

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
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*I have NEVER met an ADHD woman who wasn’t truly brilliant at something! This podcast, with nearly 7 million downloads, is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. If you want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and discover where your brilliance lies, this podcast is for you!**ADHD for Smart Ass Women is globally ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent of all podcasts in the world on any subject. It’s streamed in more than 160 countries and is downloaded by more than 150,000 listeners every month. My book of the same name, published by HarperCollins/William Morrow, was recently honored by Amazon Editors as a Top 20 Best Nonfiction Book of 2024.**I’m Tracy Otsuka, your host. I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, a lifelong learner, and a certified ADHD coach. I’m on a mission to change the conversation around ADHD because I believe it’s time to focus on the strengths that come with our unique brains. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life finally made sense, yet all I read and heard about ADHD focused on what I should struggle with. What I discovered, though, was that my ADHD was responsible for some of my greatest strengths.**Another thing we constantly hear is all the success stories about ADHD men, but no one talks about the women. This podcast is here to change that. ADHD women are my people, and I’m here to acknowledge, support, and cheer them on. My experience as an adult living with ADHD, along with my expertise, is regularly sought out by top-tier media, including Bloomberg, Forbes, CBS Mornings, ABC News Live, Inc., Prevention Magazine, Verywell Mind, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast, etc.**adhdforsmartwomen.com**The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of anything you have seen or heard from Tracy Otsuka, her guests or this podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 10, 2021 • 54min
EP. 110: ADHD, Science, and Creativity with Infectious Disease and Genetics Expert, Dr. Amy Cain
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Dr. Amy Cain. Dr. Cain is a Molecular Biologist who uses genomics to study deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She completed both her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (graduating with first-class honors) and then her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Sydney, Australia. After PhD submission, she moved to Cambridge, UK, for a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (where they first sequenced the human genome!) and was awarded a prestigious fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Cain then moved to Malawi in sub-Saharan Africa to track outbreaks in hospitals, employed by the Wellcome Trust charity. Since 2018, Dr. Cain has been a Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney, having received a number of grants to develop new antibiotics and study antibiotic resistance; setting up her research group across 3 different labs. Dr. Amy Cain is also Deputy Director of the JAMS organization, a microbiology society that runs over 5 countries and she has just started a podcast called JAMSpod to spread microbiology knowledge far and wide. She loves traveling (having visited 70-odd countries so far), scuba diving, live music, and cooking.Amy shares: The circumstances surrounding her diagnosisThe ADHD symptoms that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD.Why she became an infectious disease and genetics expert?What has changed since her diagnosis, Why she loves science so much?Why she started a podcast interviewing microbiologists?Her advice to young women with ADHD.Her ADHD workarounds.What she believes the key is to living successfully with ADHD?______________Resources:Facebook: Amy CainTwitter: @flamycainThe waking up appManuka HoneySend 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

Feb 3, 2021 • 51min
EP. 109: The ADHD Artist with Sarah Gise
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Sarah Gise. Sarah is an award-nominated Chicago actor who got her BFA degree for Acting at the University of Southern California (USC). She's worked a thousand different jobs and gigs because she experiences intense FOMO (fear of missing out), so in addition to acting, she's dipped her toes into teaching, writing, directing, podcasting, bartending, and coaching. She is currently an ensemble member with the Interrobang Theatre Project and has performed in numerous shows with different companies around Chicago. Her performance in the Interrobang Theatre Project's production of the one-woman show THE AMISH PROJECT (2016) was nominated for Best Solo Performance at the 2017 Joseph Jefferson Awards.In addition to theatre, she has appeared in several web series, films, commercials, and audiobooks. Sarah currently works as an Executive Functioning Coach for Effective Artistry and is the Host/Producer of The ADHD Artist Podcast, which explores and celebrates the lives of artists with ADHD.______________Resources:Website: sarahgise05.wixsite.com@TheadhdartistpodEffectiveArtistry.comUCLA Mindfulness (the one Sarah uses every day is the first one, "Breathing Meditation" 5 min)The Headspace AppInterrobang Theatre ProjectSend 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

Jan 27, 2021 • 57min
EP. 108: Professional Organizer Judith Houlding
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy in episode 108 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Judith Houlding. Judith has been a professional organizer for 11 years. She is also an ADHD coach who has trained in "brain-based differences" and has received certification from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, Coach Approach for Organizers, and the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Judith is the mother of three adult children, two of which were diagnosed as having ADHD. She describes herself as being on the ADHD spectrum … but not quite at the tipping point. Judith understands the frustrations and struggles that the ADHD brain deals with when it comes to organization. She believes that perfection is an illusion that no organizer will ever promise you. Judith believes that, good enough is truly Good Enough!Judith shares: Her own personal story with ADHD, Why she decided to become a professional organizer, What the Institute for Challenging Disorganization does Concepts that she uses with ADHD clients to help them with organization, The questions to ask when you're trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of Organization tips and workarounds for the ADHD brain, What to start with when everything is a mess Tips on school organization.______________Resources:Website: Judith Houlding ADHD Life Coachingwww.challengingdisorganizationwww.napo.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

Jan 20, 2021 • 54min
EP. 107: From High School Dropout to College Success with Lucy Van den Heuvel
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy and her delightful guest, 18-year-old Lucy Van den Heuvel. At 16 Lucy left high school, not knowing how she was going to go forward with her education. She eventually found a college that accepted students as young as 16, and applied. In May, Lucy will graduate from Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts, where she will receive her Associates of Arts degree instead of a high school diploma. In college she is studying sustainable agriculture, and co-manages the campus farm. When she's not farming or studying, she spends her time hiking, oil painting, rock climbing, and crocheting.Today she looks at the decision to leave high school without graduating as one of the best she's ever made. Lucy shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, Her childhood symptoms, How her love of storytime got her into trouble in pre-K, Her life-long struggle with school, Her struggle with anxiety, Why she decided to drop out of high school, Why Bard college was the perfect fit for her curious brain, Her plans after graduation, What has changed since she was diagnosed, The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success?______________ Resources: Facebook: Lucy Van den HeuvelBard College at Simon's Rock 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

Jan 13, 2021 • 1h 1min
EP. 106: ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction with Edward Hallowell
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy as she breaks her women only guest rule by welcoming Dr. Edward Hallowell to Episode 106 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. If you know anything at all about ADHD you recognize Dr. Hallowell's name as the leading authority in the field of ADHD. Dr. Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, and a New York Times bestselling author. He, along with Dr. John Ratey wrote what Tracy considers to be the bible of ADHD, Driven to Distraction. Now retired from the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hallowell has been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Oprah, PBS, CNN, Today, Good Morning America, and in The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time. He is a regular columnist for ADDitude magazine, and is also the host of his weekly podcast called Distraction. Dr. Hallowell is the founder of The Hallowell Centers in Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Seattle. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and their three grown children.Dr. Hallowell shares the circumstances surrounding his ADHD diagnosis and why he and Dr. John Ratey decided to write their new book ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction. Who he wrote this book for, Why most medical professionals have ignored the strengths in ADHD for so long, His opinion on ADHD and intelligence, Exciting research around the task-positive network and default mode network, and how you can use them to benefit ADHD brain, The ADHDers need to create and constantly improve their life, Why those of us with ADHD should never worry alone, Where he believes the field of ADHD research and treatment is going, Whether he believes that there's a relationship between introversion/extroversion and ADHD types, Why ADHD women have not been part of ADHD studies.______________Resources:Website: drhallowell.comADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with DistractionSend 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

Jan 6, 2021 • 45min
EP. 105: ADHD, Emotion and Choosing the Right College with Collegiate Athlete, Mikayla Kee
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to 21 year-old, Mikayla Kee. Mikayla is currently a senior, finishing her bachelor's degree at The Evergreen State College in Washington. She will be entering the Master's in Teaching program next. Mikayla also volunteers as a para educator at a local elementary school and, in true ADHD fashion, Mikayla has been doing all of this while working as a semi professional soccer player for the past three years.Mikayla shares:The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosisHer ADHD symptomsHer struggles during her first year in collegeHow collegiate athletics is the perfect ADHD complement to her education?When she connected soccer as a workaround for her ADHD?How her college addresses different learning styles and why this works so well for her ADHD brain?How important trust is in dealing with emotional dysregulation?What has changed since she was diagnosed?The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her successThe key to living successfully with ADHDHer number one ADHD workaround______________Resources:Instagram: @mikaylakfitJohn Ratey's book SparkSend 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

Dec 30, 2020 • 1h 4min
EP. 104: Goal Setting and Planning for ADHD
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Tracy Otsuka welcomes you to Episode 104 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about goal setting, planners and planning, the perfect subject for the last podcast of 2020.Tracy talks about why goals and planning can be hard for our ADHD brains, The truth about multitasking, and other episodes of this podcast that might be helpful when it comes to time and planning and ADHD.Ep. 8: Why Am I Always Late? ADHD and TimeEp. 9: Practical Strategies for Being on Time and Better PlanningSome of the highlights are:Why ADHD brains may need to externalize time?What it means to have a short time horizon?What time is actually linked to?What it means to develop an awareness around time and how that can help you?Why focusing on the actions rather than the goal might work better for you?How to choose the right goal, Why looking inside yourself rather than outside of yourself works better for us in choosing a goal?Why knowing your values and what's important to you helps makes goal setting so much easier?Why having goals is even important?The thing that most of us with ADHD share in common.When a practice of gratitude may make goal setting easier?Creative themes/mottos to help you reach goals and generate positive emotion.What to look for in a planner for the ADHD brain?Her A-OK! Brain Download and how she uses it to get everything out of her brainHer Goal, Decode process that allows her to break down her goals into much smaller tasksWhy Saturday morning planning sessions are the best thing that Tracy does If you're procrastinating what the problem may be?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

Dec 23, 2020 • 1h 11min
EP. 103: Helping Black Women Kick the Shame of ADHD with Stacey Machelle
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy as she welcomes Stacey Machelle to Episode 103 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Stacey is a multi-hyphenate doer of things. She is a sketch writer/performer, producer, comedian and former broadcast news reporter and anchor. Stacey's credits include on-air contributor and writer for TMZ, commercials, television and film roles. She is also a live studio audience warmup comic in Los Angeles, most recently for the late-night show "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." But the biggest reason that Stacey really needs to be here with us today is the YouTube show that she created to raise awareness in black women and women of color about ADHD. It is called ADHD Is The New Black.Stacey shares:The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis the first time and the second timeThe symptoms she had as a child and now recognizes as ADHDWhat made her decide to start her YouTube show, ADHD is the New BlackHow ADHD is different when you're a woman of colorThe ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her successHer number one ADHD workaround______________Resources: YouTube: ADHD is the new BLACKSend 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

Dec 16, 2020 • 1h 31min
EP. 102: ADHD, RSD and How to Pursue Higher Education with Dr. Melody Kuphal
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In Episode 102 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Dr. Melody Kuphal. Dr. Kuphal has a bachelor's in Special Education with a minor in music, a Master's in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate of Worship Studies. She currently works as Adjunct Professor at Judson University, is a member of the Teaching Faculty of IWS teaching research writing, works full-time as Music Director at Hosanna Church, teaches private music lessons, and is a recording artist who records at least one new album per year.Melody shares: her own ADHD story, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, RSD and her struggle with the emotional aspects of ADHD, Her experience with medication, The QB Test and what she learned about herself, Advice on better reading and note taking for ADHD students pursuing higher education, Advice on better writing for ADHD students pursuing higher education, The key to living successfully with ADHD, Her theory of leaving life with empty pockets.______________Resources: Website: melodysmusic.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

Dec 9, 2020 • 1h 19min
EP. 101: Pt. 2, What 99 Episodes Taught Me About the ADHD Brain
Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Episode 101 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, is actually part two of the 100th episode of this podcast. In the 100th episode Tracy reviewed all previous 99 episodes of her podcast and shared the key thoughts that reframed her personal understanding of ADHD. There was so much content that this ultimately ended up becoming not only podcast episode #100 but also episode #101. Episode #101 starts with a discussion on ADHD and RSD or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Tracy also created a 100th episode gift for her listeners which is a Podcast Index that organizes all 99 episodes. You can find it here: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/Episode 19: ADHD and Rejection SensitivityEpisode 25: ADHD and AddictionEpisode 29: Psychotherapist Perry Janssen who talks about ADHD, emotion and feelings.Episode 30: My Favorite Tech Tool, How the Apple Watch Saved My ADHD BrainEpisode 34: ADHD and Repetitive Body Focused Behavior (RBFB)Episode 40: How to Prepare for a Meeting with Your ADHD DoctorEpisode 49: What you can do about itEpisode 50: ADHD Life Coach, former therapist and former USC adjunct professor Diann Wingert about meditation is also a must listen.Episode 53: Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, Meditation and ADHDEpisode 62: Cannabis and ADHDEpisode 63: Choose to be the Hero, not the Victim in Your ADHD LifeEpisode 75: Why ADHD Coaching WorksEpisode 78: What Does ADHD Look Like in Women? The Update. (Ep. 2)Episode 87: ADHD Means That You're Never Too Old_____________Resources:Apple WatchBear AppSend 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