Hacking Your ADHD

Rae Jacobson, a journalist and ADHD expert who hosts the Hyperfocus podcast, dives into the complexities of ADHD in this engaging discussion. They explore how ordinary life events, like misplacing keys or getting songs stuck in heads, are often misattributed to ADHD. Rae shares insights on the dangers of over-pathologizing ADHD and differentiating it from comorbidities like anxiety and depression. With humor, they tackle clutter as a coping mechanism, and why understanding the root causes of symptoms is crucial for effective treatment. Expect relatable anecdotes and practical advice!

Join Nikki Kinzer, an ADHD coach dedicated to building supportive systems, and Pete Wright, a co-author sharing personal insights on ADHD. They discuss the power of embracing ADHD strengths, eliminating the worst options in planning to avoid perfectionism, and how traditional productivity systems often miss the mark for those with ADHD. They emphasize the importance of resilience in workflows, accepting that tasks can be hard, and using tools that truly fit individual needs—reminding us that ADHD-friendly systems can make life feel lighter.

Skye Waterson, a research-focused practitioner from Unconventional Organization, dives into video accessibility for those with ADHD. They explore innovative strategies like speeding up video playback to enhance focus and practical recommendations for making content more engaging, such as using clear summaries and visuals. The conversation touches on user strategies versus creator responsibilities, including the importance of captions and varied presentation styles. They also address potential caption censorship issues, making for a thought-provoking discussion about improving accessibility.

Jamie Shapiro, an ADHD coach and founder of Silver Linings Transitions, shares her journey of late ADHD diagnosis and its impact on older adults. She discusses the intersection of aging and ADHD, highlighting how aging traits can mask ADHD symptoms. Jamie sheds light on the emotional effects of late diagnoses and the importance of community. She provides practical tools for managing ADHD in later life and encourages proactive planning for aging with ADHD while emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding across generations.

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a clinical psychologist and couples therapist, shares her insights on navigating complex family dynamics. She discusses how family expectations can complicate relationships and emphasizes the importance of teamwork with your partner. Tracy introduces her Vault method to help couples clarify values and boundaries, reducing friction in decision-making. She highlights the impact of ADHD on family roles and offers practical strategies for reconnecting during conflicts, stressing the importance of vulnerability and apologies.

In this enlightening discussion, ADHD consultant Skye Waterson sheds light on the strengths of ADHDers in the workplace. She explores how traits like resilience, creativity, and hyperfocus can be advantageous when in the right environments. Skye highlights the importance of person-environment fit and shares insights from two research papers on workplace challenges and successes of ADHD adults. The conversation also covers adaptive strategies, the impact of social support, and the paradox of overcommitting strengths, all essential for redefining success in careers.

In this conversation with Amy Marie Hann, The Activated ADHD Mama and ADHD coach, listeners discover why ADHD brains struggle with mundane tasks. Amy discusses the shame associated with household chores and offers practical strategies for ADHD moms. She emphasizes designing routines based on actual capacity, introduces the concept of the 'daily three' tasks, and redefines self-care as a tool for managing daily chaos. The episode also tackles the difference between restorative rest and numbing activities, encouraging a compassionate approach to productivity.

Skye Waterson, a coach and founder of Unconventional Organization, dives into the fascinating relationship between TikTok and ADHD. They explore why TikTok's reach is significant for ADHD content, analyzing a study on the quality of ADHD-related videos. Misleading claims versus genuine personal experiences are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of source transparency. With over half of the content deemed misleading, Skye and William suggest using TikTok as a springboard for deeper research while remaining cautious about the accuracy of creators' claims.

Join Alex Bellitter, Senior Manager of Coaching at Shimmer, as she dives into the complexities of ADHD and resilience. With a Master's in Psychology, she challenges the grind-it-out mindset, emphasizing that true resilience is about gradual skill-building and recovery. Discover how burnout develops in ADHD brains and the importance of rest, play, and social connections for productivity. Alex shares practical strategies for conquering ADHD inertia and creating a supportive environment to rediscover personal strengths.

Skye Waterson, the founder of Unconventional Organization, joins the discussion to explore the fascinating link between ADHD and creativity during adolescence. They delve into a 2006 study revealing that teens with ADHD tend to generate more original ideas compared to their peers. Skye explains how ADHD can lead to broader conceptual thinking, despite some drawbacks in practicality. The duo also suggests leveraging ADHD strengths in collaborative settings and emphasizes the need for more research, particularly in adults, to fully understand this creative potential.