ADHDifference

In this episode Julie Legg interviews Janine VanStee, an ADHD Life Coach and podcast host. Janine was diagnosed with ADHD at 50, after years of misdiagnoses including depression, anxiety, and OCD. 

With 30 years of experience in special education, Janine has dedicated her work to helping others navigate their ADHD traits. Janine’s journey highlights the power of self-awareness, structure, and support in thriving with ADHD. By implementing small, ADHD-friendly changes, it’s possible to navigate challenges more effectively and with self-compassion.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Late Diagnosis: Like many women, Janine was misdiagnosed multiple times before receiving an accurate ADHD diagnosis. The "domino effect" is common in families, where one diagnosis often leads to others.
• Retrospective Signs of ADHD: Janine recalls early signs such as excessive talking, hyperactivity, impulsive decision-making, and rejection sensitivity (RSD). She also struggled with people-pleasing and being a "chameleon" in social settings to fit in.
• Self-Awareness & Acceptance: Accept that ADHD is not a flaw, but a different way of thinking that requires tailored strategies. Practice self-compassion—acknowledge emotions without judgment. Speak up about necessary accommodations at work or in social settings. Educate loved ones about ADHD to foster understanding and support.

LINKS

• J VanStee ADHD Life Coaching - Website
• J VanStee - Instagram
• J VanStee - Facebook
• J VanStee - LinkedIn
• ADHD Eaves Drop Podcast

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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 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 chats with Stephon Brown, an author and self-described "modern-day muse," to discuss his journey with ADHD. While school posed significant challenges, he discovered his love for improv, which became a powerful outlet for his creativity and quick-thinking mind.

Together they explore concepts like mental cartography and performative communication, The Barstool Theories, and the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths of ADHD individuals rather than forcing them into rigid systems. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Early ADHD Diagnosis: In the 1980s ADD was poorly understood, often leading to medication without holistic support. Rigid education systems can suppress joy and creativity in neurodivergent children. Teachers and mentors who see beyond standardized learning can make a profound difference in ADHD individuals' success.
• Careers & Brick Walls: Traditional career paths often aren’t designed for neurodivergent thinkers. Despite being intelligent and creative, rigid work environments that don’t accommodate ADHDers way of thinking can lead to forcing oneself into a mould that doesn’t fit. Stephon’s journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line, and sometimes, breaking through the wall means finding a door that was never on the blueprint.
• Shame & Guilt in ADHD: Growing up in a time when ADHD was poorly understood, Stephon recalls how early treatment focused on "Ritalin and shame", making him feel broken rather than supported. Over time, he realized that this shame wasn’t his burden to carry; it was the result of a system that didn’t know how to nurture different thinkers. By reframing his ADHD as a strength rather than a deficit, he was able to let go of guilt and embrace his uniqueness.

LINKS

• Stephon Brown, The Barstool Theories - Website
• Stephon Brown, The Barstool Theories – Instagram
• Stephon Brown, The Barstool Theories – Facebook
• Stephon Brown, The Barstool Theories – YouTube
• Stephon Brown, The Barstool Theories - Amazon

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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 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 Upton Rand to the ADHDifference podcast. Upton (Ohio, USA) was diagnosed with ADHD at six and shares his journey of embracing his ADHD as a powerful force that drives his curiosity, adventurous spirit, and capacity for innovation. 

Through his experiences, Upton has learned to ride the wave of ADHD rather than fight against it and encourages listeners to embrace their differences and trust their unique paths. His story exemplifies how ADHD, when acknowledged and navigated thoughtfully, can become a source of strength and adventure in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Early Diagnosis & Childhood: Diagnosed at six, Upton experienced challenges with focus, stillness, and academic performance. He describes growing up during the "Ritalin generation," with ADHD becoming increasingly visible and many classmates taking medication​.

"Riding the Wave" of ADHD: Upton speaks about his philosophy of riding the wave of ADHD, saying:  "It's the wave of who I am and I have to ride it. And it's taken me to amazing places. I've met incredible people. I've done things I never thought I'd be able to do. And I would really like to see everyone ride their wave, whatever that looks like for them."​

Curiosity, Adventure, and AI: Upton highlights how his ADHD fuels an insatiable curiosity and drive for adventure. AI has become a valuable tool in managing his curiosity and helps streamline his learning process by offering quick, tailored information, keeping him engaged while preventing the overwhelm that can come with distraction.  

LINKS

• Upton Rand - website
• Upton's book - Gay Campgrounds
• Upton's book - Gay Mens Field Guide: Urban Adventures

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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 chats with Dr Jaime Raygoza to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by ADHDers in the workplace and beyond. Diagnosed as an adult, Jaime opens up about his journey of self-discovery, offering valuable insights into managing stress, preventing burnout, and embracing one's authentic self.

Together, they discuss strategies to thrive in professional settings, the power of reframing ADHD traits as unique strengths, finding balance through self-care, and the surprising mental health benefits of practices like laughter yoga. It's a candid, practical conversation designed to inspire and empower ADHDers at every stage of their careers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Barriers to Career Progression: ADHD traits like procrastination, impulsivity, and hyperfocus can impact performance​​. Negative self-perceptions and societal expectations can undermine confidence​.
• Being Authentic: Jaime highlights the importance of understanding your brain's wiring and leveraging ADHD traits like creativity and adaptability as strengths​​. Masking or suppressing one’s authentic self, often to conform, can increase anxiety and reduce productivity​.
• Stress and Burnout Management: ADHDers can thrive in high-pressure situations due to the surge of dopamine but are also prone to burnout from overwork and sensory overload. demands or lack of control in tasks can trigger emotional shutdown or overwhelm​. Strategies like structured breaks, managing workload, and prioritizing self-care are critical. Excessive
• Laughter Yoga as Stress Relief: This practice combines intentional laughter with breathing exercises to lower cortisol levels, and increase dopamine, improving mood and focus.
• Overcoming Challenges: Body-doubling, maintaining accountability, setting boundaries and building tailored strategies for focus and time management are beneficial​​, along with work-life balance.

LINKS

Rainbow Career Coaching - website 

Rainbow Career Coaching - YouTube 

Rainbow Career Coaching - Instagram

Rainbow Career Coaching - Facebook 

Dr Jaime Raygoza - LinkedIn  

Dr Jaime Gaygoza - Google Scholar

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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 and Jel Legg discuss the common yet invalidating comment, "You don’t look like you have ADHD," and explore how ADHD traits, such as overthinking and emotional regulation, can create paradoxical behaviours that confuse observers. 

The Flipsides of ADHD highlight the contrasting extremes that can coexist within moments—swinging from overthinking to underthinking, oversharing to withholding, and being highly organized to thriving in chaos. These complexities emphasize that ADHD is best understood through appropriate tools and expert guidance, rather than through casual judgments from friends or family. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• ADHD's Paradoxes: People with ADHD often exhibit seemingly contradictory traits, such as overthinking one moment and underthinking the next. This duality can confuse others and even those with ADHD themselves.
• The Challenge of Understanding ADHD: ADHD’s complexity makes it difficult for both neurotypicals and individuals with ADHD to fully grasp. Outsiders may simplify or misjudge the condition due to a lack of proper context or tools for understanding.
• Invalidation Through Misjudgment: Phrases like, "You don’t look like you have ADHD," can be invalidating and stem from others' limited perspectives rather than reality. These remarks highlight the importance of promoting awareness and education.
• The Importance of Perspective: Understanding ADHD requires the right tools and expertise. Lay observations are insufficient, much like using a tape measure to estimate the distance to the moon.
• Navigating Misunderstanding with Grace: Instead of responding harshly to misinformed comments, individuals with ADHD can use them as an opportunity to educate others while maintaining self-compassion.
• ADHD is Personal and Nuanced: No two ADHD experiences are alike, making it essential to approach the topic with sensitivity and an open mind. It is not a condition that can be boxed into simple categories or stereotypes.

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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▶️ 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 chats with Emily Cox, a licensed therapist from North Carolina, USA, exploring the challenges and triumphs of navigating life as a neurodivergent teen or young adult.

Drawing on her personal and professional journey, Emily sheds light on the social and emotional hurdles young people often encounter and shares her therapeutic approach, which focuses on empowering clients to harness their unique strengths and thrive. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Social and Communication Challenges: Teens and young adults often face difficulties in expressing their thoughts and navigating social interactions. Emily emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces where they can learn alternative ways to communicate and connect.
• Personal and Professional Journey: Diagnosed as neurodivergent in childhood, Emily’s experiences of feeling different in a time of greater stigma fueled her passion for mental health advocacy.
• Therapeutic Approach: Emily uses creative and adaptive methods tailored to individual needs, whether it's working through trauma, regulating emotions, or finding nonverbal ways to express feelings.
• Strengths Over Fixes: Therapy is not about “fixing” neurodivergence but empowering individuals to utilize their unique abilities as tools for success.
• Fostering Self-Confidence: By reframing neurodivergence as a source of strength, Emily helps clients build self-acceptance and confidence.

LINKS

Larkspur Therapy - website

Larkspur Therapy - Instagram

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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▶️ 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 chats with Dr Nathan Mellor, CEO of Strata Leadership, keynote speaker and author, to uncover his extraordinary journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30, Nathan's life was profoundly reshaped by this pivotal revelation. Nathan's narrative is not just inspiring—it’s a testament to the power of understanding, self-acceptance, and unwavering determination.

Harnessing resilience and an indomitable spirit, Nathan turned his challenges into opportunities for growth, emerging as a dynamic advocate for ADHD awareness. His story is one of navigating the intricate tapestry of hyperfocus, emotional intensity, and the demands of leadership, proving that individuals with ADHD possess exceptional potential to thrive in creative and adaptive environments.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Resilience and Self-Discovery: Despite initial reluctance, he embraced the diagnosis as a tool for understanding his struggles and strengths. Nathan developed resilience by confronting misconceptions about ADHD and overcoming personal biases. 
• Hyperfocus and Leadership Skills: Hyperfocus presented challenges, such as exhaustion and difficulty balancing multiple interests, but also equipped Nathan with a strong work ethic and adaptability. His leadership in founding and running Strata Leadership is informed by his ability to harness creativity and remain empathetic to others’ struggles. 
• Advocacy and Breaking Stigma: Nathan views speaking openly about ADHD as a responsibility to help others navigate their diagnoses and reduce societal stigma. By reframing ADHD as a difference rather than a deficit, he promotes an empowering perspective for individuals and communities. 
• Harnessing Strengths and Driving Success: Dr. Mellor likened his mind to a “V12 engine with a faulty transmission,” symbolizing the disconnect he felt between his potential and execution prior to diagnosis. After diagnosis, he honed his focus and leadership skills, enabling him to excel academically and professionally. 

LINKS 

https://strataleadership.com/nathan-mellor 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnathanmellor/ 

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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▶️ 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 interviews JM Shaw, a talented fantasy fiction writer from Alberta, Canada, celebrated for her Callum Walker series. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism in adulthood, JM shares her unique journey to understanding her neurodivergence, a process that began after her son’s diagnosis in 2019. 

JM opens up about how her dual diagnosis helped her make sense of her lifelong challenges, while also embracing the distinct way her mind works. She discusses how these traits fuel her creativity and passion for storytelling, transforming what might be seen as obstacles into tools for success. Together, they explore the intersections of neurodivergence, personal growth, and artistry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Late Diagnosis: JM Shaw discovered her adult ADHD and autism diagnoses was revelation and helped her make sense of lifelong experiences. She describes the dual experience of autism and ADHD as “having every tab open on a computer,” likening the overload to a “swirly wheel of death” when overwhelmed.
• The Callum Walker Series: Writing has been a constant in JM’s life, evolving from a hobby to a passion and a therapeutic outlet. She began writing over 30 years ago and has since turned it into her calling. Her Callum Walker series explores the idea of fairy tales being rooted in reality, involving a coexisting magical realm hidden from non-magical humans.
• ADHD and Creativity: JM credits her neurodivergence as a source of creative energy and unique perspectives, emphasizing her appreciation for how her brain functions.
• Understanding and Acceptance: The diagnosis brought clarity and self-acceptance, transforming her view of challenges into opportunities to leverage her unique traits. JM embraces her brain's functionality rather than viewing it as a disability.

LINKS

• https://jmshawauthor.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/jmshaw_author/
• https://www.facebook.com/jmshawauthor
• https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-ascension-18

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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▶️ 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

In this special ADHDifference episode, hosts Julie and Jel Legg reflect on the key moments, wins, and lessons of 2024. Rather than focusing on New Year’s resolutions, they highlight the power of reflection — a practice that can provide ADHDers with essential dopamine boosts and a sense of accomplishment. 

From personal growth to major ADHD-related changes in New Zealand, this episode is a celebration of progress and persistence. The hosts also share personal stories of weight loss, book releases, creative projects, and reflections on the power of patience and tenacity in the ADHD journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Major Wins for ADHD in NZ: Pharmac introduced lisdexamfetamine as a funded ADHD medication in New Zealand, along with the removal of the costly 2-year Special Authority renewal process, making ADHD treatment more accessible and affordable​.
• Weight Loss Success: Julie and Jel shared their inspiring journey of losing 20 kilos each. Unlike previous diet attempts, this approach was marked by patience, habit-building, and mutual support. 
• Book Release: Julie's debut book, The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing, and Living with ADHD, was released in February 2024. The book has had a profound impact on readers, with heartfelt messages pouring in from people around the world who felt seen and understood for the first time​.
• Music Release: Jel and Julie released their third album, Unmasked, with their band OLDER. The album focuses on ADHD themes, and they’re already working on a fourth collection of tracks​.
• Podcast Growth: 2024 marked the launch and growth of the ADHDifference podcast. Their candid, lived-experience discussions on ADHD-related topics have resonated with listeners. The addition of guest interviews with ADHD experts and advocates has further enriched the show​.

LINKS

OLDER the band – ‘Unmasked’ ablum

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🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  
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🎙️ 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 & Jel Legg discuss the complexities of navigating Christmas with ADHD, focusing on how ADHD-related traits influence experiences of the holiday season.

They reflect on how their perspectives on Christmas have shifted throughout their lives—from childhood excitement to the more nuanced, sometimes overwhelming experience of adulthood. They chat about how ADHD tendencies like impulsivity, overwhelm, and sensory sensitivity can be triggered during the festive season. The conversation explores both the challenges and the strategies to make Christmas more enjoyable and less stressful.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Evolving Relationship with Christmas: Childhood Christmases were full of joy and sensory stimulation (e.g., lights, toys, and TV) without the responsibility of organizing events. As adults, the nature of Christmas changed, becoming a time of social obligation, gift-giving stress, and sensory overload.
  
  
• Common ADHD Triggers at Christmas: Overwhelm: Managing shopping, gift-giving, and social interactions all at once can cause emotional and mental shutdowns. Sensory Overload: Crowded shopping centres, family gatherings, and heightened noise and lights can feel overstimulating. Small Talk and Social Pressure: Family gatherings often bring an expectation of small talk, which can be draining and unengaging for those with ADHD.
  
  
• Christmas Strategies: Sensory Management: Recognizing when to take a step back to avoid sensory overload. Managing Expectations: Letting go of the idea of a "perfect Christmas" and instead prioritizing rest and well-being.
  
  
• Simplifying Plans: Reducing the complexity of holiday obligations, such as opting for simpler meals or rethinking the need for extravagant decorations or gifts.
  
  
• Reflections on the Holiday Season: The "all-or-nothing" nature of ADHD can lead to extreme preparation efforts or complete shutdowns. The impulsivity of ADHD can show up in buying unnecessary or excessive gifts, and anxiety over family dynamics and small talk, can make gatherings feel exhausting.

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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