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Alternative Health
**ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka**

I have NEVER met an ADHD woman who wasn’t truly brilliant at something! This podcast, with nearly 7 million downloads, is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. If you want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and discover where your brilliance lies, this podcast is for you!

*ADHD for Smart Ass Women* is globally ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent of all podcasts in the world on any subject. It’s streamed in more than 160 countries and is downloaded by more than 150,000 listeners every month. My book of the same name, published by HarperCollins/William Morrow, was recently honored by Amazon Editors as a Top 20 Best Nonfiction Book of 2024.

I’m Tracy Otsuka, your host. I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, a lifelong learner, and a certified ADHD coach. I’m on a mission to change the conversation around ADHD because I believe it’s time to focus on the strengths that come with our unique brains. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life finally made sense, yet all I read and heard about ADHD focused on what I *should* struggle with. What I discovered, though, was that my ADHD was responsible for some of my greatest superpowers.

Another thing we constantly hear is all the success stories about ADHD men, but no one talks about the women. This podcast is here to change that. ADHD women are my people, and I’m here to acknowledge, support, and cheer them on. My experience as an adult living with ADHD, along with my expertise, is regularly sought out by top-tier media, including Forbes, CBS Mornings, ABC News Live, Inc., Prevention Magazine, Verywell Mind, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast.

www.adhdforsmartwomen.com

THE CONTENT IN THIS PODCAST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN OR HEARD FROM TRACY OTSUKA OR THIS PODCAST.

Latest Episodes:

EP. 307: Not a Disorder, But a Wildtype: Dr. Idit Hazan on ADHD as a Natural Human Variation Nov 20, 2024

Hot take: ADHD behavior is a normal variant, not a disorder. This is what our guest, Dr. Idit Hazan believes.

Dr. Idit Hazan, a pediatrician turned entrepreneur and professor, redefines what it means to embrace neurodivergence in medicine and beyond. Through her journey as a parent and professional, Dr. Hazan recognized traits in herself that align with ADHD, helping her reframe her challenges as strengths and fueling her creativity and problem-solving skills. Her insights have led to groundbreaking innovations in pediatric care.

In this episode, Dr. Hazan shares how her experiences as a parent and professor helped her uncover the hidden strengths of an ADHD brain. She reflects on how embracing outside-the-box thinking has shaped her approach to problem-solving and innovation. As a professor of Biology at Grand View University and a trailblazer in pediatric healthcare, she demonstrates how leaning into neurodivergence can transform industries.

Dr. Hazan discusses the development of her pioneering platform, designed to make clinical environments more engaging and empowering for children. She also offers insights on balancing life as a parent of three college-aged kids, a professor, and an innovator. Her story challenges the narrative of ADHD as a deficit and highlights the potential of neurodivergence to unlock creativity and drive meaningful change.
Resources:
X: https://x.com/genetics_prof/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idit-hazan/
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

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EP. 306: Why You Need to Find Your People Now! Nov 13, 2024

What if understanding your ADHD brain is the key to achieving your biggest dreams?

For Luci Taylor, an ADHD diagnosis in her twenties became a turning point, giving her the clarity and confidence to finish her first book. Her journey—from crafting her first stories in kindergarten to creating complex, neurodivergent characters—is a testament to the power of self-discovery and embracing your unique strengths.

In this episode, Luci opens up about the struggles and breakthroughs she’s faced with ADHD, from challenges in school to finding her creative voice as a writer. Diagnosed later in life, Luci shares how finally understanding her ADHD transformed the way she saw herself and her goals. Her “Midwestern Bookish Belles” series reimagines classic heroines with neurodivergent traits, inviting young readers to see themselves in characters who defy convention and embrace their quirks.

Luci also shares insights into her creative process, which includes using colorful Post-it notes to organize her ideas and letting go of perfectionism in early drafts. For aspiring neurodivergent writers, Luci’s story is a reminder that embracing your brain’s unique wiring can fuel both creativity and resilience. Her journey offers encouragement and practical advice for anyone learning to live authentically with ADHD or supporting someone who is.

Resources:
Website: https://www.lucitaylorbooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luci.taylor.books/
Resources:
Website: https://www.womenandadhd.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenandadhdpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/womenandadhd
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 305: Katy Weber’s Mission for Women with ADHD Nov 06, 2024

From parenting struggles to podcasting success, Katy Weber’s ADHD journey has reshaped her life.

Diagnosed at 45, Katy—a health coach and founder of Women & ADHD—found herself rethinking everything she thought she knew about ADHD. This unexpected self-discovery helped her understand how ADHD had influenced her as a mother, professional, and individual. Through her podcast, she’s built a supportive, encouraging space for neurodivergent women to connect, share stories, and find community.

Katy’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery, full of twists that many will find relatable. Before entering the ADHD advocacy world, Katy spent years as a journalist, covering a range of human experiences and honing her ability to tell powerful stories. With experience at publications like National Geographic and PsychCentral, she now brings her storytelling expertise to Women & ADHD, sharing stories and insights that make listeners feel seen and understood. This episode captures her journey from the fast-paced world of New York City to finding a new sense of balance in the Hudson Valley, where she has found purpose in health coaching and community-building.

Through Women & ADHD, Katy addresses topics that resonate with her listeners on a personal level, such as the complex relationship between ADHD and binge eating and moving beyond diet culture to embrace a more holistic approach to health. She shares how ADHD affects not only personal identity but also how women show up in their work and family lives. Katy’s story goes beyond diagnosis; it’s a journey of learning, unlearning, and embracing the strengths that come with ADHD. Her message is clear: it’s never too late to understand your own mind and rewrite your narrative in ways that are both empowering and authentic.

Resources:
Website: https://www.womenandadhd.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenandadhdpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/womenandadhd
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 304: Compassionate Communication for a Neurodiverse Family with Breanna Autolitano Oct 30, 2024

When life gets overwhelming, self-compassion and mindfulness can be the key to thriving.

Breanna Autolitano, a mother of 9 and mindfulness expert, shares how she embraced neurodivergence and used compassionate communication to transform her life. As a mindfulness tour guide certified by Eckhart Tolle, Breanna uses her skills to help others find balance amidst the chaos of daily life.

Diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Breanna talks about her journey of self-discovery and the tools that helped her cope with childhood trauma and the pressures of raising a neurodiverse family. She opens up about the challenges of being misunderstood growing up, from struggling with dyslexia and math in school to finally receiving the support she needed. Her experience with mindfulness and compassionate communication gave her the ability to navigate her own neurodivergence and become a more present, understanding parent.

In this episode, Breanna shares insights on how mindfulness and compassionate communication can reshape relationships, especially with children. From applying empathy in everyday situations to creating systems that work for ADHD minds, her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and connection.

Resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breannaautolitano/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanna-autolitano-88227778/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breannaautolitano3
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 303: Turning Work into Play: Kristen West’s Story Oct 23, 2024

When life feels chaotic, humor can be your greatest tool for finding balance.

Kristen West, founder of The Centered Life Co., has built a thriving online community around her fun, ADHD-friendly tools that bring joy and structure to daily life. With over half a million followers, her playful, shame-free videos on mental health and productivity inspire others to embrace their quirks and find motivation in unexpected ways.

Diagnosed with ADHD at 26, Kristen struggled in traditional work environments, constantly facing burnout and frustration. Her diagnosis became a turning point, allowing her to build a life suited to her brain’s unique strengths. Now, through her planners and videos, she helps others create routines incorporating joy and play, proving that productivity can be fun and tailored to individual needs.

Kristen’s work goes beyond to-do lists, blending humor and creativity with effective planning tools. In this episode, she shares her journey of managing ADHD, offering insights into overcoming challenges with self-compassion and humor. Her experiences show how turning perceived limitations into strengths can bring more balance and happiness into everyday life.

When Kristen isn’t creating viral content, she’s likely climbing, baking bread, or trying to keep her vegetable garden alive. Her story is a reminder that success comes from embracing who you are and building systems that align with your unique needs, leaving room for fun along the way.
Resources:
Website: https://thecenteredlife.co/
Website: https://www.findyourmagic.biz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenteredlifeco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourmagicbiz/
Tiktok: @findyourmagicbiz
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 302: Healing Through Art with Yolanda Y. Liou Oct 16, 2024

When art became a refuge, it became a revolution.

This episode is about embracing neurodivergence and challenging beauty standards. Yolanda Liu, a Taiwan-born artist based in London, is renowned for her work across photography, film, collage, illustration, and tattoo art. Featured in outlets like BBC, Vogue, and i-D, her story reflects resilience as she navigates life with ADHD and a recent autism diagnosis. From her early days nurtured by a creative mother to the launch of her second book, Thank You For Playing With Me, Yolanda's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment. Through her art, she challenges societal beauty standards and promotes authenticity.

Initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, Yolanda found relief in an accurate ADHD diagnosis, which allowed her to better understand herself. Embracing her neurodivergent strengths, she explores how creativity has served as a sanctuary and a means to empower others. Her projects—spanning tattoo artistry and collaborative photography—emphasize representation, connection, and breaking down societal norms.

Yolanda shares insights on managing empathy, self-care, and productivity, emphasizing the strength of embracing one’s uniqueness. Her journey is a testament to the resilience within neurodivergence, offering fresh perspectives on mental well-being, creativity, and self-expression.

Resources:
Website: https://yolandaliou.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yolandaliou/
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-y-liou-45234142
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 301: Understanding ADHD and Aphantasia with Dr. Chelsea Twiss Oct 09, 2024

Imagine trying to visualize something in your mind, only to be met with a blank canvas.
This is the reality for people with aphantasia, a condition where the mind's eye struggles to conjure images. In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I'm joined by Dr. Chelsea Twiss, a licensed psychologist from Colorado with an impressive background. She specializes in ADHD, women's health, chronic pain, and relationships, and conducts psychological testing with a focus on adult ADHD. As if that wasn't enough, she's also a talented musician and artist, holding a doctorate in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University.
Interestingly, Chelsea experiences hyperphantasia, the opposite of aphantasia, where mental imagery is remarkably vivid and detailed. Her research delves into the fascinating connections between ADHD, trauma, and brain function, particularly in relation to visual memory and identity. Our conversation explores how cognitive differences like aphantasia and hyperphantasia can significantly influence the ADHD experience, especially for women who often face unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Twiss and I discuss the ways in which ADHD can alter how we perceive and process visual information, highlighting the importance of understanding these nuances when diagnosing and treating ADHD, particularly in women who are frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed.
Resources:
Website: https://www.drchelseatwisscounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healththruconnection/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-twiss-755092196/
Eastwood & Holly - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3iyNkncezKr61GX7GVMHvN?si=yN4oLcwFRwyVvKf4jKb9lQ
Russick Smith - Cello Trees 🌲 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNvvMVcy_Y
___
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 300: My Son Markus' Journey: Turning Academic Challenges into Strengths and Resilience Oct 02, 2024

Celebrating the 300th Episode with a Special Guest—My Son, Markus

For this milestone episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I wanted to do something meaningful and personal. So instead of interviewing a high-profile guest, I invited my son, Markus. While we usually only feature women, there have been a few exceptions—like Dr. Ned Hallowell, my husband, and Markus, who has been on twice before.

Now, Markus is at a different stage in life. He’s just graduated from college after navigating a challenging academic journey with ADHD and dyslexia, including attending three high schools and changing majors multiple times. Despite being told he wasn’t “college material,” Markus has proven that those labels mean nothing in the long run. He’s thriving in his first job in recruitment consulting and has gained a lot of wisdom along the way.

In this episode, Markus shares advice that blew me away. He talks about what it means to take risks, to stay hungry in a fast-paced career, and how to push through setbacks with resilience. His story is not just about overcoming challenges, but about thriving and finding success on his own terms.

Join us for this special conversation, filled with lessons on embracing discomfort, managing ADHD in academic and professional settings, and building resilience in both life and work. You may even catch a glimpse of yourself or your children in Markus’s story.
___
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 299: Kristyn Hodgdon: PCOS, Fertility and Women’s Health Sep 25, 2024

Do you have PCOS and ADHD? Struggling with anxiety and fertility too? Kristyn Hodgdon’s story might sound a lot like yours.

Kristyn discovered her ADHD and PCOS while navigating fertility treatments and the challenges of motherhood. Balancing her role as co-founder of Rescripted with the emotional toll of trying to conceive, heightened ADHD symptoms eventually led to her diagnosis. In this episode, Kristyn opens up about how understanding her ADHD has reshaped her life, particularly in parenting and self-care.

The conversation also addresses broader women’s health issues like anxiety, depression, and the link between ADHD and conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis. Kristyn highlights the importance of time management, advocating in medical settings, and the need for more research into women’s health. Her story empowers women to embrace their unique health challenges and find strength in their journey.

Kristyn Hodgdon is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rescripted, a global media platform for women's health. After discovering she had PCOS and ADHD in adulthood, she became a fierce advocate for women's health. Kristyn lives in Long Island, NY, with her husband, twins Brooke and Charlie, and their dog Nash.

Kristyn’s journey is a reminder that understanding your health is key to personal empowerment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about navigating ADHD, fertility treatments, and the complexities of women’s health.
Resources:
Website: https://rescripted.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristynwithawhy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyn-hodgdon

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 298: Brandy Agerbeck: Do You Think in Pictures? Sep 18, 2024

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What if you could draw your way out of a scattered mind?

For Brandy Agerbeck, drawing became the key to turning her chaotic thoughts into something clear and manageable. Long before she was diagnosed with ADHD, Brandy used her visual skills to take control of her fast-paced brain, translating abstract ideas into organized visuals. In this episode, she shares how drawing helped her make sense of the world and how it’s become her go-to tool for managing ADHD—and empowering others to do the same.

From childhood, Brandy learned that drawing wasn’t just an artistic outlet, but a way to visually organize her thoughts and reduce overwhelm. We discuss how she honed this skill, growing up in a creative family, and found her community of neurodiverse thinkers in college. Brandy also talks about choosing self-employment to avoid the friction of traditional jobs, building a career she could thrive.

In this episode, Brandy walks us through her practical strategies for managing ADHD using visual tools—breaking down tasks with sticky notes, mapping ideas with diagrams, and creating flow states through drawing. We also explore the common challenges of ADHD, like time blindness and staying organized, and how visual thinking offers a way to navigate these issues.

Brandy’s story shows that for those who think visually, drawing can be more than an artistic skill—it can be a way to bring clarity and structure to even the most scattered thoughts.
Resources:
Envision: http://loosetooth.com/smartass
Website: https://www.loosetooth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loosetoothcom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agerbeck
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
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EP. 297: Creating Financial Harmony: Ellyce Fulmore's Intersectional, Feel Good Approach Sep 11, 2024

Do you often feel swamped by money decisions? Or find yourself wondering how to make your spending really reflect what matters most to you?
Money management isn't just about crunching numbers - it's deeply personal, shaped by who we are and how we think.
In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, we explore the complex relationship between personal identity and financial behavior with Ellyce Fulmore, a 29-year-old queer and neurodivergent financial educator, content creator, and best-selling author of "Keeping Finance Personal: Ditch the 'Shoulds' and the Shame and Rewrite Your Money Story." Ellyce is the founder of Queerd Co., a financial literacy company that takes an innovative approach to money matters.
Ellyce's had a late ADHD diagnosis at 25, discovered through TikTok during the pandemic. This transformed her understanding of financial behaviors and led her to develop a unique approach to financial literacy.
With an online community of over half a million, Ellyce is dedicated to helping people find the right tools, strategies, and perspectives to create a life where financial stability and joy coexist. Her expertise has been recognized by major platforms including The New York Times, CBS News, Vogue, The Globe and Mail, and The Financial Post.
Ellyce shares insights from her journey - from post-university struggles to becoming a financial educator and author. Ellyce shared how factors such as neurodiversity, gender, race, and past experiences can profoundly influence our financial decisions and overall well-being.

Elise offers tips from outsourcing tasks to creating spending systems that work for neurodivergent individuals. Her insights are valuable whether you're trying to better understand your own financial habits or looking for new ways to approach money management.

Resources:
Website: https://queerdco.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellyce.fulmore/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@queerd.co
Get my book: https://queerdco.com/book
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/dopamine-dollars/id1747386954
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP 296: Anna Rahe on Fascia Therapy, Trauma Healing, and ADHD Sep 04, 2024

Can trauma be stored in the body? And if so, could understanding fascia - the connective tissue enveloping our muscles and organs - be key to unlocking healing? Join us as we explore these questions and delve into the often overlooked world of fascia with expert Anna Rahe.

Anna Rahe, founder of GST Body, has dedicated over 25 years to the study and practice of fascia health and wellness. Born in the US and raised in Hobart, Australia, Anna's journey includes a personal history with ADHD, diagnosed at age 21. Her experiences with learning differences and trauma therapy significantly influenced her path toward fascia care. Now based in Boulder, Colorado with her family, Anna has established a successful business teaching fascia health, working with a diverse clientele including athletes, medical professionals, and figures from the entertainment industry.

In this episode, we explore the connections between fascia, frozen shoulder, and hormonal changes. Anna shares insights on fascia's responsiveness to movement and hormonal fluctuations, with particular focus on the challenges during perimenopause and menopause. The conversation touches on cultural perspectives, such as Japan's concept of "50-shoulder," and examines the impact of fascia issues on individuals with ADHD.
Drawing from her extensive experience, Anna offers practical strategies for improving fascia health. She introduces simple, accessible movements that can be integrated into daily life, emphasizing the importance of consistent and varied motion for maintaining healthy fascia. The discussion highlights how these practices may alleviate muscle aches, enhance hydration, and potentially influence both physical and mental well-being. Anna's approach provides listeners with tangible methods to apply this knowledge, offering a new perspective on how caring for fascia can contribute to overall health and vitality.
Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarahe
https://www.instagram.com/annaraheofgst/
https://www.instagram.com/gstbody/
https://gstbody.com/
https://www.annarahe.com/
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 295: Building a 7-Figure Business with ADHD: Insights from Molly Claire Aug 28, 2024

From feeling lost to running a 7-figure business: Is it possible with ADHD?

Molly Claire's journey shows it can be done. As a coach trainer and founder of The Masterful Coach Collective, Molly has built a 7-figure coaching business while navigating the challenges of ADHD. She's a mom of three, hosts a popular podcast, and wrote "The Happy Mom Mindset."

Molly has learned to embrace her ADHD brain and hopes to inspire others – including her two kids with ADHD – to do the same. She's passionate about helping her clients with ADHD recognize their unique strengths while being kind to themselves during difficult moments.

Growing up in the 90s, Molly was diagnosed with ADHD at a time when it was rarely recognized in girls. Rather than feeling ashamed, the diagnosis helped her understand herself better.

Molly believes that with persistence, most challenges can be overcome. This mindset has helped her through various life transitions – from learning to rock climb to adjusting to parenthood and changing careers.

Molly opens up about dealing with self-doubt, anxiety, and the complexities of balancing work and family life. She shares how traits often associated with ADHD, like empathy and creativity, became assets in her coaching career.

Molly offers a realistic look at building a thriving business while managing ADHD, showing that it's possible to turn perceived obstacles into stepping stones for success.

Resources:

Website: https://www.mollyclaire.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyclairecoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-claire-coaching/

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 294: Ditching the Self-Sabotage Squad by Mastering Two Important Networks in Your Brain Aug 21, 2024

Why does our ADHD brain get stuck on those annoying negative thoughts?
It's all about two parts of our brain: the Task Positive Network (TPN) and the Default Mode Network (DMN). The TPN is our "get stuff done" network - it lights up when we're in the zone, laser-focused on a task. The DMN, on the other hand, is our "daydream/worry" network. It's where creativity flows, but also where negative thoughts creep in. For us ADHD folks, switching between these networks can be tricky. We might get stuck in worry-mode (thanks, DMN) or hyperfocus so hard we forget to eat (hello, TPN).

But here's the secret: when you're caught in a loop of negative thoughts, the key is to get into action! Go for a walk, call a friend, or dive into a project. By doing something, you're jumpstarting your TPN and quieting that pesky DMN. It's like changing the channel in your brain. Remember, it's never too late to rewire things upstairs. By understanding how our ADHD brains work and playing to our strengths, we can handle the tough stuff better.
It's all about working with our quirky brains, not against them. So next time you're in a funk, remember: your brain has superpowers - you just have to learn how to use them!
Resources:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
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EP. 293: What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? Aug 14, 2024

Do you ever feel like your emotions are too much to handle?

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is a powerful yet often overlooked aspect of ADHD, particularly in women. If you've ever wondered whether your emotional turbulence is more than just "in your head," you're not alone. Many people with ADHD experience RSD, but it's frequently misunderstood - especially among women.

In this episode, we're going to have an honest chat about RSD and how it relates to ADHD. We'll explore why those of us with ADHD often feel things so intensely, and why criticism or perceived rejection can hit us hard. It's not just "being too sensitive" - it's a real part of how our brains work.

We'll also talk about how RSD can make us perfectionists, always striving to do better but never feeling quite good enough. If you've ever felt like an imposter in your own life, we'll discuss why that might be happening and how it connects to your ADHD.

But we won't just talk about the challenges. We'll also share some ways to cope with these intense emotions. From therapy techniques like DBT and CBT to mindfulness practices and medication options.

This episode is designed to bring awareness, understanding, and support to those navigating the emotional landscape of ADHD.
Resources:

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EP. 292: The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls: A Conversation with Dr. Catherine Mutti-Driscoll Aug 07, 2024

"I thought I was just lazy and stupid." These words from Dr. Catherine Mutti-Driscoll hit hard. At 37, with a PhD in education, she discovered she had ADHD - after her son's diagnosis.

Tracy sits down with Dr. Mutti-Driscoll to explore ADHD in women, from feeling like an imposter to navigating social interactions. They discuss her groundbreaking work at the Hollowell Center and her book, "The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls." This resource tackles the perfect storm of hormones, social pressures, and ADHD that teen girls face. The conversation covers strategies for success in education and work with an ADHD brain, offering a toolkit for self-discovery and empowerment.

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mutti-driscoll-ph-d-b9847919/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/catherinemuttidriscoll
Website: catherinemuttidriscoll.com
Tarot for Change
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Rider-Waite Original Tarot Deck Cards
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EP. 291: Mastering Your Mind: How Thoughts Shape Your Life Jul 31, 2024

Your thoughts create your feelings.

For women with ADHD, negative thoughts and emotions can be particularly challenging. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for personal growth and mental mastery. By recognizing that our emotions stem from our thoughts, we can better manage our actions and achieve our goals. Mindfulness plays a crucial role in this process, improving attention, enhancing emotional regulation, and reducing anxiety.

Visualization is a powerful tool in this journey. By imagining positive outcomes with strong emotional investment, we can boost motivation and build confidence. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) in our brain plays a key role here, helping us focus on opportunities that align with our clearly set, positive intentions.

It's important to remember that while we can't control external circumstances, other people's actions, or our past, we have full control over our thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. This internal locus of control is where our power lies.

The dialogue we have with ourselves - our inner narrative - is crucial. By consciously shaping our thoughts, we can influence our emotions, behaviors, and ultimately, the results we achieve in life.

________
Resources:

Mindfulness STOP Skill - https://cogbtherapy.com/mindfulness-meditation-blog/mindfulness-stop-skill

________
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EP. 290: Getting Diagnosed Jul 24, 2024

How do you effectively prepare for a meeting with an ADHD clinician to seek a diagnosis?

Many women feel anxious about seeking an ADHD diagnosis, fearing encounters with professionals who lack expertise in how ADHD presents in women or who may doubt their intentions. As someone who has been through this process for both myself and my son, I understand these concerns and the importance of thorough preparation.

Effective preparation involves understanding the comprehensive testing process and finding qualified professionals for an accurate diagnosis. It's crucial to recognize that medication effectiveness varies, and personalized treatment plans are essential. When pursuing an ADHD assessment, consider the benefits of standardized tests and research clinicians with expertise in adult ADHD, particularly in women.

To aid in your preparation, I've developed a structured approach based on the DSM-5 criteria and Russell Barkley's adult scale. This comprehensive checklist can help you organize your thoughts and experiences before your appointment. Additionally, for those concerned about costs, there are low-cost support options available, such as university clinics, support groups, and online resources.

Remember, this journey toward diagnosis and understanding is unique for everyone. By arming yourself with knowledge and preparation, you can approach your appointment with confidence and clarity, ensuring you get the most out of your meeting with an ADHD clinician.
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Resources:

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EP. 289: Designing with Empathy: Nikki Kuhn's Accessibility Journey Jul 17, 2024

The digital landscape can pose challenges for individuals with unique needs—a challenge Nikki Kuhn is passionate about addressing. As an advocate and entrepreneur in the accessibility field, Nikki shares her journey of overcoming hurdles and fostering change in digital accessibility. She discusses her experiences with ADHD and dyslexia and the importance of inclusive design, showing how her neurodiversity shapes her perspective and approach.

Nikki talks about the relief and self-discovery she felt upon understanding her ADHD and dyslexia. She openly discusses her struggles with executive functioning and time management, and how visual aids like timers have become her secret weapons. She shares practical tips and solutions that she has found helpful for managing daily challenges, aiming to support others facing similar difficulties.

With over 15 years of experience, Nikki Kuhn is a dedicated senior-level accessibility designer. Her passion for creating inclusive digital experiences has significantly improved the accessibility of websites, applications, and digital content for numerous organizations.

Her ADHD and dyslexia give her a unique viewpoint, and her ability to connect with others and understand their needs stems from her own journey, making her work in accessibility deeply impactful.

At home, Nikki is a loving mom to two spirited children who teach her new things every day. Her children inspire her to stay curious and creative. In her free time, Nikki loves to indulge in her passion for crafting and DIY projects, finding joy in creating and building things with her own hands. This creative outlet not only enriches her personal life but also fuels her professional creativity.

Through her work and personal experiences, Nikki continues to inspire and lead by example, showing that challenges can be transformed into strengths.
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Resources:

Website: https://www.sca11ywag.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-kuhn
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capt.sca11ywag

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EP. 288: Inspiring Photographers Worldwide: Michelle Harris's ADHD Journey Jul 10, 2024

Harnessing hyper-focus, effective prioritization, and community support are the ADHD traits that Michelle Harris credits for her success. Initially, her signs of ADHD were overlooked due to cultural misunderstandings, but she has since embraced her unique abilities. This episode highlights how unexpected life changes can bring lifelong conditions into clear focus.

Michelle's entrepreneurial spirit showed early on, selling snacks at school and later exploring the MLM and insurance world. Inspired by her mother's military career and driven by her ambitions, she eventually found her passion in capturing weddings after trying her hand at newborn photography. She openly discusses the stigma surrounding ADHD medication within the Black community and how overcoming these barriers has strengthened her professional performance and personal growth.

Michelle Harris is a leader in the destination wedding photography industry. Her expertise in posing has been featured in well-known publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Luxury Wedding Magazine, and People Magazine. Michelle is dedicated to inspiring photographers worldwide to build successful six-figure businesses. She teaches smart marketing and advanced photography techniques, helping them grow without the stress and burnout of constant hustle. Living with ADHD, Michelle designs her classes to be straightforward and easy to follow under pressure. Michelle is also a proud mother of two tween daughters and a 5lb Yorkie.
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Resources:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mharrisstudios15/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mharris_studios/
Website: https://mharrisstudios.com/
______
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
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EP. 287: Cleaning for Mental Health: Sarah McGlory’s Adaptive Approach to Chronic Pain Jul 03, 2024

Imagine homeschooling five kids, battling chronic pain, and navigating life with ADHD—all during a pandemic. That's the incredible journey of our guest, Sarah McGlory. After years of dismissal by doctors, she finally received an ADHD diagnosis in her 40s, bringing much-needed validation. Her story is one of resilience and innovation.

Sarah's ingenuity shines through in her creation of the Adaptive Cleaning system. Born out of necessity, this system helps manage a household without succumbing to unrealistic standards of perfection. In this episode, you'll uncover the emotional toll of "cleaning trauma" and the societal pressures, especially on women, to maintain spotless homes. Sarah emphasizes the importance of rest and self-compassion, supported by practical tools like physical planners and weekly cleaning plans.

Sarah is a digital entrepreneur working from home while caring for five kids, aged 3 to 13, and a 24-year-old who has moved out. She once felt like a failure because her home was always in disarray. Comparing herself to social media cleaning gurus with "endless energy" and "perfect homes" only made things worse. With chronic pain and mismatched furniture, Sarah knew she needed a different approach.

Her Adaptive Cleaning system aligns with her time and energy needs, helping her stay organized without spending hours cleaning. Now, Sarah has almost a million followers on TikTok, where she teaches others how to achieve the same balance.

Sarah's passion for visual storytelling and content creation intersects with her ADHD, allowing her to help others stay organized without feeling overwhelmed. Her system thrives on realistic, manageable tasks that align with daily capacities, offering a practical approach to a cleaner home and a calmer mind.

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Resources:

Website: https://www.sarahmcglory.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcglory
Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.com/@sarahmcglory
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahMcGloryHome

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EP. 286: Heather Florio: Transforming Women’s Health and Wellness Jun 26, 2024

Heather Florio's journey is one of resilience and growth. Her advice? Do overwhelming things one step at a time.

Diagnosed with ADHD in high school and discovering she was autistic at age 41, Heather turned these traits into sources of strength and creativity. Growing up in a military family in Germany, she embraced her unique perspective and developed innovative strategies to manage her symptoms, such as using music to aid her focus and finding solace in books. Heather’s experiences highlight the importance of adapting and finding personal solutions to thrive despite challenges.

Heather Florio, the second-generation owner of Desert Harvest, has collaborated with medical professionals worldwide since 1993 to develop products and advocate for health in various fields, including urology, pelvic health, and dermatology. She serves on the board of the Northern Light Health Center for Healthy Brain Aging and launched a fundraising campaign for the AANE organization in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Heather's dedication to promoting health and wellness extends beyond her company, reflecting her passion for making a positive impact on the broader community.

As the CEO of Desert Harvest, Heather's ability to hyper-focus and multitask has driven the company's growth by 1,000% since 2012. She has created effective systems to manage her time and responsibilities, showcasing how her ADHD traits can be powerful assets. Heather's dedication to her work, combined with her roles as a mother and advocate for women's health, has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the top 50 Women in Wellness and a feature in Forbes. When not at the helm of Desert Harvest, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and three dogs, embracing the joy and balance of family life.

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Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-florio-468822a4/
Website: https://www.desertharvest.com

_____
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EP. 285: Laura Key: How Successful Women with ADHD Mask Their Struggles Jun 19, 2024

Struggling with perfectionism? Feeling like there's always more to achieve? You're not alone!

Join us as Laura Key, host of the ADHD AHA podcast, shares her journey from an anxiety disorder diagnosis to discovering her ADHD. She talks about the moments that led to her diagnosis, including a discovery in her childhood journals. Laura reflects on her sensitive and perfectionist childhood, revealing how she turned struggles with focus and burnout into strengths. This episode highlights the inspiring experiences of women with ADHD and the importance of embracing mental health awareness.

Laura discusses the unique challenges women face with ADHD, from societal expectations to internal battles with self-worth. She shares personal stories and practical advice on embracing ADHD and finding balance in life.

Laura Key is a longtime editor and the host of the "ADHD Aha!" podcast, where she shares interviews about the surprising and emotional ways ADHD symptoms appear. She also leads content strategy at Understood.org, an organization dedicated to supporting people with learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia. Laura’s mission is to create a supportive community where individuals can share their stories, find resources, and feel less alone in their journey.

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Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-key-720b7436/
Understood Org: https://www.understood.org/en/people/7FTVkuE50LuQJhQRx8AYXX
Website: https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha

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EP. 284: Unlocking Productivity: Alexis Haselberger's ADHD-Inspired Techniques Jun 12, 2024

Managing time with an ADHD brain can be tough, but what if there were ways to make it easier?
Join us as Alexis Haselberger shares her story of being diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s and how it changed her life for the better. She talked about practical strategies for coping with ADHD, tips for managing digital communication, and the benefits of using tools like TickTick. Alexis revealed her secrets to staying focused and balancing work and life, all while celebrating the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.
Alexis Haselberger is a time management and productivity coach who helps people do more and stress less through her coaching, workshops, and online courses. Her down-to-earth and fun approach makes it easy for people to adopt realistic strategies into their daily lives. She has helped over 160,000 individuals take control of their time and has worked with companies like Google, Lyft, Workday, Capital One, Upwork, and more.
After realizing she faced many of the same challenges as her clients, Alexis discovered she had ADHD. She was already teaching strategies that work for ADHD brains, proving the saying, "You do the work you need."
Alexis lives in San Francisco with her husband and two teenage sons, and she currently loves spending her free time on pottery.
Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/do.more.stress.less/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/domorestressless/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/domorestressless
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-more-stress-less-with-alexis-haselberger/id1735825992
Alexis Haselberger Coaching and Consulting, Inc.: https://www.alexishaselberger.com/

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EP. 283 Kris Jones: Simplifying Writing for ADHD Brains Jun 05, 2024

Can creativity and chaos coexist to create brilliance? Let’s unlock the secrets to mastering storytelling and entrepreneurship with Kris Jones in this week’s episode of the ADHD for Smart Ass Women.
Kris Jones is a pioneer in storytelling and entrepreneurship. She founded Red Door Stories in 2003 after overcoming significant challenges, including a struggle with writing and a fear of being seen. Kris has worked with experts like Donald Miller of "Building a StoryBrand" and has collaborated with major names like Jeff Bezos, Nike, and Adidas. Despite these achievements, Kris's heart beats strongest for female coaches and service providers, empathizing with their struggles in copywriting, visibility, and the transformative potential of a well-crafted Signature Story.
In this episode, Kris shares her journey from initial skepticism and a 2017 ADHD diagnosis to overcoming childhood challenges with anxiety and executive function. She reveals how writing, once a source of torment, became a delightful journey of self-expression and professional growth. Discover how Kris found solace in writing during college, transforming her academic struggles into triumphs, and laying the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey. Learn about the "idea list" and the impact of Donald Miller's StoryBrand framework on effective communication. We also discuss the unique hurdles faced by individuals with ADHD in professional settings and offer practical tips for articulating your work and accomplishments with clarity and confidence.
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Resources:

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EP. 282: The Power of Persistence: Arielle Paul’s Story May 29, 2024

Teachers once said, “She’ll never amount to anything academically,” but Arielle proved them wrong.
This podcast episode celebrates the resilience and brilliance of women with ADHD, featuring Arielle Paul's remarkable journey. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right support and strategies, such as neurofeedback and tailored education, triumph is within reach.
Arielle's story highlights the challenges of ADHD and dyslexia, showing how she turned her struggles into strengths. Her journey through academic hurdles to becoming a successful journalist illustrates how every challenge can lead to incredible growth.
Arielle Paul is a writer, musician, adventurer, and lifelong student and practitioner of Kriya Yoga.
Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia at ten, she couldn't read or write. Despite teachers saying she would “never amount to anything academically” and suggesting Ritalin, her parents had other plans. Through neurofeedback therapy, tireless work with tutors, and meditation, she eventually graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a double major in English and Performance Studies.
Turning learning disabilities and the written word into something tangible and meaningful has been the cornerstone of Arielle’s journey. She wrote for the Los Angeles Times for six years, penning the My Favorite Room column and covering design, architecture, and mental health stories. Now, as a contributing reporter for The New York Times, she writes on development in live-work-play spaces intersecting with sustainability and climate change. Her feature on excess water consumption in Dubai, which appeared on the Business and International front pages, brought desalination to the forefront at last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Arielle is also the proud mother of three adorable cats – Frodo, Hobbes, and Drogon.
Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellepaul/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariellepaul/
NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/by/arielle-paul
https://muckrack.com/arielle-paul

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EP. 281: True Crime: The Lori Vallow & Chad Daybell Story with Author, Lori Hellis May 22, 2024

Do you love true crime stories and want to see how ADHD plays a role in them? Then, this episode is for you!
Lori Hellis is a former lawyer turned true crime author. Her journey from law to writing is driven by her restless mind's need for new challenges and constant stimulation.
Lori's impressive background includes working as a prosecutor, public defender, and advocate. She holds degrees in Journalism and Creative Nonfiction, which enable her to turn complex legal matters into compelling stories. Her first book, "The No-Nonsense Guide to Divorce," offers practical advice for Millennials. Lori also serves in the Air National Guard, demonstrating her commitment to helping others.
In this episode, Lori gives us a fascinating view of the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case, a chilling story of missing children, doomsday beliefs, and mysterious deaths, that has captivated the nation. She shares her expert insights, explaining how her ADHD has helped her unravel complex legal narratives. Her upcoming book, "Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell - A Story of Murderous Faith," promises to be a must-read when it releases on September 3, 2024.
Lori's expert insights and engaging storytelling bring true crime to life, making this an episode you won't want to miss.
Resources:

Book Website: https://thelorivallowstory.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@childrenofdarknessandlight
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelorivallowstory/
X: https://twitter.com/lorihellis
Facebook group, The Good Lori https://www.facebook.com/groups/277177093926535

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EP. 280: Dr. Sharon Saline: The Stress-Anxiety-ADHD Nexus May 15, 2024

Did you know there's such a thing as productive anxiety and toxic anxiety? One can give you a boost, while the other can drag you down. Managing ADHD, anxiety, time management, and social expectations can be tricky, but they also open doors to self-discovery and growth. Dr. Saline, with over 30 years of experience and a strengths-based approach, offers down-to-earth advice to help you tackle social anxiety, emotional regulation, and time management, especially during life transitions like menopause. Her personal and professional insights help smart women manage their busy brains and use their intelligence as a tool, not a mask.
In this episode, Dr. Saline breaks down how to understand and handle anxiety. She helps women tell the difference between productive anxiety, which can be a helpful motivator, and toxic anxiety, which can feel overwhelming. Her tips include being self-aware and using practical strategies like setting realistic time goals and trying out visual meditation techniques to stay emotionally balanced.
Dr. Saline, author of the award-winning book What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew, specializes in working with ADHD and neurodivergent individuals of all ages, helping them improve cognitive and social skills, resilience, self-confidence, and personal relationships. She consults internationally with schools, clinics, and businesses, runs a private practice, and is a part-time lecturer at the Smith College School for Social Work. Additionally, she is a blogger for Psychology Today, a contributing expert on MASS Live, and hosts a bi-weekly Facebook Live event for ADDitude Magazine. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including MSN.com, The Psychotherapy Networker, Smith College Studies in Social Work, and Attention Magazine.

Resources:

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EP. 279: From Anxious Ground to Blooming Minds: Kendall Platt's Mindful Gardening Revolution May 08, 2024

Is it possible that the vibrant energy of ADHD can harmonize beautifully with the serene practice of mindful gardening? Kendall Marie Platt, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 36, is living proof that it can. She shares how this diagnosis transformed her life, channeling her dynamic energy into the calming rhythms of gardening. Throughout our conversation, Kendall and I delve into the unique strengths that ADHD brings—such as creativity, hyperfocus, and resilience—discussing how these qualities enhance our lives and the importance of a supportive community in this journey. We explore not just coping with ADHD, but celebrating it, understanding our neurobiology, and fostering a space where personal growth and acceptance flourish.
Kendall, known as The Mindful Gardening Coach, has seen her transformative approach featured in House Beautiful, Bustle, BBC, The Telegraph, and Metro. She empowers women to embrace their bustling minds and create moments of peace through gardening. Having used mindful gardening to manage her vibrant brain for over a decade, Kendall grew up on the South Coast of England and now lives near Reading with her husband and two daughters. Today, she is revolutionizing perceptions of mental well-being, tearing down outdated stigmas, and encouraging overwhelmed women to join her in a mindful gardening revolution.
Whether it’s crafting a personalized gardening plan, choosing swimming over running, or indulging in other relaxing activities, it’s crucial to find what truly works for you. Identifying activities that resonate with your lifestyle is key to living a balanced and fulfilling life with ADHD.
Resources:
Main Website: https://www.adventureswithflowers.com/
Garden Glow Up: adventureswithflowers.com/gardenglowuprr
Instagram: @kendallmarieplatt
Substack: https://adventureswithflowers.substack.com/subscribe?
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EP 278: Author Allison Larkin on 'The People We Keep' and Thriving with ADHD May 01, 2024

What makes us different can be the very thing that makes us shine. For writers with ADHD, navigating the creative process is both a challenge and a fascinating opportunity. Bestselling author Allison Larkin has turned the unique challenges of ADHD into the fertile ground from which her successful writing career has blossomed. Join us as we explore Allison’s journey from facing academic struggles in an unsupportive environment to discovering her passion for storytelling—a powerful expression of her true potential. Her experiences demonstrate how ADHD's perceived limitations can actually enhance creativity.

Allison’s story is not just about accepting neurodiversity but celebrating it, showing that authenticity fosters the deepest connections and the most impactful work.

Allison Larkin is the acclaimed author of novels such as Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, Swimming for Sunlight, and The People We Keep. Her stories and essays have appeared in publications like the Summerset Review and Slice, as well as in anthologies such as I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship and Author in Progress. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Jeremy, and their rescue dog, Roxy, Allison was diagnosed with ADHD at 19. She didn’t start writing until her mid-twenties when she discovered how to channel her unique thought processes into storytelling. Now, she considers her ADHD her biggest asset in her writing career and is passionate about helping others harness their creativity.
Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allielarkinwrites/
Patreon: patreon.com/allielarkinwrites (coming soon)
Website: AllieLarkinWrites.com

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EP. 277: Linda Karanzalis: A Pioneer's Approach to Nonverbal Learning Disorder and ADHD Apr 24, 2024

Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) bring unique strengths and opportunities, showcasing the extraordinary capabilities and resilience of those who experience these conditions. In our latest podcast episode, Linda Karanzalis, a board-certified cognitive specialist, shares her enriching personal and professional insights into NVLD and ADHD. She highlights how these conditions enhance everyday interactions with unique social perspectives and innovative problem-solving abilities, while also discussing the positive impacts of emotional depth they can bring.

In this conversation, we celebrate the often-overlooked strengths of NVLD, examining its synergistic relationship with other neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism. Linda underscores the critical need for accurate recognition and appreciation of NVLD within the medical community to further empower those it affects.
With over 25 years of experience supporting individuals with NVLD and ADHD, Linda Karanzalis authored Misnamed, Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood and established ADDvantages Learning Center, a pioneering program for neurodivergent learners. Additionally, she serves as a social ambassador for the NVLD Project and hosts the podcast NVLD & Neurodivergent Pioneers. Her valuable insights into neurodiversity have been featured in the US Daily Times and ADDitude magazine.
Resources:
Website: https://www.lindakaranzalis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NvldPioneers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lkaranzalis
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADDvantagesLearning
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EP. 276: Embracing ADHD and Autism: The Mindful Misfit's Guide to Movement and Magic for Every Body Apr 17, 2024

Recognizing the importance of self-care and body connection is crucial for those with ADHD, which is what makes Caitlin Doherty’s work with Mindful Movement for Misfits so significant. As a therapeutic yoga and movement practitioner, Caitlin not only offers guidance but also embodies the vibrant possibilities of living with ADHD and autism. Her personal journey is one of resilience, navigating the obstacles of a late diagnosis and limited early support to transform her unique traits from childhood struggles into adult strengths. In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, we delve into how neurodivergent characteristics, often misunderstood in youth—like outspokenness and a relentless pursuit of truth—actually signify intelligence and creativity.
Caitlin Doherty is a therapeutic yoga and movement practitioner with a deep passion for animals and a curious outlook on life. She applies her expertise at an eating disorder clinic, teaching yoga with a focus on compassionate care. As an autistic woman with ADHD and Pathological Demand Avoidance, Caitlin understands the complexities of mental and chronic illnesses. Through her company, Mindful Movement for Misfits, she creates inclusive spaces for those often marginalized in traditional wellness environments, helping them reconnect with their bodies just as they are.
Resources:

Mindful Movement for Misfits: https://www.caitlindohertywellness.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-doherty-700a6349
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMovementforMisfits1

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EP. 275: From Soft Bones to Solid Laughs with Comedian Ellie Hino Apr 10, 2024

Get ready to crack up and nod in agreement as the hilarious Ellie Hino, a Minneapolis gem in the stand-up comedy realm, joins me, Tracy Otsuka, for this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. llie's candid recount of her diagnosis following the trials of motherhood, her journey through emotional regulation, and the quest for effective coping strategies isn't just relatable – it's a masterclass in finding humor in the chaos. Her stand-up comedy illuminates the ups and downs of ADHD with a wit that resonates with anyone looking for a good laugh mixed with heartfelt honesty.
Ellie Hino is a Minneapolis-based stand-up comedian known for her engaging humor and self-described "heart of gold." Originally from Wisconsin, Ellie pursued theater studies but left college just shy of graduation. Her comedy career has included appearances at prestigious events such as the Limestone Comedy Festivals in 2019 and 2021, Boston's Women in Comedy Festival, and the 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival where she was highlighted as one of the "best of the fest." Ellie has had the opportunity to open for well-known comedians like Maria Bamford, Atsuko Okatsuka, Dana Gould, and Bobcat Goldthwait, underscoring her growing reputation in the comedy scene. In addition to her stand-up pursuits, Ellie co-hosts "Darlings" with Ben Katzner every Thursday night. This weekly showcase held at Zhora Darling in Minneapolis features a mix of local and national comedic talents.
Ellie Hino doesn't just stand up; she stands out. Her debut comedy album "Soft Bones," released last April 5th, is now available in iTunes for download. Get it here: Soft Bones Album (https://www.blondemedicine.com/bm125-soft-bones).
Resources:

Soft Bones: https://www.blondemedicine.com/bm125-soft-bones
Website: https://www.elliehino.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliehino/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf69YxhTo2vSeu5vvn1XUHg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliehino

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EP. 274: Embracing Diversity at the Dinner Table: Transforming ‘Picky Eating’ with Stephanie Sorrentino Mulholland Apr 03, 2024

In a world where ADHD and neurodiversity often complicate the seemingly simple task of eating, Stephanie Sorrentino Mulholland brings a refreshing and enlightening perspective to the table. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist and a neurodivergent individual herself, Stephanie delves deep into the heart of 'picky eating,' transforming it from a common challenge into an inclusive, enriching experience.
Our discussion ventures beyond mere coping mechanisms, delving into the personal narratives surrounding ADHD diagnosis and the diverse reactions to medication. We emphasize the pivotal role of genuine connections and clear communication, not just in fostering personal growth but also in enhancing the effectiveness of therapy.
This episode provides insights into converting 'picky eating' into a joyful dining experience and demonstrates how structured outlines and schedules can serve as invaluable tools in managing the dynamic thought processes characteristic of ADHD.
Stephanie Sorrentino Mulholland distinguishes herself in the Chicagoland area as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, weaving her personal experiences with neurodivergence into her professional expertise. Her roles in community outreach and as an adjunct professor at Saint Xavier University highlight her deep commitment to advocating for neurodiversity. Through her practice, Bite-Sized Beginnings, she offers specialized feeding and language support, making her a crucial resource for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Beyond her professional endeavors, Stephanie's life with her husband, Trent, and their dachshunds, Rizzo and Pasqualie, reflects a balanced and holistic approach to enjoying life's moments, big and small.
Resources:

Bite-Sized Beginnings - https://www.bitesizedkids.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitesizedkids/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bitesizedkids
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephanie

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EP. 273: Empowerment Beyond Misdiagnosis with Alyssa Fontaine Mar 27, 2024

Alyssa Fontaine's life story highlights the crucial need for mental health diagnosis and care accuracy. Misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager, she faced the challenges of ADHD and medication mismanagement, which set her on a path to self-advocacy and profound change. This experience fueled her passion to support women entangled in cycles of incarceration and addiction and to lead a transformative cheerleading program in her hometown, demonstrating the power of empathy and proper care.
In her current roles, Alyssa combines her journey with professional dedication. As a Community Support at Crossroads for Women and a Cheerleading Coach in Highland Hornets, she empowers women and children from her community to overcome mental health challenges and social barriers. In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Alyssa and I put highlight on the impact of self-advocacy and community support, offering practical wisdom for those navigating similar struggles.
This episode showcases triumph over misdiagnosis and advocates a relentless drive to empower others facing mental health challenges and social obstacles.

Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssafontaine89
Highland Hornets: https://www.instagram.com/highlandhornetscheerleading
Crossroads for Women: https://crossroadsabq.org

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EP. 272: Grieving and Healing through ADHD Perspective with Laurie Peterson, Anita Robertson, and Sandra Centorino Mar 20, 2024

Navigating grief can be a challenging and emotional journey, especially when coupled with the complexities of ADHD. However, it can also be an opportunity for growth and resilience. In this upcoming discussion, we'll hear from a group of remarkable women, including Sandra Centorino, the beacon of positivity, Laurie Peterson, an authority on ADHD and educational assessments, and Anita Robertson, the insightful psychotherapist, as they share their personal experiences of loss and how they have found ways to cope with the unique challenges of ADHD. Through their candid stories, we'll gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate executive function issues during times of crisis and find hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Laurie Peterson is the founder of Diagnostic Learning Services and eDiagnostic Learning. She helps students and adults with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and ADHD.
Anita Robertson is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in Attachment Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. She developed the ADHD Relationship Boot Camp and authored "ADHD & Us: A Couple’s Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD."
Sandra Centorino is a digital veteran with two decades of experience. She's known for her vibrant energy and kindness and has built a loyal following on platforms like Snapchat and TikTok. She assists others, particularly in the ADHD community, and shares her talents in live video and podcasting.
This episode is an homage to those we've loved and lost, a testament to the power of honoring their wishes, and a beacon of hope for anyone seeking support and understanding in the aftermath of grief.

Follow these amazing ladies here:
Laurie Peterson:
Website: https://www.ediagnosticlearning.com/
Podcast: https://ltldpodcast.com/
Anita Roberston:
Webinar: https://www.lifewithanadhdspouse.com/adhd-midlife-sandwich-replay
Website: https://www.anitarobertson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitarobertsonlcsw/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/strengthinyourmind
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/anitarobertson
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strengthinyourmind
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@strengthinyourmind
Sandra Centorino:
Website: https://www.sandracentorino.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PositivityPractitioner

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EP. 271: Navigating ADHD and Public Service with Dulce Vasquez Mar 13, 2024

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dulce Vasquez, who's not only making waves in the political arena by running for California State Assembly District 57 but also reshaping the conversation around ADHD and mental health. At 36, Dulce's life took a transformative turn with her ADHD diagnosis, providing her with the clarity she'd been seeking in both her academic pursuits and political endeavors.
As a formerly undocumented LGBTQ+ Latina, Dulce brings a rich tapestry of experiences to the table. Her advocacy work spans across education, housing, public transportation, and the rights of the LGBTQ+ and women's communities. Serving as the Assistant Vice President for Arizona State University's Los Angeles outpost, her journey from being a Los Angeles City Commissioner to a contender for the Los Angeles City Council and now a candidate for the State Assembly showcases her commitment to societal change.
During our conversation, Dulce opens up about the challenges and revelations of living with inattentive type ADHD and complex PTSD. From navigating the world of medications to the intricacies of personal and professional relationships, her story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and empowerment. Dulce's candid sharing underscores the significant role personal narratives play in driving societal change and highlights the importance of representation and understanding within our communities.
Join us as Dulce Vasquez shares her inspiring journey, her challenges and triumphs with ADHD, and her passionate advocacy for accessible mental health care. Her story is a powerful reminder of the intersection between the personal and the political, and the profound impact of embracing one's true self.
Tune in to hear more about Dulce Vasquez's remarkable journey and her vision for a more inclusive and understanding society. Whether you're interested in the political implications of ADHD, the journey of self-discovery, or the nuances of advocating for mental health, this episode promises insights and inspiration in equal measure.
Follow Dulce Vasquez here:

Website: Dulcevasquezcom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulcevasquez/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DulceforLA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vasquezdulce/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vasquezdulce

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EP. 270: The ADHD Toolbox: Brooke Schnittman's Strategies for Success Mar 07, 2024

Brooke Schnittman worked closely with ADHDers for years providing disability support, not realizing she had ADHD herself until she moved to virtual coaching and was suddenly unable to focus and stay on top of administrative tasks like she was before.
Getting a diagnosis gave Brooke the tools and understanding to take her services and self-care to the next level. Through her company, Coaching with Brooke, she and her eight coaches help ADHDers transform their chaos and frustration into focused success through executive functioning skills. She also wrote a book, Activate Your ADHD Potential, in which she provides strategies for conquering the cycle of underwhelm and overwhelm that so often keeps ADHDers stuck.
Brooke’s book is transformative because she breaks the work down into 12 easy-to-follow steps, from gaining control of the chaos of your brain to organizing your schedule in a way that works for you. With the help of guided worksheets, Brooke’s book will give you strategies for success that are strengths-focused and achievable, and I’m so excited to share her insights with you in this episode.
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Resources:

Website: www.coachingwithbrooke.com
Instagram: @coachingwithBrooke
Brooke’s book: Activate Your ADHD Potential: A 12-Step Journey from Chaos to Confidence for Adults With ADHD

______________
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EP. 269: How to Feel Good with Taylor Elyse Morrison Feb 28, 2024

The term “self-care” has become synonymous with bubble baths and meditation classes, but for ADHDers who are already overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, the last thing we need is to pile more “shoulds” onto our plates. Taylor Elyse Morrison always felt overwhelmed by the idea of self-care until she realized that, in her words, “self-care is listening within and responding in the most loving way possible,” and it completely changed her perspective on what it looks like to care for herself.
Taylor went on to turn her newfound relationship with self-care into a career. She’s now the founder of the company Inner Workout and the author of a book by the same name. Taylor uses her coaching, mindfulness, and movement training to meet people where they're at and offer actionable steps towards creating a world without burnout.
Taylor’s approach to self-care feels so welcoming and accessible because she knows the struggle firsthand. During our conversation Taylor shares her own ADHD diagnosis story, how she incorporates neurodivergent needs into her work, her advice for making movement fun, the importance of community, and much more.
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Resources:

Website: https://innerworkout.co
Instagram: @innerworkout; @taylorelysemorrison

______________
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EP. 268: Dissecting RSD, People Pleasing, Neurofibromatosis and Pet Nutrition with Priscilla Tollin Feb 21, 2024

Priscilla Tollin was born with neurofibromatosis (NF), a neurological disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue and can impact mobility. Priscilla’s physical limitations meant that any hyperactivity she experienced growing up was turned inwards, and her ADHD flew under the radar until finally getting a diagnosis at 32.
Once Priscilla understood her ADHD brain, so many pieces of the puzzle fell into place. She was able to address her RSD, to shift her mindset to one of optimism and positivity, and to pursue a career she’s genuinely passionate about. Now, Priscilla is studying pet nutrition and working on starting her own dog treat business. She is also an advocate for neurofibromatosis, disability, and ADHD.
During our conversation Priscilla shares her unique experience of having ADHD with no physical outlet, what NF is and the range of ways it can manifest, how self-acceptance led her to create the life she had always imagined, and her helpful advice for ensuring our pets are getting the nutrition they deserve.
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Resources:

Dog Treat Instagram: @ro_dogtreats
Personal Instagram: @potatoesocks

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 267: Harnessing EMDR and Polyvagal Theory for Stress Mastery with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani Feb 14, 2024

Many people know I'm a gusher, meaning that when I find something I really believe in, I want the whole world to know about it. I truly believe that the bottom-line goal with ADHD is to master our nervous systems, which is why I'm so delighted to sit down with clinical social worker and coach, Gabrielle Juliano-Villani.
Gabrielle began her career in child protective and victim’s services and eventually started her own private practice working with older adults, folks with chronic pain and illness, and trauma. After hitting her own ADHD burnout in 2021, she sold her practice and made it her mission to educate others on the impact stress has on our everyday lives.
Gabrielle pulls from her experience as an EMDR and polyvagal-informed therapist to utilize mind/body approaches to help others implement everyday strategies to manage stress and live their best lives. During our conversation she provides an easy-to-digest breakdown of what EMDR is and how it works, the basics of Polyvagal Theory, what it means to “map” your nervous system, and how these somatic therapy approaches can help us to get out of our heads and back into our bodies.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 266: ADHD in the C-Suite: Katy McFee's Blueprint for Women in Leadership Feb 07, 2024

Katy McFee spent the bulk of her career undiagnosed and struggled for years until she learned how to work with her ADHD and not against it. After 18 years in the corporate world, she founded her company, Insights to Action, which is on a mission to help close the gender gap in senior leadership.
Katy discovered through her entrepreneurship journey and ADHD diagnosis that we can all thrive as our authentic selves once we are ready to accept ourselves for who we are. She is passionate about empowering women and helping more women break into senior leadership and thrive as leaders without burning out, a passion that shines through in everything she does.
Join my insightful conversation with Katy to hear about her personal ADHD journey, how she sets herself up for success each day with an energizing morning routine, everything she’s learned about leadership in the corporate world, and all the work she’s doing to help other incredible women like herself make meaningful changes in male-dominated industries.
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Resources:

LinkedIn: Katy McFee
Instagram: @katy.mcfee
Website: insightstoactioncc.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 265: Harnessing Your ADHD Superpower: A Chat with Jessica McCabe from How to ADHD Jan 31, 2024

After being diagnosed with ADHD at age twelve, Jessica McCabe struggled with a brain she didn't understand. Determined to understand her challenges, Jessica reached out to experts, read articles, and decided to share her findings with others. This determination and curiosity set her on the incredible path she's on today.

Jessica is now the founder and host of the award-winning YouTube channel, How to ADHD, where she has built a community of millions who follow along as she uses up-to-date research, consultations with mental health professionals, and her own personal experiences to create fun educational content to help people better understand their unique brains. She is also the author of a brand new book, How To ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working With Your Brain (Not Against It).

The ADHD world isn't pie, there's plenty to go around for everyone. The more of us that are talking about ADHD, the more likely that we'll actually change more lives, which is why I'm inviting you to join my conversation with Jessica and learn more about her new book and all the wonderful work she does helping ADHDers to live their most fulfilling lives.
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Resources:

Youtube: How To ADHD
Instagram: @howtoadhd
Book link: https://howtoadhdbook.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 264: Doing Veterinary Medicine Her Way with Dr. Ashley Portmann Jan 24, 2024

Dr. Ashley Portmann had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian ever since she was a little girl, but like with many fast-paced careers in the medical field she soon found herself hitting burnout from the chaos of general practice. Ashley attended a conference on home hospice care and realized that maybe she wouldn’t have to leave the profession she loved so much after all, maybe she could pivot in a new direction that would work for her ADHD brain and allow her to dig her way out of burnout instead of contributing to it.
In early 2018 Ashley decided to start her own practice, Home Together Veterinary Services, offering in-home care for senior pets and their people. This style of practice allows her to form genuine connections with her patients and take a more holistic approach to veterinary medicine, which has reignited her self-confidence and her passion for the field.
The services Ashley offers and the empathy and comfort she brings to families during a difficult time are so crucial, and I hope Ashley’s story of finding her niche inspires you to start thinking about how you could make a meaningful pivot in your own life.
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Resources:

Website: https://www.hometogethervet.com/
Facebook: Home Together Veterinary Services
Instagram: @hometogethervet (business); @abportmann (personal) IAAHPC website: https://iaahpc.org/

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 263: Melinda Shepherdson's Odyssey from World Explorer to Adventure Bush Therapy Jan 17, 2024

Melinda Shepherdson’s sense of adventure has led her up mountains, down rivers, and across the world. Her long list of travel destinations is impressive, but what Melinda cares about most on these adventures is her connection with nature. The outdoors provides her with regulation, energy, positivity, and helps to calm her ADHD mind–all benefits she knew she had to share with others when starting a business.
In the last few years, Melinda discovered the Adventure Bush Therapy space and partnered with an experienced outdoor education specialist to create small group programs for children, including autistic individuals and those with ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities. The work allows her to combine her passion for nature with her desire to help children and the results are pretty incredible.
Join my conversation with Melinda to hear her personal ADHD journey, what her travels have taught her, how she was able to pivot from occupational therapy into the career she has today, the differences in medication when you have ADHD vs. AuDHD, and so much more.
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Resources:

Website: https://inmotu.com.au/
Email: ot@inmotu.com.au
Video of a beautiful song our women's choir sang - worth a look. I'm in it! https://youtu.be/LZ_fXuy6R1k?si=2fqJ5UzzpKh4cHW3

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 262: Navigating Relationships: Understanding Coercive Control, Trauma, and ADHD with Maya Ann Jan 10, 2024

In the latest episode of "ADHD for Smart Ass Women," I sit down with Maya Ann, a geotechnical engineer, to discuss her journey of navigating relationships with ADHD and understanding coercive control. Maya shares her experiences, insights, and the strength she's found post-separation.
This powerful conversation covers a wide range of topics, including trauma, neurodiversity, the impact of toxic relationships, the importance of seeking support, and finding validation as a neurodiverse individual.
You won't want to miss Maya's story and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.
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Resources:

Email: maya.ann.1983@gmail.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 261: From Our Pages to Their Lives: 4 More Stories of ADHD and Insight Jan 03, 2024

Last episode, I had the pleasure of introducing you to five brilliant women who were all in different stages of their own ADHD journey, and what I discovered is they found reflection and resonance within our book. All of these women shared their personal stories that showcase the unique paths they've walked, and they discuss the impact that our book had on them.
In this episode, we’ll hear from four more incredible women who share their warmth, wisdom, and community in their stories and insights. Let's dive in and see where their experiences might echo your own, or even better, help you add that missing piece to your own ADHD puzzle.
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Resources:
📕 ADHD FOR SMART ASS WOMEN 📖
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 260: From Our Pages to Their Lives: 5 Stories of ADHD and Discovery Dec 27, 2023

For this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women and the next episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with 9 real women who are in different stages of their ADHD journey and have also found reflection and resonance within our book.

You're going to meet 5 of them and then in our next episode you'll meet 4 more of these wonderful women. They've generously shared their personal stories, that showcase the unique paths they've walked, and they'll share with us the impact our 📖 has had on them.

You'll find warmth, wisdom, and a community in their stories and insights.

So let's dive in and see where their experiences might echo your own or even better help you connect that missing piece to your own ADHD puzzle.
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Resources:

Stephanie Bilotta (Ballada): https://www.etsy.com/shop/HookedAsheville
Ruth Malloy: https://www.facebook.com/ruth.malloy.90
Kathy Spence: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/align-hustle/id1521886538
Esther Nagle: https://redshoesrecovery.com/

📕 ADHD FOR SMART ASS WOMEN 📖
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 259: Exploring the Heart of ADHD Women An Interview of Tracy Otsuka by Dr. Christine Li Dec 20, 2023

This is going to be a very different episode than anything we've ever done here. I have invited my good friend, Dr. Christine Lee, to the podcast to interview me about my new book, ADHD for SMART ASS WOMEN. Christine is a procrastination coach, a seasoned clinical psychologist, and was the first ever guest on my podcast, which makes her the perfect person to help me reflect back on how far we've come and what I'm hoping for this book.

Christine and I discuss my relationship with control and how that played out during the writing process, why writing this book has been both the most challenging and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, what we have to gain when we push ourselves past our comfort zones, and the lessons I hope ADHD women will take away from my work.

I have spent two and a half years pouring myself into this book and I'm so delighted to finally share it with you, our wonderful listeners, who reminded me why I was writing it every step of the way.
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Resources:

adhdforsmartwomen.com

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 258: The Power of Hope: Rewriting the ADHD Narrative Dec 13, 2023

Doing this kind of work, I often feel like I'm going up against an industry that sees ADHD only as a weakness. But not only is there science and research to refute these negative misconceptions, there's also you, the thousands of ADHD women that I've had the privilege of meeting. And I just know after meeting all of you that they're getting it wrong.

Everywhere I go, there's another kick-ass entrepreneur who tells me that they have ADHD too. So the way I see it, I had to write this book not just for you and other women, but for the young girls who will follow us, because if they can grow up in a world that values their brilliant, albeit unique brains, their lives are going to be completely different.

Writing this book is about more than just turning pages in a book, it's about changing chapters in women and girls' lives. I hope that my book doesn't just flip the script on ADHD, I hope that it totally rewrites the ending. So now I bring you the Audible introduction of my book, ADHD for Smart Ass Women.
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EP. 257: The Challenges of ADHD and Aging in Women with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau Dec 06, 2023

We’ve known for quite some time that ADHD doesn’t just “go away” with age, yet only about 4% of boomers have a diagnosis. So why the huge discrepancy, what are the impacts, and most importantly, what can we do about it?
Dr. Kathleen Nadeau has been working to answer these questions for the last few decades. Along with many other accomplishments, she’s the author of Still Distracted After All These Years, the only book focusing on the needs of older adults with ADHD.
During my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Nadeau, she shares about her personal ADHD journey, her work in the field, the three biggest factors impacting older ADHD women, and ways to support your body, brain, and well-being through all stages of life. Dr. Nadeau’s work serves as an important reminder that life doesn’t have to stop at retirement, and we can always continue adding joy and meaning to our lives no matter our age.
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Resources:

Website: thechesapeakecenter.com

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Ep. 256 Cults, Child Marriage and ADHD Optimism with Dr. Tamara MC Nov 29, 2023

Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking Lived Experience Expert who advocates for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence worldwide. Married off at 12, Tamara has firsthand experience with fundamentalist cults, giving her valuable insight into how these organizations operate. She now uses her experience combined with her PhD in applied linguistics to research and educate others on how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations.
Join my conversation with the delightful Dr. Tamara MC to hear about her harrowing story and the bravery it took to leave, how ADHD, autism, OCD, and complex PTSD contributed to both her confinement and her freedom, ways to identify when a community is exhibiting cult-like behavior, and how to find optimism in the face of hopelessness.
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Resources:

Website: https://tamaramc.com/
https://muckrack.com/tamaramc/portfolio
https://linktr.ee/tamaramc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaraMC11
Twitter: @TamaraMCPhD
Instagram: @tamaramcphd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramcphd/

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 255: Emotional Resilience in ADHD: Building a Happier Brain Nov 22, 2023

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought the topic of ADHD and gratitude couldn’t be more perfect. Gratitude is so important for every single human to feel good, but for those of us with ADHD, it's crucial. With our dopamine deficiency, we can't get anything if we’re not in positive emotion!
Positive emotion has been shown to increase dopamine, which drives our memory, our behavior, our focus, and our motivation. When we're in positive emotion, we get stuff done, we're happier, and we're more driven, and it all begins with a simple shift in mindset.
Join me for a special solo episode, where I’m sharing some easy and effective ways to change your thoughts from self-doubt to gratitude. Our thoughts have the power to create the lives we want, and I think you’ll be amazed by how different life starts to look when you make positive emotion a priority.
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Resources:

29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 254: In the ADHD/Autism Trenches with Dr. Nanci Smith Nov 15, 2023

When Dr. Nanci Smith realized her neurodiverse childrens’ needs weren’t going to be met by the public school system, she knew she had to try a different approach to education. Luckily, Nanci has a background in psychobiology and is motivated by a challenge, so the transition to homeschooling was a no-brainer.
Nanci learned how to support her childrens’ sensory, socio-emotional, and executive functioning needs, and along the way she learned how to support her own unique brain as well. She has since gone on to become certified with the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) social skills program, is an expert in teaching executive function skills, runs Improv classes for kids on the spectrum, and is training to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider.
Nanci’s belief is that kids do well where they can, and her empathetic approach to education will have you seeing neurodivergence in a whole new way.
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Resources:
Get $15 off classes at Outschool by entering coupon code NORELPODCAST15 at checkout. Promo available until Nov 28, 2024.

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 253: When You Feel Unexplainably Unwell: Your Nervous System and ADHD with Pharmacist & Patient Advocate, Kalin Johnson Nov 08, 2023

For years, Kalin Johnson was operating with a dysregulated nervous system and putting her body through unnecessary stress, and it was only once she started listening to her body’s needs that she realized how much easier things could be.
Kalin now combines her personal experience with her professional training as a healthcare provider to help others bridge the gap between mental and physical health. Through her work, she shows high-achieving, neurodivergent, and hypermobile individuals how to “unmask their health” and feel their best.
Join me in welcoming Kalin back onto the podcast (you can listen to her first episode here, #177) as she shares her knowledge on hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the ways it impacts ADHD, why so many of us are stuck in fight-or-flight, and how to regulate our nervous systems and get our brains back online so we can start feeling our absolute best.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 252: ADHD in the Workplace with Lisa Lewis Nov 01, 2023

Lisa Lewis's skill of talking to anyone and everyone has taken her on unexpected adventures around the world, from the Scottish Highlands to the running of the bulls, and now she's here to talk to us about her ADHD journey.

For the last twelve years Lisa has worked as an HR professional who focuses on diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. She received a late diagnosis of ADHD and now attributes her diverse background and success to her neurodiversity.

Join my conversation with Lisa to hear her take on disclosing ADHD in the workplace, ways to advocate for your needs without fear of judgment or stigma, why ADHD awareness is so crucial for our success and well-being, and more.
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Resources:

Website: www.mindmosaic.ca
LinkedIn: Lisa Lewis
Instagram: @lisajolewis

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 251: What Happens When We Learn How to Lead with Alice Gendron Oct 25, 2023

When Alice Gendron entered the workforce, she struggled to manage the workload of a nine-to-five job and also stay on top of the endless demands of adulting. When she was diagnosed with ADHD at 29, it all finally made sense.

Alice started making doodles about her ADHD experience, a skill she had been honing since grade school. Before she knew it, her illustrations had grown into the popular online platform 'The Mini ADHD Coach', with over half a million Instagram followers and a brand new book of the same name.

Looking at them, it's easy to see why so many ADHDers are drawn to Alice's illustrations; her simplistic doodles get right to the heart of what having ADHD feels like in such a sweet and relatable way.

Join our conversation to hear how Alice was able to turn her passion project into a fulfilling career, what she's learned about leading since becoming an entrepreneur, the cultural shifts around ADHD in France, and so much more.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 250: Coaching Yourself with Executive Leadership Coach Antonia Bowring Oct 18, 2023

Antonia Bowring is a top executive coach who works with founders, C-Suite executives, and leadership teams. One of Antonia's areas of expertise is helping neurodiverse leaders create the necessary scaffolding to leverage their gifts and maintain their focus.

She is a frequent speaker to companies and groups on topics ranging from mindfulness, ADHD in the workplace, and communication best practices. Her new book, Coach Yourself! Increase Awareness, Change Behavior and Thrive provides practical frameworks for exploring the power of performance coaching to become the best version of yourself.

Join our conversation to hear about Antonia's unique life-changing experience that led her to an ADHD diagnosis, how she helps her coaching clients move past shame and into confidence, the importance of managing up no matter your position, her thoughts on disclosing ADHD in the workplace, and more.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Bonus EP: Are We Really Stubborn, Irreverent, and Oppositional? Oct 13, 2023

Resources: Visit: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 249: Adieu Beautiful Mama: ADHD and Grief Oct 11, 2023

This is the hardest episode I've had to record to date. In truth, I've been avoiding it like the plague, which means procrastinating everything so I don't have to go there, but I knew I had to do it for my beautiful mother.

Since starting this podcast back in 2019, many of you have asked for an episode on grief. Just like my episodes on trauma that took years, I dug my heels in because the words I was telling myself sounded like, "how can you talk about grief when you haven't experienced it?" Unfortunately, I am now part of this illustrious club that no one wants to be part of.

In this episode I talk about grief and how those of us with ADHD may handle it differently, from time perception challenges to social challenges to how we react in a crisis. But first, I hope it's okay that I share the story of my incredible mother because hers is a story that I need to tell.
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Resources:
Preorder the book, ADHD for Smart Ass Women

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 248: Educating Neurodivergent Students with Former NYU Professor and Author Sivan Hong Oct 04, 2023

Growing up, Author Sivan Hong struggled to focus on reading long enough to connect with the text, until she discovered audiobooks and a whole new world opened up for her. Years later Sivan was diagnosed with ADHD and she finally understood why visual reading had been such a challenge for her and had caused so much unnecessary shame.

Sivan's diagnosis opened her eyes to how much easier things could've been if her different learning style had been encouraged and she was inspired to start writing books that show how neurodivergent differences can be turned into strengths if given the right support.

Her books, which are of course offered in both written and audiobook format, focus on helping neurodiverse children face changes and challenges with courage, and just as importantly, they aim to normalize different behaviors and support for all children. In her words, "We normalize these differences. And then it becomes okay, right? It becomes something that isn't seen as different."

Sivan's journey from struggling reader to bestselling children's author along with the incredible work she's done through her books is truly inspiring and I'm so delighted to share her story with you in this episode.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 247: Breaking Up with Booze and Living Your Best Life with Amanda Kuda Sep 27, 2023

Amanda Kuda was acutely aware of being different from her peers growing up–the movie Matilda made her feel seen, minus the telekinesis–so when she discovered that alcohol made it easier for her to fit in, it became a regular part of her social life. After an ADHD diagnosis in her early 20's, Amanda started to take note of what was and wasn't helpful for managing her symptoms and realized the habit change that benefitted her the most was removing alcohol from her lifestyle.

Now, seven years later, Amanda is an author and holistic life coach who helps other ambitious women stop drinking and start manifesting the lives they want and deserve. She tells me, "What transpired after I stopped drinking alcohol was that my potential, my authenticity, my magic came online at a level that I hadn't before been able to access it."

Join my insightful conversation with Amanda to hear about how alcohol may be holding you back from your authenticity and all the ways life can open up for you when you take a step back from substances and embrace who you really are.
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Resources:

Website: amandakuda.com
Instagram: @amandakuda

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 246: Make it Funny with Comedian, Blaire Postman Sep 20, 2023

Personally, I can't think of anything scarier than being a live performer, but there's something about the ADHD brain that seems to make us happier when we're running into the fire rather than away from it.

For comedian Blaire Postman, what scared her more than getting up on a stage was the idea of never trying, which is why at 43 she chose to run headfirst into that metaphorical fire and turned her passion for comedy into a full-time career.

Speaking with Blaire, it's easy to see why she was drawn to comedy; with her quick wit and affinity for the silly she can't help but be funny. Join our conversation to hear more about Blaire's gutsy leap from lawyer to performer, how her ADHD diagnosis helped her embrace her traits and led to her comedy special "LADY ADHD," and much more.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 245: When You Love What You Do, it Rarely Feels Like Work with Stephanie Calderon Sep 13, 2023

Stephanie Caldero is a self-made, self-taught interior designer who owns a boutique design firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stephanie has always loved interior design starting when she was a child circling items in catalogs and learning from her seamstress grandmother. For years she designed for friends and family on the side while she worked various marketing jobs, until 2021 when she finally turned her side hustle into her main hustle and never looked back.

Stephanie knew she had to turn interior design into a career when she realized it was the one thing she could always get lost in for hours, a decision that was only bolstered by her ADHD diagnosis. Stephanie now understands that this level of passion for her work isn't just important, but crucial in order for her to find sustainable success in a fulfilling career.

Stephanie's story shows us how much easier things can be when we build our careers around our natural motivators and flow states. I hope our conversation inspires you to start thinking about ways to incorporate your own natural motivators into everyday life.
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Resources:

Website: www.stephaniecalderoninteriors.com
Instagram: @StephanieCalderonInteriors

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 244: Perfectionism, Confidence and ADHD with Dr. Fiona Peters Sep 06, 2023

Perfectionism causes so many of us ADHD women to get in our own way and stops us from reaching our full creative potential for fear of criticism. My guest this episode, Dr. Fiona Peters knows firsthand just how disabling the anxiety-perfectionism spiral can be, which is why she's so passionate about helping others escape it.

Dr. Peters is a speaker and trainer for schools and is currently touring with her talk entitled "Perfectionism and Anxiety," with which she helps parents, educators, and ADHDers recognize the true cost of this obsession with perfection. "We really rob the world of the genius that we are because we are so worried about external validation and the fear of criticism that actually we don't start things."

Join our conversation to hear the brilliant Dr. Fiona Peters share her incredible ADHD journey from struggling student to PhD program, why it's so important to be a last 5% finisher, her tips for navigating the workplace when you have ADHD, and ways to start moving away from the need for external validation and toward a more balanced life that allows you to experiment, to make mistakes, and to find validation from within.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 243: Learning to Trust Yourself with Sarah McCall Aug 30, 2023

Sarah McCall is the author of the book, Cecil Gets a Haircut, which she wrote as a tool to help parents, educators, and superintendents of schools work with children with anxiety. Her work both on the pages and in the classrooms helps get the conversation started about ADHD, autism, and mental health, making it easier for students to get the understanding and support they deserve.

Sarah's life goal is to help children and their adults better understand mental health, but it wasn't until she went through my "Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!" program that she figured out how to channel her passion into a fulfilling and sustainable career. My program is designed to help ADHD women like Sarah discover who they are and what's important to them, giving them the foundation and skills to build long-lasting success.

Sarah says, "Now that the doors have opened, opportunities are abounding. And it's because I'm ready, it's because I'm equipped. I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for coming through [the program]. I wouldn't have the skills, tools, and techniques, I wouldn't be believing in myself. I wouldn't even dream that I could make any money at this."

Join our conversation to hear about Sarah's ADHD journey, her impactful work in mental health, and how by getting clear on who she is and learning how to trust herself she is able to build a wonderful career beyond her wildest dreams.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 242: Hyperfocus Your Way to Success as an Artist Entrepreneur, with Jessica Liddell Aug 23, 2023

Jessica Liddell is a professional mosaic/mural artist and the owner and founder of Bella Mosaic Art, where she's been making mosaics professionally since 1997. Before becoming a professional artist Jessica tried pursuing a more practical career in teaching, but after an eye-opening trip to Barcelona, with its exquisite mosaic buildings, she realized that art is where her true passion lies.

When Jessica returned home she dove headfirst into mosaic art, eventually merging her two passions of teaching and art together into one fulfilling career. She's been able to sustain her business for the last twenty-five plus years because the work is dynamic and ever-changing, which keeps her creative ADHD brain engaged.

Jessica's story is a great reminder that, for ADHDers, our passions are our greatest motivators, and we have the ability to turn those passions into incredible careers when we have the drive, the hyperfocus, and the self-belief to make it happen.
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Resources:

Website: www.bellamosaic.com
Instagram: bellamosaic
Facebook: bellamosaic

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Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Ep. 241: ADHD, Adventure and Doing Things Her Own Way, with Expat Entrepreneur, Jessi Kingan Aug 16, 2023

Jessi Kingan left the United States at age 22 for what was meant to be a six-month adventure of traveling and teaching scuba diving around the world. Like so many ADHDers with a plan though, she ended up on a completely different path than she was expecting.

Now almost 13 years later, Jessi lives with her husband and children in Iceland, where she owns and operates a restaurant, hostel, and apartment hotel on the south coast, and she couldn't be happier. Jessi makes entrepreneurship work for her by leaning into her ADHD strengths and letting others take over in the areas where she struggles, which keeps her work engaging and saves her unnecessary stress.

Join our conversation to hear more about Jessi's ADHD journey, including the unique experience of going from a freshman in high school to a freshman in college, how she ended up where she is today, what she's learned about entrepreneurship so far, and much more.
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Resources:

Raudahusid.is - restaurant
Bakkihostel.is - hostel, apartment hotel and cabins
Algjortnammi.is - chocolatier

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 240: How We Lead in What We Love with YouTube Influencer Kathy Joseph of Kathy Loves Physics Aug 09, 2023

Growing up, Kathy Joseph was convinced she wasn't smart because she struggled to memorize facts like everyone else. But as she got older she realized she is smart, she just has to do things her own way.

Kathy leaned into her pattern recognition skills and became a math whiz; she went on to receive four higher education degrees in physics, engineering, and science education and spent 12 years teaching high school physics before ultimately starting her popular YouTube channel, Kathy Loves Physics.

Kathy's channel is so engaging because she not only uses real human stories to teach science, she also lets her ADHD intensity and curiosity take center stage, which makes her content feel authentic and super fun to watch. Join our conversation to hear more about Kathy's mission to make science fun again, her personal ADHD journey, how her book "The Lightning Tamers" led her to find success doing what she loves, and much more.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 239: ADHD, Autism and Other Neurodivergent Insights with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Megan Anna Neff Aug 02, 2023

I have been searching high and low for the perfect specialist to come on the podcast and talk about autism and ADHD, and I think I finally achieved that with this episode's guest, Dr. Megan Anna Neff.

Dr. Neff is not only a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent adults, but she herself is an autistic ADHDer, giving her an essential understanding of the internal experience. She was officially diagnosed at 37, and since then her work has grown to focus on educating the mental health field on non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD.

During our conversation Dr. Neff shares her expert insights into AuDHD, the overlaps and differences between the two, the challenges and gifts of having both, what alexithymia is and ways it affects emotional regulation, how to talk about autism using neurodivergent-affirming language, and much more.
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Resources:

www.neurodivergentinsights.com
Instagram: @neurodivergent_insights

My book is now available for pre-order: Self-Care for Autistic People
My podcast is now live, which can be found here: https://www.divergentpod.com/

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 238: Regulating our ADHD Nervous System with Psychologist Anna Daphna Jul 26, 2023

Anna Daphna is an ADHD and executive function coach, mentor, and psychologist based in London. She started off her career in education with the goal of giving kids a better school experience than she had herself, but eventually she felt called to psychology and pursued a psychology degree. Now, Anna combines her two passions by coaching people with ADHD using holistic and neuroscience-based strategies specifically designed for neurodivergent brains to maximize happiness, confidence and performance.

In this episode Anna provides an easy-to-understand overview of how the nervous system works, the basics of polyvagal theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol, why a dysregulated nervous system impacts our ADHD symptoms, and tips for nervous system regulation. We also discuss neuroplasticity, ways to grow your confidence, how to be mindful even if you struggle to sit still, and more.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 237: What Do I Do If I Really Hate My Job/Career with Shell Mendelson Jul 19, 2023

ADHDers tend to be good at a bunch of different things, but just because we're good at something doesn't necessarily mean it's the right career path for us. In fact, career counselor Shell Mendelson is here to ask us: forget about the things you're good at, what are the skills you love using?

As a career coach and counselor of 30 plus years, Shell specializes in supporting ADHD adults in building lasting, fully satisfying careers and businesses. She has developed a unique career counseling system based on Richard Bolles's book What Color is Your Parachute? that involves taking a deep dive into all the aspects of what would make up an ideal job on an individual level.

During our conversation Shell shares her own ADHD backstory before getting into how to identify whether you're in the wrong job, why building a career foundation based on what excites you is so crucial for ADHD health and happiness, ways to advocate for your specific needs during the hiring process, and much more.

Shell believes in focusing on the skills that bring us joy rather than simply what we excel at, a simple yet important mindset shift that just may have you considering a whole new career path.
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Resources:

Website: www.careercoachingwithshell.com
Facebook: Career Coaching with Shell
LinkedIn: Shell Mendelson
Gmail: shell.mendelson@gmail.com
Tracy’s program: Your ADHD Brain is A-OK

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 236: The Golden Ticket All Kids Really Need with Irena Smith Jul 12, 2023

Applying to college feels more like a grueling competition these days, with an acceptance into one of the top 20 schools being the ultimate prize. But when you "win" the competition, what are you actually winning? That's a question author Irena Smith poses in her recent memoir, The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays.

Irena, who also runs a private college counseling practice, has seen how much the pressures of college are impacting our kids' mental health and limiting their futures, and she believes that it's our job as parents to take a step back and remember what's really important. "Pushing a kid to punch above their weight in terms of applying to college is not necessarily a healthy thing. Maybe the goal is simply that the kid graduates from high school with health and sanity intact. There's a lot of time to figure out what to do."

During our conversation we discussed Irena's brilliant book and the writing process behind it, her ADHD childhood and emigrating from the Soviet Union, some measurable ways parents can reduce the pressure on both their children and themselves during the college admissions process, and so much more.
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Resources:

Website: https://www.irenasmith.com
Facebook: Irena Smith, Author
Instagram: @irena.smith
Tracy’s program: Your ADHD Brain is A-OK

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with JULIANNE DECKER Jul 07, 2023

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Juliann Decker: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

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EP. 235: ADHD Life in a Nudist Colony with Award-Winning Documentarian Mandy Zelinka Jul 05, 2023

When Mandy Zelinka and I first crossed paths in a women's marketing mastermind group years ago, her vibrant energy and unmistakable talent made it clear she was headed for big things. However, nobody including Mandy could've predicted the eccentric places her creative ADHD brain would wind up taking her.

Mandy's foray into filmmaking first began when she got bored and convinced her Mayor husband to run off to a nudist colony and live in a tiny RV nestled in the Issaquah Alps. Their three-year adventure in the nudist colony, which she describes as being "like one giant SNL skit that took place on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," became the catalyst for her captivating documentary, Escape from Tiger Mountain Family Nudist Park. Mandy's documentary received recognition from film festivals around the world, and before she knew it, she was an award-winning documentarian.

During our heartwarming and humorous conversation, Mandy shares her experiences as a self-taught documentarian and how she transformed her ADHD into a formidable asset. We explore the beauty of hyperfixation, the importance of embracing boredom as a creative person, and the power of treating ADHD as a lifelong journey of self-discovery.
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Resources:

Substack: MandyFans.com
Youtube show: www.TheMandy.Show
Documentary: EscapeFromTigerMountain.com
Instagram: @MandyZelinka
12 Weeks of Mandy’s meal plans are usually $27, but Tracy’s listeners get them for $17.
They are Perfect for neurodivergent people that forget to eat or get exhausted easily by the idea of having to come up with a different meal every day so they eat the same thing. You can the recipes at a reduced price over at mandysmealplans.com
Tracy’s program: Your ADHD Brain is A-OK

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with TRINLEE CHODREN Jun 30, 2023

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: with the code PODCASTSASS Trinlee Chodren: Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

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EP. 234: How to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Start Anything with Laura Vig Jun 28, 2023

Whether it scares or excites us, artificial intelligence is here to stay. So instead of fighting it, what if we learned how to make it work for our ADHD brains? Unfortunately, even talking about AI is completely out of my wheelhouse, which is why I invited product designer Laura Vig onto the podcast to talk about how we can use AI to improve our lives.

Laura recently got her ADHD diagnosis back in February, which unlocked a new level of understanding and insight into how to best support herself. She learned how to make AI work for her and she's cautiously optimistic about what this technology can do for us in the future.

In our conversation Laura provides a breakdown of AI in really simple terms–what it is, where to start, what tools to use, and all the ways we can use it to help us structure and simplify our lives.
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Resources:

Instagram: @why_i_ai
Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/
Bard by Google: https://bard.google.com/
Goblin.tools: https://goblin.tools/
Pi Bot Google: Pi Chat Bot
Pi Bot Apple: Pi Apple

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Bonus EP: ADHD Success Story with Haley Lin Jun 23, 2023

Hey there! This is a bonus episode Resources: AOK: or with the code PODCASTSASS Haley Lin: Instagram @7am.hlz Tracy Otsuka: Instagram: @tracyotsuka

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 233: The Overlap of ADHD and Autism with Andonette Wilkinson Jun 21, 2023

If you connect with some of the ADHD traits but have never really felt like the label fits you perfectly, you might relate to my guest this episode, Andi Wilkinson, who has both ADHD and autism and describes the combination as "having internal opposite personalities that are constantly fighting with each other."

Andi, who is a creative and digital marketer, didn't get her ADHD and autism diagnoses until 45, but once she did she realized just how much it explained about her life–why she's so good at creating a mess but can't stand messiness, why she loves to visit new cities but gets overwhelmed by travel, and why she's able to spend hours and hours on organizational tasks that other people find incredibly boring.

During our conversation, Andi shares what it's like to manage the often-opposing interests of ADHD and autism, the overlaps and differences between the two, her experiences with early trauma and a strict religious upbringing, the intersection of ADHD, ASD, and tech, and so much more.
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Resources:

www.linkedin.com/in/andonette
Instagram: @andonette

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 232: You Can Change Your Brain and So Can Your Child with Neuroeducation Expert Barbara Arrowsmith-Young Jun 14, 2023

I don't think I've broken my rule yet that all guests must be women who are either diagnosed or have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD, but I think that what our guest is going to talk about in this episode warrants me breaking my rule. Besides, as I told her during our interview, she has a lot of ADHD traits.

An innovator and author in the field of neuroeducation, Barbara Arrowsmith-Young's work utilizing the principles of neuroplasticity is used worldwide to enhance cognitive functioning. Her work, begun in 1978, is recognized as one of the first examples of the practical application of neuroplasticity to address learning difficulties. Since then, its use has expanded to include those dealing with traumatic brain injury, addiction, cognitive decline with aging and those who want to enhance performance.

Barbara's vision is to "put the Brain in the Education Equation" and she's well on her way to making that happen, with her Arrowsmith Program already being used in over 100 schools around the world. I am so fascinated by Barbara and the work she's done, and I'm confident that after our conversation, you will be too.
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Resources:

Website: www.arrowsmith.ca
Recent blog article: Is ADHD a Learning Disability?
Arrowsmith Blog: The Arrowsmith Blog
Free webinar series on the brain: arrowsmith.ca/webinar
TEDx Presentation: https://youtu.be/o0td5aw1KXA
Book Resources (including The Woman Who Changed Her Brain, authored by: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young): Media Books
Learn more about your cognitive profile by completing the free Arrowsmith: Cognitive Questionnaire
LinkedIn: Arrowsmith Program
YouTube: Arrowsmith Program

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 231: Inattentive ADHD with Cynthia Hammer Jun 07, 2023

Author Cynthia Hammer's journey with inattentive ADHD first began when she received her diagnosis at the age of 49, a pivotal moment that sparked her passion for advocacy and education. She founded the non-profit ADD Resources, which aimed to educate adults about ADHD and grew to become a thriving organization.

Then, while in Covid isolation Cynthia wrote her memoir, Living with Inattentive ADHD, and through her book she discovered the disheartening truth that children and adults with inattentive ADHD in particular continue to be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This realization led her to establish The Inattentive ADHD Coalition, a new non-profit with a mission to ensure that children with inattentive ADHD are diagnosed by the age of 8 and that adults seeking help receive accurate diagnoses.

During our conversation, Cynthia and I discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals with inattentive ADHD, the reasons why it's missed so often, the value of early diagnosis, and the critical work her organization is doing to change things, thirty years after her diagnosis. Cynthia's expertise and advocacy efforts shed light on a lesser-known aspect of ADHD and bring hope to those who have long struggled without a proper diagnosis. I'm just delighted to share Cynthia's insights with you this episode. What I love most about her is that she has no plans to retire and fade into the sunset. Instead, she spends hours a day helping those with ADHD. When I grow up, I hope to be just like her.
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Resources:

Website: www.iadhd.org
Questionnaires that are helpful for identifying adults and children with possible inattentive ADHD: www.iadhd.org/adult/#info and www.iadhd.org/child
Parent support groups on FB:
- Inattentive ADHD support for parents
- ADDitude - ADHD Support Group for Parents

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 230: Why ADHD is a Feminist Issue May 31, 2023

Thanks to fearmongering and misinformation, being a feminist nowadays comes with all kinds of political baggage that leaves many running away from this label. But put quite simply, a feminist includes anyone who supports equal rights for women. So if you believe that you or the women in your life should have equal rights to a man, then congratulations, you're a feminist!

Viewing ADHD through a feminist lens allows us to see how gender factors into our experiences, from diagnosis and treatment to ongoing impact. Feminism allows us to question gendered expectations, to see them as social constructions that bear no basis in reality, to stop conflating them with virtue, and to start embracing our uniqueness.

Women with ADHD have so many gifts to offer, the problem is we cannot recognize and celebrate those gifts without a more level playing field. Join me this episode as I take a closer look at the impacts of inequality on ADHD women and explore some ways to level out the playing field and start taking on more roles that generate positive emotions and self-worth.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 229: A Strength-Focused Approach to Relationships with Psychotherapist, Anita Robertson, LCSW May 24, 2023

If you’ve ever wished for a compass to help you navigate the complexities of ADHD relationships, look no further than psychotherapist Anita Robertson and her book, ADHD & Us: A Couple's Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD.
Anita’s book, is built around what she calls the five pillars. These pillars –praise, growth mindset, games, positive acceptance, and acknowledgement– provide a much-needed foundation for couples to return to whenever they find themselves drifting apart.
Anita's work stands out because it creates a bridge of empathy between partners, allowing them to recognize that ADHD is not a character failing but simply a difference in brain wiring. By providing this awareness and understanding, she equips couples with the tools to nurture their strengths, communicate effectively, and ultimately create a thriving partnership.
Join me this episode for an encouraging and strengths-focused conversation with Anita that will revolutionize the way you navigate relationships as an ADHD couple.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 228: Raising a Spirited ADHD Child with Pulitzer-prize Winning Investigative Reporter and Author, Katherine Ellison May 17, 2023

Raising a strong-willed ADHD child when you have ADHD yourself is a specific challenge that connects so many of us, including my guest this episode, author Katherine Ellison. Too often as parents we can find ourselves in power struggles over things that ultimately don't matter and only serve to damage our relationships, which is why Katherine is here to tell us that when we're in those power tug-of-wars with our children, it's our job to drop the rope.

Katherine is the author of the brilliant book, Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention, where she details her experiences raising a spirited ADHD child and the lessons she learned about how to support him best. "You can't be the person, as the mother, having the power struggles with them and teaching them what they need to know. You just have to love them. They're getting so much negativity from the rest of the world that they need you to be their solid ally."

Join me and the extraordinary Katherine Ellison as we dive into the ups and downs of raising spirited ADHD children, ways to take a step back when you notice a power struggle starting, the importance of identifying our children's strengths and areas of brilliance, and the absolute necessity of creating a loving and supportive environment where that brilliance can flourish.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 227 How to Start and Finish Anything with Roxanne Jarrett May 10, 2023

As ADHD women we are often endlessly creative and optimistic about how much we can accomplish, but when that optimism turns into setting impossible goals for ourselves, it stops us from actually bringing our brilliant ideas into reality. My guest this episode, Roxanne Jarrett, is an entrepreneurial coach who helps her ADHD and dyslexic clients tackle this problem head-on by giving them the skills and supports to follow through on their dreams from beginning to end.

Roxanne is ADHD herself, so she knows firsthand that a traditional approach won't work for her clients' unique brains. Instead, she teaches people how to get realistic about time, set up a positive environment, prioritize self-care, and reduce lofty expectations in order to create goals that are actually achievable.

Roxanne is passionate about supporting creators as they reduce overwhelm by designing a structure and environment in which to thrive. I hope her incredible insights inspire you to start taking small steps toward your own big dreams.
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Resources:

Website: www.swellhead.com
Instagram: @roxannejarrett

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 226: ADHD and the Gut-Brain Connection with Nicole Malcher May 03, 2023

When nutritionist Nicole DeMasi Malcher first came onto the podcast three years ago to talk about nutrition and ADHD (go back and listen to Episode #84 if you haven't yet!), she briefly mentioned the gut-brain connection and how what we eat can directly influence our central nervous system, and therefore our physical and mental health. At the time I asked Nicole if this connection was controversial, but she reassured me that the science is there to support it.

Ever since, I've wanted to get her back on the show to dive deeper into this important topic, which we're finally doing this episode. Join us as Nicole gives a breakdown of what the gut actually is (aka the "second brain"), the research behind the brain-gut connection, how the gut microbiome impacts mood and ADHD symptoms, and some easy ways to improve your gut microbiome when you're already struggling with the executive functioning and sensory aspects of eating and meal-planning.
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Resources:

Website: www.eatingwithadhd.com
Instagram: @eatingwithadhd
Episode 84: ADHD and Nutrition with Nicole DeMasi Malcher - Tracy Otsuka

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 225: Challenging the Status Quo with Welsh Politician, Sara Robinson Apr 26, 2023

Growing up in a politically active environment, Welsh local politician Sara Robinson was always drawn to social justice, and when she realized she had ADHD at 41, her life path started to make perfect sense.

Sara's strong reaction to injustice–one of her ADHD strengths–drove her to get involved with local politics in order to make positive changes at the community level, and most recently, led her to advocate for changes in U.K. legislation around ADHD in criminal, education, and healthcare settings.

Like many of us, Sara struggles with rejection sensitive dysphoria, but her passion for social justice has always overridden any fears she has of being seen. She says, "Now that I've opened my eyes to it, post-diagnosis, I can't unsee the injustice."

Join us as Sara shares her ADHD journey, what's changed since getting diagnosed, how building community has transformed how she sees her ADHD, the importance of women getting involved in politics at the local level, and so much more.
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Resources:

Website: www.sararobinsoncomms.co.uk
LinkedIn: Councillor Sara Robinson
Insta: @sararobinson_81
Whatsapp group: ADHDivas

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 224: ADHD, Autism and Making Friends with Steph West Apr 19, 2023

Steph West is the creator and director of Starfish Social Club, which teaches neurodivergent kids and teens how to make friends without masking or conforming. She's on a mission to change the way we teach social skills, as well as the way we raise our neurodivergent kids in general.

Steph was formally diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, which has made her even more committed to her students and helps them relate to her on a very personal level. Her goal with her work is never to teach autistic and ADHD students how to conform to neurotypical society, rather, it's to help them develop dynamic social awareness and problem-solving skills to connect with their peers, while still preserving the traits that make them unique.

Steph's ideology serves as a great reminder that we can all learn how to move through social interactions more easily without sacrificing our authenticity, and I'm so delighted to share her valuable perspective with you this episode.
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Resources:

Website: www.StarfishSocialClub.org
Facebook: www.FB.com/StarfishSocialClubSATX
Podcast: Social Skills Unscripted

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EP. 223: Why We Love Schitt's Creek and How We May All Be a Little Like Moira Rose, with Author Rachel Floyd Apr 12, 2023

Get ready to finally learn how to fold in the cheese, because author Rachel Floyd is joining me this episode to discuss her hilarious new cookbook Tastes Like Schitt: The Unofficial Schitt's Creek Cookbook and share how her ADHD led her to find sustainable success in a field she's always been passionate about.

Rachel and her sister Hannah started the parody cookbook as a fun way to stay connected during Covid, and over time their unique idea snowballed from a self-published online resource to a traditionally-published cookbook lining the shelves of independent bookstores, all because they were brave enough to follow through on their dreams.

Much like Moira Rose, Rachel lets her curiosity guide her and isn't afraid to dream big, and I hope her boldness inspires you to channel your own inner Moira, outrageous wigs and all.
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Resources:

Website: Racheljfloyd.com
Instagram: @racheljfloyd; @littlebisonpress

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EP. 222: Overcoming Adversity through Gratitude & Optimism with Jen Kohms Apr 05, 2023

Jen Kohms has faced huge hurdles throughout her life, raising herself from age 13 and living on her own starting at 15 all while managing undiagnosed ADHD. Despite a difficult start, Jen figured out many pre-diagnosis workarounds and always held onto her optimism, which carried her through to the other side. She got an official ADHD diagnosis at age 34 after her son was diagnosed, and this new understanding allowed her to lean into her gifts and build a supportive life around her unique brain.

Now, Jen is working toward her goal of becoming an ADHD coach and still incorporates gratitude into everything she does. She tells me that she has found success through her innate ability to listen around corners and through walls, to read people and their needs, and to care enough to help, all of which shines through in speaking with her.

Jen's optimism, gratitude, and determination make her an inspiration for anyone, and I'm so excited to share her story with you this episode.
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Resources:

Facebook: Jen Kohms

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EP. 221: ADHD and Grief After a Later in Life Diagnosis with Amelia Etherton Mar 29, 2023

Amelia Etherton, a freelance editor and writer living in Ireland, bravely reached out to me with a request that I have more older (personally, I prefer venerable) ADHD women on the show who can speak to the specific type of grief that comes with a later-in-life diagnosis and all of the 'what-if's that come with it. Amelia herself was recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD at 57, so I thought, who better to speak on this topic than her?

Amelia's diagnosis brought with it an almost overwhelming sense of grief over how hard it was to bring up her kids mostly alone without knowing they were all neurodivergent, but it also gave her a newfound feeling of hope and self-understanding that has been life-changing.

She wants other late-diagnosed ADHD women to see that it's possible to move beyond the grief of what could have been and to embrace your unique brains in order to truly enjoy the time you have left, and I'm delighted to share her message of hope with you this episode.
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Resources:

Website: www.picincottage.com
Instagram: @ameliajmaiden

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EP. 220: ADHD Strengths, a Late in Life ADHD Diagnosis and Why You Should Talk to Strangers with Angela Raspass Mar 22, 2023

When I work with older ADHD women they often ask me, "I've made it through life this far, what would really change if I got a diagnosis?" Well, self-leadership coach and author Angela Raspass is here to answer that question, and her response is "everything."
Angela was diagnosed last year at 53, and even she was shocked by just how drastically her life was altered when she started to understand and accommodate her ADHD. She was lucky enough to find a medication that works for her brain, but Angela credits the biggest improvements to lifestyle and positivity changes, which have manifested into better relationships with her business, her family, and most importantly, herself.
Angela's ADHD diagnosis allowed her to finally feel like she was taking the reins on her own life after so many years of not realizing the reins were even there. I hope her story inspires you to grab your own reins no matter your age.
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Resources:

Website: angelaraspass.com.au, angelaraspass.com.au/anchored (a new program)
Instagram: @angelaraspass
LinkedIn: Angela Raspass
Promo Codes:
- Angela Raspass SMARTSTRENGTHS - for $50
- Angela Raspass SMARTBOOK - for $10 off

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EP. 219: ADHD Tenacity: Using No to Get Closer to Yes with Jamie Cutino Mar 15, 2023

ADHD women are known for being tenacious (probably because we've had to be!), but my guest this episode takes it to a whole new level. Jamie Cutino is a Master of Occupational Therapy, an entrepreneur, and an ADHD advocate and coach. Her tenacity has gotten her through a difficult upbringing, onto the TedX stage, and has driven her to found two different companies where she gets to do what she loves.
Jamie never questions whether she can do something, she just takes the leap and trusts that she can make a net appear. Her secret, she tells me, is an unwavering dedication to her purpose: "My 'why' is showing women with ADHD that they are brilliant, and if I allowed my fear to get in the way of that I wouldn't be able to help anybody."
Jamie has gotten to where she is today through her persistence and her refusal to take 'no' for an answer, and I'm so delighted to share her story with you.
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Resources:

TikTok: @jamie_outsmartadhd
FB Group: Women with ADHD - Support & Strategies - Outsmart ADHD
Instagram: @jamie_outsmartadhd
Youtube: Outsmart ADHD
Website: Outsmartadhd.co
TEDxCWRU: Jamie Cutino

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Ep. 218 How an ADHD Diagnosis Taught Micah Clasper-Torch to Rethink Entrepreneurship Mar 08, 2023

In true ADHD style, artist Micah Clasper-Torch has had a winding career path, leading her to a variety of jobs in art, fashion, and startups. When Micah discovered the traditional craft of punch needle rug hooking, however, she unexpectedly uncovered a passion that would finally allow her to focus her creativity in a single direction. After completing a rug hooking program in 2019, she successfully launched her own business, Punch Needle World, with a mission to uplift the craft and make high-quality supplies and training accessible to all.
Micah's passion may have inspired her to start her business, but it was when she received her official ADHD diagnosis that the rest of the entrepreneurship puzzle pieces fell into place. Her diagnosis taught her that her creative brain needs structure to thrive, and since building ADHD-friendly systems and supports into her days her business has only grown stronger.
Join our conversation to hear how Micah structures her days to get the most out of her creativity, what's changed since getting diagnosed, her thoughts on creative entrepreneurship, and much more.
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Resources:

Personal website: www.micahclasper-torch.com
Instagram: @claspertorch
Punch Needle World website: www.punchneedleworld.com
Instagram: @punchneedle.world If you're interested in learning punch needle, check out her online courses here PUNCH NEEDLE ACADEMY.
Use the coupon code ADHDPODCAST for 20% off of Micah’s online course.

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EP. 217: Working Through Imposter Syndrome and RSD with Bestselling Author, Emily McKaskle Mar 01, 2023

Emily McKaskle grew up in the 70's during a time when girls "didn't have ADHD," so when she started struggling with reading in the 2nd grade her teacher dismissed her as just not being very bright and left it at that. It wasn't until she discovered a Harlequin Romance novel at age 11 that her passion for reading, and therefore her reading ability, skyrocketed.
Now, Emily is an award-winning author of nearly forty books and co-founder of her own company, Book+Love Ink. Her impressive leap from struggling reader to bestselling author definitely improved her confidence, but the imposter syndrome and rejection sensitive dysphoria never really went away.
Join our conversation as Emily shares how she quiets that negative voice by incorporating gratitude and positive emotion into her writing process, what's changed since getting her ADHD diagnosis, how she survives the brutal book editing process, and much more. Emily's journey just goes to show how crucial interest is for the ADHD brain and what we're capable of when we follow it, and I'm so excited to share her story with you this episode.
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Resources:

Website: emmaleejayne.com; emilymckay.com
Instagram: @emmaleejaynewrites
Romance Writers of America

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Ep. 216: Building an ADHD-Friendly Career with Elly Linam Feb 22, 2023

After grooming her own Shih Tzu during the pandemic and posting a picture online, Elly Linam started having neighbors reach out to her, asking if they could pay her to groom their dogs. One thing led to another, and within a month of that first neighbor asking, she knew there was a passion brewing and enrolled in grooming school.
Now, only a few short years later, Elly is a Certified Pet Groomer with her own dog grooming business and a career she's endlessly passionate about–one that's dynamic, creative, and perfect for her ADHD brain. Elly found her dream profession at 35 by putting herself out there and growing her spark of passion into a flame, but she's been able to maintain that flame by supporting her ADHD needs and giving herself permission to do things differently.
Join our conversation to hear Elly's ADHD entrepreneurship story, what changed once she got her official diagnosis, how she builds a balance of work, creativity, and rest into her daily routine, and much more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @ellywentwest
Time Timer: timetimner.com

______________
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EP. 215: Anxiety, Rumination and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone with Amanda Feliciano Feb 15, 2023

In my 200th episode I made a callout for someone to come on the podcast who's been listening for a while, but who doesn't think they're accomplished or successful enough to measure up to my other guests. I personally know having interviewed hundreds of ADHD women at this point, that regardless of how much we've done in our life, we still think we haven't done anything. So I challenged our listeners to raise their hand, because every listener resonates differently with every guest and we can learn so much from each other regardless of our age or where we happen to be in life.
Well, listener Amanda Feliciano took a giant leap out of her comfort zone and volunteered for the challenge despite her fears, and I'm so glad she did. Amanda, who's a customer service representative by day and the co-founder and president of Full Circle Theatre Collective by night, has seen huge changes in her confidence, anxiety, and self-talk since receiving her ADHD diagnosis at 32.
Her story is a great example of what we can accomplish when we get out of our ruminating brains and into action, and I hope Amanda's leap of bravery inspires you to take even the littlest step out of your own comfort zone–I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with just how much you're capable of.
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Resources:

Instagram: @amanda_eff; @thefullcircletheatrecollective
Email: fullcircletheatercollective@gmail.com

______________
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EP. 214: From Banker to Baker with Entrepreneur, Emma Dodi Feb 08, 2023

Emma Dodi is the founder of Emma Dodi Cakes in London, a luxury cake and hand-painted macaron business. In true ADHD fashion, Emma's path hasn't been a straight one. In a previous life, she was a banker working at top financial companies. Now with four kids, a hands-on husband, and a business of her own that's creative and dynamic, she couldn't be happier with where she's ended up, no matter how unexpected.
In our conversation, Emma shares her ADHD journey and diagnosis story, the challenges of socializing as you age, how she carved out a niche for herself in the baking world, the value in getting an ADHD diagnosis, and more.
Not only am I blown away by Emma's incredible edible works of art, but I'm inspired by her drive to discover her true ADHD self and live an authentic life, and I couldn't be more excited to introduce this episode.
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Resources:

Instagram: @emmadodicakes
Website: www.emmadodicakes.com

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EP. 213: How Testing for Learning Differences Showcases our Unique Strengths with Emily Yudofsky, Co-Founder of Marker Learning Feb 01, 2023

Emily Yudofsky struggled with reading growing up, but luckily her dyslexia was identified at a young age and she was given the proper reading interventions to support her differently-wired brain. Emily knows how different her life would've been if her dyslexia had gone undiagnosed, which is what inspired her to co-found her company, Marker Learning.
Marker Learning's mission is to level the playing field by making learning disability evaluations and supports more accessible and affordable for families, schools, and individuals no matter their location or financial situation. Emily says, "Previously, evaluations for things like ADHD and dyslexia have been incredibly expensive and cost-prohibitive for many families. Our whole goal is to make access to these services more equitable so that they're not just available for a small echelon of the world."
If you've been stuck on a year-long waitlist trying to get an evaluation, or if you haven't even made an appointment yet because of the outrageous costs, Emily Yudofsky just may have what you need to finally access the supports you deserve.
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Resources:

Website: Markerlearning.com
Instagram: marker.learning
TikTok: @markerlearning
Email: emily@markerlearning.com

______________
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EP. 212: How to Make a Sustainable Living From Your Creativity with Miriam Schulman Jan 25, 2023

I always talk about how creative the ADHD mind is, but creativity can only get us so far if we don't also have structure to make things happen. The problem is, there's so much advice out there on how to create that structure and monetize creativity, most of which isn't written for our unique brains, that it's hard to know where to begin. This is why I invited Miriam Schulman back onto the podcast (go back and listen to her first episode #136 if you haven't already!) to talk about her recent book, Artpreneur.
In Artpreneur, Miriam provides actionable steps to turn your creative ideas into a thriving business in a way that works for neurodivergent brains. She's an expert at cutting through the noise and consolidating everything down into simple, straightforward advice for creative entrepreneurs and I'm so excited to be able to share her brilliance with you again.
Join our conversation as Miriam and I discuss the book-writing process, what defines art, how to market your work, the importance of believing in the buyer, and so much more.
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Resources:

Podcast [The Inspiration Place]: schulmanart.com/itunes
YouTube: The Inspiration Place
Instagram: @schulmanart
Book pre-order: ArtpreneurBOOK.com; schulmanart.com/BELIEVE (free chapter of Artpreneur)

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EP. 211: How to Live Your Purpose with Municipal Politician and Climate Consultant, Kacy Peterson DeLong Jan 18, 2023

Kacy Peterson DeLong will tell you that she's had a lot of goofy jobs that sometimes seemed like they were all over the place: librarian, apprentice cabinet maker, artist's live model, soooo much food service, bouncy castle carnival operator, Christmas tree shearer, goat-herder, self-employed science communicator, and fundraiser for kidney disease… you know, the usual ADHD career path.
Today however, Kacy can look back at that zigzag path and see the path to the career she was always meant to have, the one that feeds her soul and helps her live her purpose. Kacy is a municipal politician and climate consultant and credits all those goofy jobs for helping her build tools for the toolkit that she regularly uses today.
If you're feeling directionless, all over the place and not sure what to do with your life, this is the episode for you. Kacy will confirm for you that the path that you can't see looking forward becomes crystal clear once you look backwards; your journey will connect the dots.
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Resources:

Email address: kacydelong@gmail.com

______________
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EP. 210: CBT, Perfectionism, and Learning to Lean In with Therapist and Author, Kristen Baird-Goldman Jan 11, 2023

Kristen Baird-Goldman is a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD certified clinical specialist with a unique perspective on the intersection of psychology and integrative wellness. Kristen recently released her first book, The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD, which was inspired by her and her clients' experiences as adults with ADHD.
Reading through the workbook, it's clear it was created with ADHD brain in mind; it has simple exercises designed to help you examine the most common obstacles that adult ADHDers encounter, followed by mindfulness and CBT-based techniques for navigating those obstacles successfully.
Kristen's philosophy and approach to therapy is strength-based, allowing individuals to discover their best selves, which is why I knew she would be the perfect person to cover these topics on the podcast. During our conversation she provides an easy-to-understand explanation of what CBT is, how she uses it with her ADHD clients and herself, the important role of discomfort, and more.
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Resources:

Website: bairdintegratedtherapy.com
Instagram: @theadhdguru

______________
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EP. 209: Emotion, Trauma and ADHD with Dialectical Behavioral Therapist, Vanessa Gorelkin Jan 04, 2023

This episode I'm delighted to re-introduce you to Vanessa Garkin. We talked to Vanessa a few months ago about occupational therapy (go back and listen to Episode 198 if you haven't already!), and as we were wrapping it up, it became very clear to me that in Vanessa we also had an expert in emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). So, at the end of our conversation I asked Vanessa if she would come back and share her expertise on these topics, and lucky for us, she said yes.
During our conversation, Vanessa explains what DBT is, how it differs from CBT, and how she uses it to help her ADHD clients break out of the RSD cycle. We also dive into ADHD and emotional dysregulation, shame, and perfectionism, the link between RSD and trauma, and so much more.
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Resources:

Website: vanessagorelkin.com
Instagram: @humanist_therapist
Episode 198: How to Unlock Your Potential with Occupational Therapist, Vanessa Gorelkin

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EP. 208: What’s Your Intention for 2023? Dec 28, 2022

For years I used to write out a long list of New Year's resolutions, only to not be able to remember what was on the list a week later, let alone where the hell the list even was. So a couple of years ago I started choosing one word and one word only to set the direction for my new year instead, and I discovered that I too could set goals and stick to them in the new year–I just had to start doing it my way.

Choosing just one word for the year works so well for my ADHD brain because it's intentional and it's simple. I may forget about a whole list of goals, but I can focus on one word every day, all year long because that one word sums up who I want to be in that specific year. My word acts as my compass and helps me make my daily decisions with intentionality. It serves as a North Star for me, moving me toward my goals throughout the entire year. I think it'll have a huge impact on you too if you choose to join me.

With one word as your focus, your New Year's goals don't need to be big cosmic shifts and changes in action and behavior, because it's the little things you do, the tiny actions you take every single day that lead to fulfilling a very big intention or goal in 2023.
______________
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EP. 207: Childhood Trauma with Non-fiction Author Coach, Allison Lane Dec 21, 2022

We know that shame grows in silence, but the thought of actually sharing our traumas and innermost thoughts out loud can feel so scary that many of us end up burying it down deep instead. Allison Lane, a marketer for non-fiction authors and people who should be, tried using this approach with her own childhood trauma; for years she kept everything inside, afraid of making others uncomfortable and unable to face it herself, until a suicide attempt forced her to confront how much pain and shame she had been hiding, and how isolating it was to carry her trauma alone.

Once Allison started sharing openly about her experiences, she discovered how empowering it was to be able to say, "this happened to me, but this is not me." Now, her mission in her work is to empower other women to share their stories and to use their voices in a way that reaches people.

Allison has seen firsthand the value of sharing our stories and shedding light on our shame, and I hope her words give you the courage to let down some of your own walls, even when it feels vulnerable.
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Resources:

@allisonlanelit on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn
Website: lanelit.com
Email: allison@lanelit.com

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EP. 206: How to Stop the Guilt, Move More and Ditch Imposter Syndrome with Marnie Bothmer Dec 14, 2022

I initially started talking with fitness coach Marnie Bothmer because I told her that I often get pushback from ADHD women around exercise; they know it's beneficial for the ADHD brain, but they want to know how "real people" are supposed to fit it into their busy lives. Marnie pointed out that the whole concept of what "real people" can do for exercise reveals the root of the problem: the societally-ingrained belief that exercise has to be extreme, and is therefore unattainable.
My conversation with Marnie completely changed the way I think and speak about movement (in fact, it got me to stop saying 'exercise' and start using 'movement' with my students and clients), so I knew I had to get her on the podcast to dive into this subject.
In this episode Marnie talks about the value of listening to your body and finding movement that feels good for you, how her multiple sclerosis diagnosis challenged her ideology around the fitness industry, her ADHD-friendly tips for making movement more rewarding and attainable, and so much more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @marnieb20
Website: marniebothmer.com

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EP. 205: How Luzia Tschirky, correspondent at Swiss Public Broadcasting SRF Uses Her ADHD Strengths to Cover the War in Ukraine Dec 07, 2022

Luzia Tschirky was born and raised in the Swiss Mountains in a small town close to the border of Austria and Lichtenstein. As a child, she knew she wanted to become a journalist, so much so that she started her own newspaper at the age of eight and began working for the local newspaper at 14. Now 28, not only is Luzia a professional journalist, she's the first-ever female correspondent in Moscow, where she covers all post-Soviet countries, including Russia and Ukraine.

For the past nine months Luzia has been covering the war in Ukraine, which she says has given her a newfound appreciation for her ADHD. She credits her ADHD brain for her intense curiosity, her intuition, and her hyperfocus and quick thinking in moments of crisis, all of which have helped her to thrive in high-intensity situations and produce impactful journalism even in a warzone.

What sets Luzia apart (on top of everything else) is her incredible empathy for the humans behind the stories, which shines through in everything she does and is one of the many reasons why I'm so excited to share her story with you this episode.
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Resources:

Instagram: @luziatschirky
Twitter: @luziatschirky

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EP. 204: Intermittent Fasting with Gin Stephens Nov 30, 2022

I've been doing intermittent fasting, well, intermittently for a few years now and have found that for me personally, it helps me eat intuitively and clears my brain fog. However, I've been hesitant to talk about it on the podcast because I know it isn't a lifestyle that works for everyone, but when a listener recommended author Gin Stephens as a guest I knew that she was the right person to tackle this tricky subject.

Gin, who's written multiple bestsellers on clean eating and intermittent fasting, doesn't promote the lifestyle as a weight loss strategy or make any claims that it can "cure" your ADHD or anything like that; rather, she focuses on the research into the gut-brain connection and how what and when we eat affects our mood, our immune systems, our cognitive functioning, and our cravings, among many other things.

In this episode, Gin gives a great breakdown of what intermittent fasting is, the science behind it, and how to ease into it responsibly. We also talk about metabolic syndrome, how to find the foods that work best for your body, and much more. Again, intermittent fasting isn't right for everyone, but if you're curious to learn more about it, come join our conversation.
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Resources:

Instagram: @GinStephens
Website: ginstephens.com
Her books: ginstephens.com/get-the-books

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EP. 203: Changing the Definition of Success with TedX Speaker Martha Barnard-Rae Nov 23, 2022

When Martha Barnard-Rae was finally diagnosed with ADHD after years of being told it was just anxiety, she started structuring her home and work life around her brain's unique needs and saw a complete transformation in how she lives and speaks to herself.

Since getting her diagnosis, Martha has gone on to give an inspiring TedX talk about ADHD and start her own copywriting business, Word Candy, where she has the freedom to let her ADHD strengths shine.

"I want people to understand that ADHD is a part of me and I can use these powers such as they are for good. And I think the more that I can kind of say about it, the more people will understand and they can go, 'oh, I want to work with her because she does those hyperfocus weeks because she can work in that way.' That's a feature, not a bug."

Join us this episode as Martha shares all the ways she's redefining success for herself, her vulnerable experience on the TedX stage, how she fills her "bowl of resilience," and so much more.
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Resources:

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EP. 202: ADHD, Imposter Syndrome and Dentistry with Alexis Tomaszewski Nov 16, 2022

Alexis Tomaszewski knew she wanted to be a dentist by the age of 12. When she got to dental school, however, she realized that although she had the clinical and hand skills for dentistry, she struggled with multi-choice tests, which led to her essentially flunking out the first time around.

Alexis thought about not returning to dental school, but after stepping back to get some clarity and rediscovering her purpose of opening up an ADHD-friendly dental practice, she returned to school in full force, this time with a lot more intention and positive emotions. Her imposter syndrome and RSD were and are still there, but keeping sight of her purpose has allowed Alexis to push through the negative thoughts even when things get hard.

Alexis's goal to create a comfortable, shame-free, and fun dental experience for ADHDers is admirable (and much needed!), and her story is a great reminder that, when we align ourselves with our purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
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Resources:

Tiktok: @tooth_be_told
Email: toothbetoldbyalexis@gmail.com

______________
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EP. 201: Traumatic brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis and ADHD with Amanda Smith Nov 09, 2022

I first met Amanda Smith in my Your ADHD Brain is A-OK program, and ever since she has been bringing so much empathy and joy to the group that I knew I had to get her on the podcast.
In Amanda’s own words, she is not your typical ADHD brain. She didn’t struggle with executive functioning or memory growing up, so when doctors discovered Amanda had a Multiple Sclerosis lesion on her prefrontal cortex, causing sudden-onset ADHD with working memory and cognitive impairment, she realized she was going to have to completely change how she had been operating for the past 32 years.
Amanda’s life was turned on its head when she got the diagnosis –her life snow globe got kicked down the stairs, as she puts it– but her ability to find new ways to forge forward and move her life in the direction she wants it to go in is truly an inspiration.
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Resources:

Instagram: @dandylion_wishes
BRIDGING THE GAP: Exploring community, connections, and overcoming barriers through intergenerational care
Therapeutic Benefits of Children for People With Dementia (verywellhealth.com)
Toddlers and Seniors Together: The Benefits of Intergenerational Care

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EP. 200: Come Meet my Family Nov 02, 2022

I wasn’t planning to do anything special for this 200th episode, but my wonderful friend Sandra wouldn’t hear of it. She suggested I invite my family onto the podcast to mark the occasion–after all, they’ve been putting up with this for 200 episodes now–so that’s exactly what I decided to do.
In a podcast first, I’m sitting down with my husband and kids to get their perspectives on how ADHD impacts our family, what makes us different from other families, and what it’s been like behind the scenes of this whole podcasting journey so far. My family generates so much positive emotion for me and I truly couldn’t keep this podcast going without them, which is why I’m so excited to introduce you to them in this milestone episode.
I also couldn’t have made it this far without the support of all you wonderful listeners, who have allowed me to show up as my authentic self and make something that matters to so many people. I am so appreciative of you all for showing up these past 200 episodes and I can’t wait to see where all our unique paths will take us in 200 more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @ateastefani

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EP. 199: How to Get Diagnosed with My Checklist Oct 26, 2022

Okay, so you did a bunch of learning and self-reflecting and you suspect you might have ADHD. Now what? The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis can, ironically, be super inaccessible for the ADHD brain, so I wanted to do an updated re-release of my episode on how to seek out a diagnosis for those of you who don't know where to start.

Whether you're afraid that you won't be believed by your provider, that you'll be accused of drug-seeking, or that you won't be able to remember anything you wanted to say in the moment, I've created a checklist of adult ADHD symptoms based on the DSM-5 and Russell Barkley's Adult Scale that will help you discuss your experiences with confidence.

I'm not a doctor, but I know how your brain works because I share it, and my aim with this episode is to give you the framework and the courage to fight for the medical support you deserve.
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Resources:

spyhappy.me/adhdprofslist

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EP. 198: How to Unlock Your Potential with Occupational Therapist, Vanessa Gorelkin Oct 19, 2022

I've always had a general idea of what an occupational therapist does, but I didn't realize just how many areas of ADHD they can help with until I invited occupational therapist Vanessa Goreklin onto the podcast.

As a licensed OT, Vanessa's work focuses on helping ADHDers live their lives to the fullest while harnessing their unique skills. She may not have ADHD herself, but both her son and husband do, which has given her real-life experience in understanding ADHD.

Vanessa works with her clients to develop skills in everything from basic self-care to executive functioning to exercise, taking into account that the ADHD brain has different needs, motivations, and ways of doing things than a neurotypical brain.

She says, "The neurotypical world is for people who stand in line and color in the shapes just so, and are very, very good at showing up and doing exactly what they're supposed to do. And that's not people with ADHD, who can do what they're supposed to do but they have new and creative and wonderful ways of doing it."

Vanessa believes that occupational therapy can be a key to unlocking the potential of people with ADHD, and my hope is that our conversation gets people talking about all the ways occupational therapy can be a wonderful support for ADHDers through every stage of life.
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Resources:

Website: vanessagorelkin.com
Instagram: @humanist_therapist

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EP. 197 A Gripping Holocaust Story with Renee Grewe Oct 12, 2022

This episode is a little different from how I usually do things, but this story was so moving and has such a unique tie-in to ADHD, I knew I had to share it.

Renee Grewe, who is the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, recently received a translated copy of her grandfather's journal that details his capture and imprisonment by Nazi soldiers and his miraculous and courageous escape. Renee believes that the details of her grandfather's escape are indicative of him having undiagnosed ADHD and that this was the very reason that he was able to survive all of it.

During our conversation, Renee shares about her own ADHD journey and how she moved past learned helplessness before reading sections of her grandfather's journal, which details his imprisonment and harrowing escape and outlines the aspects of his story that show bravery, empathy, quick thinking, ingenuity, hope–all strengths of ADHD.

This story is so moving because, in all of the horror, there is something so hopeful and uplifting about it; it serves as a reminder that when we are really put to the test, it's amazing what we can accomplish.
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Resources:

Instagram: @reneegrewe

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EP. 196: ADHD and Imposter Syndrome with Author and Sales Expert, Shianne Sampson Oct 05, 2022

There are so many great ADHD podcasts out there that deliver the latest research and feature leading experts, but I think that what makes this podcast so different and valuable are the stories.

Hearing about the lives and internal thoughts of other ADHD women who seem to have it all together from the outside reminds us that we're not alone in our self-doubt. It also shows us that if even the most successful of us still struggles under the weight of imposter syndrome, maybe the problem is our thoughts telling us that we aren't good enough, rather than a reflection of our actual abilities.

My guest this episode, author and sales expert Shianne Sampson, is a perfect example of why these stories matter. From the outside, Shianne is a confident and outgoing sales leader whose hard work has led to incredible success, but no matter how many accomplishments she has under her belt, that imposter syndrome is always there to make her feel like she doesn't deserve it.

In our conversation, Shianne shares the ADHD strengths that shine in the sales world, the specific challenges that can lead to imposter syndrome as you climb the sales ladder, and we chat strategies for tackling the self-doubt, starting with celebrating our accomplishments.

Shianne's story is a great reminder that imposter syndrome grows in the shadows of shame, and the more we shed light on it through vulnerability and connection, the less power it holds over us.
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Resources:

Website: shiannesampson.com
LinkedIn: Shianne D. Sampson
Her book: Triage - Sales Coaching by Shianne Sampson

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EP. 195: ADHD, Running an Online Business and Hiring Help with Digital Marketing Strategist, Jen Lehner Sep 28, 2022

When I first started this podcast, I had so many creative ideas and big ambitions for how to connect with other ADHD women, but actually executing my ideas consistently was a whole different story.
Even though I was drowning on my own, I couldn’t imagine hiring someone to help me with the tasks I was struggling with. What if their work wasn’t up to my standards? Could I really afford to do that? Where would I even begin?
It wasn’t until digital marketing strategist Jen Lehner came along with her program Front Row CEO that I was finally convinced that not only was it possible to hire help, it was a necessity if I wanted to grow my podcast and achieve my goals. So, I finally caved and hired a virtual assistant, and I haven’t looked back since.
Being ADHD herself, Jen knows how easily all the little tasks can start to snowball on us until we’re left buried under a pile of overwhelm and shame. Getting a virtual assistant completely changed her relationship with her business, her home life, and most importantly, her family, because it allowed her to focus her time and energy on the work she’s brilliant at and take the rest off her plate.
Jen now helps others navigate the process of hiring a VA, including how to find quality candidates, what tasks you can delegate to a VA (it’s more than you’d think!), and how to establish and maintain open communication.
If you’re drowning in overwhelm but don’t feel deserving of a virtual assistant or don’t know where to start, I know Jen’s guidance and encouragement in this episode will give you that push you need to take the first step, just like it did for me.
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Resources:

Instagram: @jen_lehner
160 Tasks you can outsource to a VA: jensprograms.com
Front Row CEO program: frontrowceo.com
Join our Front Row CEO Masterclass: jensprograms.com
Affiliate links:
Front Row CEO Masterclass: jenlehnermedia.thrivecart.com

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EP. 194: ADHD & Trauma Sep 21, 2022

ADHD and trauma overlap quite a bit in how they affect the brain, so much so that clinicians often misdiagnose one for the other.
So how do clinicians distinguish between ADHD and trauma when both impact the same areas of the brain and can cause similar symptoms?
And moreover, what happens when ADHD and trauma co-occur, which they so often do, due to the inherent trauma of growing up with a differently wired brain?
This solo episode I’m diving into the research on how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system, how untreated ADHD can lead to trauma, and where to start with treatment when you have that oh-so-wonderful combo of ADHD and trauma.
Just like with ADHD, trauma is never your fault and your symptoms are not moral failings or character flaws to be hidden away.
Shame is a component of both trauma and ADHD, and the more we shed light on it, the easier it is to eradicate it. In other words, what is sharable is bearable.
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EP. 193: ADHD, Money and The Keyless Life with Denise Duffield-Thomas Sep 14, 2022

When ADHDers are faced with a problem, we often try to either go around it or develop new strategies to get better at it. My guest this episode, author and money mentor Denise Duffield-Thomas, has mastered the art of stepping back from the problem and determining whether she can eliminate it altogether, which is the foundation of her “keyless life” philosophy. Born from the idea to literally go keyless by installing keypads on the doors after losing her house keys so many times, Denise’s keyless life philosophy is all about protecting your mental energy by automating, delegating, or removing the difficult-to-manage tasks that drain you the most, rather than trying to muscle or self-improve your way through them.
Her philosophy is so supportive of ADHD brains especially because it’s rooted in forgiveness and self-love—the antithesis to the shame and self-sabotage many of us carry around. Join our wonderful conversation to hear the ways Denise uses this philosophy to set herself up for success and lean into her ADHD strengths, her shame-free approach to money management, how to live a life of abundance without the burnout, and more.
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Resources:

Website: www.denisedt.com
Instagram: @denisedt
Twitter: @denisedt
Facebook: Denise Duffield-Thomas

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BONUS FROM TRACY: 5 Days to Fall in Love with Your ADHD Brain [TIME SENSITIVE] Sep 08, 2022

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EP. 192: ADHD and Imposter Syndrome with Artist and Entrepreneur, Katie Hayes Sep 07, 2022

It isn’t a stretch to say that imposter syndrome likely takes up space in most ADHD brains (and how could it not when we’re constantly feeling like we aren’t reaching our potential?), but there’s an extra layer of self-doubt that comes with the vulnerability of putting yourself out into the world creatively. Artist and entrepreneur Katie Hayes always felt drawn to art growing up and knew she had a great talent for it, but she never considered that she was good enough to turn her art into a full-time creative career.
It wasn’t until 2019, after a college degree and a career in higher education that was gratifying but never felt like her ultimate calling, that Katie said “screw it” to imposter syndrome and started her printmaking business, New South Pattern House. She discovered that the more she aligned herself with her purpose and pushed herself out of her comfort zone, the less imposter syndrome she felt calling herself an artist, until one day it was gone completely.
Katie may have taken the long way to follow her dreams, but she believes that she wouldn’t be where she is today if not for the detours, which gave her invaluable knowledge and helpful ADHD strategies that she incorporates into her business and her art every day. Katie’s winding journey on the way to living unabashedly as an artist is an inspirational one and a great reminder that it’s never too late to become who you truly are.
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Resources:

Instagram: @newsouthpatternhouse
Website: newsouthpatternhouse.com
Shop Wallpaper and Fabric: spoonflower.com/profiles/katie_hayes

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EP. 191: Raising Differently Wired ADHD Kids with Debbie Reber Aug 31, 2022

Parenting activist and author Debbie Reber had a difficult time with the structure of school growing up, so when her son Asher also started struggling to have his unique learning needs supported in the classroom, she knew she had to do things differently. Incorporating expert advice and a strengths-based philosophy, Debbie started creating the resources she wishes she’d had when she was younger. After much collaborating and fine-tuning, she found an approach to teaching that supported Asher’s ADHD learning needs and encouraged emotional intelligence and self-understanding.
What started as an alternative approach to schooling for her son eventually transformed into Tilt Parenting, an educational resource aimed at helping parents who are raising differently wired children do so from a place of confidence, connection, and joy. Debbie founded Tilt Parenting because she knows how isolating it is trying to navigate a system that wasn’t built for differently wired brains, and she wanted to help other parents avoid the same painful roadblocks she and her husband encountered. For all the parents of differently wired children who are feeling hopeless about finding the right supports, Debbie’s story will give you encouragement that a different way of parenting and educating is out there and possible.
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Resources:

Website: tiltparenting.com
Instagram: @tiltparenting
Twitter: @tiltparenting
Facebook: Tilt Parenting

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Ep. 190: PTSD, Trauma, and EMDR: When Your Career Makes You Sick with Former Lawyer, Lara Connolly Aug 24, 2022

Talk therapy can be a valuable resource, but what happens when you’re all talked out and still feel your body is holding onto trauma? This is where teacher’s assistant Lara Connolly found herself after years of trying talk therapy and never feeling like it was quite enough to help alleviate her physical exhaustion and stress. It wasn’t until she tried EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), a form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress caused by traumatic memories, that she finally started to feel her body come back to life.
Looking back, Lara can see how much shame and rejection was stored in her body after a lifetime of having untreated ADHD and how significantly it had been impacting her emotional regulation and physical health. Lara not only took the steps to heal her trauma, but she also made real changes to her lifestyle that provide more balance and prioritize joy; her dedication to living an authentic ADHD life is truly inspiring, and I’m delighted to bring you this conversation.
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Resources:

Instagram: @theaddventuresoflaraandfrida

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EP. 189: Trauma and Mindfulness with Tenrikyo Priestess, Latoya Williams Aug 17, 2022

ADHDers are often stereotyped (accurately, admittedly) as being obsessed with psychology, personality tests, birth charts—anything that might give us answers on why we do the things we do. But when we’ve spent our whole lives feeling different and not knowing why, is it any surprise that we’re so hyperfocused on trying to understand ourselves?
My guest in this episode, Tenrikyo priestess and personal empowerment coach Latoya Williams, finally got some of these answers when she started studying the teachings of Tenrikyo, a Japanese religion that taught her the value of mindfulness and completely changed how she shows up for herself each day. Latoya’s spiritual practice, combined with her ADHD diagnosis, opened her eyes to what was possible in the world and gave her clarity on her purpose, which she knows is to help others.
A self-described “professional disruptor of culture,” Latoya is dedicated to helping other misfits uncover and embrace their own unconventional paths through her trauma-informed work. Join me as Latoya shares how embracing her uniqueness and following her passions led her to her purpose, the value in healing our trauma and examining our deeply-held beliefs about ourselves, and the absolute necessity of marching to the beat of your own weird drum.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 188: How to Manage Our ADHD in the Kitchen with Food Blogger and Pastry Chef, Rebecca Eisenberg Aug 10, 2022

Our ADHD brains are driven by interest, not importance, meaning that boring tasks can feel almost physically painful to us. On the flipside, when we find something that sparks our interest, we have the power to become unstoppable forces. Pastry chef and food blogger Rebecca Eisenberg felt this spark with cooking and baking and, to even her own surprise, turned it into a full-time career through her blog The Practical Kitchen.
Not only does Rebecca’s ADHD give her insight into how to structure her recipes in a way that will keep neurodivergent brains focused and engaged, but she also considers it to be the driving force behind making her business sustainable: “The amount of work that goes into a food blog, I don’t know that I could’ve sustained it without my ADHD really driving me to learn more and to do more and to just be excited about it even when it’s really hard.”
Join us this episode as Rebecca Eisenberg shares her best tips for managing ADHD in the kitchen, her personal approach to simple meal planning, and how she works around her ADHD by working with it.
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Resources:

Instagram: @the.practical.kitchen; @ryeisenberg
Twitter: @practicalkitch
Blog: The Practical Kitchen | Creative Recipes & Baking Blog

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 187: ADHD and How to Feel Good and Inspire with Teen Recording Artist, Devyne Bean Aug 03, 2022

I always say that ADHD has the potential to be our greatest superpower if we can learn how to harness it, and my guest in this episode, recording artist Devyne Bean, is the living embodiment of that. At a young age, Devyne figured out that if she could channel her hyperactivity and add structure to her days, her entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic would allow her to follow her passions wherever they led her, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Now 17, Devyne already has an impressive list of accomplishments under her belt, from graduating high school early to starting three businesses in her passion areas of music and fashion. Her drive and determination are remarkable, but ultimately she credits patience and baby steps for her success: “Be patient with yourself. You may have those days where you may not achieve every single thing that was on your list, but if you achieved something, you did something right.”
Devyne’s wisdom and insights blew me away during our conversation, and I know that no matter your age, her words will make you feel inspired to follow your own dreams, one small step at a time.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 186: Make Managing Money Fun with Money Coach Siw Slevigen Jul 27, 2022

DISCLAIMER: SIW'S PROGRAM IS NOT COMPLETE SO DO NOT PURCHASE IT. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO HER BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE BACK. WE'VE HEARD THAT SHE IS ILL. THIS EPISODE IS SO GOOD, HOWEVER, THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO REMOVE IT AS THERE'S SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM IT.

Curiosity is one of our most powerful ADHD strengths, but it can also be one of our greatest hindrances if the people around us see our curiosity as a challenge to authority rather than a genuine interest in understanding the world. When my guest, Siw Slevigen, was growing up, she always had her strong curiosity met with either excitement or disdain by teachers, and—surprise, surprise—it always impacted her ability and willingness to learn.

Rather than shrink herself in shame, Siw leaned into her curiosity and let it guide her down a path of joyfulness and self-acceptance. Now a money management coach, Siw believes that the only way to change our relationship with money is by accepting ourselves exactly where we are and infusing curiosity and excitement into everything we do. Siw’s positive approach to economics has completely changed my own attitude toward money and my ability to save it, and I know our wonderful conversation will give even the most impulsive spenders out there a fresh perspective.
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Resources:

Instagram: English: @happy.penger.money.magic
Norwegian: @happy_penger
TikTok: @happy_penger

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 185: ADHD and Politics Jul 20, 2022

ADHD and politics have been at the top of my ‘topics I want to cover’ list for quite some time now, but given the extreme political division within the United States and around the world, I wanted to wait until I had something to share that could possibly make things better and wouldn’t add more fuel to the fire.
Well, I recently read the book *The Molecule of More* by Dr. Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long, and I was inspired to finally tackle this topic in a way that I thought my listeners especially would be able to understand: with biology. What if, just like with ADHD, we could connect the differences in how we see the world to our brains, rather than character flaws or a moral failing?
I’m hoping that by answering this question, I can give you a new, gentler lens through which to view those on the other side of the political spectrum. The only way we’re going to bridge the political gap is by trying to understand those who are different from us. If we can find an understanding through biology, rather than shaming and blaming, perhaps we can let down our guards enough to come together and start doing the work.
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Resources:

The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race By Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and Michael E. Long.

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 184: ADHD and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Danielle House Jul 13, 2022

Last episode, I did a solo overview of imposter syndrome to lay the foundation for my wonderful conversation with my guest this episode, Danielle House. Danielle is a shining example of how imposter syndrome can weasel its way into the lives of even the most accomplished ADHD women. At 30, she became the CEO of a medical device company, yet, up until recently, she held the belief that her success was due to luck, a mistake—anything but her own intelligence and ability.
Danielle says the biggest factor in tackling her imposter syndrome has been finally understanding how her brain works: “The imposter syndrome is still very much there, but I’m starting to recognize and be able to come to terms with my success and how I got here, not despite my ADHD but because of it.” Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence, and Danielle’s story gives me hope that we can all learn to see ourselves as the badasses we truly are.
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Resources:

Website: OCTOdent Dental Aerosol Suction Unit
Linkedin: Danielle House

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 183: Why ADHD Women Might Struggle More with Imposter Syndrome Jul 06, 2022

In this episode, I'm covering the basics of imposter syndrome–what it is, why it develops, and why I believe it impacts so many ADHD women especially–and giving some tips for changing the internal narrative that you aren't good enough. Imposter syndrome relies on shame and self-doubt to thrive, and when we can step out of that shame and into our most authentic selves, that's when we take back our power.

Every day I meet amazingly brilliant ADHD women who cannot see their own brilliance. These women may have an impressive list of accomplishments, but because they struggle to keep up with the behind-the-scenes tasks that society tells us are a measurement of our value, all they can focus on are those struggles.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 182: ADHD and Habits with Expert Aggressive Canine Behavior Consultant, Rene Smith Jun 29, 2022

If you got a puppy during the COVID lockdown like I did, you've probably seen some weird and frustrating social behaviors and anxieties crop up as a result of missing out on crucial socialization time. Between the nightmarish vet appointments and the anxiety-fueled barking, my dog is driving me bonkers and I've been at a loss for what to do about it.

Luckily, canine behavior consultant Rene Smith is here to help us take a closer look at the purpose behind our dog's behaviors and reevaluate our approach to intervention. Being ADHD herself, Rene understands that strict training schedules will never work for her mostly ADHD clients, nor do they need to. Instead, she focuses on building trust and connection between dogs and their humans by giving dogs agency over their space and providing humans with the tools and know-how to interpret communication attempts and reinforce healthy behaviors.

Rene's passion for helping a population that's often misunderstood is inspiring (not to mention, so ADHD!), and I'm delighted to have you join our wonderful eye-opening conversation.
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Resources:

Instagram: @streetdogrehab
Website: Street Dog Rehab
Facebook group: Human End of the Leash
Podcast: Dog Life with No Spoons
Organization/Cleaning coaching: Fresh Starts Detailers
Discount code for listeners: NOSPOONS

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 181: Meet Tracy's Oh So Clever Podcast Producer, Grace Bourey Jun 22, 2022

We ADHDers are often unfairly labeled as "flaky" in the workplace, but in my experience, if you find the right ADHD person who's motivated by an interest and investment in the work, there is truly no one better for the job. I believe I've found the cream of the ADHD crop in my podcast producer, Grace Bourey, who has reorganized everything for me and put systems in place that keep the podcast running smoothly, leaving me with the mental energy to focus on the work that matters most to me.

Beyond her organizational skills, Grace has a clever sense of humor that comes in handy on her own podcast, Weirds of a Feather, which she and her childhood best friend created to provide a shame-free space for ADHDers to laugh about the challenging, incredible, and absurd aspects of life with ADHD. This episode, we're talking about the importance of embedding creativity and fun into anything you do, the challenges of trying to follow a linear career path when you have non-linear thinking, and more. Like me, Grace isn't afraid to march to the beat of her own weird drum, which is key to discovering your bravest and most authentic self.
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Resources:

Instagram: @graceminna; @weirdsofafeather
Facebook: Weirds of a Feather
Podcast: Weirds of a Feather on Apple Podcasts

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Ep. 180: Interpersonal Intuition and ADHD Jun 15, 2022

Of all my ADHD gifts, interpersonal intuition is the one that I consider my ultimate superpower. I've always had this ability to walk into a room and know what's going on without hearing one word, it's like I can read the energy of everyone around me and determine who's happy, who's pretending to be happy, who's struggling, who cares about others and who doesn't.

'Intuition' may sound like a woo-woo concept to some, but at the most basic level it's simply a subconscious level of thinking; it's that automatic "gut feeling" you get when you know what to do but can't explain why. Our intuition has the power to guide us in the right direction, but only if we can learn how to listen to and honor it.

In this episode I'm diving into what intuition is, why it's so strong in ADHDers, and how to tune into your intuition and use it as your decision-making rudder. My interpersonal intuition is so important to me because it allows me to see gifts in others before they can see them in themselves, and I believe you, too, can hone your intuition into one of your greatest strengths.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 179: ADHD, Relationships and Sex with Sex Educator, August McLaughlin Jun 08, 2022

At this point in the podcast, I've covered just about every ADHD topic under the sun, but one area I've always tiptoed around has been sexuality and ADHD; I've never been quite sure how to approach it, or whether my listeners even wanted to hear me talk about it for that matter!

Luckily, sex educator, journalist, author, and podcaster, August McLaughlin, isn't afraid to run head-on into the scary and taboo. She offered to hold my hand this episode as we slowly wade into the tricky but wonderful world of sex and ADHD, from self-connection and masturbation to rejection sensitivity and relationships, to even 'girl boners'–yup, you read that right.

If you've ever wondered how ADHD impacts your own relationship with sexuality but have felt embarrassed or unsure of where to start, August's brilliance, empathy, and passion for this work will give you the perfect jumping-off point and may even empower you to go on a self-discovery journey of your own.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 178: NO, it's NOT ADHD! and Other Bullshit Women Hear from Medical Professionals Who Should Know Better Jun 01, 2022

ADHD women have heard every excuse under the sun for why their doctors won’t consider an ADHD diagnosis or take their concerns seriously; everything from the classic “it’s just anxiety,” to “you’re too smart to have ADHD,” to even “you just think it’s cool to have ADHD and that’s why you want a diagnosis.” Seriously, what the hell?!
Being gaslit, misdiagnosed, and dismissed by medical professionals can prevent us from getting a proper diagnosis and accessing treatment for years, even decades, because of the shame and self-doubt that follows these appointments. In this episode, I’m sharing misdiagnosis stories from members of the Facebook group to highlight just how often it happens. I’m also giving you some tips and tools for pushing back against the ADHD stereotypes that still very much exist in the medical community.
We know our brains best and we know ADHD is real, and my hope is to empower you to keep advocating for yourself and your health until someone finally listens.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Ep. 177: Medication, Diagnosis and Curating Your Own ADHD Team with Pharmacist and Patient Advocate, Kalin Johnson May 25, 2022

There’s nothing quite like the ‘aha’ moment of realizing you have ADHD after a lifetime of trying to understand yourself, but after the initial shock wears off, many of us are left wondering: okay, so what comes next? I’m frequently asked how to pursue a diagnosis and find a team of medical and mental health professionals who actually understand ADHD, which is why I’m so excited to invite Kalin Johnson onto the podcast to answer these questions and more.

Kalin, a clinical pharmacist, healthcare advocate, and neurodivergent mentor, recognized a huge gap in supports for neurodivergent people trying to navigate the complicated medical world after struggling to find the right medications and treatments herself. So, like the Smart Ass woman she is, she decided to do something about it. Kalin now uses her medical knowledge and personal experience living life as a queer person and late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic individual to help others create sustainable, individualized healthcare plans with a team of neurodivergent-affirming providers who will take a whole-person approach to treatment.

For those of you who are ready to take the next steps on your ADHD journey but are apprehensive about starting, you won’t want to miss this encouraging and informative conversation with the delightful Kalin Johnson.
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Resources:

Website: https://www.kalinjohnson.com/
Instagram: @kalinpharmd
TikTok: @kalinpharmd
Book an Initial Consult: https://www.kalinjohnson.com/get-started
Upcoming free class: Unmasking Your Health

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 176: ADHD and Being a Smart Ass in Male-Dominated Fields with Danyell DiLena May 18, 2022

I always love talking with ADHD women who are making waves in positions traditionally held by men, so when my guest in this episode, Danyell DiLena, mentioned she was kicking ass in not one but two male-dominated fields, I knew I had to have her on to share her story.

Danyell’s journey hasn’t been easy—she’s had to deal with sexism both in her career as a medic and on the literal field as a baseball coach—but her determination, creativity, and resiliency have made her an unstoppable force when she sets her mind to something. For the past 5 years, she has served as the first female Coach Coordinator for District 33 in San Diego, where she’s in charge of thousands of baseball teams. Even since recording this conversation, she has been offered a new position managing an all-girls U-16 baseball team to take to the Nationals Tournament; seriously, she’s unstoppable.

Danyell is passionate about empowering women and girls to feel like they can succeed in any area they choose, gender barriers be damned, and I know her words will empower you too.
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Resources:

Instagram: @CoachDiLenaBaseball
Youtube: Coach DiLena Baseball
Facebook: Coach DiLena

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 175: ADHD and How to Take an RSD Moment and Turn it Into Opportunity with Leslie Robbins May 11, 2022

Those of us with ADHD brains know that no matter how vigilant we are, slip-ups are bound to happen, especially when sleep deprivation is thrown into the mix. We can only do so much to prevent mistakes, but we can control how we react to them. In this episode, I'm joined by ADHD coach and reformed people-pleaser, Leslie Robbins, who took an embarrassing ADHD moment and turned it into a brilliant teaching opportunity.

Like me, Leslie believes that what we pay attention to grows, good or bad, so we might as well learn to focus on the good. Besides, there's no such thing as mistakes anyway, right? We either get what we want or learn something even more important. Join us as Leslie shares her late diagnosis story, some ways to stop from spiraling into rejection-sensitive dysphoria, and the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously.
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Resources:

Instagram: @leslierobbins_adhdcoaching
Facebook: Robbins Life Coaching
Email: leslie.robbins.adhdcoach@gmail.com
Website: leslierobbinscoaching.com
Gas pump story: My Gas Pump Debacle
VIA Character Strengths Survey: www.viacharacter.org

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 174: ADHD and Gratitude with Catheryn Wreford-Holden May 04, 2022

Since starting this podcast, I've been able to help thousands of ADHD women around the world discover their true selves and lean into their strengths. None of this would be possible, however, without the ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook group–the place where it all began–and the help of Catheryn Wreford-Holden, our lead Facebook group administrator. What makes our group different is the seventeen moderators who approve all posts.

Catheryn leads this team of volunteer moderators and administrators, now known as the Mod Squad, and ensures that the 65K members of our Facebook group are focused on their strengths and have a positive place to find community and feel inspired to seek out solutions. Catheryn herself is a source of inspiration and strength; despite facing unimaginable hurdles throughout her life, she makes a conscious choice every day to focus on the good.

Our Mod Squad is as strong as it is today because she empowers each member to find their gifts and let them shine through. I'm so excited to finally have Catheryn share her story with you.
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Resources:

Instagram: @essentially_cathie
Facebook: Essentially Cathie

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 173: The Difficulty of Diagnosing ADHD in Women and Girls with Dr. Grace Esan Apr 27, 2022

Dr. Grace Esan, now a pediatrician in Indiana, grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where it was the cultural norm to show up to parties and events fashionably late. It wasn't until she moved to the United States, where time is taken much more seriously, that she realized she had difficulty with time management and procrastination that extended beyond cultural differences. Once Dr. Grace connected these traits to ADHD she also realized that ADHD was also responsible for her unique way of seeing the world.

Since her diagnosis, Dr. Grace has been on a mission to create awareness around ADHD and destigmatize the diagnosis within the medical community, particularly for girls and women, who are often overlooked. Join me for a conversation with this wonderful doctor as she shares her diagnosis story, the workarounds she used to get through school, how she challenges the status quo in medicine, and so much more.
______________

Resources:

Instagram: @thrivewithdrgrace
Website: Thrivewithdrgrace.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 172: Tracy’s Top 12 Can’t Live Without, ADHD Resources Apr 20, 2022

Many people who know me would describe me as a tough critic–just ask my kids–but I like to think of it as valuing excellence. This means that when I do recommend a product or service, it's only because I believe in it so much that I want to shout it from the rooftops.

In this episode, I'm sharing my list of rooftop-worthy ADHD hacks that have completely transformed my life. From organization to productivity to home care, these resources have helped me manage the more difficult aspects of my ADHD, leaving me more time and energy to focus on my strengths. At this point I truly couldn't make it through the day without them, they've had such a positive impact on my ADHD brain, and I think they'll make a big difference to yours too.
______________

Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 171: ADHD and Dental Health: Crowns, Root Canals, TMJD and Grinding Apr 13, 2022

As a dentist's daughter, I have to admit I was always spoiled when it came to my dental health. That is, until a terrible root canal (is there any other kind?) made me realize I had to start taking my dental health more seriously, even if that involved wearing the dreaded night guard I had cast aside many years before. It also got me thinking: 'Wait, is this another thing that is somehow related to my ADHD?'

After diving into the research and taking a poll in our Facebook group, I discovered that an overwhelming number of ADHDers have experienced dental problems at some point in their lives, and there are some explanations as to why.

Join me for a solo episode, where I break down the causes of this correlation, and share helpful suggestions from our Facebook group members, and hopefully convince you to learn from my mistakes and wear your damn night guard!
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Resources:

https://chadd.org/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://decisionsindentistry.com/
https://friscokidsdds.com/
https://dental.washington.edu/
https://www.nicklauschildrens.org/
https://www.researchgate.net/
https://www.plackers.com/ and yay! They're now made with recycled materials.

______________
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Ep. 170 Inattentive ADHD with Clinical Psychologist, April Kane Apr 06, 2022

As Smart Ass women, we know ADHD varies wildly in how it presents compared to the stereotypes, but what do we do when the rest of the world hasn't caught up? After a lifetime of having our symptoms dismissed by teachers, parents, and even medical professionals, it can feel terrifying and futile to pursue a diagnosis. My guest in this episode, April Kane, was so worried about having her ADHD suspicions invalidated that she put off getting an official evaluation for years, despite being a clinical psychologist herself.

April finally got assessed and received the affirming diagnosis of ADHD she had been hoping for, but she knows not everyone is so lucky, especially in cases of inattentive ADHD when symptoms are internalized and easier to miss. April Kane emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, gives a breakdown of the lesser-known signs of ADHD that are frequently missed in girls, women, and those with inattentive type, introduces me to schema therapy, and more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @greatmindstherapyadhd
Website: www.greatmindstherapy.com.au

______________
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EP. 169: ADHD, Higher Education and Completing That Damn Dissertation with Dr. Abbey Weinstein Mar 30, 2022

I always say our best purposes give meaning to our past, and my guest this episode, Dr. Abbey Weinstein, proves just how true this is. Abbey struggled with school for most of her life, so she surprised even herself when she not only turned it around and started getting straight A's in college, but went on to get her Master's degree and Ph.D. in Special Education. Now an Educational Diagnostician, Abbey has found her purpose in making learning more accessible for others and getting students the support they need to be successful in school.

Join our conversation to hear the inspiring Dr. Abbey Weinstein share how she was able to go from academic probation to completing her doctorate, some of the ADHD strategies she used to get herself through her dissertation (truly a feat of strength!), her tips on feeling good about yourself every day, and so much more.
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Resources:

Podcast: Let's Talk Learning Disabilities
Instagram: @weinsteinabbey
Website: Dr. Abbey Weinstein - EDiagnostic Learning

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EP. 168: ADHD and 100 First Dates in NYC with Business Strategist & Stockbroker, Jackie Newman Mar 23, 2022

Dating has changed quite a bit since I was last single–for one, dating apps have replaced personal ads and handwritten letters–but no matter how you're approaching it, dating can feel overwhelming and impossible. My guest, Jackie Newman, is passionate about empowering people to face the challenges of the dating world, so she gave herself the challenge of going on 100 first dates to figure out how to make the whole process as easy as possible.

Through trial and error, Jackie developed an ADHD-friendly guide to dating to help others find someone worth their time and hopefully avoid having to go on 100 first dates themselves–an invaluable gift to women if you ask me. Join us for this marathon episode to hear Jackie's tales from the dating world, her insights, and strategies for efficient online dating, and she even pulls a few dating stories out of me that I'm not sure I've ever shared on the podcast before.
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Resources:

Dating Instagram: @the100datechallenge
Personal Instagram: @jackienewm

Resources mentioned:

Women with ADHD by Sari Solden
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
West Elm Caleb story
The Science of Sex Appeal

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EP. 167: From Theoretical Physicist to Atmospheric Scientist with Natalia Bliankinshtein Mar 17, 2022

ADHD women constantly amaze me with their brilliance and fearlessness, and my guest this episode, atmospheric scientist Natalia Bliankinshtein, is no different. Natalia works in a flight research laboratory in Canada, where she collects data for climate research by flying a 'flying laboratory' aircraft directly into storms and treacherous weather–talk about fearless!

Natalia may refer to her risk-taking as 'craziness,' but I call it a huge ADHD strength and one of the keys to her success. Join our conversation to hear how Natalia went from being a gifted kid to hitting a wall in her early 20s, and how understanding and working with her ADHD helped her to get un-stuck and discover a career and life she's passionate about.
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Resources:

______________
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Ep. 166: Skin Picking, Hair Pulling, Nail Biting and ADHD Mar 09, 2022

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking and nail biting can feel like a bad habit we need to break, but these behaviors go beyond just a habit; it's actually a complex condition that causes people to repeatedly touch their body in a way that results in physical damage. For years, BFRBs were thought to be part of the OCD family, but new research shows they're commonly co-morbid with ADHD as well, which shouldn't surprise too many ADHDers including myself.
In this episode I'm hoping to lessen the shame many of us have surrounding these behaviors by sharing some of my own experiences and looking into the physiological reasons behind why we do them and why we often can't stop doing them with willpower alone. I'll also provide some helpful strategies for stopping or lessening BFRBs that were shared with me by our amazing Facebook group members, many of whom have struggled with BFRBs themselves. Remember, the more we can understand why we do the things we do, the more power we have to change them.
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EP. 165: This Might Be One of My Top 3 ADHD Life Hacks Ever! Mar 02, 2022

I've always considered myself an avid reader. I read all the time, but up until recently I rarely finished any of them and had convinced myself that I needed a physical book, which led to an overwhelming amount of half-finished books scattered throughout my house. The clutter was a constant reminder that I wasn't reading as much as I wanted to, and as that negative emotion built, so did my resistance–I felt like a reading fraud.

I started asking myself if there's a way to remove some of the resistance I have towards reading so that I can finish more than a few chapters. I also wanted to figure out a way to better integrate what I was learning into my life. Enter: the Kindle. Now, I read every spare moment I can, the book piles are dissipating, and my brain feels more organized and less cluttered. I also figured out a way to better integrate what I'm reading into my life. In this solo episode, I'm on a mission to help you remove your own negative emotions around reading and find the path of least resistance so that you can feel successful and fall in love with reading again, just like I have.
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Resources:

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EP. 164: The Best Tool for Managing Anxiety with Kate Moryoussef Feb 23, 2022

If you've been listening to the podcast for any length of time, you know that I'm a huge proponent of using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, to manage and alleviate ADHD symptoms. Kate Moryoussef, a wellbeing/lifestyle coach and EFT practitioner, shares my passion for tapping and helping ADHD women, so I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast to tell us more.

Kate uses tapping with her clients, many of whom are ADHD women, to help them feel calmer, reduce overwhelm and anxiety, accept themselves, and step into their potential. Join me this episode as Kate provides an overview of what EFT is and why it works, describes how she uses tapping to clear negative beliefs and manage her own ADHD in moments of chaos, and much more.

Please excuse any mic issues on my end, I know it's a little annoying but I promise the episode is worth it!
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Resources:

Instagram: @kate_moryoussef
Business Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod
Website: coachingbykate.me.uk
Podcast: ADHD Women's Well-Being Podcast

______________
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EP. 163: Entrepreneurialism, ADHD and Irlen Syndrome with Business Coach, Jessi Romero Feb 16, 2022

Many of our ADHD traits like curiosity, fearlessness and creativity mesh well with entrepreneurialism. Other aspects of ADHD, however, like perfectionism and something I call "procrasti-learning", combined with outside influences telling us what we "should" be doing, can cause us to get in our own way. Entrepreneur and business coach, Jessi Romero, is here to remind us that ADHD women have all the skills necessary for starting and growing successful businesses, we just need to approach it in a way that works for our brains and aligns with our values, nervous systems, and even our circadian rhythms.

In this episode, Jessi gives some of her best tips on structuring your business to fit your needs while avoiding burnout, shares how her approach to teaching sets her apart from other business coaches, and explains why changing your expectations for yourself can make all the difference in your business's longevity. Plus, she has some valuable information about a little-known eye condition called Irlen Syndrome that changed her life and just may change yours too.
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Resources:

Instagram: @adhdowned
Website: Adhdfemaleentrepreneurs.com
Irlen Syndrome website: irlen.com

______________
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Ep. 162: ADHD, Trauma, and Living Your Purpose with Master Teacher, Kathleen Germs Feb 09, 2022

Reading is everywhere and in everything we do, but most reading curriculums taught in schools aren't aligned with the current research on the most effective way to teach reading. Kathleen Germs, a second-grade teacher and Instagram educator, is on a mission to change not just the way reading is taught, but the entire dynamic between teachers and students in the classroom–starting with asking kids what they need to learn best.

Unsurprisingly, Kathleen's students adore her because she makes learning as easy as possible and helps them feel empowered and valued in the classroom. Join our conversation as Kathleen explains how she adjusts her lessons to meet her students' needs, the importance of bringing mental health into the classroom, and how her ADHD makes her the phenomenal teacher that she is.
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Resources:

Instagram: @kathleengerms

______________
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EP. 161: ADHD and Hypnotherapy with Hypnotherapist, Meggie Houle Feb 02, 2022

Hypnosis is often thought of as a sensational magic trick used for controlling minds and embarrassing people on cruise ships, so I admit I was a bit skeptical when I heard about hypnotherapy being used in ADHD management. However, I always try to keep an open mind when it comes to alternative treatments, which is why I wanted to sit down with hypnotherapist Meggie Houle to discuss the science and research behind it.
Meggie, now a certified hypnotherapist and self-hypnosis teacher, and author of "Finish What You Start: Breaking out of the 'Busy Mind, Restless Body' Trap to Create a Life You Love Even with ADHD," first discovered the benefits of hypnosis after experiencing a life-altering paragliding accident. She found that self-hypnosis not only reduced her stress and PTSD symptoms after the accident, but it also helped her manage her ADHD for the first time. In this episode Meggie gives us an introductory lesson into what hypnotherapy is exactly, the growing research behind it, and how she uses it to calm her nervous system in moments of stress.
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Resources:

______________
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Ep. 160: ADHD, Dyslexia, Nursing with Entrepreneur and Founder of RekMed, Jennifer Zahourek Jan 26, 2022

ADHDers are often drawn to entrepreneurship, and not only because we have difficulty working for someone else! When we have room to follow our creativity and work within our flow, that's when our superpowers shine through.
My guest today, Jennifer Zahourek, was working as an ER nurse when she discovered that her unique way of learning (due to ADHD and dyslexia) meant she also had a unique way of explaining complex medical concepts to patients in simple language they could easily understand.
Jennifer realized she could use her simplifying skills to fill a need and help her fellow nursing community lessen the struggles she herself faced in nursing school. She got to work figuring out how to turn her idea into a business, and voila´ she is now the founder and CEO of RekMed, a company that makes educational planners for nurses.
Join me this episode as the innovative Jennifer Zahourek takes us through her ADHD and dyslexia journey, shares the aspects of her ADHD that make her an unstoppable entrepreneur, and makes a case for planners that's so convincing, you just may decide to give them another try.
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Resources:

Website: Rekmed.org
Instagram: @studentnurseplanner
Tiktok: @JennRekMed
Jennifer's personal Instagram: @JennRekMed

______________
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EP. 159: ADHD, Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Susan Varghese Jan 19, 2022

I'm sure you've heard me say a million times that our best purposes give meaning to our past, we become incredible teachers when we're driven by passion and personal connection. My guest in this episode, Dr. Susan Varaghese, knows firsthand just how important that personal connection is for living her purpose.
Dr. Varghese is a General Practitioner and Family Physician who first discovered she has ADHD when perimenopause started to wreak havoc on her previously manageable symptoms. As far as Susan could tell, no one in the medical community was talking about how much perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate the mental and physical symptoms of ADHD, so, being the leader she is, she decided to do it herself.
Join me this episode for an insightful conversation with the incredible Dr. Susan Varghese, where she breaks down the role estrogen plays in our ADHD symptoms, the overlaps between ADHD and menopause (some of which even surprised me!), and so much more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @drsusanvarghese
Website: www.drsusanvarghese.com

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EP. 158: ADHD and Women: Speak Your Mind, Embrace Your Too-Muchness and Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen Jan 12, 2022

Many ADHD women are known for being bold, outspoken, and strong-willed, but in a society where those attributes are often reserved for men it can leave us feeling like we're "too much." My guest in this episode, author Andrea Owen, used to let this fear of taking up space prevent her from letting her stand out. In her mid-30s when she started to embrace her "too-muchness" she realized just how much she had been diminishing herself for the comfort of others.
Since then, Andrea has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to empower themselves and live their most kick-ass life. Her most recent book, Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength, felt like I was reading something I myself had written; the things Andrea struggled with are exactly the things that I and many ADHDers struggle with as well. Join us for an insightful conversation where we discuss the impact people-pleasing has on ADHD women, the importance of taking up space with our emotions and voice, how to have compassion for ourselves and more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @heyandreaowen
Website: andreaowen.com
Her book: Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength
Workbook link: andreaowen.com/msn

______________
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EP. 157: The Best ADHD Treatment With or Without Medication Jan 05, 2022

Well before I was diagnosed with ADHD I was using exercise as a form of self-medication; it's a way to start the day out right and it helps me to think more clearly and work off my excess energy. All my life I've known that exercise helps with focus and self-regulation, but I was curious to find out why that is. After all, if we know the 'why' behind something, we're much more likely to do it.
In this episode I break down some of the research into why exercise has such a huge impact on the ADHD brain, the connection between exercise and learning, and the importance of finding a form of movement you enjoy.
Incorporating exercise into my daily routine has been the key to managing my ADHD, which is why if you were to choose only one goal to focus on for 2022 I believe it should be this: find a way to move that generates positive emotion and just focus on that. There is no brain function that exercise doesn't affect in a positive way. When you're exercising you are literally growing your brain, and if that's not motivation to exercise more, I don't know what is.
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EP. 156: How to Choose Your Word for Next Year Dec 29, 2021

Like many ADHDers, I hate doing the same things everyone else is doing, and New Year's resolutions are at the top of that list. A few years ago, instead of writing out a long list of unrealistic goals (and then losing that list a couple of days later), I started choosing one word and one word only to set the intention for my new year. Each year my word sums up who I want to be, it's my compass when making decisions, and it shapes not only my year, but it shapes me as a person.
Using a single word to guide my decision-making changed me in more ways than I ever could've imagined; in fact, this podcast never would've started if I hadn't chosen 'nervy' as my first word back in 2018.
Join me in this episode for some ideas on brainstorming your own word of the year, tips on how to use your word as your compass, and I'll tell you my new word for 2022! Setting an intention for the year using a single word has had a huge impact on my life and I think it'll have a huge impact on yours too.
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EP. 155: ADHD, Dyslexia and Unexplained Underachievement with Founding Director of REED Charitable Foundation, Jennifer Knopf Dec 22, 2021

Can you tell that dyslexia is my current hyper-focus? This will be the last episode on the subject for a while (I promise!) but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to speak with my extraordinary guest today, Jennifer Knopf. Jen is the Founding Director of REED Charitable Foundation, which is committed to putting an end to the literacy crisis and ensuring all children learn to read, write, and spell by providing financially accessible, best-in-class structure literacy training - known as Orton-Gillingham - to all teachers.
Jen first learned about dyslexia when her son Reed was diagnosed after a long, emotional struggle to figure out why reading was so difficult for him. As she dove deep into the research to find her son the right kind of intervention, Jen discovered there was a literacy training program that was not only ideal for dyslexic students but also the best instruction for all kids learning to read, only for some reason it was not being used in schools. Ever since this discovery, Jen has made it her mission to provide this literacy training to as many teachers as she possibly can, something she knows firsthand has the power to transform lives. In the process, she discovered not only her son's ADHD but also her own ADHD.
Join our conversation to hear about Jen's inspiring story, the incredible work of her foundation, and much more.
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Resources:

Foundation website: REEDcharitablefoundation.org
Instagram: @reedcharitablefoundation
Email address: info@reedcharitablefoundation.org

______________
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EP. 154: Your Brain is Not Broken; Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and ADHD Life with Dr. Tamara Rosier Dec 15, 2021

I've wanted to talk about navigating ADHD emotions for a while now, but like many other great topics, it has sat untouched on my list, waiting for the perfect guest. When I read the incredible book 'Your Brain is Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD' by Dr. Tamara Rosier, I not only immediately added it to the ADHD for Smart Ass Women book list, but I also knew I had to have Tamara on the podcast.
Dr. Tamara Rosier is the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she leads a team of coaches, therapists, and speech pathologists to help individuals, parents, and families develop an understanding and learn effective skills to live with ADHD effectively. Tamara has gained an impressive amount of knowledge from working with ADHDers and those who support them across a variety of settings, but just as importantly, she explains complex topics like divergent vs. convergent thinking in a way that sticks in my brain. The analogies she uses in the book and during our conversation are brilliant; among many others, Tamara likens the neurotypical brain to a pleasant butler and the ADHD brain to an angry neighbor. It's simple and made me laugh and explains in real-world language how the prefrontal cortex and limbic system impact our brain's ability to function.
We'll also talk about the role anxiety and emotion play in our motivation, and why it's critical to work on our emotions before introducing executive function strategies!
You won't want to miss this insightful and laughter-filled conversation.
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Resources:

Instagram: @dr.tamararosier
Book website: tamararosier.com
ADHD Center website: miadhd.com

______________
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EP. 153: ADHD and Dyslexia with Dyslexia Therapist, Melanie Florsheim Dec 08, 2021

Here's the text formatted properly:
Ever since we discovered that my son Markus has dyslexia--a diagnosis he now wears with pride--I've been on a mission to talk to everyone I can about ADHD and dyslexia, which is exactly why I wanted to have a conversation with my guest this episode, the incredible Melanie Florsheim.
Melanie Florsheim is an ADHD Family Life Coach, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist in Texas. She has dyslexia and ADHD herself, which gives her a deep connection to her work and allows her to relate to her students and clients on a personal level. Melanie knows firsthand just how life-changing dyslexia therapy can be, so, like me, she's also on a mission to increase awareness about the high co-morbidity rate between ADHD and dyslexia and encourages people to look deeper if they feel something else may be going on beyond ADHD.
Join us as Melanie provides a comprehensive overview of what dyslexia is, gives some signs of dyslexia to look for even before children hit reading age, and explains how dyslexia therapy can rewire the circuitry of the brain and increase language processing speed. As for whether adults with dyslexia can benefit from dyslexia therapy, Melanie says, "The plasticity of the brain is a real deal, so there's no age limit in teaching your brain how to read, write, and spell, how to re-circuit your brain to do it better."
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Resources:

Instagram: @melanieflorsheim1
Website: gatewaygrowth.net
Email: Melanie@gatewaygrowth.net

______________
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Bonus Episode: 29 Gifts - Let's Ditch the Overwhelm and Put Joy Back into the Holidays, Together Dec 01, 2021

It's December 1st - the start of the holiday season - and WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE is that in this season of light and laughter there are a lot of people who aren't feeling holly or jolly.

This is exactly why I'm inviting YOU to join me in giving 29 gifts in 29 days.

It's more difficult for us Smart Ass ADHD women to get out from under the overwhelming pile of gift lists, cookie making, and magic creating.

We need something to help us change course.

Enter the 29 Gifts Challenge (based on the book by Cami Walker).

Beginning today, I'm going to give away a gift every day for the next 29 days and I want you to join me! The more Smart Ass ADHD Women who get on this giving train, the more fun it will be!

I know you have a list that rival's Santa's, but these gifts are different.

The gift can be a compliment given, a phone call to someone you haven't talked to in a while, time volunteered, a thank you note written.

The only "rules" are that it must be INTENTIONAL, and you have to WRITE IT DOWN (putting it in the comments counts!).

The 29-day prescription also involves noticing the gifts that you receive from others every day.

You can keep track of the gifts you give and the gifts you receive in our 29-day journal. Download it at

What we focus on gets BIGGER, so let's focus on JOY, GRATITUDE, & MEANING.

Are you in?

So we can see each other's generosity in action, be sure to:

Tag me in or on my

Use #29SmartAssGifts

I'm going to be highlighting some of your gifts in my stories over the next 29 days!

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 152: ADHD and Friends: Blurting, Oversharing and Small Talk with Social Skills Expert, Caroline Maguire Dec 01, 2021

Here's the text formatted properly:
No matter how much we learn about our ADHD, there is always somehow more to uncover. One of my personal ADHD blind spots has always been social skills; for some reason, I was convinced that I didn't have any difficulties with social skills and had escaped this ADHD trait. That is, until social skills expert and my guest this episode, the wonderful Caroline Maguire, brought me back down to Earth when she told me the areas of social intelligence that she likes to talk about and I realized I actually struggle with every single one. Who knew!
Luckily, Caroline is the founder of a revolutionary social-emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults, so she came ready with some helpful insights on why we struggle with things like giving TMI and hating small talk and what we can do about it while remaining true to ourselves. Her work may be designed for children--her book Why Will No One Play With Me? was awarded Best Family and Parenting book of 2020--but all of her concepts and learning materials are just as applicable to adults. In her words, "It's all the same dilemma, it's just whether or not you're 5 and you can't articulate it or you're 60 and you know darn well what's going on."
Caroline doesn't want us to change or hide who we are, rather, her goal is to help ADHDers of all ages learn how to be present in each moment in order to demonstrate the greatness that we all possess.
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Resources:

Instagram: @authorcarolinem
New seminar starting Dec 7th: Adults with ADHD Social Skills Training: How to Get Along with Everyone carolinemaguireauthor.com
Free download: Calming Intrusive Thoughts at carolinemaguireauthor.com

______________
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EP. 151: ADHD Moms, What Really Matters? with Patricia Sung Nov 24, 2021

The role of motherhood constantly shifts as our children grow up and move through different stages of life, and then when they leave the nest that shift becomes more like a giant leap. My guest in this episode, the wonderful Patricia Sung, has two young children who are still very much "in the nest." Patricia reached out to me with an interesting question that I knew had to become the topic for our conversation: "When you're looking back and your kids are out of the house, what really mattered?"
Patricia is a podcaster herself and her work is aimed at helping other ADHD mothers get their "crap" together (as she puts it). She has built a supportive community of women, something she says has been integral to her own motherhood journey. Join us as we chat about our different perspectives on parenthood and Patricia shares her thoughts on how to let go of perfectionism and start seeing ourselves as the amazing mothers we already are.
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Resources:

Instagram: @motherhoodinadhd
Website (with free resources): motherhoodinadhd.com
Courses: ADHD Courses for Moms

______________
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EP. 150: Intersectionality of Complex Trauma and ADHD for the BIPOC Community with Therapist, Emerald May Rubio Nov 17, 2021

No matter how many extraordinary ADHD women I meet, I'm still constantly blown away by the incredible things they're capable of, especially once they start to understand their own brains. I first met my guest, therapist Emerald May Rubio, when she took my program Your ADHD Brain is A-OK; within only a few days of classes Emerald had determined that she was interested in activism and started taking steps toward making it happen. Embracing her ADHD unlocked a new level of understanding in herself and ignited a passion for working with those in the BIPOC community with complex trauma and ADHD.
Emerald has a deeply personal connection to her work and uses her experiences to help others heal from their trauma and re-write their own stories. She brings so much creativity, light, and awareness into her practice. Hearing Emerald speak gives me hope that therapy is shifting to encompass a wider range of needs and communities.
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Resources:

Instagram: @healwithemerald
Email: erubio@trihealing.com
Website: trihealing.com

______________
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EP. 149: Simple Steps to Organize Your ADHD Life with Lisa Woodruff Nov 10, 2021

Many listeners and A-OK students have suggested I invite author Lisa Woodruff onto the podcast, and after this incredible conversation with her, it's clear why they were so insistent. Lisa is an author, former teacher, and parent who has spent the last 20 years researching ADHD and applying solutions to support executive functions in our home life. Not only are her ideas about home organization unique, such as organizing by the stages of life and a time-saving "Sunday Basket" system, but her approach to teaching contains so much kindness and understanding that home organization starts to feel possible.

In this episode, Lisa takes us through her systems and why they work so well for ADHDers, shares the script she taught her own children to use when they're feeling overwhelmed by where to start, and explains why we need to stop using our incredible computer brains as to-do lists. Lisa believes we should all be spending as little time as possible doing household work so we can live our unique callings in life and I couldn't agree more.
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Resources:

Instagram: @organize365
Website: Organize 365
Podcast: Organize 365 Podcast
Book mentioned: Phases of Life by Neil Howe

______________
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EP. 148: ADHD and Sleep: Beyond the Boring Strategies Nov 03, 2021

Normally (and ironically) there's nothing that makes me fall asleep faster than talking about proper sleep hygiene. However, the more I learn about sleep's impact on our overall health and our ADHD symptoms specifically, the more I realize how crucial it is for ADHDers to make good sleep a priority. Most of us know what we should be doing to get better sleep--keeping a consistent sleep schedule, no naps during the day, no technology at least an hour before bed--but actually putting these habits into action is easier said than done, especially when our ADHD is fighting us every step of the way.

In this episode, I cover not only the latest research behind why sleep is so important to our functioning and learning, but I also provide some concrete sleep strategies that are geared toward the ADHD brain, such as connecting positive emotion with getting into bed on time. Like all things ADHD, once we know why we're struggling with these habits we can start to find workarounds and implement sustainable systems that allow us to be successful.
______________
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EP. 147: ADHD and Resilience with Juliana Hock Oct 27, 2021

My guest this week, Juliana Hock, gives a whole new meaning to the word 'resilient'. Seriously, this woman does not give up on herself; Juliana recently fulfilled her dream of becoming a realtor after 12 attempts at the Real Estate exam. Her difficulty with written tests is something I know many ADHDers can relate to, but where many people would have given up Juliana pushed through, knowing that once she overcame the hurdle of passing that exam she would thrive in the job itself.

Juliana credits her resilience to a strong support system, a passion for everything she does, and a positive mindset, among many others. She wakes up every morning saying, "This is going to be the best day ever!" and then goes forward to make it so. My conversation with Juliana is a great reminder that prioritizing fun, passion, and self-determination is so important to living a fulfilling life.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 146: Simple Strategies For Being on Time and Planning Better Oct 20, 2021

In our last episode, we discovered why our ADHD brains struggle with time so much. Understanding this 'why' provides us with a foundation for building long-lasting time management skills, so make sure to listen to Episode #145 first if you haven't already!
Now that we have our 'why,' the next step is to figure out how to develop a more effective and less stressful relationship with time. In this episode, I'll give you some concrete strategies to help you work with your brain's natural flow rather than struggling against it.
When we learn how to pause, check in with our bodies, stare down our discomfort, create a plan based on history, and celebrate our accomplishments, we can stop waiting for the perfect time to feel inspired and instead, we can start creating it ourselves.
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Ep. 145: Why is Time So Difficult For Our ADHD Brains? Oct 13, 2021

What is it about our ADHD brains that causes so much difficulty with time and what can we do about it? Executive function plays a role, but like most of our ADHD challenges, there are also other factors that, when combined, can make time awareness feel downright impossible.
In this episode, I'll take you through the contributors to time blindness, such as emotional regulation and working memory, because the more we understand why we do what we do the more successfully we can tackle the problem.
Then, next week I'll talk about what we can do to improve our relationship with time and share some of the strategies that have really worked for me. I still haven't mastered time, but I have gotten so much better at it the more I learn how my brain works. I hope I can do the same for you.
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EP. 144: 7 New Ways to Biohack Your ADHD Brain and Stop Rumination NOW Oct 06, 2021

Why is it that a single negative comment can ruin my entire day, even amongst a sea of otherwise positive feedback? Our ability to hyperfocus is one of our greatest ADHD strengths, but if that hyperfocus gets ahold of a negative thought it can send us into a spiral of shame and self-doubt that feels impossible to break out of.

In this episode, I'll give you 7 unusual, research-based strategies to help you tune into your body, get out of your head, and calm your nervous system when you find yourself ruminating on thoughts that don't serve you.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 143: It's Usually Not Just ADHD With Educational Diagnostician, Laurie Peterson Sep 29, 2021

My son Markus has always been incredibly introspective and self-aware, so when he took an especially difficult calculus class and announced that there was something else going on beyond ADHD, I believed him. For years Markus and I had suspected that dyslexia was the underlying cause of his inconsistent gaps in learning, yet whenever he was evaluated these gaps were overlooked or attributed to his ADHD. Learning challenges such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia are very common comorbidities with ADHD, so why weren't these evaluators ever digging deeper?

Enter: the incredible Laurie Peterson, a brilliant Educational Diagnostician who you may recognize from Episode 61 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, and my guest this episode. Laurie evaluated Markus a third time, and to his relief, his suspicions were confirmed--it was dyslexia all along. Having the complete picture of his brain finally allowed Markus to advocate for his needs, which is exactly why Laurie does the work she does.

Join me for another wonderful conversation with Laurie as she provides an overview of the different learning disabilities that can co-occur with ADHD, explains why whole-picture interventions are so important, and dispels some common myths surrounding learning disabilities. Hint: It has nothing to do with intelligence.🐿⭐️
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Resources:

Website: Ediagnosticlearning.com
Diagnostic-learning.com
Email: laurie@diagnostic-learning.com
Apps mentioned: Snap Type; Mod Math

______________
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EP. 142: ADHD, Nutrition and Intuitive Eating with Becca King Sep 22, 2021

'Intuitive eating' is a term we hear more and more these days, but in a culture where restrictive diets are king, the concept of listening to your own body may seem foreign and even "woo woo." My guest this week, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Becca King, admits that she also thought intuitive eating was pretty "woo woo" when she first heard about it, but after closer examination, she discovered that intuitive eating wasn't too out there at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite: intuitive eating helped Becca heal her relationship with food and her own body and started her on a path to help others, specifically those with ADHD, heal those relationships too.

Whether you're curious to learn more or you still need some convincing, in this week's episode, Becca will teach you the basics about intuitive eating and provide you some helpful eating tips for the ADHD brain.
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Resources:

Instagram: @adhd.nutritionist
Website: adhdnutritionistllc.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 141: Laundry, House Cleaning, and an ADHD-Friendly Refrigerator with Struggle Care’s KC Davis Sep 15, 2021

When licensed professional therapist, author, and speaker KC Davis first began a self and home-care TikTok account, she didn't intend to make ADHD content. In fact, she didn't even know she had ADHD at the time, she just knew her unique brain required equally unique systems in order for her to stay on top of home care tasks. When KC's content inevitably ended up on the ADHD side of TikTok, her number of followers exploded. So many people with ADHD related to her content and found success with her systems that KC decided to get an evaluation and confirmed that she does indeed have ADHD.

Since receiving her diagnosis KC's content has expanded to include creative ADHD-specific systems and solutions for care tasks, but the underlying message in her work has always remained the same: "Care tasks are morally neutral. They have nothing to do with being a good or bad person, with failing or succeeding in life."

Join me this week as KC Davis explains why thinking of care tasks as 'morally neutral' is so important for our mental health, teaches us her 'condiments in the produce drawer' ADHD fridge hack, and gives us the tools to implement a no-fold laundry system that saved her sanity.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 140: ADHD and Relationships With Melissa Orlov Sep 08, 2021

This week I break my cardinal rule of only interviewing women with ADHD on the podcast, which should tell you just how strongly I believe in author and marriage consultant Melissa Orlov's work. Melissa may not have ADHD herself, but her daughter does, which is exactly what prompts Melissa to learn as much about ADHD as she possibly can. She dove deep into the research, even working alongside renowned ADHD expert, Dr. Edward Hallowell, one of my only other guest to break the podcast rule (go back to Episode 106 to listen to his insightful interview).
All of Melissa's research led her to the surprising realization that her own husband had ADHD as well. Hello, rabbit ---> bunny! Suddenly, all of the disagreements that they'd been having for years around their relationship suddenly made sense. With this realization came a new level of compassion and understanding for each other. Together Melissa and her husband were finally able to find solutions and create systems that worked for both of them.
Since this marriage-saving discovery, Melissa has been researching and writing about how ADHD impacts relationships and marriage with the goal of providing others with the roadmap she and her husband wish they'd had sooner. Whether you're in a relationship with a neurotypical or another ADHDer, Melissa has some helpful tips and insights that may just end that argument about emptying the dishwasher for good.
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Resources:

Melissa's website: adhdmarriage.com
Her couples' seminar: The ADHD Effect In-Depth
Her book: The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 139: ADHD, Authenticity and Not Fitting In with Trendsetting Hairstylist and Educator Jayne Matthews Sep 01, 2021

When Covid hit the U.S. in 2020 and hair salons all across the country shut down, more and more people started taking the scissors into their own hands, often with disastrous results. While the rest of us were laughing at quarantine haircut memes (or creating our own), Jayne Matthews was brainstorming a solution: What if she could teach people how to cut their own hair using the same technique she used on clients at her salon?
Now less than two years later Jayne teaches people all around the world how to give themselves stylish haircuts in a way that's intuitive and easy to follow. This ability to problem-solve in the face of seemingly unsolvable problems is a skill Jayne attributes to her ADHD and is one she believes is the key to her success.
Join me this week as educator and trendsetting hairstylist Jayne Matthews and I discuss the importance of blazing new paths rather than trying to fit in, how to be okay with not being great at everything, and some favorite ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

Website: Jaynematthews.com
Instagram: @jayne_edosalon

______________
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EP. 138: ADHD and Vertical Heterophoria with ADHD expert and author René Brooks Aug 25, 2021

This week I'm sitting down with ADHD expert, author, and coach René Brooks to talk about Vertical Heterophoria -- a little-known eye condition that, when René stumbled upon the diagnosis by happenstance, changed everything for her. While René is grateful that she was able to find relief from a lifetime of headaches and neck pain, she's frustrated by how close she came to missing such an important diagnosis and believes the medical community still has a long way to go in understanding and treating ADHD comorbidities.
"It's right there, it's not hidden, people just don't put it together. People are so mired down in the research about ADHD that it's difficult for them to understand how these things apply to real-life scenarios."
Vertical Heterophoria and the connection to ADHD is so unknown that I myself had never heard of it, but by the end of the episode, René helps me to realize that this just might be the missing piece in my own son's unresolved vision struggles. This realization is a great reminder of why these conversations are so important to have, and for that reason and many more, I'm so excited to bring you this episode with the brilliant René Brooks.
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Resources:

Instagram: @blackgirllostkeys
Twitter: @Blkgirllostkeys
Blog: Black Girl Lost Keys
Vertical Heterophoria: The Unknown ADHD Related Eye Condition (scroll to the bottom of the blog post for a link to the online test for Vertical Heterophoria)

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EP. 137: How to Get That Thing That You REALLY Don't Want to Do, Done! Aug 18, 2021

Is there something that's hanging out there, that you really want to accomplish but you JUST. CAN'T. START? Then this is the podcast for you. Short, simple, and fun. If you keep it light and easy, it'll work every time!😂
Tracy shares:

Why forcing ourselves to do mundane tasks doesn't work
The real question to ask ourselves that helps us get things done
Why do our ADHD brains struggle to get through boring, predictable, mundane tasks
What three things must an ADHD strategy employ for us to successfully get a boring, predictable task done
What generates positive emotion
Why deadlines don't work over time
How light and easy can work every time

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Resources:

Youtube: Frank Sinatra - Nice 'n' Easy

______________
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EP. 136: ADHD and Creativity with Artist and Online Entrepreneur, Miriam Schulman Aug 11, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Miriam Schulman to Ep. 136 of her podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women.
So for all these reasons, I am delighted to introduce you to Miriam Schulman, artist and founder of The Inspiration Place. Through her online classes, business coaching programs, and popular podcasts, she's helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and sell more art.
Miriam is a graduate of Dartmouth College and M.I.T. who has been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, Art of Man, Professional Artist magazine, and Art Journaling magazine. Her artwork has also been featured on NBC's "Parenthood" and the Amazon series "Hunters" with Al Pacino. Her forthcoming book with HarperCollins Leadership on how to make it as an artist is scheduled to be released in October 2022.
Miriam shares her and her family's experience with ADHD, her challenging first year in college, why originality is so important to her, her observations on the link between creativity and ADHD, what it means to be a lifelong learner, why she started The Inspiration Place, the difference between selling art online or in person, the ADHD traits that she regularly sees in artists, what artists tend to struggle with, the importance of practicing your creative, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success, the key to living successfully with ADHD is, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 135: ADHD, Suicide Prevention and Audio Journaling with Grace L’Orange Aug 04, 2021

This week on Episode #135 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Grace L’Orange. Grace is a school psychologist, behavior specialist, and suicide prevention coordinator working in public education. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an advanced Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. Passionate about equity, inclusion, and advocacy for all students, especially those with disabilities and other differences, Grace works both directly with students and in educating other adults about the impacts of these differences on daily life.
Recently, Grace implemented systemic changes in her district by developing updated policies and procedures for special education and suicide prevention/intervention, focusing on equity and best practices. She serves as Director-At-Large on the board for her state school psychologist association and collaborates with the Suicide Prevention Coalition in her county. Initially drawn to school psychology due to her brother’s struggles with ADHD, Grace was diagnosed with ADHD herself at the age of 32. Since then, she has integrated this new facet of her life into her work as an educator with students with disabilities and behavior challenges.
In this episode, Grace shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, the changes she has experienced since then, and how learning about her ADHD shifted her understanding of its presentation in girls. She discusses the alarming number of ADHD women who have attempted suicide and the societal factors contributing to these high rates. Grace provides insights into signs of suicidal ideation and responsible ways to help someone at risk, and she explains how she uses audio journaling to overcome perfectionism, process her thoughts, and speak more kindly to herself. Grace also reveals her key to living successfully with ADHD.
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Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
988lifeline.org
Mental Health Crisis Response Program: 1-888-989-9990 (for parents of children through age 17)
Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ youth)
Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) online training for anyone: qprinstitute.com
Hopesquad Prevention: hopesquad.com
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden, MS and Michelle Frank, PsyD (book mentioned)

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EP. 134: ADHD, Entrepreneurship and Social Media with Kamden Hainsworth Jul 28, 2021

This week on Episode #134 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Kamden Hainsworth. Kamden lives with her husband and three (almost four) daughters in Springville, Utah. She enjoys spending time in the nearby mountains, traveling, working on home improvement projects, and serving in her community and church. Kamden has worked as an educator in various capacities for over ten years and finds fulfillment in helping others realize their true potential.
Years after her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, Kamden received her own ADHD diagnosis at 36 years old. She quickly began advocating for herself and researching how to build an amazing life as an ADHDer. Kamden now assists solopreneurs with ADHD in finding their voice and translating it into their business, particularly with marketing and social media.
In this episode, Kamden shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since then, and the importance of surrounding herself with people who recognize and appreciate her ADHD gifts. She discusses why social media can be challenging for the ADHD brain, how perfectionism and over-thinking can prevent us from posting online, and how asking, “Who makes the rules about what social media needs to look like?” can help overcome perfectionism and get started. Kamden also offers her strategies for building your online presence one puzzle piece at a time, how determination and trusting her own creativity and problem-solving skills have led to her success, and her #1 ADHD workaround: visuals, visuals, visuals.
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Resources:

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Ep. 133: ADHD and The Appeal of Alternative Careers with Beekeeper Adrienne Smith Jul 21, 2021

This week on Episode #133 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Adrienne Smith, a beekeeper who has been accepted into the Oregon State Master Beekeeper program. Adrienne will take her final journeyperson exam at the end of this month and has been studying honeybee beekeeping since 2014. She resides in Central Oregon with her husband on a small farm where they keep bees, chickens, donkeys, a cat, and some koi fish.
Adrienne shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis and her struggle with Auditory Processing Disorder. She discusses how she got into beekeeping after years of "hobby hopping" and why ADHD women are often drawn to careers that go against the status quo. Adrienne also addresses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, why beekeeping is so appealing to the ADHD brain, her knowledge of native bees and which species need the most protection, and how hyperfocus is her ultimate ADHD strength.
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EP. 132: ADHD and Trauma with Psychotherapist, Denese Marshall Jul 14, 2021

This week on Episode #132 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Denese Marshall for a conversation all about ADHD and trauma.
Denese Marshall, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. She holds a BA in Psychology, a BA in Criminology, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Denese works with adolescents and adults facing addiction, trauma, and OCD. She is passionate about the acceptance of differences and has authored a bullying prevention book aimed at teaching children ages 4-7 to embrace differences and practice acts of kindness.
Denese has experience working with clients with a criminal background, assisting with both rehabilitation/reintegration following incarceration and preparing clients with addiction for incarceration. She believes that while our past or life choices influence our behavior, they do not define who we are. Denese helps clients find meaning in their experiences and develop a sense of peace through understanding their life events.
In this episode, Denese shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since her diagnosis, her definition of trauma, and how to distinguish between trauma and ADHD. She discusses the symptoms of trauma, the importance of addressing trauma before working on ADHD executive function issues, what happens to the traumatized brain in the face of discomfort, effective strategies for addressing trauma, and the consequences of not addressing trauma. Denese also offers advice on how to find ADHD professionals who are skilled in both trauma and ADHD.
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Resources:

Denese Marshall’s Website

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EP. 131: ADHD and a Million Gold Stars Jul 07, 2021

Join Tracy for Episode #131 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she celebrates the one-millionth download of her podcast and expresses her gratitude for your support and confidence. In this episode, Tracy shares how the podcast has changed her life, discussing what she has learned and how these insights might benefit you as well.

Discover what it means to be future-focused versus past-focused, how to determine your own ADHD formula, the importance of not believing everything you think, and why what others say about you is none of your business. Tracy also explores how action generates positive emotion, why it’s never too late and you’re never too old, how to never be bored again, what ADHD women have in common, and three simple steps to moving that big thing forward.

Resources:

Ep. 93: ADHD, Positive Emotion and Being Future-Focused

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EP. 130: The Collaborative & Proactive Solutions System for Challenging Kids with ADHD Jun 30, 2021

Join Tracy for Episode #130 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she discusses challenging kids with ADHD and the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) system developed by Dr. Robert Greene. CPS was created to diffuse power struggles between parents and their challenging children, particularly those with explosive behavior issues. It is utilized in juvenile detention facilities, prisons, schools, and, of course, with families worldwide.
Tracy explores why, even if you don’t have kids, you can gain insights about yourself from this podcast. She explains why telling an ADHD child what to do doesn’t benefit them or the parent-child relationship over time, and highlights the most crucial role a parent plays in their child’s life. Tracy also reveals the question she always asks when figuring out her next steps, the statement that underpins Dr. Greene’s CPS philosophy and transforms everything, and why switching from a drill sergeant to a coach and collaborator is much more effective with ADHD kids. Additionally, she addresses the problem with lagging skills, how to assess them, the 3-Step CPS system, and whose opinion must be considered to address challenging behaviors.
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Resources:

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EP. 129: ADHD, Asian Americans and the Model Minority Myth Jun 23, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes her guest Mrinal to Episode 129 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Mrinal is a writer, business analyst, and mental health advocate based in the Midwest. She just published her first book, Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlighted, to increase education and acceptance on mental health in the South Asian diaspora. Her future goals include teaching self-defense and developing a health and wellness app.
Mrinal shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her struggle with school, what has changed since she was diagnosed, what made her write her book, the model minority stereotype, how the model minority stereotype impacts ADHD, mental health, and affects self-esteem and increases shame, what ADHD strengths make her good at her job, her key to living successfully with ADHD, and her ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

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EP. 128: ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria with Keynote Speaker, Jessica Fern Jun 16, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Jessica Fern to Ep. 128 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Jessica is a Senior Director of Training & Development for the 4th largest multifamily management company in the US and doubles as a national speaker, coach, and strategist. Jessica is a keynote speaker, who was most recently featured on a national panel for Women in Leadership. She has a series on Multifamily Leadership Studio that includes Legendary Leadership which earned her the nickname The Wolf of Leadership. Jessica's newest project is her solutions-oriented coaching/consulting and podcast called "Living with Einstein."
Jessica shares the circumstances surrounding her two ADHD diagnoses, what has changed since her recent diagnosis, her struggle with and triumph over Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, how hyperfocus almost wrecked her, how she discovered her gift of speaking, her advice on creating a winning speech every time, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

Living with Einstein Podcast
Linkedin: Jessica Fern-Kirkland

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EP. 127: How to Improve ADHD & RSD Symptoms with Yogi, Adell Bridges Jun 09, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Adell Bridges to Episode 127 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Adell is an international yoga teacher, health coach, and author who applies her degree in psychology with her training in the neurology of movement to her yoga and movement teachings. She now splits her time between London and Florida and shares her love for the power of mindful movement with her online community on MoveWithAdell.com and her half a million Instagram followers. She is currently co-authoring a book on hyper-mobility.
Adell shares the circumstances surrounding her recent ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since she was diagnosed, her advice around managing RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), what made her fall in love with yoga, why yoga is perfect for the ADHD brain, The link between hyper-mobility and ADHD, how she uses her Instagram to inspire and generate positive emotion not only for herself but also her followers, ADHD and vertical heterophoria, ADHD and cerebellar stimulation, and the key to living successfully with ADHD.
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Resources:

Instagram: @adellbridges
Website: MoveWithAdell.com

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EP. 126: From Homeless Shelter to Covid Infection Control Scientist with Tiffany Jackson Jun 02, 2021

Today, Tracy welcomes Tiffany Jackson to the podcast. Tiffany shares her indefatigable childhood story of being abandoned by her mother, bouncing from one relative's home to another, and spending one perfect year at an elite boarding high school only to end up at a homeless shelter as a minor. Throughout all of this, Tiffany had a dream to make something out of her life. Since then, she’s graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from the Dan Rather School of Communications at Sam Houston State University, attended a year of law school where she received her ADHD diagnosis, and in 2018, she graduated from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with a Master of Biomedical Science.

Tiffany plans to attend medical school and work as a physician epidemiologist. She loves photography and car racing.

Tiffany shares her thoughts on how grit, drive, and determination allowed her to keep going despite so many setbacks and challenges, how she sees her drivenness as hyperactivity, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her childhood symptoms of ADHD, what happened once she was finally diagnosed, what she’s learned she needs to be successful and happy, what she thinks the key to living successfully with ADHD is, her workarounds, and how she discovered what she’s always meant to do with her life.
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Resources:

Email: tiffany.jackson@me.com
Instagram: @Texas_Senator

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EP. 125: ADHD and How to Respond to the Non-Believers May 26, 2021

Tracy welcomes you to Episode #125 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, where she invites ADHD non-believers to join her for a little education. She receives requests for this podcast every week, so she decided to do something about it.
Tracy shares why the authoritarian model of parenting doesn’t work with an ADHD child, Nora Volkow’s research about ADHD and interest, what the NIH, AMA, U.S. Surgeon General, American Association of Psychiatry, and the U.S. Department of Education all say about ADHD, whether or not there’s ADHD in France, if it’s true that ADHD is strictly an American phenomenon, what it means that more kids are getting diagnosed with ADHD, what happens when ADHD is not treated, if it’s true that everyone has a little ADHD, if ADHD is an invention of modern society, if video games, social media, and smartphones are making people more ADHD, whether or not medicating kids for ADHD turns them into addicts, why willpower, consequences, discipline, and punishment are the wrong formula for the ADHD brain, what happens to children when they’re told that they’re lazy, unmotivated, and need to work harder, what works to motivate ADHD children, and the one question you should ask yourself about your ADHD child.
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Resources:

Dr. Nora Volkow's regarding the Dopamine Reward Pathway in ADHD
Dr. Ross Greene: Kids Do Well If They Can
ADHD Child vs. Non-ADHD Child Interview
Father to Father: Robert Dendy
Putting the efficacy of psychiatric and general medicine medication into perspective: review of meta-analyses
ADHD: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
adhdrollercoaster.org
https://alcohol.org/
https://ourworldindata.org/
https://www.nytimes.com/
Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk on Gillian Lynne who had to move to think. Here’s the excerpt: Sir Ken Robinson tells the story of Gillian Lynne Here’s the full TedTalk: Do schools kill creativity?
Erin Ez shared this link that gives you a real world snapshot of how your child feels struggling with attention and learning challenges: Through your child’s eyes

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EP. 124: ADHD, Art, and the Music Industry with Rebecca Brianceau May 19, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Rebecca Brianceau to Episode 124 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Rebecca is an autodidact artist and an international mindfulness art teacher who hails from Toronto, Canada. Rebecca has lived in Dubai, the UAE, London, England, Zurich, Switzerland and São Paulo, Brazil. She spent 15+ years in the music industry where she worked with multi-platinum-selling and indie recording artists in hip-hop, soul, and RnB, as well as with producers, video directors, DJs, and fashion designers.
In 2011 she left a successful career in the music world to launch her art career. Her Ocean Soul Series of stunning ocean paintings has been exhibited in galleries and art shows throughout Canada and Mexico. She now lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Rebecca shares the story of what inspired her to create her beautiful resin ocean paintings, her ADHD diagnosis, her ADHD symptoms, what changed once she was diagnosed, how she fell into the music industry and traveled all over the world as a band manager, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success, the key to living well with ADHD, her number one workaround, information about her Ocean Soul Series and Riviera Maya art exhibit in Playa Del Carmen.
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Resources:

Instagram: @rebeccabrianceau

Music:

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EP. 123: ADHD and Tapping for Procrastination May 12, 2021

This week, Tracy welcomes you to episode #123 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she is going to talk about ADHD, procrastination, and tapping. Tapping combines Ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. You tap specific meridian points on your body while focusing on negative emotions and/or physical sensations. Tapping can resolve stress, anxiety, phobias, emotional disorders, chronic pain, and limiting beliefs and there's science behind why it works.
Tracy shares the science behind tapping, how the VA uses tapping for veterans with PTSD, why body-based somatic therapies work better for trauma, what tapping can do for gene expression, how tapping can help reduce anxiety for ADHD women, how trauma encodes itself in the body, what EFT/tapping can do to the brain's learning, how tapping calms the nervous system, the difference between tapping out and tapping in, how she uses tapping to start work that she doesn't want to do and the tapping process and how to do it.
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Resources:

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EP. 122: Women and ADHD Medication with Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells May 05, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells to Episode #122 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where the conversation will be all about ADHD and medication.
Dr. Lentzsch-Parcells is a board-certified pediatrician and the owner and President of Girls to Women/Young Men's Health and Wellness Fort Worth, a multi-faceted clinic providing integrated medical care dedicated to meeting the physical and emotional needs of young women and men from 10-25 years old. As a physician with ADHD herself, Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells has a special interest in caring for patients with ADHD and learning issues.
She regularly speaks to parents, students, and professional audiences on subjects such as parenting, ADHD, depression, anxiety and stress, adolescent development, sexuality, preparing for college, and medication.
Carolyn shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, what changed once she was diagnosed, what it means to be a slow metabolizer, the importance of setting expectations around medication, her opinion around women, anxiety and ADHD medication, the various types of medication used for ADHD, medications used for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, the medication that reduces the chance of misuse, her thoughts on genetic testing, the medication that most 40+ women are usually prescribed and what she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is.
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Resources:

Website: Girls To Women Health and Wellness
ADHD Medication Chart

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EP. 121: ADHD and Hypersensitivities in Women with Terry Matlen, LMSW, ACSW Apr 28, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Terry Matlen to episode 121 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Terry Matlen, LMSW, ACSW, is an internationally recognized expert on ADHD in women. She is a psychotherapist, author, consultant, and coach.
She is also the author of the award-winning book, The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD. "The Queen of Distraction" and "Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD".
With over 25 years of experience helping women with ADHD, Terry is a sought-after presenter at conferences, webinars, and interviews. She has written hundreds of articles for various publications, including ADDitude Magazine, Attention Magazine, Healthline.com, and more.
She served for many years on the board of directors of ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Assoc.) and is an immediate past coordinator of the E. Oakland County CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Chapter in Michigan.
Terry has been interviewed by NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Glamour Magazine, and now ADHD for Smart Ass Women.
Terry shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, what hypersensitivities are, whether or not ADHD women have more hypersensitivities than neurotypical women, if hypersensitivities are more prevalent in one type of ADHD over another, whether or not women with hypersensitivities tend to have more comorbidities, her own experiences with hypersensitivities, how hypersensitivities make parenting with ADHD even more difficult, and ways to work with hypersensitivities
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Resources:

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EP. 120: ADHD, Medical School and Receiving Accommodations for the USMLE Board Exams with Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez Apr 21, 2021

Today on Episode 120 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy invites Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez to her podcast. Dr. Sanchez earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago and will join Adventist Health White Memorial (Los Angeles, CA) as a Family Medicine resident. While working with many underserved communities in Chicago and Los Angeles, Elizabeth found her niche in primary care where she integrates her passions of caring for underserved communities, public health advocacy, research and mentorship for the next generation of doctors.
Prior to medical school, Dr. Sanchez spent over 5 years working in translational and clinical research at the UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, and later at UC Irvine, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia. Most recently, Dr. Sanchez worked as medical data manager for COVID-19 testing at a San Jose medical start up called Work Health Solutions. She also is dedicated to mentoring medical students with adult ADHD and eliminating the stigma within the medical community.
Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez shares, her ADHD story and the circumstances surrounding her diagnosis, her experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), how her ADHD challenged her in medical school, her struggle with the NBME board and being denied additional time for the USMLE exams, how socioeconomic status can affect a person's ability to succeed with ADHD in medical school, the importance of mentoring underrepresented minority medical students, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

Anki: https://apps.ankiweb.net/
How to use anki in medical school: www.yousmle.com
Email: drelizabethkeller@gmail.com
Pemachodronfoundation.org

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EP. 119: ADHD, Entrepreneurship and Workarounds with Dr. Lola Day Apr 14, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes her delightful guest Dr. Lola Day to Episode 119 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Lola Day is the mom of 3 amazing children. She also is a double-boarded physician (pediatric and fetal cardiologist) who has ADHD herself. Dr. Day is the CEO and Founder of Lollie Tasking where she specializes in work-life balance for easily distracted women (ADHD) and high-achieving moms who have the will to accomplish their goals, but their brain keeps sabotaging them.
Lola coaches women on productivity strategies that help them harness their superpowers and put blocks on their kryptonite so they can thrive in their zone of genius without sacrificing time away from family or being overwhelmed.
Dr. Lola Day shares, the circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis in medical school, the surprising statistic her mentor shared with her about doctors and ADHD, the two things that drove her hyperfocus in school, why getting diagnosed actually helps us to come to terms with just how smart our brains are, how structure and organization help her to be happier and less anxious, how she manages to not only work as a busy physician but also to carve out time in her day to work as a productivity and work-life strategist for struggling women, her five keys to entrepreneurial success, how we can combat overlearning, why we should buy for just in time learning rather than just in case learning, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success?, the key to living successfully with ADHD is?, her number one ADHD workaround? and information about the programs that she offers.
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Resources:

subscribepage.com
Instagram: @lollietasker
Email: loladay@lollietasking.com

______________
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EP. 118: Sizing Down and Creating An Organized Home for ADHD Living with Francesca Rizzo Apr 07, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Francesca Rizzo to Episode 118 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women to share her tips on downsizing and setting up an organized home for ADHD living. Francesca Rizzo is a multi-media artist expressing powerful, provocative ideas in funny, human ways. Her work is prolific. The multiple medias she has distinguished herself in range from the fine arts and interior design to her work as an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director in theater, film, television, and digital media.
As a college dropout, Francesca left NJ and struck out on her own at 19, mining her creative talents for skills she could use to pay the rent in New York City. Along the way, she carved out a career as a children's book illustrator, professional actor, co-founder of a downtown theater company, and eventually, as a filmmaker and CEO of MovieBaby Productions, a Tribeca-based media company creating innovative videos, independent films, and TV promotional campaigns. Does that sound ADHD or what?
When she lost Moviebaby and her Manhattan apartment after 9/11, she landed back in Jersey and went back to the basics, earning her degree in Media Arts as well as the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. While making her mark in the fine arts and interior design, she penned and performed three theatrical productions, curated The Cinema-Femina film series, and created Believe Women, a rape activist initiative that championed the Cosby survivors along their journey to justice.
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Resources:

Facebook Group: Simple Systems for Creative Minds

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EP. 117: ADHD and How to Control Rumination, RSD and Depressive Thoughts Mar 31, 2021

Join Tracy in episode #117 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she shares the #1 most impactful concept that she has learned this year. She talks about this concept every day with students and those who contact her because they're struggling with rumination, RSD, and just plain not feeling good.
Tracy shares, who she learned this concept from, why our ADHD brains can get stuck in a loop of negative thoughts which leads to rumination, RSD and general brooding, the role environment plays in all of this, what epigenetics and neuroplasticity can teach us, how you can change your brain at any age and be happier, the network in our brain that lights up when we're in action, the network in our brain that is responsible for our creativity, the network in our brain that is responsible for many of our negative, depressive thoughts, the reason why so many people are starting to look so distracted whether or not they have or don't have ADHD, the part of our brain that is responsible for addiction and what we can do about it, what 6-3-8-3 breathing is and why it works and when our ADHD brains are happiest.
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Resources:

drhallowell.com
Breaking Binaries: bolt.straightforequality.org
www.explore.com
10 Things You Can Do to Be an Ally to People Who Are LGBTQ+: bolt.straightforequality
5 Days to Fall in Love with Your ADHD Brain: tracyotsuka.com
Your ADHD Brain is A-OK

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 116: ADHD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Mar 24, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about ADHD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and why she took such an interest in this episode. Tracy starts by mentioning the connection between OCD and repetitive body-focused behaviors (RBFBs) and then discusses what they are.
Tracy shares what OCD is, what obsessions and compulsions are, what compulsions are, the conditions that make up the OCD Spectrum, what OCD is not, what Pure Obsession is, at what age does OCD typically show up, where ADHD and OCD look very different, where ADHD and OCD look similar, what those with OCD are most concerned about, the role that executive functions play in both ADHD and OCD, how hoarding plays into ADHD and OCD, how OCD is best treated, what Exposure Response Prevention is, the reasons why ADHD with OCD is often misdiagnosed, and Do I Have OCD?.
______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 115: The Pandemic Job Market and Re-Entering the Workforce wih Lynn Miner-Rosen Mar 17, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Lynn Miner-Rosen to Episode 115 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Lynn Miner-Rosen, M.Ed., ACC, CDCS is the founder of LMR Coaching and the creator of the ADHD JOB SQUAD™ where she provides coaching, instruction, and support to college students and adults with (and without) ADD, ADHD, Executive Functioning Deficits and Learning Differences worldwide. Lynn is a leading expert on ADHD career coaching and is an ICF Credentialed and Board Certified Career Development Coach, and an ADHD, Executive Function, and Life Coach. She's been a Special Education Teacher and an IEP coordinator and has a BS in business administration and two Master's Degrees in education and Special Education.
Like you, she's also learned how to manage the demands of her life and career while navigating symptoms of ADHD.
Lynn shares her ADHD diagnosis story, the truth about our current pandemic job market, why women are struggling the most, what we need to consider when trying to decide if we should make a career change, advice for those of us who are reentering the workforce decades after we left, why she decided to start the ADHD Job Squad, and a special deal just for ADHD for Smart Ass Women listeners.
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Resources:

www.adhdjobsquad.com
Instagram: @lynn_miner_rosen
LinkedIn: Lynn Miner-Rosen
Facebook Group: ADHD JOB SQUAD Hosted By LMR Coaching
adhdpalooza.com/women/

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 114: ADHD, Women and Hormones Mar 10, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about women, ADHD and hormones. She starts out by thanking those female pioneers, most of whom have ADHD, for leading the charge in teaching us about what ADHD looks like in women. Experts like Dr. Kathleen Nadeau, Dr. Ellen Littman, Dr. Patricia Quinn, Dr. Sari Solden, Dr. Sandra Kooj who she has learned so much from.
Tracy shares why ADHD has always been about boys, how ADHD looks different in girls, the biggest problem among health care practitioners that impacts women, why girls/women are often misdiagnosed, who struggles more with ADHD, men or women, how societal pressures and gender role expectations affect ADHD women, her thoughts around perfectionism and ADHD, how estrogen impacts ADHD symptoms and is not stable during our lifespan, new research about hormone-related mood disorders that may impact ADHD women, whether or not there's such a thing as adult-onset ADHD, and some information on whether it is dementia or ADHD.
______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 113: How to Live to Your Potential with ADHD Mar 03, 2021

Join Tracy on Episode 113 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about how to live a life of meaning and to your potential with an ADHD brain.
Tracy shares: How to know that the decisions you're making in your life are the right decisions for you, What are the questions that you need to ask regarding if you're in the right career, relationship, friendships, etc. Her 6-step Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! system, How to answer the What Should I Do With My Life question, Whether or not ADHD women care more than neurotypical women of living a life of meaning and to their potential, Her favorite ADHD strength-focused resource, What ADHD women need to be doing in order to be happy, Her 25%/75% theory, The sweet spot that plays right into our ADHD brilliance, Why environment is so important to our ADHD brains.
______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 112: ADHD, Working Memory, Hip-hop and STEM with Raven the Science Maven Feb 24, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Raven Baxter. Raven is also known as, she is an award-winning science communicator, educator, and molecular biologist who is working to share science and champion for inclusivity and diversity in STEM. Raven is also the founder of Science Haven, a non-profit organization that operates at the intersections of science, education, and the public. Science Haven houses a live web series that connects the public with science and technology professionals, and a group that works to build relationships in the science community, equipping others with the knowledge and resources necessary to share science with the world in their own flavor.
Raven is an entertainer and content creator known for her unique style of combining science and hip-hop music that teaches and empowers those in STEM and beyond. She has recently been featured in Fortune Magazine's 40 under 40 List of the most influential young leaders for the year, BuzzFeed News, and Mother Jones Magazine, on the mayor of Buffalo's social media accounts trying to convince teenagers to stay home in the age of Covid; and of course, she has her own TedX Talk.
Raven shares: The circumstances surrounding both her ADHD diagnoses, The tweet that she shared regarding her struggle to memorize even small snippets of text, What has changed since her last diagnosis, Why she started her science rap music videos, What she thinks the key to living successfully with ADHD is. ADHD brains work so that they too may discover their amazing strengths. And your reviews really help in that regard.
______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 111: ADHD and Medical School with Dr. Diana Mercado Feb 17, 2021

Join Tracy as she welcomes Dr. Diana Mercado to Episode 111 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Mercado is the daughter of Mexican immigrant workers. She graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, earned her medical degree from the University of Texas, and did her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Diana became a family medicine physician so that minority patients would have a physician who "looks like them." Today Dr. Diana Mercado is a Nurse Practitioner mentor and clinic Medical Director and was just elected Chief Medical Officer for Jackson County Hospital in Texas.
Diana shares with us:

Her struggles in medical school
The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis
Her symptoms in childhood
What changed once she was diagnosed
Her struggle with imposter syndrome
The medication that works best for her
The ADHD traits that make her a better doctor
What she believes to be the key to living successfully with ADHD
Her interest in coaching

______________
Resources:

The Life Coach School
Mydayis_USA_ENG.pdf
Email: overachievewithadhd@gmail.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 110: ADHD, Science, and Creativity with Infectious Disease and Genetics Expert, Dr. Amy Cain Feb 10, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Dr. Amy Cain. Dr. Cain is a Molecular Biologist who uses genomics to study deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She completed both her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (graduating with first-class honors) and then her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Sydney, Australia. After PhD submission, she moved to Cambridge, UK, for a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (where they first sequenced the human genome!) and was awarded a prestigious fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Cain then moved to Malawi in sub-Saharan Africa to track outbreaks in hospitals, employed by the Wellcome Trust charity. Since 2018, Dr. Cain has been a Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney, having received a number of grants to develop new antibiotics and study antibiotic resistance; setting up her research group across 3 different labs. Dr. Amy Cain is also Deputy Director of the JAMS organization, a microbiology society that runs over 5 countries and she has just started a podcast called JAMSpod to spread microbiology knowledge far and wide. She loves traveling (having visited 70-odd countries so far), scuba diving, live music, and cooking.
Amy shares:

The circumstances surrounding her diagnosis
The ADHD symptoms that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD.
Why she became an infectious disease and genetics expert?
What has changed since her diagnosis, Why she loves science so much?
Why she started a podcast interviewing microbiologists?
Her advice to young women with ADHD.
Her ADHD workarounds.
What she believes the key is to living successfully with ADHD?

______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 109: The ADHD Artist with Sarah Gise Feb 02, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Sarah Gise. Sarah is an award-nominated Chicago actor who got her BFA degree for Acting at the University of Southern California (USC). She's worked a thousand different jobs and gigs because she experiences intense FOMO (fear of missing out), so in addition to acting, she's dipped her toes into teaching, writing, directing, podcasting, bartending, and coaching. She is currently an ensemble member with the Interrobang Theatre Project and has performed in numerous shows with different companies around Chicago. Her performance in the Interrobang Theatre Project's production of the one-woman show THE AMISH PROJECT (2016) was nominated for Best Solo Performance at the 2017 Joseph Jefferson Awards.
In addition to theatre, she has appeared in several web series, films, commercials, and audiobooks. Sarah currently works as an Executive Functioning Coach for Effective Artistry and is the Host/Producer of The ADHD Artist Podcast, which explores and celebrates the lives of artists with ADHD.
______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 108: Professional Organizer Judith Houlding Jan 27, 2021

Join Tracy in episode 108 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Judith Houlding. Judith has been a professional organizer for 11 years. She is also an ADHD coach who has trained in "brain-based differences" and has received certification from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, Coach Approach for Organizers, and the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Judith is the mother of three adult children, two of which were diagnosed as having ADHD. She describes herself as being on the ADHD spectrum … but not quite at the tipping point. Judith understands the frustrations and struggles that the ADHD brain deals with when it comes to organization. She believes that perfection is an illusion that no organizer will ever promise you. Judith believes that, good enough is truly Good Enough!
Judith shares: Her own personal story with ADHD, Why she decided to become a professional organizer, What the Institute for Challenging Disorganization does Concepts that she uses with ADHD clients to help them with organization, The questions to ask when you're trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of Organization tips and workarounds for the ADHD brain, What to start with when everything is a mess Tips on school organization.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 107: From High School Dropout to College Success with Lucy Van den Heuvel Jan 20, 2021

Join Tracy and her delightful guest, 18-year-old Lucy Van den Heuvel. At 16 Lucy left high school, not knowing how she was going to go forward with her education. She eventually found a college that accepted students as young as 16, and applied. In May, Lucy will graduate from Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts, where she will receive her Associates of Arts degree instead of a high school diploma. In college she is studying sustainable agriculture, and co-manages the campus farm. When she's not farming or studying, she spends her time hiking, oil painting, rock climbing, and crocheting.

Today she looks at the decision to leave high school without graduating as one of the best she's ever made. Lucy shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, Her childhood symptoms, How her love of storytime got her into trouble in pre-K, Her life-long struggle with school, Her struggle with anxiety, Why she decided to drop out of high school, Why Bard college was the perfect fit for her curious brain, Her plans after graduation, What has changed since she was diagnosed, The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success?
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Resources:

Facebook: Lucy Van den Heuvel
Bard College at Simon's Rock

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 106: ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction with Edward Hallowell Jan 13, 2021

Join Tracy as she breaks her women only guest rule by welcoming Dr. Edward Hallowell to Episode 106 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. If you know anything at all about ADHD you recognize Dr. Hallowell's name as the leading authority in the field of ADHD. Dr. Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, and a New York Times bestselling author. He, along with Dr. John Ratey wrote what Tracy considers to be the bible of ADHD, Driven to Distraction. Now retired from the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hallowell has been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Oprah, PBS, CNN, Today, Good Morning America, and in The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time. He is a regular columnist for ADDitude magazine, and is also the host of his weekly podcast called Distraction. Dr. Hallowell is the founder of The Hallowell Centers in Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Seattle. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and their three grown children.

Dr. Hallowell shares the circumstances surrounding his ADHD diagnosis and why he and Dr. John Ratey decided to write their new book ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction. Who he wrote this book for, Why most medical professionals have ignored the strengths in ADHD for so long, His opinion on ADHD and intelligence, Exciting research around the task-positive network and default mode network, and how you can use them to benefit ADHD brain, The ADHDers need to create and constantly improve their life, Why those of us with ADHD should never worry alone, Where he believes the field of ADHD research and treatment is going, Whether he believes that there's a relationship between introversion/extroversion and ADHD types, Why ADHD women have not been part of ADHD studies.
______________
Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 105: ADHD, Emotion and Choosing the Right College with Collegiate Athlete, Mikayla Kee Jan 06, 2021

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to 21 year-old, Mikayla Kee. Mikayla is currently a senior, finishing her bachelor's degree at The Evergreen State College in Washington. She will be entering the Master's in Teaching program next. Mikayla also volunteers as a para educator at a local elementary school and, in true ADHD fashion, Mikayla has been doing all of this while working as a semi professional soccer player for the past three years.

Mikayla shares:

The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis
Her ADHD symptoms
Her struggles during her first year in college
How collegiate athletics is the perfect ADHD complement to her education?
When she connected soccer as a workaround for her ADHD?
How her college addresses different learning styles and why this works so well for her ADHD brain?
How important trust is in dealing with emotional dysregulation?
What has changed since she was diagnosed?
The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success
The key to living successfully with ADHD
Her number one ADHD workaround

______________
Resources:

Instagram: @mikaylakfit
John Ratey's book Spark

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 104: Goal Setting and Planning for ADHD Dec 30, 2020

Tracy Otsuka welcomes you to Episode 104 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she talks about goal setting, planners and planning, the perfect subject for the last podcast of 2020.

Tracy talks about why goals and planning can be hard for our ADHD brains, The truth about multitasking, and other episodes of this podcast that might be helpful when it comes to time and planning and ADHD.

Ep. 8: Why Am I Always Late? ADHD and Time
Ep. 9: Practical Strategies for Being on Time and Better Planning
Some of the highlights are:

Why ADHD brains may need to externalize time?
What it means to have a short time horizon?
What time is actually linked to?
What it means to develop an awareness around time and how that can help you?
Why focusing on the actions rather than the goal might work better for you?
How to choose the right goal, Why looking inside yourself rather than outside of yourself works better for us in choosing a goal?
Why knowing your values and what's important to you helps makes goal setting so much easier?
Why having goals is even important?
The thing that most of us with ADHD share in common.
When a practice of gratitude may make goal setting easier?
Creative themes/mottos to help you reach goals and generate positive emotion.
What to look for in a planner for the ADHD brain?
Her A-OK! Brain Download and how she uses it to get everything out of her brain
Her Goal, Decode process that allows her to break down her goals into much smaller tasks
Why Saturday morning planning sessions are the best thing that Tracy does If you're procrastinating what the problem may be?

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 103: Helping Black Women Kick the Shame of ADHD with Stacey Machelle Dec 23, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes Stacey Machelle to Episode 103 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Stacey is a multi-hyphenate doer of things. She is a sketch writer/performer, producer, comedian and former broadcast news reporter and anchor. Stacey's credits include on-air contributor and writer for TMZ, commercials, television and film roles. She is also a live studio audience warmup comic in Los Angeles, most recently for the late-night show "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." But the biggest reason that Stacey really needs to be here with us today is the YouTube show that she created to raise awareness in black women and women of color about ADHD. It is called ADHD Is The New Black.

Stacey shares:

The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis the first time and the second time
The symptoms she had as a child and now recognizes as ADHD
What made her decide to start her YouTube show, ADHD is the New Black
How ADHD is different when you're a woman of color
The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success
Her number one ADHD workaround

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Resources:

YouTube: ADHD is the new BLACK

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 102: ADHD, RSD and How to Pursue Higher Education with Dr. Melody Kuphal Dec 16, 2020

In Episode 102 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Dr. Melody Kuphal. Dr. Kuphal has a bachelor's in Special Education with a minor in music, a Master's in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate of Worship Studies. She currently works as Adjunct Professor at Judson University, is a member of the Teaching Faculty of IWS teaching research writing, works full-time as Music Director at Hosanna Church, teaches private music lessons, and is a recording artist who records at least one new album per year.

Melody shares: her own ADHD story, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, RSD and her struggle with the emotional aspects of ADHD, Her experience with medication, The QB Test and what she learned about herself, Advice on better reading and note taking for ADHD students pursuing higher education, Advice on better writing for ADHD students pursuing higher education, The key to living successfully with ADHD, Her theory of leaving life with empty pockets.
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Resources:

Website: melodysmusic.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 101: Pt. 2, What 99 Episodes Taught Me About the ADHD Brain Dec 09, 2020

Episode 101 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, is actually part two of the 100th episode of this podcast. In the 100th episode Tracy reviewed all previous 99 episodes of her podcast and shared the key thoughts that reframed her personal understanding of ADHD. There was so much content that this ultimately ended up becoming not only podcast episode #100 but also episode #101. Episode #101 starts with a discussion on ADHD and RSD or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Tracy also created a 100th episode gift for her listeners which is a Podcast Index that organizes all 99 episodes. You can find it here: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/
Episode 19: ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity
Episode 25: ADHD and Addiction
Episode 29: Psychotherapist Perry Janssen who talks about ADHD, emotion and feelings.
Episode 30: My Favorite Tech Tool, How the Apple Watch Saved My ADHD Brain
Episode 34: ADHD and Repetitive Body Focused Behavior (RBFB)
Episode 40: How to Prepare for a Meeting with Your ADHD Doctor
Episode 49: What you can do about it
Episode 50: ADHD Life Coach, former therapist and former USC adjunct professor Diann Wingert about meditation is also a must listen.
Episode 53: Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, Meditation and ADHD
Episode 62: Cannabis and ADHD
Episode 63: Choose to be the Hero, not the Victim in Your ADHD Life
Episode 75: Why ADHD Coaching Works
Episode 78: What Does ADHD Look Like in Women? The Update. (Ep. 2)
Episode 87: ADHD Means That You're Never Too Old
_____________
Resources:

Apple Watch
Bear App

_____________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
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EP. 100: Part 1, What 99 Episodes Taught Me About the ADHD Brain Dec 02, 2020

Join Tracy as she celebrates her 100th episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. For her 100th episode, Tracy reviewed all 99 episodes of her podcast and shared the key thoughts that reframed her personal understanding of ADHD. This was a lot of content to go through and ultimately ended up becoming not only podcast episode #100 but also episode #101. Tracy also created a 100th episode gift for her listeners which is a Podcast Index that organizes all 99 episodes. You can find it here: www.tracyotsuka.com.
Episode 1: Tracy Otsuka Shares her ADHD Story and her ADHD Superpowers
Episode 3: Kids and ADHD: Why Their Journey is Important to You
Episode 4: The One Trait That Everyone with ADHD Has
Episode 8: Why Am I Always Late?
Episode 9: Practical Strategies for Being on Time and Planning Better
Episode 10: ADHD and Exercise
Episode 12: Learned Helplessness and ADHD
Episode 16: Intuition and ADHD
Episode 17: The 10 Things I Wish I Would Have Been Told About ADHD When I Was First Diagnosed
Episode 18: Message to My Kid's Teachers
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Resources:

Time Timer
Datexx cube
Apple Watch
Google Calendar
Tiny Calendar
Amazon Echo
Focusmate - (you can find the link to join our ADHD for Smart Ass Women specific Focusmate group by joining our Facebook Group)
Spark by Dr. John Ratey
Pomodoro Method
100th Episode Gift: Podcast Index

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 99: Organization for ADHD Teens with Executive Function Coach, Julia Clements Nov 25, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode 99 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes executive function coach and math tutor, Julia Clements. Julia has a strong affinity for teens with ADHD and has worked with them for 23 years. She attended the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies at The University of Redlands and believes this is where she developed her love of the individualized and creative learning process.

Julia shares: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, Her philosophy on teens and learning, The one thing she never employs with her students or her child, What ADHD teens need more than anything to learn, What are executive functions, Why she uses Sarah Ward's executive function program with her students, How it is different than other programs that help students learn, Some suggestions for distance learning in the time of COVID, How ADHD makes her outstanding at her job, What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is.
_________________

Resources:

Time Timer

_________________

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 98: The Unplanner System for ADHD Planning Success in 2021 Nov 18, 2020

In Episode 98 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares information about planners and planning for 2021. She talks about her decades long struggle with planners and schedules. She had tried everything from Filofax, Steven Covey, Quo Vadis, Daytimer, the Palm Pilot, The Elephant Planner, The Passion Planner, The Bullet Journal (which she actually never used despite purchasing all the necessary materials) and her favorite, a planning system that felt like a restaurant menu.

Tracy talks about: What a planner needs to work for ADHD brains, The writing implement that Tracy now swears by, A-OK! Every Day, The Unplanner System for, Planning Success, Gold stars, literally, Her goals in creating a planning system, Her beta launch for A-OK! Every Day, What it will include, The four simple resources that Tracy feels are a must for gaining control of your life. Who A-OK! Every Day is for and who it is not for.
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Resources:

__________________

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 97: ADHD and Managing Money with Michelle Nickel Nov 11, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes Michelle Nickel to Episode 97 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women.

Michelle earned a degree in liberal arts and followed that up with an MBA. She went to work for a major brokerage firm at the age of 25. Along the way she earned AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Specialist) and CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designations and also holds series 7, 63 and 66 Securities Licenses.

Working in a small town, Michelle did everything from making sure little old ladies didn't run out of money, designing retirement plans, setting up college savings accounts and everything in between. Her favorite thing to do is to take a giant pile of financial statements and data and turn it into a comprehensible and workable plan for her clients.

Michelle learned how to manage investments from her company, but managing day to day finances was harder, because of her ADHD. After 23 years working as an advisor, Michelle was able to retire at 48. Michelle lives with her husband and two teenage boys, both of whom have ADHD, in Alabama.

Michelle shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, Her ADHD symptoms, How to save, The importance of automating everything you can, How to save if we're self-employed, What we should do with credit cards, How to pay bills, How to budget, The importance of cash, The ADHD traits that Michelle feels are responsible for her success, The ADHD traits that Michelle still struggles with, Her key to living successfully with ADHD, Her number one ADHD workaround, What it means to make decisions in advance, Her future plans for "retirement"
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Resources:

Michelle's Blog
Raymond James
Edward Jones
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

_______________

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 96: ADHD, Confidence, Career and Mid-life with Leadership Program Design and Delivery Expert, Juliann Decker Nov 04, 2020

In Episode 96 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Juliann Decker.

Juliann earned her bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Massachusetts and her master's degree in Training and Development from Lesley University in Cambridge. She is a coach and an expert in leadership program design and delivery with broad work experience in industries such as technology, banking, consumer goods, retail and finance.

Juliann designed, delivered and launched Monster.com's first global Management Development Program for high-potential leaders and trained and coached participants in their newly created MBA executive program. She also developed global leadership programs at Aspen Technology and founded her own leadership and coaching company.
_________________

Resources:

Email: juliann@theunobstructedview.com

_________________

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 95: Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating and ADHD with Aleta Storch Oct 28, 2020

Join Tracy for Episode 95 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes Aleta Storch. Aleta, with Master’s degrees in Nutrition Science, Dietetics, and Clinical Health Psychology, is an anti-diet dietitian, therapist, and Certified Body Trust Provider. She specializes in eating disorders, autoimmune conditions, and ADHD, focusing on helping people move away from diet culture and develop an intuitive relationship with food and movement.

Aleta and Tracy discuss the connection between ADHD and eating disorders, including grim statistics on bulimia and anorexia in ADHD women, and how ADHD type predicts eating disorders in girls. They explore Aleta’s ADHD diagnosis, her choice to study Nutrition Science and Psychology, the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders, and the prevalence of these issues in ADHD women. They delve into Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), self-regulation problems, the pyramid of food needs, and using hunger and fullness scales. They also cover resources for a good relationship with food, thoughts on intermittent fasting, meal delivery services, Aleta’s eating with ADHD program, and her favorite ADHD workaround.

Resources:

Wise Heart Nutrition
Instagram: @wiseheart_nutrition
Understanding Girls with ADHD
Hello Fresh
Intuitive Eating, 4th Edition
The Anti-Diet
Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 94: ADHD with Paparazzi, Jaimie Harris Oct 21, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes Jaimie Harris to Episode 94 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Jaimie is from Essex, just outside of London. She is 29 and was a paparazzi for a decade. She now works for celebrity magazines as a picture researcher, a job which she absolutely loves.

In this podcast, Jaimie shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her childhood symptoms, and how she felt different her entire life. She explains how she ended up working as a paparazzi, why this career was very ADHD-friendly, and how her ADHD makes her very good at her job. Jaimie discusses the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success, her key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

Instagram: @whatjamiedid
Instagram: @diaryofagirlpap

____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 93: ADHD, Positive Emotion and Being Future-Focused Oct 14, 2020

In Episode 93 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about the difference between being past-focused and future-focused and which one is better for our ADHD brains.

She shares how you can tell if someone is future-focused vs. past-focused, why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD brains to be future-focused, how most of us start out being future-focused but then opt for the security of being past-focused, which of the three types of ADHD struggles more with being future-focused and why, how everything that is possible and what we dream about is built from our future and not our past, why being future-focused builds confidence, and why being future-focused builds positive emotions.
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Resources:

Website: adhdforsmartwomen.com
Facebook Group: ADHD for Smart Ass Women

____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 92: ADHD, Trauma, Shame and Falling in Love with Your ADHD Brain at 59 with Isabelle Baker Oct 07, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes guest Isabelle Baker to Episode 92 of her podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Tracy interviewed Isabelle as one of four students who completed her Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! program. That episode aired last week, but Tracy didn’t include Isabelle because she felt that Isabelle needed her own episode.

In this episode, Isabelle talks about trauma, never fitting in, giving up, and thinking it was too late for her because she was too old. She also talks about A-OK! and ultimately falling in love with her ADHD brain.

Isabelle Baker is from Lakeland, FL. With over 25 years of experience in business development, C-suite partnerships, and enterprise training, Isabelle is now her own CEO. Today, she combines her professional experiences with her love of problem-solving, listening to understand, and relentlessness to serve her clients, whom she loves to see succeed. Some of her best successes are personal: she is passionate about helping children in the foster care system and looks forward to being a coach to those who age out.

Isabelle shares her childhood trauma, her struggles with school and social problems, and always feeling different. She discusses her discovery of ADHD, her experience going through the A-OK! Program, and her newfound love and appreciation of her ADHD gifts. Isabelle reveals the key to living successfully with a non-linear brain and her number one workaround.

Resources:

ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Ep. 76, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!, My 6-Step System

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 91: What Do I Do With My ADHD Life and Our A-OK! System Sep 30, 2020

In Episode 91 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Hayley Lin, Trinlee Chodren, and Juliann Decker, all graduates of her Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! System.

Hayley Lin is 25 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago while in college. She graduated last year from the University of Toronto with a specialist in Computer Science and a major in Cognitive Science. Haley is also a makeup enthusiast with two full bookcases of makeup and a social media account with 470k followers! Her #1 value is living to her full potential.

Trinlee Chodren is in her early thirties and is a former pharmacist, novelist, teacher, personal development junkie, and an advocate of kindness and doing things that benefit humanity. Most of all, Trinlee is an ideation machine and is entrepreneurial to her core.

Juliann Decker, 56, is a coach and an expert in leadership program design and delivery with broad work experience in industries such as technology, banking, consumer goods, retail, and finance. She designed, delivered, and launched Monster.com’s first global Management Development Program for high-potential leaders and trained and coached participants in their newly created MBA executive program. She also developed global leadership programs at Aspen Technology and founded her own leadership and coaching company.

All three women share their experiences with ADHD, their childhoods and growing up, and their experience with the Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! coaching system. They also reveal their key to living successfully with a non-linear brain.

Resources:

A-OK Program: adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Instagram: @7am.hlz, @Hayley木木
Facebook: Trinlee Chodren
Facebook: Juliann Decker
Email: juliann@theunobstructedview.com

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 90: How to Talk to Your Child About Their ADHD with Katelyn Mabry Sep 23, 2020

In Episode 90 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Katelyn. Katelyn is a special educator with a master’s degree in Reading and the author of the children’s book “Hi It’s Me! I Have ADHD!” She recently launched a podcast for kids titled Journey With Me Through ADHD, designed for children with ADHD to listen to and feel understood. Katelyn lives in Wisconsin with her husband and four young kids. Her passion is to speak into the hearts and minds of children and families with ADHD so they feel connected and understood.

In this podcast, Katelyn shares the circumstances surrounding her childhood diagnosis and the question that adults often asked her as a child that rocked her self-esteem. She explains why she decided to get a master’s degree in Reading and what inspired her to start her new podcast for kids.

Katelyn offers advice on how to talk to your kids about their ADHD in a way that instills confidence in how their brain works, how to tell your child that he/she has ADHD, and the best way to discuss your child’s weaknesses. She also provides tips on teaching your child to respond to other kids when they make inaccurate comments about ADHD, how to work with your child on mindset, and the “red dot” method. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of breaking things down into bite-sized pieces.
_______

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 89: How an ADHD Diagnosis Healed 22 Years of Anxiety with Jade LeQuesne Sep 16, 2020

In Episode 89 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how she receives numerous emails and DMs from young women with ADHD who have been positively affected by this podcast. This makes her want to feature more young women on the podcast because the younger we start to see our ADHD brains for the brilliant brains that they are, the better. Tracy wants them to hear stories of young, inspiring women who are just like them.

In this episode, she introduces you to Jade Le Quesne, who just turned 23 yesterday. Jade is from the U.K. and was diagnosed with ADHD at the beginning of the year. Jade struggled through school and was always behind her classmates academically, but since childhood, she had a dream. Her dream was to attend college in the U.S. Jade achieved this and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in International Studies from the University of Tampa.

Jade is currently back in the U.K. studying nutrition and fitness, which she uses as a way to manage her symptoms. She believes that mental and physical health are intrinsically linked and looks forward to starting her own business very soon.

In this podcast, Jade shares her life-long battle with anxiety and emotional dysregulation, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, and how she always felt different from others. She talks about her interest in motocross, what has changed for her since being diagnosed, and why she decided to write for ADDitude Magazine. Jade also discusses the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success, how she manages her ADHD symptoms, the link between empathy and emotional dysregulation, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

Instagram: @jadeclxrisse
“I Believed I Was Fundamentally Flawed. In Fact, the Blemish Was on Society.” ADDitude Magazine

______

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 88: ADHD, Rumination and Criticism Sep 09, 2020

In Episode #88 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares her personal experience with rumination. She discusses how even when you’re in your own zone of interest and genius, doing what you really love, it’s still difficult to be on even the smallest platform because you will be roundly rejected by some.

She shares insights about her critics on Reddit, information on essential oils and medication, and her biggest fear around delivering this podcast every week. Tracy also talks about how she feels about paying it forward, what it means to be a Karen, and her commitment to BLM: diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. She highlights her favorite podcast for learning how to be anti-racist and explains why you’re no different than she is, what to do when things don’t go so well, and the importance of getting back in the arena regardless.

Tracy emphasizes why what people say about you is none of your business, how ADHD women are meant to lead, and which ADHD women struggle the most.
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Resources:

brenebrown.com

____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 87: ADHD Means That You're Never Too Old Sep 02, 2020

In Episode 87 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy announces that this podcast is now the #1 podcast for ADHD women and among the top 10-14% of all podcasts regardless of subject.

Tracy then shares her experience with her amazing Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! students. She discusses the fear that many of her students have, thinking it’s too late or they’re too old to do something really meaningful that allows them to make a difference in the world and live to their potential. Tracy shares her story of why it’s never too late to live to your potential and find and do what you love.

She talks about her purpose and her big WHY, and how she became an expert in ADHD in an unconventional way. Tracy also highlights the ADHD trait she’s discovered in all her A-OK! women. She provides information about inspiring women who reimagined their lives after the age of 50 and shares statistics about startups based on age, explaining why she won’t share her own age.
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Resources:

____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 86: ADHD with Dr. Kristen Nicole Aug 26, 2020

Join Tracy Otsuka as she welcomes Dr. Kristen Nicole to Episode 86 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Always a feisty, fiery person who looks to be challenged to stay engaged, Kristen went to the Air Force Academy on a whim. After graduation, she left for Sub-Saharan Africa for a two-year stint in the Peace Corps. Deeply moved by this experience, Kristen went on to medical school in South Florida with the goal of responding to global humanitarian crises. She is also deeply passionate about the influence of lifestyle choices—food, rest, stress management—on one's ability to live a happy, productive life. Kristen has a health coaching business called Coach Kristen, MD. In her "spare" time, she loves tennis, running, and her three dogs.

In this podcast, Kristen shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis and her childhood experience with ADHD. She discusses her approach to mental health and pharmacology, as well as what she learned about herself at the Air Force Academy. Kristen also talks about her experience in medical school, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success, what she believes is the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
____

Resources:

____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 85: ADHD, Emotion and RSD with Entrepreneur & Coffee Magnate, Helena Hills Aug 19, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes entrepreneur Helena Hills to Episode 85 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Helena co-founded True Start Coffee with her husband Simon when they were both triathletes. True Start is a feel-good coffee company that is all about positivity and putting people first. It is one of the fastest-growing young drink brands in the UK and has won a host of impressive awards. True Start retails in over 1000 UK outlets and is exported to several international markets as well. Helena is also the mother of two little boys.

Helena shares how she started a business that she realizes today was literally her treatment and the circumstances surrounding her diagnosis. She discusses how ADHD affected her childhood, what kind of teenager she was, and her favorite subjects in school. Helena explains how she realized that drivenness is a form of hyperactivity, the importance of interest to her brain, and the significance of environment and positive emotion.

She talks about her experience with RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria), what she loves to do at True Start, and what she doesn’t love to do at True Start. Helena highlights the ADHD traits that she believes are responsible for her success, the key to living successfully with ADHD, the importance of reducing stress levels, and her best ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

Instagram: @truestartcoffee
Website: www.truestartcoffee.com
Website: www.calm.com
Website: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 84: ADHD and Nutrition with Nicole DeMasi Malcher Aug 12, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode 84 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, where she introduces you to dietician and nutritionist Nicole DeMasi Malcher. Nicole is the founder of DeMasi Nutrition, a virtual private practice based in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition. Nicole spent 10 years working at Los Robles Hospital in the ICU, and as a nutrition coach at UCLA, Kaiser Permanente, and DaVita Dialysis. In her practice, she uses nutrition therapy and coaching to help people lose weight, improve their health, and prevent and treat medical conditions through personalized diet and lifestyle changes.

Nicole was diagnosed with ADHD (combined type) about a year ago at the age of 32 and has since been determined to understand how nutrition impacts ADHD symptoms. This episode is not for women with disordered eating.

Nicole shares the circumstances surrounding her later-in-life diagnosis, her ADHD symptoms, and those she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD. She discusses how she always felt different than others and how her childhood and teen years were impacted by her ADHD. Nicole also explains what has changed since she was diagnosed, the relationship between sugar and dopamine, and the food group that spikes our dopamine naturally. She highlights what kind of carbohydrates help cognition and how she feels about intermittent fasting for the ADHD brain.

Further, Nicole provides information on the gut-brain axis and how inflammation affects the brain. She explains what the enteric nervous system is and how it affects our brains. Nicole also reveals the one food to get rid of to feel better, her number one ADHD workaround, and a page that she’s built just for us that’s all about nutrition for the ADHD brain.
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Resources: Website: www.eatingwithadhd.com
Instagram: @eatingwithadhd
____

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass:
spyhappy.me/class

Unlock your best days with Blends:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 83: Productivity, Procrastination, ADHD and Just Starting Aug 05, 2020

In Episode #83 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about the things you can do to increase your productivity, stop procrastinating, and just start when your ADHD brain doesn’t want to cooperate. Tracy shares her experience working with the incredible women in her ADHD Brain is A-OK! Program, her new discovery about ADHD women and their need to make a difference and live to their potential, and how she procrastinated around creating the A-OK! System and why that was.
Tracy discusses what she finally did to create forward movement on this big project, her favorite platform for an online business, what procrastination actually is and what causes it, and what to do every morning to make yourself more productive. Tracy explains why there should be no big things on your to-do list, why our brains are more productive when we’re having fun, how to get out of your head and into action, and how she “templates” whatever she can.
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Resources:

The online application that made everything in my business easier
My favorite way to get out of my head and into action
Calendly scheduling app

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EP. 82: ADHD with NASA Flight Controller, Natalie Cluck Jul 29, 2020

In Episode 82 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Natalie Cluck. Natalie is 24 and works at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is training to become a certified flight controller to fly the International Space Station from Mission Control Houston.
In this podcast, Natalie shares: The circumstances of her diagnosis which occurred shortly after arriving at NASA, The light bulb event that triggered her desire to find out more about ADHD, Information around her school career, They symptoms that she always wondered about but now sees as part of her ADHD, What has changed since she was diagnosed, The ADHD traits that she feels make her an even better flight controller than those without ADHD, The traits that she feels are responsible for her success, The ways she has always felt different than others, What she believes is the key to living successfully with ADHD, Her ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

YouTube: How to ADHD
Jessica McCabe's Ted Talk
STAR stands for Stop - Think - Act - Review
The Brili App

______________
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EP. 81: ADHD with Teen Author, Gracie Dix Jul 22, 2020

In Episode 81 of ADHD for Smart Ass Wome*, Tracy introduces you to the incomparable Gracie Dix. Gracie is a rising high school senior and the author of two books she released in 2020: Journey to Superhero School and Welcome to Superhero School, a fantasy fiction novel. Both books were Amazon #1 New Releases in their genre. Gracie lives in Dallas, Texas, with her parents, Richard and Jennifer, her brother Nate when he’s home from college, and her beloved dogs, Snowball and Sandcastle. She attends Shelton School of Dallas, which is a school for smart students who learn differently.
Learn about the article that Gracie wrote for ADDitudeMag, Gracie’s ADHD diagnosis, how she became so focused on her strengths, what she thinks her strengths are, and what she wishes she could change about her ADHD brain. Discover what made Gracie decide to write a book, what her books are about, whether there are any ADHD characters in her stories, and what she wants to study in college. Gracie shares the ADHD traits she feels are responsible for her success and her ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 80: ADHD and Female Friendships with Janet Murray Jul 15, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #80 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Janet Murray, who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45. Janet is a content marketing expert, author, and international speaker who has built a multiple six-figure business with multiple streams of income, including a membership community and online courses. She’s also the creator of a popular content planning tool for coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs. Over the past five years, Janet has published over 400 podcast episodes, a book, and countless pieces of email marketing copy—despite, in her words, being one of the most disorganized people on the planet. How does she manage it all? Janet has developed easy-to-follow systems and processes to stay productive, strategies that can work for anyone struggling to stay focused.
Discover: The circumstances surrounding Janet’s diagnosis, what her ADHD symptoms were and are, how drivenness relates to ADHD, how her ADHD presented in grade school, high school, and college, and what has changed for Janet since her diagnosis. Janet and Tracy also talk candidly about female friendships and ADHD, the challenges of not knowing the rules of female friendships, and why entrepreneurship is such a good fit for ADHD brains. They discuss how interpersonal intuition can sometimes interfere with relationships, how intensity plays a role in choosing relationships, and when to just walk away.
Janet shares the ADHD traits that are responsible for her success, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her top two ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 79: ADHD and Imposter Syndrome Jul 08, 2020

In Episode 79 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about imposter syndrome, where the term comes from, what it is and why so many women with ADHD have it. She shares: How Reward Deficiency Syndrome contributes to imposter syndrome, Why we rarely feel as we’ve accomplished enough, Why we might not trust our success and believe we can recreate it, How being hyper-critical of ourselves contributes to imposter syndrome, What inverse imposter syndrome is, What you can do to combat imposter syndrome, How to deal with shame, Why community and interest are so important to our ADHD brains.
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EP. 78: What Does ADHD Look Like in Women? The Update Jul 01, 2020

In Episode 78 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy updates her second most popular podcast episode which is all about what ADHD looks like. She discusses: The fact that there is no cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all formula when we’re talking about ADHD symptoms. That we all have our own individual ADHD puzzle to solve. What ADHD is Why she believes that ADHD is misnamed and is not a disorder The importance of a comprehensive strategy. Medication is not enough. Why does she believe that all ADHD women are brilliant at something? What executive function skills are, What ADHD is not ADHD statistics, The fact that the existence and impact of ADHD has been validated for decades by various medical organizations. How ADHD brains are wired for interest not information.
The role of trauma in ADHD The three subtypes of ADHD, The 18 symptoms the DSM uses to diagnose ADHD, What symptoms look like for hyperactivity/combined-type ADHD, What symptoms look like for inattentive ADHD, What presentation of ADHD is seen most often in girls and women, Why ADHD is often missed in girls, Why smart girls struggle more than girls of average intelligence, The positive side of ADHD, The key to living successfully with ADHD.
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Resources:

DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD
American Psychiatric Association - Symptoms and Diagnosis
How to Prepare to Meet With Your ADHD Doctor, Ep. 40, ADHD for Smart Ass Women
Understanding Girls with ADHD by Kathleen Nadeau, Ellen Littman and Patricia Quinn

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EP. 77: ADHD, Anxiety, Self-Care and Law School with Jaklin Levine Pritzker Jun 24, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #77 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Jaklin Levine Pritzker (“Jak”). Jak is a certified health/life coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and an ADDCA-trained ADHD coach. After graduating from law school and receiving her own ADHD diagnosis, Jak founded *AuthenticallyADHD*, where she coaches, runs retreats, and hosts a membership group for women and/or non-binary individuals.
Jak shares information about: Receiving her own ADHD diagnosis at the end of law school, her struggle with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, self-medication, her other health challenges, how she came to terms with walking away from the practice of law and instead found a new direction more suited to her, things she always wondered about but now sees as symptoms of ADHD, getting off medication when it doesn’t work for you and finding other workarounds, how her ADHD diagnosis changed her life, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 76: Your ADHD Brain is A-OK! My 6-Step System Jun 17, 2020

In Episode #76 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces a 6-step system that she created for her ADHD brain to help make better decisions around her career, relationships, and interests. She shares why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD to pursue the right interests, how to stop getting sidetracked by the newest bright, shiny thing, why we need a process, structure, and system to tidy our brains, the 25/75% formula, the "Do I Do With My Life" formula, why it’s so important for those of us with ADHD to be clear on what we really value, how getting clear on your values helps you make better decisions, the importance of choosing a theme for your life, how knowing your character strengths helps you begin to live values that you’re not currently living, and why we feel disconnected when who we are is not in alignment with what we do.
Tracy also discusses the importance of knowing what you’re passionate about, how to choose which of your many passions to pursue by discovering your purpose, her purpose formula, why purposes that give meaning to your past are often the best purposes to choose, the importance of identifying the overlap or the sweet spot where your interests, natural abilities, positive emotion, and motivation converge, and how to never forget what’s important to you again. If you’re interested in learning more about Your ADHD Brain is A-OK, you can find it.
______________
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EP. 75: Why ADHD Coaching Works Jun 10, 2020

In Episode #75 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about why she changed her introduction to the podcast. She shares her experience with coaching and why she initially didn’t believe it worked. Since she's always concerned with authenticity, she felt she owed her community an explanation and wanted to tell you why she changed her mind—and why she now believes that ADHD coaching is the best thing for anyone struggling with ADHD symptoms to try.
Tracy shares: How she connected her need to be crystal clear on her values and purpose with her ADHD, her constant quest around living to her full potential, her experience with regular life coaching, how developing a program to coach herself ultimately led her to create Cartography and Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!, how her desire to learn more about ADHD and how to respond to women and help them get out of their victim mindset in her Facebook group led her to consider ADHD coaching, why telling people with ADHD what to do never works, why regular life coaching doesn’t work for the ADHD brain, how the ADHD coaching model needs to go much deeper than traditional life coaching to be effective, how important prompts are to the ADHD brain, what it means to charge neutral and why ADHD coaches can’t do this and be successful with ADHD clients, why the best coaches for ADHD people are those who also have ADHD, and the steps of the ADHD coaching model and why they’re so successful with ADHD clients.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 74: Overcoming Procrastination with Focusmate and Rachel Elliott Jun 03, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #74 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, where she introduces you to Rachel Elliott. Rachel is a life-long resident of Washington, D.C., where she earned a BS in Biology at Salisbury University and will begin classes for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at George Washington University. Rachel has been using Focusmate to conquer her short-term and long-term goals for over two years. She has more recently realized the power of Focusmate to maintain daily routines and now uses it for her morning routines, to meditate, practice yoga, and finish those nagging projects that need to get done.
Rachel shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis as a sophomore in high school, the symptoms that she always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD, how Focusmate works, how Focusmate revolutionized her life and increased her productivity, why Focusmate is so effective for her, how she has made friends on Focusmate, tips for using Focusmate, how 4-7-8 breathing can help with anxiety, panic attacks, and focus, the ADHD traits that are responsible for her success, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

Email: crush.all.your.goals@gmail.com
Podcast Ep. 14: What's a Body Double and How Can it Help Me Get My Work Done
Internet + App Blockers
freedom.to
Stay Focused - Bloqueador apps
StayFocused Chrome Extension
4-7-8 breathing

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EP. 73: ADHD Hacks Recommended By Our Members May 27, 2020

In Episode 73 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares ADHD hacks contributed by members of her Facebook Group, also of the same name. There were so many good tips but here are some of the most popular ones.
Discover: What every ADHD women needs in the shower, how big is too big for a bathroom clock, the trick to keep your bathroom clean, how much time you really take for your morning routine, how music might help you get to work on time, the one thing you need at your front door, how many laptop chargers do you really need, how to never forget anything when you travel, the best place to write down your morning and nighttime routines, how to finally schedule appointments so you’re on time, how to sign up for free trial apps or software without ending up paying for it, what a Not Now List is, what to keep in your desk at work, why you should always hit snooze and not turn off an alarm even though you’re going to get to the item next.
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Resources:

ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast
ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group
EllieGrid
Bullet Journal
Facebook Minimalist Bullet Journals
OurGroceries
Focusmate

______________
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EP. 72: What The Pandemic Taught Me About My ADHD Brain May 20, 2020

In Episode 72 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares what social distancing has taught her about her ADHD brain. This episode is for those of you who have been practicing social isolation for a while, are growing weary, and are struggling to find more positive emotion in your life.
Discover: why awareness is so important to our ADHD brains, how one little shift that we don’t even realize can contribute to a downward trajectory in our positive emotion, how quickly we can bounce back if we’ve just recently fallen in the hole and haven’t yet buried ourselves in it, how important routine and structure is not only to our ADHD brains but also to positive emotion, the importance of nature to the ADHD brain, how Covid reconnected me to nature, my family, and myself, and what you actually need to feel more connection to others.
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Resources:

ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast
Facebook Group: ADHD for Smart Ass Women
Focusmate

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 71: ADHD and the Importance of Fun, with Psychologist, Author & Grand Poohbah of Play, Dr. Kirsten Milliken May 13, 2020

Tracy is delighted to welcome Dr. Kirsten Milliken to Episode #71 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Dr. Milliken is a licensed clinical psychologist, an ADHD Coach, and the author of PlayDHD: Permission to Play. A Prescription For Adults With ADHD* Dr. Milliken lives in Portland, Maine, with her two amazing children, her partner, Perry, and her two dogs. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Kirsten has worked in various fields including juvenile justice, geriatric mental health, school psychology, community mental health, and nonprofit development. Currently, she has a private practice where she offers services to military veterans, provides diagnostic evaluations, and coaches teens and adults with ADHD.
Kirsten shares with Tracy: the circumstances surrounding her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms she struggled with, how she missed the diagnosis in herself, what has changed since she was diagnosed, how and why she educates her clients on the value of play as a naturopathic treatment for ADHD, the exciting project she started with Kris Mitchell to increase awareness of the positive impact of ADHD on society, how to submit written and visual works for potential publication, what ADHD traits she feels are responsible for her success, and her favorite ADHD workarounds.
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EP. 70: Social Anxiety and ADHD with Mental Health Clinician, Kelsie Elizabeth May 06, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #70 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she introduces you to Kelsie Elizabeth. Kelsie grew up in NH and attended a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts, earning a BS in clinical and research psychology and a second BS in music with a concentration in piano. Kelsie was also three credits short of a third degree in social welfare because she couldn’t make up her mind. Sounds pretty ADHD, doesn’t it? Kelsie was diagnosed with ADHD last year at the age of 25. At her young age, she has so much insight, wisdom, and a remarkable sense of who she is. Tracy just knew that you would love Kelsie’s story.
Kelsie shares: the circumstances around her diagnosis, what her symptoms were, her struggle with disabling social anxiety, her love of psychology, her early career struggles, what she finally did to right herself, how the correct diagnosis helped her regain her confidence, what her favorite ADHD traits are, how her ADHD makes her even better at her job, her keys to living successfully with ADHD, and her ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

Email: pianoforteanima@gmail.com

______________
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EP. 69: ADHD and the Arts with San Francisco Opera Singer Sally Mouzon Apr 29, 2020

In Episode #69 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Sally Mouzon. Sally is a member of the acclaimed San Francisco Opera Chorus. She has appeared in numerous roles with the company, including Second Priestess in Iphigénie en Tauride, Second Bridesmaid in Le nozze di Figaro, Second Girl in Show Boat, and Second Orphan in Der Rosenkavalier. She has also created roles in three world premieres: La Popolana in Two Women, Joan in Heart of a Soldier, and Sister Lillianne in Dead Man Walking. In real life, Sally is an avid reader, union activist, baseball fan (Go Giants!), and single mother of a collegiate Shakespeare nerd. She is a dedicated alumna of the University of Virginia and now lives in the Bay Area.
In this delightful interview, Sally shares how an article about time blindness resulted in her adult ADHD diagnosis, her ADHD symptoms which were present since childhood, her music-filled childhood, why structure was so important to her academic success, how she pivoted back into music and ultimately parlayed her love of music into an audition with the San Francisco Opera, how her degrees in African American Studies and Russian Literature help her to be a better opera singer, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her professional success, the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her ADHD workarounds.
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Resources:

Instagram: @sallymezzo
Twitter: @sallymezzo
Circa Levenger SmartPlanner Master Agenda - Weekly Jr
Circa Starter Kit

______________
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EP. 68: How to Train Your ADHD Brain to Work with Fear Apr 22, 2020

In Episode 68 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how to train your ADHD brain to deal with fear. This is an extension of last week’s episode and Tracy’s stab at simplifying concepts so they can be applied today if her listeners are struggling with their emotions.
Learn about: Abraham Hicks The first place you should go if you’re feeling fear? how your inner guidance system (your intuition) can help you, how fear can act as your rudder and is just information, what it means to always reach for a better feeling, why controlling your environment doesn’t make you happier, how to use your thoughts to always feel better regardless of the circumstances, the importance of the journey, the only freedom you will ever experience, how to train your brain to always tune into positive emotions.
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Resources:

______________
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EP. 67: Surviving a Very Difficult Adolescence, a Love of Accounting and Belonging to Yourself with Vera Bruursema Apr 15, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #67 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she welcomes her guest, Vera Bruursema. Like many of us with ADHD, Vera has crafted a diverse career path from volunteer firefighter/EMT, soccer coach, Trader Joe’s Assistant Manager, and bookkeeper. While earning her MBA, she worked as a staff accountant for many different companies but still struggled to find her place. It all finally came together when Vera decided to seek help for her ADHD and open her own practice as owner and founder of Verified Accounting. Tracy wanted to talk to Vera because many believe that the ADHD brain is incapable of a career in accounting or finance. In fact, Vera is going to tell us how she took her nonlinear brain and created a really interesting niche for herself in accounting.
Vera shares with us the circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis in sixth grade, her very difficult teen years, the ADHD program in Wyoming that changed her life, how she finally learned executive function skills, how she ended up in bookkeeping and ultimately accounting, the “social handbook” that she finally read that explained so much of her struggles with other people and helped her to build her confidence back up, the thing she started to embrace that turned her life around rapidly, why accounting plays into one of her biggest strengths—hint: it’s problem-solving—and how her dog Atlas gives her the structure she needs to succeed.
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Resources:

Braving the Wilderness
The Four Tendencies Quiz
Academy at SOAR

______________
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EP. 66: Change Your ADHD Life by Changing Your Thoughts Apr 08, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #66 where she talks about the coronavirus, why the ADHD brain struggles so much with uncertainty, and how the only thing that we have control over is our thoughts.
Discover: What Mister Rogers taught journalist Tom Junod, why anything that is mentionable is manageable, how panic comes from uncertainty and trying to control what we can’t control whether we’re talking about a pandemic or anything else, what you really fear when you’re feeling uncertainty, why worrying has nothing to do with being prepared, why the journey is so important, the importance of our thoughts, what dictates our feelings/emotions, what fear really is, how the ADHD brain is motivated, the formula that involves our thoughts, feelings/emotions, actions and results, how to control your thoughts, what mindfulness is, how mindfulness helps ADHD, who connected mindfulness with brain science, ADDitudeMag’s mindfulness acronym STOP, Tracy’s list of 100 experiences, and observations that generate positive emotion and wouldn’t have come about but for the coronavirus.
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Resources:

ADDitude’s FREE Mindfulness and Other Natural Treatments eBook
Podcast #53: Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, Meditation and ADHD
Podcast #50: Meditation That Even You Can Do with ADHD Life Coach Diann Wingert

______________
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EP. 65: Managing our Children and our ADHD in the Time of COVID-19 with Jaime Fisher Apr 01, 2020

In Episode #65 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to Jaime Fisher. Jaime lives in Connecticut where she is raising four kids and an infant while transitioning back into the workforce. With over 100,000 hours of parenting experience, Jaime is a strong advocate for both moms and babies. She runs a Facebook site called Hey New Mama, and is working on a book on the optimal care and feeding of new moms.
Jaime shares: the circumstances around her ADHD diagnosis why ADHD mothers make great parents, how her and her husband manage their household of five children under normal circumstances, how her family is actually doing in the midst of COVID19 good news on the resilience of children, what she works on paying attention to during this time her advice around learning and children, why rituals are important during times of stress her personal ADHD workaround.
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EP. 64: ADHD and the Creative Life with Francesca Rizzo Mar 25, 2020

In Episode #64 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces Francesca Joy Rizzo. Francesca is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director in theater, film, television, and digital media. Her powerful and provocative ideas are fueled by a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate the female experience with passion, humor, and imagination. Fran believes that the way the world sees women affects how the world treats women, so she uses female creativity to balance the scales.
A college dropout, Fran mined her creative talents to pay rent in New York City, carving out a career as a children’s book illustrator, professional actor, co-founder of a downtown theater company, and eventually a filmmaker and CEO of MovieBaby Productions, a Tribeca-based media company. After 9/11, Fran returned to her roots, earning her degree in Media Arts and receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.
Fran's accomplishments in the fine arts and interior design include penning and performing three theatrical productions, curating *The Cinema-Femina* film series, and creating *Believe Women*, a rape activist initiative supporting the Cosby survivors. She is also one of the founding members of *ADHD for Smart Ass Women* and now serves as an administrator of the group. Tracy often introduces Fran as the most creative person she knows, and some women join the Facebook group just to meet her.
Fran shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her ADHD symptoms, how her symptoms got worse in midlife?, how important interest is to her driven brain, the ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success?, what she feels is the key to living successfully with ADHD, and some ADHD workarounds.

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Resources:

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EP. 63: Choose to Be the Hero, Not the Victim in Your ADHD Life Mar 18, 2020

In Episode #63 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about how complaining, venting, feeling sorry for yourself, and playing the victim are the gateway drug to an unhappy life that puts you at the mercy of your ADHD, by completely focusing on your weaknesses and not your strengths. Learn about: BMW - and it’s not the car The science behind why rumination is bad for our brains Why what we say to ourselves matters What my definition of high-functioning with ADHD looks like What kinds of people I choose to have in my life.
Discover: A different way to see your ADHD and it’s not disordered, what demotivates the ADHD brain, what you need to focus on to drive your motivation, how to become the hero in your own life, the importance of mindset, the importance of gratitude, the easiest thing you can do to start slowly shifting your mindset, what makes the ADHD brain happier, Tracy then shares an amazing lesson that a young woman in her FB group taught her about her own beliefs around the brain, honesty, her own power, and abilities.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 62: ADHD and Cannabis Mar 11, 2020

In Episode #62 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about ADHD and cannabis. She specifically focuses on the adolescent ADHD brain. Discover: The history of cannabis in the United States Why the name was changed from cannabis to marijuana How immigrants popularized the recreational use of marijuana What state first passed the Cannabis Prohibition law. How the propaganda film Reefer Madness effectively criminalized marijuana What happened to cannabis in the 60s and 70s What the reports commissioned by Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson said about marijuana Tracy then shares why she initially thought that cannabis was safer than substances like alcohol and her experience at a cannabis dispensary close to her home.
Learn: The truth about whether or not there really are medicinal and or therapeutic benefits of cannabis to the ADHD brain, the two active compounds that make up cannabis, if research supports the use of CBD oil as a treatment for ADHD At what age the frontal lobe is fully matured in the ADHD brain, what THC actually does in the brain, what the FDA has approved medical marijuana for, what rates of cannabis use look like for adolescents and young adults, the negative effects of cannabis and how this mimics the symptoms of ADHD, how dendrites help a healthy brain process and learn better, how THC can alter the architecture of your brain, why fully formed brains are at much less risk for damage by THC, if THC is a gateway drug Cannabis’ effect on the heart, cannabis’ effect on mental health, if cannabis is addictive and if so, who is more likely to be addicted, what it means to be chasing dopamine and why those with ADHD are at a greater risk for this, what Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is, what the link between CUD and psychosis is, why cannabis is so appealing to the ADHD brain, and how to treat CUD.
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Resources:

1-800-662- HELP to locate a treatment center
FindTreatment.gov
Reefer Madness! The Twisted History of America's Marijuana Laws
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.additudemag.com
chadd.org
“Marijuana and the ADHD Brain”
The Truth About ADHD and Addiction
CBD Oil for ADHD? Despite Scarce Research, Patients Are Trying It
www.sciencedirect.com

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EP. 61: Diagnostic Testing For ADHD With Laurie Harwood Peterson Mar 04, 2020

Join Tracy as she welcomes her guest Laurie Harwood Peterson to Episode #61 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Laurie is the owner and director of Diagnostic Learning Services. Alongside her husband, Laurie runs five offices across Texas, specializing in ADHD and learning challenges in children. She spends every day helping kids get identified and teaching parents how to support them. Laurie holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and spent eight years teaching students with learning disabilities in grades K-12. She also has two Master’s Degrees—one in Special Education with an emphasis on assessment and the other in Professional Counseling.
Laurie is also the mother of two boys. In this episode, you’ll learn about: the circumstances surrounding Laurie’s ADHD diagnosis, her symptoms in childhood, how she got into diagnostic testing, the difference between neuropsychological testing and diagnostic testing, where diagnostic testing fits into the ADHD picture, signs parents should look for when considering diagnostic testing for their children, the cost of diagnostic testing, how testing for giftedness and ADHD differs from standard ADHD testing, how Laurie’s ADHD makes her better at what she does, what Laurie believes is the key to living successfully with ADHD, and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 60: ADHD, Entrepreneurialism and Fearlessness with Dr. Brandi Noll Feb 26, 2020

Join Tracy in Episode #60 of *ADHD for Smart Ass Women* as she welcomes her guest, Brandi Noll. Dr. Noll is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Akron in Ohio, where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses. With 23 years of experience in education, she has taught children how to read and write, as well as adults how to best teach children to read and write. Brandi is also an author, presenter, and consultant in K-12 schools. She has co-authored a book on preschool literacy curriculum, written numerous articles for national journals on literacy instruction, and presented at education conferences across the country, sharing her passion for helping students succeed. Brandi is also the mother of three.
In 2016, while recovering from her second major hip reconstruction due to hip dysplasia, Brandi founded the Bucket List Adventure Company Ohio. Her focus was on bringing people together by encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zones and overcome their fears. Over the last few years, Brandi has jumped out of a plane, free-dived with sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, walked across fire, kayaked in alligator-infested waterways, ice climbed, rock climbed, and rappelled through some of the United States' most strenuous and iconic trails. No surprise—Brandi also has ADHD!
Brandi shares: how she completed her Ph.D. in three years while working two part-time jobs and raising three children, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, symptoms she had always wondered about but now recognizes as clearly ADHD in hindsight, what has changed since her diagnosis, why she decided to start her travel company, why she founded the "Adventure Club," the knowledge she imparts to all of her students, what she believes is the key to living successfully with ADHD, her number one ADHD workaround, and her advice to a young woman just diagnosed with ADHD.
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Resources:

Instagram: @bucketlistadventurecompanyoh

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 59: ADHD and Justice Sensitivity with Immigration Attorney Taylor Levy Feb 19, 2020

In Episode #59 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces her guest Taylor Levy. Taylor is an immigration attorney in El Paso, Texas, and was the Legal Coordinator at Annunciation House, El Paso’s largest migrant shelter. During the summer and fall of 2018, Taylor worked with dozens of pro bono attorneys who traveled to El Paso from across the U.S. to provide free legal representation to immigrant parents separated from their minor children due to the “zero-tolerance” policy enacted by the Trump administration. Attorneys volunteering with Annunciation House provided legal consultations and pro bono reunification to more than 400 separated families. Currently, Taylor focuses on asylum-seeking families who have been returned to Mexico under the “Remain in Mexico” program. She also mentors attorneys from around the country on these cases and does advocacy, media, and policy work centered on protecting vulnerable asylum seekers arriving at our border.
Taylor talks about an article that ProPublica just published about her clients, Honduran refugees Mirza, David, and their kids. Taylor also shares how she ended up in law school while working full time and raising a child as a single mother, the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, symptoms that she always wondered about but now, with the benefit of hindsight, she recognizes as clearly ADHD, what has changed since her diagnosis, how she ended up representing immigrants and asylum seekers before she even went to law school, what she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is, her novel approach to medication, her number one workaround, and her advice to a young woman just diagnosed with ADHD. Information about the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Hybrid Program is also discussed.
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Resources:

Email: taylorlevylaw@gmail.com
www.santafedreamersproject.org

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 58: 5 ADHD Hacks That Change How I Work Feb 12, 2020

In Episode 58 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy shares five hacks that have changed her professional and personal productivity and play well with her ADHD brain. They are: Stickies app for IOS (or Sticky Notes for Windows), Multiple Desktops which is available for both IOS and Windows, TabResize app, Bear app; and New Kajabi, a platform for online businesses.
Tracy talks about: Her love - hate relationship with Post-it-notes, the two things that new applications need in order to work well with her ADHD brain, how to organize your computer workspace with multiple desktops. how to automatically organize your desktop so it’s never a mess. the application that keeps her the most focused because it allows her to stay within the four corners of one computer screen, the application that ensures you will never lose another note, book or restaurant suggestion or link again, and the application that finally allowed her to understand all parts of her online business rather than delegating that which she didn’t understand.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 57: A Mid-Life Diagnosis of ADHD with Sandra Centorino Feb 05, 2020

In Episode #57 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy invites her good friend Sandra Centorino to the podcast to talk about her recent mid-life ADHD diagnosis. Sandra is currently the founder of RealWomenGoLive where her mission is to help, inspire, share and connect real women to the power of their voice through audio and video.
Prior to that, Sandra ran a non-profit called, the CUREchief Foundation where she recruited and trained thousands of volunteers for more than a decade. Sandra shares: Why she decided to seek a diagnosis, how her symptoms got worse in midlife, her family's response to her diagnosis, what has changed since she was diagnosed, her experience with medication, her number one ADHD workaround, and her advice to anyone who’s listening who has not yet been diagnosed.
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Resources:

Facebook Group:: RealWomenGoLIVE

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 56: Is it ADHD or Non-Verbal Learning Disorder? with Linda Karanzalis, M.S., BCCS Jan 29, 2020

Join Tracy and her guest Linda Karanzalis, M.S., BCCS in Episode #56 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Linda is a board-certified cognitive specialist and parent/student coach who provides executive function training and social-emotional learning programs for people of all ages. Linda recently wrote an article for ADDitude magazine’s Winter 2020 issue on ADHD and Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD).
Linda shares with us: Her symptoms in childhood, her ADHD diagnosis, how she figured out that she had something more than just ADHD, her Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) diagnosis, what NVLD looks like What percentage of communication is verbal vs non-verbal and why that matters, why those with NVLD actually talk more, not less, what it means to not understand the meaning behind words and take things literally, how to tell the difference between ADHD and NVLD, why those with NVLD are often misdiagnosed with ADHD, why NVLD is still not recognized in the DSM even though they are both brain-based conditions, what happens to those with NVLD who are left untreated.
Linda then discusses current treatment options for NVLD and explains why she believes they don’t work. She also shares what she has discovered does work.

Resources:

Addvantageslearningcenter.com
Symptom test for adults: Could I have Non-Verbal Learning Disorder?
Article that appeared in ADDitude magazine on NVLD
Another article by Linda Karanzalis for ADDitude magazine

If you’d like to write a review for the podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women, on your phone only, scroll down to the very bottom after all episodes to "Ratings & Reviews." There you will find a link that says “Write a Review.” Thank you!
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 55: What I’ve Learned in the Year Since I Started my ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast Jan 22, 2020

Tracy talks about what she’s learned in the year since she started her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. She hopes her story might inspire you to tackle that one big bucket list item that you’ve been scared to start. After all, she’s been there.

Tracy shares: Why she started the podcast, What her biggest fear was around having a podcast, How she feels about planning, Her thoughts on accountability vs. responsibility, The importance of structure, Why she listens more and talks less, How her podcast helped her develop more tools and strategies for herself, The importance of reminders, How starting a podcast solidified her belief that ADHD isn’t a disorder but rather a brain difference that just requires another way of doing things, How those with ADHD are gold star people, How members of her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group and listeners of the podcast helped her grow her knowledge of ADHD, and What her podcast taught her about confidence.
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Resources:

addca.com
Facebook Group: ADHD for Smart Ass Women

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 54: How Proper Breathing Reduces Stress, Stabilizes Emotions and Makes the ADHD Brain More Mindful Jan 15, 2020

In this episode, Tracy invites Esther Nagel to the podcast. Esther is a yoga teacher, author, and writer from South Wales in the UK. She is also an expert in breathing and was recently diagnosed with ADHD.

Esther shares: Why learning to breathe properly is a powerful tool in managing the ADHD brain, How she connected breath to so many of her own personal struggles stemming from ADHD and how it changed her life, How proper breathing reduces stress, stabilizes emotions, and makes us more mindful, How breathing balances the autonomic nervous system and helps us to be more attentive (focused) and more relaxed, and Some simple steps for breathing properly and doing it anywhere in her FREE 10-day breathing course.
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Resources:

spacetobreatheacademy.com(this is the FREE 10-day breathing course that Esther mentioned)
How Deep Breathing Opens Up the ADHD Brain
Just Breathe: Diaphragmatic Breathing for ADHD

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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EP. 53: Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, Meditation and ADHD Jan 08, 2020

In Episode #53 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy tackles the science behind meditation, specifically neuroplasticity. Tracy introduces the book Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD, An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions and Achieving Your Goals* by Lidia Zylowska, MD.
Learn: what neuroplasticity is and how it affects not only our ability to learn but also the brain’s ability to change and adapt, when neuroplasticity occurs in our lifespan, several interesting examples of neuroplasticity, what one key factor is in neuroplasticity, how the concept of neuroplasticity has completely changed the thinking around meditation, what long-term meditators' brains look like in regions related to attention, self-monitoring, and emotional regulation, what long-term meditators' brains look like as they age, what attentional blink is and how it is affected by meditation, how long you must meditate in order to start seeing its benefits, what areas of the brain are enhanced by mindfulness or meditation training and why this is important to those of us with ADHD, and why meditation is especially important to those of us with inattentive ADHD, especially those suffering from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 52: How Choosing a Word for the New Year Helps Me Better Manage My ADHD Brain Jan 01, 2020

In Episode #52, Tracy shares a New Year hack that has helped her to be more productive and move her life forward in a manner that is consistent with her values and purpose. It also happens to work especially well for her ADHD brain in that she’s able to stick with it throughout the entire year.
Discover: how the word NERVY helped her to get completely comfortable with live video and visibility in her business, how the word CONSISTENCY helped Tracy create this podcast and show up every week for a year to consistently deliver it, why choosing just one word every year works so well for our ADHD brains, how to choose a word that represents what you’d like to have more of in your life, and how Tracy chose her word for 2020. Tracy also tells us what big project she has planned for 2020, and how her word will help her achieve it. She also lists some resources for options beyond the traditional one-word bracelets that she’s been using for the past two years.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

\Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 51: Meet My Son Markus: An ADHD Underdog Success Story Plus My Article on ADDitude Dec 26, 2019

In Episode #51, Tracy talks about an article that she wrote for *ADDitude* (It’s the leading media network for parents and adults living with ADHD and for professionals working in the field of ADHD). Since the article touches on the importance of hope, positive emotion, focusing on strengths, and how her 17-year-old son did just that to successfully crack his learning code, she invited him on the podcast as her guest and he accepted! If you’re looking for a real ADHD underdog success story, you’ll like this one.
Markus shares: his experiences at his various high schools (he went to 3!), what worked for his ADHD brain and what didn't, whether he now regrets any of these experiences, how a summer in Europe changed his life, what made him decide to reconsider going to a four-year college right out of high school, the good news he received a few days ago, the invaluable lessons he’s learned, how being open about his ADHD serves him well, his advice for a teacher who has an ADHD student, how his creativity makes him different, and advice for a teen who might be listening to this podcast and might be where Markus was a year ago.
Tracy talks about: the fact that there is no such thing as failure, only lessons, the importance of focusing on strengths, the importance of understanding why we have to learn something in order to learn, how environment is so important to the ADHD brain, the importance of structure to the ADHD brain, positive emotion, how focusing on weaknesses ruins our self-esteem, and how you don’t find your purpose—you step into it because it's always been there.
Markus also shares a song he wrote, performed, and recorded as part of his college portfolio.
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Resources:

ADDitudeMAG Article: “What If My Intense Drive Is Because of — Not in Spite of — My ADHD?”
Korematsu Kuraun: https://soundcloud.com/user-107027875/korematsu-kuraun

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 50: Meditation That Even You Can Do (Especially if You’re Inattentive or Have RSD) with ADHD Life Coach, Diann Wingert Dec 18, 2019

This episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women is definitely among my favorites. In fact, it might be my favorite. In Episode #50, I invite ADHD expert, psychotherapist, former USC adjunct professor, and life coach Diann Wingert back to discuss meditation for the ADHD brain.
Look, I don’t really get meditation. My thoughts are: I have ADHD, and you want me to sit still and stop my brain from thinking, thinking, thinking? It’s an oxymoron, I tell ya! Or at least that’s what I told Diann. That’s when she took on the challenge of selling me and my ADHD brain on meditation.
You have to listen to this episode because it completely changed my beliefs about what meditation is and how it will work for my ADHD brain. And she made it stupidly simple. I can do it! Bottom line, Diann knows ADHD, and she knows meditation for the ADHD brain. With her guidance, even I was successful.
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Resources:

pemachodronfoundation.org
choosemuse.com
insighttimer.com
Calm App
www.headspace.com
Diann's podcast The Driven Woman will launch February 6, 2020 diannwingertcoaching.com LINK TO SCHEDULE FREE 30 MIN CONSULTATION FOR POTENTIAL COACHING CLIENTS
calendly.com

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 49: ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), Part 2: How to Reduce and Even Eliminate Its Symptoms Dec 11, 2019

Our podcast on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), Episode #19, is among our most downloaded episodes, and members continue to post about it. Since it’s such a popular topic, I wanted to revisit RSD with the optimism that I didn’t fully deliver in Episode #19. Since recording that first episode, I’ve discovered that there’s actually a lot you can do to reduce and even eliminate symptoms of RSD, and that’s what this episode is all about.
We discuss: a Cliff Notes version of what RSD is (if you haven’t listened to Episode #19, you can do that), how RSD and social phobia differ, how RSD and bipolar disorder differ, the reasons why those of us with ADHD and RSD tend to have low frustration tolerance, less patience, and more difficulty with temper and excitability than those without these conditions, and what flooding is.
Join us as we explore what women with RSD have done to reduce and even eliminate their symptoms. This includes learning about their ADHD and RSD, medication, a change of environment, and a discussion of the new term VAST. We also talk about the importance of choosing your Gold Star people and resources, the three things that will always help to motivate those with RSD, what it means to be an amplifier, and the importance of acknowledging your creativity.
We’ll also discuss how planning ahead prior to an RSD episode can help reduce and even eliminate symptoms, the importance of “taking the emotion” out of it, and considering other perspectives that may be more accurate than what we perceive when our RSD flares up. Lastly, we cover why you need to continue to trust your own intuition, and I’ll share my suggestions on RSD, ADHD, and dating.
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Resources:

I have created the Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) Protocol for ADHD as a resource for you. When we have a plan, we’re less reactionary and more successful in managing not only our RSD but also our ADHD. You may download it: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Symptom Test for ADHD Brains Take the RSD Symptoms Test here.

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 48: When You Grow Up Poor, Adopted, Bullied, Angry, 2E and the Only Black Girl In Your Town, No One Ever Thinks It Might Be ADHD. Meet Our Brilliant Guest, Sandra Coral Dec 04, 2019

In Episode #48 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I invite you to meet Sandra Coral. Sandra is a 41-year-old Black woman who was adopted at 3 by a poor, white family in Canada and was diagnosed with ADHD last year. She joins us from London, where she lives with her husband and 5-year-old son. Sandra was a K-12 teacher for over 15 years. She has an MA in Educational Psychology as well as post-graduate certificates in English As An Additional Language, Gifted Education, and Special Education. She has taught internationally, including in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Oman, and Turkey.
Sandra will share her fascinating story, including her childhood where she and her little brother were the only people of color, how she was bullied and traumatized, and because of this, suffered from emotional dysregulation and anger. Her 7-year-old brother was diagnosed with ADHD, but she remained undiagnosed until last year. Up until recently, Sandra thought her issues were solely related to her race.
Sandra and I will also talk about how she finally discovered that she had ADHD, what childhood symptoms Sandra now recognizes as ADHD, what additional issues come up for those with ADHD when you’re Black, and how one even starts to unravel this and figure out what is related to adoption, race, trauma, or ADHD. We’ll discuss the importance of focusing on our strengths when we have ADHD.
Since being diagnosed, Sandra has decided to make it her mission to give children, teens, parents, and adults the support that she didn’t have growing up, so they can manage their ADHD and thrive in life.
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Resources:

Instagram: @nd.narratives
Facebook Group: The ADHD Life

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EP. 47: Why Gratitude is Even More Important to the ADHD Brain Nov 27, 2019

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Tracy talks about ADHD and gratitude. A practice of gratitude is important for everyone, but for those of us with ADHD, it’s even more important. Why? Because processing emotions starts in the brain itself, and emotions motivate action. This means that if your emotions are negative, you will be completely unmotivated. But if your emotions are positive and you’re working in an area of high interest, the sky's the limit.
Discover:

Why we can’t get anything done without positive emotion
How positive emotion is directly related to dopamine, memory, behavior, focus, and motivation
How gratitude directly influences our emotions
How a practice of gratitude helps our ADHD symptoms
How gratitude affects sleep
How gratitude affects executive function, including focus
How gratitude makes it more likely that we will stick to our goals and start new habits
How gratitude boosts dopamine and serotonin in our brains
How gratitude allows us to focus on what’s going right in our lives rather than what’s wrong
How gratitude will make you more friends and attract people who want to be around you

Tracy also explains how to start a Gratitude Journal, where you begin and end each day with positive emotion. Learn what Tracy’s *Positive Emotion Dossier* is and how it can help you. She also shares how the idea in the book *29 Gifts* helped her increase gratitude and uplevel her holidays last year. Additionally, Tracy discusses how Abraham Hicks can help you change negative thoughts to focus more on gratitude, and why your thoughts will always determine how happy you are.
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Resources:

ADHD and the Practice of Gratitude by Dr. Kari Miller
The Five Minute Journal
29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life
Tracy's Positive Emotion Dossier from Your ADHD Brain Is A-OK!

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EP. 46: How ADHD Helped Caryn Prall Build a Two Billion Dollar Real Estate Empire Nov 20, 2019

Caryn wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until she was 46, but she’s known that she has ADHD since grade school. Caryn always felt that her ADHD worked for her until one day she woke up and it suddenly didn’t. She decided then and there to go visit a doctor. Like many of our first experiences with doctors and ADHD, her doctors didn’t want to talk about ADHD because they knew little about how it presented in women. Instead, they wanted to prescribe her anxiety medication.
Caryn stuck to her guns, and the rest, as they say, is history. I asked Caryn Prall: What made her finally seek out an ADHD diagnosis? If she always knew that there was something different about her than her peers? About her childhood, relationships with friends, and school? What she thinks her biggest strengths are? How is it that she’s so successful but yet so open about her ADHD? If she thinks she’s successful because of her ADHD or in spite of it? What workarounds has she developed to reduce her weaknesses? The best advice she can give to women of any age who feel that they’re not living to their potential?
Caryn also shared her reasons for starting her fantastic podcast, *The Messy Empire*, which is all about what it takes to build a 2 billion dollar real estate empire and how this all relates to her ADHD. You can subscribe to The Messy Empire.
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EP. 45: When ADHD is Misdiagnosed as Bi-Polar Disorder, Meet 27 Year-Old MMA Fighter Elizabeth Megan Nov 13, 2019

In Episode #45 of *ADHD for Smart Ass Women*, Tracy introduces you to 27-year-old MMA fighter Emma Elizabeth Megan ("Em"), who was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 18.
Em began struggling after facing a lot of stress during her first year of college. Initially diagnosed with depression, she was prescribed citalopram, which caused her to feel “buzzy” or hyper. This reaction ultimately led to her misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Em accepted the diagnosis, being young and unaware of alternatives. The bipolar medication, however, made her suicidal, and she spent time in psychiatric units. During this period, Em also pursued a Master's in Psychology to better understand bipolar disorder.
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EP. 44: Why ADHD and BiPolar Disorder Are Commonly Misdiagnosed Nov 06, 2019

This week's topic is all about bipolar disorder and why ADHD often gets misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder. Tracy posted a simple question to her group: "HAVE YOU BEEN MISDIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?" She was shocked at how many women had been, so she decided to research the subject. In this episode, you’ll learn when bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed, what symptoms bipolar disorder and ADHD share, and what bipolar disorder actually is. The DSM requirements for diagnosing bipolar disorder are also discussed, along with why bipolar disorder can’t be ignored and must be treated.
Learn what mania and hypomania are, understand the symptoms of a major depressive episode, and recognize the greatest risk of bipolar disorder. Tracy discusses the different types of bipolar disorder, the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the distinction between episodic and contextual emotional changes. She also explains how sleep patterns differ in ADHD versus bipolar disorder, and how uncontrollable talking and distractibility present differently in the two conditions.
Explore how emotional sensitivity varies between ADHD and bipolar disorder, and how bipolar disorder manifests differently in kids, specifically around emotion. Discover if having an ADHD diagnosis makes you more likely to also have bipolar disorder, and if a diagnosis of bipolar disorder makes ADHD more likely. Tracy explains why it’s so difficult to get an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder and explores the link between bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder in kids. Learn whether a fiery, intense temper is indicative of ADHD, and how bipolar disorder is linked to creativity and artistic temperament and intelligence. Tracy also explains why heightened creativity or artistry only happens in hypomania, and which part of the brain is involved in this.
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EP. 43: How Megan Burlingame Failed Her Way to Success and Discovered her ADHD Superpowers Oct 30, 2019

In Episode #43 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy speaks with the delightful Megan Margaret Burlingame. Megan is 34 years old, a wife and the mother of two very busy boys. Throughout her childhood, Megan struggled mightily with her ADHD but is clear about the fact that her struggles also led her to discover her Superpowers. Today Megan lives in Arlington, WA, where she works with cities, counties, and government agencies to advise them on zoning and legal land issues. In her free time, she operates a small flower farm where she also grows a large variety of organic heirloom tomatoes.

Tracy invited Megan to her podcast after she posted this response to another member who said she was having trouble seeing anything positive about her ADHD:

“The more I educate myself about it, the more I realize that it makes me who I am. I am so so good with people, I understand their natures and moods. Sometimes it is like a wave of emotions that hits me when I enter a room and, while inconvenient, let me see the true nature of people. I am also much more empathetic because of how much I was picked on for skipping around school constantly, saying the wrong things, laughing too loud, etc. I love to root for the underdog and think that cruelty from others for any reason is horrendous. In a crisis or when someone is swamped with work, I can jump in and formulate a plan, execute it with a maniacal glee, and excel beyond my peers.”

Megan’s revelation around taking medication, non-pharmacological workarounds, and her best advice to those who are struggling with their ADHD and/or are parents of children with ADHD are also discussed in the episode.
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Resources:

Youtube: How to ADHD
www.summitflowerfarm.com

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EP. 42: Everyone Does NOT Have ADHD! Oct 23, 2019

In this episode, Tracy talks about the myth that “everyone has ADHD.” Discover what behavioral characteristics the general population shares with those of us with ADHD. You’ll learn about the following: What distinguishes adults with ADHD from the general population who display ADHD characteristics?, the survey that Russell Barkley and his colleagues Kevin Murphy and MariEllen Fischer conducted that finally put to bed the EVERYONE HAS ADHD myth. The three different types of ADHD, the questions that those of us with ADHD often respond “yes” to, the domains of life in which those with ADHD often feel impaired by their symptoms, how we often don’t even realize we struggled or we’re struggling until we really reflect back on our experiences.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 41: Should I Disclose My ADHD At Work With Lynn Miner-Rosen Oct 16, 2019

In this episode, Tracy talks to ICF and board-certified ADHD coach, Certified Career Development Coach and Life Coach, Lynn Miner-Rosen. Lynn works with high school seniors, college students, and young adults with ADHD, EF deficits and learning differences. Previous to coaching Lynn was a Special Education Teacher for 12 years. She was also an IEP coordinator. Lynn Miner-Rosen has a BS in business administration and two Masters Degrees in Education and Special Education. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and will be speaking at CHADD in November. Lynn spoke to us about ADHD and the workplace.
We discuss: If you should disclose your ADHD to your boss, work colleagues, human resources, etc?, what are the positives and negatives of disclosure?, if you do choose to disclose, how do you go about doing so?, how to make your strengths clear so you’re not just focusing on everything you struggle with?, if tardiness can be overlooked in the ADHD workplace?, how to ask for help without disclosing your ADHD?, if you’re going to disclose who should you disclose to first?, how to create a descriptive and reasonable list if you are going to ask for accommodations, the Top 10 challenges of ADHD employees and how to manage the Time Management Long-term projects Paperwork Procrastination Poor Memory Distractibility Impulsivity Boredom Hyperactivity Social Skills.
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Resources:

Instagram: @lynn_miner_rosen
FREE downloadable checklist: www.lmrcoaching.com

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EP. 40: How to Prepare to Meet With Your ADHD Doctor Oct 09, 2019

In this episode, Tracy gives you a simple, ADHD brain-friendly understanding of what is required to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. She also includes a checklist that she created to help you prepare for your meeting with an ADHD professional.
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Resources:

adhdforsmartwomen.com/adhd-doctor

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 39: How An ADHD Diagnosis Changed 24-Year-Old Josie Bowman’s Life, The Second Time Oct 02, 2019

In this episode, Tracy decided to bring on a real member of her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group so she put out the word. A lot of members responded but Tracy decided to invite 24-year-old Josie Bowman who was diagnosed in May. Prior to her diagnosis, Josie was struggling but she didn’t understand how much she was struggling with everyday life. She thought everyone struggled like she did. If anything, she believed that her struggles were a result of her character flaws. It was her fault. But then her boyfriend came into the picture, told her what he observed and her life changed overnight.
Josie shares information about her childhood, her ADHD symptoms in childhood, her ADHD symptoms in young adulthood, her college experience, her experience with medication, how she manages her ADHD, her future plans and goals. Learn what advice Josie would give to a young woman who really struggles and thinks she might have ADHD.
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EP. 38: ADHD and Drifting Off Topic Sep 25, 2019

ADHD and Drifting Off Topic This week’s podcast is all about drifting off topic; why we do it and how to do less of it. Discover what causes our brains to drift-off topic. Learn what linear vs. non-linear thinking is. What do linear thinkers look for in making decisions? What are linear thinkers usually good at? What imagination and creativity have to do with it? Which method of thinking focuses on the connections and relationships between things more than on specific bits of information.
Tracy talks about how and why she believes ADHD has been misnamed. Discover why drifting off is not the problem and why a family trip to Cancun is the perfect example of why telling stories is always the best way to make information stick. Learn how to keep yourself from drifting off-topic by using: Meta-cognition The pause Being intentional Putting a stake down Being open and honest Soliciting help from your listeners.
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EP. 37: ADHD, Positive Emotion and Essential Oils with Crystal Edmonds Sep 18, 2019

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks to environmental scientist and fellow ADHDer, Crystal Edmonds about positive emotion, the ADHD brain and essential oils. Discover what Tracy turns to when she wakes up and feels unfocused, unmotivated, and in negative emotion and what boosts her mood every single time. How about exercise and nature.
Learn how Tracy made the connection between scent and how scents not only influence her sense of well-being and happiness but also affect her focus. Crystal shares with Tracy how essential oils stimulate the limbic system — a part of the brain involved in memory, behavior, motivation, and emotion and how this also helps with: ADHD symptoms Emotional dysregulation Rumination Rejection sensitive dysphoria Discover why essential oils are a great place to start for relief from ADHD symptoms if medication doesn’t work for you. Learn: how quickly essential oils take to work in your body, which essential oils work well for ADHD, why essential oils require trial and error just like medication, what the difference is between high frequency and lower frequency vibration and how it affects our well-being.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 36: Crowns, Root Canals, TMD and ADHD Sep 11, 2019

In this episode, Tracy talks about the connection between dental health and ADHD. Believe it or not, it’s one more thing we need to add to our ADHD workarounds list! Discover why staying away from sweets, brushing religiously, and having no cavities, can still land you in the endodontist’s chair when you have ADHD. Learn what bruxism is and why 78% of those with ADHD are reported to have it. Recognize why you should wear a nightguard and how to reframe your thoughts around doing so if you hate yours and like Tracy are constantly fighting it. Explore why crowns, root canals, TMD, bruxism, grinding, and clenching are all connected to ADHD.
Discover what happened when Tracy posted the following post to her ADHD Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart Ass Women: “Podcast question for those that are 45 or older only. Have you had a crown or root canal?” You will be surprised by the response. Learn about ADHD and comorbidity and how this often affects the success of ADHD medication. Explore the difference between TMJ and TMD. Which one is responsible for the clicking or popping sound, difficulty in moving your jaw, headaches, migraines, neck aches, and even back aches, and how they’re related to ADHD? Discover who has more TMD symptoms; women or men?
What information do dentists have about ADHD and TMD?, what are common dental-related side effects caused by ADHD medication?, what are common dental-related side effects among children who have ADHD?, what brands of stimulant ADHD medication have been associated with TMD and side effects such as bruxism?, what brand of stimulant medication is less likely to report TMD symptoms Learn what you can do now to lessen the potential of developing TMD and bruxism as well as teeth that need crowns, root canals, or implants. Discover what supplement helps many women with TMD.
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Resources:

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 35: How To Respond When People Tell You ADHD Isn't Real Sep 04, 2019

In this episode, Tracy talks about how to respond when a friend, family member, teacher, coworker or boss tells you that there is no such thing as ADHD? Tracy starts out by sharing her thoughts with anyone who is listening to this episode and doesn’t believe in ADHD and tells them why their viewpoint is hurting their relationship with their ADHD friend, family member or colleague. Learn how to tell if a relationship is about connection or power. Discover the most helpful thing you can do for someone who has ADHD. Remember to have a little grace and don’t forget what you used to think you knew about ADHD before you really knew anything about ADHD.
Learn how to respond to comments like: There’s no such thing as ADHD People with ADHD are stupid, unmotivated and lazy. It’s a character flaw of their own making. I read an article that there is no ADHD in France ADHD is strictly an American phenomenon Big Pharma made up ADHD so it could sell more drugs ADHD is new, it’s a product of modern society. Look at how many more kids are now diagnosed with it. Everyone has some ADHD Everyone has ADHD today We are medicating our kids and turning them into addicts And finally, Tracy shares how she responds when she’s dealing with a real know-it-all who clearly knows nothing about ADHD. She also ends with a discussion on how to figure out who should and shouldn’t be in your life.
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Resources: I especially dislike sharing this first link but here goes:

www.psychologytoday.com
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
adhdrollercoaster.org
alcohol.org
ourworldindata.org
www.nytimes.com
Summer Sunderland suggested: Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk on Gillian Lynne who had to move to think.
Here’s the full Ted Talk: Do schools kill creativity?

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EP. 34: ADHD and Repetitive Body Focused Behaviors (Also Known As Skin-Picking, Nail Biting, Teeth Grinding, Etc.) Aug 28, 2019

This week's topic is all about Repetitive Body Focused Behaviors (RBFBs). RBFBs are related to self-grooming, anxiety management and/or sensory stimulation. The most common BFRBs are trichotillomania (hair pulling, eyelashes), dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nail biting), dermatophagia (skin biting), teeth grinding (bruxism), tongue biting (morsicatio linguarum). They are complex conditions that cause people to repeatedly touch their hair and body in ways that result in physical damage.
Learn why: It’s so hard to stop these behaviors. These behaviors normally begin when ADHD predisposes us to RBFBs Perfectionism may play a role in RBFBs ADHD medication may make RBFBs worse RBFBs may elevate our dopamine levels. Learn what: Condition RBFBB is normally associated with Percent of the members of our FB group having RBFB. It’s very surprising what Members say about their own RBFBs. What can you do to stop or at a minimum lessen these RBFBs? Amino acid supplements may help Workarounds have made a difference to our members.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 33: How Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Can Change Your Life with ADHD Expert Diann Wingert Aug 21, 2019

In this episode, Tracy speaks with Cognitive Behavioral Coach Diann Wingert. Diann worked for 20 years as a psychotherapist and was also an adjunct faculty member at the USC School of Social Work, where she trained graduate students to become therapists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She transitioned from psychotherapist to coach because she found coaching more successful at creating real, positive change in her clients. Diann observed too many brilliant and capable women struggling with distractibility, procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt, which held them back from fully expressing their gifts in the world.

Many of these women had been diagnosed with anxiety or depression and had no idea that their underlying issue was actually ADHD, including Diann herself. She is now on a mission to help other gifted, creative, and entrepreneurial women of all ages achieve their true potential through radical self-acceptance, leveraging their strengths, and creating an ADHD-friendly business and life.

Diann goes on to share:

Her definitions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how CBT differs from Cognitive Behavioral Coaching (CBC).
The role of therapy vs. coaching.
How you can change your self-concept with CBC.
How our thoughts, feelings, and actions determine our results.
Who is a candidate for CBT/CBC, and who is not.
Whether therapy and CBT/CBC can be conducted at the same time.
Why asking better questions is so important to our sense of self-esteem.

Get a FREE copy of Diann’s Driven Woman Roadmap called the Fast Track Guide to Success, or schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation. You can also learn more about Diann’s 12-week individual coaching program for ADHD creatives and entrepreneurs.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

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EP. 32: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and How Can it Help ADHD? Aug 07, 2019

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks about the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); what it is, who it is for, how it works with ADHD. Learn how: CBT incorporates cognition(what we’re thinking), behaviors (what we do) and emotions. CBT does not treat ADHD, but works to lessen how it impairs your life through symptoms like procrastination, time management, disorganization CBT educates ADHDers about their brain and why it is the way it is CBT, helps to build workarounds manage negative expectations and emotions discover negative behaviors that interfere with your ability to live to your potential. CBT can look different for each patient because it’s set up to their individual needs. Learn where CBT came from and how what you’re saying to yourself can really affect your life: what jobs you’ll apply for, what relationships you’ll enter into, what risks you’re willing to take. Discover how the experience of growing up with ADHD, especially undiagnosed ADHD, can impact how you think, what you think about yourself, how you cope, your attitudes and your beliefs. Learn how the lens that you see the world through definitely affects who we become.
Discover how what you’re thinking can impact your life. And that: Your thoughts create your feelings/emotions Your feelings create your actions Your actions create your results. Everything starts with your thoughts. How our thoughts are responsible for our emotions. Tracy states: “Don’t believe everything you think.” It doesn’t matter if you had that negative thought a million times. It’s not going to affect you now unless you think about it again. You don’t have to undo those thoughts, you just have to break the pattern of the thought. Tracy shares that CBT looks for where your thoughts are distorted and it has you question them. In CBT, you’re also learning how to use specific strategies for managing your ADHD like getting to work on time, starting a project you don’t want to do, sticking to your planner, building better relationships. Discover what you should do when you can’t start a project or task. Also learn CBT strategies around Prioritization Self-regulation Time management Managing emotions Managing behavior Procrastination Discover how CBT compares to medication and what kind of Cognitive Behavioral therapist you should hire.
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EP. 31: Reading Strategies for ADHD Brains with Reading Specialist and Fellow ADHDer, Katelyn Mabry Jul 31, 2019

For our 31st episode, Tracy invited Katelyn Mabry to join her. Katelyn is the author of the children’s book Hi, It’s Me! I Have ADHD, which is based on her personal experience with ADHD. In her book, she shares the feelings, emotions, and experiences of a child dealing with the challenges of ADHD, offering insights, tips, empowerment, and the message that ADHD does not define them. Katelyn holds a master’s degree in reading and is a certified early childhood/special education teacher. She also has four children and is now a private coach for kids who learn differently. Katelyn’s goal is to instill a love of reading, learning, and growth in her students.

Tracy talks about her 17-year-old son, who is very bright but came to her in December saying he couldn’t read. She saw him reading all the time, so this didn’t make sense to her. That’s when she remembered Katelyn Mabry, a reading specialist in her ADHD for Smart A* Women* Facebook group. Tracy reached out to Katelyn, who explained that her son Markus can read, but he struggles to focus and retain information when he isn’t interested in the subject matter. Tracy hired Katelyn to work with Markus, and she has been thrilled with the increased confidence her son now has when reading topics that don’t interest him. Tracy asked Katelyn to share some of the strategies she’s used to help Markus improve his reading retention.

Katelyn talks about metacognition and how she uses it to help kids retain what they’re reading. She explains the three types of inner voices in metacognition: reciting, conversational, and interactive, and reveals which one helps retention the most by connecting the reader to the characters. Katelyn also discusses the "distracted voice" and how she helps students recognize when it appears. Learn why visualization is key to reading retention, and hear a fantastic analogy that compares reading to driving a car. Katelyn also introduces the concept of activating background knowledge to aid in reading retention and explains the importance of giving reading a purpose, helping the reader intentionally connect the material to their worldview.

Katelyn mentions her book Hi, It’s Me! I Have ADHD and shares that she’s working on the second edition, which will be released in October.
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Resources:

Website: www.katelynmabry.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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EP. 30: My Favorite Tech Tool: How The Apple Watch Saved My ADHD Brain Jul 24, 2019

This week’s podcast is all about the Apple Watch and how I use it to manage my ADHD brain. I didn’t want an Apple Watch. I don’t want to wear anything that everyone else is wearing. That said, once I did, I realized just how valuable it could be to manage my ADHD brain. I feel more in control, less worried about things falling through the cracks, and more organized than I’ve ever felt.
My whole goal has been to build structures around myself to shore up my weaknesses so I can focus on my strengths. I have basically uploaded my working memory to the Apple Watch.
When I first got the watch, I was totally overwhelmed. I looked everywhere for videos and blog posts, about how to use the Apple Watch to shore up the ADHD brain. I couldn’t find anything, so I’ve wanted to do this podcast for a while. That said, this is not an in-depth instruction manual on what the Apple Watch can do. This is just me talking to you about the best, simplest ways I have found to set up and use my Apple watch to build that structure around me that best supports my ADHD brain. This podcast offers practical tips for using the Apple Watch to support individuals with ADHD.
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Resources:

Here are the three additional Apple Watch apps that I mentioned in my podcast. I’m impressed with them thus far, but haven’t used them long enough to include on my list. I’ll report back later.
Pocket Casts: Podcast Player
Audible: Audio Entertainment
Things 3

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 29: Psychotherapist Perry Janssen talks about ADHD, emotion and the importance of learning how to manage your feelings Jul 17, 2019

For our 29th episode, I have invited my friend Perry Janssen to our podcast. Perry lives in Seattle where she has been a psychotherapist for the past 30 years. Perry has taught at the university level, she’s had her own column, she’s been a radio host where she’s interviewed and learned from the likes of Dr. Christiane Northrup and Dr. Dan Siegel. She’s also been an educator, consultant and coach for Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, Boeing; the list goes on and on. I had a list of questions prepared but since our most popular episodes have been about emotion and feelings, I decided to just go with it. I call Perry the feelings expert. You can tell how passionate she is on the subject.
Perry talks about: The importance of learning about the difference between realization and integration and why you need both for happiness. What happens when you ignore your feelings, why feelings aren’t good or bad but more like breadcrumbs or little gold nuggets, how we can actually learn from our feelings, why there is absolutely nothing wrong with you, why Perry’s clients call her the Tennessee Hound Dog, what true mindfulness really is, why many women don’t even know how to feel their feelings?, how minimizing certain feelings can lead to minimizing all feelings. The fact that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You just have never been taught the skills to deal with emotion.
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Resources:

Email: tuneinwithperryjanssen@gmail.com
Podcast: Oxygen for Women with Perry Janssen

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 28: How To Navigate The College Admissions Process As An ADHD Teen Jul 10, 2019

Today Tracy talks to our youngest group member, Sophia Criscione. Tracy was so impressed with a post that Sophia created in our Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women about how to navigate the college admissions process when you have ADHD, that she just had to have Sophia on her podcast. Sophia is 18 and has just completed her senior year in high school. Having just gone through the whole process of applying to colleges, she wanted to help other bright ADHD kids who are stressed about the whole college application process.
Sophia was diagnosed at the end of her freshman year and shares with us how her diagnosis came about. She is a definite smart ass. So smart, that among her many very high AP scores is a 5 in a history class that she taught herself. No matter how frustrating some of her symptoms might be, Sophia will tell you why she views her ADHD as a biochemical gift. Find out: why Sophia wishes she would have started taking the SAT early in her junior year the benefits of doing every single in-person interview that you can the pros and cons of disclosing your ADHD in your application how Sophia mentioned her ADHD traits without specifically disclosing her ADHD why and how you should use the additional information section on the common application what kinds of teacher recommendations were most helpful to Sophia’s admissions chances how Sophia managed the application deadlines why you should apply to as many colleges as possible who should consider test optional schools Sophia then shares advice on parenting teenagers with ADHD and her number one ADHD workaround.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 27: How an ADHD Diagnosis Changed Danielle Ford's Life Jul 03, 2019

In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy chats with Danielle Ford from Las Vegas. Danielle dropped out of high school as a junior at 17, on the advice of her high school counselor. She was actually a good student who had to work to support her family. She then spent a decade in various entrepreneurial ventures working 10 times harder than everyone else and in her words “never getting the basic stuff right.” She self-diagnosed herself with ADHD in her early twenties but chose not to seek a formal diagnosis because she believed the stigma. Instead, she read every self-help book, tried every system, worked with coaches but never thought that the strategies may have been faulty and not her.
After a close call, Danielle decided to get treatment, was prescribed medication and other therapies and suddenly she could easily organize her thoughts, emotions, tasks...everything. That’s when Danielle went into full ADHD superpower mode and submitted her name for school board trustee for the 5th largest school district in the United States. She beat out a field of 9 candidates, including some seasoned politicians and won the election. Danielle was sworn in this past Jan and now she controls a nearly 3 billion dollar yearly budget and makes policy decisions for a school district that serves 48 schools. In this role she is responsible for over 322,000 students. Danielle is 33, a single-mom of two kids and she’s a digital marketing strategist who helps other entrepreneurs grow their online businesses. Her story is fascinating. How she manages her ADHD is instructive. You will also likely relate to how Danielle navigates life when her Ferrari brain works faster than her bicycle brakes (if you have ADHD you’ll know what we mean). It’s no surprise that Danielle is often compared to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Listen to Podcast Episode #27.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

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EP. 26: Tracy’s Strength-Focused ADHD Book List Jun 26, 2019

In this episode, Tracy gives you her list of favorite strength-focused ADHD resources/books. If you listened to her first podcast recorded back in October you‘ll notice that her understanding and opinions around ADHD have changed a lot. She is now solidly grounded in a more strength-focused view of ADHD and sees it as a brain difference rather than a brain disorder.
Tracy goes through the books she wishes she knew about when her son was first diagnosed five years ago. If you want to reframe your own ADHD, if you currently see it as a disorder and want to view it as a strength, this is exactly where you need to start. Tracy wouldn’t give up her own ADHD for anything. She believes that her ADHD traits are responsible for every success she’s ever had. She just had to learn how to manage it. These resources have really helped in that regard.
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Resources:

Facebook Group: ADHD for Smart Ass Women
Instagram: @tracyotsuka
Website: adhdforsmartwomen.com

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

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EP. 25: ADHD and Addiction Jun 19, 2019

Today, Tracy talks about ADHD and Addiction. She doesn’t like to talk about things that she hasn’t experienced personally but so many members in her Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women did struggle with addiction so she decided that the subject warranted a podcast episode. Have you ever wondered why those of us with ADHD have up to a 10 times higher likelihood of substance abuse and addiction? Do you know what Reward Deficiency Syndrome is? Have you ever felt less satisfaction than you expected to feel once you reach a goal? Do you often feel like you’ve not accomplished enough? Discover how our dopamine circuitry can create addictions and what’s behind the overlap that we often see between creativity, talent, depression, addiction and ADHD.
Learn why young adults use substances to self-medicate and at what age they typically start. Discover the biggest myth about stimulant medication and addiction. Exercise is the ADHD brain’s best friend. Learn why it also helps us refrain from self-medicating. Tracy then shares information that she just learned about AA, recovery centers, medical detox programs, and sober living environments from a book called The Sober Truth by Harvard professor Lance Dodes who’s been treating people with addiction for 30 + years. It is really eye-opening. Tracy also shares information that she just learned from psychotherapist Perry Janssen about trauma and addiction. Learn about the concept called spontaneous remission and what kinds of approaches to treating addiction work best for those of us with ADHD.
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Resources:

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

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EP. 24: What Does ADHD Feel Like From Women Who Have ADHD Jun 12, 2019

In this podcast, Tracy decided to do something different. When she was initially diagnosed she read everything to glean what other women like her were experiencing. Putting that puzzle together for herself was her number one mission. It’s also why she started the Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women. So today she’s sharing with you how members answered the question: What Does Your ADHD Feel Like?
Multiple individuals shared their experiences with ADHD and how it affects their daily lives. They struggle with tasks considered "expected," feeling like outsiders even when accepted. Some describe their minds as chaotic or constantly active. They often challenge rules and societal norms, feeling both pride and shame in their unique strengths and struggles. Despite the challenges, many express a sense of self-acceptance and appreciation for their unique perspective.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

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EP. 23: ADHD and Rumination Jun 05, 2019

In this episode, Tracy talks about rumination, what it is and why those of us with ADHD are more partial to it. Discover how hyperfocusing is related to rumination. Tracy talks about hyperactivity, not only in our bodies but also in our minds. She also shares how rumination is related to past problems rather than current or future problems. Learn how rumination: Is related to transitions Often increases your levels of cortisol Cuts you off from friends and family Is linked to overeating, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure etc etc. Can actually make you become more negative Can make you more self-centered Might be something you do and don’t even know that you’re doing it.
Learn how you can stop ruminating and teach yourself how to notice your thoughts. Know the difference between past and future thoughts. Tracy then shares the antidote to rumination, why she believes that there is no such thing as failure, how important it is to listen to your intuition instead of statistics, numbers and figures, the importance of BMW time that whatever you focus on just gets bigger, how to make distractibility your friend, how to manage your emotions by taking action around your passions, how to create internal motivation and increase your own dopamine, and the importance of focusing on others when you’re trying to control rumination.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
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EP. 22: ADHD And Procrastination With Dr. Christine Li May 29, 2019

Today, Tracy talks to procrastination coach Dr. Christine Li. Dr. Li is a licensed clinical psychologist with practices in NYC and Westchester NY who has conducted procrastination workshops and training at Columbia, NY-Presbyterian Medical School, Fordham University, Barnard College etc. She is the first guest we have interviewed on our podcast. Tracy met Dr. Li at a conference and just knew she had to have her on as a guest. Dr. Li shares how she founded this specialty in procrastination. She explains the reasons why we procrastinate generally but also talks with Tracy about why those of us with ADHD tend to procrastinate more than those without ADHD. Discover what procrastination is often protecting us from. Learn how to get out of that debilitating feeling of overwhelm. Dr. Li talks about how to stop the guilt after procrastination has taken over.
Learn what emotions are most closely associated with the act of procrastination and how identifying them can help you move forward. Dr. Li teaches us why we often start procrastinating when we’re 60-80% done with a task. Learn Dr. Li’s Solution for Procrastination Recovery to increase your productivity. She calls it SMACK. Discover the number one thing that Tracy procrastinates on and Dr. Li’s solution. Learn where we learned directly and indirectly to associate stress with productivity. Dr. Li shares how important positive emotion is to procrastination recovery and gives us tips to feeling better. I love her quote: “We do well when we feel well.” Discover what you can do that will always calm your fears. Hint: Nike agrees with Dr. Li. You may find more information about Dr. Christine Li at . You may also get her 12 FREE resources on becoming procrastination free by texting FREELIBRARY (must be in all caps) to 44222. These resources are really amazing and include: The Jumpstart, The Emergent Task Planner, Good Morning Guide, Weekly Routine Planner, Brain Dump Template, Time Saver Secrets, The Road Map, The Mantra Maker, Check Your Lists, The Trello App, The 90-Day Planner, and The Habit Tracker.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 21: ADHD and Weight May 22, 2019

In this episode Tracy talks about ADHD and weight. When people think of the stereotypical ADHD person they often think of an energetic, constantly moving, constantly talking, climbing the walls kind of boy. They’re hyperactive so that doesn’t square with someone who struggles with their weight. Studies however, show that ADHD symptoms may trigger serious weight problems especially for those with the inattentive type of ADHD. Research shows that those that struggle with obesity are 5-10 times more likely to have ADHD. Learn what significant implications this has for girls and eating disorders and why early studies on adolescents and ADHD didn’t pick this up.
Tracy cites two studies on girls with ADHD. Discover why girls have a much higher likelihood of developing eating disorders and what type of ADHD is most predictive of an eating disorder in girls. Learn why our brain chemistry is attracted to sugar and carbohydrates. Discover what Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is and how it affects our motivation and our sense of satisfaction when we work towards a goal. Learn also how this affects the satisfaction that we get from food. Tracy talks about the link between RDS and addiction and how addictive behaviors around food and other substances begin. Tracy also goes into why food is different from other substances like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs and how many decisions an individual must make every day when trying to maintain their weight as compared to the number of decisions that are made when one decides to stop drinking, smoking or using drugs.
Learn how self-regulation plays into all of this and why those of us with ADHD are predisposed towards addiction but addiction is in no way a given. In fact, most people with ADHD do not struggle with addiction at all. Tracy then explains the link between disordered eating, ADHD and executive function deficits. She covers: Struggles with planning Forgetting to eat Impulsiveness in food choices, how bad sleep habits lead to poor eating habits, Poor interoceptive awareness Procrastinating. She shares ideas around getting control over our eating that include: How medication can make a big difference for some women with ADHD Making sure your goals are very clear and then keeping them front and center, how planning meals using meal kit services like Blue Apron, Purple Carrot, Sun Basket and Hello Fresh can really help if you like to cook but hate to plan and shop. Using an Apple Watch as a reminder. Using the Noom app to remind me of my weight loss goal.

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Resources:

John Ratey’s book Spark
Zero fasting app
Noom weightloss app

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 20: How To Figure Out Your ADHD Strengths May 15, 2019

In this episode, Tracy shares a quick method for discovering your character strengths. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on interests and internal motivation for those with an ADHD brain. Tracy introduces the VIA Character Strengths Test, explaining how it helps determine if you're on the right path in your career and life. This test identifies personality traits that reflect your essence, shows what drives and energizes you, and keeps you aligned with your integrity. It focuses on 24 character strengths and distinguishes between values and character strengths, highlighting the benefits of positive emotions and their relationship with strengths.
Tracy also introduces Dr. Martin Seligman and explains the origins of the VIA Character Strengths Test. Initially, she thought it was just another personality test, but she was reintroduced to it years later. Seligman and his team created the test by examining various sources, including world religions, virtue catalogues by figures like Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, William Bennett, Benjamin Franklin, and the work of psychologists such as Thorndike, Erickson, Cawley, and Gardner.
Learn about the six virtues and 24 character strengths that represent the best of humanity and how the VIA Character Strengths Test can help you understand yourself better, determine your next steps, or assess why your current approach might not be working. Tracy also explains Signature Strengths, their importance for well-being and energy, and shares examples of her own Signature Strengths and why tasks become challenging when they are not utilized. Finally, she discusses common Phasic Strengths for the ADHD brain, their roles, and how to use them effectively during challenges or crises.
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Resources:

The VIA Character Strengths Survey FREE VIA Character Strengths test.

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
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Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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EP. 19: ADHD And Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) May 08, 2019

In this podcast, Tracy discusses ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Initially, Tracy wasn't interested in RSD because she didn't struggle with it herself. However, once she realized it was the most requested topic among the women in her group, she began researching it. Discover why emotion is not mentioned in the DSM, even though all experts agree it is an integral part of ADHD. Many with ADHD complain about issues such as a short temper, impulsivity, low frustration tolerance, being overwhelmed by emotions, or the pain and energy of others. Some may appear insensitive or excitable, and others with ADHD may be unaware of others' feelings.
Tracy clarifies that since emotion isn’t mentioned in the DSM, RSD is also not recognized. Learn about the three types of mood challenges in ADHD, including which one is exclusively associated with ADHD.
Tracy explains why many women with ADHD struggle to develop a positive self-concept and identifies one crucial factor for success among ADHD women. She outlines the symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and how it got its name, and how it manifests differently depending on whether the emotional response is internalized or externalized. Tracy also shares how members of her group describe the feeling of RSD and its prevalence among the ADHD women in her group. RSD is often misdiagnosed as social phobia, bipolar disorder, or depression, but Tracy explains how it differs. She discusses how RSD can impact people’s lives and relationships, as well as a potentially positive aspect of RSD.
Finally, learn about potential ways to lessen RSD symptoms through medication and psychotherapy. Tracy reflects on her own experience with the drive to succeed and achieve, and wonders if she might have RSD.
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Resources:

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Symptom Test for ADHD Brains

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
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Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
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EP. 18: The 10 Things I Wish Every Teacher Knew About Their ADHD Students May 01, 2019

In this podcast, Tracy talks about the 10 things she wishes every teacher knew about their ADHD students. She decided to do a podcast on this subject because she noticed that many women in her Facebook group really struggled in school and are still struggling in school despite the fact that they are clearly bright.
Tracy believes that if you can understand how your brain works, then you can start to identify your strengths and build hacks using those strengths. She believes that most ADHD students spend too much time focusing on their weaknesses. Tracy talks about the one thing that is most indicative of success for people with ADHD and what successful people with ADHD say is much harder to deal with than the actual ADHD traits or symptoms.
Learn what kind of educators make the best teachers for students with ADHD. Are ADHD students smart? Discover what strengths are associated with ADHD. Do you know about the seven intellectual domains and which ones school teaches to? Hint: there are only two.
Learn what the ADHD brain is wired for and why it's so important that students care about what they're studying. Tracy talks about why she thinks ADHD is misnamed and why memorizing things that the ADHD student doesn't care about is so difficult for him/her. Learn how we actually learn best. Discover why these students need to buy in to a strategy or plan in order to be successful with it.
Hear what Tracy thinks is the most useless comment that a teacher can make on a progress report about an ADHD student and why positive emotion is so important to all students, but especially those with ADHD. Learn what happens to students who rebel against school and the education system.
Discover the three ways that ADHD students can learn and why structure and consistency are so important for them. Tracy talks about positive illusory bias and how it affects ADHD students and why self-control is so much harder for these students.
Discover the number one strength of most ADHD students and what the one common denominator tends to be for ADHD students who perform to their potential.
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Resources:

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

EP. 17: The 10 Things I Wish I Would Have Been Told About ADHD When I Was First Diagnosed Apr 24, 2019

In this podcast, Tracy talks about the ten things that she wishes she would have been told when she was initially diagnosed with ADHD. When she was first diagnosed, Tracy went into hyperfocus mode and researched everything she could about ADHD, especially ADHD as it related to women. She had spent the previous eight months researching everything she could find about ADHD and kids.

This podcast is about what she has learned and how her viewpoint on ADHD has changed. Discover why she came to like certain ADHD experts over others and what she learned from [expert name] and [expert name] versus [expert name]. Tracy mentions some of her ADHD symptoms but also some of the strengths that she's certain are attributable to her ADHD and why she wouldn't trade her ADHD for anything.

Learn why creating solutions for what the ADHD brain struggles with can be so difficult. ADHD is not a disorder, but a difference. Tracy thinks ADHD is actually not a deficit of attention at all. ADHD is not a behavioral disorder, moral failing, or character flaw.

Learn what you should focus on every day, what our brains are wired for (and it's not importance!), and why we need to learn how to engage our hyperfocus. Learn how impulsivity and creativity are linked. Tracy teaches you the difference between positive and negative emotions and why you should know the difference. She then gives you a simple test to show you how to increase your own motivation whenever you're feeling stuck and build a successful day, week, month, or year.

Learn what our brains are meant to do. You'll be surprised to discover that they're not designed to remember. Despite this, we sabotage ourselves daily when we don't remember. Find out what ADHD women typically resist but need more than anything and how, if we implement it, it reduces anxiety and makes us feel happier, smarter, more organized, focused, and creative.

Discover how Tracy overcame procrastination in a few simple steps and her favorite hack for getting things done. Tracy then talks about her number one superpower, interpersonal intuition, and how valuable it is in her life. She shares that the ADHD brain focuses on connections and relationships over specific bits of information.

Discover what to do if medication doesn't work for you and why Tracy's actually happy that it didn't work for her or her son. Find out some workarounds to try if medication doesn't work for you. Learn what Tracy thinks is the biggest mistake we can make as ADHD women and what we should do instead.
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Resources:

Edward Hallowell
John Ratey
Russell Barkley
Pomodoro Application
Iphone App Link Datexx Cube
Amazon Link

______________
Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

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EP. 16: Intuition and ADHD Apr 17, 2019

Tracy talks about ADHD and intuition in this podcast. She starts by sharing an experience that happened to her in college that made her start to really trust her intuition. She shares how and why her intuition has gotten her into trouble and what she does differently today. Learn what [person] said that convinced Tracy that her symptoms were the result of ADHD.

Discover what intuition looks and feels like and why we often don't pay attention to what people are saying because our brains focus on the connections and relationships between things more than on specific bits of information. Have you ever felt like you know people better than they know themself?

Learn:

What therapists and women with ADHD have in common
The definition of intuition and that intuition may come from subconscious experiences that you may not be holding consciously
That there's nothing psychic or woo-woo about intuition
What it means to be a scanner

Tracy talks about intuition as a non-conscious level of thinking that is related to attention. It is always also based on knowledge or expertise that you have. Learn about the danger of not listening to our intuition and how important it is that we pay attention to that little voice inside of ourselves.

Tracy mentions an ADHD woman who shared her story and said that her anxiety gets worse when she doesn't trust her intuition. Not trusting her intuition may be responsible for her anxiety. She also shared that she sometimes confuses anxiety with her intuition and how she's learned to distinguish the two.

Learn the definition of interpersonal intuition. Do you have high emotional intelligence? If so, you won't want to miss this. Blocking extraneous stimuli is great if you're sitting in a classroom trying to memorize facts but if you're trying to figure out what makes someone tick and/or who they are, it may be better to take in extraneous stimuli.

Discover how interpersonal intuition and connection are interrelated despite the fact that interpersonal intuition can wreak havoc with connection and why Tracy loves being around other ADHD women especially if they're also entrepreneurs. Tracy shares what a non-fiction book group she started years ago with non-ADHD women taught her about social hierarchies, connection and authenticity and what her rule for relationships is today.

You'll be surprised to learn why you blurt out insights and how that can prevent you from connecting with others. Tracy then talks about the Meyer-Briggs personality test and what she discovered about ADHD, intuition and a correlation between certain Meyer-Briggs Types.
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EP. 15: Why Major Life Decisions Are So Difficult To Make For Those Of Us With ADHD Apr 10, 2019

In this podcast I answer Amanda's question who is one of our members. Amanda asked what she should do if she's bored in her career and knows she needs a new or different challenge.

Tracy first shares why major life decisions are so hard for everyone to make but especially hard for those with ADHD. Learn what should be the driving force in any major life decision and why big life decisions and seemingly easy decisions can both be hard decisions to make. Find out what makes a decision easy to make.

Tracy then gives advice on what to do when you're trying to decide between two equal jobs. Learn why values and purpose are so important to any hard decision you need to make and why we often get it wrong. Hint: it's all related to how we've been taught to make decisions and logic, analysis and research is not always the best way.

Discover who's the best expert to go to when making a big life decision and what you should pay especial attention to. Tracy talks about how there is no such thing as a mistake or a bad decision unless you keep doing the same thing over and over again and hate the results.

We learn to pay attention to our brains as a guide for what we should do but Tracy teaches us that there's something even more important to focus on when we're making major life decisions. Discover why not making a decision and letting others make them for you is the worst decision you can possibly make.

Learn what the two big questions are that you should always ask when making a decision. Tracy then shares a strategy for testing if you're moving in the right direction and making the right decision. This strategy can also increase your motivation and help you move forward even quicker.
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EP. 14: What’s A Body Double and How Can It Help Me Get My Work Done? Apr 03, 2019

Tracy talks about what a body double is and how it can help us get our work done. We're taught from childhood that if we need to get serious work done we must lock ourselves in a quiet room. Find out why this is likely not true for those of us with ADHD. Learn a counter-intuitive and effective method for those of us with ADHD to get our work done.

Tracy shares ADHD coach's term "body double" which is a way that her clients successfully complete repetitive, boring tasks. You'll learn why those with ADHD may feel more focused by the presence of another person. You'll learn about the mirror neuron theory. You'll learn how balancing positive and negative energy may actually help us get things done. Learn why adding structure stimulates the brain and brings clarity and focus.

Tracy outlines what a body double should do and not do and who is and isn't a great candidate for your body double. You'll also learn when it makes sense to consider a body double and when it doesn't.

Tracy also shares strategies that work for her teenage son in getting his homework done as well as how she uses the body double concept to complete big, unpleasant projects around the house. Tracy then shares how members in her [group] use a body double, why it works for them and the various body double options. Tracy introduces her virtual body double Study Hall that is part of her free Facebook Group.

Learn how a body double can:

Help us activate and start a task
Generate momentum and keep us going
Provide social interaction which can serve to motivate us
Provide accountability
Provide a clear intention that helps to focus the ADHD brain
Stop us from wandering off inside of our heads

Finally, Tracy will share a hack for cleaning your house so you don't feel so alone and bored.
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EP. 13: ADHD and Non-Fiction, Is That a Thing? Mar 27, 2019

Tracy reads non-fiction exclusively and hasn’t been an avid fiction reader since she was 12. She’s often wondered if those with ADHD read more non-fiction than fiction so she asked her of smart ADHD women.
Here’s what Tracy covers: Do those with ADHD really have a preference for non-fiction, what are the reasons that might be so?, if you struggle with reading non-fiction books you might be interested in this hack to actually finish them. This feeling that many of us have that there’s never enough time to learn about everything we’re interested in.
The character strengths that so many of us share which is apparent in our love of non-fiction books., how non-fiction books help us to make connections and generate new ideas, how audiobooks can help us when we lack focus, what to do when you’re afraid you’ll hyperfocus on a book and can’t stop reading until you’ve finished reading the book, do you read non-fiction for knowledge or recreation?, what about the women who only read fiction?, how do they feel about reading non-fiction?, what’s Katy’s hack for reading non-fiction, learning and remembering what you learn?
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EP. 12: Learned Helplessness and ADHD Mar 20, 2019

While running her, which is for smart, positive, ADHD women, Tracy noticed that there were some brilliant women who just seemed stuck. They weren't acknowledging or working in their area of brilliance and were just focused on what's not working. They had lost sight of what was working and Tracy realized they had just given up. She believed that this was in part because of their ADHD. So she did some research and discovered learned helplessness.

Tracy explains what learned helplessness is and introduces you to who coined the term and is a psychologist and the godfather of the positive psychology movement. Learn what happened when Seligman conditioned dogs to expect a negative situation even before it happened and how this can apply to people as well. Discover the most harmful attributions that you can apply in a situation when something bad happens and why these attributions cause learned helplessness.

Find out what kinds of health problems can result from learned helplessness and how it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Tracy then talks about how learned helplessness can be applied to ADHD women, especially those who aren't diagnosed or were diagnosed later in life. She cites a study on learned helplessness done on ADHD women by.

Tracy gives an example of a recent situation where she used an internal attribution and just assumed that the problem was with her ADHD brain rather than the fact that an article was just poorly written. Learn what workarounds you can employ for learned helplessness.

Tracy shares research on motivation. She authored the best-selling book. Find out the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset and which one of these two mindsets successful people in all fields possess and which mindset causes those with ADHD to give up. Learn how ADHD can help us build the right mindset and work ethic and why what we say to ourselves matters.

You'll also want to know why praising your kids' intelligence doesn't make sense and what you need to do today to get back control over your life.
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EP. 11: Gifted and ADHD Mar 13, 2019

Tracy talks about giftedness and ADHD in this podcast. Learn what the term 2E or Twice Exceptional refers to and that just because you're gifted in one or more areas (for example mathematically or artistically) doesn't mean that you might not also be challenged in other areas (you may learn differently or have an emotional or social delay). Did you know that you can be gifted and have ADHD? Do you know that there is no one definition of giftedness? In fact, all states have a different definition.

Tracy shares three layer cake definitions of giftedness:

You'll learn about asynchronous development
You'll learn about perfectionism and how harmful it can be
You'll learn about the five areas where children can exhibit intense behaviors known as overexcitabilities or supersensitivities

Tracy outlines the overexcitabilities and shares that she never thought her son was gifted but is now wondering because he exhibits many traits in all five of these areas. Tracy also assumed that you can't be gifted if you struggle in school. Then she discovered AEGUS.

Find out what else gifted people need to succeed and how giftedness and ADHD can look identical. Tracy talks about her concern that perhaps we're medicating bright children so that they can fit into the school environment when really these kids may just be unchallenged. She worries that it's the smart capable kids that fall through the cracks in our educational system because when they don't perform, teachers and parents automatically think it's because they're lazy.

Have you ever wondered what it even means to be smart? Learn about Could it be that ADHD is connected to specific intelligences? Tracy then talks about what questions experts ask if they are working with a bright child who isn't applying themself and what she's planning to bring into her son's school to aid in his learning.
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Resources:

Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities in Gifted Children

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EP. 10: Why Exercise is Important for the ADHD Brain Mar 06, 2019

We all know that exercise is good for us – but can exercise be used as medicine? You’ll love to hear about Tracy’s fitness routine and how she incorporates it into her day. What we often don’t think of is how exercise helps with focus, anxiety, mood, etc. It’s not just for looking great! Today, we are going to learn how exercise can help us feel better and start the day off right. Why does exercise make us feel better? Hear how Tracy speaks to the connection between exercise and psychological help from a medical standpoint.
Tracy shares the issues with our culture – sitting for long periods of time, eating crap, and how the first line of defense for mental health issues seems to be medication. Hear how exercise may benefit our mental health. The connections may surprise you! How does exercise help your brain? Tracy shares some fascinating facts you won’t want to miss. Tracy has made some great strides in her exercise over the years – but hear how her motivation changed from looking good to feeling good. Could exercise work better than medication for those with ADHD? Hear Tracy’s scientific explanation. How does exercise improve our ability to learn? Listen as Tracy uses a scientific study to show how extreme the results can truly be. You definitely won’t want to miss this. Hear how exercise primes the brain for learning and changes the brain’s neurotransmitters, protein growth, and neurogenesis.
Hear how you can continue to grow your brain all throughout your life. Should individuals with ADHD become karate masters? Learn how structured activities, such as martial arts, ballet, etc., help those with ADHD tap into their deep focus. Could exercise decrease the need for medication or get rid of the need altogether? Hear the science behind it all as Tracy explains how the chemistry in the brain can vastly change with exercise. Is exercise timing important? Hear Tracy’s discovery in her personal life and through scientific research. Listen as Tracy explains the importance of nature, sleep, exercise, and balancing them all together. Can you even learn while you exercise? If you’re listening to this podcast in the gym, you may already be there! Tracy shares how nicotine can help us focus – but since it is very commonly known to be bad for us – Tracy shares how we can cut out nicotine, improve our focus, and live our best life for a long, long time.
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EP. 9: Practical Strategies for Being On Time and Better Planning (Time Mgmt Part 2) Feb 27, 2019

Those of us with ADHD often struggle with time. We like to do things when we feel like it. We cannot see or feel time, and we’re easily distracted. Often, hyperfocus can get in our way as well. We start, can’t stop, and have to finish. We also struggle with working memory issues. What was I doing again? And I don’t know who doesn’t struggle with emotional regulation/dis-regulation – or the “I just don’t feel like it!” feeling. We must understand why we are the way we are in order to create hacks to be better. We must learn to pause, even though it’s against our nature because we are time optimists and often underestimate how long something will take.
Hear Tracy’s tips for developing time management skills and planning more effectively for the future. See how Tracy uses the positive emotion of success to motivate her through the planning process. See how Backward Planning can teach you how to see and feel time, as well as set reasonable goals. Listen as Tracy shares some hacks for developing Executive Function Skills. How can we create practical methods to get through day-to-day tasks? Listen as Tracy explains how she taught herself to understand how long things take. You won’t want to miss the helpful tool she uses! Starting the day off right is important. Hear how Tracy sets herself up for success so she doesn’t run late every day- even if it means doing makeup in the car. Maybe playing a game of “beat the clock” is just what we need! You’ll definitely want to learn how to play this game that can change the way you get things done. Hear all of Tracy’s hacks and try them out on your own. Is the Apple Watch Worth It? Hear how Tracy uses it as her “manager.” What calendar may be best for you? Simple may be better! Could it be possible to manage your week on just one page? What is the and how can you use it in your daily life? Can working near others help you access your hyperfocus? Find out how Tracy can help you do this with a Body Double Meetup. What kind of person do you want to be? Hear how asking yourself this question can help you prioritize. You won’t want to miss Tracy’s humorous story with her creative approach to time management.
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EP. 8: Why Am I Always Late? ADHD and Time - Part One Feb 21, 2019

Tracy was inspired to talk about this topic from one of the members of her . She shared her story about always being late. Not intentionally, but because she doesn’t have a good grasp for how long things will take. When she made the effort to be on time (because it is important to her) it took every bit of her focus. “Why,” she asked, “is time so hard for me?” Here are Tracy’s insights about time in this part one episode. Why does the ADHD brain struggle with time? The first part is understanding why we do what we do. Once we understand why it can be easier to find work-arounds and resources. We’ll cover that in detail in part two in the next episode. You have to hear Tracy’s dating story about showing up late – and then being less than truthful about it. This was one of the experiences that helped her realize that time was an issue for her. The ADHD brain doesn’t have a good understanding of time. We don’t know how many minutes or hours a project can take. Find out why this skill is so hard for us. Cooking a meal and hosting guests is another example of how the lack of time-awareness can cause issues. Hear Tracy’s go-to solution and results. Hear what she learned when she decided to time herself on a few kitchen-related tasks. Hint: her estimate was much less than actual! Being on time is a value for Tracy. Is it a value for you? Tracy’s research on time explains that time has to be learned. Many ADHD people do not have a fluid awareness of time because we can’t see it or feel it. Find out why distractions can impact our best time-management strategies. Time issues are also related to memory issues. Tracy explains why they are linked and how one impacts the other.
Tracy explains future myopia and how it impacts the ADHD person’s understanding of time. You’ll no doubt see yourself in this explanation. Arguing with time is a thing. Do you find yourself doing this? How do your beliefs impact your timeliness or lack of? Do your time-beliefs work for you? Recurring appointments, yes or no? Does putting everything on the calendar work for you? Tracy shares how asking for help with planning and scheduling has helped her. Emotional regulation is a part of why we struggle with time and Tracy explains how it can impact you. Next week Tracy is sharing what’s working for her and others. It starts with understanding ourselves and what matters to us. Having that information is imperative. That’s why Tracy created.
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EP. 7: ADHD and Entrepreneurialism Feb 14, 2019

Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD have some undeniable similarities. But could ADHD itself be the secret to their success? Today, Tracy explores the similarities between entrepreneurs and those with ADHD. We will dive into some scientific evidence, as well as personal examples that show the differences in those with ADHD that make them perfect for being successful when pursuing their passion.
Here are the key connections that Tracy makes between Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD. Listen to Tracy’s anecdote of the first business she ever started - an unsuccessful Christmas Card business in her childhood. It may give you a chuckle. Tracy’s entrepreneurial spirit spurred her on to even more endeavors in adulthood. Listen as Tracy explains the pros of entrepreneurialism - from new experiences, never being bored, learning more every day, etc. Tracy lists some ADHD characteristics that entrepreneurs all tend to share: hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity. You won’t want to miss the statistics Tracy shares that show a stocking connection to ADHD and entrepreneurs. Hear Tracy explain how those with ADHD are “leftover hunters in a farmer driven world.” Listen as Tracy shares how the resilience of those with ADHD helps them weather the storms they will face in their entrepreneurial ventures. Hear how it all may boil down to biology and neurological responses to our environment.
Tracy explores impulsivity from a scientific standpoint and links it to intuition and impatience/boredom. Tracy also explains how those with ADHD use intuitive decision making, proactiveness, and risk-taking to succeed. Entrepreneurs and those with ADHD often love flexibility and love being their own boss. Hear how Tracy explains this from a personal perspective and a scientific point of view. Find out why acting and seeking novelty are traits that explain the entrepreneurial brain. Hear how she explains how creativity is impulsivity “gone right.” Tracy explains “Hyperfocus” and how it is the key to success for entrepreneurs. You won’t want to miss the evidence she shares that it is best to discover and pursue your passion.
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EP. 6: Managing Frustration and Controlling Emotions Feb 07, 2019

We have executive functions that help us in life. They help us organize, plan and control our life so it’s manageable. It’s how we can take care of ourselves and get things done. Most of us with ADHD have trouble with one or more of the six executive functions.
Today, I am talking about the executive function that involves emotion. It’s what helps us manage frustration and it gives us the ability to regulate our emotions. Here are the key elements Tracy has learned when dealing with emotions and situations that can become emotional.
Tracy explains emotional dysregulation and how it shows up and how it impacts us. How does stress impact our emotions and how do recognize it in ourselves and in others? Tracy shares how perfectionism and time management affect her emotions and how she’s learned to work around these situations. Intensity is a big part of ADHD and it’s a big part of managing emotions as well. Tracy’s experience with the Apple watch, and how it’s helped her be able to cook again! What can you do when emotional intensity comes up? Listen for some go-to solutions that can help you manage or even remove an emotionally charged situation. You can choose.
Tracy shares that awareness is separate from emotion and thought. How to identify and name what is causing the emotion and doing this exercise can help. Don’t miss Tracy’s bull frog story. It’ll make you smile. Why allowing ourselves to feel the feelings can ultimately help you eliminate the feeling. If you want different results, you need to change your behavior. Emotions don’t always lead to a behavior; sometimes it’s the opposite. Self-control is a neurobiological trait. It requires the ability to have hind-sight and fore-sight and the ability to wait. Understanding how this impacts behavior is key to managing emotions. , Psychotherapist gave us great tips you’ll find helpful.
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EP. 5: ADHD and Medication Jan 31, 2019

Tracy shares her experience with medication for her son and herself. When my son was diagnosed medication was the only thing recommended which didn’t feel right to us. Today we’re talking medications and my personal insights about how they worked (or didn’t work) for us. I hope it’s helpful for you as you navigate the prescription roller coaster.
Here are a few highlights from this episode: Tracy shares her extensive list of medications that were prescribed. Side effects and how they impacted me. Testing options and why it might help your Dr. prescribe meds that may work better and have fewer side effects. My son’s experience with medication. His feedback and what I noticed weren’t the same, but we both came to the same conclusion. I found Dr. Dale Archer’s information helpful. You may appreciate his insights as well. Why a medicated “new normal” may not be right for you or your child and how to recognize it. The worst-case scenario, and why you have to be proactive. Why your family Dr. may not understand your ADHD and where they get their info. Hint: It’s not in medical school. What we don’t know about these medications especially the long-term effects for the ADHD brain. Why ADHD people do well in the military; an unexpected benefit of structure. Are we medicating our uniqueness? Is that a good idea?
Tracy shares a real-life story of a woman’s before and after experience with medication. When medication for routine can help and when it can hurt. Tracy’s Rx for medication. She breaks down multiple options separate from medication and useful tips for getting the right medication for you.
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Resources:

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EP. 4: The One Trait that Everyone with ADHD Shares Jan 24, 2019

Those with ADHD have a brain that’s wired differently, but we aren’t all the same. That can be frustrating. Understanding ourselves and others is going to help us all.
Tracy shares why she doesn’t see her ADHD as a disorder. Hear why she considers some of the traits as part of her super powers. Hear the 2 traits that impact everyone with ADHD. You might relate, but they may have never been explained this way before. ADHD is not a learning disorder; most have a higher than average IQ. Learn the 3 ways a person with a neurotypical brain functions when they need to get things done. Hear the workarounds for those of us who don’t have this type of brain. Learn why procrastination isn’t about will-power or laziness. It’s about our brain and how it works.
Hear how ADHD is a huge contributor to danger. Understanding why is a life and death issue. No one is good at everything. How to do more of what you love and get help with the things you don’t enjoy. Tracy shares why fitting in is so hard and encourages those women with ADHD to focus on standing out instead.
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EP. 3: Kids and ADHD: Why Their Journey is Important to You Jan 24, 2019

Tracy talks about the mis-conceptions about kids with ADHD and how her son wasn’t your “typical” ADHD kid. When teachers saw her son become “unmotivated” it was chalked up to laziness. Since then, Tracy got answers and began her mission to educate herself and others. ADHD isn’t a disorder caused by modern life.
Tracy explains why someone with ADHD may be on social media or playing video games more than others. It’s not what you think! Here ADHD defines why Tracy thinks the attention deficit part is all wrong. You probably will too! Learn about studies that prove that the brain of ADHD kids is significantly different. This is important in understanding how to thrive with an ADHD brain. Tracy shares a list of traits that can be attributed to behavior by ADHD children. Hear how ADHD differs from mood disorders. The emotional impact is different. Blaming parents for the “behavior” of ADHD kids is not helpful. Self-control is a neurobiological trait. It isn’t something you can teach – no matter how hard you try. Find out why the concept of time is a big part of the challenge in dealing with children with ADHD. What wired for interest means and why it’s important to understand it. Tracy shares how Marcus excels when he’s doing things that he enjoys. It’s not that he can’t focus on other things, he literally can’t! The dopamine effect – why you need to understand it.
Helping our ADHD kids figure out their passion and interests contribute to life-long success. Hear the positives about ADHD kids. These traits aren’t discussed often so they are not understood but they should be. There are disturbing facts about potential issues for our ADHD kids. That’s why it’s so important to understand and guide them to live up to their potential.
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EP. 2: ADHD, The Facts, The Symptoms and the Advantages of the ADHD Condition Jan 24, 2019

Tracy covers the basic facts about ADHD diagnoses. Find out what’s included, how does it show up, the differences in symptoms in children and adults. She gives specific examples of behaviors that you may find very familiar. She also talks about why many women are not diagnosed and the seldom discussed advantage of having an ADHD brain. Knowledge is powerful in understanding how the ADHD brain works.
Get a practical, real-life understanding how it affects women. Here’s what Tracy covers in detail: What ADHD can look like in real women. Tracy outlines the technical symptoms and shares how ADHD has affected her personally. Find out the 3 sub-types of ADHD to see if any of them feel familiar to you. ADHD explained, and why it’s not always a negative. This is so important and not discussed enough! Why traits aren’t the same in all people and why it varies and a big reason why most women have not been diagnosed. ADHD is heritable, but it doesn’t always show up the same way. Find out why (related) people who are diagnosed can have much different symptoms. Learn what qualifies for a diagnosis as explained in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) There are 18 symptoms, 9 focused on inattention and 9 focused on hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These were developed for diagnosing children. Learn what the 9 traits are for adults according to the work done by Russell Barkley. Understanding how a diagnosis is determined and the differences between how symptoms show up when you were a child and now as an adult.
Note: Every ADHD brain is wired differently so symptoms may show up in a variety of ways. Tracy outlines 43 general symptoms. You may resonate with many of these – but some may not apply to you at all. Tracy covers 24 positive symptoms of ADHD. This is the part that is seldom covered but they should be! Find out why exercise is so good for our brains – and why many with ADHD exercise regularly. What resonated with you? Is there something that affects you that wasn’t mentioned? I’d love to know so we can all understand the unique ways that ADHD impacts women.
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Resources:

Email: tracy@tracyotsuka.com

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

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EP. 1: Tracy Otsuka Shares her ADHD Story and her ADHD Superpowers Nov 19, 2018

This podcast is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative.
When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life suddenly made perfect sense but all I heard about was everything that my ADHD brain SHOULD be struggling with when in fact I would come to learn that my ADHD is responsible for some of my greatest superpowers.
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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK!:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website:
https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message