Attention Different | Adulting with ADHD

💡 What if laughing at yourself was the key to radical self-acceptance?For years, Ron Capalbo masked his ADHD, relied on urgency to get things done, and pushed himself until panic attacks forced him to stop. What followed was a complete reframe of how he approached ADHD through humor, creativity, and compassion.In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, we sit down with Ron Capalbo—ADHD coach, content creator, and founder of the nonprofit The Monoceros Initiative. Ron shares how his middle school diagnosis was buried under stigma, how urgency and “try harder” became his only system, and how rediscovering play, imagination, and self-acceptance changed everythingFrom basketball hoops in his bedroom to viral TikToks about three-day-old coffee mugs, Ron shows how embracing the quirks we often hide can become powerful fuel for connection, creativity, and growth.✨ Highlights ✨  • Why “eat the frog” doesn’t work for ADHD brains, and why “eat the cake” does.  • How urgency and shame trap ADHD adults in cycles of burnout.  • Using childhood play and imagination as a real motivation strategy.  • Why laughter is an antidote to shame, and the start of radical acceptance.  • Ron’s mission is to support under-resourced ADHD coaches through The Monoceros Initiative.This episode is for anyone who’s tired of hacks that don’t stick and ready to embrace ADHD with humor, authenticity, and self-compassion.📺 Watch the full episode with Ron Capalbo now on Attention Different YouTube: 👉 ‪https://www.youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡 Radical acceptance starts with self-love.What would change if you stopped fighting your ADHD and began accepting it as part of who you are?In this Fireside Chat, we sit down with Xai Yang, a licensed social worker, advocate, and late-diagnosed ADHDer, who shares his journey from shame and stigma to building a life rooted in radical acceptance. From growing up in a Hmong American community where mental health carried heavy taboos, to finally receiving a diagnosis in 2018, Sai opens up about the long road toward self-acceptance, healing, and advocacy.🌲This conversation explores the New Year’s tension between resolutions, routines, and relapse, and how ADHD adults can break cycles of shame by embracing identity, compassion, and community.✨ Highlights ✨Why ADHD “loves structure but hates routine” and what to do about it.How cultural stigma and late diagnosis shape ADHD identity.The concept of “macro invalidation” and how reframing it with affirmations can shift self-talk.Why are identity-based habits (from Atomic Habits) more powerful than quick fixes?How radical acceptance and healing can turn ADHD into a tool for connection and advocacy.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt shame for their ADHD or wondered what true self-acceptance really looks like.📺 Watch the full Fireside Chat now on Attention Different YouTube: 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡 ADHD isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about learning how to activate your potential. What if you could build a toolbox that helps you manage the chaos, stay consistent, and grow your confidence week after week?In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Schnittman, an award-winning ADHD and executive function coach, host of the Successful with ADHD podcast, and founder of Coaching with Brooke. Brooke shares her late-diagnosis ADHD story, how years of teaching and administration shaped her perspective, and the journey that led her to create her signature 3C Activation Program.From being bullied in childhood to becoming a leading ADHD advocate, Brooke brings both vulnerability and practical tools to this conversation. With over a million people impacted daily through her work, she opens up about why ADHDers need systems, how to build habits that last, and why “bouncing” out of toxic environments is sometimes the healthiest choice.✨ Highlights ✨Brooke’s unique path to becoming an ADHD coach, even before her own diagnosis.The power of the 3C Activation Program: Control, Consistency, and Confidence.Practical tools like brain dumps, mind maps, and “STOP” activities to reduce overwhelmWhy identity-based habits (not quick fixes) help ADHD adults stay motivated.How to reframe shame, build accountability, and find community.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in survival mode and wondered how to create traction without burning out.📺 Watch the full episode with Brooke Schnittman now on Attention Different YouTube: 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡Gratitude is a practice. What you choose to remember shapes your experiences and how you feel about your life 🙏♥️.What would shift if you trained your brain to hold on to the good moments instead of the painful or difficult ones?In this Fireside Chat, we sit down with Alexis Schwartz, environmental organizer, planner, and fellow ADHDer. Alexis shares her journey of navigating ADHD from diagnosis in childhood through her adult routines, setbacks, and strength-finding. From externalizing reminders to gratitude journaling, she opens up about what it takes to build sustainable habits and self-acceptance while living with ADHD.This conversation explores the balancing act of ADHD adulting: how to adapt when routines stop working, why accountability matters, and what radical acceptance looks like when “perfect” isn’t on the table.✨ HIGHLIGHTS ✨How gratitude journaling reshapes memory and builds a positive inner dialogueWhy external reminders (phones, notes, calendars) help ADHDers stay groundedThe reality of constant medication adjustments and toleranceThe ongoing challenge of finding a work-life balanceWhy accountability and community support are crucial for ADHD follow-throughHow learning Spanish became both a personal goal and part of Alexis’s environmental justice work  This episode is for anyone who wants to rewrite their ADHD story—not by erasing the struggles, but by emphasizing the times when they prevailed.📺 Watch the full Fireside Chat with Alexis now on Attention Different YouTube: 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

In this insightful roundtable, David Grabowski, a producer for Attention Different and voice of reason without ADHD, joins hosts Aaron Smith, Stephen Tonti, and Devin Pitts-Rogers. They delve into the chaos of media consumption and its toll on mental health, especially for those with ADHD. Personal stories reveal how political anxiety fuels emotional flooding and burnout. The group emphasizes the importance of boundaries, self-care, and community support to navigate today's overwhelming landscape. They also touch on celebrating resilience through activism and the joys of everyday moments.

💡When failure becomes a checkpoint instead of a dead end, it reveals itself as progress in disguise.❓What would change in your life if you embraced failure as a checkpoint of progress instead of a sign to stop?In this Fireside Chat, we sit down with Tom Franchi—ADHD adult, storyteller, and creative spirit—who shares his journey of burnout, resilience, and finding peace with his ADHD. From reframing failure as growth to exploring radical self-acceptance, Tom opens up about what it means to build a life that celebrates spontaneity, creativity, and the fire of passion that ADHD can bring.🌲 This conversation dives into routines, relationships, and the daily reality of living with ADHD—complete with the struggles of “one more thing-itis” and the breakthroughs of learning when to stop, rest, and start again.✨ Highlights ✨ 🧠 Why a “failure is the goal” mindset reframes discomfort as progress 💬 What radical acceptance looks like in everyday ADHD life 🌿 Breaking free from “one more thing-itis” and reclaiming time 🔥 The strengths of ADHD: creativity, spontaneity, and driveThis episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like failure defined them—in reality, it might be the very thing moving them forward.📺 Watch the full Fireside Chat with Tom now on Youtube: 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡For the ADHDers out there who will or plan to give birth, you deserve support that sees the whole person—your challenges and your strengths.❓How do you fix a healthcare system that was never designed with ADHD birthers in mind?In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, we sit down with Alix Bacon (registered midwife, past president of the Midwives Association of British Columbia, and vice president of the Canadian Association of Midwives) and Dusty Chipura (ADHD coach, educator, and community builder). Together, they unpack their groundbreaking work creating new ADHD care guidelines designed to shift how clinicians, families, and communities support ADHD birthers.From research gaps and systemic stigma to gender bias and the unique challenges of late diagnosis, Alix and Dusty bring a powerful mix of medical expertise and lived experience. This conversation is equal parts advocacy, education, and inspiration—an inside look at how real change gets made.✨ Highlights ✨ 🧠 Why ADHD care has been failing too many people—and how these guidelines aim to fix it. 💬 The role of stigma in delaying diagnosis and treatment, especially for women, birthers, and marginalized groups. 🌱 How storytelling, research, and policy intersect in driving systemic change. ❤️ The importance of community voices in reshaping healthcare for ADHD.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt unseen in the healthcare system, or who wants to be part of reimagining what support for ADHD birthers can look like.📺 Watch now on YouTube: Attention Different 💬 Drop a comment with your biggest “aha” moment or takeaway from this conversation.Send us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡Curiosity without judgment. This is the way.What would shift in your life if you started observing yourself with compassion instead of criticism? In this Fireside Chat, we sit down with Hannah Skewes—writer, photographer, and creative storyteller—who shares her journey of living with ADHD, receiving a late diagnosis, and the challenges of navigating self-doubt and shame. From finding mindfulness in self-observation to reframing perfectionism, Hannah opens up about how compassion, curiosity, and creativity fuel her growth.🌲 Filmed in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this conversation dives into what it means to hold on tightly to self-love while letting go lightly of shame, and how ADHD adults can find balance in both their inner voices and their relationships.✨ Highlights ✨🧠 How self-observation creates space for growth without judgment.💬 The power of naming your “A voice, B voice, and C voice” to navigate overwhelm.🌿 Why compassion and curiosity are keys to resilience with ADHD.💡 How late diagnosis shifted Hannah's sense of identity, relationships, and self-acceptance.This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered: Why can’t I just do things the way everyone else does?📺 Watch the full Fireside Chat with Hannah now on Attention Different YouTube:👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

💡 Let go lightly and quit trying to force yourself into productivity systems that weren’t even built for your brain to start with.In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, we sit down with Jesse J. Anderson—author of Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD, writer, speaker, and advocate for over 60,000 newsletter subscribers. From getting a diagnosis as late as 36yrs old to quickly becoming one of the most recognizable thought-leaders on being an Adult with ADHD, Jesse shares his journey from decades of misunderstanding and shame to finding clarity, strategies, and self-acceptance.We discuss the various reasons that traditional productivity advice often fails our ADHD brains and, instead, introduces his game-changing Four C’s of Motivation—a framework built for the way we actually work. From the difference between neurotypical “importance-based” motivation and ADHD’s “interest-based” nervous system, to late-diagnosis identity shifts and the power of community, this conversation is equal parts soulfully validating as it is delightfully practical and immediately applicable.🌟 Here’s just some what you’ll learn: 🧠 Why “I can focus when it’s interesting” is still ADHD (hello, hyperfocus). 📚 How to make productivity strategies actually stick for ADHD brains. 💬 The Four C’s—Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete—and how to use them daily. ❤️ How getting the ADHD label can be liberating, not limiting. 🌍 The importance of finding a community that truly gets you.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt “lazy” or “broken” when the truth was simply an ADHD brain working in a different rhythm.📺 Watch now on YouTube: Attention DifferentSend us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

🔥 What does it really take to move from ADHD burnout to radical self-acceptance?In this Fireside Chat, we sit down with Devin Pitts-Rogers—ADHD advocate, creative powerhouse, and our very own podcast host—to explore the tangled web of resolutions, routines, and relapse. From the Rocky Mountains in Tabernash, CO, Devin shares his journey from late ADHD diagnosis to building a toolkit for thriving—inside and outside of work.From bass guitar lessons after a decade away to using FocusMate for accountability, Devin opens up about the push-and-pull between burnout, self-care, and the ever-present need for visual reminders just to take a breath. His story is equal parts practical strategy and emotional truth-telling for ADHD adults trying to reclaim their time, energy, and joy.✨ Highlights ✨ 🎸 Why picking up the bass after 14 years became a radical act of self-care. ☕ The hidden cost of caffeine as ADHD self-medication—and what happens when you quit. ⏳ How burnout traps ADHDers in a cycle of “too tired to recharge.” 🌍 Why accountability and community (even with strangers online) make all the difference.This conversation is for anyone who’s ever set a goal, fallen off, and thought, “Maybe next week…”—and is ready to try again with more compassion.📺 Watch now on YouTube: Attention Different 💬 Drop a comment with your favorite takeaway from Devin’s story.Send us a textWe are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe! --------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent