High-pressure sales and constant outreach often exhaust a business owner with ADHD. When traditional marketing models force unnatural friction, client acquisition quickly drains cognitive energy and momentum.

Authentic relationship marketing creates a more sustainable pathway by focusing on natural connection over chasing leads. By aligning your ADHD business strategy around genuine trust, you protect your energy, simplify growth, and build lasting client loyalty as an ADHD entrepreneur.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Relationship Marketing And ADHD

04:15 - Why Automation Strengthens Human Connection

08:30 - Attract, Don’t Chase Clients

13:00 - Using Behavioral Data In Marketing

17:15 - Creating Systems That Feel Human

21:30 - From Outsider To Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

26:00 - Radical Self-Acceptance And Unmasking

32:00 - Building A Business Around Your Strengths

Episode Highlights:

Strategic Relationship Marketing vs. Automation

Cat breaks down why automation and relationship-building aren’t mutually exclusive—and how smart systems can let neurodivergent business owners focus on authentic, meaningful connections.

Attract, Don’t Chase

Move over “hustle culture.” Cat and Diann discuss how building genuine relationships and letting people self-select nurtures business without the creepiness or pressure of hard selling.

Neurodivergent Thriving in Business

How Cat’s ADHD and autism traits fuel her ability to notice patterns, create unique solutions, and support her clients in efficiently reaching their goals.

Automating the Human Touch

Learn how emails, follow-ups, and event workflows can be automated, freeing up energy for one-on-one connections with those who are ready for deeper engagement.

Ethical Reciprocity & Non-Bro Marketing

Cat outlines how heart-centered reciprocity builds lasting relationships and why neurotypical tactics often miss the mark for neurodivergent individuals.

Meet our Guest: Cat Orsini

Cat Orsini has an MBA, is a master-certified coach, an entrepreneur, and co-author of the book "Experts Never Chase."

She specializes in relationship marketing, strategic conversations, and building automated systems that allow her—and her clients—to focus on human connection over busywork.

Through radical acceptance of her neurodivergence and trauma history, Cat has crafted a career and life that honors her strengths and refuses to squeeze herself into a neurotypical mold.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Cat on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Cat Orsini and her work
• The Book Cat Co-Authored - Experts Never Chase

Know someone who identifies with ADHD + Autism (officially diagnosed or not…)?

Think this episode would inspire them? Here is the link to share it with them, in the most comfy way possible: https://bit.ly/episode-blog-292

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Welcome back to ADHD-ish! Building and rebuilding a business as an ADHD entrepreneur often requires navigating emotional labor, exhaustion, and hidden blind spots. Host Diann Wingert sits down with client Steph Cotrell to discuss setting clear boundaries, managing business operations, and reshaping a sustainable business model following unexpected loss.

Discover how an ADHD-informed business strategy helps you re-evaluate your foundation, navigate burnout, and redefine success on your terms. If you are a business owner with ADHD seeking sustainable ADHD business coaching and authentic growth without sacrificing well-being, this conversation offers clarity and an actionable path forward.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Building A Business With ADHD Traits

04:35 - Scaling Burnout Instead Of Business Growth

09:10 - Setting Boundaries And Redefining Collaboration

13:45 - Redefining Success Around Family And Values

18:20 - Grief, Loss, And Business Flexibility

23:05 - Creating A Sustainable ADHD Business

27:40 - Finding Your Niche Without Overthinking

32:15 - Taking Action Through Uncertainty And Loss

Here are 3 key takeaways from this conversation:

Scaling “as-is” can scale your problems, not just your profits: Before trying to grow, pause to check if your foundation—relationships, workload, boundaries—truly supports the life you want.

• Give yourself permission to redefine success: It’s not all-or-nothing. You can reshape business relationships and paths to fit changing needs, values, and energy levels.
• Clarity fuels action: The sooner you move from overthinking to taking action (even messy, uncertain steps), the faster you learn, adapt, and build the business—and life—that truly work for you.

Mic Drop Moment:

"You don't have to be the glue holding all of this together. If you enjoy working with them, work with them, and if you don't, don't."

Connect with Steph Cottrell:

Website: https://www.blueelephantcreative.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluelecreative/

How Steph discovered me:

ADDItude Magazine webinar: “How to Build a Business That Works for Your ADHD Brain”

Want to hear more Client Success Stories? Click here for the custom playlist

Is it time to redefine your success as a business owner with ADHD?

I have two openings for one-on-one coaching engagements, starting in January. The first step is scheduling a free consultation where we talk about your goals and see if we are a good fit. Click here to book yours now.

And, don’t forget to leave a comment on Spotify (I personally respond to every one) or leave a review so more ADHD-ish business owners can find THE podcast full of real talk and real solutions for neurodiverse business brains.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Many entrepreneurs struggle with online tactics and shiny promises that lead to overwhelm rather than sustainable results. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert and business strategist Jessica Lackey explore how an ADHD small business owner can re-evaluate core strategy and align business operations with authentic goals.

Discover how an ADHD-informed business strategy helps you create a solid foundation instead of gambling on short-term trends. If you are a business owner with ADHD looking for grounded ADHD business coaching to align your offer, energy, and values, this conversation delivers essential insights for sustainable growth.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Leaving The Entrepreneurial Casino

05:00 - Strategy Over Tactics For Sustainable Business

10:00 - The Five Big Business Questions

15:00 - ADHD And Entrepreneurial Overstimulation

20:00 - Defining Enoughness And Business Success

25:00 - Embracing Your Business Stage And Pace

30:00 - Intentional Constraints And Creative Autonomy

35:00 - Decision-Making Frameworks For Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs

Top Takeaways from this Episode:

Start with Strategy, Not Tactics:

The endless cycle of purchasing the latest digital course or marketing hack often leads to overwhelm, wasted resources, and lost confidence. Sustainable businesses are built on strategy and thoughtful decision-making, not reactive, one-size-fits-all tactics.

Ask Yourself the Big Questions:

Before chasing the next big thing, get clarity on key fundamentals:

• What type of business do you really want to run?
• What stage are you in?
• What is the right pace and amount for your life and brain?
• What level of responsibility and commitment matches your reality?
• What does “enough” look like for you? These questions ground your business in reality instead of fantasy.

Don’t Compare Your Solo Journey to the Big Players:

The polished marketers often have large teams and structures flattening out the chaos. If you’re a team of one (especially with an ADHD-ish brain), your output and path will—and should—look different.

There’s power in slowing down, cutting through the noise, and building a business that fits you—not a casino of empty promises.

About Jessica Lackey

Jessica Lackey is the founder of Deeper Foundations, a consulting and training firm that helps expertise-based business owners grow and scale sustainable companies rooted in stronger business foundations.

She brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and soulful business building, drawing on an MBA from Harvard Business School, a coaching certification from iPEC, and experience at McKinsey & Company and Nike, Inc.

Jessica has supported over 200 entrepreneurs through her programs, blending systems thinking, operational rigor, and deep values alignment. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband.

Jessica can be reached at https://deeperfoundations.com/

Buy the book, or get a free chapter: Leaving the Casino by Jessica Lackey

Mentioned during this episode:

• Digital Course Academy - Amy Porterfield
• Gary V - Gary Vaynerchuk
• Codie Sanchez
• Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass
• Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic

Want to share this episode with a friend who's still in the entrepreneurial casino? https://bit.ly/episode-blog-290

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

When an operational routine becomes repetitive, many neurodivergent business owners lose interest just as their offers gain stability. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert shares the PROOF framework to help an ADHD small business owner evaluate whether to renew or release existing offers.

Gain insights on delegating routine tasks, redesigning business operations, and structuring offers that evolve with your focus. If you are a business owner with ADHD seeking targeted ADHD business coaching to maintain momentum without constant overhauls, this discussion provides a clear blueprint for sustainable growth.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Get Bored

06:30 - ADHD Boredom And Dopamine

12:45 - The PROOF Framework For Business Offers

20:15 - Boredom-Proof Systems And Strategic Delegation

28:30 - Renew, Release, And Business Evolution

7 Things You’ll Learn From This Episode:

The Real Reason You Get Bored: Learn the neuroscience of ADHD boredom and why your brain craves novelty (hint: it’s about dopamine, not discipline).

The “PROOF” Framework:

A practical tool to help you decide if it’s time to renew or release your business offers.

How To Build Boredom-Proof Systems: Discover strategies to rotate, redesign, and reinvent your business model so you stay engaged long term.

Strategic Delegation & Role Redesign: Find out how letting go of the dull stuff (or handing it off!) can reignite your passion—and even grow your business.

Permission to Evolve: Why shifting your focus is not failure, but good business and good self-care.

Want your entrepreneurial journey to last? Build boredom-proofing in from day one.

• Alternate focus areas each quarter.
• Design offers so they evolve or rotate naturally.
• Proactively plan breaks, new challenges, or learning cycles.

And, most importantly, give yourself grace when you need to pivot, change, or retire offers. Evolution isn’t failure; it’s strategic adaptation.

Fun Fact from This Episode:

Did you know that constraints—NOT unlimited freedom—are actually better for the ADHD brain? Giving yourself playful “rules” can boost creative energy and bring the spark back to your work.

Next Steps:

Download the FREE cheat sheet and put the PROOF framework to work today.

Re-listen to Ep #277_ “The Soulmate Phenomenon: How ADHD Fuels Idea Infatuation In Your Business” It’s the other side of the same coin!

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode # 288 “ADHD is Not Just in Your Head: Exploring Embodied Neuroscience” with Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas

About the Host

Diann Wingert is a seasoned psychotherapist-turned-business coach who blends neuroscience, entrepreneurial strategy, and real-life ADHD experience.

Her specialty? Helping entrepreneurs design businesses around their brains, instead of fighting them.

She’s the creator of The Boss Up Breakthrough coaching framework, where she brings actionable wisdom to entrepreneurs with ADHD who want a stand-out, sought-after, profitable business built on their unique brilliance, without burning out.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

If you have spent years trying to 'hack' your dopamine with planners and external fixes, you are missing a vital piece of the puzzle. ADHD is far more than a brain-based disorder; it is a full-body experience connected to your nervous system, gut health, and daily rhythms.

Diann Wingert sits down with clinical neuroscientist Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas to explore embodied neuroscience. Discover how shifting from external hacks to internal body awareness helps ADHD business owners build self-trust, reduce burnout, and develop a sustainable ADHD business strategy rooted in true neurodivergent alignment.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - ADHD Business Strategy: Embodied Neuroscience Principles

04:15 - Beyond Dopamine Hacks in ADHD Leadership

09:30 - Somatic Regulation for High Performing Entrepreneurs

15:20 - Rebuilding Self Trust to Prevent Burnout

21:45 - Overcoming Hyperfocus Fatigue and Sensory Overload

27:10 - Aligning Physical Health with Strategic Execution

33:00 - Integrating Mind Body Alignment in Strategy

38:40 - Sustainable Business Practices for Neurodivergent Founders

Episode Highlights:

• It’s Not Just Dopamine: Sure, dopamine’s part of the story. But Dr Miguel reminds us it’s just one instrument in a much bigger orchestra of brain and body chemistry. ADHD isn’t just a “brain disorder”—it’s an embodied experience, affected by everything from our gut health to our hormones and daily rhythms.
• Stop Trying to “Hack” Yourself: Instead of endless hacks, planners, and productivity tools, what if we tuned into our internal signals? Think: listening to hunger cues, taking movement breaks, honoring our need for rest—a holistic approach that begins on the inside.
• Self-Trust Is Everything: If you’ve ever struggled to trust your thoughts, feelings, or impulses, you’re not alone. The conversation offered hope: as we learn to regulate (and accept!) our unique internal ecosystem, intuition and awareness can flourish.
• Bringing it Back Home: Instead of survival mode, Dr. Miguel encourages us to “come back home” to ourselves—filling our cups with connection, nourishment, movement, and acceptance, rather than burning out on outside fixes.
• ADHD as an Advantage: Messy, complex, and beautifully curious—these traits can be assets in business and life. Don’t let anyone oversimplify you!

Meet Our Guest

Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas is a clinical neuroscientist, applied microbiologist, and nutritionist whose work bridges brain, body, and lived experience. For over 2 decades, he has explored how the gut, nervous system, and microbiome shape mood, focus, and emotional balance.

Dr. Miguel is an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University’s School of Psychology and lectures in nutrition at the University of West London. His forthcoming book, “ADHD Body and Mind” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) will be published in 2026.

Website - LinkedIn - Instagram - Substack - Thrive With ADHD Course

Make it Practical:

Practice Tuning Into Your Body: Notice and respond to basic bodily needs (hunger, thirst, bio breaks, rest, or movement) instead of ignoring or suppressing them during hyperfocus or stress.

Shift from External Fixes to Internal Awareness: Take time to notice what your body and emotions are asking for and explore activities that help you feel grounded and present (e.g., walks in nature, nourishment, movement, or connection).

Work on Rebuilding Self-Trust: Reflect on ways to start trusting your instincts, signals, emotions, and intuition around food, rest, motivation, and needs—especially if you have a history of doubting yourself.

Let Go of Perfectionism and Pathologizing: Recognize that ADHD is messy, complex, and unique to each person. Practice self-compassion and radical self-acceptance, instead of striving to“fix” yourself.

Integrate, Don’t Eliminate: You don’t have to choose between mainstream (medication, structure) and holistic (nutrition, mindfulness, nature) approaches. Blend what serves you best.

Was this episode THE ONE that is prompting you to leave a 5-Star rating and review? Do it! Here’s the link for Apple or Spotify: https://lovethepodcast.com/adhd-ish

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Managing intense emotional reactions during high-stakes client calls or unexpected feedback presents a frequent hurdle for neurodivergent business owners. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert introduces the SPACE framework to help an ADHD small business owner navigate emotional intensity and protect executive function.

Gain actionable strategies for identifying personal triggers, using micro-pauses during stress, and repairing professional relationships without falling into shame. If you are a business owner with ADHD seeking targeted ADHD business coaching to maintain composure under pressure, this conversation provides practical tools to build sustainable momentum.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction: The Journey from Reactive to Regulated for the ADHD Entrepreneur

05:15 - The Emotional Rollercoaster: Running a Business with ADHD

10:30 - Recognizing the Signs of ADHD Burnout Prevention and Cognitive Load

15:45 - Navigating ADHD Executive Function and Business Decision-Making

21:00 - Developing ADHD Business Systems and Cultivating ADHD Self-Trust

26:15 - Team Leadership: Managing a Team with ADHD and Delegation

31:30 - Stepping Into the Role: Becoming an ADHD CEO and Scaling Your Business

36:45 - Final Insights on ADHD Business Strategy and Sustainable Growth

I’m introducing the SPACE Framework, a practical, easy-to-remember tool designed for ADHD brains to manage those high-intensity situations. (If you love frameworks and acronyms, you’re in for a treat— your activated brain will actually remember it.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn:

Spot Your Patterns: Start by noticing your personal triggers—client feedback, high-stakes moments, unclear expectations, time pressure, or those awkward money conversations. I’m sharing physical, emotional, and environmental early warning signs, so you can spot trouble before it hits.

Pause the Escalation: Meet the powerful 90-second rule. Emotional chemicals peak and recede in just 90 seconds—if you don’t feed them. I share micro-pause techniques you can use in the moment (think hydration breaks, “Let me think for a second,” or strategic note-taking) to ride out the waves.

Act in the Moment: When you’re already activated, it’s about damage control, not perfection. Lower your voice, slow your speech, stick to the facts— I’ve got you with scripts and tips for how to stay in control when you feel anything but.

Clear the Air: Messed up? (We all do!) Learn how to take professional accountability—without over-apologizing or spiraling in shame. Clear, direct language for addressing emotional incidents and a real-world repair timeline are included.

Evolve Your System: Set up prevention tools, emotional “first aid,” and recovery supports so you’re not always in crisis mode. From environmental tweaks (noise-cancelling headphones, standing desks) to business systems that support your brain, this episode covers it all.

Grab Your Free Resource!

To make this episode even more actionable, I created a downloadable PDF that breaks down the SPACE Framework with easy-to-use scripts and examples. Get your copy here

Try ONE thing from the episode this week—maybe it’s noticing your triggers, preparing a “pause phrase,” or just putting a big water bottle on your desk before calls. Small steps, big changes.

You got this!

Have a friend this would be great for, but they have a job, not their own business? I introduced the SPACE framework for employees in a webinar for ADDItude magazine in September. You can share it with this link: https://bit.ly/4gMEkn4

About the Host

Diann Wingert is a former psychotherapist and serial entrepreneur turned business coach, specializing in helping entrepreneurs with ADHD and other “not-so-neurotypical” brains thrive.

Drawing from both her clinical expertise and business experience, Diann delivers actionable advice, real-world strategies, and a refreshingly honest perspective on building a business, balancing priorities, and protecting your most precious resources: your time and your creative energy.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Many adults unknowingly make their ADHD symptoms harder to manage through everyday habits that drain focus and executive function. From dopamine-driven sugar cravings to revenge bedtime procrastination and screen overload, small daily routines can sabotage your brain's natural ability to regulate focus, mood, and productivity.

In this episode of the ADHD-ish™ podcast, Diann Wingert sits down with ADD Crusher creator Alan P. Brown to explore simple, high-impact shifts for better ADHD executive functioning. Learn practical strategies to replace toxic habits with ADHD healthy habits and wellness practices—like portable proteins, low-friction movement, and consistent sleep hygiene—that optimize your mindset and motivation without adding overwhelm.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - ADHD Business Strategy: Identifying Toxic Daily Habits

05:30 - The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on ADHD

11:15 - Overcoming Multitasking Traps for Focus and Productivity

17:40 - Managing Overcommitment and ADHD Entrepreneur Burnout

24:00 - Building ADHD-Friendly Routines for Peak Executive Function

30:15 - Breaking Free from Negative Self-Talk Cycles

36:40 - Sustainable Habits for Long-Term ADHD Business Success

41:10 - Actionable Steps to Improve Daily Focus Strategies

• Why Sugar and Simple Carbs Are So Tempting (and Toxic)
• The neuroscience of sugar, dopamine, and ADHD brains
• Why people with ADHD reach for snacks more often
• Portable proteins, smart snacks, and what to keep out of your pantry
• The "Immediate Gratification" Trap
• How impulsivity and habit shape eating and lifestyle choices
• Simple prepping strategies for making healthier choices easier
• Exercise Without the Pressure
• How movement supports the ADHD brain (hint: it’s more than fitness!)
• The real benefits: BDNF (“Miracle-Gro for the brain”), focus, and mood
• How to start (or restart) with what you're “willing” and “able” to do
• The Underrated Power of Sleep
• How sleep deprivation mimics ADHD and worsens executive function
• The role of “revenge bedtime procrastination” and the “second wind”
• Huberman Lab-inspired tips for honoring circadian rhythm and better rest
• Screen Sucking & The Modern ADHD Saboteur
• How screens (phones, apps, streaming) are addictive false friends
• The myth of “restful scrolling” and how screens prevent true breaks
• Guilt-free social media windows and restorative breaks
• Quick Self-Check: Alan’s One-Simple-Step Approach
• Rate yourself in three key areas: diet, sleep, and exercise (scale of 0–10)
• Identify your lowest score and add ONE actionable change
• Use sticky notes and gentle accountability to turn intention into habits

Alan P. Brown created the award-winning ADD Crusher™ video program for ADHD teens/adults. Undiagnosed for decades, his untreated ADHD manifested in underachievement, substance abuse, and worse.

Once diagnosed, he found it difficult to learn coping strategies from books, so he researched his own evidence-based “brain hack” strategies to fuel a successful advertising career and two start-ups. In addition to his successful coaching program, Alan is also a best-selling author and a conference and TEDx speaker.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Books by John Ratey: Driven to Distraction, SPARK

BJ Fogg: The Fogg Behavior Model

The Huberman Lab: #1 Health Podcast

Merlin Mann Inbox Zero

BrCin-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF)

We covered sugar, sleep, and screens in this interview, but there are two more! Get Alan’s eBook, “5 Things We're Doing Every Day that Make Our ADHD Worse”

Love this podcast and haven’t left a review yet? Here’s a link to make it easy, and hey, thanks!

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Juggling multiple services and overly complex offers often creates unnecessary operational fatigue for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert examines how developing a signature offer framework helps an ADHD small business owner simplify client delivery and focus energy on core strengths.

Discover how refining your business operations around a single flagship offer establishes clarity, boosts profitability, and prevents burnout. If you are a business owner with ADHD looking for tailored ADHD business coaching to align your services with executive function, this episode outlines a streamlined path to sustainable growth.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

01:30 - ADHD Business Strategy and Offer Simplification

05:45 - Managing Cognitive Load with a Single Offer

10:15 - Streamlining ADHD Business Operations for Focus

15:00 - ADHD Decision Making and Sustainable Growth

19:40 - Building Scalable Systems for ADHD Entrepreneurs

Why more isn’t always better — Learn how the mental load of multiple offers can multiply (not just add) to your overwhelm.

When a single offer makes strategic sense — What life circumstances and business seasons call for focusing on one thing?

How a singular offer can clarify your marketing — No more juggling messages for different audiences. Say hello to SIMPLICITY and being memorable!

Building flexibility within one offer — Diann shares real tactics (payment plans, pacing choices, modular components) so “single” doesn’t mean “rigid.”

Taking care of your brain (and your business) — Get honest about energy, boundaries, and sustainable growth—especially if you’re neurodivergent.

Repetition actually builds mastery AND your reputation! Focusing on just one offer can skyrocket client results and make you the go-to expert—and much easier to refer to without a f*ck-ton of marketing.

About the Host

Diann Wingert is a former psychotherapist and serial entrepreneur turned business coach, specializing in helping entrepreneurs with ADHD and other “not-so-neurotypical” brains thrive.

Drawing from both her clinical expertise and business experience, Diann delivers actionable advice, real-world strategies, and a refreshingly honest perspective on building a business, balancing priorities, and protecting your most precious resources: your time and your creative energy.

Next steps:

Grab Diann's self-assessment to help you determine whether a single-offer model is right for your business right now. Click here for your free copy.

Coming soon:

Don’t miss the next episode! Diann is joined by Alan P. Brown of ADD Crusher to discuss what you’re doing every day that is making your ADHD worse. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Navigating overlapping identities often forces neurodivergent entrepreneurs into adaptive behaviors like ADHD masking and code-switching. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert connects with leadership coach Ron Sosa to discuss how an ADHD small business owner evaluates safety, authenticity, and self-disclosure in professional spaces.

Understand how honoring neurodiversity and personal identity strengthens your overall business strategy and leadership style. If you are a business owner with ADHD looking for compassionate ADHD business coaching to foster self-acceptance while building a sustainable business, this conversation offers profound clarity and encouragement.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

01:15 - Neurodivergent Leadership and Identity Intersectionality

07:30 - Authenticity for the ADHD Small Business Owner

14:45 - Overcoming Masking in ADHD Business Strategy

21:10 - Managing Cognitive Load in Unfamiliar Environments

28:35 - Building Inclusive Systems for ADHD Entrepreneurs

35:20 - Real-Time Decision Making with Lived Experience

42:00 - Empowering the Diverse Business Owner with ADHD

48:15 - Sustainable Growth and Authentic Leadership Principles

Diann and Ron discuss the complicated layer of “family secrets”, the constant mental calculations neurodivergent and marginalized individuals make around safety and acceptance, and offer powerful insights about reclaiming agency in how we self-identify.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Identities Stack and Interact: Ron walks us through how he thinks about and organizes his different identities—ADHD, autistic, white male, gay, and hard of hearing—and the personal and social factors that influence which aspects he shares in different situations.
• Navigating Safety and Disclosure: The conversation highlights the calculation involved in deciding which identity to disclose, considering factors like safety, context, and anticipated reactions from others.
• Invisible and Visible Disabilities: Ron shares honest experiences about masking, particularly with his hearing impairment, and the additional challenges posed by disabilities that are not immediately visible.
• Masking as Tool vs. Survival Mechanism: Diann and Ron discuss the difference between masking as a conscious, empowering choice and masking as a depleting necessity, including how the need to “pass” or “camouflage” can both protect and exhaust someone with multiple marginalized identities.
• Passing, Code-Switching, and Camouflage: The benefits and drawbacks of being able to “pass” in certain environments, including the emotional toll and moments of empowerment when one can choose how and when to reveal their authentic self.

Guest Bio:

Ron Sosa is a neurodivergent, gay, hard-of-hearing leader who has walked unconventional paths through veterinary medicine, coaching, and leadership development. From the client service desk to executive roles, his story isn’t linear, and that's a testament to resilience, reinvention, and radical empathy.

Too many leaders feel like they’re wearing a mask and are exhausted from trying to fit into outdated expectations. They’re stuck managing overwhelm, struggling with conflict, and questioning whether they belong in leadership at all. They are not broken; the system is. Ron helps leaders unlearn what leadership “should” look like and rebuild from a place of clarity, confidence, and alignment with their neurotype, values, and rhythm through Syn-APT Neuroinclusive Leadership.

Find Ron Sosa online:

Website - LinkedIn

Mentioned during the episode:

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' Stages of Grief model

The movie “Rainman” & how our views of autism have changed

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Can’t get enough of insights from other neurodivergent experts?

Join Meredith Carder, Jesse J Anderson, Tayla Blair, Alice Draper and me for a FREE live roundtable discussion on “Visibility & Branding with ADHD” - October 15th at 9 AM Pacific/ 12 PM Eastern.

Register NOW to attend LIVE or watch the replay!

Ever wish you had been diagnosed with ADHD sooner? Want to open up a conversation about ADHD with your daughter, mother, or niece? Get your FREE copy of “Letters to My Younger Self” (22 letters from ADHD experts, including ME!) https://findtheadhdgirls.org/repository/

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Growing awareness around neurodiversity in entrepreneurship has led to an influx of generic guidance that fails to address executive function challenges. In this episode of ADHD-ish, host Diann Wingert breaks down what distinguishes true ADHD business coach services from standard productivity coaching, helping an ADHD small business owner select the right strategic support.

Discover how working with a specialized coach aligns business strategy, marketing, and operations with your unique cognitive style while protecting your time and energy. If you are a business owner with ADHD seeking experienced ADHD business coaching to build a sustainable enterprise, this episode provides a five-question framework for making an informed investment.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:

01:15 - Role of an ADHD Business Coach

05:30 - ADHD Business Strategy versus Standard Coaching

09:45 - Tailoring Business Systems for ADHD Entrepreneurs

13:20 - Overcoming Cognitive Load and Business Burnout

16:50 - Sustainable Growth for the ADHD Business Owner

About the Host

Diann Wingert is a former psychotherapist and serial entrepreneur turned business coach, specializing in helping entrepreneurs with ADHD and other “not-so-neurotypical” brains thrive.

Drawing from both her clinical expertise and personal experience, Diann delivers actionable advice, real-world strategies, and a refreshingly honest perspective on building a business, balancing priorities, and protecting your most precious resources: your time and your creative energy.

Defining "ADHD Business Coach"

A major misconception is that being a certified ADHD coach with a coaching business is enough to qualify as an ADHD business coach.

The truth? The skills needed for managing ADHD and those needed to build sustainable business systems for an ADHD brain are worlds apart.

ADHD coaching typically zeroes in on organization, productivity, time management, and emotional regulation.

ADHD business coaching requires a deep understanding of how neurodivergent thinking plays out in the areas of business strategy, marketing, operations, and client delivery.

In other words, it’s about knowing not just that typical strategies fail for ADHD entrepreneurs, but why—and being able to offer effective alternatives.

Here’s my checklist for vetting an ADHD business coach—myself included:

• How do they run their business? Is it ADHD-friendly and sustainable, or are they “winging it” and modeling burnout?
• Can they answer nuanced questions about ADHD and business beyond the basics? How does rejection sensitivity impact marketing? Why do traditional sales funnels often fail?
• How do they talk about ADHD? Are they focused on deficits to “fix” or differences to leverage?
• Does their content feel ADHD-aligned? Or does it sound like a typical business guru tossing in some neurodivergent SEO keywords?
• Take a look at their boundaries. Strong boundaries signal true expertise and self-care—not codependency with a price tag.

My coach approach is simple and built on three principles:

Uncomplicate Your Business: ADHD brains get swamped by unnecessary complexity. Instead of piling on endless marketing channels or busywork, focus on what actually moves the needle. Eliminate the rest to avoid burnout.

Uncover Your Brilliance: ADHD entrepreneurs often have wildly innovative ideas, but years of hearing they should do things a certain way dims that spark. The real magic comes from aligning offers with your strengths and values, making sales a natural conversation rather than a high-pressure hustle.

Turn ADHD into an Asset: Instead of treating ADHD as something to manage, the right coach helps you turn traits like pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and flexibility into your business’s superpowers.

Do You Even Need an ADHD Business Coach?

Here’s a refreshing truth: not everyone needs specialized ADHD business coaching, especially if you’re still learning foundational business skills or are in the middle of a personal or professional crisis.

There’s a time and place—otherwise, you might benefit more from a mentor, a course, or ADHD life coaching. I think of it as the Goldilocks effect - not too much, not too little, but just right.

The ADHD business coaching field is growing, so you have more options than ever, but don’t let the noise drown out your intuition. Look for integrity, expertise, and a coach who practices what they preach.

If you want to explore coaching with me, I offer no-pressure consultations to see if we are a fit and if the timing is right. Click here to find out more.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.