ADHD Aha!

Matt Klein, a software engineer who was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and slow processing speed as an adult. He describes feeling listless after big life changes and how a fixation on a crooked door revealed deeper patterns. The conversation covers perfectionism, masking, slow processing speed, and how the diagnosis reframed his past and work life.

Fellisia Robinson, mental health advocate and founder of Brown Girl ADHD who builds resources and a soft productivity planner for Black and Brown women, shares her late ADHD diagnosis and the relief it brought. She talks about perfectionism, masking, and pressure to perform. She explores choosing soft productivity and slowing down instead of constant hustle.

Andrea Jones-Rooy, a data scientist, comedian, and fire-eating performer, shares personal stories about feeling like a failure despite success. She talks about relying on deadlines to finish major work, how performing helps her focus, and why time blindness finally felt like an unavoidable clue about her ADHD.

Brandon Hogstad, a scientist-turned-AI adoption coach who also co-hosts a dream podcast and releases music with his brother. He talks about discovering ADHD in adulthood and how college exposed gaps in study skills. He shares strategies he used to finish a PhD, how ADHD fuels pattern-making and creativity, and why reframing struggles with self-compassion matters.

Terry Matlen, a psychotherapist and leading expert in ADHD for women, shares her personal journey from feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks to finding her voice in the ADHD community. She discusses the shame often associated with domestic expectations and the clarity brought by her diagnosis. Terry highlights the struggles of executive function and emotional dysregulation, offering practical advice for moms with ADHD. With warmth and encouragement, she emphasizes the importance of community and understanding in navigating life with ADHD.

Debbie Reber, author and founder of Tilt Parenting, shares her journey of uncovering her ADHD as an adult. She reveals how years of organizing her life unknowingly masked her ADHD symptoms. Debbie discusses her struggles with imposter syndrome and the pressure to appear effortlessly successful. She reflects on her childhood as the loud class clown and how her creative spirit often faced dismissal. Therapy now aids her in unraveling these early messages, enhancing her understanding of herself and her advocacy for neurodivergent families.

Brandon Saiz, a veteran and writer, shares his journey with inattentive ADHD after a late diagnosis. He opens up about the challenges of masking his symptoms and struggling with anxiety and suicidal ideation. Brandon discusses how the military's structure both helped and hindered his experience, revealing insights into the often-missed signs of ADHD, particularly in boys. He also offers advice for veterans navigating similar experiences and highlights his creative work, including writing and game development.

Back by popular demand… it’s Ange Nolan! Ange returns to ADHD Aha! to share how her ADHD journey has evolved since we last spoke. That includes her decision to study disability theology and help make worship spaces more supportive for neurodivergent people. Going back to school brought up old memories of past academic struggles. Ange talks openly about navigating those feelings with more clarity and self-understanding. She also gives an update on her personal life — this time, celebrating a calm, steady relationship that looks very different from the intense dynamics she experienced in the past.For more on this topic: Ange’s first interview: ADHD, loving intensely, and impulsivityA guide to  ADHD and emotionsFor a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we’re revisiting one of our favorite ADHD Aha! episodes. Ange Nolan once suspected she had ADHD but was dismissed by her doctor. Years later, an ADHD “iceberg” graphic that visualized how so many ADHD symptoms live beneath the surface finally made everything click. After her diagnosis, Ange recognized how much ADHD had shaped her romantic relationships, her drive for intense connection, her “chameleon” behavior, and her impulsive career changes. Be sure to tune in next time! Ange is coming back to tell us how life has changed in the three years since her episode aired. Spoiler: She’s doing great.For more on this topic:Listen: ADHD and messiness (Jeannie’s story)Read: ADHD and emotionsRead: Understanding impulsivityListen: ADHD and marriage (Rachel and Jon’s story)Timestamps: (00:50) The ADHD iceberg moment that revealed hidden symptoms(05:20) Early warning signs, misdiagnosis, and feeling dismissed(09:40) Career pivots, masking, and finding work that finally fits(15:30) Impulsivity, hyperfixation, and burnout in relationshipsFor a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Atira Roberson, a passionate learning disability advocate and English teacher from Arkansas, shares her compelling journey of discovering her ADHD and other diagnoses in college. She reflects on the impact of being shielded from her diagnoses growing up, the stigma of being a Black girl with learning disabilities, and the bullying that shaped her self-perception. Atira's passion for teaching stems from her experiences, leading her to develop classroom strategies aimed at creating safe, supportive environments for students with ADHD.