ADHD-ish

Ever wondered why the idea of working for someone else just never quite fit, or why chaos seems to call your name (and you answer with gusto)? If you’re an entrepreneur who’s found yourself drawn to the thrill of building your own path—and maybe even stumbled more than a few times along the way—you are going to love this week’s guest interview. I recently sat down with Dr. Michael A. Freeman, an acclaimed psychiatrist, professor, and serial entrepreneur whose groundbreaking research uncovers the fascinating relationship between ADHD, bipolar spectrum conditions, and the entrepreneurial drive. In this lively conversation, we get real about what makes entrepreneurs with ADHD different—and what it takes to turn those differences into undeniable strengths instead of exhausting liabilities. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:Why do so many entrepreneurs have ADHD tendenciesDr. Freeman breaks down fascinating research on why we’re more likely to go solo in our careers—and why we struggle in traditional workplaces.The double-edged sword of the ADHD entrepreneurial brainWe chat about superpowers and vulnerabilities, with a big emphasis on how to recognize your “zone of genius” (and when to call in backup!).Building your own ADHD-friendly toolkit for sustainable successFrom teams and routines, to handling sleep and “offloading the boring stuff,” we talk actionable strategies (yes, including coaching and medication).The myth vs. reality of the entrepreneurial lifeSpoiler: it isn’t all glamor and “get rich quick”—and Dr. Freeman shares why radical self-awareness and resilience are must-haves.Why fun is non-negotiable for the entrepreneur with ADHDTurns out, fun isn’t just a bonus—it’s the main event for the ADHD brain, and Dr. Freeman explains how to keep your business (and life) playfully sustainable.Make it actionable: Take three minutes to reflect: what feels fun, energizing, or “flow-y” in your own work? What support do you need more of?Feeling inspired to start, pivot, or quit? Get a “personal board of directors” before you make big decisions or take big risks.Get to know Michael Freeman, MD Michael A. Freeman, MD, is a clinical professor at UCSF School of Medicine, a researcher and mentor at the UCSF Entrepreneurship Center, a psychiatrist and executive coach for entrepreneurs, and an integrated behavioral healthcare systems consultant.  His current research focuses on the identification of emotional overwhelm with early intervention and support. Dr. Freeman’s thought leadership on entrepreneurship and mental health has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall St. Journal, Fortune Magazine, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNN Money, Financial Times, and Bloomberg News.Mentioned in this episode:UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley, Stanford University,  the Gallup Organization Connect with Michael A Freeman, MDWebsite - LinkedIn 🎙️ Fun Fact From the Episode:Did you know? For most of human history, people with ADHD traits were actually high-status in hunter-gatherer societies! We were the original “economic first responders.” (So if you’ve ever felt out of place, maybe you’re just in the wrong era!)  To learn more: Thom Hartmann’s ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World or John Dini’s Hunting in a Farmer’s World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur. Every guest on ADHD is hand-picked and invited personally by you-know-who, so if you enjoyed this interview,  let me know:Leave a review Share the episode Thank you! © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Our edge as entrepreneurs comes from spotting trends and launching fresh ideas. The problem? Most of us have a graveyard of half-baked projects, forgotten launches, half-written newsletters, and more orphaned tech tools than we care to admit.  Let’s face it: innovation is our ADHD advantage, but execution moves the needle. Shiny Object Syndrome is not a quirky personality trait; our ADHD brains are hardwired for novelty, so creating consistency takes self-awareness and strategy. Lucky for you, this episode is full of candid stories, neuroscience-backed insights, and actionable advice on how to do just that. Loan me your ear holes for the next 25 minutes for: 🧠The Neuroscience-Based TruthWhy your ADHD brain is forever thirsty for dopamine—and why trying to force yourself to focus just doesn’t work for us.🏃‍➡️The Cost of Chasing NoveltyThe sneaky ways shiny object syndrome drains your revenue and energy (and how to recognize it hiding in your business).📋5 Practical StrategiesIncluding: dopamine scheduling and reframing the “messy middle” to creating shiny object parking lots and setting up accountability that actually works.🎨How to Enlist (Not Resist) Your CuriositySpecific ways to channel your creative bursts into profitable execution, instead of abandoned projects.📇Systems That Make Space for New Ideas (Without Derailing Your Progress)Learn how a “shiny object fund” can keep your creativity alive while protecting your core businessFun Fact from the Episode: ADHD expert William Dodson, MD, coined the expression “interest-based brain” to explain how we operate differently. Here is an article from ADDitude magazine that explains it ( including a one-minute YouTube video with a “House of Cards” style soundtrack). 🏆Ready to start creating more consistent business success—and work with your interest-based brain?To make it extra easy to go from innovation to implementation, I created a free companion handout with all the go-to strategies mentioned in this episode. Grab your copy right here. 🎙️And be sure you're following/ are subscribed to ADHD-ish on your favorite podcast app, because next week, I’m chatting with Dr. Michael Freeman, a leading psychiatrist, entrepreneur, researcher, and consultant.  Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss it.© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

If your head is spinning with marketing messages from high-profile coaches insisting you need a team, a course, a 6 or 7 figure business, when what you really want is flexibility and the freedom to do something you love on your own terms, this episode is your permission slip to have a simple, sustainable solo business. My returning guest, Maggie Patterson, joins me to chat about the significance of intentionally staying small as a solopreneur and why this approach can be especially beneficial for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Together, we challenge the notion that choosing a small business is a sign of playing small or self-sabotage and instead highlight the strengths and preferences that can come with choosing to remain a team of one.Episode Highlights:The Solo Advantage: Maggie explains why being an intentionally small business owner can be the best option for neurodivergent individuals, offering greater flexibility and reducing stress.Cultural Conditioning and Entrepreneurship: Maggie & I unravel how the cultural celebration of hyper-successful entrepreneurship models can be misaligned with many neurodivergent experiences.Recognizing Personal Capacity: Our conversation explores the importance of understanding one's own sensory and emotional capacities and why it's crucial for sustainable business operations.Reality of Business Growth: We discuss the myths around scaling businesses and the reality of what it means for the entrepreneur's role to shift from creator to manager and marketer. Dismissing Magical Thinking: Maggie emphasizes the importance of discerning which ideas to pursue and recognizing that not every new venture has what it takes to succeed.Navigating Neurodivergence and Business: With personal anecdotes, the episode highlights the importance of understanding one's unique neurodivergent traits and leveraging them for business success.Challenging Toxic Advice:  You’ll find yourself nodding along to our critiques of the flawed business advice often targeted at women and neurodivergent individuals, encouraging you to trust your own judgment.Maggie Who?Maggie Patterson is a seasoned entrepreneur, consultant, and small service business owner who is passionate about demystifying societal conditioning around business success and encouraging entrepreneurs to prioritize their well-being. She is also a blogger, podcaster, and author of the long-awaited new book,  “Staying Solo: Your Guide to Building a Simple, Sustainable Service Business.”  🎙️ Mic Drop Moment: ”So often we think about getting support in the context of our business, but what about our friendships, the communities we're in, and the personal supports we're getting?"  Maggie Patterson Mentioned in this episode:Ideation StrengthsFinder themeOur mutual friend MichelleDuped, Maggie’s Podcast with Michelle MazurConnect with Maggie Patterson:Website - Podcast - Instagram - LinkedIn Buy the book “Staying Solo: Your Guide to Building a Simple, Sustainable Service Business.”   Does Maggie sound familiar?  That’s because she’s a returning guest.  Check out our first conversation on ADHD-ish, Episode # 196 “Why Opting to Stay Small Doesn’t Mean Limited Success.” © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

How often do you find yourself agreeing to something and later regretting it? Yeah, me too.  In fact, the majority of adults with ADHD identify as people pleasers, but there’s more to this knee-jerk reflex than meets the eye. This solo episode is packed with actionable tips for unlearning the Default Yes, starting with identifying the role of our unique neurological wiring in this dynamic. With insights into the "reciprocity myth" and the emotional aftermath of asserting oneself, this episode is packed with valuable tools for anyone seeking to say a purposeful yes to the things that truly matter. Let’s get started!🔑 Key Takeaways:The Default Yes: Why impulsively saying yes is more than just people pleasing and how it ties to ADHD brain wiring.Deer in the Headlights Effect: Unexpected requests often leave individuals with ADHD feeling frozen and overwhelmed.The Reciprocity Myth: The misconception that saying yes will always lead to reciprocal benefits in a professional setting.Setting Boundaries as a Muscle: Strengthen your ability to say no with practice, patience, and a bit of training.Practical Techniques: The buffer phrase technique, physical resets, and guilt-free language patterns to help you say no and not feel bad about it.Handling Emotional Aftermath: Insight into managing the guilt and anxiety that can follow after setting boundaries.Forgiveness and Progress: Shifting away from the default yes with self-compassion and patience.Mic drop moment:  "People who consistently get what they want are often those who clearly communicate boundaries, not those who say yes to everything."Start here:Physical Reset Technique: Practice taking a deep breath, pressing your feet into the ground, and rolling your shoulders back when under social pressure to help redirect your focus (and buy a little time before answering.) Climb the No Ladder: Start by saying no to small, low-stakes requests, gradually moving to more significant ones as you gain confidence.What’s next?  In order to rewire your brain from the default yes to more intentional answers takes practice, so be sure to grab my free worksheet that combines all the strategies shared in this episode, including practice scripts with guilt-free responses. Good intentions will not change the situation, but a handy guide that reminds you exactly what to do will. Click here to get your copy. © 2024 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Evan Sargent, founder of Leap_Year Branding and co-author of a book on the U.S. Constitution, shares her journey of embracing ADHD in the entrepreneurial space. She discusses her transition from advertising to entrepreneurship, highlighting the freedom it brought. Evan reveals her innovative sprint days approach, designed for efficiency while respecting her ADHD traits. The conversation also explores the challenges of balancing ambition with well-being and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for neurodivergent individuals.

Discover the concept of the 'ADHD tax' and how it impacts solopreneurs, from financial strains to relationship challenges. Learn practical strategies to mitigate these invisible costs through improved organization and task initiation. Uncover techniques to harness ADHD's unique traits for creativity while also protecting your well-being. With relatable metaphors and actionable advice, this discussion provides essential tips for thriving in both business and life.

Mina Raver, an inspiring developer and creator of the Better CEO app, shares her unique journey from being diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and ODD to becoming a self-taught tech innovator. She discusses the inadequacies of existing productivity tools for neurodivergent individuals and the importance of personalized solutions. Listeners will discover how Better CEO leverages neuroscience and machine learning to transform productivity for ADHD entrepreneurs. Mina emphasizes the need for feedback from users to create an app that truly meets their needs.

If you are a neurodivergent business owner, one of the biggest challenges can be leading a team, especially if you lead an all-female team in a female-dominated industry like occupational therapy.  Today’s Client Success Story features Kirsten Beukes, who is the owner of an OT group practice in South Africa. Through our work together, Kirsten came to understand how her ADHD affects her business and her team, what her business needs from her, and how to reduce burnout and increase joy through doing less, not more.  Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:Leadership Mindset Shift: Transitioning from a practice owner to a business owner mindset allowed Kirsten to differentiate her personal identity from the needs of the business. This distinction has been crucial in making decisions that benefit long-term success, not just immediate needs.Using Owner Days to Create Boundaries & Perspective: By designating one day a week away from the practice for strategic planning and decision-making, Kirsten was able to focus on bigger-picture issues, and reclaim her time. This shift allowed for better work-life integration and also empowered her team to step up and grow.The Power of Self-Acceptance: Recognizing and accepting how her giftedness and ADHD were affecting her business has been a game-changer. This self-awareness has made Kirsten a more effective leader and manager.Fun Fact from the Episode: Due to her change in perspective and shift in priorities, Kirsten recently adopted a puppy named Lemon. Not only is Lemon an adorable new addition to her life, but she’s also training to be a therapy dog for her practice! 🐾❤️Want to connect with Kirsten? Website -  LinkedInAre you ready to become one of my Client Success Stories?  Let’s connect and see if now is the time.  Click here to schedule a free consultation. Are you Going to Neurodiversion 2025 in Austin, TX March 27-29th? I’ll be there too, and hosting a Meetup for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.  DM me on LinkedIn or send me an email to let me know. I’d love to meet you there! © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Iris Goldfeder, a marketing strategist and owner of Gas Stove Creative, shines a light on how neurodivergent business owners can leverage their ADHD strengths. She discusses the power of systems thinking and how it can enhance team dynamics. Iris emphasizes empathy as a tool for deeper client connections and authentic marketing. Furthermore, she advocates for embracing radical authenticity rather than falling into people-pleasing habits, ensuring that true self-expression invites the right clients.

In today's fast-paced world, email management is a critical skill, but for those with ADHD,  constantly checking email can become an addictive habit and the source of our greatest distraction. Email acts as a digital slot machine for those with ADHD, creating a dopamine-driven cycle of constant checking in search of novelty and stimulation. This behavior is about immediate gratification and coping with executive function challenges like task initiation and priority setting. By understanding how your brain responds to these stimuli, you can begin to develop more intentional habits.The cost of this unconscious compulsion is a lot higher than you realize because compulsive email checking acts as a crutch for avoiding more significant tasks. The perceived productivity of responding to emails is misleading and can detract from meaningful work. The worst part?  Email-induced task-switching destroys focus. It takes up to 23 minutes for neurotypical brains to refocus after a switch, and for ADHD brains, it’s even longer. A key takeaway from the episode is that being constantly available via email is often unnecessary and can be counterproductive. Setting specific email hours can actually enhance client perceptions of professionalism. Shared in this Episode: Dedicated Email Blocks Start by setting two defined email blocks per day. This limits distractions and prevents email from dictating your schedule. Use autoresponders to set client expectations and provide alternative contact methods for emergencies.The 3-Folders SystemSimplify your inbox with three primary folders — “Action Required,” “Waiting For,” and “Archive.” This method streamlines email management, reducing the clutter and stress of a crowded inbox.Leveraging Email Templates:Create templates for routine responses. This reduces cognitive load and enhances efficiency. Customize these for common client questions, project updates, and scheduling queries.Ultimately, email management is not merely about efficiency but about owning your worth as an entrepreneur. Running a business should offer freedom, not bind you to other people's priorities. By fostering better boundaries, entrepreneurs can build better work habits, which in turn boosts confidence and productivity. It's essential to remember that you are not always at others' beck and call. Your time and attention are invaluable, so it’s time to let your inbox serve you, not the other way around.Mentioned in this episode:TidyCal - the online calendar that prevents me from overscheduling & sends reminders to my clients so I don’t have to Now What?  Ready to start dealing with your Inbox? Be sure to grab my free worksheet that combines all the strategies shared in this episode. It’s a simple to implement, step by step approach that will begin to free up time and attention for what matters most, which is not going to be found in your Inbox. Click here to get your copy.  © 2024 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved.