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
33 snips
May 5, 2025 • 30min
Is Your Job Burning You Out or Just Built Wrong for ADHD?
Discover how burnout often stems from a mismatch between ADHD brains and traditional work environments. Unpack research that reveals ADHD can be a secret weapon for entrepreneurs. Learn practical strategies for healthier workplaces and how neuroleadership could transform future office dynamics. The conversation dives into the significance of empathy in hybrid work settings and innovative ways to boost employee well-being, all backed by groundbreaking studies that illuminate the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.
81 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 42min
From Burnout to Boss: ADHD Strategies to Stop Imploding Your Career Every 2 Years
Devlin Croal, a marketing strategist and systems builder, shares his journey scaling his career with ADHD. He candidly discusses the hidden costs of burnout and the challenges of prioritizing tasks. Devlin reveals a unique prioritization system that has finally helped him overcome ADHD struggles. He also dives into the role of AI, like ChatGPT, in enhancing productivity instead of being a distraction. Packed with insights, this conversation offers practical strategies to harness ADHD traits for professional success.
38 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 24min
Why You Snap at 3pm: The ADHD Sensory Overload You Didn’t See Coming
Feeling overwhelmed by 3 PM? It might not just be your to-do list. Discover how ADHD affects your nervous system, making some stimuli feel unbearable. The podcast shares hilarious studies, including one where researchers zapped participants to test sensitivity! Learn why ADHD brains skip crucial stress signals and how hidden overstimulation drains your focus. Plus, insights on recognizing when your sensory overload is spiraling you toward burnout. Tune in for a blend of humor and groundbreaking research on living with ADHD.
70 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 58min
ADHD in the Workplace: How to Get Promoted Without Burning Out
In this insightful discussion, career strategist Kendall Berg, a late-diagnosed ADHDer and founder of That Career Coach, explores how ADHD influences workplace dynamics and career advancement. She debunks the myth that hard work alone leads to promotion, highlighting the importance of strategic networking and self-advocacy. Listeners learn tailored strategies for communicating ADHD to colleagues, overcoming burnout, and leveraging ADHD strengths for career success. Kendall emphasizes the need for personal productivity systems to thrive in corporate spaces.
46 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 27min
ADHD Executive Functioning Meltdowns: What the Research Really Says
Dive into the chaotic world of executive functioning in ADHD, where stress can tank your decision-making. Discover why your brain freezes under pressure and the surprising reasons behind emotional meltdowns, like crying over emails. Learn practical, science-backed strategies to reset after emotional overload and understand the unique challenges ADHD professionals face in task transitions. Plus, the hilarious juxtaposition of how different ages perceive rewards sheds light on the complexities of motivation. Get ready for some eye-opening insights!
Feb 24, 2025 • 39min
The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Guide to Grit: Lessons from a Muay Thai Champion
In this discussion, Sean Shubert, a former Muay Thai champion and resilience coach, shares his journey with ADHD, emphasizing resilience and self-acceptance. He provides insights into breaking the guilt cycle often felt by those with ADHD. Sean reveals his top strategy for channeling ADHD energy into productive action. He reflects on the transformative power of community support and physical engagement in overcoming obstacles, and discusses how entrepreneurs can navigate their challenges with effective time management and delegation.
31 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 20min
ADHD & Hormones: What to Know Before Perimenopause Hits
Discover the intriguing connection between fluctuating hormone levels and ADHD symptoms in women. Recent research uncovers that many experience heightened ADHD challenges during perimenopause. Delve into unique challenges women face as they navigate this transition, and learn about the significance of personal narratives in understanding these experiences. Unpack the study on hormonal cycles impacting ADHD and the critical need for tailored treatment options. This conversation is both enlightening and empowering for those affected.
34 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 46min
Finding Confidence Beyond the Comfort Zone: Interview with Brooke Schnittman
Brooke Schnittman, an ADHD and executive coach specializing in supporting neurodivergent individuals, shares insights on thriving with ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of integrating joy and fun into daily life for better mental health. Discussion includes ADHD-friendly routines, the significance of emotional self-care, and how small, incremental progress can lead to significant changes. Brooke also highlights the role of community support and self-compassion in overcoming burnout, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique challenges with confidence.
18 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 26min
Is Executive Functioning Real? 20 years of ADHD research says... maybe?
The discussion delves into whether executive functioning is a real construct or simply misunderstood. Historical research is critiqued, connecting impulsivity and cognitive processes in ADHD. A meta-analysis involving thousands of participants highlights individual differences in executive function experiences. The validity of assessment tools for measuring executive function is also examined, sparking debate in the psychological community. Personal insights and neurodiversity in ADHD experiences offer a refreshing perspective on the evolving research landscape.
9 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 45min
Real Housewife with ADHD: Interviewing Angie Harrington
Angie Harrington, a Real Housewife of Salt Lake City and mother of three neurodivergent children, shares her journey from growing up undiagnosed with ADHD to embracing her family's neurodiversity. She discusses the emotional challenges of parenting while navigating the education system and the importance of connection with similar families. Angie also highlights her experiences on a reality show and reflects on the joys amidst chaos and failure, underscoring the need for understanding and acceptance in raising neurodivergent kids.
