What happens when you stop trying to force your ADHD brain to function like everyone else’s?

In this live Q&A episode, Kristen answers listener questions about some of the messiest parts of life with ADHD: perfectionism, working memory, parenting, emotional regulation, self-forgiveness, relationships, burnout, and the pressure to “do it all.”

Kristen explains why perfectionism can actually be a form of self-protection, why you need to stop expecting your brain to remember everything, and how making things easier for yourself isn’t cheating—it’s smart ADHD accommodation.

She also dives into the importance of self-compassion when you don’t follow through, why supporting your own ADHD is essential when parenting an ADHD child, and why she firmly rejects the idea that ADHD is a “superpower.”

ADHD can be deeply impairing. Naming that reality doesn’t diminish your strengths—it gives you an explanation for your struggles and a roadmap for getting the support you deserve.

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Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

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Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #398: Virgin River’s Benjamin Hollingsworth Opens Up About ADHD for the First Time Ever

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

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What happens when two ADHDers sit down with almost no agenda and start talking? You get a little bit of everything—and somehow, it all comes back to ADHD.

Kristen is joined by longtime FOCUSED member Matt Ciciarelli for a candid conversation about the very real (and sometimes hilarious) ways ADHD shows up in everyday life.

They get into using AI as an ADHD support tool, the difference between asking for help and outsourcing your thinking, finding a career that actually works with your ADHD brain, and why hyperfocus seems readily available for the things we WANT to do…but disappears when something feels heavy, boring, or shame-filled.

Matt also shares what he’s learned about work, finances, gluten-free living, and finally finding a job that fits his brain.

Plus, Kristen and Matt react to the controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth.

It’s honest, funny, a little chaotic—and very ADHD.

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Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

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If overwhelm makes you want to shut down, hide, procrastinate—or somehow try to do everything at once—this episode is for you.

Kristen breaks down why ADHD overwhelm isn’t simply a productivity problem and why “trying harder” or finally getting caught up usually doesn’t create the relief we’re looking for.

You’ll learn how ADHD impacts your capacity, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and nervous system—and why all of that can make everyday life feel like 10 things are screaming at you at the same volume.

Kristen also introduces the first step of her STOP Method: See What’s Happening. Instead of immediately trying to fix your overwhelm, you’ll learn how to recognize what’s happening without piling on shame, judgment, or blame.

See it. Don’t solve it.

Want to go deeper? Kristen is teaching the full STOP Method throughout September inside FOCUSED, her monthly ADHD coaching membership.

Learn more and join at ihaveadhd.com/focused.

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Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #394: I Tried Using ChatGPT for My ADHD… Here’s What Happened

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the reason you keep breaking your own boundaries isn’t a lack of discipline?

In this episode, Kristen dives into Part 2 of the conversation on internal boundaries: the rules and limits we set for ourselves to protect the life we actually want.

For many adults with ADHD, boundaries can trigger instant resistance. If rules, expectations, or authority were used to control, shame, or coerce you growing up, even your own reasonable limits can provoke an internal response of, “You’re not the boss of me.”

Kristen explores how to shift from self-control to self-collaboration. You’ll learn why “should” boundaries rarely work, how perfectionism destroys self-trust, and what to do when you inevitably break a boundary.

Instead of spiraling into guilt and shame, Kristen teaches you how to repair with yourself, get curious about what support was missing, and begin again.

Because internal boundaries aren’t about restriction.

They’re about protection.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #396: Hidden Dyslexia Struggles (and Why ADHD Might Not Be the Whole Story)

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the reason you keep breaking promises to yourself isn’t because you’re lazy or undisciplined—but because some part of you still hears boundaries as control?

In this episode, we dive into internal boundaries: the loving limits we set with ourselves to protect our health, energy, relationships, values, and future.

For ADHD adults, these boundaries can be especially difficult to honor. Time blindness, impulsivity, discomfort intolerance, perfectionism, and a lifetime of rebelling against rules can make even reasonable limits feel restrictive.

But internal boundaries aren’t about deprivation. They’re about self-trust.

You’ll learn why unrealistic “fantasy boundaries” backfire, how your childhood experiences with rules may still be influencing you, and how to create limits that actually support the life you want.

Kristen also shares practical examples around sleep, food, work, spending, alcohol, relationships, and connecting with your future self.

If you’ve ever thought, Why can’t I just do what I told myself I was going to do?—press play.

Internal boundaries might be the missing piece.

Preorder You're Not in Trouble here! 

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #396: Hidden Dyslexia Struggles (and Why ADHD Might Not Be the Whole Story)

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jacoba Lilius, Associate Professor at Queen’s University, researcher, FOCUSED Certified Coach, and the research consultant for my upcoming book, You’re Not in Trouble: The ADHD Guide to Building Healthy, Connected Relationships.

Jacoba was diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 at age 42, after building a successful career in academia while quietly struggling with chronic procrastination, time blindness, and executive function challenges. We talk about what it was like to navigate such a demanding profession with undiagnosed ADHD—and how her diagnosis changed the way she understood herself and her work.

We also go behind the scenes of You’re Not in Trouble. Jacoba shares what it was like to serve as the book’s research consultant, how she helped me ground the book in solid evidence, and what we learned along the way.

And of course, we get into the survey findings from the book research that absolutely blew our minds.

If you’re a late-diagnosed ADHDer, an academic, or someone who has spent years wondering why everything seems to require so much effort, you’ll want to hear this conversation.

To reach out to Jacoba, click here.

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