ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___I'm sure you've heard me say a million times that our best purposes give meaning to our past, we become incredible teachers when we're driven by passion and personal connection. My guest in this episode, Dr. Susan Varaghese, knows firsthand just how important that personal connection is for living her purpose.Dr. Varghese is a General Practitioner and Family Physician who first discovered she has ADHD when perimenopause started to wreak havoc on her previously manageable symptoms. As far as Susan could tell, no one in the medical community was talking about how much perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate the mental and physical symptoms of ADHD, so, being the leader she is, she decided to do it herself.Join me this episode for an insightful conversation with the incredible Dr. Susan Varghese, where she breaks down the role estrogen plays in our ADHD symptoms, the overlaps between ADHD and menopause (some of which even surprised me!), and so much more.______________Resources:Instagram: @drsusanvargheseWebsite: www.drsusanvarghese.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Author Andrea Owen discusses embracing 'too-muchness' and empowering women with ADHD. They explore people-pleasing, taking up space emotionally and vocally, and self-compassion. The conversation delves into recognizing ADHD in successful women, embracing unique traits, navigating self-worth and symptoms, and reclaiming self-worth through feminist realizations.

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Well before I was diagnosed with ADHD I was using exercise as a form of self-medication; it's a way to start the day out right and it helps me to think more clearly and work off my excess energy. All my life I've known that exercise helps with focus and self-regulation, but I was curious to find out why that is. After all, if we know the 'why' behind something, we're much more likely to do it.In this episode I break down some of the research into why exercise has such a huge impact on the ADHD brain, the connection between exercise and learning, and the importance of finding a form of movement you enjoy.Incorporating exercise into my daily routine has been the key to managing my ADHD, which is why if you were to choose only one goal to focus on for 2022 I believe it should be this: find a way to move that generates positive emotion and just focus on that. There is no brain function that exercise doesn't affect in a positive way. When you're exercising you are literally growing your brain, and if that's not motivation to exercise more, I don't know what is.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Like many ADHDers, I hate doing the same things everyone else is doing, and New Year's resolutions are at the top of that list. A few years ago, instead of writing out a long list of unrealistic goals (and then losing that list a couple of days later), I started choosing one word and one word only to set the intention for my new year. Each year my word sums up who I want to be, it's my compass when making decisions, and it shapes not only my year, but it shapes me as a person.Using a single word to guide my decision-making changed me in more ways than I ever could've imagined; in fact, this podcast never would've started if I hadn't chosen 'nervy' as my first word back in 2018.Join me in this episode for some ideas on brainstorming your own word of the year, tips on how to use your word as your compass, and I'll tell you my new word for 2022! Setting an intention for the year using a single word has had a huge impact on my life and I think it'll have a huge impact on yours too.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Can you tell that dyslexia is my current hyper-focus? This will be the last episode on the subject for a while (I promise!) but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to speak with my extraordinary guest today, Jennifer Knopf. Jen is the Founding Director of REED Charitable Foundation, which is committed to putting an end to the literacy crisis and ensuring all children learn to read, write, and spell by providing financially accessible, best-in-class structure literacy training - known as Orton-Gillingham - to all teachers.Jen first learned about dyslexia when her son Reed was diagnosed after a long, emotional struggle to figure out why reading was so difficult for him. As she dove deep into the research to find her son the right kind of intervention, Jen discovered there was a literacy training program that was not only ideal for dyslexic students but also the best instruction for all kids learning to read, only for some reason it was not being used in schools. Ever since this discovery, Jen has made it her mission to provide this literacy training to as many teachers as she possibly can, something she knows firsthand has the power to transform lives. In the process, she discovered not only her son's ADHD but also her own ADHD. Join our conversation to hear about Jen's inspiring story, the incredible work of her foundation, and much more.______________Resources:Foundation website: REEDcharitablefoundation.orgInstagram: @reedcharitablefoundationEmail address: info@reedcharitablefoundation.orgSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___I've wanted to talk about navigating ADHD emotions for a while now, but like many other great topics, it has sat untouched on my list, waiting for the perfect guest. When I read the incredible book 'Your Brain is Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD' by Dr. Tamara Rosier, I not only immediately added it to the ADHD for Smart Ass Women book list, but I also knew I had to have Tamara on the podcast.Dr. Tamara Rosier is the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she leads a team of coaches, therapists, and speech pathologists to help individuals, parents, and families develop an understanding and learn effective skills to live with ADHD effectively. Tamara has gained an impressive amount of knowledge from working with ADHDers and those who support them across a variety of settings, but just as importantly, she explains complex topics like divergent vs. convergent thinking in a way that sticks in my brain. The analogies she uses in the book and during our conversation are brilliant; among many others, Tamara likens the neurotypical brain to a pleasant butler and the ADHD brain to an angry neighbor. It's simple and made me laugh and explains in real-world language how the prefrontal cortex and limbic system impact our brain's ability to function.We'll also talk about the role anxiety and emotion play in our motivation, and why it's critical to work on our emotions before introducing executive function strategies!You won't want to miss this insightful and laughter-filled conversation.______________Resources:Instagram: @dr.tamararosierBook website: tamararosier.comADHD Center website: miadhd.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Here's the text formatted properly:Ever since we discovered that my son Markus has dyslexia--a diagnosis he now wears with pride--I've been on a mission to talk to everyone I can about ADHD and dyslexia, which is exactly why I wanted to have a conversation with my guest this episode, the incredible Melanie Florsheim.Melanie Florsheim is an ADHD Family Life Coach, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist in Texas. She has dyslexia and ADHD herself, which gives her a deep connection to her work and allows her to relate to her students and clients on a personal level. Melanie knows firsthand just how life-changing dyslexia therapy can be, so, like me, she's also on a mission to increase awareness about the high co-morbidity rate between ADHD and dyslexia and encourages people to look deeper if they feel something else may be going on beyond ADHD.Join us as Melanie provides a comprehensive overview of what dyslexia is, gives some signs of dyslexia to look for even before children hit reading age, and explains how dyslexia therapy can rewire the circuitry of the brain and increase language processing speed. As for whether adults with dyslexia can benefit from dyslexia therapy, Melanie says, "The plasticity of the brain is a real deal, so there's no age limit in teaching your brain how to read, write, and spell, how to re-circuit your brain to do it better."______________Resources:Instagram: @melanieflorsheim1Website: gatewaygrowth.netEmail: Melanie@gatewaygrowth.netSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___It's December 1st - the start of the holiday season - and WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE is that in this season of light and laughter there are a lot of people who aren't feeling holly or jolly.This is exactly why I'm inviting YOU to join me in giving 29 gifts in 29 days.It's more difficult for us Smart Ass ADHD women to get out from under the overwhelming pile of gift lists, cookie making, and magic creating.We need something to help us change course.Enter the 29 Gifts Challenge (based on the book by Cami Walker).Beginning today, I'm going to give away a gift every day for the next 29 days and I want you to join me! The more Smart Ass ADHD Women who get on this giving train, the more fun it will be!I know you have a list that rival's Santa's, but these gifts are different.The gift can be a compliment given, a phone call to someone you haven't talked to in a while, time volunteered, a thank you note written.The only "rules" are that it must be INTENTIONAL, and you have to WRITE IT DOWN (putting it in the comments counts!).The 29-day prescription also involves noticing the gifts that you receive from others every day.You can keep track of the gifts you give and the gifts you receive in our 29-day journal. Download it atWhat we focus on gets BIGGER, so let's focus on JOY, GRATITUDE, & MEANING.Are you in?So we can see each other's generosity in action, be sure to:Tag me in or on myUse #29SmartAssGiftsI'm going to be highlighting some of your gifts in my stories over the next 29 days!Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Here's the text formatted properly:No matter how much we learn about our ADHD, there is always somehow more to uncover. One of my personal ADHD blind spots has always been social skills; for some reason, I was convinced that I didn't have any difficulties with social skills and had escaped this ADHD trait. That is, until social skills expert and my guest this episode, the wonderful Caroline Maguire, brought me back down to Earth when she told me the areas of social intelligence that she likes to talk about and I realized I actually struggle with every single one. Who knew!Luckily, Caroline is the founder of a revolutionary social-emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults, so she came ready with some helpful insights on why we struggle with things like giving TMI and hating small talk and what we can do about it while remaining true to ourselves. Her work may be designed for children--her book Why Will No One Play With Me? was awarded Best Family and Parenting book of 2020--but all of her concepts and learning materials are just as applicable to adults. In her words, "It's all the same dilemma, it's just whether or not you're 5 and you can't articulate it or you're 60 and you know darn well what's going on."Caroline doesn't want us to change or hide who we are, rather, her goal is to help ADHDers of all ages learn how to be present in each moment in order to demonstrate the greatness that we all possess.______________Resources:Instagram: @authorcarolinemNew seminar starting Dec 7th: Adults with ADHD Social Skills Training: How to Get Along with Everyone carolinemaguireauthor.comFree download: Calming Intrusive Thoughts at carolinemaguireauthor.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___The role of motherhood constantly shifts as our children grow up and move through different stages of life, and then when they leave the nest that shift becomes more like a giant leap. My guest in this episode, the wonderful Patricia Sung, has two young children who are still very much "in the nest." Patricia reached out to me with an interesting question that I knew had to become the topic for our conversation: "When you're looking back and your kids are out of the house, what really mattered?"Patricia is a podcaster herself and her work is aimed at helping other ADHD mothers get their "crap" together (as she puts it). She has built a supportive community of women, something she says has been integral to her own motherhood journey. Join us as we chat about our different perspectives on parenthood and Patricia shares her thoughts on how to let go of perfectionism and start seeing ourselves as the amazing mothers we already are.______________Resources:Instagram: @motherhoodinadhdWebsite (with free resources): motherhoodinadhd.comCourses: ADHD Courses for MomsSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy 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