choosing just one word every year works so well for our ADHD brains how to choose a word that represents what you’d like to have more of in your life how Tracy chose her word for 2020 Tracy also tells us what big project she has planned for 2020 and how her word will help her achieve it. Tracy also lists some resources for options beyond the traditional one word bracelets that she’s been using for the past two years. Resources:

In Episode #51, Tracy talks about an article that she wrote for ADDitude (It’s the leading media network for parents and adults living with ADHD and for professionals working in the field of ADHD). Since the article touches on the importance of hope, positive emotion, focusing on strengths and how her 17-year-old son did just that to successfully crack his learning code, she invited him on the podcast as her guest and he accepted! If you’re looking for a real ADHD underdog success story you’ll like this one. Markus shares: his experiences at his various high schools (he went to 3!) what worked for his ADHD brain and what didn’t whether he now regrets any of these experiences how a summer in Europe changed his life what made him decide to reconsider going to a four-year college right out of high school. the good news he received a few days ago the invaluable lessons he’s learned how being open about his ADHD serves him well his advice for a teacher who has an ADHD student how his creativity makes him different advice for a teen who might be listening to this podcast and might be where Markus was a year ago Tracy talks about: The fact that there is no such thing as failure, only lessons The importance of focusing on strengths The importance of understanding why we have to learn something in order to learn How environment is so important to the ADHD brain The importance of structure to the ADHD brain Positive emotion How focusing on weaknesses ruins our self-esteem How you don’t find your purpose, you step into it because its always been there Markus also shares a song he wrote, performed and recorded as part of his college portfolio. Resources: Link for the ADDitude piece. ADD 12/23 Korematsu Kuraun: https://soundcloud.com/user-107027875/korematsu-kuraun

This episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women is definitely among my favorites. In fact, it might be my favorite. In Episode #50, I invite ADHD expert, psychotherapist, former USC adjunct professor and life coach Diann Wingert back to discuss meditation for the ADHD brain. Look, I don’t really get meditation. My thoughts are: I have ADHD and you want me to sit still and stop my brain from thinking, thinking, thinking? It’s an oxymoron, I tell ya! Or at least that’s what I told Diann. That’s when she took on the challenge of selling me and my ADHD brain on meditation. You have to listen to this episode because it completely changed my beliefs about what meditation is and how it will work for my ADHD brain. And she made it stupidly simple. Even I can do it! Bottom line, Diann knows ADHD and she knows meditation for the ADHD brain and with her guidance, even I was successful. Resources: Diann's podcast The Driven Woman will launch February 6, 2020 LINK TO SCHEDULE FREE 30 MIN CONSULTATION FOR POTENTIAL COACHING CLIENTS

Our podcast on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria or RSD (Ep. 19) is among our most downloaded episodes. Members of our also continue to post about RSD. Since it’s such a popular topic, I wanted to close the loop on RSD with the optimism that you have come to from me. I do not feel that I delivered that in Episode #19. Since recording that first episode on RSD, I’ve discovered that there’s actually a lot you can do to reduce and even eliminate symptoms of RSD and that’s what this episode is all about. Here we discuss: The Cliff Notes version of what RSD is (If you haven’t listened to Episode #19, you can do that ) How RSD and social phobia differ How RSD and bipolar disorder differ The reason why those of us with ADHD and RSD tend to have low frustration tolerance, less patience, and more difficulty with temper and excitability than those without the conditions What flooding is Join us as we discuss what women with RSD have done to reduce and even eliminate their symptoms? This includes: Learning about their ADHD and RSD Medication A change of environment Discussion of the new term VAST The importance of choosing your Gold Star people and resources The three things that will always help to motivate those with RSD What it means to be an amplifier The importance of acknowledging your creativity How planning ahead prior to an RSD episode can help to reduce and even eliminate symptoms The importance of “taking the emotion” out of it and considering other perspectives that may be more accurate than what we can see when our RSD flares up Why you need to continue to trust your own intuition Tracy’s suggestions on RSD, ADHD, and dating Resources: I have created the Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) Protocol for ADHD as a resource for you. When we have a plan, we’re less reactionary and more successful in managing not only our RSD but also our ADHD. You may download it Take the RSD Symptoms Test

In Episode #48 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I invite you to meet Sandra Coral. Sandra is a 41 yr old black woman who was adopted at 3 by a poor, white family in Canada and was diagnosed with ADHD last year. She joins us from London, where she lives with her husband and 5-year old son. Sandra was a K-12 teacher for over 15 years. She has an MA in Educational Psychology as well as post-graduate certificates in English As An Additional Language, Gifted Education and Special Education. She has taught internationally including in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Oman and Turkey. Sandra will share her fascinating story, including: her childhood where she and her little brother were the only people of color how she was bullied and traumatized and because of this suffered from emotional dysregulation and anger how her 7 year old brother was diagnosed with ADHD, but she remained undiagnosed until last year how up until recently Sandra thought her issues were solely related to her race Sandra and I will also talk about: how she finally discovered that she had ADHD what childhood symptoms Sandra now recognizes as ADHD what additional issues come up for those with ADHD when you’re black and how one even starts to unravel this and figure out what is related to adoption, race, trauma, or ADHD The importance of focusing on our strengths when we have ADHD Since being diagnosed, Sandra has decided to make it her mission to give children, teens, parents and adults the support that she didn’t have growing up, so that they can manage their ADHD and thrive in life. If you’d like to connect with Sandra, you can reach her here: Website: Instagram @theadhdgoodlife Facebook: The ADHD Good Life

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Tracy talks about ADHD and gratitude. A practice of gratitude is important for every one but for those of us with ADHD it’s even more important. Why? Because processing emotions start in the brain itself and emotions motivate action. That means that if your emotions are negative you will be completely unmotivated but if you’re emotions are positive and you’re working in an area of high interest, the sky is the limit. Discover: Why we can’t get anything done without positive emotion How positive emotion is directly related to dopamine, memory, behavior, focus and motivation. How gratitude directly influences our emotions How a practice of gratitude helps our ADHD symptoms How gratitude affects sleep How gratitude affects executive function including focus How gratitude makes it more likely that we will stick to our goals and start new habits How gratitude boosts dopamine and seratonin in our brains How gratitude allows us to focus on those things that are going right in our lives rather than focusing on what’s wrong. How gratitude will make you more friends and people that want to be around you How to start a Gratitude Journal where you start and end every day in positive emotion What Tracy’s Positive Emotion Dossier is and how it can help you How the idea in the book 29 Gifts helped Tracy increase her gratitude and uplevel her holidays last year. How Abraham Hicks can help you to change your negative thoughts to focus more on gratitude and why your thoughts will always determine how happy you are. Resources:

Caryn wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until she was 46 but she’s known that she has ADHD since grade school. Caryn always felt that her ADHD worked for her until one day she woke up and it suddenly didn’t. She decided then and there to go visit a doctor. Like many of our first experiences with doctors and ADHD, her doctors didn’t want to talk about ADHD because they knew little about how it presented in women. Instead, they wanted to prescribe her anxiety medication. Caryn stuck to her guns and the rest, as they say, is history. I asked Caryn Prall: What made her finally seek out an ADHD diagnosis If she always knew that there was something different about her than her peers About her childhood, relationships with friends and school What she thinks her biggest strengths are How is it that she’s so successful but yet so open about her ADHD If she thinks she’s successful because of her ADHD or in spite of it What workarounds has she developed to reduce her weaknesses The best advice she can give to women of any age who feel that they’re not living to their potential Caryn also shared her reasons for starting her fantastic podcast The Messy Empire which is all about what it takes to build a 2 billion dollar real estate empire and how this all relates to her ADHD. You can subscribe to The Messy Empire

This weeks topic is all about bipolar disorder and why ADHD often gets misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder. Tracy posted a simple question in her , HAVE YOU BEEN MISDIAGNOSED WITH BI-POLAR DISORDER? She was shocked at how many women had been and so she decided to research the subject. You’ll learn: When bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed What symptoms bipolar disorder and ADHD often share What bipolar disorder actually is The DSM requirements to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder Why bipolar disorder can’t be ignored and must be treated What mania is What hypomania is What the symptoms of a major depressive episode are What the greates risk of bipolar disorder is The different types of bipolar disorder The difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 What the difference is between episodic and contextual emotional changes How sleep looks different in ADHD vs. Bipolar Disorder How uncontrollable talking and distractibility looks different in ADHD vs. Bipolar Disorder How emotional sensitivity looks different in ADHD vs. Bipolar Disorder How Bipolar Disorder looks different than ADHD in kids specifically around emotion If a diagnosis of ADHD makes you more likely to also have Bipolar Disorder If a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder makes it more likely that you’ll also have ADHD Why it’s so difficult to get an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder The link between Bipolar Disorder and Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder in kids If a fiery intense temper is indicitive of ADHD That bipolar disorder is linked to the creative and artistic temperament and intelligence. Why heightened creativity or artistry only happens in hypomania and what part of the brain is involved in this

In Episode #43 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy speaks with the delightful Megan Margaret Burlingame. Megan is 34 years old, a wife and the mother of two very busy boys. Throughout her childhood, Megan struggled mightily with her ADHD but is clear about the fact that her struggles also led her to discover her Superpowers. Today Megan lives in Arlington, WA where she works with cities, counties and government agencies to advise them on zoning and legal land issues. In her free time, she operates a small flower farm where she also grows a large variety of organic heirloom tomatoes. Tracy invited Megan to her podcast after she posted this response to another member (of her ) who said she was having trouble seeing anything positive about her ADHD. “The more I educate myself about it, the more I realize that it makes me who I am. I am so so good with people, I understand their natures and moods. Sometimes it is like a wave of emotions that hit me when I enter a room and, while inconvenient, let's me see the true nature of people. I am also much more empathetic because of how much I was picked on for skipping around school constantly, saying the wrong things, laughing too loud, etc. I love to root for the underdog and think that cruelty from others for any reason is horrendous. In a crisis or when someone is swamped with work, I can jump in and formulate a plan, execute it with a maniacal glee, and excel beyond my peers. I am ALWAYS thinking, I constantly have ideas. This is challenging but once I make up my mind that I want something... want it enough anyway, there is no stopping me. I love to fail, it is like a challenge. My husband says, he learned a long time ago not to tell me that I "couldn't do something" and he is right because I will want to do it, even if I had no interest in it before, and then I will 95% of the time prove him wrong in the process and succeed. I am fiercely loyal, to a fault even. I love what I love and I love who I love fiercely. These are all things I attribute to my ADHD and they are all wonderful. Yes, they are also a double-edged sword but so is every other personality type I think. I used to wish everything wasn't so hard but now I realize that I would not change it for the world because I have a lot of grit and I am a living example of someone who literally failed each grade through 10th grade until leaving tiny private schools that only taught for the neurotypical brain. I had a 3.3 GPA in running start, a community college program that got me within 4 classes of my AA by high school graduation, and 12 years later I earned my bachelors degree summa cum laude with a 3.95 GPA. It wasn't easy but I never gave up on my dreams either. There is a lot to be frustrated with indeed but much to rejoice in as well. We are not the same as the neurotypical but that is OK.” Tracy and Megan talk about: How Megan got from failing ever grade through 10th grade to embracing her strengths. How important supportive adults/parents are given the 20K more negative messages ADHD kids hear by the time they’re 12. Megan’s revelation around taking medication Non-pharmacological workarounds Megan’s best advice to those who are struggling with their ADHD and/or are parents of children with ADHD Resources:

In this episode Tracy talks about the myth that “everyone has ADHD.” Discover what behavioral characteristics the general population shares with those of us with ADHD. You’ll learn about the following: What distinguishes adults with ADHD from the general population who display ADHD characteristics? The survey that Russell Barkley and his colleagues Kevin Murphy and MariEllen Fischer conducted that finally put to bed the EVERYONE HAS ADHD myth. The three different types of ADHD The questions that those of us with ADHD often respond “yes” to The domains of life in which those with ADHD often feel impaired by their symptoms How we often don’t even realize we struggled or we’re struggling until we really reflect back on our experiences. Resources:

In this episode, Tracy talks to ICF and board-certified ADHD coach, Certified Career Development Coach and Life Coach, Lynn Miner-Rosen. Lynn works with high school seniors, college students and young adults with ADHD, EF deficits and learning differences. Previous to coaching Lynn was a Special Education Teacher for 12 years. She was also an IEP coordinator. Lynn Miner-Rosen has a BS in business administration and two Masters Degrees in Education and Special Education. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida and will be speaking at CHADD in November. Lynn spoke to us about ADHD and the workplace. We discuss: If you should disclose your ADHD to your boss, work colleagues, human resources etc? What the positives and negatives of disclosure are? If you do choose to disclose, how do you go about doing so? How to make your strengths clear so you’re not just focusing on everything you struggle with? If tardiness can be overlooked in the ADHD workplace? How to ask for help without disclosing your ADHD? If you’re going to disclose who should you disclose to first? How to create a descriptive and reasonable list if you are going to ask or accommodations. The Top 10 challenges of ADHD employees and how to manage themTime Management Long-term projects Paperwork Procrastination Poor Memory Distractibility Impulsivity Boredom Hyperactivity Social Skills You can find more about Lynn Miner-Rosen at or follow her on Instagram @adhdcoachlynn. Lynn also prepared a FREE downloadable checklist for us. You can find it

In this episode, Tracy gives you a simple, ADHD brain-friendly understanding of what is required to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. She also includes a checklist that she created to help you prepare for your meeting with an ADHD professional. https://spyhappy.me/checklist

In this episode, Tracy decided to bring on a real member of her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group so she put out the word. A lot of members responded but Tracy decided to invite 24-year-old Josie Bowman who was diagnosed in May. Prior to her diagnosis, Josie was struggling but she didn’t understand how much she was struggling with everyday life. She thought everyone struggled like she did. If anything, she believed that her struggles were a result of her character flaws. It was her fault. But then her boyfriend came into the picture, told her what he observed and her life changed overnight. Josie shares information about Her childhood Her ADHD symptoms in childhood Her ADHD symptoms in young adulthood Her college experience Her experience with medication How she manages her ADHD Her future plans and goals Learn what advice Josie would give to a young woman who really struggles and thinks she might have ADHD?

ADHD and Drifting Off Topic This week’s podcast is all about drifting off topic; why we do it and how to do less of it. Discover what causes our brains to drift-off topic. Learn what linear vs. non-linear thinking is What do linear thinkers look for in making decisions? What are linear thinkers usually good at? What imagination and creativity have to do with it? Which method of thinking focuses on the connections and relationships between things more than on specific bits of information. Tracy talks about how and why she believes ADHD has been misnamed. Discover why drifting off is not the problem and why a family trip to Cancun is the perfect example of why telling stories is always the best way to make information stick. Learn how to keep yourself from drifting off-topic by using: Meta-cognition The pause Being intentional Putting a stake down Being open and honest Soliciting help from your listeners

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks to environmental scientist and fellow ADHDer, Crystal Edmonds about positive emotion, the ADHD brain and essential oils. Discover what Tracy turns to when she wakes up and feels unfocused, unmotivated and in negative emotion and what boosts her mood every single time. How about exercise and nature. Learn how Tracy made the connection between scent and how scents not only influence her sense of well-being and happiness but also affect her focus. Crystal shares with Tracy how essential oils stimulate the limbic system — a part of the brain involved in memory, behavior, motivation, and emotion and how this also helps with: ADHD symptoms Emotional dysregulation Rumination Rejection sensitive dysphoria Discover why essential oils are a great place to start for relief from ADHD symptoms if medication doesn’t work for you. Learn: how quickly essential oils take to work in your body which essential oils work well for ADHD why essential oils require trial and error just like medication what the difference is between high frequency and lower frequency vibration and how it affects our well-being. Resources: 6th Edition , 7th Edition Crystal’s

In this episode Tracy talks about the connection between dental health and ADHD. Believe it or not, it’s one more thing we need to add to our ADHD workarounds list! Discover why staying away from sweets, brushing religiously and having no cavities, can still land you in the endodontist’s chair when you have ADHD. Learn what bruxism is and why 78% of those with ADHD are reported to have it. Recognize why you should wear a nightguard and how to reframe your thoughts around doing so if you hate yours and like Tracy are constantly fighting it. Explore why crowns, root canals, TMD, bruxism, grinding and clenching are all connected to ADHD. Discover what happened when Tracy posted the following post to her ADHD Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart Ass Women: “Podcast question for those that are 45 or older only. Have you had a crown or root canal?” You will be surprised by the response. Learn about ADHD and comorbidity and how this often affects the success of ADHD medication. Explore the difference between TMJ and TMD. Which one is responsible for the clicking or popping sound, difficulty in moving your jaw, headaches, migraines, neck aches and even back aches, and how they’re related to ADHD? Discover who has more TMD symptoms; women or men? What information do dentists have about ADHD and TMD? What are common dental-related side effects caused by ADHD medication? What are common dental-related side effects among children who have ADHD? What brands of stimulant ADHD medication have been associated with TMD and side effects such as bruxism? What brand of stimulant medication is less likely to report TMD symptoms Learn what you can do now to lessen the potential of developing TMD and bruxism as well as teeth that need crowns, root canals, or implants. Discover what supplement helps many women with TMD. Resources:

In this episode, Tracy talks about how to respond when a friend, family member, teacher, coworker or boss tells you that there is no such thing as ADHD? Tracy starts out by sharing her thoughts with anyone who is listening to this episode and doesn’t believe in ADHD and tells them why their viewpoint is hurting their relationship with their ADHD friend, family member or colleague. Learn how to tell if a relationship is about connection or power. Discover the most helpful thing you can do for someone who has ADHD. Remember to have a little grace and don’t forget what you used to think you knew about ADHD before you really knew anything about ADHD. Learn how to respond to comments like: There’s no such thing as ADHD People with ADHD are stupid, unmotivated and lazy. It’s a character flaw of their own making. I read an article that there is no ADHD in France ADHD is strictly an American phenomenom Big Pharma made up ADHD so it could sell more drugs ADHD is new, it’s a product of modern society. Look at how many more kids are now diagnosed with it. Everyone has some ADHD Everyone has ADHD today We are medicating our kids and turning them into addicts And finally, Tracy shares how she responds when she’s dealing with a real know-it-all who clearly knows nothing about ADHD. She also ends with a discussion on how to figure out who should and shouldn’t be in your life. Resources: I especially dislike sharing this first link but here goes: Summer Sunderland suggested: Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk on Gillian Lynne who had to move to think. Here’s the excerpt: Here’s the full Ted Talk: Erin Ez shared this link that gives you a real world snapshot of how your child feels struggling with attention and learning challenges:

This weeks topic is all about Repetitive Body Focused Behaviors (RBFBs). RBFBs are related to self-grooming, anxiety management and/or sensory stimulation. The most common BFRBs are trichotillomania (hair pulling, eyelashes), dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nail biting), dermatophagia (skin biting), teeth grinding (bruxism), tongue biting (morsicatio linguarum). They are complex conditions that cause people to repeatedly touch their hair and body in ways that result in physical damage. Learn why: It’s so hard to stop these behaviors These behaviors normally begin ADHD predisposes us to RBFBs Perfectionism may play a role in RBFBs ADHD medication may make RBFBs worse RBFBs may elevate our dopamine levels Learn what: Condition RBFBB is normally associated with Percent of the members of our FB group have RBFB. It’s very surprising Members say about their own RBFBs You can do to stop or at a minimum lessen these RBFBs? Amino acid supplement may help Workarounds have made a difference to our members Resources:

In this episode, Tracy speaks with Cognitive Behavioral Coach, Diann Wingert. Diann worked for 20 years as a psychotherapist. She was also an adjunct faculty member with the USC School of Social Work, training graduate students to become therapists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She made the transition from psychotherapist to coach because she found coaching to be more successful at affecting real, positive change in her clients. Diann saw far too many brilliant & capable women struggle with distractibility, procrastination, perfectionism, & self-doubt which held them back from expressing their gifts in the world. Many of them were diagnosed with anxiety or depression and had no idea that the underlying issue was actually ADHD, including Diann herself. She is now on a mission to help other gifted, creative & entrepreneurial women of all ages, achieve their true potential through radical self-acceptance, leveraging their strengths & creating an ADHD friendly business and life. Diann goes on to share: Her definitions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and how CBT differs from cognitive behavioral coaching (CBC). The role of therapy vs. coaching How you can change your self-concept with CBC. How our thoughts, feelings, and actions determine our results Who is a candidate for CBC/CBT? Who is not? Whether therapy and CBT/CBC can be conducted at the same time Why asking better questions is so important to our sense of self-esteem. Get a FREE copy of Diann’s Driven Woman roadmap called the Fast Track Guide to Success or schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation You may also find out more about Diann’s 12-week individual coaching program for ADHD creatives and entrepreneurs

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); what is it, who is it for, how it works with ADHD. Learn how: CBT incorporates cognition(what we’re thinking), behaviors (what we do) and emotions. CBT does not treat ADHD, but works to lessen how it impairs your life through symptoms like procrastination, time management, disorganization CBT educates ADHDers about their brain and why it is the way it is CBT, helps to build workarounds manage negative expectations and emotions discover negative behaviors that interfere with your ability to live to your potential. CBT can look different for each patient because it’s set up to their individual needs Learn where CBT came from and how what you’re saying to yourself can really affect your life: what jobs you’ll apply for, what relationships you’ll enter into, what risks you’re willing to take. Discover how the experience of growing up with ADHD, especially undiagnosed ADHD, can impact how you think, what you think about yourself, how you cope, your attitudes and your beliefs. Learn how the lens that you see the world through definitely affects who we become. Discover how what you’re thinking can impact your life. And that: Your thoughts create your feelings/emotions Your feelings create your actions Your actions create your results. Everything starts with your thoughts. How our thoughts are responsible for our emotions. Tracy states: “Don’t believe everything you think.” It doesn’t matter if you had that negative thought a million times. It’s not going to affect you now unless you think it again. You don’t have to undo those thoughts, you just have to break the pattern of the thought. Tracy shares that CBT looks for where your thoughts are distorted and it has you question them. In CBT, you’re also learning how to use specific strategies for managing your ADHD like getting to work on time, starting a project you don’t want to do, sticking to your planner, building better relationships. Discover what you should do when you can’t start a project or task. Also learn CBT strategies around Prioritization Self-regulation Time management Managing emotions Managing behavior Procrastination Discover how CBT compares to medication and what kind of Cognitive Behavioral therapist you should hire. Resources:

For our 31st episode, Tracy invited Katelyn Mabry to join her. Katelyn is the author of the children’s book Hi, It’s Me! I have ADHD which is based on her personal history with ADHD. In her book she shares the feelings, emotions and experiences as a child dealing with the challenges of ADHD and offers them insights, tips empowerment and the message that ADHD does not define them. Katelyn has a master’s degree in reading and is a certified early childhood/special education teacher. She also has four children and is now a private coach for kids who learn differently. Katelyn’s goal is to instill the love of reading, learning and growing in her students. Tracy talks about her 17 year old son who is very bright but came to her in December and said he couldn’t read. She saw him reading all the time so this didn’t make sense to her. That’s when she remembered that there was a reading specialist in her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook group named Katelyn Mabry. Tracy called Kately and she told her that Markus can read, he just can’t focus on what he’s reading when he’s not interested which means that he can’t retain what he reads. Tracy hired Katelyn to work with Markus and has been so pleased at how much more confidence her son has around reading in subjects that he is not interested in. She asked Katelyn to share some of the strategies she has used for her son around reading retention. Katelyn talks about metacognition and how she uses it to help kids retain what they are reading. Learn about the three different types of inner voices in metacognition: reciting, conversational and interactive and which one helps retention the most by helping the reader connect to the characters. Kaitlyn then teaches us about the distracted voice and the way she helps students identify when the distracted voice shows up. Learn why visualization is so important in reading retention. Katelyn shares a fantastic quote which analogizes reading to driving a car. Learn what it means to activate background knowledge to aid in reading retention. What does it mean to give the reading purpose and why it’s so important that the reader to intentionally connect the reading to the reader’s worldview. Katelyn mentions her book Hi, It’s Me! I Have ADHD. She is working on the second edition which will be released in October. If listeners would like to learn more about her book or connect with her they can subscribe to her email list at . Katelyn recommends the book by Chris Tovani Tracy mentioned the book by Barbara Oakley

This week’s podcast is all about the Apple Watch and how I use it to manage my ADHD brain. I didn’t want an Apple Watch. I don’t want to wear anything that everyone else is wearing. That said, once I did, I realized just how valuable it could be to manage my ADHD brain. I feel more in control, less worried about things falling through the cracks, and more organized than I’ve ever felt. My whole goal has been to build structures around myself to shore up my weaknesses so I can focus on my strengths. I have basically uploaded my working memory to the Apple Watch. When I first got the watch, I was totally overwhelmed. I looked everywhere for videos and blog posts, about how to use the Apple Watch to shore up the ADHD brain. I couldn’t find anything, so I’ve wanted to do this podcast for a while. That said, this is not an in-depth instruction manual on what the Apple Watch can do. This is just me talking to you about the best, simplest ways I have found to set up and use my Apple watch to build that structure around me that best supports my ADHD brain. And this is the structure that has worked best for me: ALARMS, TIMERS & REMINDERS - The number one reason I love the Apple Watch is for alarms. I no longer need to wash the laundry five times because I keep forgetting I’m doing the wash and get totally distracted by my work, my kids, my dog or another Donald Trump tweet ... YOU GET ME? With my Apple Watch, I can actually cook again because I don’t burn things anymore. I’m constantly reminded by Mr. Apple that I’m cooking! It took me awhile to figure this out, but this is what you need to know. Your iPhone, and Apple Watch have alarms, reminders and timers. Your MacBook and iPad only have reminders built in. You only have one timer on your Apple Watch or iPhone. There are no multiple timers. Alarms and reminders have labels so you can remember what you were even working on. Timers do not, so when the timer goes off, if you’re anything like me, you won’t have a clue what you were even timing. Haptic feedback is probably the best feature of the alarm on my Apple Watch. It’s the light tap on the top of your wrist that your watch administers, kind of like you’re own built-in nanny. Both reminders and alarms allow you to use your voice to set up an alert, which I love. I sleep with my watch, set weekly and weekend alarms and use the haptic feedback when the alarms go off every morning as my alarm clock. Alarms don’t delete themselves like reminders, so you’ll have to delete them off your phone every other month or two. Instructions Alarms and timers that you set up on your Apple Watch will not show up anywhere else. Alarms and timers that you set up on your iPhone will show up on your watch. No idea why, I just know that they won’t. If you need multiple countdown timers, is the best I could find, but don’t bother adding the complication to your watch. Just use it on your phone. FIND YOUR PHONE - If you too lose your phone at the store, your office or in the garden under layers of mulch (you’ll have to listen to the podcast ), this is reason alone to invest in the Apple Watch. You can use your watch to ping your phone. Even better, if you’re in the dark and you can’t find your phone, or you just want to know if it’s at the bottom of your bottomless purse, continue to press on the phone icon. The flash will light up and blink. Instructions are FLASHLIGHT - I never used the flashlight on my iPhone. When I needed it, I was usually at a front door trying to hold groceries, a bag, a dog or all three. With your Apple Watch on your wrist, you can actually use it as a flashlight. This is perfect when you’re in the dark trying to put a key into a lock. Instructions SPOTIFY - I’m not a music person. I know… blasphemy, right? I just find it so distracting to all the brilliance trapped in my brain , but since I know that music affects emotion in a positive way I force myself to listen to it. The Apple Watch with the Spotify app makes this so easy that I actually use it. I put in my Apple wireless , click on my Spotify complication on my watch face and I’m automatically connect to my ADHD for Smart Ass Women . The whole point of the playlist was to create an immediate go-to resource for positive, feel good, happy, upbeat music, and i have to tell you that it totally works. If I’m feeling even a little down, I start the playlist and within 5 minutes I feel 100% better. I created this playlist with the help of members of our . Join us. Btw, I’m famous for putting things down and not knowing where I put them, and I knew my tiny little AirPods would be no exception, so I bought this for the times I can’t immediately get my AirPods back in their case. PCALC - I have no idea why the iPhone calculator app doesn’t sync to the Apple Watch, but it doesn’t, and just like Barbie, I hate math. PCalc is the calculator on my wrist. It’s for conversions and calculations of all kinds from currency to tips to almost anything a scientist, engineer or student would need. It’s a bit pricey at $9.99 but it works. WALKIE TALKIE -This feature of the Apple Watch is great for family communication. My daughter is going to school in NYC. We regularly ping each other using the Walkie Talkie for simple questions. My husband also loves when I harass him in the grocery store by constantly adding “one more thing” to our shopping list. This is one of my favorite features of the Apple Watch because it’s so quick. Instructions WORLD CLOCK - Right now I have a teenager who’s traveling through Europe, a daughter in NYC and a VA in the Philippines. I am so bad at calculating anything, and that includes time. One of the best things I did was set my watch complications (apps that show up on your watch face) to include a world clock with all my time zones accessible right on my wrist. One click and one swipe and I know exactly when I should or shouldn’t call. Instructions MAPS-One of the best apps built into the Apple Watch 4. The turn-by-turn navigation with haptic feedback is almost like having a friend sitting in the seat next to you saying, “turn right here.” Just remember to set your turn alert notifications on the watch app on your iPhone. Instructions TILE- I am constantly leaving my purse behind. In truth I hate carrying a purse, so I often just carry a wallet. But because I don’t usually carry a purse, when I do I forget that I even have a purse with me. Well, helps. I added one to my wallet. You can use these Tiles on everything. You can hang them on your keys, stick them on your laptop, your iPad, your remote control; basically whatever you lose. You download the free and then you can ring your things with your phone. If I lose something and I’m too far to ping it, I can open up the Tile App on my Apple Watch or my iPhone and see where the last place was that I left it. There’s also a built in community that can help you find whatever you have a Tile App on. BEAR- Right after I was diagnosed with ADHD, it suddenly dawned on me that I had a million notebooks but I never went back into any of them. The few times I had to find something I got so overwhelmed. I was never able to find anything so why take them? That’s when a friend told me about a simple app that came with my MacBook that I could write notes in and search for those notes later. For three years I’ve been a staunch Apple Notes fan. Then, I discovered Bear. It’s better than Apple Notes because: It’s much cleaner, simpler, and more aesthetically pleasing, which is really important to my brain. Simple, beautiful, good design relaxes it. Clutter confuses it. I love that I can tag everything. Apple Notes uses folders and often times I have trouble finding things because one note could be in a number of folders. Now I just tag my notes and I’m never worried that I might not be able to find the note when I need it. Bear syncs with my Mmacbook, iPad, phone (which Apple Notes does as well), but it also syncs with my Apple Watch. I have the complication on my watch face, so wherever I am I can take a quick note using my voice. When I get to my laptop I can then organize it. It’s just really easy to get into and out of which is so important for the ADHD brain because when things are cumbersome we will not use them. It’s also intuitive, you can the most basic features and then add from there when you’re ready. You can also add links in the document and export in every way imaginable. You can find Bear on all platforms CHEATSHEET - Cheatsheet is for really simple notes (non-sensitive information that doesn’t need encryption). It’s a way to remember things you always forget. Things like logins, homework assignments, flight numbers, gate numbers, hotel room numbers. I’m redoing my son’s bedroom right now. All his room dimensions are stored in a Cheatsheet file with a baby icon (shhhh, don’t tell him!). When I’m in a paint or furniture store or even chatting with an online vendor, it is so easy to just click on the Cheatsheet complication on my Apple Watch and look for the baby icon that contains all the measurements I could ever need. Normally I would have measured his room and lost the dimensions at least four times by now. The key to any application for our ADHD brains is really how quickly you can get in and out of it because that’s the only way that we’ll muster up the patience to actually use it. If you’re going to use Cheatsheet make sure it’s one of the complications on your watch face. You can find Cheatsheet Here are the three additional Apple Watch apps that I mentioned in my podcast. I’m impressed with them thus far, but haven’t used them long enough to include on my list. I’ll report back later. If you have a great Apple Watch app that plays well with your ADHD brain, please let me know about it by emailing me at . You can also find my podcast, Amazon Alexa briefing, Facebook Group and information on Coretography at tracyotsuka.com.

For our 29th episode, I have invited my friend Perry Janssen to our podcast. Perry lives in Seattle where she has been a psychotherapist for the past 30 years. Perry has taught at the university level, she’s had her own column, she’s been a radio host where she’s interviewed and learned from the likes of Dr. Christiane Northrup and Dr. Dan Siegel. She’s also been an educator, consultant and coach for Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, Boeing; the list goes on and on. I had a list of questions prepared but since our most popular episodes have been about emotion and feelings, I decided to just go with it. I call Perry the feelings expert. You can tell how passionate she is on the subject. Perry talks about: The importance of learning about the difference between realization and integration and why you need both for happiness. What happens when you ignore your feelings Why feelings aren’t good or bad but more like breadcrumbs or little gold nuggets. How we can actually learn from our feelings. Why there is absolutely nothing wrong with you Why Perry’s clients call her the Tennessee Hound Dog What true mindfulness really is Why many women don’t even know how to feel their feelings? How minimizing certain feelings can lead to minimizing all feelings. The fact that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You just have never been taught the skills to deal with emotion. You can find out more about Perry , or listen to her podcast You may also reach out to Perry via email at .

Today Tracy talks to our youngest group member, Sophia Criscione. Tracy was so impressed with a post that Sophia created in our Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women about how to navigate the college admissions process when you have ADHD, that she just had to have Sophia on her podcast. Sophia is 18 and has just completed her senior year in high school. Having just gone through the whole process of applying to colleges, she wanted to help other bright ADHD kids who are stressing about the whole college application process. Sophia was diagnosed at the end of her freshman year and shares with us how her diagnosis came about. She is a definite smart ass. So smart, that among her many very high AP scores is a 5 in a history class that she taught herself. No matter how frustrating some of her symptoms might be, Sophia will tell you why she views her ADHD as a biochemical gift. Find out: why Sophia wishes she would have started taking the SAT early in her junior year the benefits of doing every single in-person interview that you can the pros and cons of disclosing your ADHD in your application how Sophia mentioned her ADHD traits without specifically disclosing her ADHD why and how you should use the additional information section on the common application what kinds of teacher recommendations were most helpful to Sophia’s admissions chances how Sophia managed the application deadlines why you should apply to as many colleges as possible who should consider test optional schools Sophia then shares advice on parenting teenagers with ADHD and her number one ADHD workaround.

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy chats with Danielle Ford from Las Vegas. Danielle dropped out of high school as a junior at 17, on the advice of her high school counselor. She was actually a good student who had to work to support her family. She then spent a decade in various entrepreneurial ventures working 10 times harder than everyone else and in her words “never getting the basic stuff right.” She self-diagnosed herself with ADHD in her early twenties but chose not to seek a formal diagnosis because she believed the stigma. Instead, she read every self-help book, tried every system, worked with coaches but never thought that the strategies may have been faulty and not her. After a close call, Danielle decided to get treatment, was prescribed medication and other therapies and suddenly she could easily organize her thoughts, emotions tasks...everything. That’s when Danielle went into full ADHD superpower mode and submitted her name for school board trustee for the 5th largest school district in the United States. She beat out a field of 9 candidates, including some seasoned politicians and won the election. Danielle was sworn in this past Jan and now she controls a nearly 3 billion dollar yearly budget and makes policy decisions for a school district that serves 48 schools in the In this role she is responsible for over 322,000 students. Danielle is 33, a single-mom of two kids and she’s a digital marketing strategist who helps other entrepreneurs grow their online businesses. Her story is fascinating. How she manages her ADHD is instructive. You will also likely relate to how Danielle navigates life when her Ferrari brain works faster than her bicycle brakes (if you have ADHD you’ll know what we mean). It’s no surprise that Danielle is often compared to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Listen to Podcast Episode #27 .

EP 26: In this episode Tracy gives you her list of favorite strength-focused ADHD resources/books. If you listened to her first podcast recorded back in October you‘ll notice that her understanding and opinions around ADHD have changed a lot. She is now solidly grounded in a more strength-focused view of ADHD and sees it as a brain difference rather than a brain disorder. Tracy goes through the books she wishes she knew about when her son was first diagnosed five years ago. If you want to reframe your own ADHD, if you currently see it as a disorder and want to view it as a strength, this is exactly where you need to start. Tracy wouldn’t give up her own ADHD for anything. She believes that her ADHD traits are responsible for every success she’s ever had. She just had to learn how to manage it. These resources have really helped in that regard.

Today, Tracy talks about ADHD and Addiction. She doesn’t like to talk about things that she hasn’t experienced personally but so many members in her Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women did struggle with addiction so she decided that the subject warranted a podcast episode. Have you ever wondered why those of us with ADHD have up to a 10 times higher likelihood of substance abuse and addiction? Do you know what Reward Deficiency Syndrome is? Have you ever felt less satisfaction than you expected to feel once you reach a goal? Do you often feel like you’ve not accomplished enough? Discover how our dopamine circuitry can create addictions and what’s behind the overlap that we often see between creativity, talent, depression, addiction and ADHD. Learn why young adults use substances to self-medicate and at what age they typically start. Discover the biggest myth about stimulant medication and addiction. Exercise is the ADHD brain’s best friend. Learn why it also helps us refrain from self-medicating. Tracy then shares information that she just learned about AA, recovery centers, medical detox programs, and sober living environments from a book called The Sober Truth by Harvard professor Lance Dodes who’s been treating people with addiction for 30 + years. It is really eye-opening. Tracy also shares information that she just learned from psychotherapist Perry Janssen about trauma and addiction. Learn about the concept called spontaneous remission and what kinds of approaches to treating addiction work best for those of us with ADHD. Resources: n.

In this podcast, Tracy decided to do something different. When she was initially diagnosed she read everything to glean what other women like her were experiencing. Putting that puzzle together for herself was her number one mission. It’s also why she started the Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women. So today she’s sharing with you how members answered the question: What Does Your ADHD Feel Like? L. Newlin started us off with “I cannot truly fit in with others. Why are there things that are mindless for others like paying bills and house cleaning such a struggle for me?” C. Newton said she struggles with “expected” tasks of a woman, wife and mom but on the flip side, she does things effortlessly that her peers could not even dream about doing. So she battles with (shame) because she doesn’t do what’s expected and on the other hand (pride) when she’s acting within her strengths. C. Seeley described her mind as a pinball machine or as if she has too many live voices in her head. She feels too much, knows too much (this is her intuition) which depending on the situation can be helpful or hurtful. She always feels on the perimeter even when she’s accepted. She feel different (and doesn’t see this as necessarily bad), a bit like an alien. C. Newton offered that “ignoring the rules feel necessary because she knows what she needs to do or say, so she will challenge limits and force past boundaries, because she “has to be meeeeee!” Rules are just rules. Sometimes breaking them is its own adventure. 😁 D. Baartmansike often felt like she was living in fog, and the fog is stuff (to do's - chores, friends, family, life), like there is no chronological order, everything is in your face all the time and she doesn’t know where to start. B. Buster likened her ADHD to a jet plane engine that’s always running in my head. 25 to do lists, working on them all and not getting anything done one day and doing 400 tasks the next. A. Woodley feels like she’s in constant battle with her ADHD. Battle to do what is expected and often necessary in ways foreign and confusing to me every single time. She’s always trying to fit into a society that is clearly not made for people like her. She’s often amazed that people can’t think or act like her, while simultaneously being frustrated why she can’t think and act like them. S. Haddock lives her life based on gut feelings or emotions (both mine and others). Outside people see it as impulsive but there are really in-depth reasons for why she does what she does. On bad days she feels like an MC Escher print - where she’s running up and down stairs all day but the direction keeps changing and she doesn’t get anywhere. Sarah Haas feels like she’s at church as a six-year-old... sitting in the pew, and wiggling around, She’s thinking of the donuts she’ll get afterwards, Fiddling with her hands, maybe hitting your brother (to get a reaction, or maybe just because you need to put your energy somewhere), or doodling on something you shouldn’t ... trying to entertain yourself because whatever is happening around you is super boring, or you don’t understand it but you know it’s not the right time to ask questions... But then you just have to ask it anyway. And then you get shhhhhhhhh’d. But you have to put it somewhere, it’s too quiet, still, it’s too rigid. And instead of your parents bringing you a coloring book so you can put it somewhere proper, they give you a sideways glance. So you try and you try, then for whatever reason, you start maybe singing to yourself, or talking ... you know you shouldn’t but you. just. can’t. not. Do. It. Except you’re an adult. C. Seeley offered that she wouldn’t change her situation. She’d still rather have her ADHD brain because she knows that she has a gift for seeing what others cannot and her world is a kaleidoscope because of that.❤️ L. Peters says she sees everything through the eyes of a child. “I see beauty where others see ugly! This is the gift! The curse... I see answers where no one sees a question. I see solutions for problems others do not yet know exist! R. Jackson can’t ever remember the important stuff but she notices every detail. “I feel much younger than I am and credit that to my ADHD. I dont worry too much and put most everything off until tomorrow!” S. Sunderland notices a superwoman awareness of the whole snowstorm, rather than just one individual snowflake. Deep understanding of concepts, but not retaining all the names, dates, etc. Her quest for deep learning is never-ending. C. Li feels” like the marvel superhero, Cyclops. “When I have my special goggles on (meds) I can control the tremendous crazy power inside my head, otherwise it is hard to control and sometimes destructive.” T. Kelly suggested that you imagine you’re cooking on a 10-burner stove, with different pots and pans all cooking different things all at the same time. That’s her brain. All of the time. J. Bold: My ADHD feels like a superpower most days. I am a BIG PICTURE person and tend to be very very intuitive to others. I’m extremely disciplined in most areas of my life (not food). Intuitive, creative and anxious L. Biegert constantly wonders how she can objectively be this smart and yet struggle so hard to do the things that most people find easy. “I can't possibly be lazy because I'm working all the time, but nothing ever gets done.”

In this episode, Tracy talks about rumination, what it is and why those of us with ADHD are more partial to engage in it. Discover how hyperfocusing is related to rumination. Tracy talks about hyperactivity, not only in our bodies but also in our minds. She also shares how rumination is related to past problems rather than current or future problems. Learn how rumination: Is related to transitions Often increases your levels of cortisol Cuts you off from friends and family Is linked to overeating, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure etc etc. Can actually make you become more negative Can make you more self-centered Might be something you do and don’t even know that you’re doing it Learn how you can stop ruminating and teach yourself how to notice your thoughts. Know the difference between past and future thoughts. Tracy then shares the antidote to rumination why she believes that there is no such thing as failure how important it is to listen to your intuition instead of statistics, numbers and figures the importance of BMW time that whatever you focus on just gets bigger how to make distractibility your friend how to manage your emotions by taking action around your passions how to create internal motivation and increase your own dopamine the importance of focusing on others when you’re trying to control rumination

Today, Tracy talks to procrastination coach Dr. Christine Li. Dr. Li is a licensed clinical psychologist with practices in NYC and Westchester NY who has conducted procrastination workshops and trainings at Columbia, NY-Presbyterian Medical School, Fordham University, Barnard College etc. She is the first guest we have interviewed on our podcast. Tracy met Dr. Li at a conference and just knew she had to have her on as a guest. Dr. Li shares how she founded this specialty in procrastination. She explains the reasons why we procrastinate generally but also talks with Tracy about why those of us with ADHD tend to procrastinate more than those without ADHD. Discover what procrastination is often protecting us from. Learn how to get out of that debilitating feeling of overwhelm. Dr. Li talks about how to stop the guilt after procrastination has taken over. Learn what emotions are most closely associated with the act of procrastination and how identifying them can help you move forward. Dr. Li teaches us why we often start procrastinating when we’re 60-80% done with a task. Learn Dr. Li’s Solution for Procrastination Recovery to increase your productivity. She calls it SMACK. Discover the number one thing that Tracy procrastinates on and Dr. Li’s solution. Learn where we learned directly and indirectly to associate stress with productivity. Dr. Li shares how important positive emotion is to procrastination recovery and gives us tips to feeling better. I love her quote: “We do well when we feel well.” Discover what you can do that will always calm your fears. Hint: Nike agrees with Dr. Li. You may find more information about Dr. Christine Li at . You may also get her 12 FREE resources on becoming procrastination free by texting FREELIBRARY (must be in all caps) to 44222. These resources are really amazing and include: The Jumpstart The Emergent Task Planner Good Morning Guide Weekly Routine Planner Brain Dump Template Time Saver Secrets The Road Map The Mantra Maker Check Your Lists The Trello App The 90-Day Planner The Habit Tracker

In this episode Tracy talks about ADHD and weight. When people think of the stereotypical ADHD person they often think of an energetic, constantly moving, constantly talking, climbing the walls kind of boy. They’re hyperactive so that doesn’t square with someone who struggles with their weight. Studies however, show that ADHD symptoms may trigger serious weight problems especially for those with the inattentive type of ADHD. Research shows that those that struggle with obesity are 5-10 times more likely to have ADHD. Learn what significant implications this has for girls and eating disorders and why early studies on adolescents and ADHD didn’t pick this up. Tracy cites two studies on girls with ADHD. Discover why girls have a much higher likelihood of developing eating disorders and what type of ADHD is most predictive of an eating disorder in girls. Learn why our brain chemistry is attracted to sugar and carbohydrates. Discover what Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is and how it affects our motivation and our sense of satisfaction when we work towards a goal. Learn also how this affects the satisfaction that we get from food. Tracy talks about the link between RDS and addiction and how addictive behaviors around food and other substances begin. Tracy also goes into why food is different than other substances like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs and how many decisions an individual must make every day when trying to maintain their weight as compared to the number of decisions that are made when one decides to stop drinking, smoking or using drugs. Learn how self-regulation plays into all of this and why those of us with ADHD are predisposed towards addiction but addiction is in no way a given. In fact, most people with ADHD do not struggle with addiction at all. Tracy then explains the link between disordered eating, ADHD and executive function deficits. She covers: Struggles with planning Forgetting to eat Impulsiveness in food choices How bad sleep habits lead to poor eating habits Poor interoceptive awareness Procrastineating She shares ideas around getting control over our eating that include: How medication can make a big difference for some women with ADHD Making sure your goals are very clear and then keeping them front and center How planning meals using meal kit services like Blue Apron, Purple Carrot, Sun Basket and Hello Fresh can really help if you like to cook but hate to plan and shop. Using an Apple Watch as a reminder Using a fasting app such as the Zero app to stop night snacking Exercise, read John Ratey’s book Spark. Using the Noom app to remind me of my weightloss goalResources: Zero fasting app: My favorite ADHD purchase: John Ratey’s book Spark: Noom weightloss app:

In this episode, Tracy shares a quick method for discovering your character strengths. Learn why it’s so important for those with an ADHD brain to focus on what we’re interested in and how we can internally motivate ourselves. Tracy talks about the VIA Character Strengths Test and how it can help us determine if we’re moving in the right direction in our careers and life. This test: Looks for the personality traits that represent the essence of who you are Shows you what drive you, gives you energy and keeps you in integrity Focuses on 24 character strengths Discover the difference between values and character strengths and the benefits of being in positive emotion. Learn also how positive emotion and our strengths are related. Tracy introduces Dr. Martin Seligman and shares how the VIA Character Strengths Test came into being and how she initially thought it was just another personality test. Several years later she was reintroduced to it through . In creating the Via Character Strengths Test, Seligman and his associates looked at: All the world religions Virtue catalogues by Plato, Aristotle, Confucious, William Bennet, Benjamin Franklin etc. The work of psychologists including Thorndike, Erickson, Cawley, Gardner etc. Learn the six themes or virtues and 24 character strengths that make humans their best and how the VIA Character Strengths Test can be so helpful in understanding who you are, what you should do next and/or why what you’re currently doing is not working. Tracy then shares what Signature Strengths are and why they’re so important to our well-being and energy. She also talks about her Signature Strengths and gives examples of why it’s so hard for her to get things done when she’s not employing them. Finally she covers common Phasic Strengths for the ADHD brain, what they are and how we can use them successfully during times of challenge or crisis. is the link for the FREE VIA Character Strengths test.

In this podcast, Tracy talks about ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria or RSD. Because Tracy doesn’t struggle with RSD she wasn’t that interested in learning about it but once she realized it was the number one requested topic among the women in her , she started doing her research. Discover why emotion is not mentioned in the DSM, despite the fact that all experts believe that it is an integral part of ADHD. What do so many of us with ADHD complain about? Short temper Impulsivity Low frustration tolerance Overwhelmed by emotions Overwhelmed by the pain or energy of others Others with ADHD may be unaware of others feelings and may seem to be insensitive Excitability Tracy clarifies that if emotion isn’t mentioned, that means that RSD is also not recognized in the DSM. Learn about the 3 types of mood challenges in ADHD. Discover which one of them is associated exclusively with ADHD. Tracy shares why it’s so difficult for so many women with ADHD to grow up with a positive self-concept and the one thing that is instrumental in success for ADHD women. Learn the symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and how it got its name. Discover how it looks different depending on whether or not those who experience it internalize or externalize the emotional response. Tracy shares how members in her group describe what RSD feels like and how prevalent it seemed to be among the ADHD women in her group. Discover how RSD can often be misdiagnosed as social phobia, bi-polar disorder and/or depression but how it is different. Tracy talks about how Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria can affect people’s lives and relationships. She also shares a potentially positive side to RSD. Learn what might help to lesson symptoms of RSD both in the way of medication and psychotherapy. Once Tracy read about the drive to suceed and achieve, it was easy to wonder if perhaps she had RSD. That’s when she took this Like all things ADHD it’s all about the degree of impairment. Here are the questions. Choose Often vs. Not Often for each question. Q1: Do you ever experience sudden, intense bouts of rage when your feelings are hurt? Choose Often vs. Not Often for each question Q2: Do you ever experience sudden, intense bouts of depression when your think you have been rejected or criticized? Q3: Are you your own harshest critic? Q4: Do you ever feel anxious in social situations because you assume that no one likes you? Q5: Do you consider yourself a “people pleaser,” often going above and beyond to get on someone’s good side? Q6: Do you ever pass up opportunities or avoid starting projects because you’re afraid you’ll fail? Q7: Have you ever been called “overly sensitive” or a “head case” because of your strong emotional reactions? Q8: Do you often dedicate more time than is necessary to a project or become perfectionistic to make sure your work has no mistakes (and is above reproach)? Q9: Do you ever experience your emotions as a physical sensation, as though you’ve been punched in the chest or physically “wounded?” Q10: Do you ever feel shame about the “lack of control” you have over your emotions? Q11: Before you were diagnosed with ADHD, were you told you might be depressed? Have bipolar disorder? Have a borderline character disorder? Q12: Do you ever shy away from close friendships or romantic relationships, because you worry that if people “know the real you,” they won’t like you? Q13: Do you assume the worst in commonplace interactions — worrying you will be fired every time your boss calls you in to her office, for instance? Q14: Do you regularly think that you cannot go on feeling this way? Q15: Do you ever avoid meeting new people or trying new things because your fear of rejection and criticism is so strong? Resources: https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-symptom-test/

In this podcast, Tracy talks about the 10 things she wishes every teacher knew about their ADHD students. She decided to do a podcast on this subject because she noticed that many women in her Facebook group really struggled in school and are still struggling in school despite the fact that they are clearly bright. Tracy believes that if you can understand how your brain works, then you can start to identify your strengths and build hacks using those strengths. She believes that most ADHD students spend too much time focusing on their weaknesses. Tracy talks about the one thing that is most indicitive of success for people with ADHD and what successful people with ADHD say is much harder to deal with than the actual ADHD traits or symptoms. Learn what kind of educators make the best teachers for students with ADHD. Are ADHD students smart? Discover what strengths are associated with ADHD. Do you know about Discover the seven intellectual domains and which ones school teaches to. Hint: there are only two. Learn what the ADHD brain is wired for, and why it’s so important that students care about what they’re studying. Tracy talks about why she thinks ADHD is misnamed and why memorizing things that the ADHD student doesn’t care about is so difficult for him/her. Learn how we actually learn best. Discover why these students need to buy-in to a strategy or plan in order to be successful with it. Hear what Tracy thinks is the most useless comment that a teacher can make on a progress report about an ADHD student and why positive emotion is so important to all students but especially those with ADHD. Learn what happens to students who rebel against school and the education system. Discover the three ways that ADHD students can learn and why structure and consistency is so important for them. Tracy talks about positive illusory bias and how it affects ADHD students and why self-control is so much harder for these students. Discover the number one strength of most ADHD students and what the one common denominator tends to be for ADHD students who perform to their potential. Resources:

In this podcast Tracy talks about the ten things that she wishes she would have been told when she was initially diagnosed with ADHD. When she was first diagnosed Tracy went into hyperfocus mode and researched everything she could about ADHD, especially ADHD as it related to women. She had spent the previous 8 months researching everything she could find about ADHD and kids. This podcast is about what she has learned and how her viewpoint on ADHD has changed. Discover why she came to like certain ADHD experts over others and what she learned from and vs . Tracy mentions some of her ADHD symptoms but also some of the strengths that she’s certain are attributable to her ADHD and why she wouldn’t trade her ADHD for anything. Learn why: creating solutions for what the ADHD brain struggles with can be so difficult ADHD is not a disorder, but a difference. Tracy thinks ADHD is actually not a deficit of attention at all ADHD is not a behavioral disorder, moral failing or character flaw Learn what: you should focus on every day what our brains are wired for (and it’s not importance!) and why we need to learn how to engage our hyperfocus Learn how impulsivity and creativity are linked. Tracy teaches you the difference between positive and negative emotion and why you should know the difference. She then gives you a simple test to show you how to increase your own motivation whenever you’re feeling stuck and build a successful day, week, month or year. Learn what our brains are meant to do. You’ll be surprised to discover that they’re not designed to remember. Despite this we sabotoge ourselves daily when we don’t remember. Find out what ADHD women typically resist but need more than anything and how if we implement it it reduces anxiety and makes us feel happier, smarter, more organized, focused and creative. Discover how Tracy overcame procrastination in a few simple steps and her favorite hack for getting things done. Tracy then talks about her number one superpower, interpersonal intuition and how valuable it is in her life. She shares that the ADHD brain focuses on connections and relationships over specific bits of information. Discover what to do if medication doesn’t work for you and why Tracy’s actually happy that it didn’t work for her or her son. Find out some workarounds to try if medication doesn’t work for you. Learn what Tracy thinks is the biggest mistake we can make as ADHD women and what we should do instead. Other Resources: Edward Hallowell: John Ratey: Russell Barkley: Pomodoro Application: Datexx Cube:

Tracy talks about ADHD and intuition in this podcast. She starts by sharing an experience that happened to her in college that made her start to really trust her intuition. She shares how and why her intuition has gotten her into trouble and what she does differently today. Learn what said that convinced Tracy that her symptoms were the result of ADHD. Discover what intuition looks and feels like and why we often don’t pay attention to what people are saying because our brains focus on the connections and relationships between things more than on specific bits of information. Have you ever felt like you know people better than they know themself? Learn: what therapists and women with ADHD have in common. the definition of intuition and that intuition may come from subconscious experiences that you may not be holding consciously that there’s nothing psychic or woo woo about intuition what it means to be a scanner Tracy talks about intuition as a non-conscious level of thinking that is related to attention. It is always also based on knowledge or expertise that you have. Learn about the danger of not listening to our intuition and how important it is that we pay attention to that little voice inside of ourselves. Tracy mentions an ADHD women who shared her story and said that her anxiety gets worse when she doesn’t trust her intuition. Not trusting her intuition may be responsible for her anxiety. She also shared that she sometimes confuses anxiety with her intuition and how she’s learned to distinguish the two. Learn the definition of interpersonal intuition. Do you have high emotional intelligence? If so, you won’t want to miss this. Blocking extraneous stimuli is great if you’re sitting in a classroom trying to memorize facts but if you’re trying to figure out what makes someone tick and/or who they are, it may be better to take in extraneous stimuli. Discover how interpersonal intuition and connection are interrelated despite the fact that interpersonal intuition can wreak havoc with connection and why Tracy loves being around other ADHD women especially if they’re also entrepreneurs. Tracy shares what a non-fiction book group she started years ago with non-ADHD women taught her about social hierachies, connection and authenticity and what her rule for relationships is today. You’ll be surprised to learn why you blurt out insights and how that can prevent you from connecting with others. Tracy then talks about the Meyer-Briggs personality test and what she discovered about ADHD, intuition and a

In this podcast I answer Amanda’s question who is one of our members. Amanda asked what she should do if she’s bored in her career and knows she needs a new or different challenge. Tracy first shares why major life decisions are so hard for everyone to make but especially hard for those with ADHD. Learn what should be the driving force in any major life decision and why big life decisions and seemingly easy decisions can both be hard decisions to make. Find out what makes a decision easy to make. Tracy then gives advice on what to do when you’re trying to decide between two equal jobs. Learn why values and purpose are so important to any hard decision you need to make and why we often get it wrong. Hint: it’s all related to how we’ve been taught to make decisions and logic, analysis and research is not always the best way. Discover who’s the best expert to go to when making a big life decision and what you should pay especial attention to. Tracy talks about how there is no such thing as a mistake or a bad decision unless you keep doing the same thing over and over again and hate the results. We learn to pay attention to our brains as a guide for what we should do but Tracy teaches us that there’s something even more important to focus on when we’re making major life decisions. Discover why not making a decision and letting others make them for you is the worst decision you can possibly make. Learn what the two big questions are that you should always ask when making a decision? Tracy then shares a strategy for testing if you’re moving in the right direction and making the right decision. This strategy can also increase your motivation and help you move forward even quicker.

Tracy talks about what a body double is and how it can help us get our work done. We’re taught from childhood that if we need to get serious work done we must lock ourselves in a quiet room. Find out why this is likely not true for those of us with ADHD. Learn a counter-intuitive and effective method for those of us with ADHD to get our work done. Tracy shares ADHD coach, ’s, term body double which is a way that her clients successfully complete repetitive, boring tasks. You’ll learn why those with ADHD may feel more focused by the presence of another person. You’ll learn about the mirror neuron theory You’ll learn how balancing positive and negative energy may actually help us get things done. Learn why adding structure stimulates the brain and brings clarity and focus. Tracy outlines what a body double should do and not do and who is and isn’t a great candidate for your body double. You’ll also learn when it makes sense to consider a body double and when it doesn’t. Tracy also shares strategies that work for her teenage son in getting his homework done as well as how she uses the body double concept to complete big, unpleasant projects around the house. Tracy then shares how members in her use a body double, why it works for them and the various body double options. Tracy introduces her virtual body double Study Hall that is part of her free Facebook Group. Learn how a body double can: Help us activate and start a task Generate momentum and keep us going Provide social interaction which can serve to motivate us Provide accountability Provide a clear intention that helps to focus the ADHD brain Stop us from wandering off inside of our heads Finally, Tracy will share a hack for cleaning your house so you don’t feel so alone and bored.

Tracy reads non-fiction exclusively and hasn’t been an avid fiction reader since she was 12. She’s often wondered if those with ADHD read more non-fiction than fiction so she asked her of smart ADHD women. Here’s what Tracy covers: Do those with ADHD really have a preference for non-fiction? What are the reasons that might be so? If you struggle with reading non-fiction books you might be interested in this hack to actually finish them This feeling that many of us have that there’s never enough time to learn about everything we’re interested in The character strengths that so many of us share which is apparent in our love of non-fiction books. How non-fiction books help us to make connections and generate new ideas How audiobooks can help us when we lack focus What to do when you’re afraid you’ll hyperfocus on a book and can’t stop reading until you’ve finished reading the book Do you read non-fiction for knowledge or recreation? What about the women who only read fiction, how do they feel about reading non-fiction. What’s Katy’s hack for reading non-fiction, learning and remembering what you learn?

While running her , which is for smart, positive, ADHD women Tracy noticed that there were some brilliant women who just seemed stuck. They weren’t \acknowledging or working in their area of brilliance and were just focused on what’s not working. They had lost sight of what was working and Tracy realized they had just given up. She believed that this was in part because of their ADHD. So she did some research and discovered learned helplessness. Tracy explains what learned helplessness is and introduces you to who coined the term and is a psychologist and the godfather of the positive psychology movement. Learn what happened when Seligman conditioned dogs to expect a negative situation even before it happened and how this can apply to people as well. Discover the most harmful attributions that you can apply in a situation when something bad happens and why these attributions cause learned helplessness. Find out what kinds of health problems can result from learned helplessness and how it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Tracy then talks about how learned helplessness can be applied to ADHD women especially those who aren’t diagnosed or were diagnosed later in life. She cites a study on learned helplessness done on ADHD women by . Tracy gives an example of a recent situation where she used an internal attribution and just assumed that the problem was with her ADHD brain rather than the fact that an article was just poorly written. Learn what workarounds you can employ for learned helplessness. Tracy shares research on motivation. She authored the best-selling book . Find out the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset and which one of these two mindsets successful people in all fields possess and which mindset causes those with ADHD to give up. Learn how ADHD can help us build the right mindset and work ethic and why what we say to ourselves matters. You’ll also want to know why praising your kids’ intelligence doesn’t make sense and what you need to do today to get back control over your life.

Tracy talks about giftedness and ADHD in this podcast. Learn what the term 2E or Twice Exceptional refers to and that just because you’re gifted in one or more areas (for example mathematically or artistically) doesn’t mean that you might not also be challenged in other areas (you may learn differently or have an emotional or social delay). And did you know that you can be gifted and have ADHD? Do you know that here is no one definition of giftedness. In fact, all states have a different definition. Tracy shares three layer cake definition of giftedness: You’ll learn about asynchronous development You’ll learn about perfectionism and how harmful it can be You’ll learn about the five areas where children can exhibit intense behaviors known as overexcitabilities or supersensitivities. Tracy outlines the overexcitabilities and shares that she never thought her son was gifted but is now wondering because he exhibits many traits in all five of these areas. Tracy also assumed that you can’t be gifted if you struggle in school. Then she discovered AEGUS, Find out what else gifted people need to succeed and how giftedness and ADHD can look identical. Tracy talks about her concern that perhaps we’re medicating bright children so that they can fit into the school environment when really these kids may just be unchallenged. She worries that it’s the smart capable kids that fall through the cracks in our educational system because when they don’t perform, teacher and parents automatically think it’s because they’re lazy. Have you ever wondered what does it even mean to be smart. Learn about Could it be that ADHD is connected to specific intelligences? Tracy then talks about what questions experts ask if they are working with a bright child who isn’t applying themself and what she’s planning to bring into her son’s school to aid in his learning . Other resources:

We all know that exercise is good for us – but can exercise be used as medicine? You’ll love to hear about Tracy’s fitness routine and how she incorporates it into her day. What we often don’t think of is how exercise helps with focus, anxiety, mood, etc. It’s not just for looking great! Today, we are going to learn how exercise can help us feel better and start the day off right. Why does exercise make us feel better? Hear how Tracy speaks to the connection between exercise and psychological help from a medical standpoint. Tracy shares the issues with our culture – sitting for long periods of time, eating crap, and how the first line of defense for mental health issues seems to be medication. Hear how exercise may benefit our mental health. The connections may surprise you! How does exercise help your brain? Tracy shares some fascinating facts you won’t want to miss. Tracy has made some great strides in her exercise over the years – but hear how her motivation changed from looking good to feeling good. Could exercise work better than medication for those with ADHD? Hear Tracy’s scientific explanation. How does exercise improve our ability to learn? Listen as Tracy uses a scientific study to show how extreme the results can truly be. You definitely won’t want to miss this. Hear how exercise primes the brain for learning and changes the brain’s neurotransmitters, protein growth, and neurogenesis. Hear how you can continue to grow your brain, all throughout your life. Should individuals with ADHD become karate masters? Learn how structured activities, such as martial arts, ballet, etc. help those with ADHD tap into their deep focus. Could exercise decrease the need for medication or get rid of the need all together? Hear the science behind it all as Tracy explains how the chemistry in the brain can vastly change with exercise. Is exercise timing important? Hear Tracy’s discovery in her personal life, and through scientific research. Listen as Tracy explains the importance of nature, sleep, exercise, and balancing them all together. Can you even learn while you exercise? If you’re listening to this podcast in the gym, you may already be there! Tracy shares how nicotine can help us focus – but since it is very commonly known to be bad for us – Tracy shares how we can cut out nicotine, improve our focus, and live our best life for a long, long time.

Those of us with ADHD often struggle with time. We like to do things when we feel like it. We cannot see or feel time, and we’re easily distracted. Often, hyperfocus can get in our way as well. We start, can’t stop, and have to finish. We also struggle with working memory issues. What was I doing again? And I don’t know who doesn’t struggle with emotional regulation/dis-regulation – or the “I just don’t feel like it!” feeling. We must understand why we are the way we are in order to create hacks to be better. We must learn to pause, even though it’s against our nature because are time optimists and often underestimate how long something will take. Hear Tracy’s tips for developing time management skills and planning more effectively for the future. See how Tracy uses the positive emotion of success to motivate her through the planning process. See how Backward Planning can teach you how to see and feel time, as well as set reasonable goals. Listen as Tracy shares some hacks for developing Executive Function Skills. How can we create practical methods to get through day-to-day tasks? Listen as Tracy explains how she taught herself to understand how long things take. You won’t want to miss the helpful tool she uses! Starting the day off right is important. Hear how Tracy sets herself up for success so she doesn’t run late every day- even if it means doing makeup in the car. Maybe playing a game of “beat the clock” is just what we need! You’ll definitely want to learn how to play this game that can change the way you get things done. Hear all of Tracy’s hacks and try them out on your own. Is the Apple Watch Worth It? Hear how Tracy uses it as her “manager.” What calendar may be best for you? Simple may be better! Could it be possible to manage your week on just one page? What is the and how can you use it in your daily life? Can working near others help you access your hyperfocus? Find out how Tracy can help you do this with a Body Double Meetup. What kind of person do you want to be? Hear how asking yourself this question can help you prioritize. You won’t want to miss Tracy’s humorous story with her creative approach to time management.

Tracy was inspired to talk about this topic from one of the members of her . She shared her story about always being late. Not intentionally, but because she doesn’t have a good grasp for how long things will take. When she made the effort to be on time (because it is important to her) it took every bit of her focus. “Why,” she asked, “is time so hard for me?” Here are Tracy’s insights about time in this part one episode. Why does the ADHD brain struggle with time? The first part is understanding why we do what we do. Once we understand why it can be easier to find work-arounds and resources. We’ll cover that in detail in part two in the next episode. You have to hear Tracy’s dating story about showing up late – and then being less than truthful about it. This was one of the experiences that helped her realize that time was an issue for her. The ADHD brain doesn’t have a good understanding of time. We don’t know how many minutes or hours a project can take. Find out why this skill is so hard for us. Cooking a meal and hosting guests is another example of how the lack of time-awareness can cause issues. Hear Tracy’s go-to solution and results. Hear what she learned when she decided to time herself on a few kitchen-related tasks. Hint: her estimate was much less than actual! Being on time is a value for Tracy. Is it a value for you? Tracy’s research on time explains that time has to be learned. Many ADHD people do not have a fluid awareness of time because we can’t see it or feel it. Find out why distractions can impact our best time-management strategies. Time issues are also related to memory issues. Tracy explains why they are linked and how one impacts the other. Tracy explains future myopia and how it impacts the ADHD person’s understanding of time. You’ll no doubt see yourself in this explanation. Arguing with time is a thing. Do you find yourself doing this? How do your beliefs impact your timeliness or lack of? Do your time-beliefs work for you? Recurring appointments, yes or no? Does putting everything on the calendar work for you? Tracy shares how asking for help with planning and scheduling has helped her. Emotional regulation is a part of why we struggle with time and Tracy explains how it can impact you. Next week Tracy is sharing what’s working for her and others. It starts with understanding ourselves and what matters to us. Having that information is imperative. That’s why Tracy created .

Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD have some undeniable similarities. But could ADHD itself be the secret to their success? Today, Tracy explores the similarities between entrepreneurs and those with ADHD. We will dive into some scientific evidence, as well as personal examples that show the differences in those with ADHD that make them perfect for being successful when pursuing their passion. Here are the key connections that Tracy makes between Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD. Listen to Tracy’s anecdote of the first business she ever started - an unsuccessful Christmas Card business in her childhood. It may give you a chuckle. Tracy’s entrepreneurial spirit spurred her on to even more endeavors in adulthood. Listen as Tracy explains the pros of entrepreneurialism - from new experiences, never being bored, learning more every day, etc. Tracy lists some ADHD characteristics that entrepreneurs all tend to share: hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity. You won’t want to miss the statistics Tracy shares that show a stocking connection to ADHD and entrepreneurs. Hear Tracy explain how those with ADHD are “left over hunters in a farmer driven world.” Listen as Tracy shares how the resilience of those with ADHD helps them weather the storms they will face in their entrepreneurial ventures. Hear how it all may boil down to biology and neurological responses to our environment. Tracy explores impulsivity from a scientific standpoint and links it to intuition and impatience/boredom. Tracy also explains how those with ADHD use intuitive decision making, proactiveness, and risk-taking to succeed. Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD often love flexibility and love being their own boss. Hear how Tracy explains this from a personal perspective and a scientific point of view. Find out why acting and seeking novelty are traits that explain the entrepreneurial brain. Hear how she explains how creativity is impulsivity “gone right.” Tracy explains “Hyperfocus” and how it is the key to success for entrepreneurs. You won’t want to miss the evidence she shares that it is best to discover and pursue your passion.

We have executive functions that help us in life. They help us organize, plan and control our life so it’s manageable. It’s how we can take care of ourselves and get things done. Most of us with ADHD have trouble with one or more of the six executive functions. Today, I am talking about the executive function that involves emotion. It’s what helps us manage frustration and it gives us the ability to regulate our emotions. Here are the key elements Tracy has learned when dealing with emotions and situations that can become emotional. Tracy explains emotional dysregulation and how it shows up and how it impacts us. How does stress impact our emotions and how do recognize it in ourselves and in others? Tracy shares how perfectionism and time management affect her emotions and how she’s learned to work around these situations. Intensity is a big part of ADHD and it’s a big part of managing emotions as well. Tracy’s experience with the Apple watch, and how it’s helped her be able to cook again! What can you do when emotional intensity comes up? Listen for some go-to solutions that can help you manage or even remove an emotionally charged situation. You can choose. Tracy shares that awareness is separate from emotion and thought. How to identify and name what is causing the emotion and doing this exercise can help. Don’t miss Tracy’s bull frog story. It’ll make you smile. Why allowing ourselves to feel the feelings can ultimately help you eliminate the feeling. If you want different results, you need to change your behavior. Emotions don’t always lead to a behavior; sometimes it’s the opposite. Self-control is a neurobiological trait. It requires the ability to have hind-sight and fore-sight and the ability to wait. Understanding how this impacts behavior is key to managing emotions. , Psychotherapist gave us great tips you’ll find helpful.

Tracy Otsuka Show Notes Title: ADHD and Medication Tracy shares her experience with medication for her son and herself. When my son was diagnosed medication was the only thing recommended which didn’t feel right to us. Today we’re talking medications and my personal insights about how they worked (or didn’t work) for us. I hope it’s helpful for you as you navigate the prescription roller coaster. Here are a few highlights from this episode: Tracy shares her extensive list of medications that were prescribed. Side effects and how they impacted me. Testing options and why it might help your Dr. prescribe meds that may work better and have fewer side effects. My son’s experience with medication. His feedback and what I noticed weren’t the same, but we both came to the same conclusion. I found Dr. Dale Archer’s information helpful. You may appreciate his insights as well. Why a medicated “new normal” may not be right for you or your child and how to recognize it. The worst-case scenario, and why you have to be proactive. Why your family Dr. may not understand your ADHD and where they get their info. Hint: It’s not in medical school. What we don’t know about these medications especially the long-term effects for the ADHD brain. Why ADHD people do well in the military; an unexpected benefit of structure. Are we medicating our uniqueness? Is that a good idea? Tracy shares a real-life story of a woman’s before and after experience with medication. When medication for routine can help and when it can hurt. Tracy’s Rx for medication. She breaks down multiple options separate from medication and useful tips for getting the right medication for you. Here are the links for resources Tracy mentioned. Join the

Those with ADHD have a brain that’s wired differently, but we aren’t all the same. That can be frustrating. Understanding ourselves and others is going to help us all. Tracy shares why she doesn’t see her ADHD as a disorder. Hear why she considers some of the traits as part of her super powers. Hear the 2 traits that impact everyone with ADHD. You might relate, but they may have never been explained this way before. ADHD is not a learning disorder; most have a higher than average IQ. Learn the 3 ways a person with a neuro typical brain functions when they need to get things done. Hear the workarounds for those of us who don’t have this type of brain. Learn why procrastination isn’t about will-power or laziness. It’s about our brain and how it works. Hear how ADHD is a huge contributor to danger. Understanding why is a life and death issue. No one is good at everything. How to do more of what you love and get help with the things you don’t enjoy. Tracy shares why fitting in is so hard and encourages those women with ADHD to focus on standing out instead.

Tracy talks about the mis-conceptions about kids with ADHD and how her son wasn’t your “typical” ADHD kid. When teachers saw her son become “unmotivated” it was chalked up to laziness. Since then, Tracy got answers and began her mission to educate herself and others. ADHD isn’t a disorder caused by modern life. Tracy explains why someone with ADHD may be on social media or playing video games more than others. It’s not what you think! Hear ADHD defined why Tracy thinks the attention deficit part is all wrong. You probably will too! Learn about studies that prove that the brain of ADHD kids is significantly different. This is important in understanding how to thrive with an ADHD brain. Tracy shares a list of traits that can be attributed to behavior by ADHD children. Hear how ADHD differs from mood disorders. The emotional impact is different. Blaming parents for the “behavior” of ADHD kids is not helpful. Self-control is a neurobiological trait. It isn’t something you can teach – no matter how hard you try. Find out why the concept of time is a big part of the challenge in dealing with children with ADHD. What wired for interest means and why it’s important to understand it. Tracy shares how Marcus excels when he’s doing things that he enjoys. It’s not that he can’t focus on other things, he literally can’t! The dopamine affect – why you need to understand it. Helping our ADHD kids figure out their passion and interests contribute to life-long success. Hear the positives about ADHD kids. These traits aren’t discussed often so they are not understood but they should be. There are disturbing facts about potential issues for our ADHD kids. That’s why it’s so important to understand and guide them to live up to their potential.

Tracy covers the basic facts about ADHD diagnoses. Find out what’s included, how does it show up, the differences in symptoms in children and adults. She gives specific examples of behaviors that you may find very familiar. She also talks about why many women are not diagnosed and the seldom discussed advantage of having an ADHD brain. Knowledge is powerful in understanding how the ADHD brain works. Get a practical, real-life understanding how it affects women. Here’s what Tracy covers in detail: What ADHD can look like in real women. Tracy outlines the technical symptoms and shares how ADHD has affected her personally. Find out the 3 sub-types of ADHD to see if any of them feel familiar to you. ADHD explained, and why it’s not always a negative. This is so important and not discussed enough! Why traits aren’t the same in all people and why it varies and a big reason why most women have not been diagnosed. ADHD is heritable, but it doesn’t always show up the same way. Find out why (related) people who are diagnosed can have much different symptoms. Learn what qualifies for a diagnosis as explained in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) There are 18 symptoms, 9 focused on inattention and 9 focused on hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These were developed for diagnosing children. Learn what the 9 traits are for adults according to the work done by Russell Barkley. Understanding how a diagnosis is determined and the differences between how symptoms show up when you were a child and now as an adult. Note: Every ADHD brain is wired differently so symptoms may show up in a variety of ways. Tracy outlines 43 general symptoms. You may resonate with many of these – but some may not apply to you at all. Tracy covers 24 positive symptoms of ADHD. This is the part that is seldom covered but they should be! Find out why exercise is so good for our brains – and why many with ADHD exercise regularly. What resonated with you? Is there something that affects you that wasn’t mentioned? I’d love to know so we can all understand the unique ways that ADHD impacts women. Experts Tracy Mentions: Contact Tracy: Tracy@TracyOtsuka.com

This podcast is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life suddenly made perfect sense but all I heard about was everything that my ADHD brain SHOULD be struggling with when in fact I would come to learn that my ADHD is responsible for some of my greatest superpowers.