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
7 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.
15 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.
19 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 14min
ADHD, Anxiety, and Exercise: What the Research Says
William Curb, creator of Hacking Your ADHD, joins to tackle the surprising benefits of exercise for ADHD. He discusses how physical activity can reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation, highlighting brain mechanisms like dopamine release that support mood. They explore the best types and frequencies of exercise for both anxiety and depression. Curb emphasizes that any movement helps and offers practical tips for getting started, even for those with mobility limits. This conversation blends research and relatable advice tailored for ADHD management.
23 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 38min
ADHD, AI, and the Future of Focus
Join Ryan Brazzell, an entrepreneur and AI strategist, as he discusses how ADHD founders can leverage AI to enhance focus and reduce overwhelm. Drawing from his own journey, Ryan shares how systems transformed his productivity. He explores the balance between automation and maintaining control, and highlights practical tips for effectively delegating tasks to AI. With insights on the future of work, Ryan emphasizes the importance of human intuition alongside AI advancements, making it a must-listen for visionaries ready to reclaim their mental space.
8 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 17min
Executive Dysfunction and Early ADHD in Preschoolers
In this discussion, guest William Curb, creator of Hacking Your ADHD, dives into early ADHD symptoms in preschoolers. He shares insights from a study on the links between time perception, working memory, and academic success. Will explains why spotting ADHD at a young age is essential and explores the challenges of assessment. They discuss innovative testing methods, including measuring delay aversion and time perception, and how these factors significantly predict future learning difficulties. Practical strategies for improving time management in children are also highlighted.
24 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 42min
ADHD Alchemy: Turning Distraction Into Award-Winning Success
Dr. Jacquelyne Read, an award-winning chemistry professor and ADHD advocate, shares her journey from postdoc struggles to tenure-track success. She discusses actionable strategies like breaking down overwhelming tasks and creating focus routines that helped her win a prestigious publication award. Jacquelyne emphasizes the importance of personalized systems and reframing expectations to turn ADHD traits into strengths. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone in academia or leadership looking to thrive amidst chaos.
25 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 21min
Research Recap with William Curb - Why ADHD Is Still Missed in Women: The Swedish Study That Proves It
In this enlightening discussion, guest William Curb, co-host from Hacking Your ADHD, dives into a groundbreaking Swedish study revealing that women are diagnosed with ADHD nearly four years later than men. They explore cultural stereotypes and societal expectations that contribute to this disparity. The conversation shines a light on the hidden costs of delayed diagnosis, like anxiety and depression, and emphasizes the need for improved ADHD awareness and support for women. It's a vital exploration into understanding and addressing gender biases in mental health!
9 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 17min
Research Recap with William Curb: ADHD & Hot and Cold Executive Function
William Curb, from Hacking Your ADHD, dives into the intriguing world of hot and cold executive functions and their effects on decision-making in ADHD brains. He explains why stress can lead to forgetfulness and how emotions can hijack logic. The conversation also touches on a promising yet preliminary study involving brain stimulation techniques aimed at enhancing executive function. Get insights into how emotional states influence productivity and self-control, making it a must-listen for anyone navigating ADHD.
