ADHD Aha!

Rae Jacobson, a mom with ADHD, joins Laura in a heartfelt conversation about the challenges of being a mom with ADHD. They discuss navigating executive functions and emotional labor, feeling burned out, and the relief of talking with someone who understands. The episode explores the difficulties of balancing motherhood and ADHD, bedtime routines, societal pressures, and the emotional toll it takes on mothers with ADHD.

Guest Ellyce Fulmore shares her journey with ADHD and impulsive spending, leading to a pandemic-driven ADHD evaluation. Topics include struggles with daily tasks, money control vs. impulsivity, and the transformative impact of an ADHD diagnosis on self-care and finances.

ADHD coach Jaye Lin shares her journey of battling burnout and seeking an ADHD diagnosis. She discusses navigating stress, managing high academic expectations in an Asian household, and building supportive communities for women and Asians with ADHD.

Paulette Perhach, a talented author and writing coach featured in The New York Times, shares her journey with ADHD and personal finance. She discusses her concept of the 'f-off fund' and candidly reveals her struggles with impulse buying and financial chaos. Paulette reflects on her family's history with money issues and the emotional weight of the ADHD tax, emphasizing the importance of community support and self-compassion. Her story inspires listeners to confront their financial challenges with empathy and understanding.

David Flink shares his journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in 5th grade, and how he learned to 'try smarter' instead of 'try harder'. He founded Eye to Eye to improve experiences for students with learning differences and busts age-old ADHD myths with host Laura Key.

Peter Jones, a UX designer and software architect from New Hampshire, shares his enlightening journey with ADHD. He reflects on childhood experiences where adults misinterpreted his struggles as hearing issues. The discussion dives into the intricate relationship between auditory processing and ADHD, distinguishing between listening and hearing. Peter also highlights how aging can uncover previously misunderstood symptoms, and he emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s ADHD traits while advocating for better understanding and support in society.

ADHD coach Emily Weinberg discusses her struggle with analysis paralysis before being diagnosed with ADHD. She reflects on feeling lazy, mentally exhausted, balancing guilt and relaxation during post-childbirth pumping sessions, embracing her ADHD diagnosis despite not fitting the stereotype, and transitioning to become an ADHD coach to empower others.

Carol Blumenstein, a former unteachable student with ADHD and dyslexia, shares her journey of overcoming reading anxiety and becoming a motivated individual. She discusses the challenges of having both ADHD and dyslexia, the discovery of her own diagnoses and those of her children, and the inspiration and work of Kids Read to Kids. The organization provides free video audiobooks read by kids for kids, creating resources to support children's learning and parents.

Ernest Anemone, actor and executive coach, shares his personal journey with ADHD. He discusses the lack of control and shame associated with executive dysfunction and challenges the idea of ADHD being an attention 'deficit'. Ernie also explores his self-perception, the power of storytelling, and creating connections through film.

Journalist and writer Hannah Harris Green shares her ADHD diagnosis story and discusses the overlapping symptoms of ADHD and PTSD. She delves into the challenges of transitioning to high school, navigating the ADHD label, and the emotional aspect of being evaluated for ADHD. Hannah highlights the importance of stability, access to resources, and a full evaluation before starting medication on the journey to diagnosis and relief.