Translating ADHD

Emotions are key to driving beliefs and behaviors. They also play a big part in effective ADHD management. Emotions also drive big signal responses like rejection, sensitivity or imposter syndrome. Those big signal responses can really impact our ability to identify and circumvent First Barrier dilemmas. The First Barrier of ADHD is the barrier to new awareness. Emotions like blame can cloud our judgment, disrupt our own agency and take us offline down some negative emotional rabbit holes (one of our Valley experiences). Shelly and Cam look closely at blame, one emotion they see often in their new clients, and the habit of ‘blame sponging’ or taking up all of the blame in some circumstance or situation. Emotion rarely operates alone. Black and white thinking and not seeing oneself in the picture contribute to a phenomenon of assuming all of the blame or rejecting it out of hand. Shelly and Cam share tools well known to long-time Translating ADHD listeners like curiosity and Pause Disrupt Pivot. Distinguishing our own stuff from others’ stuff and determining, through collaboration and communication, the ‘stuff in the middle’ gives us some traction with what once was a very slippery slope. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher, Dusty and Cam For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

This episode is a rebroadcast. Dusty has handpicked episodes from the archive to air while she and Ash are on their annual summer break. New episodes resume in September! This week, Cam and Shelly dive into the topic of grieving our past selves. As coaches, we often work with people who come to us with a new ADHD diagnosis, and with that diagnosis comes new context. With that context comes both the awareness that there are real reasons that we struggle, and the grief for our past selves as we wonder what might have been different had we known sooner that we have ADHD brains. We then discuss how grieving our past selves as ADHD adults isn't a process we go through once, but rather a process that will happen many times as we do our own understand, own, and translate work. We bring in client examples and metaphors to illustrate how and when this type of grief shows up and how listeners can recognize this grief for what it is and begin to work through it. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher, Dusty and Cam For more Translating ADHD: Visit our website: TranslatingADHD.com Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD

This episode is a rebroadcast. Dusty has handpicked episodes from the archive to air while she and Ash are on their annual summer break. New episodes resume in September! Have you ever found yourself believing that if you could just start with a "clean slate", things would be different? Today, Shelly and Cam ask our listeners to examine clean slate thinking. We look at the circumstances that compel us to want to start over and the appeal of a clean slate as an answer to complexity or overwhelm. We also dig into our own experiences to discuss the past damaging behaviors and patterns that each of us experienced in pursuit of a clean slate. Episode links + resources: Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher, Dusty and Cam For more Translating ADHD: Visit our website: TranslatingADHD.com Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD

This episode is a rebroadcast. Dusty has handpicked episodes from the archive to air while she and Ash are on their annual summer break. New episodes resume in September! Today, Cam and Shelly discuss a guiding philosophy that Shelly lives by in her own life and uses frequently with clients: Let It Be Easy. We discuss how we as adults with ADHD often get in our own way, over-complicating problems or approaching them from the wrong angle. We then give examples of how we and our clients have used this philosophy to find the "let it be easy" approach and how listeners can apply this philosophy to their own challenges. Episode links + resources: Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher, Dusty and Cam For more Translating ADHD: Visit our website: TranslatingADHD.com Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD

Ash and Dusty dive into the challenges of getting proper support for ADHD, revealing how well-intentioned help often misses the mark. They share personal stories about the frustrations of misunderstood accommodations. The duo stresses the importance of clear communication and understanding personal needs. They also discuss the emotional toll of past negative experiences and the significance of advocating for oneself. With practical tips for effective interactions, they highlight that successful support comes from mutual understanding and ongoing dialogue.

Ash and Dusty dive into the challenges of moderation for those with ADHD, exploring impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. They share personal stories on managing behaviors like alcohol and internet use. The discussion includes practical strategies, like using apps to pause impulsive actions and gradually shifting habits for better memory and productivity. They emphasize the importance of small, sustainable changes over perfection and highlight that setbacks are just part of the journey towards healthier choices.

Forgetfulness is a major hurdle for those with ADHD, causing chaos in daily life. Simple, adaptable systems can drastically improve task management. Personal stories highlight practical tools like calendars and planners that foster awareness. The importance of building a solid foundation for long-term success is emphasized over quick fixes. Coaching strategies encourage patience, accountability, and incremental progress. This ongoing journey requires curiosity and the right support to thrive.

This discussion dives into the intricacies of honesty and communication for individuals with ADHD. It highlights how impulsivity can lead to misunderstandings, while also showcasing the strength in being direct with empathy. The hosts explore emotional challenges like rejection sensitivity and the importance of positive feedback. They introduce 'radical candor' as a way to balance honesty with care in relationships, while encouraging listeners to identify their communication preferences. Ultimately, it’s about fostering deeper connections through understanding and support.

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the complexities of managing hyperfixations and hobbies as individuals with ADHD. They discuss the common experience of having interests that are “an inch deep but a mile long,” the guilt and shame surrounding inconsistent engagement or financial investment in hobbies, and the struggle to align identity with fluctuating passions. Both hosts share personal stories that highlight different patterns of engagement—from impulsively diving into new interests to learning to take smaller, manageable steps and focusing on mastery over novelty. They emphasize the importance of redefining what it means to be “into” something, allowing space for both deep commitments and casual, purpose-free enjoyment. The conversation also delves into strategies for sustaining interests, including community involvement, mentorship, and deliberately choosing to deepen existing hobbies rather than constantly starting new ones. They highlight the value of “constructive” activities that replenish energy without demanding productivity or long-term outcomes. Ultimately, Ash and Dusty encourage listeners to reject self-judgment, embrace curiosity about their current phase, and find balance between exploring new threads of interest and committing to core passions. This episode offers compassionate insights for anyone with ADHD seeking to understand and nurture their unique relationship with hobbies and identity. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Explore the intricate bond between sleep and ADHD, with insights revealing that up to 90% of individuals face sleep disorders. Discover how sleep quality significantly impacts mood and functioning. The hosts share strategies for overcoming sleep procrastination, including personalized bedtime rituals and the potential use of melatonin. They emphasize the importance of a calming environment and patience as listeners embark on improving their sleep routines. Gain practical tips tailored for neurodivergent individuals aiming for better rest.