

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

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.

Aug 25, 2025 • 48min
Precision Systems for ADHD Founders: Chaos, Metrics, and Million-Dollar Growth
In this episode, Skye is joined by Matt Verlaque, SaaS founder, entrepreneur, and author, to unpack how to scale a business when your brain is wired for big ideas and fast starts, but struggles with structure.From leading startups to building founder-focused systems, Matt shares the powerful rhythms, habits, and metrics that have helped hundreds of founders go from feeling overwhelmed to fully in control of their businesses.What we cover:The 5 numbers every ADHD founder actually needs to trackHow to scale without nuking your team or yourselfMatt’s system for turning random thoughts into repeatable strategyChaos management for the hyperactive executive Family, boundaries, and surviving the startup tornadoConnect with Matt:Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattverlaqueExplore The Precision Method: Precision.coCheck out the bestselling book Software as a Science: Unlock Limitless Recurring Revenue Without Losing Control. Co-authored with Dan Martell, Johnny Page, and Marcel Petitpas: softwarebook.comP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

21 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 16min
Research Recap with William Curb: ADHD and the Default Mode Network
William Curb, co-host of the Research Recaps series from Hacking Your ADHD, dives into the intriguing world of the default mode network and its peculiar relationship with ADHD. He discusses how this brain region doesn’t always shut down in ADHD individuals, affecting focus. The conversation also covers the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in altering brain connectivity and highlights the genetic factors influencing attention. Plus, there's a look at how untreated ADHD can complicate life and work, emphasizing the need for effective treatment.

41 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 15min
The ADHD Guide to Delegating - Why You Can’t Let Go (and How to Fix It)
Delegating tasks can feel daunting, especially for those with ADHD. Discover why letting go feels risky and how to stop gatekeeping your own business. Learn a 5-step system to delegate effectively without micromanaging. Understand the reasons your team might not be as helpful as they could be. This discussion offers practical strategies to ease overwhelm and boost productivity, enabling you to work less while empowering your team.

14 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 35min
ADHD and the CEO Mindset: Systems, Self-Care, and Letting Go
In this engaging conversation, Dr. John Torrens—Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice and author of Lightning in a Bottle—shares his journey as an ADHD entrepreneur. He reveals how to turn the challenges of ADHD into strengths by embracing delegation and self-care. The connection between hyperactivity and entrepreneurial success is intriguing, as is his approach to avoiding burnout while mentoring others. Dr. Torrens emphasizes that self-care is crucial for sustainable growth, turning stress into scalable systems for success.

35 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 33min
The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Guide to Profit (Without the Spreadsheet Spiral)
In this discussion with Marcel Petitpas, CEO of Parakeeto, listeners learn how ADHD entrepreneurs can avoid burnout through smart pricing. Marcel breaks down the ADHD-friendly method to price services sustainably and the three critical numbers to track for agency success. He shares strategies to future-proof pricing and emphasizes the importance of clarity in financial management. With insights on overcoming math trauma and the value of generosity in business, this conversation is a must-listen for creative agency owners.

10 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 34min
Why You Always Underestimate Time (Even When You Swear You Won’t)
Time blindness can make a 15-minute task feel like it takes 45. Discover how ADHD impacts time perception and working memory. Uncover intriguing studies about the connection between these challenges and your daily life. Explore the fun of a quirky monkey timer that visually tracks time, and hear about innovative tools and games designed to enhance time management skills. If you often wonder where the time goes, this discussion offers relatable insights and practical solutions.