In this episode, Daniella Karidi interviews Meredith Carder about her book It All Makes Sense Now. They explore the lived experience of ADHD and what it actually takes to write a book when motivation is inconsistent.

Meredith shares how external deadlines, working with a traditional publisher, and thinking in “seasons” instead of long timelines helped her complete the manuscript. The conversation also dives into parenting with ADHD, creating visual and flexible routines, and the role of compassion and reflection in long-term change.

They also discuss how to balance personal stories with science, why ADHD-friendly strategies need to be practical and adaptable, and what is coming next in Meredith’s work, including her upcoming book on ADHD and motherhood.

Takeaways

• Meredith Carder wrote It All Makes Sense Now to reflect the real, lived experience of ADHD
• External deadlines can provide the urgency needed to complete large projects
• Breaking goals into shorter “seasons” can reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout
• Visual systems and routines support follow-through and reduce reliance on memory
• Compassion and reflection are essential for sustainable change
• Flexibility in routines is especially important in families and with teenagers
• ADHD strategies work best when they are personalized and adaptable

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Meredith and It All Makes Sense Now
02:22 Writing with ADHD: motivation and deadlines
04:37 The seasonal approach to goal-setting
06:40 Balancing science and personal stories
08:23 Compassion and understanding past self
10:22 Visual strategies and daily routines
13:42 “Bookend” strategies for structure
15:51 Flexibility in routines and parenting
16:39 Upcoming book on ADHD and motherhood
17:26 Closing reflections

Book: It All Makes Sense Now

Connect with Meredith Carder

https://meredithcarder.com/

@Hummingbird_ADHD

Connect with Daniella Karidi

@ADHDtime

www.ADHDtime.com

Focus on ADHD Book Club