Translating ADHD

In this episode, Asher and Dusty explore the complexities of organizing for people with ADHD. Asher shares insights from his background as a professional organizer and ADHD coach, emphasizing that traditional organization methods often don’t fit the unique needs of ADHD brains. They discuss the difference between situational and chronic disorganization, highlighting that organizing is not a one-time fix but requires ongoing maintenance, especially for those with ADHD. Dusty introduces the concept of chores as cyclical care tasks, helping shift the mindset away from “done or not done” thinking, which can reduce overwhelm and perfectionism. The conversation also tackles common challenges such as inventory management, limiting beliefs around decluttering, and the importance of customizing organizing systems to individual needs rather than aspiring to unrealistic standards. Strategies such as breaking projects into smaller pieces, sorting belongings into friends, acquaintances, and strangers, and using “partway gone” boxes are shared to help manage belongings thoughtfully. The hosts underscore that organization looks different for everyone and encourage listeners to find practical solutions that work for their lifestyle while balancing priorities and self-compassion. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the concept of humility as a vital strength for people with ADHD. They discuss how humility differs from shame and self-deprecation and how it can help individuals manage the real impacts of ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and missed commitments, without falling into harsh self-judgment. Dusty shares how humility is an essential coaching tool that fosters cognitive flexibility, accountability, and authentic self-awareness, allowing clients to approach challenges with curiosity rather than ego or shame. The conversation also delves into how humility can counteract imposter syndrome and rejection sensitivity, common struggles for those with ADHD. By embracing humility, individuals can let go of perfectionistic standards, accept their imperfections alongside others’, and build healthier relationships with themselves and those around them. Ash and Dusty emphasize the importance of modeling humility, owning mistakes honestly without shame, and understanding failure as a natural part of growth on the ADHD journey. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Asher and Dusty explore the complexities of frustration tolerance and emotional regulation, particularly as they relate to living with ADHD. They discuss how frustration often arises from a misalignment between expectations and reality, especially when tasks take longer or prove more difficult than anticipated. Dusty shares personal experiences, including being "trapped" in Costco, to illustrate how emotional dysregulation can derail plans despite careful preparation. Both hosts emphasize the importance of managing expectations by either frontloading disappointment or detaching from specific outcomes to reduce the emotional impact of setbacks. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for coping with frustration, such as pausing, disrupting negative thought patterns, and pivoting to self-soothing activities. They highlight the value of breaking down tasks into manageable steps, using written lists to counteract working memory challenges, and recognizing when to step away from a task to regain emotional control. Ultimately, the episode offers a nuanced view of how ADHD affects planning and emotional responses, encouraging listeners to develop patience, realistic expectations, and resilience in their daily lives. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

This episode explores the core idea that ADHD brains are wired for context rather than linear order. Ash and Dusty explain how people with ADHD often struggle with outlines, step-by-step plans, and standalone documentation, because their meaning-making is dialogic and contextual. They describe common challenges—difficulty starting projects from an outline, trouble following instructions without the chance to ask clarifying questions, and cycles of avoidance or acting from desperation when outside pressures drive behavior. Practical examples include classroom learning, workplace documentation, and personal projects where contextual cues or real-time conversation make the difference between understanding and confusion. The hosts also highlight the strengths that come from contextual thinking: creative problem-solving, rapid performance in crises, and the ability to bridge different perspectives. They show how coaching can help by surfacing hidden contexts—values, cultural expectations, and assumptions—that drive unhelpful patterns, so clients can choose actions aligned with what actually matters to them. The episode closes with a reminder that “simple” ideas aren’t always accessible without the right context, and that recognizing how ADHD thinkers search for meaning is key to better learning, productivity, and self-understanding. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Asher and Dusty explore how ADHD-related experiences—repeated negative feedback, rejection sensitivity, and a focus on weaknesses—undermine self-esteem and self-worth. They explain how people with ADHD often dismiss abilities that come easily, assume others are more capable, and measure themselves by low moments rather than by peaks of high performance. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing ADHD patterns (peaks and valleys), valuing strengths that feel “too easy,” and reframing accomplishments so people see their role in their own story instead of attributing successes to luck. Those with ADHD also connect self-worth to relationships and boundaries: chronic people-pleasing and fear of rejection invite boundary-pushing others and can erode self-respect. Practical approaches offered include perspective work (imagining how you treat friends with flaws), inventorying where life already feels easy, and choosing relationships that match realistic expectations (e.g., not expecting people to be “on demand”). Together these shifts—understanding ADHD, celebrating strengths, setting limits, and changing perspectives—help rebuild healthier self-esteem and sustainable boundaries. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Asher and Dusty introduce and unpack a practical coaching tool—“yours, mine, and ours”—designed to help people with ADHD (and their partners or coworkers) distinguish which parts of a conflict or problem they truly own, which belong to someone else, and where there’s real opportunity to collaborate. Asher explains how the model prevents the common ADHD pattern of blame-sponge behavior (automatically assuming fault), restores perspective, and helps people decide whether they can co-create a solution or need to make a different choice (for example, stepping away from a job with an immovable boss). The hosts use real coaching examples—two business partners with different ADHD presentations and a client who left a job after recognizing her struggles were her boss’s responsibility—to show how the model shifts conversations from reactive guilt to clearer agency. Lastly, the hosts discuss how the framework helps in marital situations, especially when ADHD intersects with an anxious partner, by promoting healthier communication, individual pause-and-reframe strategies, and clearer requests for support. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty introduce the conversational labels "big brain" and "fast brain" as alternatives to inattentive and hyperactive ADHD descriptors. They explain how big brainers tend to get stuck in planning, perfectionism, and idea-generation—always needing the full picture before starting—while fast brainers rush into action, overcommit, and underestimate time and bandwidth. Through client stories and personal examples, they show how each style creates different practical problems (paralysis vs. toxic optimism) and why the internal experience matters more than external labels. The hosts offer concrete coaching approaches: for big brainers, set committed milestones, decouple long-term product ambitions from immediate learning goals, and create low-stakes experiments to break inertia; for fast brainers, treat time and energy as finite resources, practice saying no from values, and build constraints that prevent constant overcommitment. They emphasize that few people are purely one type—many move between both—and the goal is finding the "middle gear": practical strategies that move projects forward while preserving presence, quality, and meaningful connection to others. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Asher and Dusty revisit the core coaching model—understand, own, translate—and show how it helps people with ADHD move from surface symptoms to real, usable solutions. They emphasize that common tips (planners, timers) often fail because they don’t address individual causation. Through concrete client stories—one about “hard emails” that caused compulsive inbox checking and another about preparing for a job interview— they show how coaching discovers the hidden emotional or cognitive drivers, creates language that makes sense to the person, and builds actionable, personalized strategies (calendar blocks, transition rituals, playlists, prepping materials). The hosts also explore ownership and self-advocacy: accepting ADHD as an ongoing part of life without falling into “all my fault” or “not my fault” extremes; learning to separate past patterns from present progress; and translating self-knowledge into clear requests and boundaries with others (partners, coworkers). They describe how externalizing—talking aloud, journaling, or “talking at” someone—helps clients notice patterns, pause reactive cycles, and practice communicating needs so supports can be reshaped rather than expecting to simply “fix” oneself. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

This episode revisits the coaching concept of journey thinking and why it’s especially useful for people with ADHD. Rather than fixating on a distant outcome or an idealized destination, journey thinking asks you to stay on the current “stepping stone,” notice what’s actually happening, and get curious about the next possible step. Asher and Dusty explain how detaching from outcomes reduces magical and all-or-nothing thinking, makes small wins visible, and protects motivation when progress is slow or messy. They walk through real coaching examples: reframing career identity by valuing advocacy work, making small workplace changes (notifications, meeting timing, tracking commitments) that dramatically reduce overwhelm, and using gut sense plus staged information-gathering to find a middle path in big decisions. The hosts offer two practical mantras — “I’m here now” and “What can I do?” — and emphasize starting small, measuring success beyond outcomes, and building resilience by keeping yourself in the picture. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Ash and Dusty discuss how ADHD traits (hyperfocus, justice sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and perfectionism) shape the way people approach allyship. Ash opens with a vivid story about feeling unintentionally objectified at a conference after coming out as transgender, illustrating how well-meaning curiosity and requests for education can put emotional labor on the person with a marginalized identity. Dusty describes common ADHD patterns—the over-eager ally who wants to demonstrate knowledge, the panic after a misstep, and the tendency to seek drama online—and explains how those patterns can derail genuine support. Both emphasize that intention alone isn’t enough: allies must match intent with respectful action. They offer practical guidance for managing capacity and making meaningful choices: focus on a few causes you can sustain, donate or volunteer locally, and pick moments where conversation can lead to real change instead of getting into futile online fights. Learn independently rather than relying on marginalized people to educate you; when interacting, meet people as people first and let them set the boundaries for how much their identity becomes the topic. Small, thoughtful actions (checking safety, providing accessible spaces, following diverse voices) often create outsized positive effects and are more valuable than performative gestures. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the intense overlap between ADHD and early gender transition, focusing on how sudden, widespread change taxes executive function and identity. Ash describes the real-world disruptions—wardrobe overhaul, haircuts, public outings, bathroom access, and safety concerns—that made routine tasks overwhelming. He discusses how ADHD can make introspection and identity work harder, and why finding queer and trans communities provides essential context, normalization, and compassion during that liminal period. He also addresses medical and emotional factors: the practicalities of hormone therapy (scheduling, dosing forms like gels that require stillness), how hormones can alter attention and emotional experience, and the increased need for logistical planning and accessible care. Both hosts emphasize the importance of supportive networks, adaptive strategies (including coaching and somatic outlets like kickboxing), and small, present-focused steps to move forward while navigating the fog of transition. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty open the season by revisiting Ash’s transition and how it has intersected with his work helping people with ADHD. Ash describes transition as a liminal, between-states process that forced reexamination of identity, relationships, and public context. They discuss how coming out shifted social dynamics, revealed hidden “masks” shaped by social expectations, and resurfaced—rather than erased—questions about self that ADHD can complicate: weak identity formation, dissociation, sensory issues, and social coping strategies. The hosts connect these experiences to coaching practice, explaining how Ash’s personal work sharpened a professional specialty: helping neurodivergent clients clarify who they are so ADHD becomes more manageable in practical ways. Ash shares concrete moments that mark growth (feeling more able to choose how to present and when to be visible) and a culminating story from a concert that illustrated a change in belonging. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the complexities of seeking and receiving accommodations and supports for ADHD. They discuss how well-intentioned efforts can sometimes miss the mark when helpers do not fully understand the specific needs or reasons behind requests. Dusty shares personal experiences and client stories highlighting the frustrations that arise when accommodations are either insufficient, misunderstood, or perceived as burdensome by those providing support. They emphasize the importance of clear communication about what type of help is actually needed—whether it be accountability, body doubling, reminders, or assistance with figuring things out—and why understanding the "why" behind requests is crucial for effective support. Ash and Dusty also address the emotional impact of past negative experiences with support that can create reluctance to seek help in the future. They highlight the value of finding the right people who not only provide consistent and appropriate support but also genuinely understand and respect individual needs. The hosts encourage listeners to advocate for themselves by clearly expressing what they need and why, and to hold onto those who truly get it. The episode closes with practical tips for both askers and supporters about maintaining boundaries and communication, reinforcing that successful accommodations come from mutual understanding and ongoing dialogue. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the complexities of moderation for people with ADHD. They discuss how impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and black-and-white thinking often make it difficult to moderate behaviors such as alcohol consumption, nicotine use, marijuana, and internet usage. Ash shares personal experiences and insights about managing these challenges, emphasizing the importance of building awareness and connecting to positive motivations rather than striving for perfection or all-or-nothing approaches. Dusty highlights the slow and gradual nature of behavior change and stresses the value of multiple small tools and interventions that can help people stay on track even when self-discipline feels elusive. The hosts also touch on practical strategies, like switching from cocktails to bottled beer to improve memory retention and reduce negative aftereffects, using apps that create a pause before impulsive internet use, and structuring marijuana use to support productivity rather than hinder it. They advocate for accepting moderation as a sustainable lifestyle shift rather than a quick fix or drastic overhaul. The episode concludes with encouragement to embrace incremental progress and patience, recognizing that setbacks are part of the process. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the pervasive challenge of forgetfulness for people with ADHD and how it impacts daily life and progress toward goals. They discuss the common experience of forgetting intentions or tasks, which leads to feelings of being overwhelmed or constantly "putting out fires." Both coaches emphasize the importance of starting with small, manageable systems tailored to individual needs, highlighting that complex systems often fail or get abandoned without curiosity and adjustment. Ash shares his personal approach using a simple three-part system: a calendar for timed events, a Google Doc for catchall to-dos, and a weekly family planner on the refrigerator, illustrating how these tools can work together to improve awareness and consistency. Dusty expands on this by sharing coaching strategies for clients struggling with forgetfulness, including the value of duplicative systems and the necessity of patience and incremental progress. They use metaphors like building a foundation before erecting a building to help clients understand why coaching requires time and consistent effort. The episode also touches on the importance of accountability, practice, and curiosity in coaching and suggests that listening to resources like this podcast can prepare clients to make the most out of their coaching experience. Ultimately, Ash and Dusty remind listeners that managing forgetfulness in ADHD is an ongoing process that benefits from starting small, learning from experience, and building reliable systems that fit individual lives. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the complex relationship between honesty, communication, and neurodivergence, especially within the ADHD community. They discuss how people with ADHD often struggle with communication due to impulsivity and a strong sense of justice, which can manifest as bluntness or oversharing. Through personal examples and coaching experiences, they highlight how honesty can sometimes cause misunderstandings or hurt feelings but also recognize its value as a strength when applied with empathy and context. The concept of "radical candor" is introduced as a balanced approach to providing direct feedback grounded in care and respect, which can be particularly helpful in professional and personal settings. The hosts also touch on the emotional challenges faced by those with ADHD, including rejection sensitivity and difficulty masking emotions, which affect how honesty is received and expressed. They emphasize the importance of positive feedback and praise for people with ADHD to provide necessary context for growth and self-understanding. Ash and Dusty encourage listeners to identify where they prefer directness in their relationships and advocate for honest communication that respects emotional boundaries. The episode closes with a promise to continue this deep dive into communication in future episodes, recognizing its critical role in navigating neurodivergent experiences. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the complexities of managing hyperfixations and hobbies as individuals with ADHD. They discuss the common experience of having interests that are “an inch deep but a mile long,” the guilt and shame surrounding inconsistent engagement or financial investment in hobbies, and the struggle to align identity with fluctuating passions. Both hosts share personal stories that highlight different patterns of engagement—from impulsively diving into new interests to learning to take smaller, manageable steps and focusing on mastery over novelty. They emphasize the importance of redefining what it means to be “into” something, allowing space for both deep commitments and casual, purpose-free enjoyment. The conversation also delves into strategies for sustaining interests, including community involvement, mentorship, and deliberately choosing to deepen existing hobbies rather than constantly starting new ones. They highlight the value of “constructive” activities that replenish energy without demanding productivity or long-term outcomes. Ultimately, Ash and Dusty encourage listeners to reject self-judgment, embrace curiosity about their current phase, and find balance between exploring new threads of interest and committing to core passions. This episode offers compassionate insights for anyone with ADHD seeking to understand and nurture their unique relationship with hobbies and identity. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, hosts Ash and Dusty tackle the complex relationship between sleep and ADHD. They discuss how sleep issues are prevalent among individuals with ADHD, with statistics suggesting that up to 90% struggle with some form of sleep disorder. The conversation highlights the challenges clients face in recognizing the connection between their mood, cognitive functioning, and sleep quality. Ash emphasizes the importance of clients experiencing well-rested nights to understand the benefits of sleep, while Dusty shares strategies for creating effective bedtime rituals and managing sleep procrastination. The hosts explore various approaches tailored to individual needs, from establishing calming bedtime routines to the potential use of melatonin as a supplement. They acknowledge that not every solution works for everyone and that deeper sleep disorders may require professional intervention. Throughout the episode, they encourage listeners to take small, manageable steps toward improving sleep quality and to remain patient with themselves in the process. This discussion provides valuable insights into how ADHD impacts sleep and offers practical tips for those seeking better rest. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty Alarmy Sleepworks For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, hosts Ash and Dusty tackle the pervasive issue of phone addiction, especially as it relates to individuals with ADHD. They explore how the constant stimulation of smartphones can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, as well as frustration from lost time. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding individual motivations behind phone usage and how it serves different needs, from distraction to connection. Both hosts share personal anecdotes and strategies for navigating phone usage while maintaining a healthy relationship with technology. The discussion also highlights that not all phone usage is inherently negative; it can be a valuable tool for engagement and connection when used mindfully. Ash and Dusty encourage listeners to shift their focus from guilt over phone habits to understanding the underlying reasons for their behavior. By linking phone usage to personal intentions and desired outcomes, individuals can find a balance that works for them, ensuring that their relationship with technology enhances rather than detracts from their lives. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the significant role emotions play in unwanted behaviors associated with ADHD. They illustrate this through a coaching case study focused on a client's struggle with managing emails, revealing how underlying feelings of guilt and shame influenced her behavior. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the emotional context behind actions, emphasizing that awareness and acceptance are crucial for clients to recognize and reshape their narratives. The discussion also delves into the boundary between coaching and therapy, particularly when addressing past experiences that impact present behavior. Ash shares insights on how coaches can help clients differentiate between emotional responses rooted in personal history versus broader societal expectations. By adopting a framework of pause, disrupt, and pivot, clients can learn to navigate their emotional reactions, ultimately paving the way for growth and self-acceptance in their journey with ADHD. Episode links + resources: Join the Community | Become a Patron Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate. About Asher and Dusty For more of the Translating ADHD podcast: Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com