ADHD reWired

Join the ADHD reWired Podcast Family every second Tuesday of the month for a Live Q&A! In this Q&A episode, you’ll hear Eric, Barb, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, and Roxie answer your ADHD-related questions! Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens with Moira Maybin Don't Forget These, Too: — Support the show by becoming a Patron! — Get your name on the waitlist to join the spring season of ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups — Join your ADHD-friendly co-working space! — Join Eric, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, Kat, and Lisa for an hour of Live Q&A on Zoom, every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm Central (10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern)

In this episode, Eric is joined by Danielle, a fresh graduate as of spring 2021. She has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and was very recently diagnosed with ADHD. She has learned a lot about herself after receiving her diagnosis, especially after listening to ADHD reWired’s podcast. She felt some imposter syndrome after receiving her diagnosis, but has fully embraced it after learning about the symptoms and how it presents for her. In this coaching conversation, you’ll hear about Danielle’s biggest struggle with feelings of rejection while being a high-achiever, the thoughts that went through her head through the feelings of failure, and shares some of the ways she calms her mind in the midst of racing thoughts. Eric and Danielle also touch on topics of emotional regulation, uncertainty, feeling out of control, and you might even relate to some of the inner dialogue she shares throughout today’s show! Then, hear Eric and Danielle come up with a few ideas that might potentially help with some of the feelings of rejection, distorted thought patterns, and ways to pause when the mind begins to spiral.  In this Episode, you’ll hear Danielle answer some of these questions: How did you make it through your Masters degree without knowing you had ADHD? Being diagnosed with ADHD: Was it a surprise or a relief? What were some of your common struggles going through higher education? Was some of the rejection you felt  possibly driven by perfectionism?  With your new ADHD diagnosis, have old stories started to change, or do they still have a bit of emotional sting to them?  What’s the internal dialogue that’s guiding what you say and do?  Do you internalize or experience any types of feedback that leans even a little bit on the negative side? Is there something you might be able to do that you think you might enjoy that you would definitely “not be good” at?  What if you did something you felt wasn’t your best work?  If there were some patterned thoughts around the things that tend to send you in that spiral, if those patterned thoughts were like headlines, what would those headlines be?  Is there anyone you know, whether work or personally, who can give you regular feedback about something where you could also - at the same time - communicate how you’re rating yourself while you’re getting the feedback?  Is there anything else you think would help you in either handling uncertainty in certain situations, or being able to receive feedback that might be difficult to hear while being regulated?

Returning to the podcast is Kat Hoyer, a recovering HR Specialist who hosts our Career Accelerator Sessions (or CAASH+) in ADHD reWired’s Adult Study Hall Community. Get to know Kat even more in this episode, amd invite you to join us in welcoming Kat Hoyer as ADHD reWired’s newest coach to the coaching team! You’ll hear even more about Kat’s story about how she pivoted from her dream job in human resources to becoming a life and career coach, then the steps leading up to her officially joining the ADHD reWired Coaching Team.  In this Episode: So, who is Kat Hoyer? How did Kat make the transition from HR to Career Coaching to Life-Coaching?  Is Kat still involved with the HR Community? Is the perception of ADHD and Neurodiversity really shifting in the workplace? What compelled Kat to make the change to join the ADHD reWired Coaching Team? What is Kat most excited about when the spring-season of coaching groups arrives?  What values does Kat bring to coaching? What does Kat feel will be her greatest opportunities for growth?  This year, I have a word - it is “enough”. I am really working on understanding that sometimes, it’s okay to be where you are and not be pushing myself… and sometimes “enough” is where I need to live. Kat Hoyer

If you enjoyed this episode, and want more from Alejandro, check out his website: Alejandro is a mindfulness life coach and yoga instructor who first experienced the benefits of mindfulness and breathwork when he was a student at Parsons School of Design in New York City. To cope with the stress of ADHD and university, he cultivated a practice of Pranayama, an ancient form of yogic breathwork. Today, he's teaching people how to get out of their heads and into the breath by merging the Western practices of mindfulness based in self-compassion, and yogic Pranayama meditations. He studied compassionate inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté, a therapeutic approach to uncover and heal trauma in our bodies. When he's not teaching and coaching, he works as a portrait photographer in Toronto, Canada.

More Shownotes coming soon! In the meantime, get to know today's guest a little more by going to his website at In this episode, Eric is joined by ADHD reWired Coaching Group Alumni, Alejandro Santiago.  Alejandro is a mindfulness life coach and yoga instructor who first experienced the benefits of mindfulness and breathwork when he was a student at Parsons School of Design in New York City. To cope with the stress of ADHD and university, he cultivated a practice of Pranayama, an ancient form of yogic breathwork. Today, he's teaching people how to get out of their heads and into the breath by merging the Western practices of mindfulness based in self-compassion, and yogic Pranayama meditations. He studied compassionate inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté, a therapeutic approach to uncover and heal trauma in our bodies. When he's not teaching and coaching, he works as a portrait photographer in Toronto, Canada.

Join the ADHD reWired Podcast Family every second Tuesday of the month for a Live Q&A! In this Q&A episode, you’ll hear Eric, Barb, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, and Roxie answer your ADHD-related questions!  The questions you’ll here answered in this episode: (The following questions asked in the episode have been paraphrased below.)  I can’t be medicated, even for ADHD. I will have exciting things I’m involved in, then I have an episode that makes me feel rejected and I fall into a rumination dive and it takes me a while to get back up. I’m trying to find a way to catch myself sooner, get out of it sooner, so I can continue on the path towards my goal and keep my momentum going. I have started on meds and am having trouble unwinding and slowing my brain down at the end of the day. I wanted to know what your tips are for some of that. How do Time-Timers work?  Bonus: Panelists also share some of the other time-tracking tools they use!  I’m looking for tips on how to help my partner understand what ADHD is and what it isn’t. My partner is neurotypical. My partner seems to not believe ADHD is a real thing, or that it’s a crutch to misplace things. How can I get him to understand?  I was just diagnosed about two months ago. I’m navigating this new identity and trying to find my community. I’m trying to figure out how to navigate who to tell and how to know who to tell. I’ve had some conversations go surprisingly well and others not go so well. How do you handle being true to yourself while also protecting yourself?  Are there any personal assistants that understand ADHD and could help keep me accountable?  Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens with Moira Maybin coming soon - Wait, What Was the Question? with Will Curb and Coach Roxie Martin! Reach out to Will and Roxie at questions@whatwasthequestionpodcast.com  Don't Forget These, Too: — Support the show by becoming a Patron! — Get your name on the waitlist to join the fall season of ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups — Join your ADHD-friendly co-working space! — Join Eric, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, Roxie, and Barb for an hour of Live Q&A on Zoom, every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm Central (10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern)

Have you tried using all sorts of to-do and task-management apps but haven’t found ‘the one’ yet? In this episode, Eric is joined by Brittany Smith, a productivity, ADHD, and technology coach and recently published her first course, “From Aggravated to Navigated: Choosing a task-management system with ADHD”. She has a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Neuroscience lab at the University of Oregon. Brittany uses geeky pop-culture and cognitive science to help her clients and ADHD Guild members get more done with less stress.  Connect with Brittany: In this Episode: How do you do things so that you will be successful no matter which tool you choose?  With task-management apps, how do we make these things suck less? How do we choose what task-management app to use?  How do we make task-management apps a “less bad” fit for our brains so we make sure we know what we need to do? Mentioned: (Mac/iOS only)  What’s your personal style?  What should we be looking at if we are stuck in task-management-app “hopping”?  What is a great app for automating? Mentioned:   Mentioned:   Mentioned: (Mac/iOS only) Mentioned: (Mac/iOS only)  Mentioned:   Mentioned:   Mentioned: Mentioned: Honorable Mentions:   Did you know: There are built in tasks if you use Google Assistant. (The same principle applies to the Echo!)        Discover the ADHD reWired Podcast Family: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens with Moira Maybin coming soon - Wait, What Was the Question? with Will Curb and Coach Roxie Martin! Reach out to Will and Roxie at questions@whatwasthequestionpodcast.com

Here's another Blast-from-the-Past episode! From the archives, ADHD reWired rebroadcasts Episode 63, where Eric has his first interview with Dr. Russell Barkley. To find more in-depth shownotes, go to   About Dr. Russell Barkley: Renowned professor, educator, and author of numerous ADHD books and clinical manuals, Dr. Russell Barkley talks about the mechanics and ideas behind many core ADHD concepts. Ranging from executive functions, to neuroimaging, to public perception and more, Dr. Barkley shares knowledge from his extensive research and informed perspective on ADHD, breaking down its basic concepts in an understandable and approachable way.

It's a Blast-from-the-Past episode! From the archives, ADHD reWired rebroadcasts Episode 8 where Eric shares 13 tips to increase motivation!    1. Visualize what the reward is. Then put that picture in it place that you will see it frequently, and ideally in the place where you were likely to need that reminder 2. Use a star chart. Yes the show is primarily geared towards adults, and using a star chart is effective. We like infographics, we like to see the progress we are making on something. 3. Use small short-term rewards 4. Reward progress 5. Surround yourself with affirming people. 6. Exercise 7. Share it with someone 8. Create systems so you are less reliant on executive functioning. 9. Do what you love. 10. Do what you hate first 11. Talk to a doctor about medication. 12. Find a supportive accountability group 13. Learn more about ADHD.

Join the ADHD reWired Podcast Family every second Tuesday of the month for a Live Q&A! In this Q&A episode, you’ll hear Eric, Barb, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, and Roxie answer your ADHD-related questions!  What you’ll hear in this episode: What are some tips for managing ADHD and exercise post-surgery? Moira talks about her recovery process from falling off a cliff and brain injury.  Find different ways to take care of yourself.  Recovery takes time. As the weeks go by, new shiny habits fall off. Any advice for sticking to making progress on weight loss? What’s your “Why”?  Go slowly. It may be helpful to think more of what you want to add to your diet instead of what you want to take out. Start with the supermarket.  Think about the health of the gut microbiome. Also mentioned here: Make it fun and do things that make you feel good. My partner and I have ADHD and we have a young child with ADHD. While they’re too young for a diagnosis, what resources can we use, where can we start exploring, and what are habits we can start building now so they don’t have to struggle like I did? Be mindful of shame and be compassionate. “My child is not giving me a hard time, they are having a hard time.” Try your best to stay out of wor-st-case scenario thinking.  Mentioned here: Focus on connection, communication, and anxiety management.  Look at the motivation of what your child is doing instead of the outcomes. Model repairing and model owning your mistakes.  Do you have advice about disclosing ADHD in the workplace?  Mentioned here:   Don’t disclose your ADHD, do disclose what you need to be successful. Mentioned here: “Ask JAN” Mentioned here:      What are your best home-hacks?  Cleaning and decluttering are not the same thing. Take a picture of your workspace, then share it. Then, after you’ve finished cleaning, take a picture when you’re done! Mentioned here:   Keep it simple, like one load of laundry, because that is easier to start and get to “done”.  Store cleaning supplies everywhere you need them. For example, if you have more than one bathroom, keep cleaning supplies in both bathrooms. If you can, consider a cleaning service. Baskets are a great way to keep clutter contained. Don’t live alone? Split up your cleaning duties.  Start small and start cleaning for five minutes - you may be surprised how much you can get done! Gamify the cleaning! If you start cleaning and it turns out to be a project, add it to your task list and find a way you can be reminded to finish. If I am not diagnosed yet, what do I need to prepare for my ADHD evaluation to make sure my symptoms get taken seriously, especially if I did fine in school and was a gifted kid?  Have a bullet point of things you want to share with the evaluator.  It’s OK to share that you are concerned that your symptoms may not be taken seriously.  A good evaluator will ask good questions and will help you tell your story to be able to come up with a diagnosis. Mentioned here: Why has it been observed that women are more commonly misdiagnosed than men?  Is the practice of improv helpful for building skills to manage ADHD? What could this target be? Accepting “what is” and seeing what we can actually do about our situations. For example: When something unexpected happens, how do we accept that as it is, and identify what can we do and problem-solve around this?” Improv can open us to more growth-mindset thinking.  Life is not a script. Life is improv! The more we can adapt to what’s thrown at us, the better we’re going to do.  Might the practice of improv be helpful for folks with ADHD who are verbal processors? Mentioned here:   Mentioned here:   I am a single parent. My child is accident prone and has a lot of energy. After being diagnosed at 5-years old, I was forced by my child’s school to start medication. Nothing has happened. How else can I help my now 6-year old?  If you are asking how you can help your kids, you are already on the right track.  In the United States: schools are not allowed to force your kid to take medication.  Find therapists who specialize in ADHD. Keep communication open with teachers and daycares. Mentioned here: You are the best advocate for your child.   As we reflect on 2021, Eric asks:  What can you do, what do you want to do come 2022 to help rewire your ADHD beyond learning about it? What are the actions you want to take that will make the biggest difference in the lives of yourselves, of your family, where you work, and your communities?  Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens with Moira Maybin coming soon - Wait, What Was the Question? with Will Curb and Coach Roxie Martin! Reach out to Will and Roxie at questions@whatwasthequestionpodcast.com  Don't Forget These, Too: — Support the show by becoming a Patron! — Get your name on the waitlist to join the fall season of ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups — Join your ADHD-friendly co-working space! — Join Eric, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, Roxie, and Barb for an hour of Live Q&A on Zoom, every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm Central (10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern)