ADHD Aha!

Breon and Dan Gummel are a mixed-neurodiversity married couple. After about 5 years of marriage, Breon was diagnosed with ADHD. The conflicts they’d been having as a couple took on a new shape. The more they learned about ADHD, the better they understood each other.Now, they’ve founded an ADHD community called ADHDinner. This is where people with ADHD, and their close ones, can come together for a meal and share their experiences. You can create your own wherever you live with their free ADHDinner guide. Related resourcesadhdinner.orgADHD and marriage (Rachel and Jon’s  story)Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John RateyThe ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa OrlovTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Leadership and career coach Phoebe Gavin was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Phoebe’s mom was her number one advocate. She never made Phoebe feel like there was something wrong with her, and that’s followed her to this day. Now, she works with clients to empower them in the same way. Phoebe takes us through serving in the military, to fashion school, to starting a business with ADHD. She shares career tips when you have ADHD and her journey navigating ADHD and PTSD.Related resourcesPhoebe’s episode of How’d You Get THAT Job?!Phoebe’s website, betterwithphoebe.com6 ways ADHD and PTSD can look alikeTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

As women, it can feel like we have to do it all, yet not be “too much.” Add ADHD stigma and shame on top, and it can feel impossible. Good thing we have Tracy Otsuka to remind us that no one has ever made a difference by being “too little.” Tracy is an ADHD coach, the host of the ADHD for Smart Ass Women podcast, and author of the book with the same name! In this episode, host Laura Key and Tracy talk about how her son’s diagnosis led to her own, the need for an ADHD cookbook, and challenging the status quo. Related resourcesTracy’s podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass WomenTracy’s book, ADHD for Smart Ass WomenADHD and women: The essentialsTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Jesse Anderson wishes he’d had an ADHD manual when he was first diagnosed as an adult, so he wrote one. Before he was diagnosed, he never considered having ADHD himself. After his wife encouraged him to look into it more, his trouble with remembering to do things, time management, and anger started to take a different shape in his mind.Today, Jesse is an ADHD advocate, writer, speaker, and author of the book Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD. Join host Laura Key and Jesse as they discuss toxic productivity, prospective memory, and the magic of owning a whiteboard. Related resourcesADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)ADHD and angerJesse’s website, adhdjesse.comTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Learn more at Understood.org.And if you like what you hear, help us continue this work by donating at understood.org/donate.Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.   Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

When William Curb learned he had ADHD (and wasn’t just lazy), he felt empowered to build coping skills. Now, he hosts the Hacking Your ADHD podcast where he talks about ADHD supports, workarounds, and more.In this bonus episode, host Laura Key and William talk about ADHD and emotions and his favorite ADHD hacks.Related resourcesWilliam’s podcast, Hacking Your ADHDADHD and emotionsADHD and the myth of lazinessTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Learn more at Understood.org.And if you like what you hear, help us continue this work by donating at understood.org/donate.Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.   Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

ADHD coach and creator Caren Magill was diagnosed with ADHD in 2020, during the pandemic. Caren gets real about her experience as a teen girl with undiagnosed ADHD: dropping out of high school, smoking, having poor self-care, and being a “messy kid.” She also shares how she manages her ADHD through fitness, sleep, and meditation.  Caren is also the host of It’s The ADHD-Friendly Show podcast. Listen as she shares what she’s hearing from women with ADHD about overwhelm, and approaching ADHD challenges with curiosity instead of shame.  Related resources:ADHD in teens: From friendship to forgetting homework (Miya’s story)5 ways ADHD teens take risks — and whyCaren’s websiteCaren’s podcast, It’s The ADHD-Friendly ShowTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Learn more at Understood.org.And if you like what you hear, help us continue this work by donating at understood.org/donate.Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.   Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Casey McQuiston, best-selling author of Red, White and Royal Blue, grew up in a neurodivergent family and was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Still, they had trouble coping, and in high school, English teachers gave them an intervention for “not trying hard enough.”Casey is the author of multiple books in the queer romance genre. Casey chats with Laura about how ADHD influences their writing. They also share a sneak peek of their upcoming book The Pairing, coming out August 2024.Related resourcesWhy “just try harder” is a mythBeing Trans with ADHD (Max’s story)caseymcquiston.comTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about ADHD Aha! and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts.Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.   Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

What makes being a mom with ADHD so hard? Navigating executive functions and emotional labor, for one. And feeling burned out when burnout isn’t an option — because there’s always something else that needs your very limited attention!Talking about it with someone who just “gets it” is such a relief. In this episode, Laura talks to her friend and colleague Rae Jacobson, also a mom with ADHD. Listen to their conversation and insights on this bonus Mother’s Day episode.Related resources:Rolling with my ADHD Mom BrainBuilding self-compassion skills3 things I’m learning as a new mom with ADHDTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the “ADHD Aha!” podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about ADHD Aha! and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts.  Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.   Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Ellyce Fulmore had structures in place her whole life that kept her ADHD hidden. When the pandemic hit, those structures disappeared. Doing basic daily tasks — things like cooking and running errands — got really hard. Then she went down a research rabbit hole on ADHD in women and asked for an ADHD evaluation.  Before the pandemic, Ellyce had been struggling with impulsive spending. It made her feel like she was in control when really the spending was controlling her. Now, she’s the author of the book Keeping Finance Personal.  Related resources:5 tips to help teens and young adults manage moneyEllyce’s book, Keeping Finance PersonalQueerdco.comTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

ADHD coach Jaye Lin is no stranger to ADHD burnout. As an Asian American former gifted kid with undiagnosed ADHD, her parents thought she was just being lazy and not applying herself. This pressure and shame followed until her 30s, when her anxiety peaked while she was working at a high-pressure job.  Jaye’s therapist thought she was drug-seeking when she wanted to be screened for ADHD. Now, Jaye builds communities and helps others prioritize what’s important when tunnel vision takes over our lives.  To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the “ADHD Aha!” podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesADHD and anxietyJaye's websiteADDA Asians with ADHD support groupThe Monoceros Initiative  Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

In 2016, Paulette Perhach wrote a piece proclaiming that all women need an emergency fund — what she calls an “f-off fund.” But when she struggled to secure an emergency fund for herself, she suspected she might have ADHD. Paulette, a successful author and writing coach, put off the evaluation because she couldn’t afford the $260 price tag.In this episode of ADHD Aha!, Paulette talks about her trouble with impulse buying and online shopping. She shares her family’s history with money issues, including bankruptcy. And she and Laura have an emotional exchange about the ADHD tax.  To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesWhat is the ADHD tax?ADHD and managing moneyPaulette in the New York Times: “For women with money issues, an ADHD diagnosis can be revelatory” See more of Paulette’s writing on her website. Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

As a child, David Flink was told to “just try harder.”  But David wasn’t lazy. He was trying as hard as he could.   After being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in the 5th grade, David went to a school that taught him to “try smarter” instead. There he learned to pick paths that work better for his brain.   Today, David is an author, advocate, and speaker. He’s also the founder and chief empowerment officer of Eye to Eye, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving experiences for students with learning differences. Host Laura Key and David discuss how Eye to Eye was born, and bust some age-old ADHD myths.   To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesDavid’s article, “Why just try harder” is a mythHow having mentors can help kids who learn and think differentlyEye to Eye’s website Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Peter Jones used to feel better about saying he had a hearing problem rather than considering ADHD. When he was a child in the 90s, adults thought his “listening problem” was because he couldn’t hear. Turns out, Peter does have some trouble hearing lower frequencies, but that didn’t explain his other symptoms.  Now, Peter knows he has ADHD and is not afraid to say it. On this episode, Host Laura Key and Peter discuss what it means when a child is “listening,” and how auditory processing comes into play.  To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesThe difference between auditory processing disorder and ADHDWhat’s the difference between inattention and distractibility?Why some kids don’t listen Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

ADHD coach Emily Weinberg is no stranger to analysis paralysis. Before she was diagnosed, she thought she was just lazy, and that she couldn’t have ADHD since she wasn’t hyperactive. But whenever she was being “unproductive,” she was actually just frozen. She was stuck thinking about the list of things to do mounting in her head.When she first spoke to a psychiatrist about ADHD, Emily was told that “she just seemed like an anxious mom with young kids.” So her ADHD was missed, which happens for so many women. Since then, Emily has worked hard to understand herself better, and now she empowers others to do the same.To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesADHD and “analysis paralysis”ADHD and the myth of lazinessEmily’s ADHD coaching website, ADHDwithemily.com Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Growing up, Carol Blumenstein was labeled an unteachable student. She was terrified to read during class, and school only brought huge anxiety. Luckily, her mom believed in her in a way teachers didn’t. She put Carol in community college courses and pushed her to turn her frustration into motivation.Carol didn’t know she had ADHD and dyslexia until she saw her own children — all five of them — struggle with the same things she did when she was little. But this time the issues were addressed and they were understood by their teachers.Now, Carol’s kids have founded their own organization, KidsRead2Kids, which provides free video audiobooks read by kids for kids and other helpful resources.To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesVideo: Why do ADHD and dyslexia co-occur so often?Dyslexia and anxiety in kidsADHD and anxietyCarol’s family’s organization, KidsRead2Kids Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Back when he was a criminal defense lawyer, Ernest Anemone related to one of his clients: An impulsive, irritable teenage boy who burned down the penalty box of a hockey rink. But what Ernie related to wasn’t just the ADHD behaviors. It was the teen’s feeling of having no control over his own life.  Now, Ernie is an actor, filmmaker, and executive coach for Fortune 500 companies. Growing up, Ernie felt like he had no agency. He knew he didn’t have the type of focus society favored. But he was (and continues to be) good in a crisis. Ernie can focus — one could argue — when it really matters.Also in this episode, the embarrassment and shame that comes with executive dysfunction. And is ADHD really an attention “deficit”?    To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesADHD and hyperfocusHyperactivity in teens with ADHD: What it can look likeHow attention works Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can look similar in many ways. And together, they can morph into what guest Hannah Harris Green calls “a trauma ball of blame that’s hard to untangle.”Hannah is a podcast producer, journalist, and writer who works in public radio. She talked about ADHD and PTSD on KCRW’s Bodies podcast, which she produced. (It’s an incredible episode. Link below.) She shares her ADHD diagnosis story here and talks about her Venn diagram of ADHD and PTSD behaviors (insomnia, trouble focusing, and more). Also in this episode: a “fall from grace” when school got harder. Plus, adding ADHD to an already layered identity.Hannah’s episode on the Bodies podcast: https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/bodies/adhd-women-ptsd-executive-function-messyTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resources6 ways ADHD and PTSD can look alikeADHD and sleep problems in kidsHannah’s episode on the Bodies podcastResources for sexual assault survivors at rainn.org Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Everyone with ADHD has trouble with executive function in some way — and these challenges can make the transition to adulthood especially hard.Today, we’re sharing an episode of the In It podcast called “Adulting and executive function skills.” Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Karen Wilson shares common executive function challenges young adults face in the real world. Get her expert advice on how to help young adults with ADHD cope with the demands of college or that first job.  To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the In It podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resources Life after high school: Tips to get your child readyExecutive function challenges and learning: 6 ways to help your child after high schoolEveryday challenges for people who struggle with executive function Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

It’s the hair twirling that always gives it away. After silently coping for years, Livingston Steele can spot the signs of ADHD, and the anxiety it can cause. He’d been working here at Understood.org for about a year when he was officially diagnosed.Livingston talks about his perfectionism and what led him to get evaluated for ADHD. He also shares how ADHD helped him build empathy for his brothers (who also have ADHD), and for himself.To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesADHD and perfectionismIs ADHD hereditary?ADHD and anxiety Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Need organization and decluttering tips? Wendy Zanders has tips for days. She also has ADHD. We don’t usually associate strong organization skills with ADHD. And yet, Wendy is a decluttering coach with ADHD. She moved to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago at 14. At first, she struggled to keep up with her classes. But then she discovered her secret weapon: hyperfocusing on cleaning to de-stress and bring focus to her school life.Today, Wendy is a United States veteran, business owner, and mom of 2 kids who also have ADHD. When her son was being evaluated, she recognized her own symptoms in him. Find out how Wendy helps other families tackle clutter, and how having ADHD brings empathy to her work.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesCheck out Wendy’s website: yourdecluttercoach.comADHD and messiness4 ways I stay organized with ADHD Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstoodUnderstood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give