ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka cover image

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Latest episodes

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Apr 2, 2025 • 58min

EP. 326: How Lizzie Smiley Built an Etsy Empire

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 a self-taught, multi-passionate entrepreneur builds a six-figure Etsy business from scratch—while homeschooling on a farm and running multiple income streams? You get Lizzie Smiley.Known for her hot-mess mom humor and contagious high energy, Lizzie is the host of How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy, where she helps creative entrepreneurs build thriving online businesses. But behind the success is a story many ADHD women will find deeply familiar: years of self-doubt, people-pleasing, and the constant feeling of being “too much.” In this conversation, Lizzie opens up about her late realization that she likely has ADHD, how it shows up in her personal and professional life, and the mindset tools that help her stay grounded amidst the chaos.Tracy and Lizzie dive into everything from hyperfocus and imposter syndrome to business pivots, family dynamics, and anxiety spirals. Lizzie also shares how delegating, tapping into joy, and leaning on her strengths helped her 10x her income—and build a life that works with her brain, not against it. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing too much and still not enough, this one’s for you.Resources:Website:  https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smiley_lizzie How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy Podcast: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/podcast 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/bookJoin Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aokVisit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.comJoin 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends
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Mar 26, 2025 • 48min

EP. 325: Kate Anthony on Divorce, Safety, and Reclaiming Your Life

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___________For many ADHD women, relationships can be complicated—especially when navigating emotional intensity, executive dysfunction, and the feeling that something just isn’t right. Kate Anthony, host of the Divorce Survival Guide Podcast and author of The D Word, joins Tracy to talk about what it means to reclaim your agency, especially when you’ve spent years feeling like you’re the problem.Kate shares her story of growing up undiagnosed, struggling in traditional learning environments, and always feeling like she was “bad at school”—until her son’s diagnosis helped her connect the dots in her own life. The discovery gave her a new lens of self-compassion and helped her understand why experiential learning worked when academic structures didn’t. Now, as a divorce coach and certified domestic violence advocate, Kate helps women—especially mothers—do the deep personal work of deciding whether to stay in or leave their marriages, with an approach grounded in self-knowledge, clarity, and safety.Kate and Tracy also explore how ADHD shows up in relationships: the dopamine-seeking behavior, the impulse to over-function, and the toll of living beneath your potential. They talk about how abuse can be subtle and confusing—especially for ADHD women who are naturally empathetic, people-pleasing, or used to masking—and why working on yourself is essential before making big relationship decisions. This episode is a powerful listen for anyone stuck in the question: Should I stay or should I go?Resources:Website: https://kateanthony.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedivorcesurvivalguide Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/YourDivorceSurvivalGuide 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/bookJoin Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aokVisit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.comJoin 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends
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Mar 19, 2025 • 57min

EP. 324: Rejection-Proof: How ADHD Brains Can Turn ‘No’ Into ‘Next’

Join Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of My Rejection Story, as she unpacks her journey with ADHD and rejection. Diagnosed in adulthood, Alice shares how she transformed her fear of rejection into a strategic advantage by aiming for 100 rejections in a year. She discusses the emotional weight of rejection, especially for those with ADHD, and how storytelling can be a superpower. Plus, learn how to rewire your mindset and embrace failure as a stepping stone to success for women entrepreneurs.
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Mar 12, 2025 • 54min

EP. 323: Cas Aarssen: What’s Your Organizing Style?

Cas Aarssen, a self-proclaimed 'super slob' turned organizing expert, shares her journey from chaos to clarity. After a late ADHD diagnosis at 40, she developed the Clutterbug® Organizing Philosophy, identifying four unique organizing styles that cater to individual brains. She discusses the struggles with clutter tied to ADHD and decision fatigue, offering practical organizing hacks that work. With a passion for helping others, she emphasizes that one-size-fits-all organization is a myth and shares her mission to transform homes without shame.
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9 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 51min

EP. 322: Loud, Intuitive & Learning to Regulate with Chelsea Kunz

Chelsea Kunz, an actor, creator, and the hilarious mind behind 'Karen Disapproves,' shares her candid journey with ADHD. Growing up as the youngest of ten, she learned to embrace her loud and funny side, even as she navigated impulsivity and focus challenges. Chelsea discusses her chaotic upbringing, emotional sensitivity, and the overwhelming struggles of motherhood that led her to seek an ADHD diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of creative outlets and balancing big ideas with everyday life, offering relatable insights for fellow ADHDers.
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10 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 60min

EP. 321: Unpacking Procrastination, Clutter, and Perfectionism with Dr. Christine Li

In this discussion, Dr. Christine Li, a clinical psychologist known as The Procrastination Coach, shares her decades of experience helping individuals tackle procrastination, clutter, and perfectionism. She delves into the complex emotional ties to possessions, shedding light on how ADHD can exacerbate these struggles. Christine emphasizes the power of small, daily actions to boost productivity and offers actionable strategies to lighten the load of procrastination. Her insights aim to inspire listeners to embrace their unique traits and regain control of their lives.
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Feb 19, 2025 • 56min

EP. 320: It’s Never Too Late: Reinventing Life with Emily Ransdell

Emily Ransdell, a former tech marketer turned published poet and creative writing instructor, shares her inspiring journey of reinvention after retiring at 59. Diagnosed with ADHD in her 60s, she discusses the impact of unrecognized struggles throughout her life. Emily's transition to a creative career exemplifies that it's never too late to pursue your passions. She emphasizes the power of community and self-acceptance, revealing how her ADHD enhances her creative process and healing, proving that age is just a number when it comes to following your dreams.
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Feb 11, 2025 • 1h

EP. 319: Ditch the Clutter, Grandma!

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__Most people don’t think of ADHD and aging in the same sentence, but what happens when someone reaches their 60s, 70s, or beyond—never knowing they had ADHD in the first place? Jami Shapiro is tackling that question head-on. As the founder of Silver Linings, she helps seniors navigate major life changes like downsizing and moving. But her journey into ADHD advocacy became personal when she realized ADHD had been running through her family for generations—including her parents, two of her three children, and herself.Jami was diagnosed with ADHD at 45, after her child’s evaluation led to an unexpected realization: she had more “yes” answers on the ADHD questionnaire than they did. Suddenly, the struggles she’d faced—talking too much in class, procrastinating on big projects, feeling scattered while juggling work and family—made sense. But the biggest lightbulb moment came when she recognized the same patterns in her aging mother. Her discovery led her to create Grandma Has ADHD, a podcast and platform dedicated to shedding light on undiagnosed ADHD in seniors and helping families navigate it with understanding and support.In this conversation, Jami shares her own diagnosis story, what it’s like to build a business with ADHD, and why the senior community desperately needs more awareness around neurodiversity. She also offers practical advice on managing life transitions—whether it’s decluttering, right-sizing a home, or setting up systems that actually work for ADHD brains. If you’ve ever wondered how ADHD plays out in later years—or how to support an aging parent who might have it—this episode is an eye-opener.Resources:Website: https://silverliningstransitions.com/ Website: http://grandmahasadhd.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverliningstransitions/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverliningstransitions/ 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/bookJoin Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aokVisit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.comJoin 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://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends
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8 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 9min

EP. 318: Brittany Madrid Mogenson: The ADHD Brain Behind BZenTV

Brittany Madrid Mogenson, a dynamic TV host and executive producer of BZenTV, shares her inspiring journey from struggling with dyscalculia and ADHD in school to thriving in a fast-paced media career. She discusses how her curiosity and adaptability became assets in sports reporting and acting. Facing rejection in the entertainment industry, Brittany emphasizes resilience and the importance of embracing one's unique strengths. With tales of dogs and the power of philosophy in shaping her critical thinking, she encourages others to love their ADHD brain.
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Jan 29, 2025 • 51min

EP. 317: ADHD, Addiction, and Advocacy: Jennifer’s Inspiring Story

Jennifer Nicole Schmitz shares her inspiring journey from addiction to advocacy while pursuing a psychology degree. She discusses how generational trauma intertwines with ADHD and the impact of misdiagnosis. Jennifer highlights her struggles with self-worth and emotional turmoil in her early years, plus the pivotal moments that led her to sobriety. She offers coping strategies for managing ADHD, emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, and advocates for women and young girls facing similar challenges.

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