ADHD Essentials

It’s January 10th.  By now, odds are you’ve already fallen down on some of your resolutions.  To that end, I want to talk about two of my goals that I can almost guarantee were more delayed than yours are, and the takeaways I have from them.

When my boys were born, I set a goal to earn my black belt and write a book by the time they turned five.  They’re sixteen now, almost seventeen, and I finally reached both of those milestones - a mere eleven years later than I planned.

Let’s unp...

In this episode, I resume the tradition of dragging a bunch of people into my room to reflect on the day's events of the ADHD Conference.  This is the second day of the general conference - Saturday, November 15, 2025.

My guests include:

In this episode, I resume the tradition of dragging a bunch of people into my room to reflect on the day's events of the ADHD Conference.  This is the first day of the general conference - Friday, November 14, 2025.

My guests include:

In today’s episode, I talk to a genuine trailblazer - Dr. Larry Jones.

Dr. Jones is a retired pediatrician who won CHADD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. He is the founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Enable Tables, and the co-author of “Falling Through the Ceiling: Our ADHD Family Memoir", both with his wife Audrey.  

Dr. Jones shares his road to becoming a doctor as a black man in the 1970s.  With the support of his family and community, he graduated both undergrad and medical school at Johns Hopkins, and became a pediatrician all while navigating the chall...

In today’s episode, I talk to my friend Dr. Ari Tuckman about ADHD and Productivity.  Ari has been working in the field of ADHD for over 25 years. He’s part of the leadership team for the International Conference on ADHD, speaks all over the world, and is the author of five books on ADHD, including his latest, The ADHD Productivity Manual.

Ari and I talk about the essential challenges of ADHD and productivity.  We discuss the importance of managing your environment (including screens), the benefit of doing things in ways that work better for ADHD brains even i...

What’s Up Team?!

The podcast has been on hiatus for a while, but I am finally in a position to resume posting.  So please tell your friends that I have returned.  

The plan is to continue with the interview format that established ADHD Essentials as one of the top ADHD podcasts in the field, and to add in the occasional episode of me exploring useful topics as appropriate. 

That said, I am expanding the scope to ADHD in general, as well as other...

In today’s episode, I talk to my friend Tamara Rosier.  Tamara runs the ADHD Center of West Michigan, she is also the author of two books - “Your Brain’s Not Broken”, and her new book, “You, Me, and Our ADHD Family”, as well as the workbooks that accompany both. 

Tarama and I discuss her new book, and explore how ADHD affects family communication patterns, over-functioning and under-functioning, triangles, and ways to mend relationships.

Guest Links:

Learn more about Tamara and her work here: 

It’s the end of 2024, so Dr. Carolyn and I are talking about goal-setting and how we view New Year’s Resolutions.  Along the way, we dabble in the importance of working with our brains rather than against them, the power of feeling seen, and why staying true to our values is important.

Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here

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Today, we’re joined by executive function and leadership coach Frankie Berkoben.  She shares why our executive function capacity can be so variable and the importance of being able to accept that variance, as well as the seven types of bandwidth, and why executive function coaching is helpful for leaders.

Guest Links:

Learn more about Frankie and her work here:

https://www.franklyquiteadhd.com/

Learn More about Brendan and his work at:  

Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups 

Join T...

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Patrick LaCount, the research officer for the “How to ADHD” YouTube channel.

Patrick talks to us about ADHD in young adulthood. We discuss the importance of taking a long view for both parents and young adults, tips for making friends, and the value of mindfulness.

Guest Links:

Learn more about Dr. LaCount and his work here:

Learn More about Brendan and his work at:  

Our friend Dr. Caroyn, the ADHD MD is back!

We talk about the importance of community to ADHD, how those communities allow us to embrace different parts of ourselves, and why the ADHD Conference is so meaningful to so many.  

Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here

Learn More about Brendan and his work at:  

Find Dr...

In today's episode, we're joined by Julie Kliers.  Going undiagnosed until age 46 and not wanting to see her sons repeat her own struggles, Julie embarked on a crusade to learn all she could about ADHD, and became the person she needed.  Now, she helps adults and students with ADHD embrace their unique and unlock their full potential!

Julie talks to us about the power of diagnosis, overwhelm, and boundaries.  We discuss the ADHD trap of thinking we should be doing things in a neurotypical way and then beating ourselves up when we can’t, how executive function chall...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kyrus Keenan Westcott of The Vibe with Ky.

Ky talks about behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances, the power of the stories we tell ourselves, masking, being an introvert, and the growth he’s gained from doing The Vibe with Ky.

Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here

Guest Links:

Learn more about Ky and his work here: 

Learn More about Brendan and his work at:  

Dr. Carolyn is back!  Carolyn is a pediatrician with ADHD who can talk about the disorder from any number of directions! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as the ADHD MD.

In today's episode, Dr Carolyn Lenszch-Parcells shares some good news, and we finish up our conversation about ADHD meds.  This time, we discuss non-stimulants, and a bit about the med shortage.

The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups 

Learn more about Dr. Carolyn and her work here: 

In today’s episode, we talk to friend-of-the-pod, and New York Times Best-Selling author AJ Jacobs.  AJ is an editor at large for Esquire, as well as a journalist, author, and lecturer best known for writing about his lifestyle experiments.  He’s also a fellow ADHDer. 

AJ talks to us about his latest book, The Year of Living Constitutionally.  We discuss:

Guest Li...

Today’s episode features Alan Brown, the ADD Crusher!  And it's a little different from the norm because it was recorded live at the 2023 ADHD Con during my Lunchtime Q&As with ADHD experts and dignitaries.

Alan and I discuss his principles for success with ADHD.  

The episode was produced by Stephen Tonti and Benj Welmond of Attention Different. 

Guest Links:

Learn more about Alan and his w...

Today, Dr. Carolyn, the ADHD MD returns to the show!  We discuss:

 The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY! 

Learn More about Brendan and his work at:  

Find Dr...

Content Warning - brief mention of suicide.

Today, I’m joined by Tracey Otsuka author of ADHD for Smart Ass Women.

In this episode Tracy talks to us about ADHD and women.  We discuss:

Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here

Learn more about Tracy and her work here: 

Learn M...

Today, I’m joined by Dr. William Dodson.  

Now semi-retired, Dr. Dodson is a Board-Certified adult psychiatrist and was one of the first clinicians to specialize in adults with ADHD over 25 years ago. He has been on the faculties of Georgetown University and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  He was the recipient of the national Maxwell Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities in 2006, and was named a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in recognition of his clinical contributions to the field of ADHD in 2012.  He has written more than 120 articles and bo...

Today Talli Dolge and Amanda Morin join the pod.  

Talli is a national mental health strategic advisor and executive consultant, and the Founder and CEO of Mindful Workplace LLC. 

Amanda is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, award-winning author, certified educator, and nationally-known speaker. 

Tallia and Amanda have recently launched the Empathic Edge Podcast, where they have intimate conversations with inspiring leaders with the aim of shattering preconceived ideas and providing actionable items to help listeners understand and work with different personalities and new ideas in the ever-changing work environment. 

In this episode Talli...

Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells joins us again!

That’s right, it’s a rock-block of Dr. Carolyn!  Carolyn is a pediatrician with ADHD who can talk about the disorder from any number of directions! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as the ADHD MD.

In an episode that is long overdue, Dr. Carolyn talks about ADHD medication - primarily stimulants.  We’ll cover non-stimulants in a future episode.  Carolyn discusses the role of medication as part of a gold-standard treatment plan, meds as a protective factor for both kids and adults, medication and substance use, and...

Today’s episode is a bit of a departure from the norm.  In it, I’m joined by my friend Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells, the ADHD MD!  Carolyn is a pediatrician with ADHD who can talk about the disorder from any number of directions!  She’s been on the show a few times, and will be joining me periodically to explore ADHD, and related topics.   

In a more personal conversation, Carolyn and I talk about how ADHD affects our lives, the importance of just getting started, and how being busy can cause an ADHD cascade.  

ADHD...

In today’s episode we talk to Peter Shankman. 

Peter is an entrepreneur, a keynote speaker, the best-selling author of six books, founder of the neurodiversity consultancy firm Mental Capital, and he’s a dad. 

Peter talks to us about parenting, the power of getting out of your own element to get work done, and his recent children’s book, “The Boy with the Faster Brain”, and why ADHDers have to learn how to use the faster brain that they have, rather than the neurotypical brain that they don’t have. 

Also, his dog might have the best t...

In today’s episode we talk to Anita Robertson, LCSW. 

Anita is an ADHD and relationship therapist.  Her goal is to help individuals and couples understand ADHD and find the right systems that work for them. 

Anita talks to us about navigating the challenges of being in the sandwich generation while having ADHD.  We discuss the challenges of caring for neurodiverse children and ailing parents - the impact it takes on our executive function, how it affects our relationships, and the toll it can take on our well-being.  As well as the need for social supports...

In today’s episode we talk to Mark Smeets.  Mark is a neurodiversity advocate out of British Columbia, and the host of the “We are the ADHD Family” podcast.

Mark talks to us about his family’s experience with ADHD.  We discuss the journey to his son’s ADHD and autism diagnosis, how it led to his and his wife’s ADHD diagnoses, generational trauma, mental health advocacy work, and being on with where you are.

Guest Links:

In today’s episode we talk to Jessica McCabe!

Jessica is the creator and host of How to ADHD on YouTube and author of a new book that came out yesterday!

Jessica talks to us about that very book, aptly titled “How to ADHD”.  We discuss her new book, as well as the importance of accessibility for ADHD folks, divergent vs convergent thinking, why trying harder is not the answer, and how ADHD affects us socially.

Guest Links:

In today’s episode we talk to Dr. Roberto Olivardia.  A Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Olivaria specializes in ADHD, Executive functioning issues, and OCD, as well as Body Dysmorphic Disorder and eating disorders.  

Dr. Olivardia talks to us about ADHD and eating.  We discuss the executive function challenges that underpin healthy eating, the eating disorders most common to ADHD, the social nature of eating, and how the things we eat can affect our ADHD.

Guest Links: Duration: 00:48:28

In today’s episode we talk to Julie Skolnick, founder of With Understanding Comes Calm.  

Julie guides parents of gifted and distractible children, mentors 2e adults, trains educators and advises professionals on how to bring out the best in, and raise self-confidence of, the 2e people in their lives.

Julie talks to us about her new book, "Gifted and Distractible".  She talks to us about what 2e means, her Cycle for Success model, the overexcitability of gifted folks, asynchronous development, and how to advocate for ourselves and others.

Guest Links:

In this episode, I continue the tradition of dragging a bunch of people into my room to reflect on the day's events of the ADHD Conference.  There were a bunch of us - Members of the Men's ADHD Support Group, Inger Shay Colzie, ADHD Nerd Dad, Teresa Taylor, ADHDruid, and Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells - we had pizza.

ADHD Essentials Links:  

In today’s episode we talk to Suchi Deshpande.  Suchi is the founder of Learnfully, a digital learning platform, balanced with insights from machine learning and expert human interaction. that connects specialists and caregivers to gain a deeper, more accurate, and actionable understanding of the learning needs of their kids.

Suchi talks to us about how Learnfully helps neurodiverse kids access education.  She discusses the importance of figuring out your kid’s learning profile, the role anxiety plays in education, why support has to work for both the family and the kid, the power of getting diagnosed as an...

In today’s episode of ADHD Essentials, we talk to Rebecca Rolland.  Rebecca is an author, speech language pathologist and lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

She talks to us about her book, “The Art of Talking with Children”.  We discuss the Zone of Proximal Development, the role of temperament in conversation, the principles of social talk, and boundary setting.

Guest Links:

ADHD Essentials Links:  

In today’s episode, we talk to Cris -a web developer and software engineer who has created Focus101.com, an outstanding virtual body-doubling tool.

Cris talks to us about how Focus 101 works, the power of co-working and bodydoubling, and the importance of playing with your own creations.  

Guest Links:

ADHD Essentials Links:  

It's just me for this episode.  I'm sharing some reflections and lessons on helping that I've learned after the trials of the COVID pandemic, caring for a son with OCD, and supporting a dad with cancer.  And stay to the end for a special announcement about my latest project!

Links to the Friends and Colleagues I Thanked in this Episode:  

ADHD E...

In today’s episode, we talk to Ying, a Chinese immigrant to the United States who has ADHD who goes by the handle, ADHD Asian Girl on Twitter.

She talks to us about how Asian cultural expectations affect her ADHD, cultural and neurodiverse masking, how ADHD increases challenges of being an immigrant, as well as mindfulness and the calming power of shaking and dancing.

>>>Learn About Both ADHD Conferences Here

In today’s episode, we talk to Jesse Anderson!

Jessie is an ADHD influencer who goes by the handle ADHDJesse, and the author of “Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD”.

Jesse talks to us about his new book, “Extra Focus, and shares some tips from it.  We discuss the modern view of ADHD, Jesse’s four Cs of motivation, and juggling chainsaws.

Guest Links:

Learn more about Jesse and his work here!

Get Jesse's book, "Extra Focus" here!

ADHD Essentials Links:  

In today’s episode, we talk to ADHD creator and friend of the show, Dani Donovan!  (Dani has created the Anti-Planner, a phenomenal tool for helping folks with ADHD get stuff done.)

Dani talks to us about the Anti-Planner, and why it it such a powerful tool for folks with ADHD. She shares some of the strategies in it.  Strategies that she actually used in creating it!  (Like letting yourself bounce from one strategy to another, paper football decision-making, KanBan boards, even strategies for meal planning!)

  Duration: 00:37:23

In today’s episode, we talk about the Men’s ADHD Support Group with founders Marc Almodovar and Kristian Moton.  Marc and Kristian discuss the reason they started the group, and the needs they’re meeting with it. 

They talk about the shame that ADHD and similar mental health struggles can create for men, how the cultural resistance to male vulnerability both impedes healing and leads to anger, the power of self-talk, the importance of community, and their goals for the Men’s ADHD Support Group.

...

This is the 250th episode of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. For those of you who have been wondering why the show has been inconsistent for the last little while, this is your answer.  I hope you find meaning and comfort in our story.  

In today’s episode, my family and I share the mental health struggles that have affected our lives over the past four years, as well as the things we did to address, and eventually, overcome them.  This episode is mainly about my son Nathan’s struggle with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but the lessons hiding i...

Today, we’re talking to Seoniadh Jameson.  Seoniadh is a fitness professional with ADHD and the author of “Why You Skipped Your Workout”.

Seoniadh talks to us about her book, and exercise in general.  She discusses the mind-body connection and how exercising can help our brains, the nature of making changes in our lives, the power of self-talk, and the emotional side of ADHD and exercise.

>>>  Learn About the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups

Today, we’re talking to Lynne Lyons. 

Lynn is a psychotherapist, author, and speaker in private practice for over 30 years.  She specializes in treating anxiety disorders in adults and children.

Lynne talks to us about her book “The Anxiety Audit”, and anxiety in general.  She discusses the differences between stress, anxiety, and worry, how accommodations play a different role treating ADHD than they do with anxiety, where many parents go wrong with their kid’s anxiety, all or nothing thinking, and how anxiety affects us physiologically.

>>>Get Your ADHD Essentials Merch Here!!!

It's just me for this episode.  I'm sharing my thoughts on neurodiverse masking - what it is, why we do it, and the need for a more nuanced conversation in that area with regard to what I'm seeing online.

Today, we’re talking to author Caroline Maguire.  Caroline is the author of “Why Will No One Play With Me?”, as well as a social skills and ADHD coach.  She recently did a TEDx Talk about her social spy approach to improving our interpersonal skills.   

Caroline talks to us about being a social spy during the holidays.  She shares how (and what) to observe when we first enter into social situations, why it’s so important to read the room, helping sensitive kids manage their sensitivity, and ways to gamify the teaching of social skills.

Today, we’re talking to David Greenwood, author of "Overcoming Distraction", and "Overcoming Burnout".

David talks to us about burnout. We discuss causes of burnout, different kinds, including professional and caregiver burnout, and David gives us tips for both managing and avoiding it.

Alright, let’s get rolling.

>>>Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups

Today, we're continuing our annual episodes from the International ADHD Conference.  This episode, as well as the previous and the next are all quick, minimally edited group debriefs of ADHD Con 2022.  My guests for this chat are numerous, honestly, I'm toasted from the conference.  But among them are ADHD luminaries Dani Donovan, Jessica McCabe, Caroline Maguire, Eric Tivers, and Cate Osborn, as well as past show guests Dr. Caroline Lentzsch-Parcells and Chris from NASA.  That's a lot of names.  I didn't even mention everyone.  We may have had a pizza party.

ADHD Essentials Links:  <...

Today, we're continuing our annual episodes from the International ADHD Conference.  This episode, as well as the previous and the next are all quick, minimally edited group debriefs of ADHD Con 2022.  My guest for this chat are Lollie Weeks, Kate Barrett, Marc Almodovar, Elizabeth Kilmer, John Hazelwood, and Michelle Buzgon.

ADHD Essentials Links:  

ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs:

Today, we're beginning our annual episodes from the International ADHD Conference.  This episode, and the following two are all quick, minimally edited group debriefs of ADHD Con 2022.  My guest for this chat are Anne Marie Nantais, Keith Gelhorn, Keith Griffin, and Zach Gershon.

ADHD Essentials Links:  

ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs:

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Norrine Russell.

Dr. Russell is a former psychology professor, and the founder and owner of Russell Coaching for Students.  Russell Coaching is one of the largest student coaching practices in America, and works with complex students to help them develop executive functioning skills and social emotional skills.

Norrine talks to us about lying and ADHD.  She shares reasons why our kids might lie to us (and themselves), and why it’s not as offensive as we might think.  She also shares how the core deficits of ADHD relate to lying, and things...

Today, we’re talking to Shane Thrapp of “Creating Order from Chaos”. 

Shane is an ADHD coach, sits on the board for the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, and moderates the largest men’s ADHD group on Facebook. 

Shane shares his ADHD diagnosis story, and the role his son played in it.  He talks about how his parenting journey - the ways that our parents, for good or for ill, set the bar for us as parents, and why owning our mistakes as parents can be both incredibly hard and incredibly important. He also discusses his involvement with both the Men’s A...

Today, it's just me.  I'm discussing a metaphor I've been sharing for years in my workshops, but somehow haven't brought to the podcast yet.  It's a way to pay more attention to the things that are going smoothly, rather than the things that are getting in the way and causing trouble.  It's an important skill to develop, so we can reinforce the things we want, and have a better outlook on our lives.  And it's especially critical with ADHD in the mix.

Where's Brendan?

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer. Dr. Kilmer is a licensed clinical psychologist and the director of education and training at Game to Grow. 

In this outstanding interview Elizabeth shares a brief exploration of the ways Dungeons and Dragons supports social growth, and then for the bulk of the interview we examine the SPARK model from Game to Grow’s Critical Core program, and how parents can use this guide for good game mastering to improve their parenting. 

I recognize that this interview might seem a bit niche and geeky.  But I promise, even if...

Today, we’re talking to Alex Gilbert of Capeable Consulting.  Alex is a New Yorker (Go Mets), a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast.  After spending her career in leadership development, Alex has moved into the coaching and consulting with people with learning disabilities and ADHD.

In this excellent, wide ranging episode, Alex talks to us about ADHD and careers.  She shares what our favorite games can tell us about the careers we should pursue, how to navigate our weaknesses at work, the roles boredom and excitement play for ADHDers at work, how to distinguish between things that are h...

Today, we’re talking to Holly Blanc Moses.  Holly is a psychologist who helps neurodiverse kids, adults, and families.  She’s also one of the hosts of the upcoming ADHD Summit that I mentioned earlier.  You can find my link in the show notes.

In this episode, Holly talks to us about ADHD in girls. We discuss how cultural expectations influence the way ADHD symptoms affect girls, the importance of nature of girls’ social relationships, and the prominent role that anxiety can play in the life of girls with ADHD.

>>>CHECK OUT THE ADHD SUMMIT OC...

Today, we’re talking to Cathy Rashidian of Ready Set Choose Coaching.  Cathy is an executive and ADHD coach to emerging leaders, and the host of the Proudly ADHD podcast.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of moving beyond structure, routine, and productivity when it comes to managing ADHD, why we should take more care in looking at home much time we actually have to do things, menstruation and ADHD, and the relationship between production, emotions and processing styles.

Side note, this episode is overdue.  It was recorded back in February before things went...

Today, it's just me, your host in abstencia.  In today’s episode, I share a little bit about the family stuff I've been going through that led to the podcast being so intermittent of late, pledge to return to weekly posting moving forward, and share a lesson of two about parenting (and just being human) that I've learned as a result of all this.

Today, we’re talking to Amanda Morin. Amanda works in print and digital media as a writer and editor, empowering parents and educators to affirm the pivotal roles they play in children’s education. She played an integral role in launching Understood.org in 2014.

In today’s episode, we discuss what Understood.org is and why it’s so valuable, learning loss during the pandemic, masking, and the importance of acceptance for neurodiversity.

Today, we’re talking to Brandon Tessers of Effective Artistry.  Brandon is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), trained professional actor, amateur singer/songwriter, former schoolteacher, and a self-described “enthusiastic if sometimes ill-prepared husband and father”. He’s been helping children and adults with their executive functioning for over a decade, and has been doing so as a licensed therapist for the last five years.

In this wide ranging episode, Brandon shares his Accomplishment Equation. He talks about motivation as resource management, ways to recover energy, negative vs positive aims, and why change requires discomfort.

In this episode we’re talking to therapist and author, Claire Bidwell Smith.  Claire is a grief expert, and her latest book is “Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief”. 

In this episode, Claire talks to us about grief.  She discusses the interconnections between anxiety and grief, a few different models and perspectives on the subject, it’s cyclical nature, the importance of making space for grief, how to handle it with kids, and why grief is around us more than we might think.

Today, we’re revisiting an episode from May of 2020 with Richard Tedeschi.  Richard originated the concept of posttraumatic growth with his colleague Lawrence Calhoun during their years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. More recently, he has been applying the posttraumatic growth concept in the development of innovative programs for combat veterans and first responders. The success of which is leading to their implementation at a number of venues across the country. His new book about the growth experiences of military families is Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth (2020).

In Today’s Episode, Dr. Tedes...

In this episode we're talking to Alex Gilbert of Capeable Consulting.  Alex has ADHD and dyslexia.  And after spending her career working in leadership development, she decided to start a consulting and coaching business to help adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are struggling in their careers. 

In this episode, Alex talks to us about navigating jobs, careers, and employment with ADHD.  She discusses what your favorite game has to do with picking a job, navigating boredom and imposter syndrome, the fact that interview questions are a two way street, and why things can be chal...

Today, host Brendan Mahan explores why ADHD is poorly named in response to some of the things talked about in the recent episode featuring René Brooks, Inger Colzie, and Stacey Machelle.

In this episode of the podcast we are talking to my friend Coco Stanback.  Coco is an ADHD and parenting coach whose family is, unsurprisingly, affected by the disorder.

In this episode, Coco discusses effective co-parenting.  She talks about why we should first seek to understand when things get challenging, the importance of knowing and honoring each others’ skill sets, and her three core C’s of parenting.

This episode of the podcast was commandeered by René Brooks of Black Girl Lost Keys.  I thought we were going to have one-on-one interview and catch-up, but René had other plans and brought along some friends!  So it’s me, René, ADHD coach and mental health clinician Inger Shay Colzie, and the Stacey Machelle of ADHD is the New Black on YouTube.

In this episode, we discuss and demonstrate the importance of singing people’s praises and the supportive nature of the ADHD Community, the power of planting seeds, finding humor in ADHD, the importance of diverse...

Today, we’re talking to Cindy Goldrich, the founder of Pathways to Success Coaching. 

Cindy is a mental health counselor and ADHD coach who has been working in the field for over 15 years.  She is the author of two books on parenting children with ADHD, and books and training programs have been translated into multiple languages.  In addition to working with parents, Cindy also trains ADHD coaches and other professionals. 

In this episode, we discuss ways to distinguish between supporting and enabling, Cindy’s three N’s of praise, and the importance of connection and setting appropriate expectatio...

In today's episode, I share how I responded to a guy who didn't like my supportive, and encouraging approach to parenting.  He tried to crush my positivity by saying, "I don't believe that everyone deserves a trophy".  So, I thought about it and came back to him with a clearer perspective.  The gist of which is that ADHD is a developmental disorder, so kids with ADHD might not meet the same standards as other kids their age.  We should meet them where they are. Then teach them to do better moving forward.  This episode will teach you how to do tha...

In today’s episode, we’re revisiting a conversation I had with Monica Hassell.  Monica is an ADHD coach based in Australia.  She and her husband Jon make up ConnectADHD.  Monica has presented at the International Conference on ADHD several times, and her work is outstanding!

In today’s episode, we discuss Executive Function, why ADHD rarely travels alone, and the various layers that underlie problem behaviors through Monica’s outstanding Volcano model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  The image for the volcano will be in the show notes.

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Renee Crook. 

Renee is a veteran ADHD coach who works with adult clients both one-on-one and in groups.  She sits on the board of directors for ADDA and is the chair of their virtual support groups.  She also teaches for RenaFi, a financial education program for ADHDers, and trains coaches as part of the faculty of the ADHD Coach Academy.

In this episode, Renee shares her story and discusses how her struggles with ADHD led to her leaving teaching and becoming an ADHD coach.  Along the way we discuss why clea...

In today's episode, I share a strategy I use to help kids get their homework done.  (I use it to help adults get stuff done, too!)  

It involves assessing in advance the time and effort/energy required to do each homework assignment (or part of the task) and then using the information to make decisions about prioritization and sequencing.  So, not only dies it help kids attack the task at hand, but it build executive functioning skill, too!

ADHD Essentials Links:  

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. Sharon Saline.  Dr. Saline is a friend of the pod, a licensed, clinical psychologist, and the author of “What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew”.

In this episode, Dr. Saline and I talk about the effects of the pandemic on children and families.  We discuss the data on mental health pre- and post-pandemic, moral injury, the effect it is having on social skills, and ways to manage the anxiety we're all experiencing.

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. Randy Kulman.  Dr. Kulman is the founder and president of LearningWorks for Kids. He coordinates their team of psychologists, educators, and digital designers in a quest to make video games good for kids. As a licensed clinical child psychologist, Dr. Kulman has been working directly with kids and families for the past 30 years, and has become a leading expert on the use of digital technologies for improving thinking skills in children.

In this episode, Dr. Kulman joins us to discuss all things screen time.  We explore screen...

Today, we're talking to Dr. Robert Gruberman.

Robert is the director of his school district’s gifted and talented program.  He has been assessing and teaching gifted children for nearly two decades, and has been a public educator for even longer.

In today’s episode, we discuss ADHD and giftedness through the lens of an academic expert in the field.  We talk about the various components of giftedness, and where they overlap with ADHD, the social emotional side of giftedness, how twice exceptional kids are affected by having both ADHD and giftedness, and how to help kids with A...

In today's episode, I'm talking about children's stress, parental stress, and the interplay between the two.  And, I have a present for you!

ADHD Essentials Links:  

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Today, we’re talking to Aurora Remember Holtzman.  Aurora is a school psychologist, neurodivergence coach, and host of the Embracing Intensity podcast.  And her focus is giftedness and twice exceptionality.

In today’s episode, Aurora discusses just that – giftedness and twice exceptionality!  She talks to us about the challenges of twice exceptionality, how ADHD and giftedness can mask each other, executive function fatigue and burnout, common  challenges for the gifted, and why giftedness should not be confused with achievement. 

Today, we’re talking to ADHD Jon-Jon.

Jon is a minority black male and men’s health advocate with ADHD.  I’ve been following him on twitter for a while now, and am excited to finally have him on the show!

In today’s episode, John and I talk about having ADHD and learning how to live! We discuss working at thriving rather than just surviving, the importance of taking action, vulnerability, being mindful rather than just having a mind that is constantly full, and managing anxiety.

In today's episode, I share a tool I've been using for a few years now to help me reframe my thoughts in order to gain distance, depersonalize the thoughts I don't want to be having, and better see the role unhealthy cultural systems play in those unwanted thoughts.

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Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with to Cindy Jobs about holiday planning.

Cindy is an expert in the field of organization, and an Associate Certified Coach.  She helps people with ADHD simplify their lives through education, structure, and support. 

In today’s episode, we talk about setting reasonable expectations around the holidays, the importance of clear, honest, early, and open communication, managing the various holiday pressure cookers, and using traditions to foster connection.

Today, we’re talking to Denise Thomas.  Denise helps equip parents to take an active role in supporting their children to live a life of greater financial freedom by teaching them how to reduce or eliminate their kid’s college debt. Her mission is to FLIP the student debt statistic in the U.S!

In this episode, Denise talks about how she sent her kids to college debt-free, and shares strategies for you to do the same.  She tells us about how her family’s financial hardship forced her to find alternative ways to fund her children’s college...

It's Day 3 of the Annual International Conference on ADHD, and it's virtual again for 2021!  We're still doing the rough cut debriefs, but today os the last day!  Each day, I've grabbed some folks to do a quick, unedited reflection on the conference.  For day 3, I'v got Alan Brown, Roxie Martin, Moira Maybin and Jessica McCabe!  Check it out!

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The Annual International Conference on ADHD is virtual again for 2021!  And we're still doing the rough cut debriefs!  Each day, I'll be grabbing some folks to do a quick, unedited reflection on the conference.  For day 2, I grabbed Will Curb, Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parecalls, Kate Barrett, Lollie Weeks, and Jon Hassall!  Check it out!

>>>REGISTER FOR ADHD CON 2021!!!  GET 15% OFF!!!

The Annual International Conference on ADHD is virtual again for 2021!  And we're still doing the rough cut debriefs!  Each day, I'll be grabbing some folks to do a quick, unedited reflection on the conference.  Today, I grabbed Tamara Rosier, Inger Shaye, Monica Hassall, and Jeff Copper!  Check it out!

>>>REGISTER FOR ADHD CON 2021!!!  GET 15% OFF!!!

In today's episode, I share a tool I've been using for a few years now to help me get emotional space, and be more empathic and compassionate when I'm supporting people (including my kids!) who are going through a challenging time.

>>>REGISTER FOR ADHD CON 2021!!!  GET 15% OFF!!!

Today, we’re talking to Phyllis Fagell, author of Middle School Matters.  Phyllis is a school counselor, and author of the book Middle School Matters.

In this episode, Phyllis talks about ten key life skills through the lens of middle school. She discusses the importance of good friend choices and the influence of peer presence, reasons why we want to help our kids get clear on their values, the effects of the pandemic on kids as well as ways to mitigate those effects, navigating teacher/student mismatches, the imaginary audience, and the value of identifying emotions.

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Today, we’re talking to Trent McEntire.

He's the founder of FireUpYourBrain.com, and creator of the Brain Speedball.  Trent became a professional dancer after rehabilitating his own severe movement restrictions caused by a brain injury at birth, and has continued to work on understanding how the mind-body connection and neuroplasticity can be used to address challenges in attention, emotional regulation, and movement.

In today’s episode, Trent shares his story, and talks to us about his work with physical movement and the senses to address neurodiverse and development challenges. We discuss failing first grade, cerebral palsy, the i...

Today, we’re talking to Leanne Kaplan. 

Leanne is a school psychologist working with elementary school students.  I really enjoyed this conversation.  It was both wide ranging, and insightful.

In today’s episode, Leanne talks about how school testing works.  She shares the basic things we should, as well as things that don’t show up on tests and rating scales, the difference between private testing and school testing, and the importance of looking at the whole student to determine what’s best for your child.

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Today, we’re talking Anthony Amitrano, M.Ed., M.A.

Anthony is an instructional technology specialist in Northbridge, MA, as well as a former music teacher and school administrator.  He also has a website called edupowertools.com that provides resources related to using technology in education.

In this episode Anthony talks to us about technology education.  He discusses the way the use of technology is changing in schools – from worksheets to more creative and collaborative projects, ways parents can support their kids through technology - setting boundaries for technology as well as talking about digital citizenship, the power...

Today, we’re talking to friend of the pod, Tamara Rosier!  Tamara is an ADHD and Leadership coach, founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, author of the new book, “Your Brain’s not Broken”, which was released this week! 

In this episode Tamara and I talk about her new book, “Your Brain’s not Broken”.  We discuss managing the basic things in life, the interplay of anxiety and imagination, convergent vs divergent thinking, ADHD as an at-risk population, and ways to manage our emotions.  

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Today, we’re talking to Aimee Buckley. 

Aimee is the CEO and Chief Academic Officer of the online tutoring platform, Study Help Inc as well as a full-time special education teacher of mild to moderate students with 25 years of experience, and the adoptive mom of a neurodiverse daughter.

In today’s episode Aimee talks to us about using understanding rather than patience to manage frustrating behaviors and situations, looking at issues as problems to solve rather than moralizing them, the benefits of impulsivity, being solution-focused, behavioral strategies that help at home, and the effervescence of ADHD!

Duration: 00:47:33

Today, we’re talking to Ashleigh.  She’s an ADHD mom, and previous member of the ADHD Essentials Parent Coaching Groups.  Ashleigh contacted me a little while ago and said she wanted to help support the groups.

In today’s episode she does just that.  She asks to me about my vision for the parent groups, and tells me about the things got from them.  I share how my background contributes to the parenting philosophy and the skills that I teach during the eight weeks of the parenting groups, Ashleigh shares how meaningful it was for her to connect...

Today, we’re talking to me!  For the 100th Episode of the ADHD Essentials Podcast, my friend Cameron Gott, offered to flip the script, and interview me about what I learned over the course of doing 100 episodes.  Well, we’re doing it again for episode 200! 

Cameron is a phenomenal ADHD coach, who’s been doing it for over two decades, as well as the co-host of the Translating ADHD podcast with Shelly Collins.

In today’s episode Cam interviews me about the past present and future of the ADHD Essentials podcast.  I talk about my goals for th...

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Nicole Beurkins. 

Dr. Beurkins is a child psychologist who has appeared in Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, The Washington Post and has been featured on both NBC, CBS, and ABC, including The Today Show.

In today’s episode, Dr. Beurkins discusses ADHD and integrative health.  She talks about her neurodiverse-friendly approach - she is focused on helping people not changing them.  She also talks about why our starting points should be simple and doable, and digs deep into the ways the mind can affect the body and vice versa, and the imp...

In today's episode, I share my thoughts on cleaning a room.  Among these are a way to avoid panic-cleaning, the Five Box method, the Job of the Space method, using timers and clipboards, what to do once it's clean,  and the power of self-forgiveness.

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Today, we’re digging into the vault to hear from Gail Oakerman. 

Gail is an Educational Consultant, Counselor, and one of my old College Professors.  She runs Five Points Counseling in Lunenburg, MA.

In today’s episode, we discuss the internal struggle of ADHD, how systemic & cultural realities get in our way, the power of teaching our kids ways to talk about their challenges, and harnessing incremental change.

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Today, we’re talking to Keri Wilmot.  Keri is a pediatric occupational therapist with over twenty years of experience in the field, a consultant to the toy industry as the “Toy Queen”, and the author of “Wired Differently: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Sensory-Processing Challenges”.

Keri talks to us about the important role sensory processing plays in the lives of the neurodiverse.  She tells us about the role of an occupational therapist, reveals that we actually have eight senses - not five, illuminates the difference treatment and woo when it comes to sensory integration, and shares the...

Today, we’re talking to Jessica McCabe! 

Jessica is the creator and host of the “How to ADHD” YouTube Channel where she shares her toolbox of ADHD tips, techniques, information, and strategies to help us work with our brains rather than against them. 

This is an incredibly wide-ranging interview in which Jessica shares some of the lessons she’s learned while working on “How to ADHD”, and goes into her personal experiences with ADHD.  She talks about being surprised by just how much of her life was affected by ADHD, how ADHD traits can be a blessing and a curse, ho...

In today's episode, I reflect on the lessons I've learned during the ongoing COVID19 pandemic including (but not limited to) why focusing on connection is key, the importance of time alone how exhausting transitions can be, that if you want it to happen you have to MAKE it happen, and the fact that both kids and adults need to feel like they’re contributing, and accomplishing something.

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Today, we’re talking to Will Henshall.

Will is an inventor, tech entrepreneur, and music producer. He was the founding member of the band Londonbeat, whose hit song “I’ve Been Thinking About You” reached #1 on the Billboard charts in the early 90s.  His latest endeavor, Fous@Will is a science-based music streaming service designed to help people work more efficiently and reduce distractions. 

In this episode, Will talks about how music affects the brain.  We discuss why it can be used to reduce our anxiety and help us focus, how music affects the limbic system of our brain...

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo, otherwise know as Dr.B.  Dr.B is the clinical director at TakeThis.org, an organization working to decrease the stigma and increase support for mental health in the game enthusiast community and inside the game industry.   

In this episode, Dr. B talks about the three characteristics of burnout, the difficulties of not being taught how to be neurodiverse in a neurotypical world, the six causes of burnout, and the importance of supporting our children’s independence.

In this episode, we’re talking to Joe Butler. 

Joe is an autism and neurodiverse communication consultant, and co-author of “Is That Clear? Effective Communication in a Neurodiverse World”.

Joe shares effective strategies for communicating with our neurodiverse kids, spouses, co-workers, students and friends.  She talks to us about  pausing and pacing, the importance of connection when communicating, the nonsensical nature of our language around time, respecting other people’s priorities, and the challenges of figurative language.

Today, we’re talking to my friend, Andrea Goulet.  Andrea is an author, an empathy driven software developer, and an ADHD mom.

In this episode, Andrea discusses the patterns of emotions and communication.  She talks about the value of recognizing what we say about ourselves, the limits of binary thinking, paying attention to messaging, and the importance of empathy.

Today, it's your celebratory speaker, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S.

 
Holidays, especially religious holidays are intended as a break, and often as a time of reflection.  But they can also be unwelcome speed bumps in our week/month/year, if we aren't ready for them when they come.  So, we're looking at the calendar as a whole and exploring when some of of these holidays will occur, and how they can disrupt things if we fail to be mindful of them. 

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Today, we’re talking to Erin.  Erin is a teacher, and an ADHD mom of two boys.  She’s also an alumna of the ADHD Essentials Parent Groups.

In this episode, Erin shares some of the lessons she’s learned along her ADHD journey.   She talks about how learning about herself and her imperfections made her a better teacher and parent, how being a teacher made her a better parent (and vice/versa), the importance of clear communication, and the things she loves about her ADHD kid.

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