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The ADHD Skills Lab — Education
The ADHD Skills Lab

Things are starting to fall through the cracks.

Not because you’re not trying, but because the systems everyone recommends weren’t built for a brain like yours.

The ADHD Skills Lab is for business owners with ADHD whose responsibilities have grown past simple solutions. Each week, Skye Waterson and guests share research-backed strategies and real-world systems to help you reduce the chaos, make consistent progress, and stop reinventing the wheel every time life gets complex.

No “just use a planner.” No productivity hacks that last a week. Just honest, practical support from someone who has spent years researching, testing, and refining what actually works for adult ADHD.

Skye is the founder of Unconventional Organisation, a former academic diagnosed with ADHD during her PhD, and the author of over 50 articles read by more than 250,000 people worldwide. She has worked with senior leaders, business owners, academics, and professionals navigating ADHD in high-responsibility roles, and was invited to share her research with both the Australian and New Zealand Government.

🤝 In partnership with Understood.org: https://u.org/4boG8QW

🌐 https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/
📲 https://www.instagram.com/theadhdskillslabpodcast/

Copyright: © 2023 The ADHD Skills Lab

Latest Episodes:

Research Recap with William Curb: ADHD & Hot and Cold Executive Function Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Why can you plan your day perfectly, then forget everything the second something stressful happens?

Welcome to the next episode in our Research Recaps series, co-hosted with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD.

In this episode, Skye and Will explore the science behind hot and cold executive functions, and what they mean for how ADHD brains make decisions, remember tasks, and stay calm under pressure.

We also break down a fascinating (but early-stage) study using brain stimulation to improve executive function in ADHD, and why your brain might work very differently depending on your emotional state.

What we cover:

What “hot” and “cold” executive functions really mean, and why they matter
Why you forget your keys more often when you’re running late
The surprising way emotion hijacks logic in ADHD decision-making
A look at brain stimulation research, and why it’s not ready for prime time
How emotional states affect strategy use, productivity, and self-control

Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

Precision Systems for ADHD Founders: Chaos, Metrics, and Million-Dollar Growth (Matt Verlaque) Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Skye is joined by Matt Verlaque, SaaS founder, entrepreneur, and author, to unpack how to scale a business when your brain is wired for big ideas and fast starts, but struggles with structure.

From leading startups to building founder-focused systems, Matt shares the powerful rhythms, habits, and metrics that have helped hundreds of founders go from feeling overwhelmed to fully in control of their businesses.

What we cover:

The 5 numbers every ADHD founder actually needs to track
How to scale without nuking your team or yourself
Matt’s system for turning random thoughts into repeatable strategy
Chaos management for the hyperactive executive
Family, boundaries, and surviving the startup tornado

Connect with Matt:
Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattverlaque
Explore The Precision Method: Precision.co

Check out the bestselling book Software as a Science: Unlock Limitless Recurring Revenue Without Losing Control. Co-authored with Dan Martell, Johnny Page, and Marcel Petitpas: softwarebook.com

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

Research Recap with William Curb: ADHD and the Default Mode Network Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Ever zone out in a meeting and wonder where your brain went? That might be your default mode network. And for people with ADHD, it doesn't always switch off when it should.

Welcome to the first episode in our new Research Recaps series, co-hosted with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD.

In this series, we’re teaming up to break down recent ADHD studies and translate what the research actually means for your life, your work, and your brain. No jargon. No hype. Just real insight you can use.

This week, we’re diving into a fascinating study on the default mode network, the part of your brain that’s active when you’re “resting.” For ADHD brains, it doesn’t always switch off when it should. We’re talking genetics, CBT, and what all of it has to do with zoning out at 2pm.

What we cover:

What the default mode network is, and why ADHD brains get stuck there
How CBT might literally change your brain’s connectivity
What this study says about genetics and attention
Why your brain drifts off (and what that means for productivity)

Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel.

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

The ADHD Guide to Delegating - Why You Can’t Let Go (and How to Fix It) Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Think you're just bad at delegating? You’re not. ADHD makes it harder to translate thoughts into steps, hand things off, and feel safe letting go.

If you’ve got a team (or want one), this is your ADHD-friendly shortcut to working less and scaling more.

Skye takes you inside a real coaching breakdown of her 5-step delegation system—the same one she teaches founders who are too busy, too burned out, or too overwhelmed to explain what needs to be done.

What we cover:

Why delegation feels emotionally risky for ADHD founders
How to stop gatekeeping your own business
Why your team isn’t helping (and it’s not their fault)
The right way to loop your team in (without micro-managing)

For the full SOP playbook, DM me DELEGATE on Instagram or click the link.

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

ADHD and the CEO Mindset: Systems, Self-Care, and Letting Go (Dr. John Torrens) Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Most ADHD entrepreneurs build their success on hustle—until the cracks show. In this episode, Skye talks with Dr. John Torrens, professor, founder, and author of Lightning in a Bottle, about how he built (and sold) multiple companies by learning to delegate, prioritize self-care, and manage his ADHD brain.

What we cover:

Why ADHD founders struggle to let go of control (and how to fix it)
The surprising link between hyperactivity and entrepreneurial success
How John avoids burnout while running companies and mentoring CEOs
Why self-care isn’t “soft”—it’s the foundation of sustainable growth
The mindset shifts that turn visionary bottlenecks into scalable systems

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Guide to Profit (Without the Spreadsheet Spiral) Marcel Petitpas Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

ADHD entrepreneurs are smart, capable - and often pricing themselves into burnout.

In this episode, Skye interviews Marcel Petitpas, CEO of Parakeeto and the guy behind the numbers for hundreds of agencies. They dig into why most service businesses struggle with profit (it’s not what you think), and how to finally price for sustainability.

What we cover:

The ADHD-friendly way to figure out what your services should cost
The 3 key numbers you need to track (and how to figure them out)
How to future-proof your pricing so you can actually hire help
The ADHD-friendly habit that improves pricing, clarity, and confidence

Math trauma ends here.

Free Agency Toolkit: https://parakeeto.com/toolkit/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=The+ADHD+Skills+Lab

Parakeeto Foundation Course: https://course.parakeeto.com/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=The+ADHD+Skills+Lab

Free Model Platform - https://form.asana.com/?k=1OSsviJBE_luDSLhqMwoRA&d=1156118475728463?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=The+ADHD+Skills+Lab

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

Why You Always Underestimate Time (Even When You Swear You Won’t) Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Think something will take 15 minutes? Bet it takes 45.
You’re not lazy - you’ve got ADHD. And you’re probably struggling with time blindness.

In this episode, Skye and Sarah dive deep into three new studies on ADHD and time perception, breaking down the science, the symptoms, and the sneaky ways time blindness sabotages even high performers.

What we cover:

The 3 time-based skills your brain may be missing
Time blindness vs. working memory—what’s the real issue?
The surprising benefit of visual timers (and what the monkey app got right)
What the research says about the link between time and working memory

If you’ve ever said, “how is it 3pm already?” - this one’s for you.

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

I Walked Away From $48K and a PhD: My ADHD Origin Story Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Before Unconventional Organisation, before the coaching, before the 82K followers - there was burnout, academic pivots, and a year spent working in a bakery just to recover.
This is the story Skye's never told.

In this episode, dating coach, fellow founder, and friend Kavita interviews Skye about what really led to the creation of Unconventional Organisation. From side gigs to business models, academic accolades to real-world impact - this is the story behind the strategy.

What we cover:

What ADHD looks like before you even know you have that
The power of quitting what no longer fits
Why consistency feels terrifying - and how to fix it
Why your boring task might be killing your revenue
The system that finally ended the start-stop spiral

This is the blueprint Skye never had. Now it’s yours.

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

Your ADHD Toolkit Is Missing Something: Meet the Vagus Nerve Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

You’ve got strategies and systems, but you still feel like your brain is always “on.” You might be overlooking your nervous system.

This episode introduces a fast-rising body of ADHD research around polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation. We’re breaking down the science, the controversy, and why this might be the next frontier in ADHD support.

In this episode:

Why breathing wrong could be keeping you stuck
What the autonomic nervous system has to do with procrastination, burnout, and freeze mode
How polyvagal theory explains that “can’t shut down” feeling

No breathwork hype, no vague advice, just real science, grounded insight, and new tools.

References:

Feeling Safe: A Comprehensive Systematic Literature Review of Psychiatric Disorders through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

Adrenaline Isn’t a Business Strategy: The ADHD Growth System That Lasts May 26, 2025

Show notes

You can scale a business on sheer force... for a while. But eventually, ADHD founders burn out, blow up, or walk away.

This episode is your map out of the cycle. Skye shares the behind-the-scenes process she used to stop relying on urgency, reduce decision fatigue, and build a company that doesn’t fall apart the moment she takes a break.

What we cover:

The ADHD entrepreneur trap no one warns you about
Why most productivity advice makes things worse
How to use SOPs (without hating your life)
The 6-routine cadence that supports growth and your nervous system

If you’re tired of pretending you can do it all forever, this is where it changes.
Here's the link to the full playbook.
https://unconventionalorganization.substack.com/p/an-adhd-entrepreneurs-answer-to-growth
And here's your first step to focus.
https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/the-adhd-focus-filter

P.S. If you’re a founder who’s tired of the mad scramble of disorganized systems and stressful HR, and you want a business that feels as easy as plugging your headphones into an iPod shuffle, I’ve got something for you.
Want to grow your business?

My Focused Balanced Growth Program has everything you need to build consistent ADHD-friendly routines and processes to grow. Click here to learn more.

Looking for a coach who's also an operator who'll turn your business into a finely-tuned profit and peace machine designed for your brain?

I work with one company a month as a fractional consultant and COO, learning about your business and implementing systems that allow both trust & transparency with your team. Click here to book a call and discuss.

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