ADHD-ish

You know that wild rush when a new idea lands in your lap and suddenly you’re reinventing your entire business model? You’re not self-sabotaging - that’s your ADHD doing exactly what it’s supposed to do—chasing novelty and that sweet dopamine hit. In this episode, I expose the pattern of idea infatuation, break down what I call  “The Soulmate Phenomenon” for solopreneurs with ADHD, and hand you a set of scrappy, real-world frameworks for sorting out which ideas deserve your effort and which ones are just quick idea flings.ABOUT THE HOSTDiann Wingert (she/her) is a former psychotherapist turned ADHD entrepreneur coach and business strategist, as well as the insightful host of ADHD-ish. With both lived experience and deep professional expertise in ADHD, Diann guides neurodivergent entrepreneurs toward greater self-awareness, creativity, and sustainable success— with her signature blend of no-nonsense advice, compassionate understanding, and a dash of sass.WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:How the "Soulmate Phenomenon” shows up for entrepreneurs with ADHDRomancing the Idea: attraction, infatuation, honeymoon, and realityWhy falling for new ideas isn't about lack of commitment or follow-throughHow dopamine cravings and novelty-seeking drive this cycleConcrete examples: coaching, consulting, and creative service businessesKey questions to ask yourself when a new idea landsWhy the honeymoon phase is creative gold and how to use it intentionallyFour actionable frameworks for managing new ideas:The "dating period" (test ideas before big changes)The side project approach (explore without derailing your main business)Integration (fold new ideas into what you already do)Relationship maintenance (recommit and work through boredom and obstacles) How to distinguish between ideas worth a long-term run vs. a temporary highTIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Getting Obsessed: The Soul Mate Phenomenon Hits Hard (Falling for the idea, dopamine rollercoaster, full rom-com montage)02:10 — Why This Happens: Dopamine, Novelty, and Hyperfocus (Science of ADHD meets daily business life, shiny object syndrome explained)05:15 — Pattern Recognition: Attraction, Infatuation, Honeymoon, Reality (Breaking down the idea romance step by step)09:40 — Classic ADHD Business Moves: Case Studies (Real-life business examples with coaches, consultants & service providers)14:35 — The Crash: When the Fizz Fades and the Next Idea Calls (Losing steam, misreading the end of infatuation, jumping ship too soon)17:50 — Deep Truth: The Real Problem Isn’t Commitment (It’s unrealistic expectations, not a lack of grit — and what to do instead)21:40 — The Gold in the Honeymoon Phase: How to Use It (Why that first burst of energy is actually your secret weapon)24:20 — Four Frameworks for Working With ADHD, Not Against It: The Dating Period The Side Project Approach The Integration Question Relationship Maintenance Plan32:10 — The End Game: Choosing Long-Term Commitment (Or Not) (Learning to spot quick dopamine hits versus real growth opportunities, radical self-acceptance)35:10 — Final Pep Talk and How to Get In Touch (Reminders, contact info, encouragement, closing thoughts)SHARE YOUR STORY:What’s the big “soulmate idea” that got away? Did it deserve a second chance, or was it just a quick dopamine hit? Hit me up by email, send me a DM on LinkedIn or leave a voice message on my website.SUMMARYADHD brains light up for new ideas…and then we feel like changing everything for that rush. Don’t fight the pattern, work with it. Date your ideas. Don’t move in with them at first sight. Keep your current business healthy and figure out what deserves real commitment. That’s how you survive idea infatuation and the “Soulmate Phenomenon” and make your next hyperfocus phase count for something.Your brain is a brilliant and busy place. Let’s make it your greatest business asset. Stay tuned for more empowering conversations and practical tools for thriving in business with ADHD—right here on ADHD-ish!  Be sure to follow/subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

What happens when two accomplished psychotherapists discover, well into adulthood, that they have ADHD? In this thought-provoking episode, host Diann Wingert welcomes Lisa Lackey, a licensed therapist, coach, speaker, and community builder, to candidly explore their parallel journeys of late diagnosis, high achievement, and the transformative power of midlife self-discovery.Together, they unpack what it means to awaken to neurodivergence after decades of "successful" living, the intersection of menopause and mental health, and the unique journey women take as they move from striving and struggle toward authenticity and fulfillment in their second act.Guest Bio: Lisa Lackey (she/her)Lisa Lackey is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, and speaker with decades of experience supporting high-achieving individuals facing addiction, anxiety, depression, and now, navigating the complexities of neurodiversity and midlife transitions. After being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Lisa transformed her approach—creating supportive spaces for women, particularly Black women, to rediscover their authentic selves, reclaim joy, and build community in the second half of life. Lisa is passionate about spiritual growth, legacy work, and helping others write their own rules for fulfillment.Episode Highlights – What You’ll LearnWhy ADHD is often missed in high-achieving women, and how self-awareness—and even reading the “right” book—can be a game changer.How hyper-competence, overachievement, and the ability to "make it work" can hide ADHD symptoms for decades.Understanding how hormonal changes bring ADHD and identity struggles front and center for so many women in midlife.Lisa’s concept of the “second knowing”-  waking up in midlife, letting go of societal shoulds, and connecting to your true purpose and inner wisdom.How women—especially women of color—can build new definitions of success, heal generational burdens, and lift each other up.Connect with Lisa LackeyWebsite: Inside Out RecoveryLinkedIn: Lisa Lackey on LinkedInMentioned by our guest:Driven to Distraction by Ned Hallowell, MD - the book Lisa read in 2 hours & recognized her own ADHD Bell Hooks - Black author, best known for her work on race, feminism & social class Sankofa - a word in the Twi language of Ghana, meaning “to retrieve” If something in this episode struck a chord, share it with a friend,  leave us a review, or drop a comment on Spotify about your own late diagnosis and mid life awakening. © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Feeling trapped by traditional business plans? This conversation reveals a reimagined approach that celebrates the ADHD brain. Discover why typical lengthy plans trigger resistance and how a lean, flexible framework can fuel your creativity. Say goodbye to winging it! Learn about the hidden costs, missed opportunities, and how to structure your planning around your natural strengths. With four simple pillars, you’ll want to create a business plan that works for you and brings clarity to your entrepreneurial journey.

Ever felt like your business is just as “ADHD-ish” as you are? This week on the ADHD-ish Podcast, I dove into an eye-opening conversation with Diane Mayor about how ADHD traits show up in our business, for better or worse.  Diane Mayor is a business-model strategist who deeply understands that revenue is a dopamine number, but profit is a reality number and that you can’t scale what you can’t see.  Diane has the kind of ADHD that makes systems and structure make sense, but she also knows that if it’s not fun,  it’s not going to happen, so she makes sure that it is. If your business model looks sparkly on the front end, but is duct-taped together behind the scenes,  don’t even think about scaling before taking the lessons in this episode to heart.  Here’s what to listen for:Dopamine Is a Double-Edged SwordADHD brains seek stimulation, which fuels creativity and enthusiasm—but the excessive pursuit of new ideas can lead to chaos. The trick? Channel that energy into a structured “idea parking lot”—capture your sparks, but choose your focus.Systems Don’t Kill Creativity—They Enable ItMany of us with ADHD bristle at the word “structure,” but minimum viable systems (even something as simple as a checklist instead of a 10-page SOP) create the freedom to play, innovate, and keep the momentum going.Rejection Sensitivity & Executive Dysfunction Are Sneaky SaboteursUncomfortable truth: your business can’t scale if you get hijacked by every emotional reaction or caught up in decision paralysis. Building in “pause and process” moments—and asking for help where your brain’s not wired to excel—protects both you and your team from ADHD inertia.You can absolutely harness ADHD as a strength in your business, but not if you ignore what makes your brain unique. The goal isn’t to “fix” anything, but to build a business that works with your neurodivergence in mind.About Diane Mayor After a successful career in corporate finance, Diane transitioned to becoming a business model architect and systems aficionado, after discovering both her ADHD and her passion for untangling business chaos. She helps entrepreneurs create sustainable, scalable businesses built around their unique neurodivergence—not despite it.Website  - LinkedIn -  The 5- Minute Strategist Podcast  - Strategic Business DiagnosticMentioned in this episode:Marshall Goldsmith’s book “What Got You Here, Wont’ Get You There.”Next Steps:“You can’t scale what you can’t see.”  If this tagline lands, you might be ready for Diane Mayor’s Business Blueprint, a laser-focused strategic business diagnostic for telling you exactly what to keep and what to toss before you scale.  Click this link to book yours now.  Not quite sure whether you want to scale? Click this link for a custom playlist of past ADHD-ish episodes to help you figure out which business model is right for you.Thank you for listening to ADHD-ish! Subscribe & leave a review if this conversation helped you see your strengths and struggles in a whole new way. © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

It’s 2 AM, and you’re lying in bed, reliving every word of an email you sent hours earlier, your mind spinning worst-case scenarios that could ruin your business. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—especially if you have ADHD. Entrepreneurial life magnifies our emotional intensity, for better and for worse, and in this episode, I’m getting real about a topic most business circles avoid: the double-edged sword of emotional intensity for entrepreneurs with ADHD.Running a business and being an entrepreneur with ADHD comes with a unique set of challenges, based on the fact that our emotional intensity can be both a business advantage and a potential hazard at the same time.  We are talking about the fine line between passion and emotional dysregulation. Emotional dysregulation is not “being too sensitive” or being overly dramatic; it’s brain mechanics. The same executive function deficits that scramble our to-do lists also juggle our emotional responses, often treating every emotion as urgent. If you wonder why advice like “just breathe” doesn’t work for us the way it does for neurotypicals,  this is why.  Here are 5 keys you’ll pick up from this episode:What Emotional Dysregulation Is: Learn why it’s way more than just “being sensitive”—it’s a real neurological challenge for ADHD brains.Solopreneurship’s Perfect Storm: Discover how running a business solo can amplify emotional ups and downs, thanks to isolation and rejection sensitivity.How Emotional Intensity Can Hijack Business Decisions: Find out how unchecked emotions can affect your pricing, negotiations, and every tough conversation.Spotting the Difference Between Passion and Dysregulation: Learn concrete ways to tell if your drive is fueling your business or putting it at risk of burning down.Practical Tools to Build Emotional Resilience: Get real-life strategies for pause protocols, circuit breakers, sleep/nutrition hacks, boundaries, and even the right kind of professional support.Fun Fact:Did you know that your ADHD brain processes emotions more like a smoke detector than a thermostat?If you’re tired of advice like “just breathe” and want strategies that actually work for our 🧠 brains, this episode is for you. Take a listen, share with a fellow entrepreneur who gets it, and let me know what resonated most for you! Remember: Feeling deeply is one of our ADHD strengths—we just need to use it strategically.About the HostDiann Wingert (she/her) is a seasoned business coach, licensed psychotherapist, and serial business owner with decades of experience supporting neurodivergent professionals. Diann specializes in helping ADHD solopreneurs and small business owners turn their energetic passion into strategic success, blending lived experience with clinical insight for real-world solutions.Connect with Diann Website: diannwingertcoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/Cognitive Bias Hacks for ADHD Entrepreneurs Mentioned in this episode:Dialectical Behavior Therapy for ADHD and emotional dysregulation Cognitive Behavior Therapy  for ADHD and negative thinking patterns Share the Love 🚀If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow entrepreneur navigating their own intensity trap. Feeling deeply is part of our ADHD—learning to use it strategically is where the magic happens.© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

In this episode, I sit down with Mikey Schumacher, the 29-year-old creative entrepreneur behind “but cute”—a start-up brand of plush toys designed to celebrate mental health and celebrate our imperfections. In this episode, Mikey & I discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the healing power of community, and how comfort objects can open up much-needed conversations around anxiety, ADHD, and more.I came across Mikey & but cute on TikTok, became part of the startup’s Kickstarter campaign, and have been an enthusiastic supporter of his mission, vision, and passion. Mikey is part of a new generation of founders whose businesses serve a social purpose, while meeting a market need, and in his case, a personal one as well.  About Mikey SchumacherMikey, who lives in Oceanside, California, and is the youngest of six children, is a lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for creating meaningful products. From lemonade stands and failed T-shirt ventures to a master’s degree in entrepreneurship from USC, Mikey’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and turning setbacks into springboards. Now, with the viral success of But Cute, Mikey empowers people of all ages to embrace their quirky, anxious, or imperfect sides—one plush toy at a time.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:1. Learning by Failing ForwardMikey shares how every “failed” business (including a Kickstarter flop and one epic T-shirt company bust) was actually just a bootcamp for founder growth.2. Why Comfort Objects Are Powerful (at ANY Age)Explore the real science and sentimental magic behind plush toys—and why adults are snatching them up too.3. Turning Insecurity into CommunityDiscover how But Cute’s Discord became a safe haven for people to share insecurities and get massive support, no judgment.4. Practical Advice for OverthinkersHear Mikey’s simple but game-changing reminder: “Don’t predict the future. Take one step at a time.” (Diann co-signs HARD.)5. Creative Chaos is Your FriendPeek into Mikey’s wild idea process: fusion-creature brainstorming, accidental croissant claws, and the beauty of letting go of perfection.Mentioned during this episode:SquishmallowsLabubuConnect with Mikey & But CuteBut Cute Website TikTok: @butcutetoysBut cute club Discord channel Join the Conversation!Are you an adult with an emotional support plushie? Has a comfort item helped your mental health?  Follow but cute, join their discord community and tag them on social media on posts that focus on embracing imperfections. Did this episode inspire you? Thank you for listening to ADHD-ish! Subscribe & leave a review if this conversation brought you comfort, courage, or just a smile.  © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Explore the nuances of context switching and its impact on productivity, especially for those with ADHD. Discover practical strategies like the Transition Bridge System that makes task shifts smoother and less draining. Learn how to create 'breadcrumb' notes for easier re-entry into projects without losing momentum. Plus, find out how to navigate unexpected disruptions and maintain your focus amidst the chaos of solopreneur life.

Explore the impact of perfectionism and rejection sensitivity on ADHD entrepreneurs. Learn how the 'improvement vortex' keeps you stuck in endless tweaking instead of launching. Discover the addictive nature of over-researching, which can masquerade as productivity but actually stalls progress. Dive into practical strategies, including the 'Completion Compass,' to diagnose and overcome creative blockages. Embrace the idea that 'good enough' can propel you forward and transform launching into a valuable learning experience.

Dive into the struggles of starting, stopping, and switching gears as an entrepreneur with ADHD. Explore the 'messy start method' that prioritizes action over perfectionism. Discover the 2% + 20% formula that simplifies taking first steps. Learn practical systems and strategies for everything from launching a podcast to reaching dream clients. Overcome procrastination with small, manageable steps and embrace the power of imperfection. Join the journey to build sustainable momentum and finally get those projects off the ground!

In this enlightening conversation, ADHD coach and author Dave Greenwood shares insights on overcoming the traps of people-pleasing and managing rejection sensitivity in the workplace. He emphasizes the importance of embracing oneself while also being open to change. Drawing lessons from Alfred Adler's teachings, Dave discusses how the separation of tasks can liberate individuals from the burden of others' expectations. He candidly explores burnout, the value of genuine connections, and the freedom that comes with accepting being disliked for personal growth.