Mad About... with Maddy Alexander-Grout

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In this episode of Mad About Podcast, Maddy Alexander-Grout talks to Logan Blackburn-Issitt, a trans dad of six and creator of Dad’s Business. 

Logan shares his powerful story of leaving a 70-hour job, embracing home education, and building a life that prioritises presence over paychecks.

They discuss:

• Why Logan quit a high-paying job for more family time
• The pressure dads face to “provide and stay silent”
• The reality of home educating neurodivergent kids
• Growing up trans and knowing at age six
• The toxicity of social media for young people
• His new book The Brilliant Dads Encyclopedia of Fun, packed with low-prep ideas for connecting with your kids
• The gender traps kids absorb from school and how to unlearn them

 Follow Logan on TikTok: Dad’s Business

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For the past four months, I’ve been deep in what I call the ADHD funk hole. No motivation, zero focus, overwhelmed by impostor syndrome and a big fat case of “everyone hates me.”

On this episode of Mad About, I’m getting brutally honest about what it’s like when visibility feels like a lie, grief and PMDD are wrecking your nervous system, and business starts slipping because you’re just not okay.

I’m talking about the real stuff: losing my grandma, navigating a nightmare house move, my membership dipping, and how I finally started crawling out of the hole.  I’m sharing the exact things that helped me start to feel human again.

If you’re neurodivergent and in business, and you’ve been in that weird limbo funk too, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone.

I also spill the tea on what’s coming with Amplify Your Influence, why I’m ditching people-pleasing, and how I’m stepping into Maddy 2.0 with a vengeance.

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This week, I sat down with the incredible Rhiannon Gogh, SEND advocate, chartered financial advisor, and mum to a profoundly autistic son - and it's one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve ever had on this podcast.

We got real about the brutal financial reality of raising neurodivergent children, the emotional toll of being a carer, and the gaping holes in the system that leave families like ours vulnerable.

We talked about:

• The triple cost of raising a child with SEND
• Why so many carers can’t work, and what that means for their futures
• How financial planning mistakes (you didn’t even know were mistakes) can cost your child their benefits or care
• The heartbreaking stories Rhiannon hears every single week – and what she’s doing about it

We also got deeply personal about masking, people-pleasing, debt, perimenopause, and why neurodivergent business owners need different kinds of support.

This isn’t just a money episode. It’s a reality check, a call-out, and a roadmap for anyone parenting neurodivergent kids, or navigating life with hidden disabilities.

📖 Get Rhiannon’s book Planning With Love
💬 Follow @carersacademy on Instagram
🌍 Learn more: planitfuture.co.uk

SEO: It’s 3x more expensive to raise a neurodivergent child, I got back into £55k of debt #madaboutpodcast #maddyalexandergrout #neurodivergentparenting #hiddendisabilities #SENDsupport #caregivingtruths #financialinequality #neurodivergentmoney #invisibleillness #SENDadvocate

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In this  episode of Mad About Business, I’m answering a hot question from one of my Invisible to Influential members: “How do I actually get more clients?”

Whether you’re posting every day and hearing crickets or hiding in the background of your memberships hoping someone notices you... this episode will help you cut through the noise and get seen for what you’re great at.

I’m diving into how I’ve built a presence that has people saying, “You’re literally everywhere,” and the exact ways you can start building visibility and trust in your own business, even if you’re neurodivergent, multi-passionate, or hate the hard sell.

In this episode:

• Why visibility isn’t just “showing up on Instagram”
• How to show your value without giving it all away for free
• The power of video, podcasting, and real human connection
• What trust really looks like (and how to build it without being salesy)
• Simple ways to become the go-to expert in your niche

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On this episode of Mad About Money, I sit down with Caroline Strawson - trauma specialist, narcissistic abuse therapist, and all-around powerhouse - to get real about the emotional side of money. We dive into the often-invisible layers of financial abuse, the generational beliefs that sabotage our earning potential, and how trauma gets stored in our bank accounts (yep, really).

Caroline shares her personal story of losing her family home, walking away from a financially abusive marriage, and rebuilding her life from over £70K in debt to running four purpose-driven businesses - including buying her dream home. 

We also explore why overspending can be a trauma response, how to spot red flags in your relationship, and what to do if money is being used as a weapon against you.

This conversation is raw, honest, and might just shift how you see your own financial story. Whether you're healing from past debt or trying to break through your income ceiling, there's something here for you.

In this episode:

• Why therapy didn’t work for Caroline (and what finally did)
• Somatic scaling + what it has to do with your business success
• How Caroline reframed her PTSD and rewired her money beliefs
• The difference between healthy financial independence and financial control
• The exact signs of financial abuse people often miss
  
  

🔗 Connect with Caroline Strawson

• Website & Resources: https://www.carolinestrawson.com
• Podcast – The Narcissistic Abuse & Trauma Recovery Podcast
• Book – Divorce Became My Superpower 
• YouTube Channel
• Instagram

“I was £70K in debt — and had PTSD”

“I didn’t even know it was financial abuse”

“You can’t think your way into healing”

“I needed to earn… but money made me feel dirty”

“I used to overspend to protect myself”

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In this episode of Mad About Business, I’m breaking down the deeply frustrating experience I had with a casting call that claimed to be inclusive… 

but completely missed the mark.

It started with an advert about a “campaign celebrating authenticity.” Sounded great -until I read the fine print: must be in good health, no visible tattoos or facial piercings, polished professional appearance. For a photo. Of a “real” person.

I’m calling out the double standards and outdated professionalism rules that still dominate the business world - especially when they try to parade as inclusive. If you’ve ever felt judged for how you look, dress, or show up as a neurodivergent, disabled, or simply human founder, this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• The real definition of professionalism (hint: it’s not your outfit)
• Why performative inclusivity is more damaging than none at all
• My rant on rigid beauty standards in “authentic” marketing
• Shout-outs to brands and people who are getting it right
• How I built a safer space in my membership by doing the opposite

Mentions:

• Docket by Kathryn Ann Reed – life admin platform for neurodivergent folks
• Jen Wilson – DEI coach and safe space educator
• Lloyds & Nationwide – orgs doing actual inclusion work

• “No visible tattoos?! What the fuck?”
• “This is not what inclusion looks like”
• “I’m autistic AND professional”
• “You don’t look ‘healthy’ in a photo”
• “Professionalism is a mindset, not a dress code”

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In this episode of Mad About Money, I sit down with the brilliant Nicola Noél - hypnotherapist, Specialist Mental Health Nurse and founder of Brainworks Therapy - to talk about the intersection of neurodivergence, anxiety, and money. We get real about why so many traditional money tools like budgeting apps and spreadsheets just don’t work when your brain is wired differently.

Nicola shares her powerful story of growing up in poverty, navigating mental health challenges, and building a shame-free, sustainable relationship with money. We explore how financial trauma shows up in neurodivergent communities, and what it actually takes to feel safe with your finances again.

If you’ve ever felt like you're “bad with money” or find yourself avoiding your bank account out of fear, this conversation is a validating, judgment-free space. Nicola’s approach is all about compassion, empowerment, and strategies that actually work for your brain.

In this episode:

• Why budgeting often fails ADHD brains
• How money dysregulation is tied to trauma
• The emotional weight of financial shame
• Nicola’s journey from financial fear to empowered coaching
• Tools that work for neurodivergent folks (and what to avoid)

Follow Nicola Noél:
Instagram – @brainworkstherapy

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If you’ve ever stared at a sales page (or a restaurant menu) and walked away empty-handed because it was too much - you already know the #1 sales mistake most business owners make.

In this solo episode, I share a totally unfiltered breakdown of why confused people don’t buy, how that’s played out in my own business, and what I’m doing about it.

Spoiler alter: less is more.

I get into:

• Why offering too many things kills conversions
• How to turn “you get body doubling sessions” into “you get sh*t done”
• What actually makes people buy (it’s not features)
• The 5-offer structure I’m building my entire business around
• A behind-the-scenes look at what makes my membership, Invisible to Influential, a total no-brainer for growth-focused entrepreneurs

This isn’t theory - it’s me unpacking what’s actually working in my business and why clear, emotional, benefit-led messaging beats benefits-and-bullet-points every damn time.

If you want more clients, less confusion, and way more clarity in your sales strategy, you're gonna love this! 

• “Confused people don’t buy”
• “My offer was too messy to sell”
• “I had to burn it all down”
• “One offer at a time—max”
• “Your features aren’t the hook”

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In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Paul Culshaw - a marketing expert who’s not just been in the game for 25 years, but has actually lived the ups and downs of navigating money, marketing, and mindset as a business owner.

We talk about everything from being made redundant five times (yep, five!) to learning how to actually charge what your work is worth - even when you’re someone who just loves helping people. 

If you’ve ever lowballed your prices, procrastinated on putting yourself out there, or felt a little ick about selling… this episode is your gentle slap of truth.

We also go deep on:

• Why being broke in your 20s teaches you more than a business degree ever could
• What it actually means to have a healthy money mindset (without the guru fluff)
• The behind-the-scenes of pricing as a coach or course creator
• How AI can support your marketing (without sounding like ChatGPT wrote your posts)
• And why accessibility, neurodivergence, and course structure matter more than the perfect funnel

This one’s packed with stories, real talk, and a few “ohhh that’s why no one’s buying” moments. Whether you’re new to business or knee-deep in a pricing spiral, I think you’ll see yourself in this one.

“Redundant 5 times. Still showed up.”

“No one’s paying? It’s not the price

“This is why clients say no”

Connect with Paul:

Instagram: @coachpaulculshaw

Website: paulculshaw.com

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Welcome to Mad About Business! 

You might know me from Mad About Money, but this is a whole new vibe. In this solo series, I'm speaking directly to you - no guests, no fluff - just real talk about running a business when your brain doesn't always follow the rules.

I'm Maddy Alexander Grout: ADHD business coach, neurodiversity specialist, and visibility strategist for entrepreneurs who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mould.

Whether you’re dealing with executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, or just feel like you’re winging it - this new podcast is for you.

In this first episode, I’m sharing:

• Why Mad About Business had to happen (hint: it’s not just about content)
• The surprising way I grew my 6-figure business after my last one crashed
• How I sell without DMing a soul - and why that matters for neurodivergent entrepreneurs
• What to expect from this show, from spicy biz tips to blunt advice you didn’t know you needed

If you’re tired of being told to “just be consistent” and you’re ready for a business that actually works for your brain, hit subscribe and let’s grow together.

Follow me on Instagram @maddytalksmoney and TikTok @madaboutmoneyofficial.

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