ADHDifference

Julie Legg sits down with Dr. Eugene Manley, a bioengineer-turned-cancer scientist, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for equity in science and healthcare. Diagnosed with ADHD during graduate school, Eugene shares how his neurodivergent wiring shaped his path from misunderstood childhood behaviours and micromanagement clashes to his deep sense of justice, pattern recognition, and innovation.

Eugene opens up about navigating academia, launching a nonprofit to address health disparities, and leading through empathy rather than conformity. This conversation is packed with powerful reflections on how ADHD can be a strength — especially when harnessed with awareness, strategy, and aligned values.

Key Points in the Episode:

• The overlooked signs of ADHD growing up, and what finally led to diagnosis in grad school
• How neurodivergence influences innovation, empathy, and the fight against injustice
• Why ADHDers often struggle in hierarchical workplaces — and thrive with autonomy
• Micromanagement vs. motivation: how trust and freedom foster better work
• What inspired the launch of the STEM & Cancer Health Equity Foundation
• The hidden barriers underserved communities face in healthcare settings
• Practical ADHD strategies that helped Eugene manage time, focus, and burnout
• Viewing ADHD through a strengths lens: pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and drive
• Advice for late-diagnosed adults navigating regret, relationships, and self-trust

Links:

• WEBSITE: https://scheq.org/
• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenemanleyjrphd/
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/STEMMCHEQ/ 
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stemmcheq/

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Dr. Jack Hinman — clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Engage Young Adult Transitions. Drawing from over two decades of experience working with young adults in hospitals, residential treatment, and community mental health, Jack shares what he sees at the root of today’s growing anxiety epidemic: a crisis of focus, a crisis of connection, and a culture of avoidance.

Jack explores how ADHD often shows up subtly or is missed altogether in young adults, especially in women, and why emotional regulation, identity development, and executive function all suffer when connection is lost. 

This conversation dives into the deeper systemic and developmental factors shaping today’s “anxious generation,” and why safety, structure, and relationship-based support are key to long-term growth.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Why ADHD is under-diagnosed in young adults, particularly women
• The real drivers behind anxiety, shutdown, and burnout
• How emotional dysregulation and avoidance are often misread
• The impact of missed early coping development and attachment
• What’s fueling the “attention crisis” and “connection crisis” in this generation
• The harmful effects of pathologising normal anxiety
• The role of phones, online connection, and the loss of real-world social skills
• Why therapy should be immersive, relational, and present in everyday life
• The importance of structured autonomy and consistent support
• How nature-based, experiential learning (like skiing or biking) boosts self-trust
• What young adults, and parents, need to thrive through transition

Links:

WEBSITE: engagelifenow.com

LINKEDIN: jack-hinman-engagelifenow 

INSTAGRAM: engage.transitions 

FACEBOOK: Engage-Young-Adult-Transitions-100087789164852/

YOUTUBE: @engageyoungadulttransition6817

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by clinical psychologist and tech entrepreneur Dr. Jay Spence, co-founder of Evro AI, an innovative software platform purpose-built to support neurodivergent professionals.

Drawing on years of research and clinical insight, Jay shares how Evro is reshaping workplace communication by translating meetings, externalising tasks, reducing overwhelm, and acting as a cognitive co-pilot for ADHD and autistic thinkers. From memory scaffolding to emotional tone translation, this AI tool is designed to work with the brain, not against it.

Jay offers powerful insights into how neurodivergent professionals are already using AI as a productivity lifeline and how platforms like Evro can reduce burnout, support disclosure decisions, and radically shift how we experience work.

Key Points in the Episode:

• Why neurodivergent professionals are early adopters of AI
• How ADHD brains use AI tools to reduce burnout and organize thoughts
• Autistic professionals using AI as a social translator
• The hidden communication workload neurodivergent people carry at work
• What the Evro AI platform does differently for ADHD and autistic users
• How to use AI as a working memory prosthetic
• When and how disclosure at work can be helpful (or risky)
• The business case for neurodivergent-inclusive teams
• One practical to start: use AI to externalize and prioritize your mental load

Links:

• WEBSITE: https://www.evro.ai/
• EVRO AI COMMUNITY: https://discord.com/invite/Yh4aXRkYfc
• LINKEDIN: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/evro-ai/
• LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-lee-a0716918/
• LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjayspence/
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/evro.ai/
• TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@evroai 

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Ryan DeLena - a professional mountaineer, author, and mental health advocate. Ryan shares the harrowing realities of his childhood, growing up in therapeutic institutions where physical restraint was a regular response to neurodivergent behaviour. Misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and traumatised, it was ultimately the mountains, and the freedom they offered, that helped him find his way back to himself.

Now a seasoned skier, guide, and the author of Without Restraint, Ryan shares how physical movement, flow states, and deep connection to nature became lifelines. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the radical healing power of passion. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or neurodivergent yourself, this episode is a reminder that regulation doesn’t always come from the systems around us but from reconnecting with what lights us up inside.

Key Points from the Episode

• Ryan’s early years in therapeutic schools where physical restraint was used routinely
• The trauma of misdiagnosis and over-medication, and how it delayed his healing
• How ADHD was masked by trauma, and why clarity only came in adulthood
• The emotional and nervous system regulation that came from skiing and nature
• Why the flow state is so beneficial for ADHD minds
• The danger of systems that pathologise neurodivergent kids instead of understanding them
• His documentary 91 and what skiing 91 routes taught him about persistence
• Passion as a survival tool — why doing what you love can be a lifeline
• Ryan’s message of hope to anyone feeling trapped or unseen in the system

Links

BOOK: https://www.without-restraint-book.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.delena.970397/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@extreme_ryan_delena

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/extreme_ryan_delena/

Send us Fan Mail

Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with Hilary Momberger Powers — actress, inspirational speaker, trauma-informed guide, author, and the original voice of Sally Brown from the Peanuts cartoons. Hilary shares her extraordinary story of early fame, childhood trauma, addiction, and four decades of recovery — and how her ADHD diagnosis in adulthood reframed much of her past.

With humour and insight, Hilary discusses the impacts of being an undiagnosed neurodivergent child in a high-pressure environment. She explores how ADHD and addiction fed into each other, how healing her inner child led to transformation, and why stabilising the body, mind, and spirit is essential for recovery. This is a raw and hopeful conversation about finding peace, embracing difference and living in colour.

Key Points from the Episode

• Hilary's journey from child actor to decades-long recovery advocate
• How ADHD traits were misread as character flaws or "too muchness"
• The cycle of addiction and self-shame when ADHD goes unrecognised
• ADHD and addiction as a mind–body–spirit triangle
• The power of sensory grounding and daily stabilisation tools
• Healing through inner child work and reframing self-perception
• From victim to victor: embracing ADHD as a kaleidoscopic gift
• How trauma, addiction, and ADHD often intersect in women
• The role of connection, belonging, and self-acceptance in recovery

Links

WEBSITE: https://www.hilarymombergerpowers.com/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thehilarymombergerpowers

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/

LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-momberger-powers-078a604/

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Russell Van Brocklen — dyslexia researcher, educator, keynote speaker. Known as The Dyslexic Professor, Russell shares his extraordinary journey from being a severely dyslexic student with ADHD to a New York State Senate-funded researcher reshaping literacy education.

Through lived experience, practical strategies, and powerful case studies, Russell reveals how identifying a child’s “speciality” can unlock motivation and transform learning outcomes. He breaks down how ADHD and dyslexia often co-occur and provides a step-by-step methodology for parents and educators to help kids improve reading and writing at any level, no diagnosis required.

Key Points in the Episode

• Russell's journey from failing student to pioneering dyslexia researcher
• The importance of identifying a child’s “speciality” to unlock motivation
• Why ADHD and dyslexia are more similar than many realise
• Step-by-step writing strategies for kids with ADHD and dyslexia
• How a 10-year-old jumped 8 reading grade levels in 6 months
• Why early testing and intervention is crucial and affordable
• The problem with waiting for a diagnosis to start support
• How Russell’s approach helps kids outperform even AP-level students
• The neuroscience behind moving writing skills from chaos to clarity
• A new model for training teachers in under three hours
• Practical advice for overwhelmed parents on where to start

Links

• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87/
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/
• YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHg
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/
• WEBSITE: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/
• OVERCOMING DYSLEXIA: https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/overcoming-dyslexia-2020-edition-9780307558893

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with writer, advocate, mother of six, and trauma survivor Julie Barth, whose powerful story of caregiving, survival, and personal evolution is nothing short of extraordinary. Julie opens up about life before and after her ADHD diagnosis, the generational ripple effects of misunderstood neurodivergence, and rebuilding her life after emotional and financial abuse.

This episode explores the complexity of undiagnosed ADHD in women, the strength in vulnerability, why “bouncing forward” not just bouncing back is the real definition of resilience, and the Colin James Barth Outreach she has founded to help others.

Key Points from the Episode

• How Julie's undiagnosed ADHD showed up in her life, especially during caregiving and trauma
• Misunderstood signs of ADHD: Overthinking, anxiety, and people-pleasing
• Realising her son’s ADHD only after understanding her own
• The emotional impact of not validating her child’s needs earlier
• Generational beliefs about labels, fitting in, and parenting through shame
• Navigating grief, abuse, and ADHD overwhelm as a neurodivergent woman
• Why picking yourself (not pleasing others) is the first step to freedom
• What resilience truly means after hardship: “bouncing forward” not back
• Her charity’s work supporting women in crisis with no clear roadmap
• Strategies for emotional steadiness when ADHD and life feel overwhelming

Links

WEBSITE: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/julie_barth_author/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebarthauthor/

OUTREACH: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/cjb-outreach

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with clinical psychologist and ADHD specialist Bryan Gastelle. With both professional expertise and lived experience of ADHD, Bryan unpacks how neurodivergence impacts romantic relationships, communication patterns, emotional regulation, and household dynamics.

This conversation explores what healthy conflict really looks like, how couples can better support one another without falling into burnout or resentment, and why therapy doesn’t have to be a “last resort.” Bryan also shares practical tools, including the 5% Rule, for navigating emotional overwhelm, executive dysfunction, and relationship strain.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Why ADHD is often misunderstood, especially the inattentive type in adults
• How neurodivergence shows up in communication and daily relationship dynamics
• Common patterns when both partners have ADHD (and what to look out for)
• How neurotypical partners can support without slipping into rescuing or parenting roles
• What healthy conflict looks like and why “I” statements and validation matter
• The Four Horsemen of relationship breakdown (from the Gottman Method)
• Tips for suggesting therapy to a partner without triggering defensiveness
• Why a therapist trained in ADHD makes all the difference
• How to use the “5% Rule” to break down overwhelming tasks
• Why couples therapy can be a tune-up, not just a last resort

Links:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-gastelle-719820a5/

WEBSITE: https://www.empowermytherapy.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/empowerpsychotherapyllc/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerPsychotherapyllc

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Hufsa Ahmad (a licensed clinical social worker, scientist, and mental health advocate) about her journey navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, and repeated misdiagnoses. Hufsa shares how being a high-achieving, internally motivated student meant her ADHD often went unnoticed, and how co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder complicated her diagnosis and treatment.

This is a compassionate look at what happens when neurodivergent identities are misunderstood or dismissed and how curiosity, humour, and self-compassion can become essential tools for healing and growth. Hufsa’s insights as both clinician and lived-experience advocate offer validation for anyone living with multiple diagnoses or feeling unseen in traditional mental health narratives.

Key Points from the Episode

• Hufsa's ADHD was repeatedly diagnosed and undiagnosed due to her high academic performance and non-stereotypical traits.
• The challenges of co-occurring ADHD and bipolar disorder and how overlapping symptoms often lead to misinterpretation or mistreatment.
• Why "undiagnosing" someone is still a form of diagnosis — and often a harmful one.
• How high-achieving individuals with ADHD are often dismissed and the emotional toll that takes.
• The tension between “is it ADHD or is it just me?” and how that impacts identity and self-compassion.
• The impact of masking, internalised stigma, and imposter syndrome on neurodivergent people.
• Self-regulation strategies: from meditation and cycling to going offline and reducing social media use.
• Hufsa’s upcoming book, Same Shiite, Different Day, and how it reflects the nonlinear, multi-faceted nature of an ADHD brain.

Links

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hufsaahmad/

WEBSITE: https://hufsaahmad.com/speaker/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad/

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg welcomes author, educator, and improv-driven motivator Ron Shuali, known for his unique blend of martial arts, humour, and unorthodox teaching. Diagnosed with ADHD in early childhood, Ron defied expectations and built a life around passion, curiosity, and non-conformity. From creating Yogarate to launching “Unprofessional Development” workshops, Ron’s journey is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, challenging norms, and harnessing your neurodivergence as a mighty strength.

This fast-paced episode explores the beauty of authenticity, the power of play-based learning, and how to find stillness even in a racing ADHD brain.

Key Points in the Episode

• Why Ron has never followed the rule book, and why that’s his strength
• The importance of play, curiosity, and defiance in his ADHD journey
• How ADHD allowed him to hyperfocus and master diverse passions
• The birth of Yogarate and behaviour mastery for neurodivergent learners
• Why he’s on a mission to revolutionise “professional development”
• A surprisingly powerful ADHD-friendly strategy to find instant calm
• Why embracing your inner child is essential for growth and connection

Links

LINKEDIN:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronshuali/
WEBSITE: www.unpd.wtf
YOUTUBE:  www.ronshualisyoutube.com
TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/realronshuali?lang=en
FACEBOOK:   https://www.facebook.com/RonspeakECE/
INSTAGRAM:   https://www.instagram.com/ron_shuali_m.ed/ 

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Thanks for listening. 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast
▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference
🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz

 ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More