Women & ADHD

Episode 98 with Sarah Wheeler.“I was like, Why do I have all these ambitions, yet so much incompetence? Like, I know I’m smart. Why can’t I just get it together?”Sarah is a writer, educational psychologist, and neurodiversity trainer based in Oakland. I first discovered Sarah through her Substack newsletter Momspreading. She wrote a piece reflecting back on her adult ADHD diagnosis, and it was just so compelling and nuanced and thought-provoking and hilarious that I kind of started stalking her a little bit online after that.Thankfully, she agreed to sit down with me and talk about her own diagnosis journey and how she managed to spend 15 years studying and diagnosing ADHD in children without realizing she herself had ADHD. We talk about how a diagnosis in adulthood can feel both profoundly life-changing and, at the same time, inconsequential. We also talk about internalized hyperactivity in girls and those good old-fashioned ADHD tangents and long-winded conversational curlicues for which more than a few of us are known. And we talk about one of Sarah's favorite studies involving the Ariaal tribe of northern Kenya, and how environment and social factors can play an integral role in whether or not someone with ADHD thrives. Website: sarahwheelerphd.comInstagram: @thewheeler1 Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 97 with Kalin Johnson.“When I was growing up, my mom used to ask, ‘Don’t you ever get tired of thinking?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, but what am I going to do? Is there an alternative?’”Kalin is an American healthcare provider, mental health advocate, and entrepreneur. She shows high-achieving, neurodivergent individuals how to unmask their health and feel their best through concierge whole person care. As a licensed clinical pharmacist, functional medicine specialist, healthcare advocate, and neurodivergent mentor, Kalin bridges the gap between mental health and physical health through her professional and personal experience.After a year of struggling with extreme burnout and depression, she was diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and PTSD at the age of 33. Contrary to some, she had always suspected she was autistic but she was shocked when her therapist first told her she suspected ADHD. Kalin had to unpack a lot of the overzealous coping mechanisms that had been in place since she was young to compensate for her mostly inattentive ADHD symptoms. We discuss what it takes to curate a neurodivergent-affirming care team. We also discuss self-advocacy and finding the right medications for your treatment plan.And we chat about her experience coming out as queer versus her experience "coming out" as ADHD & autistic, and why the latter proved to be the more difficult experience for her.- - - - -Kalin will be hosting a live Q&A in the Women & ADHD online community on Sunday, August 21, where she will be giving an intro to ADHD medications, explaining the different types of popular ADHD medications, their classifications, and what symptoms they target. She'll also be available to answer your burning questions about medications and ADHD treatment plans! For more info and to register, head to www.womenandadhd.com/events.- - - - -Kalin is also hosting a free webinar on September 27 on the topic of neurodivergent advocacy. Website: kalinjohnson.comInstagram: @kalinpharmd Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 96 with Diana Heldfond.“No child shows up to school wanting to be the anxious kid in class or the disorganized one. There’s something else going on that’s inhibiting that child from succeeding.”Diana is the founder and CEO of Parallel Learning. As early as 7 years old, Diana realized she was not progressing at the pace of her fellow classmates. Soon thereafter, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Diana was fortunate enough to have the support to get the help she needed in order to thrive. As an adult, she realized that while 1 in every 5 students has a cognitive difference, support is confusing, expensive, and inefficient. Diana is now on a mission to make psycho-educational services widely available across the nation. As founder and CEO of Parallel, Diana is building the first tech-enabled, integrated care model for children with learning and thinking differences. Diana & I talk all about the online assessment process for kids, which is a relatively new option for families and schools. We also talk about empowered learning and the importance of positive framing and teaching kids about the strengths of ADHD at an early age rather than simply diagnosing a disorder. I loved getting the chance to sit down with Diana and hear her personal story and chat all about this incredible business she started and how much it has benefited my family’s journey.** If you are interested in learning more about how Parallel can help your child, please call 914.377.5655 or visit www.parallellearning.com. Use the discount code “WOMENANDADHD" for 50% off your child’s first month of services and $250 off an evaluation. **Website: Parallel LearningInstagram: @joinparallel Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 95 with Courtney Ruckman.“At first, I didn’t see the hyperactivity piece in myself, until I realized it applies to thoughts. My brain is like 20 radio stations at the same time.”Courtney was diagnosed with ADHD in October 2021 and the Women & ADHD podcast was one of the first resources she found (yay!).Courtney spent 11 years as a professional opera singer before retiring about 2 years ago and transitioning into arts marketing. Following her ADHD diagnosis, she looked back at her career as a performer and realized the extent to which ADHD was at the heart of her challenges as a singer and her decision to retire.She now loves using her neurodivergent creativity to help artists shine online, and she is the founder of Ossia Media, a digital marketing agency for emerging artists and non-profits.Courtney and I talk all about working memory as a singer and performer, as well as internalized hyperactivity and racing thoughts.We also talk about just how damaging the words “you have so much potential” can be to many neurodivergent kids.Website: Ossia MediaInstagram: @crsoprano ; @ossiamedia Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcriptsThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - - Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com - - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 94 with Ebony Washington.“On tests, I would read a sentence over and over and over again because it wasn’t processing in my brain. I’d think, ‘I’m smart. Why can’t I understand this?’”Ebony is a writer, artist, martial artist, and writers’ assistant on ABC’s hit medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy. Ebony was officially diagnosed with ADHD back in 2012 while in college, and we talk all about the various coping strategies she relied on while in school before and after her diagnosis.We talk about the many ways she masked as a girl, as well as her journey to finding the right medication and treatment plan in adulthood.And we also talk about working in the TV industry and how her ADHD helps her with multitasking and hyper-focusing in such a high-stress environment.Instagram: @eebbonyy Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 93 with Izzie Chea“There are families that don’t want to think of the idea that their child might be different. It makes it very hard to be yourself or to be an authentic person.”Izzie is a Dominican-Mexican-American creative, music educator, storyteller, and mental health advocate. After a late diagnosis of ADHD at age 35, she took her talent of content creation to Instagram, where @izzieandadhd has experienced tremendous growth through her Reels, expressing with incredible relatability and honesty what it is like to be a newly-diagnosed neurodivergent woman. As a music educator, Izzie operates a very successful YouTube channel providing engaging virtual piano lessons for all ages. She is currently pursuing her alternative certification to teach music in Texas public schools.We talk about the stigma around mental health in the Latino culture, as well as the concept of masking in society, at work, and among family.We also talk about being lifelong students and the importance of creating communities for ADHD women where they can be our weird, wonderful selves together without any feelings of shame or guilt.Website: IzzieandADHD/linksInstagram: @izzieandadhd  Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 92 with Sharon McCarthy.“I will start talking and lose my train of thought mid-sentence because my brain has suddenly gone off on a completely different tangent.”Sharon is the founding director of Autism Journeys, a training and consultancy service based in Cork, Ireland, where she supports autistic children and young people and their families from both an advocacy and educational standpoint.She is also the host of Autism Journeys, the fabulous radio show & podcast that shares stories and perspectives of members of the worldwide autism community.Sharon has worked in the autism field in a number of capacities over the last 20 years. She lectures at University College Dublin, coordinates and delivers autism-centric courses in her local community college, and delivers autism-specific training workshops to different disability and training services across Ireland. We talk about her incredible journey as a mother to multiply-identified neurodivergent children, which led her to become a fierce advocate for her kids. And more recently, this journey has led to her being identified as both autistic and an ADHDer, and she is now finally empowered to be her authentic neurodivergent self. We also talk about the dual diagnosis and overlap of traits, how autism presents in girls and women, how the definition and understanding of autism has changed over the years, as well as when it might be time to seek an autism diagnosis either for your child or yourself.Website: Autism JourneysInstagram: @autism.journeys Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - - Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com - - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 91 with Lisa Dos Santos.“Since I was 5 or 6, I was told I was lazy, messy, and forgetful. They used to call me lostkop in Afrikaans, which literally means your head is lost.”Lisa is a 35-year-old South African who was recently diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. She suspected something was different about her growing up but always assumed it was due to the trauma of being raised in an abusive home. However, when a teacher suggested Lisa’s 6-year-old daughter might have ADHD, Lisa started connecting the dots in her own life. After 11 different jobs and 17 years in the corporate world, Lisa now runs an online mindful yoga practice @yogalisa.online where she focuses on “bite-sized mindfulness,” breath work, and feeling good. Lisa’s teachings are inclusive, spiritual, and rooted closely in the origins of yoga.We talk about her history of codependency and how ADHD has played a role in those behaviors. We also talk about the concept of multipotentiality and the inability to stay still in our lives, especially when it comes to professions. And we also discuss the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for ADHD, and how intentionally slowing down and listening to our bodies has helped us rebuild self-trust and have more compassion and patience with ourselves and our kids.Website: YogaLisa.online  Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd  - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com- - - - - If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 90 with Laura Key.“ADHD is that thing you didn’t know you had, but once you do realize you have it, everything else makes sense.”Laura Key, a longtime editor and content creator, is the editorial director at Understood.org, a resource for the millions of people with learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia. Laura is also the host of the ADHD Aha! podcast, where her guests talk about the single moment when it clicked that they — or someone they know — has ADHD. Not only does Laura co-lead the Understood Podcast Network, she also spearheaded the creation of the Medium publication for/by. And she has two kids who keep her busy when she’s not working — and sometimes when she is working.Laura shares her diagnosis story and her “ADHD aha” moment, as well as her history with anxiety and perfectionism. We compare notes on hosting an ADHD-themed podcast, and talk all about the healing power of conversation and sharing our lived experiences with other ADHD people.We also talk about medication, looking for signs of ADHD in your children, and some of the inherent difficulties in figuring out the best ways to help our kids — and ourselves, for that matter! Instagram: @understoodorg  Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - - Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com - - - - -  If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 89 with Layla Touchet.“I was actually a hyperactive child, but the school told my mom that I’m just gifted and bored. I mean, y’all were right. But y’all were wrong, too. It was more than that.”Layla is a 29 year old neurodivergent female who works as a school counselor in Louisiana, working with tiny humans in grades pre-k through 2nd grade, most of whom are neurodivergent as well. She’s also a licensed mental health counselor with certifications in Autism and ADHD and she’s working on her PhD in Counseling. Layla was first diagnosed with ADHD about a year-and-a-half ago. After she started medication for her ADHD, she realized there were still some things not adding up, and that’s when she received her Autism diagnosis.We talk about her dual diagnosis and what it’s been like to look back over the course of her life, especially childhood, and see the traits of ADHD and Autism throughout.We also talk about how her discovery of her own neurodivergence has helped shape her as a mental health counselor and how she’s now educating the teachers and staff at her school and in her entire district on how to recognize some of the more overlooked neurodivergent traits in children, especially in girls.And we talk about her love of karate and kickboxing, as well as our shared love of office supplies. Instagram: @theneurodivergentcounselor Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a Women & ADHD listener, you’ll receive 10% off your first month of BetterHelp when you use this link: betterhelp.com/womenadhd  - - - - -Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - - Finally ... you've found your people! Now come join us in the Women & ADHD online community: www.womenandadhd.com - - - - -  If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and you’d like to be a guest on this podcast, please reach out to Katy via email womenandADHDpodcast (at) gmail.com.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy