Margaux Joffe, a board-certified cognitive specialist and advocate for neurodiversity, shares her enlightening journey about living with ADHD. She reveals her eye-opening experience of sensory overload at IKEA that led to her diagnosis at age 29. Margaux discusses the challenges of undiagnosed ADHD, particularly anxiety in women, and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in the workplace. Her insightful perspective on justice sensitivity offers a fresh view on the unique strengths of women with ADHD, inspiring others to embrace their differences.

Dan McCoy understood better his mood swings, fear of rejection, and hyperfocus when he was diagnosed with ADHD last year. He got an ADHD evaluation after reading an article his brother wrote about being on the autism spectrum. Dan is a comedy writer who’s won two Emmy awards for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He also co-hosts the movie podcast, The Flop House. Dan explains how comedy writing can be exposure therapy for rejection, and how he’s coping with managing emotions. Related resourcesADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)ADHD and mood swingsDan’s podcast, The Flop HouseTimestamps(01:24) Dan’s recent ADHD diagnosis(03:55) Recognizing emotions and burnout from masking(06:40) The “Boom Bust” ADHD energy cycle(08:05) Would it have been helpful to have an ADHD diagnosis as a child?(11:26) Rejection sensitivity and comedy writing(15:32) Does ADHD make you funny?(19:34) Are people considerate of ADHD characteristics?(22:34) What is Dan working on?For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on UnderstoodWant to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Cate Osborn, a sex educator and host of "Sorry, I Missed This," joins to discuss how ADHD reshapes intimacy and communication. She shares insights on executive function challenges affecting relationships and highlights the nuances of consent and rejection sensitivity. Cate explains that for many, 'sex is a task' and offers strategies for navigating impulsivity in romantic settings. Listeners will appreciate her candid anecdotes and the importance of using clear communication to foster intimacy in neurodivergent couples.

Zoe Plotnick, a dedicated teacher, shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and uncovers her family's hidden battles with the condition. She reflects on her childhood experience of feeling misunderstood and the generational stigma associated with ADHD. Zoe also discusses her role as an advocate for her daughter, who faced a similar diagnosis at the same age Zoe did. Their candid conversation sheds light on the importance of breaking the cycle of masking and shame surrounding ADHD in families.

Julianna Broadwater, an administrative business partner, shares her enlightening journey navigating ADHD and OCD misdiagnosis. She reveals her initial resistance to ADHD, stemming from her past diagnosis of OCD and societal pressures. After trying ADHD medication during the pandemic, Julianna experienced a transformative shift in her thinking. Intrusive thoughts that once overwhelmed her became manageable. Her story highlights the complexities surrounding ADHD and the importance of self-acceptance in overcoming mental health challenges.

In this conversation, Jared Robson, a stay-at-home dad and college student with a 4.0 GPA, shares his rollercoaster journey with ADHD. He talks about feeling defeated by failure in school, shifting between high schools, and how socioeconomic status played a role in his education. Jared reflects on his transition to online learning during the pandemic and the importance of finding stillness in his life. He also discusses shifting perceptions of success and the significance of community and self-acceptance in navigating ADHD challenges.

After Samantha Hiew had her second child at age 40, hormonal changes shed light on her ADHD symptoms. She was diagnosed with ADHD and, later, autism. Sam talks about her experience with AuDHD, including regulating emotions and sensory meltdowns. Sam also talks about her multicultural experience and the importance of community when you have ADHD. Sam is a social entrepreneur, scientist, and advocate. She’s also the founder and director of ADHD Girls, an award-winning social impact organization that helps neurodivergent girls succeed.Related resourcesWhat is AuDHD?A guide to hormones and ADHDadhdgirls.co.ukSam’s personal website, samanthahiew.comTimestamps(01:21) What is ADHD Girls?(02:59) Why was Sam questioning if she had ADHD?(06:42) Sam’s multicultural experience with ADHD(10:12) Sam’s ADHD symptoms(12:04) Having both ADHD and autism(14:32) Sensory meltdowns(18:12) Sam’s childhood(19:58) ADHD and hormones(26:00) Where you can find SamFor a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.orgWant to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

In school, a teacher made Rakia Reynolds push her desk all the way to the principal’s office for getting in trouble. Rakia had undiagnosed ADHD. She was energetic, creative, and the class clown. Rakia is now a businesswoman and creative leader with diagnosed ADHD — a diagnosis that she never shared publicly… until now. Hear from Rakia, the founder and executive director of Skai Blue Media, on why she shied away from talking about her ADHD until now. Did a level of success make it feel safer to talk about? And if so, what can we learn from that?  Related resourcesRakia’s company, skaibluemedia.comWhy some kids clown around in class  32 examples of workplace accommodationsTimestamps(01:41) Speaking publicly about having ADHD(07:47) Rakia’s childhood and school life(12:43) Hitting a wall in graduate school(14:36) Rakia’s “aha“ moments(16:51) ADHD strengths and weaknesses(18:53) Coping at work(21:36) How employers can create an inclusive and supportive workplaceTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Em Schulz thought they were just lazy growing up. Years later, after discovering that not everyone’s TikTok was full of ADHD tips that “weirdly work,” they realized they might have ADHD.Em is a paranormal investigator (aka ghost hunter) and co-host of the And That’s Why We Drink podcast. Em and Laura chat about ghosts and ghosting, as in ghosting relationships — a not uncommon ADHD behavior. And Em shares their take on whether people believe less in ghosts or ADHD.Related resourcesEm’s podcast website, andthatswhywedrink.com“Is ADHD real?” What experts say when people doubt ADHDADHD fact sheetTimestamps(01:32) What it’s like being a paranormal investigator(06:13) What do people believe in less: ADHD or ghosts?(07:02) Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD(10:42) Em’s pandemic diagnosis(14:02) TikTok ADHD tips that resonated with Em(15:39) How did Em’s ADHD diagnosis change their life?(16:55) What’s scary about ADHD?(18:34) Why Em became a paranormal investigator(19:33) ADHD creativity at night(20:28) Scary movies(23:43) Where you can find Em To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

If you like this show, consider making a donation this holiday season. 100% of your donation will go towards helping us create more podcasts (like this one!). Click here to make a gift today.Growing up as a Black girl with undiagnosed ADHD, Kayla Sanders learned very early that getting into trouble was not an option. Kayla was imaginative, playful, and extremely bright. She was also hyperactive, which was occasionally mistaken for disobedience. One incident in particular in the first grade left a lasting mark on Kayla. From then on out, Kayla did everything she could to avoid causing trouble for her hard-working, loving mom. She pushed down her hyperactivity and masked her symptoms for years. Then, during the pandemic, Kayla was finally diagnosed with ADHD.  Join Kayla and host Laura Key’s chat on ADHD and masking, and the added pressure that comes from racial bias.Related resourcesTo be Black in America with a learning disabilityBias in school discipline: When the teacher says your child is “acting out”, from Opportunity GapADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)Timestamps(01:10) Kayla’s pandemic ADHD diagnosis story(06:53) Kayla’s childhood behavior(09:45) The pressure to mask ADHD as a Black woman(13:56) Covering up “mistakes” in the classroom(15:35) Kayla’s relationship with her mom(20:11) Cultural masking, and the intersection of ADHD and race To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give