ADHD Founders

Jesse and Sharon sit down with Lydia Swift, Sharon’s co-founder at Shelpful, to talk about starting a company with a decades-long friend, the whirlwind of launching during COVID, and how the ADHD community shaped their product’s direction. Lydia opens up about living in the “squishy middle” of ADHD (relating to nearly every trait without a formal diagnosis) and the hurdles of self-advocacy in the medical system. Together they swap stories about friendship, entrepreneurship, pivots, and building tools that make life a little easier for brains that work differently. Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the complex relationship between ADHD, sleep, and streak-based motivation. From the highs and crashes of productivity apps to the shame spiral of missed days, they unpack how self-tracking tools like the Oura Ring can both help and harm. They also explore revenge bedtime procrastination, night owl tendencies, and how ADHD often intersects with insomnia and time blindness.Plus, a real-life look behind the scenes of each host’s business, from community building and monetizing digital products to the emotional highs and lows of founder life. This one’s full of insight, laughter, and the kind of real talk that makes you feel less alone on the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon unpack how energy-draining conversations, negative feedback, and reactivity can derail an ADHD entrepreneur’s entire day. They explore the difference between venting and vibe-killing, the power of structuring your day around creative flow, and how AI (or even Zapier!) can help you protect your dopamine. Plus: hilarious background setup fails, the ultimate customer sentiment filter, and one surprisingly perfect question for identifying your ideal user. This one’s for every founder who’s ever answered emails in their workout clothes without working out.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

Explore the innovative use of AI tools like ChatGPT in app development and daily tasks. Hear stories of hyperfocus leading to unexpected creations, like an iOS app built in a weekend. The discussion also covers the challenges of managing app subscriptions, particularly for ADHD users, and the need for seamless payment processes. Nostalgic reflections on classic games like King’s Quest offer a playful backdrop to the tech talk, making for an engaging blend of productivity tips and personal anecdotes.

In a candid conversation, the hosts reveal the unique challenges of ADHD entrepreneurship. They tackle context switching, motivation dips, and the highs and lows of product launches. With humor, they discuss community-building experiments and the struggle against perfectionism. Insights on using platforms like Circle for better communication add depth to their journey. Plus, they share tips on email marketing and the emotional hurdles of self-promotion, making it a relatable experience for anyone navigating the entrepreneurial world.

In episode 61, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the chaos of time zones, appointment scheduling quirks (like 11:11 start times), and the emotional rollercoaster of building ADHD-friendly tech products. They share raw stories about customer interviews, MVP struggles, subscription pricing models, and deeply personal reasons behind why their apps exist. From missed birthdays to AI-driven reminders that help rebuild broken connections, this episode is an authentic look at founders building tools to solve their own ADHD challenges, and hoping they help others along the way.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

The hosts dive into the raw realities of burnout and grief as entrepreneurs with ADHD. They candidly discuss the struggle to regain focus and establish healthy work habits. Listeners hear about the healing power of changing environments and the importance of social connections. Emotional hurdles like guilt and invalidation are tackled, emphasizing self-care and acceptance. Additionally, the balance between routine and spontaneity is explored, revealing tips for managing distractions while celebrating creativity.

In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon reconnect after meeting in person for the first time at the NeuroDiversion Conference — a groundbreaking event for neurodivergent entrepreneurs and creators. They share personal reflections on what it meant to unmask, connect, and be surrounded by a community that gets it. From the joys of real-life hugs to insights on building authentic support networks, this conversation is a heartfelt celebration of ADHD, entrepreneurship, and friendship.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Sharon, and Marie dive deep into the ever-shifting world of productivity systems for ADHD brains. From bullet journals to Google Calendar hacks and even racing appliances, the trio swap stories, wins, and fails in their quest for functionality without the shame spiral.Highlights:* How systems like bullet journals, Notion, and TickTick work—until they don’t* Sharon’s genius laundry bin system that’s ADHD-friendly and Pinterest-agnostic* Marie’s dopamine-fueled sock-folding stopwatch game* Jesse’s sacred reminder app rules and how he tricks his brain with “talk-driven development”* Using novelty, urgency, and accountability to beat procrastination* Calendar sync woes and why "racing the kettle" is the new life hack* Tricks like the “finger memory method” and doorway-effect exploitation* Why perfection isn't the goal—function isFollow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into personal stories and practical insights from their lives as ADHD entrepreneurs.What you'll hear about:* Jesse’s first-time experience speaking at SXSW, plus the sensory overload (and perks!) of attending with a platinum badge* A candid look at missed opportunities and promoting early-stage products at big events* Marie’s unexpected journey into fundraising via Twitter (X) and joining an accelerator* Sharon’s unique fundraising path, including early support from Sam Altman* A breakdown of what accelerators like Y Combinator offer—beyond the money* Thoughts on idea execution vs. inspiration, and why “idea guys” rarely get fundedWhether you're curious about startup fundraising or just want real talk from founders with ADHD, this one’s packed with insights and laughs.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com