ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy  here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___What if your doctor could prescribe a fishing group instead of another medication? A birdwatching club for your anxiety. An art class for your depression. Welcome to social prescribing—a healthcare movement that's changing how we think about healing by focusing on connection, not just pills.Julia Hotz is a journalist and author of The Connection Cure, the first book to explore the science behind social prescribing. As someone who recognizes herself in ADHD symptoms—the scattered attention, the 10,000 browser tabs, the plates left out for days—she's discovered something fascinating: when do we feel our symptoms the least?In this conversation, Julia and Tracy dive into why ADHD brains are particularly sensitive to loneliness and disconnection, and how social prescriptions can be game-changing. From Dave's fishing group that helped him overcome addiction and ADHD symptoms, to forest bathing backed by Japanese research, to bibliotherapy that eases anxiety, Julia shares real examples of how connection-based healing works.They explore attention restoration theory, why 20 minutes in nature can work as well as Ritalin, and how moving from "what's wrong with you" to "what matters to you" can transform everything. Julia shows us how giving our brains what they actually need—connection, nature, purpose—can help us thrive alongside traditional treatments.Resources: Website: https://www.hotzthoughts.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotzthoughtsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-hotz-06510161 Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://tracyotsuka.com/aok Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/classUnlock your best days with Blends: https://tracyotsuka.com/blends

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy  here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Nobody prepares you for ADHD pregnancy brain. Decisions become impossible when choosing between 200 strollers for a baby you've never met, how appointments can completely derail your routine, and focus. The brain fog that hits like a wall, or the surprising clarity that some women experience when hormones align just right with their neurodivergent wiring.Dr. Kalin Johnson is back, and this time she's sharing what she learned from experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood with ADHD firsthand. Diagnosed with ADHD, autism, PTSD, and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in adulthood, Kalin recently welcomed her daughter Indie Rue—and discovered just how much the medical system doesn't prepare ADHD women for this journey.In this episode, Tracy and Kalin explore the hormonal rollercoaster of each trimester, why some ADHD women experience incredible focus during pregnancy while others struggle with brain fog, and how conditions like MCAS, dysautonomia, and hypermobility intersect with ADHD. They dive deep into medication decisions, the realities of postpartum life, and why being kinder to yourself isn't optional—it's essential for being the parent you want to be.Whether you're thinking about pregnancy, currently pregnant, or supporting someone who is, this conversation will give you the real talk nobody else is having—and the science to back it up.Resources:Website: https://www.kalinjohnson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalinpharmd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalin-johnsonpharmd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@queensoftheneuroverse?si=kuneU-Fcnz1Ea2RI&sub_confirmation=1  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LqfhlyNcPLo1CmJXGJvEw Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://tracyotsuka.com/aok Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/classUnlock your best days with Blends: https://tracyotsuka.com/blends

Vanessa Gorelkin, a licensed therapist and executive coach, specializes in helping ADHD women find clarity and stability. In this discussion, she introduces Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a game-changer for emotional dysregulation. Vanessa explains how our brains' 'manager' and 'firefighter' parts operate, offering strategies to reduce shame. The conversation emphasizes the importance of compassion over harsh self-criticism, and how understanding our internal parts can foster self-acceptance and emotional balance. Join them for practical tips to thrive!

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy  here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___How do you thrive in one of the most demanding industries in the world, while quietly navigating ADHD the whole time?Nancy Shapiro spent 33 years as a senior executive at the Recording Academy, home of the GRAMMYs, where she led all twelve regional chapters and built groundbreaking programs that changed the face of music education and artist development. But behind the scenes, she was often working twice as hard to manage distraction, emotional intensity, and the quiet self-doubt that comes with an undiagnosed ADHD brain.In this conversation, Nancy and Tracy discuss drive, resilience, and the unique energy ADHD women bring to leadership. Nancy shares how she built a legacy in the music industry while masking for decades, what changed after her diagnosis, and why executive coaching has become a new mission in this chapter of her life. She opens up about perfectionism, relationships, the power of creative instinct, and how women like us can channel our intensity without burning out.They also explore how ADHD can both fuel ambition and quietly sabotage it—and what happens when women finally stop performing and start living in alignment with how they’re wired. Nancy’s story is about more than music. It’s about identity, reinvention, and finally giving yourself the grace you’ve always given everyone else.Whether you’re in the music world or not, Nancy’s story is a powerful reminder that ADHD doesn’t disqualify you from success—it’s part of what makes your brilliance so undeniable.Resources:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-shapiro-741255218 Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://tracyotsuka.com/aok Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/classUnlock your best days with Blends: https://tracyotsuka.com/blends

Dr. Lorre Laws, a bestselling author and integrative nursing professor, discusses the complex relationship between trauma and ADHD, especially for high-functioning women. She emphasizes that you can't out-organize trauma or burnout, but healing begins with awareness and simple practices like breathwork. Lorre shares her personal journey of connecting trauma to ADHD and offers compassionate tools for emotional regulation. The conversation also highlights the importance of community support and embracing ADHD strengths in the healing process.

Vickie Howell, a creative force in the modern craft movement and founder of Stitchwell Social Club, shares her journey of self-discovery through crafting after being diagnosed with ADHD at 51. She explains how fiber arts became a critical tool for focus and emotional regulation. The conversation dives into the underestimated mental health benefits of crafting, the societal perceptions of creativity, and the importance of building a community around shared challenges. Vickie also addresses imposter syndrome and the need for recognition of ADHD strengths, particularly among women.

Jessica Michelle Singleton, a no-filter comedian and podcast host, shares her journey navigating life with ADHD. She discusses how her chaotic upbringing fueled her comedic talent and resilience. Diagnosed in college, Jessica reveals how perfectionism nearly derailed her career. The conversation dives into the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD in the comedy scene, family dynamics, and the power of embracing one's 'too much' personality. Her story is a hilarious and empowering reminder of the strength found in authenticity.

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___What happens when the thing you thought wasn’t for you, like meditation, turns out to be exactly what your brain needed?Kelly Smith is a meditation teacher, yoga instructor, podcast host, and the creator of Mindful in Minutes, which has guided over 23 million meditations to date. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, Kelly grew up feeling like she didn’t quite fit anywhere. School was a struggle, friendships were hard, and her self-esteem took a major hit. But everything began to shift when, at just 16, she discovered yoga and mindfulness as a way to support her mom through breast cancer and to reconnect with herself.In this episode, Kelly and Tracy talk about why traditional meditation advice often fails ADHD women and what actually works instead. Kelly shares her unique approach to building a sustainable meditation practice that doesn’t require perfection or stillness. Sometimes it just takes a few moments of self-awareness to create a real shift. They talk about creative batching, emotional regulation, her color-coded systems, and why walking without your phone might be more powerful than you think.Whether you’re curious about meditation, skeptical of mindfulness, or simply looking for a way to feel more grounded, this episode offers a fresh and practical take. It’s about finding calm in ways that work with your brain, and creating space to come back to yourself.Resources:Website: https://www.yogaforyouonline.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforyouonlinePodcast: Mindfulness in Minutes MeditationYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindfulinminutes Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://tracyotsuka.com/aok Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/classUnlock your best days with Blends: https://tracyotsuka.com/blends

Latrice Prater, a Navy veteran and founder of the Digital Solutions Team, shares her inspiring journey as an ADHD entrepreneur. After her diagnosis in her 30s, she pivoted from traditional careers to build a neurodivergent-friendly agency. Latrice discusses the pitfalls of cookie-cutter business strategies and the importance of creating systems that embrace one's unique brain. She opens up about motherhood, burnout, and the liberation she found in automating tasks, showcasing how understanding ADHD can empower women to thrive in their businesses.

Elizabeth Elfenbein, a creative powerhouse and founder of Under the Sisterhood, shares her transformative journey. She discusses how her late ADHD diagnosis shaped her understanding of creativity and fulfillment. Elizabeth emphasizes pursuing one's passions and leveraging the unique strengths of an ADHD brain for innovation. The conversation touches on parenting ADHD children, the need for supportive environments, and the importance of self-care practices like meditation. She inspires listeners to embrace their authentic selves and redefine success.