In this powerful roundtable episode of Attention Different, host Stephen Tonti brings together eight ADHD adults from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences, challenge common misconceptions, and celebrate what makes their neurodivergent brains unique. From late diagnoses to childhood realizations, these candid conversations reveal the complex reality of living with ADHD and the journey toward self-acceptance. As Stephen puts it: "ADHD is not a disorder—we are a group of ADHD adults determined to address the ways in which our unique brain wiring makes our lives more complicated but also to celebrate the traits that make us some of the most creative and exciting members of any given generation."

You'll Learn:

• ADHD is not just about "inability to focus"—many people with ADHD experience hyperfocus, but can't always choose what captures their attention
• The presentation of ADHD symptoms varies widely between individuals and across gender lines, with "masculine" presentations being more visible/disruptive while "feminine" presentations often go undiagnosed
• Many ADHD adults develop complex masking and coping mechanisms to fit into neurotypical systems, often at great personal cost
• There's no correlation between ADHD and intelligence—the condition affects people across all IQ levels
• Late-life diagnosis is common, especially among women, immigrants, and those from families that didn't recognize neurodivergence
• The path to self-acceptance often involves reframing ADHD as an identity rather than a disorder
• Many adults with ADHD wish they had been told earlier: "There's nothing wrong with you," "Weird is cool," and "You are worthy of help"

Resources:

• Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) Conference
• Stephen's TEDx talk
• Attention Different

Note: This episode features an authentic, unfiltered conversation about living with ADHD, including occasional strong language.

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

Trina Haynes, founder of My Lady ADHD and co-host of the Brain Waves podcast, joins Stephen and Aaron to discuss her personal journey with burnout and ADHD. As someone who manages multiple businesses, a podcast, social media accounts, and homeschools one of her three daughters, Trina knows firsthand the challenges of balancing an entrepreneurial spirit with the realities of ADHD. In this vulnerable and insightful conversation, she shares how she discovered the concept of burnout and her ongoing strategies for prevention and recovery.

This episode dives deep into the unique challenges faced by late-diagnosed women with ADHD, exploring how societal expectations, people-pleasing tendencies, and perfectionism can lead to chronic burnout. Trina offers practical advice for recognizing burnout symptoms and implementing "bare minimum" self-care practices that can make a significant difference. The conversation highlights the importance of community, particularly for those who have spent years masking their ADHD traits.

You'll Learn:

• How to recognize early warning signs of burnout specific to your own patterns and behaviors
• Why creating a "bare minimum" version of your self-care practices can help prevent total abandonment during stressful times
• How to identify and challenge the "all-or-nothing" thinking that often contributes to burnout cycles
• Why having a community of neurodivergent peers can be transformative for late-diagnosed adults with ADHD
• How to leverage your ADHD traits like empathy and creativity as strengths rather than viewing them as weaknesses
• Practical strategies for setting boundaries and saying no, especially for natural people-pleasers
• Ways to reconnect with childhood interests as a path to rediscovering joy and preventing burnout

Resources & Links:

• MyLadyADHD.com
• @MyLadyADHD on Instagram
• My Lady ADHD podcast
• Shimmer ADHD Coaching
• NeuroDiversion 2025

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

ADHD and sleep? It’s complicated. From racing thoughts at night to groggy mornings, getting quality rest can feel impossible. In this episode, we break down why sleep matters and how to make it work for you.  

Join us as we dive into:  
😴 Why ADHD brains struggle with sleep regulation  
🧠 How sleep deprivation impacts focus, mood, and executive function  
🌙 Practical strategies for building better sleep habits  
⚖️ The link between sleep, medication, and overall ADHD management  

If you’ve ever wondered, "Why I am always exhausted?", "Is my ADHD making my sleep worse?", or "How can I finally get a full night’s rest?"—this episode is for you.  
📌 Listen now & share your experiences in the comments! 

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

🚀 What if failure wasn’t the end, but the beginning? In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, we dive into the concept of failing forward—turning mistakes into momentum and learning how to navigate setbacks with an ADHD brain.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why ADHDers often struggle with perfectionism & fear of failure
✅ How reframing mistakes can help build resilience & confidence
✅ Personal stories of failure, growth, and unexpected wins
✅ Practical strategies to bounce back when things don’t go as planned

💡 Whether you’ve missed deadlines, forgotten important dates, or struggled with self-doubt, this conversation is for you. ADHD isn’t about getting it right all the time—it’s about finding new ways to move forward.

🎧 Listen now & let’s talk about failing better!

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

In this foundational episode of Adulting with ADHD, we break down the basics of ADHD. What is it really? Hint: It's not just about being hyperactive or unfocused. 💡 Discover how ADHD functions as a difference in brain chemistry, not a disorder, and learn how it shows up uniquely in adults. We bust common myths, explore its impact on daily life, and share insights into navigating creativity, productivity, and challenges with radical acceptance.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Tonti and Aaron Smith, this episode is perfect for anyone newly exploring ADHD or looking for a fresh perspective. Whether you have ADHD, love someone who does, or are just curious, join us for this deep dive into understanding the ADHD mind.

Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes!

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

Struggling to get through tasks that feel boring, overwhelming, or unappealing? Enter temptation bundling—a clever motivational tool that pairs something you love with something you’d rather avoid. In this lab, Stephen, Aaron, and Marlena explore how ADHD brains respond to rewards and why combining dopamine-boosting activities with must-dos can make all the difference.

From working out while bingeing your favorite shows to turning errands into mini-gym sessions, they share real-world strategies and personal experiences that make hard tasks more approachable (and even enjoyable!). Learn how to tailor temptation bundling to your unique needs and set yourself up for success.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

The science of ADHD and motivation
Practical examples of temptation bundling
Why rewards matter more than consequences
How to avoid burnout and frustration
🚀 Bonus: Tips on making your own "temptation bundles" that actually stick!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your own bundling hacks in the comments. Let's build a community where productivity meets self-compassion!

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

Staying active with ADHD can feel like an uphill climb, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Stephen, Aaron, and Marlena share their personal experiences, laugh-out-loud moments, and creative hacks to make exercise work for ADHD brains.

🔍 Topics include:

💪Stephen’s take on perfectionism and self-judgment in fitness
💪Marlena’s smoothie accountability strategy 🥤
💪Aaron’s hilarious portable gym ideas (weighted phone checks, anyone? 📱💪)
💪How ADHDers can push through resistance and find joy in movement

Whether you’re a gym rat, a casual walker, or someone just starting out, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical tips, and plenty of laughs.

🎧 Listen, laugh, and get inspired to move your body—your way.

💬 Let us know in the comments: What’s your go-to ADHD-friendly exercise?

📌 Subscribe for more tips, stories, and humor about life with ADHD!

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

Welcome to the Radical Acceptance Lab, a unique series created by Attention Different for those navigating ADHD and looking to transform shame into self-compassion. 💡

In this lab, we dive deep into the concept of radical acceptance—a powerful tool for recognizing our unique strengths and moving beyond the cycle of self-criticism. Through honest discussions, personal stories, and insights from ADHD advocates, we explore what it means to embrace our brains as they are, without needing to “fix” or change ourselves to meet unrealistic expectations. Radical acceptance helps us see that ADHD is not separate from us; it’s part of our identity that enriches our lives and the world around us.

We’ll also cover:

The destructive nature of the shame spiral and how to recognize it
Breaking free from perfectionism and self-punishment
Why acceptance is the first step toward real change
Learning to embrace ADHD as part of who we are, and finding gratitude along the way

Radical acceptance doesn’t mean liking every challenge ADHD brings—it’s about holding space for all parts of our reality, especially the messy ones. Join us as we uncover how to move forward with self-compassion, strength, and community.

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

Attention Different Labs are short form episodes centered around important adulting with ADHD topics. Stephen dives into specific research mixed with tangible coaching strategies and advice, delivered with a side of relatability and humor. 

In this lab, we discuss and educate on Adult ADHD Symptoms. 

Our mission is to reclaim the label, not reinvent it, in order to understand our condition in more accurate and self-affirming ways. Labels can be stigmatizing, leading to shame, guilt, and despair. We believe that “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" (ADHD), while a very real condition, has a tired and overly negative label.

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent

In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast Co-founders of Attention Different Stephen Tonti and Aaron Smith talk with Marlena Pavich about her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and accepting her diagnosis.  

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Follow Us on Instagram:
Marlena Pavich https://www.instagram.com/marlenalikeantenna
Stephen Tonti https://www.instagram.com/stonti
Aaron Smith https://www.instagram.com/potentialwithinreach

Send us a text

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0lWgdvEhaI4p5MyxM5w3A?sub_confirmation=1

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow all of these if you want to be inspired in your ADHD journey
• Website - https://www.attentiondifferent.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/attention_different
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/attndifferent
• X - https://www.x.com/attndifferent