Women & ADHD

Episode 103 with Christine Syrad.“Our attention is like a river. Sometimes you could do with a dam because you can’t stop yourself from focusing. And other times you go through massive droughts.”Christine is a gastronomist and fermentation enthusiast who also happens to speak 5 languages. She grew up between the UK, Japan, and Italy and has spent the last decade or so in Switzerland, where she now resides with her husband and daughter. She is also the face of fermentable, where she not only teaches workshops to other chefs about the art of fermentation, but also packages and sells her own fermented products. Christine and I talk all about her globe-trotting childhood and mixed-race heritage, and how her ADHD contributed to her many varied career paths over the years, as well as how her hypersensitivity helped her learn so many languages over the years. We also talk about her years living in Japan and how ADHD is viewed in Japanese culture. Christine is an absolute delight and a wonderful storyteller — I truly hope you love this interview as much as I did!Website: fermentable.chInstagram: @fermentable  Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd- - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 102 with Dr. Janina Elbert.“I’m not sure if I would call ADHD my superpower, but certain strengths or ideas I get from my creative brain is definitely a superpower.”Dr. Elbert has a PhD in clinical psychology with an extensive background in prenatal risk factors and child development. She is also an ADHD advocate and a certified ADHD coach.Through her ADHD Empowerment Coaching practice, Dr. Elbert helps individuals with ADHD to learn, understand, and work with their unique brains to reach their full potential and feel empowered in their life. She also recently moved from Germany to Connecticut with her boyfriend.We talk all about executive functioning coaching and what it entails, as well as the difference between therapy and coaching as different treatment modalities for ADHD. And we discuss when it’s time to get coaching versus therapy.We also talk about how ADHD is regarded in Germany, and some of the differences and similarities faced by women seeking an ADHD diagnosis in Europe versus North America.Website: adhdempowermentcoaching.comInstagram: @adhd_empowerment_coaching Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd- - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 101 with Robyn Buchanan.“I call it ‛reasonable minimalism,’ where we only keep what we use. Having less stuff around means less distraction and better focus.”Robyn is a registered nurse, life and focus coach, and Youtube creator who specializes in the topics of minimalism and decluttering. Living in a house full of ADHDers, including three teenage boys, Robyn learned firsthand the value of minimalism and decluttering and recognized how important a decluttered environment was to helping with focus, creativity, productivity, and happiness. She is an advocate for people with ADHD to capitalize on their strengths and push the mundane aside to live their best lives. Robyn & I talk about “environmental design” and how minimalism and decluttering are ideal for our ADHD brains, but what do we do when executive dysfunction gets in the way? We talk about object permanence and memory, and Robyn offers tips on how to manage the need to keep all things visible while also decluttering your space.And we also talk about minimizing our lives, doing less, and setting boundaries, and resisting the urge to constantly over-schedule ourselves.Most of us have a clutter type that keeps us living with extra stuff. Take Robyn’s 2 minute quiz to find out what your clutter type is and specific strategies to overcome your struggles so you can live in a supportive and cozy environment.Website: robynbuchanan.comYouTube: Robyn BuchananInstagram: @minimalisthomeplease  Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 100 with Nancy Armstrong.“There’s a lot of finger-pointing that this is your fault and if you were trying harder, you could overcome this, but clearly you’re not trying.”Nancy is the executive producer of the powerful, award-winning documentary “The Disruptors,” which debunks many prevailing negative stereotypes around ADHD and includes interviews with celebrities, athletes & entrepreneurs with ADHD, as well as many prominent ADHD experts.Nancy’s husband, their son and their two daughters have all been diagnosed with ADHD, and the documentary was inspired by her family’s experiences navigating life with ADHD, and the frustrating stigmas and misconceptions they’ve experienced along the way. We talk all about the making of the documentary, the difficult journeys and choices faced by the families in the film, and the heartwarming advice from celebrities like Paris Hilton, will.i.am, Scott Kelly, Howie Mandel, Michelle Carter, and tons more.If you have ADHD or love someone with ADHD, then this film is an absolute “must-watch”! You can find the documentary to rent on iTunes, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Amazon, and Vudu.Website: disruptorsfilm.comInstagram: @adhddisruptors Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 99 with Anne Bartolucci.“I now look back at some of the stupid things I did when I was younger and think, ‛Oh, that’s why!’ I’m more compassionate with my younger self now, which has been healing.”Anne is a licensed psychologist, certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, and the founder and chief psychologist of Atlanta Insomnia & Behavioral Health Services. She is also adjunct faculty at Emory University and enjoys sharing her knowledge as an author, speaker, trainer, and now writing coach. When she’s not helping people sleep, Anne is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and steampunk under her not-so-secret pen name Cecilia DominicAnne and I talk about what led to her own diagnosis in adulthood. We also discuss her book, Better Sleep for the Overachiever, and we talk about some of the more common sleep issues experienced by adults with ADHD, such as delayed circadian rhythms, restless sleep, and “revenge bedtime procrastination.” We also talk about healthy sleep etiquette for adults with ADHD, and the benefits of productive relaxation.Website: sleepyintheatl.com ; overachieverbook.com/newsletterInstagram: @psychupacademy Episode edited by E Podcast Productions Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 98 with Sarah Wheeler.“I was like, Why do I have all these ambitions, yet so much incompetence? Like, I know I’m smart. Why can’t I just get it together?”Sarah is a writer, educational psychologist, and neurodiversity trainer based in Oakland. I first discovered Sarah through her Substack newsletter Momspreading. She wrote a piece reflecting back on her adult ADHD diagnosis, and it was just so compelling and nuanced and thought-provoking and hilarious that I kind of started stalking her a little bit online after that.Thankfully, she agreed to sit down with me and talk about her own diagnosis journey and how she managed to spend 15 years studying and diagnosing ADHD in children without realizing she herself had ADHD. We talk about how a diagnosis in adulthood can feel both profoundly life-changing and, at the same time, inconsequential. We also talk about internalized hyperactivity in girls and those good old-fashioned ADHD tangents and long-winded conversational curlicues for which more than a few of us are known. And we talk about one of Sarah's favorite studies involving the Ariaal tribe of northern Kenya, and how environment and social factors can play an integral role in whether or not someone with ADHD thrives. Website: sarahwheelerphd.comInstagram: @thewheeler1 Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 97 with Kalin Johnson.“When I was growing up, my mom used to ask, ‘Don’t you ever get tired of thinking?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, but what am I going to do? Is there an alternative?’”Kalin is an American healthcare provider, mental health advocate, and entrepreneur. She shows high-achieving, neurodivergent individuals how to unmask their health and feel their best through concierge whole person care. As a licensed clinical pharmacist, functional medicine specialist, healthcare advocate, and neurodivergent mentor, Kalin bridges the gap between mental health and physical health through her professional and personal experience.After a year of struggling with extreme burnout and depression, she was diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and PTSD at the age of 33. Contrary to some, she had always suspected she was autistic but she was shocked when her therapist first told her she suspected ADHD. Kalin had to unpack a lot of the overzealous coping mechanisms that had been in place since she was young to compensate for her mostly inattentive ADHD symptoms. We discuss what it takes to curate a neurodivergent-affirming care team. We also discuss self-advocacy and finding the right medications for your treatment plan.And we chat about her experience coming out as queer versus her experience "coming out" as ADHD & autistic, and why the latter proved to be the more difficult experience for her.- - - - -Kalin will be hosting a live Q&A in the Women & ADHD online community on Sunday, August 21, where she will be giving an intro to ADHD medications, explaining the different types of popular ADHD medications, their classifications, and what symptoms they target. She'll also be available to answer your burning questions about medications and ADHD treatment plans! For more info and to register, head to www.womenandadhd.com/events.- - - - -Kalin is also hosting a free webinar on September 27 on the topic of neurodivergent advocacy. Website: kalinjohnson.comInstagram: @kalinpharmd Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 96 with Diana Heldfond.“No child shows up to school wanting to be the anxious kid in class or the disorganized one. There’s something else going on that’s inhibiting that child from succeeding.”Diana is the founder and CEO of Parallel Learning. As early as 7 years old, Diana realized she was not progressing at the pace of her fellow classmates. Soon thereafter, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Diana was fortunate enough to have the support to get the help she needed in order to thrive. As an adult, she realized that while 1 in every 5 students has a cognitive difference, support is confusing, expensive, and inefficient. Diana is now on a mission to make psycho-educational services widely available across the nation. As founder and CEO of Parallel, Diana is building the first tech-enabled, integrated care model for children with learning and thinking differences. Diana & I talk all about the online assessment process for kids, which is a relatively new option for families and schools. We also talk about empowered learning and the importance of positive framing and teaching kids about the strengths of ADHD at an early age rather than simply diagnosing a disorder. I loved getting the chance to sit down with Diana and hear her personal story and chat all about this incredible business she started and how much it has benefited my family’s journey.** If you are interested in learning more about how Parallel can help your child, please call 914.377.5655 or visit www.parallellearning.com. Use the discount code “WOMENANDADHD" for 50% off your child’s first month of services and $250 off an evaluation. **Website: Parallel LearningInstagram: @joinparallel Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 95 with Courtney Ruckman.“At first, I didn’t see the hyperactivity piece in myself, until I realized it applies to thoughts. My brain is like 20 radio stations at the same time.”Courtney was diagnosed with ADHD in October 2021 and the Women & ADHD podcast was one of the first resources she found (yay!).Courtney spent 11 years as a professional opera singer before retiring about 2 years ago and transitioning into arts marketing. Following her ADHD diagnosis, she looked back at her career as a performer and realized the extent to which ADHD was at the heart of her challenges as a singer and her decision to retire.She now loves using her neurodivergent creativity to help artists shine online, and she is the founder of Ossia Media, a digital marketing agency for emerging artists and non-profits.Courtney and I talk all about working memory as a singer and performer, as well as internalized hyperactivity and racing thoughts.We also talk about just how damaging the words “you have so much potential” can be to many neurodivergent kids.Website: Ossia MediaInstagram: @crsoprano ; @ossiamedia Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcriptsThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - - Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com - - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 94 with Ebony Washington.“On tests, I would read a sentence over and over and over again because it wasn’t processing in my brain. I’d think, ‘I’m smart. Why can’t I understand this?’”Ebony is a writer, artist, martial artist, and writers’ assistant on ABC’s hit medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy. Ebony was officially diagnosed with ADHD back in 2012 while in college, and we talk all about the various coping strategies she relied on while in school before and after her diagnosis.We talk about the many ways she masked as a girl, as well as her journey to finding the right medication and treatment plan in adulthood.And we also talk about working in the TV industry and how her ADHD helps her with multitasking and hyper-focusing in such a high-stress environment.Instagram: @eebbonyy Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdOur Sponsors:* Check out Calm: https://calm.com/WOMENADHDSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy