ADHD Founders

Jesse and Marie get deep in the developer weeds this week, walking through the entire journey of shipping a first app to the App Store—from initial launch of Flux (Jesse's new Blue Sky client) to navigating rejection and iteration. They wrestle with the messy realities of responsive design across different phone models, talk about building for older hardware, and why supporting every device gets exponentially harder. The conversation zooms out into broader design philosophy, dev tools they're obsessed with, and why sometimes you just have to draw a line on what you'll support.--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Flux: fluxapp.blueCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.comThe Founders Picks:https://www.therooststand.com/https://linear.app/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon are back after a month-long unplanned hiatus—mostly because they kept forgetting what day they were supposed to record. They kick things off by handing out some awards, then they dive into a proper 2025 retrospective, talking through the big wins across our businesses. They wrap up with their favorite product picks from the year. Next episode they'll look forward to what's coming in 2026.--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Here's a challenge: keep momentum through the holiday blur and actually ship those January updates. Marie, Sharon, and Jesse tackle the brutal reality of the "holiday fog," explain what ADHD January is, and how founders navigate the gap between their grand Black Friday/Cyber Monday plans and how to keep from slowing down. They also break down Sharon's "pay what you want" pricing data, the counterintuitive psychology of why people overpay for community, and why structure feels like a personal attack—all while trying to stay sane through the chaos friends and family and working through the holidays.--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jesse shares his most mortifying white elephant story, then Sharon counters with tales of "Secret Santa Stalker" workplace pranks that escalated to Michael Scott-level disasters. The conversation shifts to practical ADHD gift recommendations, with the hosts sharing their favorite fidget tools, tech gear, and everyday items that actually help with focus and regulation. From the Widgy pry bar to specialized water bottles and stress balls, they offer gift ideas for the ADHD people in your life. --Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com--Water bottles:Brumate Water bottle: https://amzn.to/4icv38BCamelBak Chute Water bottle: https://amzn.to/3LJwkYHMarie’s water bottle: https://nadasawaya.com/collections/piu-fortyFidgets/utility: Fidget Newton: https://fidgetnewton.com/?ref=kfrudiouFlippy Fidget: https://www.amazon.com/Toms-Fidgets-Flippy-Perfect-Anxiety/dp/B01MAYBTA0Widgy Pry Bar: https://countycomm.com/products/widgy-pry-bars?variant=29212773894Squishy net ball: https://amzn.to/4a6IepnTech gear:Ray-ban Meta: https://amzn.to/48a9IIareMarkable Paper Pro: https://amzn.to/48dHXyFHosts may earn a small commission if you buy products via our links ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What happens when three ADHD founders try to optimize their way out of their own dopamine-seeking behavior? In this episode, Marie, Sharon, and Jesse start with iPhone automations designed to help them focus—then inevitably spiral into discussions about minimal phones, grayscale screens, monetization strategies, and why we keep building systems we immediately override. From the promise of productivity hacks to the reality of toggling them off minutes later, this conversation explores the beautiful contradiction of ADHD entrepreneurship: we're excellent at creating solutions, just not always at using them. Plus: why referral programs are harder than they should be, and the eternal question of whether to build or buy.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When you're bootstrapping a startup and watching your savings dwindle, creativity becomes currency. Jesse, Marie, and Sharon tackle the uncomfortable reality of funding an early-stage company without investor backing, sharing everything from Airbnb's famous cereal box hustle to Marie's viral lifetime deal that accidentally landed her in an accelerator. The conversation explores unconventional revenue streams, the psychology of "default dead" versus "default alive," and why your unfair advantages might be hiding in plain sight.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media:• This podcast: @adhd_founders• Jesse – @adhdjesse• Marie – @llamalife.co• Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In today's episode, Jesse and Sharon discuss exciting update for Wave Pal and Shelpful, then we present their discussion from Shimmer's ADHD Growth Summit. There so much to learn from this episode!Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media: • This podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Three ADHD entrepreneurs dive into the emotional rollercoaster of building startups, from the euphoria of landing your first unknown customer to the challenge of celebrating wins when you're wired to immediately focus on the next mountain to climb. Jesse shares his breakthrough moment with WavePal, while Sharon prepares for Shelpful's app store launch and Marie gets reinvigorated at a Stripe founder event. The conversation explores why people with ADHD struggle with goal-setting and celebrating milestones, plus practical strategies for time awareness, physical reminders, and creating sustainable habits when your brain works differently. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_foundersFollow us on social media: • This podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jesse, Marie, and Sharon check in on their accountability goals while navigating the realities of building apps with ADHD. The conversation covers everything from App Store submission challenges and user onboarding insights to the mental weight of incomplete tasks. They also explore practical ADHD strategies, discuss when it's okay to accept help from partners, and share what they're learning from early user feedback. . Follow us on social media: • This podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jesse, Marie, and Sharon share what it really feels like to juggle ADHD, early-stage startups, and the pressure to stay visible online. They talk through the messy middle — app bugs, audience feedback, life interruptions — and the small wins that keep them moving forward. Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulCheck out Wavepal: wavepal.appCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jesse and Sharon sit down with Lydia Swift, Sharon’s co-founder at Shelpful, to talk about starting a company with a decades-long friend, the whirlwind of launching during COVID, and how the ADHD community shaped their product’s direction. Lydia opens up about living in the “squishy middle” of ADHD (relating to nearly every trait without a formal diagnosis) and the hurdles of self-advocacy in the medical system. Together they swap stories about friendship, entrepreneurship, pivots, and building tools that make life a little easier for brains that work differently. Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the complex relationship between ADHD, sleep, and streak-based motivation. From the highs and crashes of productivity apps to the shame spiral of missed days, they unpack how self-tracking tools like the Oura Ring can both help and harm. They also explore revenge bedtime procrastination, night owl tendencies, and how ADHD often intersects with insomnia and time blindness.Plus, a real-life look behind the scenes of each host’s business, from community building and monetizing digital products to the emotional highs and lows of founder life. This one’s full of insight, laughter, and the kind of real talk that makes you feel less alone on the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon unpack how energy-draining conversations, negative feedback, and reactivity can derail an ADHD entrepreneur’s entire day. They explore the difference between venting and vibe-killing, the power of structuring your day around creative flow, and how AI (or even Zapier!) can help you protect your dopamine. Plus: hilarious background setup fails, the ultimate customer sentiment filter, and one surprisingly perfect question for identifying your ideal user. This one’s for every founder who’s ever answered emails in their workout clothes without working out.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into how they’re using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT in their founder workflows for everything from coding whole apps in a weekend to meal planning and fighting writer’s block. Jesse shares how a bout of hyperfocus led him to build an iOS version of Wavepal (almost by accident). Sharon talks about testing AI agents with ChatGPT and the realities of building ADHD-friendly products like Shelpful. Marie breaks down how she uses AI for daily meal planning (and how it still manages to get the math wrong).The conversation spirals (in true ADHD fashion) into app subscription models, RevenueCat tips, the Apple App Store commission debate, and nostalgic computer games like Oregon Trail and King’s Quest.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Marie, Sharon, and Jesse share updates on their startups and dive deep into the hidden challenges of ADHD entrepreneurship. From Marie’s struggles with context switching and dev motivation, to Sharon’s product launch jitters and personal branding journey, to Jesse’s course rollout and emotional marketing hurdles. This is a raw, funny, and relatable look at building products while managing neurodivergence. Expect candid moments about perfectionism, community-building experiments, and finding creative ways to get work done even when executive function is on vacation.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In episode 61, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the chaos of time zones, appointment scheduling quirks (like 11:11 start times), and the emotional rollercoaster of building ADHD-friendly tech products. They share raw stories about customer interviews, MVP struggles, subscription pricing models, and deeply personal reasons behind why their apps exist. From missed birthdays to AI-driven reminders that help rebuild broken connections, this episode is an authentic look at founders building tools to solve their own ADHD challenges, and hoping they help others along the way.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, the hosts open up about what it’s like to fall out of rhythm as entrepreneurs with ADHD—and how they slowly find their way back. From quiet burnout to unexpected breakthroughs, this is a raw, insightful conversation about recovery, routine, and self-compassion.Key Highlights:- Honest reflections on doing the bare minimum during burnout periods- How changing environments (like working in a friend’s office) can help reset focus- The struggle and satisfaction of re-establishing healthy work habits- ADHD-specific challenges in solo work versus shared workspaces- Encouragement for listeners to honor their own pace and progressFollow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon reconnect after meeting in person for the first time at the NeuroDiversion Conference — a groundbreaking event for neurodivergent entrepreneurs and creators. They share personal reflections on what it meant to unmask, connect, and be surrounded by a community that gets it. From the joys of real-life hugs to insights on building authentic support networks, this conversation is a heartfelt celebration of ADHD, entrepreneurship, and friendship.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalifeco • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Sharon, and Marie dive deep into the ever-shifting world of productivity systems for ADHD brains. From bullet journals to Google Calendar hacks and even racing appliances, the trio swap stories, wins, and fails in their quest for functionality without the shame spiral.Highlights:* How systems like bullet journals, Notion, and TickTick work—until they don’t* Sharon’s genius laundry bin system that’s ADHD-friendly and Pinterest-agnostic* Marie’s dopamine-fueled sock-folding stopwatch game* Jesse’s sacred reminder app rules and how he tricks his brain with “talk-driven development”* Using novelty, urgency, and accountability to beat procrastination* Calendar sync woes and why "racing the kettle" is the new life hack* Tricks like the “finger memory method” and doorway-effect exploitation* Why perfection isn't the goal—function isFollow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of ADHD Founders, hosts Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into personal stories and practical insights from their lives as ADHD entrepreneurs.What you'll hear about:* Jesse’s first-time experience speaking at SXSW, plus the sensory overload (and perks!) of attending with a platinum badge* A candid look at missed opportunities and promoting early-stage products at big events* Marie’s unexpected journey into fundraising via Twitter (X) and joining an accelerator* Sharon’s unique fundraising path, including early support from Sam Altman* A breakdown of what accelerators like Y Combinator offer—beyond the money* Thoughts on idea execution vs. inspiration, and why “idea guys” rarely get fundedWhether you're curious about startup fundraising or just want real talk from founders with ADHD, this one’s packed with insights and laughs.Follow us on social media: • this podcast: @adhd_founders • Jesse – @adhdjesse • Marie – @llamalife.co • Sharon – @shelpfulSubscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.comCheck out Llama Life: llamalife.coCheck out Shelpful: shelpful.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★