*This episode has been updated*

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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What would it be like if you could see music as colors dancing in front of your eyes? For Justine Glaser, that's just a normal Tuesday.

Justine is a creative force who doesn't just hear music, she sees it. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 3 and born with synesthesia, a rare neurological trait where sound shows up as color, Justine has always experienced the world differently. Instead of masking these traits, she's made them her superpower. As the founder of Blue Midnight Music and Colors by Midnight, she creates work that's bold, multi-sensory, and completely original.

Diagnosed so young that her babysitter lost weight chasing her around, Justine's childhood was marked by curiosity, creativity, and, unfortunately, relentless bullying from ages 8 to 16. She calls the K-12 system "broken" for her neurodivergent brain, but everything changed when she left traditional school behind. Art school became her sanctuary, where her project-based learning style finally made sense.

In this conversation, Justine and Tracy dive deep into how synesthesia shapes creativity, why she believes color comes from "an inherent sense of self," and how she creates personalized color palettes by listening to people's voices. They talk about performing as an alter ego named Blue Midnight, why ADHD makes it easier (not harder) to blend multiple disciplines, and how she's learned to honor her need for breaks and nature to stay creative.

Justine's journey from a bullied kid drawing on people's houses to a multi-disciplinary artist proves that what makes you different isn't something to fix—it's your greatest gift.

Resources:

Website: https://www.bluemidnightmusic.com
Website:  https://www.colorsbymidnight.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justine-glaser-cdi-ccd-36aa4a1a8 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

_

You know that feeling when someone tells you you're "too intense" or "ask too many questions"? Lucia Kanter St. Amour has built an entire career on exactly those traits.

Lucia is a negotiation expert, law professor, and the kind of ADHD woman who writes Amazon reviews so detailed she got invited to their exclusive Vine program. She's the author of For the Forces of Good, a guide to everyday negotiation that flips traditional power dynamics, and The Covert Buccaneer, a nonlinear novel that mirrors how her ADHD brain actually works. With a background in global law and leadership at UN Women, she combines strategy with a genuine understanding of how women navigate the world.

Diagnosed with ADHD at 54, Lucia finally understood why she'd always felt like a "disco ball" in a world of dimmer switches. Her childhood was marked by misdiagnosed seizures (likely panic attacks) and years on experimental medication that left her struggling. But she found her superpowers in foreign languages, piano, and tennis, activities that naturally regulated her nervous system.

Lucia and Tracy explore how the traits that make us feel "too much" actually become negotiation superpowers. Our intensity, emotional intelligence, and hyperfocus are assets, not liabilities. They discuss why women avoid negotiating, how to practice with everyday situations like getting your toddler to eat dinner, and why deep listening transforms every interaction. 

Resources:

Website: https://www.pactumfactum.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santaluciasf 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luciakanterstamour/ 
For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation: https://www.amazon.com/Forces-Good-Superpower-Everyday-Negotiation/dp/B0B92HCMWB
The Covert Buccaneer:

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

_

You want to make changes, but can't seem to start. Or maybe you're doing the work, but it's not working fast enough. This solo episode tackles the number one thing that keeps ADHD women stuck, and it's not what you think.

Tracy Otsuka breaks down why change feels so hard even when you really want it, and why having access to all the tools in the world won't help if you're stuck believing you're not making progress. She explores the real culprit: the story your brain tells you about who you are and how you're doing.

From the 95% of thoughts and actions that run on autopilot, to why your words literally shape your reality, Tracy reveals why ADHD isn't a discipline problem—it's an identity problem. She shares why progress is never a straight line, how to shift from "I should be farther along" to "I'm learning," and why the real work isn't about managing your time—it's about managing your emotions.

Plus, Tracy celebrates the international success of "Your ADHD Brain is A-OK," now available in Polish, Romanian, Turkish, Korean, and more languages. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don't have to do it perfectly, you just have to keep going. Because stuck doesn't mean stopped, and you're not behind, you're becoming.

Resources:

Website: https://tracyotsuka.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tracyotsuka4796
Free Training: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup
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Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes from dropping the mask and reclaiming your story after decades of living someone else's version of your life. Dr. Shafer Stedron knows this journey intimately.

Dr. Shafer is a neurologist, life coach, author, and host of Talks with Dr. Shafer. Drawing from both clinical expertise and lived experience, she helps others reframe their stories with creativity, compassion, and courage. Her work explores the intersections of burnout, movement, and emotional regulation, plus why traditional systems often fail ADHD minds.

In this conversation, Dr. Shafer and Tracy dive into the reality of being neurodivergent in medicine—from the 2016 study showing 34% of medical students with disabilities have ADHD, to why doctors with ADHD often catch things others miss (hello, pattern recognition and environmental scanning). They explore Shafer's journey from a 19-year-old who said yes to marriage after two weeks, through decades of domestic abuse, to finally learning to listen to her "harm alarm" and reclaim her story.

Dr. Shafer also shares her approach to helping people drop the mask and create what she calls a "bubble sheet"—not a linear trajectory, but a sheet covered with all your goals and interests, because that's who you are as a person. Plus, she breaks down her children's book The Boy and His Brightly Colored Blocks, which explores pathological demand avoidance and why connection beats correction every time.

Resources:

Website: drshaferstedronova.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talks_with_dr_shafer
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkswithDrShafer 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafer-stedron-4b7a19263 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

Aging with ADHD isn't about decline—it's about finally coming into your own. Sandy Reynolds is challenging everything we've been told about getting older, especially as neurodivergent women.

Sandy is a coach, facilitator, and fierce advocate for women navigating their third act. With more than 25 years of leadership and adult education experience, she helps women untangle themselves from outdated roles, people-pleasing patterns, and identities that no longer fit. Diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s after a fellow grad student pointed out that she "checked out a lot," Sandy brings lived experience to conscious aging—an approach that's about healing the past and embracing the future so you can flourish now.

In this conversation, Sandy and Tracy explore why ADHD women often look and feel 10 years younger, how our relentless curiosity keeps us growing when others stagnate, and why so many of us hit our stride in our 50s instead of winding down. They dive into the intersection of hormones, dopamine, and aging, discuss why Sandy's closest friend and she "carry on like they're 35," and explore how conscious aging reframes getting older as gaining wisdom rather than losing relevance.

Sandy also shares her approach to life review and life repair, explains why one-third of people don't have wills (hint: executive function), and reveals her number one ADHD workaround that no guest has mentioned in 350+ episodes. From Cambodia's reverence for elders to our culture's ageism, this episode will make you rethink everything about what it means to age as a neurodivergent woman.

Resources:

Website: https://www.sandyreynolds.com   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandyareynolds 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyreynolds 
Substack: A Crone in the Woods: https://crone.substack.com 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

When you're the eldest daughter of immigrants with ADHD and autism, you learn to mask early and master systems—but at what cost? Meral Alizada knows this story intimately, and she's using it to transform how companies think about neurodivergent talent.

Meral is the founder of Results of Kindness (ROK), where she helps organizations build workplaces where neurodivergent minds aren't just accommodated, they're celebrated. With degrees in Law and Psychology and a background in organizational psychology, she knows how to navigate systems. But what sets her apart is how she redesigns them with empathy, creativity, and a deep understanding of what actually works for ADHD and autistic brains.

Diagnosed with both ADHD and autism in her late twenties while working one-on-one with a brilliant child who shared her traits, Meral's journey from law to psychology to entrepreneurship is as nonlinear as her thinking. In this conversation, she and Tracy explore the weight of being ultra-organized out of anxiety, the loneliness of outgrowing friendships, and why our relentless drive for self-development might be our greatest superpower.

Meral also breaks down her "Genius Retention" program, explaining why kindness isn't just nice to have—it's profitable. When 89% of workers want kindness in the workplace but 77% are disengaged globally, she argues that treating people as human beings strengthens the hands with which they contribute to organizations. Born to Afghan-Uzbek parents and raised across Europe, Meral brings both global perspective and deeply personal insight to the future of work.

Resources:

• Website: https://resultsofkindness.co.uk 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeralalizada  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meralalizada 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

People with ADHD are built for the future of work. While everyone else worries about AI taking over jobs, we're the ones who'll figure out what to do with it next.

Muxin Li studied at UVA and Rice, but her real education came from following a winding path through anthropology, teaching, journalism, and now AI. Today, she's building tools designed to reduce cognitive overload and help people focus on what actually matters. Diagnosed with ADHD in business school after struggling through chaotic team meetings, Muxin brings a neurodivergent lens to the future of tech—one that sees ADHD not as a barrier, but as a design blueprint.

In this episode, Muxin and Tracy explore why the traits we're told to tone down—intuition, creativity, nonlinear thinking—are exactly what the world needs more of. They dive into how ADHD brains connect dots in ways others can't, why we're naturally drawn to entrepreneurship (hello, 50-60% of founders), and how our bottom-up processing gives us superpowers in an AI-driven world.

Muxin also shares a profound synchronicity experience that shifted her understanding of intuition, love, and possibility. From Carl Jung's scarab beetle to her own moment of cosmic clarity, she explores how tuning into that deeper intelligence might be the key to creating the future we actually want to live in. Plus, she breaks down the AI tools that are actually helping her manage the chaos of modern life—and previews Maestro, the project management tool she's building for brains like ours.

Resources:

Website: https://www.muxinli.com 
X: https://x.com/muxin_li  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muxinli 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

What if your doctor could prescribe a fishing group instead of another medication? A birdwatching club for your anxiety. An art class for your depression. Welcome to social prescribing—a healthcare movement that's changing how we think about healing by focusing on connection, not just pills.

Julia Hotz is a journalist and author of The Connection Cure, the first book to explore the science behind social prescribing. As someone who recognizes herself in ADHD symptoms—the scattered attention, the 10,000 browser tabs, the plates left out for days—she's discovered something fascinating: when do we feel our symptoms the least?

In this conversation, Julia and Tracy dive into why ADHD brains are particularly sensitive to loneliness and disconnection, and how social prescriptions can be game-changing. From Dave's fishing group that helped him overcome addiction and ADHD symptoms, to forest bathing backed by Japanese research, to bibliotherapy that eases anxiety, Julia shares real examples of how connection-based healing works.

They explore attention restoration theory, why 20 minutes in nature can work as well as Ritalin, and how moving from "what's wrong with you" to "what matters to you" can transform everything. Julia shows us how giving our brains what they actually need—connection, nature, purpose—can help us thrive alongside traditional treatments.

Resources:
Website: https://www.hotzthoughts.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotzthoughts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-hotz-06510161 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

Nobody prepares you for ADHD pregnancy brain. Decisions become impossible when choosing between 200 strollers for a baby you've never met, how appointments can completely derail your routine, and focus. The brain fog that hits like a wall, or the surprising clarity that some women experience when hormones align just right with their neurodivergent wiring.

Dr. Kalin Johnson is back, and this time she's sharing what she learned from experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood with ADHD firsthand. Diagnosed with ADHD, autism, PTSD, and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in adulthood, Kalin recently welcomed her daughter Indie Rue—and discovered just how much the medical system doesn't prepare ADHD women for this journey.

In this episode, Tracy and Kalin explore the hormonal rollercoaster of each trimester, why some ADHD women experience incredible focus during pregnancy while others struggle with brain fog, and how conditions like MCAS, dysautonomia, and hypermobility intersect with ADHD. They dive deep into medication decisions, the realities of postpartum life, and why being kinder to yourself isn't optional—it's essential for being the parent you want to be.

Whether you're thinking about pregnancy, currently pregnant, or supporting someone who is, this conversation will give you the real talk nobody else is having—and the science to back it up.

Resources:

Website: https://www.kalinjohnson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalinpharmd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalin-johnsonpharmd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@queensoftheneuroverse?si=kuneU-Fcnz1Ea2RI&sub_confirmation=1 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LqfhlyNcPLo1CmJXGJ

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

___

When you live with ADHD, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, shutdown, and shame. But what if there’s a way to interrupt that pattern without judgment, without spiraling, and without trying to “fix” yourself?

Vanessa Gorelkin is a licensed therapist, executive coach, and returning favorite on the podcast. With 30 years of experience across clinical care and executive leadership, she specializes in helping ADHD women find clarity, stability, and actual tools that work. In this episode, she introduces us to Internal Family Systems (IFS), a powerful framework that helps us make sense of our emotional chaos by getting curious instead of self-critical.

Tracy and Vanessa dive into the difference between the “manager” and “firefighter” parts of our brain, how IFS can reframe emotional dysregulation, and why so many high-achieving women with ADHD still feel like they’re “too much.” They also talk about the surprising way shame shows up in our daily lives, and how compassion is more than just self-care; it’s a powerful strategy for long-term emotional regulation.

Vanessa also shares how IFS creates space for your inner world to feel less chaotic, less punishing, and more connected. You’ll learn how identifying and working with your internal parts can build self-awareness, reduce reactive patterns, and unlock a deeper sense of agency.

Whether you’re new to IFS or already deep into parts work, this episode offers real, relatable guidance for anyone looking to create more emotional balance and self-trust.

Resources:

Website: https://vanessagorelkin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsvanessagorelkin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessacahngorelkin1 

Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift

Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next?

ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.

That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2

Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com