The ADHD Skills Lab
Skye Waterson
Navigate each day in an ADHD-friendly way – with research-backed strategies, real-life experiences and expert advice. Each week, UO founder Skye Waterson chats with expert guests, reviews the latest ADHD research, takes your questions and offers practical support to help you move past whatever may be holding you back. Skye Waterson is a former academic turned coach, podcast host, and founder of an international ADHD support service, Unconventional Organisation. After getting a surprise ADHD diagnosis in the first year of her PhD, Skye turned her struggles into research-based strategies. She researched and wrote over 50 articles with a combined readership of 250,000+ and then began her next phase of disseminating these strategies around the world. After being invited to share her strategies with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) in 2022, Skye has supported late-diagnosed healthcare professionals, professors, lawyers, reporters, fortune 500 directors, and entrepreneurs. She crafted her vision for Unconventional Organisation after realizing how few personalized ADHD strategies were available for adults following her diagnosis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 19min
Why ADHD Brains Struggle With Video Content
William Curb, creator behind Hacking Your ADHD, dives into how ADHD brains engage with video content. They unpack a study revealing why ADHD viewers often speed up videos to avoid distractions. Discussions on pacing, captions, and the impact of visual overload highlight diverse viewing experiences. William shares practical tips for content creators to enhance accessibility, like using clear visuals and fostering dynamic formats. Their insights emphasize the importance of flexibility in learning, making content more engaging for ADHD audiences.
7 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 45min
Focus, Flight, and Figuring It Out: An ADHD Founder’s Journey
Carly Braker, an aerospace engineer and founder of Avialan Blue, shares her journey of building a consulting business while navigating ADHD. She discusses the challenges of masking symptoms during her school years and the transformative crash when structure faded. Carly dives into her prioritization filter, energy management techniques, and dopamine hacks for productivity. She also reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, emphasizing that self-doubt can indicate true belonging. Discover her insights on consulting and entrepreneurship mingled with personal growth.
8 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 24min
ADHD Strengths and Success: The Evidence Behind the Myth
William Curb, the genius behind Hacking Your ADHD, dives deep into the nuanced relationship between ADHD and workplace success. He explores how traits like creativity and hyperfocus can be both strengths and liabilities. The conversation reveals the impact of environment on maximizing ADHD strengths and discusses the emotional journey surrounding achievement, especially before a diagnosis. Curb also highlights adaptive strategies such as humor and the importance of self-acceptance in harnessing ADHD’s potential.
16 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 42min
The ADHD Shift: When Everything Suddenly Adds Up
Laura Key, VP of content strategy at Understood.org and host of the ADHD Aha! podcast, shares her personal ADHD journey, sparked by childhood journals filled with the word 'focus.' She discusses the overlooked symptoms many women face and the emotional weight of late diagnoses. Laura reflects on lessons learned from interviewing over 120 ADHD stories, revealing patterns of self-judgment and the importance of candid communication in leadership. With research highlighting the power of podcasts for women with ADHD, her insights resonate deeply, offering hope and connection.
9 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 20min
ADHD, TikTok, and the Misinformation Trap
Will Kerb, creator of Hacking Your ADHD, dives into TikTok's role in educating about ADHD with insights from a revealing 2022 study. They explore the implications of the #ADHD hashtag’s popularity and categorize the content into personal experiences and misinformation. Notably, 52% of the analyzed videos were misleading. Will stresses the risks of accepting personal stories as facts and shares practical tips for discerning credible ADHD information online. This discussion highlights the thin line between relatable content and reliable advice.
8 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 47min
ADHD, Momentum, and Other Mythical Creatures (with Russ Jones)
In this engaging conversation, ADHD coach Russ Jones delves into his journey of navigating ADHD later in life. He shares the 'Even Though' mindset for taking small, manageable steps during tough days. The duo discusses how humor enhances productivity in ADHD-friendly systems and what true accountability looks like. Russ reveals how the Ready, Set, Go framework helps spark momentum with practical examples, emphasizing that compassion can outpace punishment in progress. Listeners will appreciate his insights on balancing business challenges with personal growth.
19 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 13min
The Science of ADHD Creativity: Why Your Ideas Work Differently
Will Curb, creator of Hacking Your ADHD, dives deep into the strengths of ADHD, challenging the typical deficit-only narrative. He explores how ADHD leads to originality and breaks down a 2006 study showing ADHD individuals often produce more creative ideas. The conversation highlights the trade-off between novelty and practicality, revealing that while ADHD can spark innovation, planning gaps may hinder execution. Curb also discusses how ADHD creatives thrive in teams with pragmatic partners and questions the myth that medication stifles creativity.
25 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 40min
Understanding ADHD Medication: A Balanced Look at the Science
Dr. Ryan Sultan, a double board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD researcher, dives deep into ADHD medication's science during this enlightening discussion. He clarifies how these medications affect brain chemistry, enhancing dopamine and focus. The conversation tackles common misconceptions about addiction risks, emphasizing studies showing no increased risk. Ryan also addresses whether meds alter personality, debunking myths surrounding creativity. Finally, he advocates for a balanced approach, recommending therapy and lifestyle changes alongside medication as a holistic treatment strategy.
10 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 23min
Delay Aversion and ADHD: Why Waiting Feels Like Torture
William Curb, the creator of Hacking Your ADHD, sheds light on the intriguing concept of delay aversion and its profound connection to ADHD. He explains how craving immediate rewards impacts attention and behavior. They discuss real-life frustrations like impatience in lines and meetings, alongside the neuroscience of boredom and impulsivity. Practical tips emerge, such as engaging in small, stoppable activities to combat phone distractions. Overall, the conversation uncovers strategies to better navigate the challenges of waiting and boredom.
64 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 45min
High-Performance Habits for ADHD Brains: Clarity, Motivation, & Champion Wins
James Laughlin, a seven-time world-champion musician and bestselling author, discusses practical habits for ADHD individuals. He emphasizes the importance of clarity for avoiding distractions and setting realistic goals. James shares insights on rewiring limiting beliefs and the necessity of saying no to enhance focus. He dives into motivation strategies linked to dopamine release, the significance of accountability, and the power of incremental progress. Listeners will learn how to structure their lives for high performance without burnout.
