What’s the difference between being overwhelmed by clutter and struggling to actually let things go?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro talks with Kristine Todd, founder of KAT Organizing & Relocation Solutions, about extreme clutter, ADHD, and why understanding what’s behind the stuff matters.

They explore how clutter can look similar on the surface while the reasons behind it can be very different, especially when ADHD, aging, life transitions, and other challenges are involved.

What You’ll Learn

• How ADHD-related clutter can differ from extreme clutter
• Why letting go of possessions can be so difficult
• How overwhelm and trouble getting started contribute to clutter
• Why trust matters when helping someone with extreme clutter
• How aging and major life changes can affect clutter
• Why starting small can make decluttering more manageable
• How having someone there with you can help you get started

ADHD, Clutter & Overwhelm

For someone with ADHD, clutter can build because they’re overwhelmed, don’t know where to begin, or struggle to stay on task. With extreme clutter, Kristine explains that possessions may have specific purposes or reasons attached to them, making letting go more complicated.

The key is understanding what’s happening beneath the clutter instead of approaching every person or home the same way.

Start Small

If the clutter feels overwhelming, Kristine’s advice is simple: don’t start with the whole house.

Set a timer for five minutes. Pick one drawer. Put one thing where it belongs. And if doing it alone feels impossible, ask someone to simply sit with you.

“Start slow and start small.”

Sometimes getting started is the win.

About Kristine Todd

Kristine Todd is the founder of KAT Organizing & Relocation Solutions in the Chicago area. She specializes in senior moves and downsizing, clutter support, and working with people with ADHD. She is also a member of NASMM and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization.

About Jami Shapiro

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author of This Explains So Much, and host of Grandma Has ADHD. She is also the founder of Silver Linings Transitions, a move management and organizing company serving San Diego and the Coachella Valley. Her work focuses on ADHD, aging, life transitions, and helping people better understand how their brains work.

Resources

• Jami Shapiro
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro
• Grandma Has ADHD
• Silver Linings Transitions
• KAT Organizing & Relocation Solutions
• Institute for Challenging Disorganization
• National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM)

It’s never too late to make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

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After reading Jami Shapiro’s This Explains So Much, Dr. Molly Kerby started recognizing herself on page after page. The overachievement, trouble reading, constant need to stay busy, rejection sensitivity, and tendency to jump from one interest to another suddenly had more context.

Jami and Molly talk about recognizing ADHD later in life, the complicated relationship between achievement and self-worth, and what happens when retirement takes away the structure and identity you’ve relied on for decades. 

What You’ll Learn

• The ADHD traits Molly recognized after reading This Explains So Much
• How someone can be highly successful and still struggle with ADHD
• Why overachievement can sometimes be tied to proving your worth
• How rejection sensitivity and self-criticism have shown up in Molly’s life
• What happened when retirement removed decades of structure and purpose
• Why transitions can be especially challenging when you rely on external structure

“Could This Explain Me?”

Molly spent nearly 40 years in higher education, earned a PhD, held leadership roles, and collected more than a few interests and credentials along the way.

But reading Jami’s book made her look at her past differently.

She remembered talking constantly in class, staring out the window, struggling with reading comprehension, changing instruments and interests, and always wanting to be involved in something.

When Overachievement Becomes Personal

Molly admits that earning her PhD was partly about proving she was smart enough to do it.

Growing up with financial challenges and being voted “least likely to succeed” left an impact. Even after building a successful career, Molly says she can still feel like a failure.

Jami and Molly talk about the complicated relationship between ADHD, achievement, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to prove yourself.

Starting Over After Retirement

After almost 40 years at the same university, Molly retired and expected to feel free.

Instead, she experienced what she calls “retirement paralysis.”

Without the structure, deadlines, and identity that had shaped her days for decades, she found herself asking, Why am I here?

That experience helped inspire her work with women navigating retirement, empty nests, career changes, and other major transitions.

The ADHD Button Question

If Molly could press a button and never have ADHD, would she? Probably not.

There are parts she would gladly lose, including the spiraling and physical effects of stress and rejection. But she wouldn’t want to give up the drive that has helped her accomplish so much.

For Molly, understanding ADHD is becoming another way to understand the good, the difficult, and everything in between.

About Dr. Molly Kerby
Dr. Molly Kerby is the founder of ReInnovate U Coaching and a professor emeritus at Western Kentucky University. She holds a PhD in educational administration and a master’s in public health.

She is also a certified transformation life coach with training in health and wellness coaching, yoga, Reiki, sound healing, and futures thinking methodology. Her work focuses on helping women navigate transitions, rediscover purpose, and move into their next chapter.

About Jami

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author of This Explains So Much, and host of Grandma Has ADHD. She explores ADHD, aging, late discovery, relationships, and what happens when we finally understand how our brains work.

Learn more about Jami Shapiro

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

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Grandma Has ADHD

What happens when pushing through stops working?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro talks with Lisa Richer, neurodivergent success partner and founder of Journey to Bloom, about the burnout that forced her to slow down and ultimately helped her better understand herself and her ADHD.

They explore late diagnosis, workaholism, masking, people-pleasing, and what can change when we stop trying to do more and start paying attention to what we actually need.

What You’ll Learn

• How burnout played a role in Lisa discovering her ADHD
• What ADHD looked like before she knew she had it
• Why a diagnosis can inform without defining you
• How masking and people-pleasing can contribute to burnout
• Why understanding your strengths and struggles matters
• How Lisa learned to set boundaries and give herself permission to rest
• Why it’s never too late to pause and understand yourself better

Before the ADHD Diagnosis

Looking back, Lisa can see ADHD throughout her life. As an elite gymnast, movement helped her stay regulated and focused. In school and later at work, things were harder.

She describes being great at the "messy middle" of a project but struggling with the beginning and end. She could create an entire presentation but get stuck on the title and objectives.

Learning she had ADHD finally gave those experiences context.

Diagnosis Informs, It Doesn't Define

Lisa never went looking for an ADHD diagnosis. Two different healthcare providers eventually brought it to her attention.

The diagnosis didn't change who she was. It helped her understand herself and communicate what she needed.

As Lisa says:

"Diagnoses inform, they don't define who a person is."

That clarity helped her become more comfortable saying, "That's easy for you, but what's hard for you is easy for me."

When Burnout Forces You to Stop

Lisa spent years pushing herself as an athlete, professional, parent, people-pleaser, and the person who held everything together.

Eventually, she couldn't keep going.

Burnout forced her to reflect on the masking, pressure, and expectations she had carried for years. It also forced her to finally make room for herself.

Learning to Pause

One of Lisa's biggest realizations was that doing more didn't mean she was being more successful.

She started giving herself permission to nap, read, sit outside, and take breaks without seeing them as wasted time. She became more intentional about her work and learned to say no, not yet, or not now.

Her message:

"It's never too late to pause and learn how to slow down."

The ADHD Button Question

Would Lisa press a button that meant she never had ADHD?

No.

What she would change is trusting herself sooner, even when other people didn't understand her.

About Lisa Richer

Lisa Richer is a neurodivergent success partner and founder of Journey to Bloom. She is a COPAA Certified Advocate, author, and creator of the Clarity, Confidence, Courage Journey Map. Her work helps neurodivergent individuals, families, and organizations better understand what they need to thrive.

Resources & Links

• Journey to Bloom
• Lisa's Free Book Chapter: "Unbecoming to Become: Finding Clarity in the Chaos"
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
• CHADD: Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
• Lisa Richer on LinkedIn
• Journey to Bloom on Instagram

Connect with Lisa

Journey to Bloom
Email: [email protected]

About Jami

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author of This Explains So Much, and host of Grandma Has ADHD. She explores ADHD, aging, late diagnosis, relationships, and what happens when we finally understand how our brains work.

Learn more about Jami

Sometimes doing less isn't giving up. Sometimes it's exactly what we need to keep going.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

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@grandma_has_adhd
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Grandma Has ADHD

What happens when you discover ADHD at 77 and then have two years to understand what it has meant throughout your life?

In this special episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with a very important guest: her mom, Vicki Armel, the original “Grandma” behind the podcast.

Vicki’s late ADHD discovery helped Jami see decades of clutter, disorganization, anxiety, memory struggles, and family tension through a completely different lens. It ultimately became part of the inspiration for this podcast, Jami’s ADHD coaching work, and her book, This Explains So Much.

Now, Vicki looks back at what has changed since learning she has ADHD and what she understands about herself differently today.

Clutter, Memories & Letting Go
For years, clutter was a major source of tension between Jami and her mom. Jami once believed Vicki’s piles and difficulty letting go might be hoarding disorder. Understanding ADHD gave them another way to look at what was happening.

Vicki shares how she’s become less embarrassed about her home and more thoughtful about why she keeps certain things. She talks about finally letting go of her mother’s china after realizing something important: the plates themselves weren’t what made her feel connected to her mom.

That shift has helped her begin separating the memory from the object.

“Oh, That’s ADHD Too?”
Since discovering ADHD, Vicki has continued reading and learning about it—and keeps recognizing pieces of herself.

Things she once worried about or judged herself for now have context. Even forgetting a word feels different. Instead of immediately worrying about her memory, she can recognize what’s happening, laugh about it, and move on.

As Vicki puts it, understanding what’s going on makes it much easier to handle.

More Grace for Each Other

Perhaps the biggest change has happened between mother and daughter.

Understanding ADHD hasn’t made every frustration disappear. Jami and Vicki still annoy each other sometimes. But after decades of misunderstanding certain behaviors, they now have language for what’s happening.

Jami says there is “more forgiveness for each other” and “more grace.”

That may be one of the greatest gifts of a late ADHD discovery: not changing who you are, but finally understanding yourself, and the people you love, a little better.

Vicki’s Message to Other Older Women

If you’re discovering ADHD at 50, 60, 70, or beyond, Vicki wants you to know it may not be as scary as it sounds.

There are things she struggles with because of ADHD, but there are also things she believes she can do because of the way her brain works.

And after more than seven decades without an explanation, she’s learning to accept those differences instead of worrying about them.

Because as Jami says, it really never is too late.

About Jami

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she shares honest conversations about ADHD, aging, late diagnosis, relationships, and finally understanding the way your brain works.

Connect with Jami

• Website: jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro
• Silver Linings Transitions

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

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@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

Silver Linings Transitions
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Grandma Has ADHD

Why do so many women reach adulthood before realizing they have ADHD, autism, or both?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with Dr. Karen Albert Saporito, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnosing and supporting adults with ADHD and autism. With more than 10,000 diagnostic evaluations under her belt, Dr. Saporito brings a unique perspective on why women and girls are so often overlooked.

Jami and Karen talk about masking, perfectionism, social expectations, and the ways women may learn to compensate for their differences so well that even they lose sight of what comes naturally and what they've learned to do in order to fit in.

Karen also shares her own experience of discovering ADHD later in life after seeing it in her children, and why receiving a diagnosis as an adult can be so healing. Rather than simply putting a label on someone's behavior, the right diagnosis can help remove shame, provide context for lifelong struggles, and allow people to reframe who they thought they were.

What You'll Learn

• Why ADHD and autism can present differently in women and girls
• How social expectations can contribute to masking and camouflage
• Why perfectionism and appearing "organized" don't necessarily rule out ADHD
• How women may intentionally learn the social rules others seem to understand naturally
• Why ADHD and autism can be difficult to separate into neat categories
• What a thorough adult ADHD evaluation should consider
• Why diagnosis involves more than recognizing a checklist of ADHD symptoms
• How childhood report cards, relationships, routines, and personal history can provide important clues
• Why receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life can help reduce shame
• How our understanding of neurodivergence may continue to evolve

ADHD, Autism & the Bigger Picture

Karen challenges the idea that ADHD and autism always fit into completely separate boxes.

She believes our understanding of neurodivergence will continue to evolve as researchers study more diverse populations and clinicians become better at recognizing ADHD and autism in adults, women, girls, and people who don't fit the historically stereotypical presentations.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest:

If you could press a button and make your ADHD disappear forever, would you?

Karen doesn't hesitate: No.

While she acknowledges that being neurodivergent can make life genuinely difficult, she also emphasizes the importance of removing stigma and recognizing the creativity, individuality, humor, and strengths she sees in the people she works with.

Karen's ADHD Hack

Her answer might be controversial in ADHD circles: a planner.

Karen has used the same brand since graduate school. For her, writing things down and keeping them in one consistent place provides a visual picture of her days and weeks and helps keep her grounded.

The key isn't finding another shiny new planner. It's actually surrendering to the one that works and making it part of everyday life.

About Dr. Karen Albert Saporito

Dr. Karen Albert Saporito is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder and clinical director of Integrative Psychology Associates of South Jersey. She specializes in diagnosing and supporting adults with ADHD and autism and has performed more than 10,000 diagnostic evaluations.

She serves on the board of the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD), is part of the APSARD U.S. Guidelines Task Force working to develop nationwide standards for adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and co-chairs its Women and Girls Special Interest Group.

About Jami

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she creates honest conversations about ADHD, aging, late diagnosis, and what it means to finally understand the way your brain works.

Connect with Dr. Karen Saporito

• Website: Integrative Psychology Associates of South Jersey
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: Dr. Karen Albert Saporito

Connect with Jami

• Website: jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

If you're discovering ADHD or autism later in life, this conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to understand yourself differently.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

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@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

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Grandma Has ADHD

What happens when ADHD, trauma, and the patterns we inherit from our families overlap?

Jami Shapiro sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Virginia Wilcsek, founder of The Transcending Pathway, for an honest conversation about ADHD, narcissism, generational trauma, and the nervous system.

Virginia shares her experience growing up with a narcissistic parent and how that eventually shaped her work helping people heal from trauma and difficult relationships. Together, she and Jami explore how growing up around emotional dysregulation, chaos, neglect, or caregivers who weren't attuned to us can affect the way we learn to regulate ourselves.

They also unpack an important and complicated question: where does ADHD end and trauma begin? While ADHD and trauma are not the same thing, they can share characteristics such as emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, difficulty focusing, and executive functioning challenges. Virginia explains why biology, development, environment, and our family experiences can all be pieces of the larger story.

What You'll Learn

• Why ADHD and trauma can sometimes look similar
• How generational trauma can affect nervous-system regulation
• The impact of growing up with narcissistic or emotionally immature parents
• Why an unsafe or chaotic environment can keep the body scanning for danger
• How emotional dysregulation and executive functioning are connected
• Why regulating the nervous system may need to come before problem-solving
• What somatic practices are and how they can support regulation
• How imposter syndrome and negative self-talk can show up with ADHD
• Simple breathing and grounding techniques for moments of overwhelm

Why This Matters

For many adults discovering ADHD later in life, understanding their brain can also bring up questions about their childhood and family history.

Maybe a parent struggled with emotional regulation. Maybe home never felt completely predictable or safe. Maybe behaviors you once thought were simply part of your personality make more sense when you consider both ADHD and the experiences that shaped you.

As Virginia explains, the relationship between ADHD and trauma isn't an either/or question. ADHD has neurological and biological components, while our developmental experiences and environment also shape how we learn to respond to the world.

A Tool to Try

Virginia shares a simple four-part breathing exercise for moments when you feel overwhelmed or dysregulated:

1. Take a breath and release your throat.
2. Take another and release your chest.
3. Take a third and release your stomach and pelvic muscles.
4. On the fourth breath, release everything.

Then notice: Were you holding your breath? Were you bracing? Did anything shift when you gave your nervous system a moment to regroup?

The ADHD Button Question
Jami asks Virginia: If you could press a button and no longer have ADHD, would you press it?

Virginia's answer is an emphatic no.

She shares that one of her favorite parts of ADHD is having many different interests, projects, and passions. What might feel "scattered" to someone else allows her to explore different ideas, support people in different ways, and continually discover something new.

About the Guest

Virginia Wilcsek is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of The Transcending Pathway, a California-based group practice specializing in trauma, complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, loss of identity, and healing from pathological relationships.

Virginia is also a certified breathwork trauma facilitator and incorporates somatic approaches into her work, helping clients understand not only their thoughts and emotions but how their experiences can show up in the body and nervous system.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women discovering ADHD later in life, better understand their brains, let go of shame, and find tools that work for the way they're wired.

Resources

• The Transcending Pathway
• The Transcending Pathway workshops
• Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
• Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Connect with Virginia
Website: The Transcending Pathway
Instagram: @thetranscendingpathway

Connect with Jami

Website: jamishapiro.me
Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

If something in this conversation sounds familiar, Virginia leaves listeners with a simple reminder for those moments of overwhelm, self-doubt, or dysregulation:

“It is not a you problem, it is a nervous system that never learned to feel safe.”

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

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@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

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Silver Linings Transitions
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Grandma Has ADHD

For the 100th episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro welcomes one of the most influential voices in the ADHD world: Dr. Edward "Ned" Hallowell. Psychiatrist, bestselling author of Driven to Distraction and ADHD 2.0, and someone who has spent more than four decades helping people understand that ADHD is far more than a disorder—it's a different way of experiencing the world.

Together, Jami and Dr. Hallowell explore his remarkable personal story, from a chaotic childhood to becoming one of the world's leading ADHD experts. They discuss why so many people with ADHD grow up believing they're "not enough," how discovering your strengths can transform your life at any age, and why connection, not perfection, is one of the most powerful tools for thriving.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hallowell challenges the traditional deficit-based view of ADHD, encouraging listeners to see it as a collection of gifts that, when understood and supported, can become extraordinary strengths.

What You'll Learn

• Why Dr. Hallowell believes ADHD is a trait—not simply a disorder
• The hidden strengths behind distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity
• How curiosity, creativity, and imagination become ADHD superpowers
• Why self-esteem is one of the biggest challenges for people with ADHD
• The importance of finding mentors who recognize your gifts
• Why it's never too late to discover your purpose
• Dr. Hallowell's concept of "Vitamin C"—the healing power of connection
• Why "Never worry alone" may be one of the best pieces of ADHD advice you'll ever hear

Why This Matters

For many adults diagnosed later in life, ADHD has long been associated with shame, frustration, and feeling like they never measured up.

Dr. Hallowell offers a different perspective. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with me?" he encourages us to ask, "What am I uniquely wired to contribute?" When we stop trying to become someone else and begin embracing our own strengths, ADHD becomes something to understand—not something to fear.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest the same question:

If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

Dr. Hallowell's answer is an immediate no.

He believes ADHD is inseparable from his creativity, imagination, energy, and ability to contribute to the world. While it has brought challenges, it's also shaped the life and career he wouldn't trade for anything.

About the Guest

Dr. Edward "Ned" Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, ADHD specialist, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. He is the co-author of Driven to Distraction and the author of more than 20 books, including ADHD 2.0. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia himself, Dr. Hallowell has dedicated his career to helping children and adults discover the strengths that often accompany neurodivergence. He is the founder of the Hallowell ADHD Centers and continues to advocate for a strength-based approach to ADHD.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, understand their ADHD, reduce shame, and discover the gifts hidden beneath years of misunderstanding.

Resources

• Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey
• ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey
• Hallowell ADHD Centers
• Hallowell Hub
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Links & Support

• Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

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@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

Silver Linings Transitions
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Grandma Has ADHD

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with fellow ADHD podcaster William Curb, host of Hacking Your ADHD, for a practical conversation about what it really looks like to work with an ADHD brain instead of constantly fighting against it.

William shares his experience of being diagnosed as an adult after all three of his siblings had already been identified with ADHD, and reflects on how understanding his brain changed the way he approached everyday challenges. Together, he and Jami discuss everything from clutter and decision fatigue to forgetting meals, travel mishaps, and why the right systems can make life dramatically easier.

Filled with relatable stories, actionable strategies, and plenty of laughs, this episode is a reminder that ADHD isn't about trying harder - it's about finding hacks that work for your brain.

What You'll Learn

• Why understanding your ADHD is the first step toward lasting change
• Practical strategies for managing clutter and organization
• How AI can be a helpful tool for tackling overwhelming tasks
• Why decision fatigue keeps so many people stuck
• Simple ways to build systems that reduce executive dysfunction
• The importance of sequencing tasks to prevent forgetfulness
• Why many adults with ADHD forget to eat and what to do about it
• How self-compassion leads to better outcomes than self-criticism
• Why acceptance is one of the most powerful ADHD tools

Why This Matters

Many adults with ADHD spend years trying to force themselves into systems that weren't designed for how their brains work.

This episode offers a different approach: instead of asking, "Why can't I do this?" ask, "What system would make this easier?" Small adjustments can remove unnecessary obstacles and make everyday life feel far more manageable.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest:

If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

William's answer is thoughtful: it depends on what pressing the button would change. While ADHD has created real challenges, it has also shaped the person he has become. Rather than viewing ADHD as purely a blessing or a curse, he reflects on the importance of accepting how his brain works and building a life around it.

About the Guest

William Curb is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Hacking Your ADHD, where he shares practical, research-informed strategies to help adults better understand and manage ADHD. Diagnosed as an adult in 2011, William combines personal experience with evidence-based tools to help listeners work with their brains instead of against them. He lives in Washington State with his wife and two children.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults - especially women diagnosed later in life - better understand their brains, reduce shame, and build systems that make everyday life easier.

Resources

• Hacking Your ADHD podcast
• Hacking Your ADHD website
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro
• National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM): https://www.nasmm.org

Links & Support

• Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

Instagram:

@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

Silver Linings Transitions
Grandma Has ADHD (Facebook Page & Group)

Youtube:

Grandma Has ADHD

Why does one small criticism stick with us for days? Why do our emotions sometimes feel so much bigger than everyone else's? And what does ADHD have to do with it?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Emma McAdam, founder of Therapy in a Nutshell, to unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of ADHD: emotional dysregulation.

Emma shares her own journey to recognizing ADHD in herself while raising four daughters, including navigating ADHD within her own family. Together, she and Jami explore why rejection sensitivity can feel so overwhelming, how executive function affects emotional regulation, and why anxiety and ADHD are so often intertwined.

Most importantly, Emma offers practical, research-backed strategies that can help you better understand and work with your emotions instead of feeling controlled by them.

What You'll Learn

• Why rejection can feel so much more painful for people with ADHD
• The connection between ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation
• How executive function affects your ability to process emotions
• Why emotions often feel bigger, louder, and last longer with ADHD
• The role masking and shame can play in rejection sensitivity
• Why so many women are first diagnosed after their children
• Practical tools for calming your nervous system and managing overwhelming emotions
• How small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful improvements over time

Why This Matters

Many adults with ADHD spend years believing they're "too sensitive," overly emotional, or simply not resilient enough.

The truth is that emotional regulation is part of executive functioning. Understanding how your ADHD brain processes emotions can replace shame with self-compassion—and give you practical tools to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and calm.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest the same question:

If there were a button that could take away your ADHD forever, would you press it?

Emma's answer is a thoughtful no.

While ADHD has brought real challenges, especially in relationships and parenting. She also credits it with her creativity, curiosity, and the hyperfocus that helped build Therapy in a Nutshell into a resource that has reached millions of people.

About the Guest

Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Therapy in a Nutshell, a popular YouTube channel and online learning platform dedicated to making quality mental health education accessible to everyone. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, Emma specializes in teaching practical, evidence-based skills for managing anxiety, emotional regulation, and overall mental wellness. Her videos have helped millions of people better understand their minds and build healthier emotional habits.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, understand their ADHD, reduce shame, and build lives that work with their brains instead of against them.

Resources

• Therapy in a Nutshell YouTube Channel
• Free courses:
  • How to Process Your Emotions
  • How to Break the Anxiety Cycle
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Links & Support

• Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much: Understanding Undiagnosed ADHD

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

Instagram:

@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

Silver Linings Transitions
Grandma Has ADHD (Facebook Page & Group)

Youtube:

Grandma Has ADHD

Jami Shapiro sits down with executive communication coach and public speaking expert Dr. Reesa Woolf for a conversation that goes far beyond speaking in front of a crowd.

After decades of believing she simply wasn't good at certain things, Reesa shares how discovering she had ADHD later in life brought an overwhelming sense of relief and self-compassion. Instead of seeing herself as "bad at life," she finally understood that her brain simply worked differently.

Together, Jami and Reesa explore the emotional impact of a late ADHD diagnosis, the freedom that comes from letting go of self-criticism, and why understanding your brain can help you make peace with your past while creating a better future. They also discuss rejection sensitivity, public speaking anxiety, addiction, and the importance of building systems that support the way your brain naturally works.

What You'll Learn

• Why a late ADHD diagnosis can bring relief instead of regret
• How to replace years of self-criticism with self-compassion
• The connection between ADHD and public speaking anxiety
• Why rejection sensitivity can make criticism feel so overwhelming
• How structure and routines can create more peace in everyday life
• The relationship between ADHD and addictive behaviors
• Simple ways to work with your brain instead of against it
• Why focusing on one small change at a time leads to lasting progress

Why This Matters

Many adults spend years believing they're lazy, disorganized, or simply "not good enough."

A late ADHD diagnosis doesn't change the past, but it can completely change the way you understand yourself. This conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to replace shame with understanding and begin building a life that works for your brain.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest: If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

Reesa says she wouldn't. While ADHD has certainly brought challenges, she believes it's also shaped her creativity, compassion, curiosity, and the adventurous life she's built. For her, understanding her ADHD brought peace—not a desire to erase it.

About the Guest

Dr. Reesa Woolf is an executive communication coach, TED Talk trainer, and public speaking expert with more than 30 years of experience helping executives, business owners, and professionals become confident, authentic communicators. She is the author of Mr. Bear Speaks Without Fear and specializes in helping people overcome public speaking anxiety through practical, lasting strategies.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, better understand their brains and navigate life with greater clarity and compassion.

Resources

• Mr. Bear Speaks Without Fear by Dr. Reesa Woolf
• Public Speaking Austin
• This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Links & Support

• Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Follow us:

Instagram:

@grandma_has_adhd
@silverliningstransitions

Facebook:

Silver Linings Transitions
Grandma Has ADHD (Facebook Page & Group)

Youtube:

Grandma Has ADHD