ADHD Essentials

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, Amanda, and I talk about leadership.  We discuss  The difference between bosses and leaders Leadership as more art than science The interplay between leadership and professionalism The importance of trust in the workplace How the workplace is changing   Check Out the ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Here!!!    Guest Links: Learn more about Talli Dole, Amanda Morin, and their new podcast "The Empathic Edge" at:  https://theempatheticedge.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Find Dr. Carolyn at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

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 the importance of factoring a risk/benefit ratio when deciding whether or not to take medication.   The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    Learn more about Dr. Carolyn and her work here:  http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community   

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 Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

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 timing in the whole world.  But you’ll have to listen to find out why.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Peter and his work here:  https://www.shankman.com/ Buy “The Boy with the Faster Brain” here.     ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

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 and understanding for adults in this uniquely challenging period.  Of course, we also talk about tools and strategies for navigating this time in our lives! Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Anita and her work at https://www.anitarobertson.com/ Follow her on social media here: https://www.facebook.com/anitarobertsonlcsw https://www.instagram.com/strengthinyourmind/ https://www.tiktok.com/@strengthinyourmind https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitarobertson   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community

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. Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Mark and his work here:  https://linktr.ee/wearetheadhdfamily   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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. Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Order Jessica’s book at https://howtoadhdbook.com/ Learn more about Jessica and her work at https://howtoadhd.com/ Check out How to ADHD on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD   Register for the Event with Dr. Dodson Here   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

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.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Dr. Olivardia’s work here.   Check out the Men’s ADHD Support Group Here   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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: Buy "Gifted and Distractable" Here!!! Learn more about Julie and her work at https://www.withunderstandingcomescalm.com/   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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 adult, and the importance of trying differently rather than harder.   Guest Links: Learn more about Suchi and her work at https://learnfully.com/   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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: Learn more about Rebecca and her work at https://rebeccarolland.com/ Buy Rebecca's book here   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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: Check Out Focus101.com here!   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com  

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:   Jessica McCabe Her upcoming book - "How to ADHD" Jordan Harbinger His podcast - "The Jordan Harbinger Show" Caroline Maguire Her book - "Why Will No One Play With Me?"   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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<<<   Guest Links:  Follow Ying on Twitter! ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com  

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:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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!)   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Check Out Dani's work here! And buy the Anti-planner Here!    ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com    

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.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about the Men's ADHD Support Group Here   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com  

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 inside it related to compassion, family, and perseverance apply to all mental health challenges, ADHD included.   A few notes:  I did not propose the idea.  My kids did.  They wanted to do this for the 250th episode.   Also, we talk pretty frankly about Nate’s OCD, and even joke about some of the events it caused.  None of that was done with resentment or ill will.  The entire conversation was based in love and acceptance.  If anyone, especially Nate, had appeared uncomfortable or distressed by the conversation at any point, I would have ended it and not posted this.   Finally, this was recorded in January.  The boys finished 8th grade two days prior to posting, and did so with great success.  I’m proud to say that in the time since we recorded, our entire family has moved from a place of healing to a place of growth growth.   OCD Resource Links: International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/ McLean Hospital's OCD Programs: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/ocd-institute NOCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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