ADHD shows up in the smallest moments, like the wrong T-shirt, a too-strong scent, or a clothing tag that suddenly becomes unbearable. In this replay of an early favorite, Michelle and Megan dive into how ADHD impacts sensory processing, emotional boundaries, and self-acceptance in daily life.

From the intense lime-scented moment that inspired the episode title to childhood memories that shaped how they respond to the world, this episode blends humor, honesty, and sisterly insight. They talk about what it means to set boundaries with your body, your environment, and your inner critic. This is especially true when you’re neurodivergent and the world feels like too much.
Whether you’ve lived this experience or are trying to understand someone who has, this is the episode that reminds you: you’re not too much, and you’re not alone.

Favorite line from the episode: LIME! LIME! LIME!
00:00 – Why we’re replaying this episode
02:00 – Neurodivergent vs. neurotypical brains
04:00 – “I think in pictures”
06:00 – The Lime Situation™
09:30 – Sensory overload and hard visual cuts
13:00 – Acronyms, memory, and why bedtime brains are bonkers
17:00 – Calmness, overstimulation, and tactile tools
20:00 – Driving, grounding, and sequin slap bracelets
25:00 – Clothing, tags, and adult boundary-setting
30:00 – Seam rippers, itchy sheets, and the Princess and the Pea
32:00 – A love letter to anyone whose brain gets distracted by pants
If you’ve got a tag story, a lime story, or a sensory quirk that changed your life, then we want to hear it. Join us on Instagram @spicybrainpodcast and share your wins (and weirds). And if this episode made you feel seen, send it to someone who needs to know they’re not alone.
ADHD women, sensory overload, neurodivergent podcast, boundaries, lime sensitivity, emotional overwhelm, seam ripper, tactile tools, neurospicy stories, adult ADHD

ADHD doesn’t just challenge attention, it tangles with identity, boundaries, and emotional overwhelm. In this episode, Michelle and Megan continue their deep (and often hilarious) dive into Your Brain Is Not Broken by Dr. Tamara Rosier, focusing on how boundaries work for the ADHD brain, and what it means to actually live inside your own emotional house.

From the metaphor of the house, yard, and fence to the vulnerability of inner child work, this episode touches on the complex dynamics of masking, self-trust, and growing up with blurry boundaries. Megan reveals what it means to lock herself out of her own house, while Michelle describes the exhausting noise of running “a million butlers that are not my own.” Together, they model in real time what it looks like to navigate sticky emotions, time stress, and real-life boundaries—without a script and with deep love.

This is a must-listen for anyone working on creating a life where self-worth, communication, and compassion coexist.
Favorite line:“I have a million butlers that are not my own.”
00:00 — Welcome, high kicks, and boundary talk
03:20 — Why the house/yard/fence metaphor is hard to live
08:40 — The pullout couch story: navigating discomfort and honesty
13:45 — Late starts and emotional misfires
17:22 — Real-time boundary setting in action
23:00 — Metaphors, membranes, and moving the fence
26:10 — Being on the other side of the fence doesn’t mean someone isn’t loved
31:20 — Megan’s thesis: the house is your self-worth
36:10 — Michelle’s million butlers and the burden of managing others
42:00 — Learning to trust each other with boundaries
47:30 — What healthy fences actually give you
50:00 — You can love people and still hand them a mint across the fence
Boundaries are messy. But boundaries are also healing. If this episode resonated, send it to someone you’ve shared a fence with (literally or emotionally). And don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you catch next week’s episode: “Dancing Through the Day”, where we talk about ADHD-friendly hacks for adulting that don’t suck.
ADHD, emotional boundaries, inner child, neurodivergent relationships, burnout, masking, people pleasing, house/yard metaphor, Tamara Rosier, Your Brain is Not Broken, radical acceptance, self-worth, neurospicy women

ADHD often feels like emotional whiplash. There's burnout, masking, boundary blurring, and the ever-elusive goal of just being okay. In this episode, Michelle and Megan dive into the idea of emotional boundaries through the metaphor of a house and a yard (yes, complete with haunted attic and squirrel intrusions).

Megan admits she’s been living in the yard, outside of herself, while Michelle shares what it felt like to suddenly sob on a massage table. With laughter, honesty, and a healthy dose of sibling chaos, they explore what it means to come back to your emotional home, one small win at a time.

Whether your internal house is a fixer-upper or you’ve just been crashing in the garden shed, this episode is a nudge to replant your roots, prune some emotional hedges, and start feeling like your space is actually your own again.
Favorite line from the episode: “You're Like Salt!”
00:00 — Welcome to the haunted house
05:08 — The massage table breakdown
09:40 — Living in the yard (and forgetting the porch)
13:22 — Why ADHD brains struggle with “the inside”
17:47 — When your house is emotional clutter
20:19 — “I’m not even at the front door yet”
25:36 — The mall wins: small, sneaky signs of progress
30:00 — Reclaiming your space one moment at a time
If this episode felt like a peek into your own emotional yard, share it with a friend who gets it. Follow the show so you don’t miss next week’s episode, where we finally open the front door and look inside the house. (Closets full of emotional stuff? We’ve got you.)

ADHD, boundaries, emotional burnout, overwhelm, masking, neurodivergent women, radical acceptance, haunted house metaphor, healing, small wins, self-awareness, ADHD women, therapy moments, yard metaphor

Living with ADHD often means saying “yes” when you don’t mean to, overextending yourself emotionally, and struggling to know where you end and others begin. In this honest and heartfelt episode, Megan and Michelle dive into the chaos of building boundaries with ADHD, especially when you’ve spent years feeling responsible for everything and everyone.
Through laughter, lived experience, and a few “wild 24-hour” detours, they unpack what it means to slow down, reassess your limits, and protect your energy. From navigating relational guilt to the mental gymnastics of internalized expectations, the sisters talk candidly about why setting boundaries isn’t mean, it’s necessary.

Whether you're learning to say “no,” unsure where to even begin, or redefining what emotional responsibility shouldn’tfeel like, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and more equipped to draw the lines you need.

Favorite line from the episode: “What are the small wins we can find?”
Episode 77: A Wild 24 Hours

00:00 intro and backstory of the last 24 hours
05:38 emotional responsibility and why it’s so sticky
11:45 do you need to respond right now?
15:20 boundary-building for the ADHD brain
21:17 patterns of saying yes out of guilt
28:40 taking your foot off someone’s head
35:55 practicing the pause and letting go of urgency
40:22 closing thoughts and curiosity for next week
If this episode helped you feel a little more seen, share it with a friend who gets your flavor of spicy brain. Or if someone needs a gentle reminder that it's okay to say no, send it to them as well. And if you haven’t already, hit follow so you don’t miss the next episode, where we dig deeper into the emotional health ladder and how to build better internal scaffolding. Your brain deserves support, not judgment.

ADHD, emotional boundaries, people-pleasing, burnout, masking, self-awareness, neurodivergent, relationships, overwhelm, radical acceptance

What happens when you go from ADHD emotional shutdown to full sensory panic in less than a day? In this episode, Michelle and Megan unpack “a wild 24 hours” of ADHD chaos, spiraling thoughts, and real-time recalibration. Through laughter, compassion, and a surprising story about strawberries, Megan walks Michelle through a moment-by-moment breakdown of how she climbed out of emotional quicksand using Tamara Rosier’s Emotional Health Ladder.
From barely being able to speak to mapping out decision trees on a grocery store whiteboard, this episode captures what it actually looks like to regulate emotions with ADHD. It's messy, nonlinear, and deeply human. If you’ve ever felt like you were too much or not enough, this one’s for you.

favorite line from the episode: “A wild 24 hours”
00:00 recap and where we left off
04:22 the shutdown: can't talk, can't decide, can't move
08:45 strawberries and the moment it shifted
12:01 moving from shame to curiosity
17:30 what the Emotional Health Ladder looks like in real time
24:40 the power of micro-decisions (and whiteboards at Trader Joe's)
29:55 sensory stacking and "I did one thing!" moments
34:00 creating tools that catch you without judgment
If this episode helped you climb your own ladder, share it with someone who gets. Also, leave us a review to help more ADHD humans find their way to radical acceptance.
adhd, adhd women, emotional regulation, burnout, emotional health ladder, tamara rosier, overwhelm, sensory overload, strawberries, radical acceptance, neurodivergent strategies

Dive into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with ADHD. From survival mode to self-worth struggles, we explore how burnout shapes the ADHD soul. We explore how burnout isn't just tiredness, but a complex experience that can knock the wind out of your sails. This week, we unpack the chaotic nature of survival mode and how ADHD shapes those struggles in unique ways.

Join us as Michelle and Megan share personal anecdotes that are as enlightening as they are humorous. From the harrowing tale of "the mouse that moved in" to Megan's sock game that forecasts her day, these sisters chat candidly about navigating the highs and lows of ADHD life. Listener beware: You might find yourself laughing hysterically and nodding in agreement at the same time.

By the end, you'll have a better understanding of why sometimes, just naming your emotional state can be half the battle—and how holding onto hope (and a little humor) can lead you up the emotional health ladder.
favorite line from the episode:
“This isn't my fault.”
00:00 intro & emotional tone check
04:41 the mouse that moved in: chaos enters the chat
08:15 Megan’s socks are a weather forecast for her day
11:33 survival mode and the mental crash
15:28 how ADHD changes the emotional stakes
19:40 grief, joy, and everything in between
23:52 learning how to name your emotional state
27:45 emotional health ladder & staying curious
32:00 Seeking Help and Overcoming Barriers33:27 The Frustration with Mental Health Labels37:19 Understanding Emotional and Physical States41:01 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries47:37 The Importance of Self-Care and Awareness59:56 Reflecting on Change and Growth01:05:55 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics
Follow the show, share it with a friend who gets it, and check out our links for more resources and support between episodes.
ADHD, ADHD women, emotions, burnout, survival mode, neurodivergence, emotional health ladder, mental health, sensory overload, masking, humor, sibling podcast, radical acceptance

This episode looks at the everyday chaos of life with ADHD. We find joy in eating cereal out of a Pyrex and talk about the little moments that make hard days feel lighter.

ADHD can bring a whirlwind of emotions, from burnout and overwhelm to the challenges of masking and finding self-worth. In this lively episode, we dive into the chaos of ADHD life, exploring the struggle with everyday tasks and the emotions that accompany them. We discuss everything from the pressure to be productive to feelings that make even the simplest chore feel like an epic battle.

Join us, Megan and Michelle, as we laugh about personal quirks and debate whether driving around the block twice counts as self-care. Our witty banter provides a comforting and humorous take on ADHD experiences that are both relatable and enlightening. Tune in to rediscover joy, embrace curiosity, and practice radical acceptance in the beautifully messy world of ADHD.
favorite line from the episode: "I ate cereal out of a pyrex measuring cup"
00:00 intro & what cereal has to do with burnout
04:12 Megan’s week of feeling stuck & emotionally messy
08:33 “I want to be productive, but I’m crumbling”
12:48 Michelle on managing her emotions in the moment
15:20 the “loop of despair” and everyday shame spirals
18:45 driving around the block twice counts as self-care
21:30 radical acceptance vs. masking when things fall apart
24:57 being a kid with big feelings and unfinished chores
28:50 what does “doing enough” even mean?
33:19 ending on a curious note
Follow the show, share it with a friend who gets it, and don’t forget to check out the links in the show notes for extra resources. New episodes drop weekly-ish!
ADHD, ADHD women, emotions, burnout, masking, executive dysfunction, mental health, self-worth, radical acceptance, neurodivergence, sister podcast, everyday ADHD

Speed feels exciting until it tips your ADHD brain into crisis mode. We share tech fails, emotional flooding, and small ways to slow down when everything feels too fast.
Living with ADHD often feels like being stuck in fast-forward and sometimes, that speed sends us straight into a self-manufactured crisis. In this episode, Michelle and Megan, who have their own share of ADHD experiences, dive into the chaos of tech fails, emotional flooding, and what happens when we push ourselves too far without realizing it.

From a moment of “I’m gonna go to audio jail” panic to a powerful realization about activating the limbic system, the sisters share their learning journey about the toll that emotional overload can take and how naming it helps calm the storm. Through laughter, reflection, and the occasional accidental headlock, they inspire us with how they’re learning to pause, reassess, and build a life that actually works for their brains.

favorite line from the episode: “I don't wanna activate my limbic system.”

00:00 intro & podcast setup chaos03:42 Megan’s accidental trip to ‘audio jail’07:18 tech fails and the ADHD meltdown spiral12:50 limbic system overload explained (kind of)18:33 Daisy the pug weighs in21:45 stepping out of crisis mode and reassessing28:10 Michelle’s takeaway: the unintentional headlock moment31:04 Megan’s moment of clarity: let it be34:17 outro and teaser for next week

Thanks for listening! If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or helped you name something in your own life, we'd love to hear from you. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next. In the upcoming episode, we’ll explore“Playing with Fire,” another pattern from Your Brain’s Not Broken, and take a deeper dive into the emotional health ladder. Until then, here’s to a great end of the week and remember to stay curious.

Resources Mentioned🔗 Solve-It Grid from Your Brain’s Not Broken by Tamara Rosier (PDF)
🎧 Hemi-Sync playlist on Apple Music
📚 Illustrated Book Notes on Facebook

ADHD Women, ADHD overwhelm, emotional regulation, tech fail, masking, limbic system, ADHD podcast, neurodivergent burnout, ADHD humor, your brain’s not broken

You know that moment when something finally shifts and you start to feel... okay again? In this episode of Spicy Brain, Michelle and Megan explore what it's like to come back online after an emotional shutdown. Whether you call it regulation, recovery, or just getting your sparkle back, this episode is about those little signs that you're re-emerging from burnout.

They talk about the ADHD emotional health ladder and how hard it can be to climb out of survival mode when everything feels heavy. Megan shares how a tiny prompt from her AI assistant snapped her out of a funk, reminding her that regulation doesn’t always start with a big gesture. It starts with noticing. If you’ve ever felt like your brain ghosted you and you’re just waiting for it to return, this episode might be exactly what you need.
Our favorite line from the episode is: The Queen Has Arisen!

00:00 – The ADHD emotional maze
03:00 – What burnout feels like from the inside
06:30 – The “funk ladder” and how we name our emotional state
10:00 – Keila the AI assistant says: “Wiggle your toes”
13:45 – How ADHD brains get stuck in low-power mode
17:20 – Shifting from survival to presence
22:00 – What helps when you feel unmotivated or blank

In a funk? Wiggle your toes and hit play. Then tap follow, share with your fellow spicy brain crew, and leave a review to help others find the show.

ADHD emotions, ADHD burnout, ADHD funk, emotional dysregulation, ADHD emotional regulation, ADHD low motivation, ADHD survival mode

When life feels like a constant scroll of noise, stimulation, and overwhelm, sometimes the most radical move is to just… turn off the TV. In this episode of Spicy Brain, Michelle and Megan talk about how hard it can be to shift from the chaos of ADHD life into a moment of real calm. They discuss why the calm often feels more suspicious than soothing.

They’re diving into the concept of the red and blue zones, straight from Your Brain is Not Broken, and sharing what it looks like to step out of that adrenaline-fueled survival mode. Megan also shares the moment she tried to build an AI butler to manage her brain’s daily chaos. She explains how even her techy coping mechanism hit its limit. If you’ve ever struggled to believe in your own peace, or felt like calm wasn’t meant for you, this episode will feel like a deep breath you didn’t know you needed.
Our favorite line from the episode is: Turn off the TV

00:00 – The weird zone between tired and overstimulated
03:15 – What it feels like to be emotionally overloaded
06:30 – Why the red zone makes everything harder
10:45 – “Turn off the TV”: choosing quiet over autopilot
14:00 – Megan’s AI butler moment (yes, really)
16:30 – Using labels to name what zone you're in
20:15 – Micro resets and weird tricks that work for us
23:45 – How we know we’re coming out the other side

Feeling that red zone energy? You're not alone. Follow the show, share it with a friend who gets it, and leave a review to help more spicy brains find their people.

ADHD emotions, red zone ADHD, ADHD burnout, emotional overwhelm, ADHD brain hacks, ADHD emotional regulation, executive dysfunction