ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

How do you build a writing life when your brain refuses to follow rules? For Paulette Perhach, the answer has always been a mix of creativity, structure, and compassion.Paulette is an award-winning author, writing coach, and creator of the Writer’s Mission Control Center and Finishing School for Writers. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vox, Glamour, The Washington Post, and Cosmopolitan. But before all that, she was a gifted kid with a brain full of ideas—and no clue why some things came so easily while others felt impossible.In this conversation, Paulette shares how growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and without financial resources—shaped her writing path, her self-image, and her relationship with money. She talks with Tracy about the emotional cost of feeling "less than," the unpredictability of social energy, and how finding a creative community changed everything. Diagnosed in adulthood, she finally began to understand the why behind her chaos and built systems that helped her move from intention to execution.Paulette also breaks down her FINISH framework, a six-part approach to help ADHD writers build structure, create momentum, and finally complete the work they care about. She shares how she bootstrapped her own software tool to support writers like her, and why creating spaces that center neurodivergent needs isn't just helpful—it's transformative.Whether you're a creative with too many ideas or someone still trying to trust your voice, Paulette’s story will make you feel seen, inspired, and ready to try again, with a little more self-compassion this time.Resources:Website: https://www.pauletteperhach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulette-perhach-23b12832 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulettejperhach X: https://x.com/pauletteperhachSend 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

In this enlightening conversation, Julie Jancius, known as The Angel Medium, shares her journey as a spiritual teacher and best-selling author with ADHD. She discusses how intuition can be harnessed as a superpower for those with ADHD, emphasizing the deep emotional and empathic abilities that come with it. Julie reflects on her personal experiences with traditional ADHD solutions and shares how energy healing transformed her life. The duo also explores breaking cycles, fostering creativity, and embracing authenticity—all while advocating for the power of listening to one's internal compass.

Nicole Stanley, a financial coach and founder of Arise Financial Coaching, shares her journey of transforming her relationship with money after being diagnosed with ADHD. She discusses how traditional money management methods often fail those with ADHD and emphasizes the importance of compassion and simplicity in financial strategies. Nicole illustrates how embracing ADHD traits can lead to financial empowerment. The conversation touches on overcoming shame, improving mental health through financial stability, and designing personalized systems that honor ADHD strengths.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.