I Have ADHD Podcast

You’re Not in Trouble is OUT NOW! Purchase your copy HERE.

Paris Hilton threw an ADHD Summit, invited 200 creators to her house…and I wasn't one of them.

And y'all, I had FEELINGS. 😂

First, I felt left out. Then came the rejection sensitivity. Then the jealousy. And before I knew it, I was finding ALL kinds of reasons to be annoyed with the entire event.

But after talking to people who actually attended, something shifted.

In this episode, I'm taking you through my very real (and slightly embarrassing) emotional roller coaster surrounding Paris Hilton's ADHD Summit. We're talking about FOMO, rejection sensitivity, jealousy, and what happens when our hurt feelings turn into criticism of other people.

I'm also sharing my thoughts on the lack of diversity at the event, the whole "ADHD is a superpower" conversation, and why having privilege doesn't make someone immune to rejection.

Because here's the thing: We can offer constructive criticism without forgetting that the person on the receiving end is still human.

And sometimes, the hardest part is admitting that we're just hurt because we weren't invited.

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You’re Not in Trouble is OUT NOW! Purchase your copy HERE.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #408: I Surveyed Over 2,100 Adults with ADHD—Here’s What Broke My Heart

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You're Not in Trouble is OUT TODAY!!! Purchase your copy HERE.

Is ADHD genetic, or could childhood trauma be responsible for some of what we're experiencing?

This week, I'm joined by cognitive neuroscientist and author Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz for a fascinating conversation about the science behind ADHD—and some of the questions I've been wrestling with personally.

We're digging into what it means for ADHD to be polygenic, why ADHD is NOT a new condition, and what research tells us about the relationship between genetics and early childhood trauma.

We also explore why so many adults with ADHD grew up feeling misunderstood, how dysfunctional family systems can impact neurodivergent people, and whether rejection sensitivity is something we're born predisposed to or something shaped by our experiences.

Ludovico also shares his own late-diagnosis journey, the grief that followed, and how he learned to stop forcing himself into environments that weren't working for his brain.

If you've ever questioned where your ADHD comes from—or wondered how much of your experience is ADHD versus trauma—this conversation is for you.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #406: No Meds, No Shame. Here’s How I’d Support My ADHD Without an Rx

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if you're not actually afraid of failing…you're afraid of succeeding?

My book, You're Not in Trouble, is officially out in the UK, and I should be feeling on top of the world, right?

Well…not exactly. 😂

Instead, I'm feeling vulnerable, uncomfortable, and honestly? A little desperate to hide from everyone.

In this episode, I'm getting REAL about why success can feel so terrifying for adults with ADHD.

We're talking about self-sabotage, rejection sensitivity, imposter syndrome, and why our brains sometimes prefer the familiarity of failure over the uncertainty of success.

I'm sharing how I've been navigating the discomfort of putting my work into the world, why I nearly sabotaged my own celebration, and how self-compassion is helping me keep going instead of running away.

If you've ever gotten close to something you've wanted and suddenly felt the urge to quit, hide, or blow it all up, this episode is for you.

You can do hard things AND be kind to yourself along the way.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #406: No Meds, No Shame. Here’s How I’d Support My ADHD Without an Rx

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you have ADHD, you probably know the feeling: you’re overwhelmed, so you make a giant list, try to get more productive, and tell yourself you’ll feel better once you finally catch up.

Except…you never actually catch up.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why overwhelm is not a productivity problem. It’s a mismatch between what your ADHD brain can realistically carry and what you believe you should be able to carry.

I’m walking you through my entire STOP Method for moving through overwhelm: See what’s happening, Take the pressure off, Open up to what you need, and then Proceed one step at a time.

We’re talking about self-compassion, emotional regulation, asking for support, saying no, understanding your actual capacity, and why productivity comes LAST.

If you’ve been trying to work your way out of overwhelm, I want you to try something different.

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #404: There’s No Rush: Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight with Jenna Free

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever told someone you have ADHD…only for them to question whether you really do?

In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when our diagnoses, experiences, emotions, and even our own understanding of ourselves are repeatedly invalidated.

I recently learned about traumatic invalidation—when your environment repeatedly communicates that your emotions, experiences, or characteristics are unreasonable, unacceptable, or wrong. And WOW did this hit home.

For so many of us with ADHD, being questioned about our diagnosis isn’t an isolated experience. It lands on top of years of being told we’re too sensitive, lazy, dramatic, not trying hard enough, or just need to “apply ourselves.”

We’re talking about validation, self-trust, why you may constantly feel like you have to defend yourself, and how to decide who is safe enough to receive your vulnerability.

Most importantly: your diagnosis and lived experience are not up for a vote.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #404: There’s No Rush: Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight with Jenna Free

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the problem isn’t that you need better boundaries…but that you keep pretending you don’t have limits?

In this coaching conversation, I’m talking with Claire, a children’s book illustrator who has spent years saying yes to too much, working nights and weekends, relying on hyperfocus to get everything done, and eventually burning herself out.

We unpack why ADHD hyperfocus isn’t always the “superpower” people make it out to be—and how constantly overriding your own capacity can cost you your health, relationships, creativity, and trust in yourself.

We also talk about the beliefs we inherit from our families about work, success, money, and rest—and what it looks like to consciously break the agreements that no longer serve us.

If you’re constantly overcommitting now and assuming Future You will somehow figure it out, this conversation is for you.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #402: When Traditional Parenting Fails: Raising Strong-Willed Kids

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With You’re Not in Trouble getting ready to make its way into the world, I am feeling the vulnerability that comes with putting so much of myself into a book. So instead of waiting for people to “find her out,” I'm putting it all on the table.

I share five things you may not know about me—from unconventional choices I've made to support my ADHD, to my Christian faith and complicated feelings about homeschooling, to the questions I have about the connection between ADHD and trauma.

And then there’s the one I've never shared publicly before: I wrote a book about healthy relationships…and haven't spoken to my parents in more than three years.

This is a vulnerable conversation about ADHD, trauma, faith, family, estrangement, relationships, and what it means to stop hiding the parts of yourself you’re afraid others might judge.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #400: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Follow-Through? Listen to This

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when you stop trying to force your ADHD brain to function like everyone else’s?

In this live Q&A episode, Kristen answers listener questions about some of the messiest parts of life with ADHD: perfectionism, working memory, parenting, emotional regulation, self-forgiveness, relationships, burnout, and the pressure to “do it all.”

Kristen explains why perfectionism can actually be a form of self-protection, why you need to stop expecting your brain to remember everything, and how making things easier for yourself isn’t cheating—it’s smart ADHD accommodation.

She also dives into the importance of self-compassion when you don’t follow through, why supporting your own ADHD is essential when parenting an ADHD child, and why she firmly rejects the idea that ADHD is a “superpower.”

ADHD can be deeply impairing. Naming that reality doesn’t diminish your strengths—it gives you an explanation for your struggles and a roadmap for getting the support you deserve.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #398: Virgin River’s Benjamin Hollingsworth Opens Up About ADHD for the First Time Ever

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when two ADHDers sit down with almost no agenda and start talking? You get a little bit of everything—and somehow, it all comes back to ADHD.

Kristen is joined by longtime FOCUSED member Matt Ciciarelli for a candid conversation about the very real (and sometimes hilarious) ways ADHD shows up in everyday life.

They get into using AI as an ADHD support tool, the difference between asking for help and outsourcing your thinking, finding a career that actually works with your ADHD brain, and why hyperfocus seems readily available for the things we WANT to do…but disappears when something feels heavy, boring, or shame-filled.

Matt also shares what he’s learned about work, finances, gluten-free living, and finally finding a job that fits his brain.

Plus, Kristen and Matt react to the controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth.

It’s honest, funny, a little chaotic—and very ADHD.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If overwhelm makes you want to shut down, hide, procrastinate—or somehow try to do everything at once—this episode is for you.

Kristen breaks down why ADHD overwhelm isn’t simply a productivity problem and why “trying harder” or finally getting caught up usually doesn’t create the relief we’re looking for.

You’ll learn how ADHD impacts your capacity, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and nervous system—and why all of that can make everyday life feel like 10 things are screaming at you at the same volume.

Kristen also introduces the first step of her STOP Method: See What’s Happening. Instead of immediately trying to fix your overwhelm, you’ll learn how to recognize what’s happening without piling on shame, judgment, or blame.

See it. Don’t solve it.

Want to go deeper? Kristen is teaching the full STOP Method throughout September inside FOCUSED, her monthly ADHD coaching membership.

Learn more and join at ihaveadhd.com/focused.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #394: I Tried Using ChatGPT for My ADHD… Here’s What Happened

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the reason you keep breaking your own boundaries isn’t a lack of discipline?

In this episode, Kristen dives into Part 2 of the conversation on internal boundaries: the rules and limits we set for ourselves to protect the life we actually want.

For many adults with ADHD, boundaries can trigger instant resistance. If rules, expectations, or authority were used to control, shame, or coerce you growing up, even your own reasonable limits can provoke an internal response of, “You’re not the boss of me.”

Kristen explores how to shift from self-control to self-collaboration. You’ll learn why “should” boundaries rarely work, how perfectionism destroys self-trust, and what to do when you inevitably break a boundary.

Instead of spiraling into guilt and shame, Kristen teaches you how to repair with yourself, get curious about what support was missing, and begin again.

Because internal boundaries aren’t about restriction.

They’re about protection.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.