Mad About... with Maddy Alexander-Grout

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In this episode, I chat with the absolutely incredible Amy Butterworth - or as she’s known online, Long COVID Rockstar.

Amy lives with long COVID, and what she shares about rest, identity, and the invisible cost of simply existing in a capitalist world? It hit me hard.

We talk about what it’s like to live in a society that tells you your worth is tied to how much you can produce -  and what happens when your body says no more. 

Amy gets honest about disability, burnout, ego vs. grace, and the internal work it takes to stop apologising for existing.

Together, we explore:

💥 Why hustle culture is inherently ableist
 🧠 How chronic illness forces you to reframe identity
 💤 The shame of needing rest (and why that needs to go)
 🛑 Why “pushing through” is dangerous - not brave
 📣 How to show up for your community when you can barely sit up
🌈 Designing inclusive spaces for everyone, not just some
🎯 Why we’re ditching SMART goals and going full FARC instead

This episode isn’t just about disability. It’s about worth. About making space for yourself in a system that wasn’t built for you, and unlearning the lie that rest makes you lazy.

Amy’s wisdom, honesty, and wit blew me away. I know you’re going to fall in love with her too.

🔗 Connect with Amy:

📸 Instagram: @longcovidrockstar
🎥 TikTok: @longcovidrockstar (she's lurking — for now)

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If you’ve ever looked at your bank balance and thought “What the actual f*ck just happened?” - this episode’s for you.

This week I sat down with ADHD coach Ben Cook to unpack why so many neurodivergent people feel “shit with money” - and what’s actually underneath that shame spiral. 

From people-pleasing purchases to impulse spending as emotional regulation, we get into the real stories behind the ADHD tax (and no, it’s not just water bottles and Roblox).

We also chat about:

• The identity crisis of a late diagnosis (and how it rewrites your past)
• Why so many ADHDers burn out in ‘cutthroat’ careers like sales and recruitment
• How emotional dysregulation drives addictive spending
• Teaching kids about money without passing on the shame
• Why self-diagnosis and awareness can be just as powerful as a formal label
• And yes… I give Ben a loving nudge about finally showing up on TikTok

This one’s full of raw honesty, laughs, and practical takeaways for anyone navigating money, mindset, or visibility with a spicy brain.

Connect with Ben Cook:

Website: goodtothinkdifferently.com

Instagram: @thisisbencook

LinkedIn: Ben Cook, ICF, ACCPH

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This episode is so much more than a money chat.

I sat down with the incredible Washington Ali - coach, speaker, stage host, all-round legend - to talk about how he went from hating money to helping people find peace and profit in their lives and businesses. We got deep. Like, spicy brain, trauma healing, “what even is money” kind of deep.

Washington shares the messy, powerful journey from dropping out of college and burning out, to stepping into purpose, creating inclusive spaces, and showing up fully as himself. 

We chat about:

• Why money isn’t the villain (even when it feels like it)
• Growing up around wealth when you don’t have any
• ADHD, spicy brain stuff, and why diagnosis is complicated
• Building community when social media feels unsafe
• How your values should be part of how you show up

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with money, or wondered how to be more you in business, I think you’ll love this one.

Connect with Washington:

Washingtons' Website: Become Alive

LinkedIn

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What if your desire to do good is the very thing keeping you broke?

In this episode of Mad About Money, Maddy sits down with the brilliant, rebellious, multi-hyphenate Jenn - a performing artist, activist, and creator of the International Day of Consent - to unpack the quiet, emotional toll of undercharging when you’re purpose-led and values-first.

Together, they dive deep into:

• Why so many ethical, neurodivergent, and heart-led humans feel guilty about making money
• The connection between capitalism, pricing shame, and internalised “good person” conditioning
• Rewriting money mindset without selling out (or burning out)
• How consent, business, and activism are more connected than you think
• The truth about financial inclusivity, and why charging less doesn’t always help the people you think it does

It’s raw, hilarious, full of swearing and solidarity, and packed with unfiltered honesty about money, identity, neurodivergence, and the power of showing up as your full self.

✨ Plus: the story behind Jenn’s drag queen alter ego Misty Valentine, what “fuck normal” really means, and why you absolutely can rebel against capitalism while running a business.

Links & mentions

• Follow Jenn Wilson and explore Irregular Ink: irregular.org.uk
• Learn more about the International Day of Consent: idoconsent.org
• Catch Jenn at Visible Fest: Visible Fest

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In this solo episode, I’m getting honest about something that’s been building for a while: why I’m ditching social media and creating a brave new space instead.

This isn’t about beating the algorithm or boosting engagement. 

It’s about burnout. 

It’s about safety. 

And it’s about choosing a better way to build community  (especially for people who are so often pushed out of online spaces)

I share:

• What it really felt like to launch Mad About Money as a neurodivergent author
• Why social media no longer feels safe or supportive for me (and so many others)
• How I’m rebuilding a space that actually celebrates you
• Some of the wild highs, personal lows, and incredible reader feedback from the past week
• A reminder that if you’ve ever felt othered or invisible - you’re not alone, and you belong in my world

This episode is part book update, part behind-the-scenes, and part rally cry. If you’re ready for something more honest, more inclusive, and way more human… this is it.

✨ Come hang out with us in the new Mad About Money community - I’d love to have you!

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In this episode of Mad About Money, I’m joined by personal trainer and all-round powerhouse, Rhiannon Cooper, founder of Not So Typical Fitness.

And trust me - this is not your typical fitness chat.

Rhiannon opens up about being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, and how that changed everything—from the way she approaches health, to how she runs her business, and how she manages her money.

We talk about:

• The trauma that traditional fitness spaces can leave behind
• Why “no food is good or bad” needs to be said louder
• How breathlessness in exercise can be triggering for neurodivergent people
• And why joy in movement matters more than calorie burn ever did

We also dig into money stuff, like debt, budgeting without shame, and why neurodivergence can make financial decisions feel way more overwhelming.

Rhiannon’s journey is one of self-discovery, compassion, and completely flipping the script on what “fitness” and “success” are supposed to look like.

Check out Rhiannon's website

Follow her on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow her on TikTok

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In this episode of Mad About Money, I sit down with transformational coach Alice Rose to talk about her journey through fertility challenges, and how she turned that experience into a successful coaching business.

Alice opens up about the financial impact of IVF, the emotional toll it takes, and why mental health support is so important during that time. 

We dive into the realities of fertility treatments, the hidden costs, and the pressure that often falls on women to manage it all.

Alice also shares how she went from financial struggle to making over £10K in a week with her course, proving that sometimes, the toughest experiences lead to the biggest opportunities. 

We talk imposter syndrome, the power of community, and why qualifications can help - but they’re not the be-all and end-all when it comes to making a real impact.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of parental guilt, struggled with money decisions on your fertility journey, or wondered how to turn your personal struggles into something that helps others, this one’s for you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The true cost of fertility treatments & how to plan financially
• The importance of mindset and mental health support
• How Alice built a fertility support brand & created a thriving business
• Overcoming imposter syndrome & the fear of not being “qualified enough”
• Why community is everything when it comes to support and growth
• How Instagram became a game-changer for Alice’s business
  
  

Follow Alice on Instagram

Visit her website

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In this episode of Mad About Money, I chat with psychic business strategist Vicki Chisholm about the power of alignment in both business and personal growth.

Vicki opens up about how her relationship with money has mirrored her experiences with love and self-worth,a nd how overcoming financial trauma helped her step into abundance. 

We break down her ADAPT Breakthrough Strategy, a must-know framework for making confident decisions (especially if you struggle with ADHD or decision paralysis!)

And we also explore the role of intuition in business, the difference between fear-based resistance and true misalignment, and why shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset can be life-changing.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why alignment is the key to success - in money, business & life!
• How your money mindset is tied to love, self-worth & past experiences
• How to stop decision paralysis & start trusting yourself
• The power of heart-centered leadership & self-awareness
• How money archetypes influence your financial habits
• Why shifting from scarcity to abundance can transform everything

Vicki’s journey proves that when you step into alignment, everything changes. If you’re ready to stop forcing things and start attracting what’s actually right for you, then hit play now!

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In this episode of Mad About Money, I sat down with Nadia Essex, who you might know from the telly, but trust me, she’s so much more than her public persona.

This is the kind of conversation that covers everything:
💥 Mental health
💥 Motherhood
💥 ADHD
💥 Legal battles
💥 Entrepreneurship
💥 The pressure of fame
💥 And learning how to rebuild when everything feels like it’s falling apart!

Nadia shares how she went from being a household name to hitting rock bottom, with bailiffs at the door, a baby on the way, and no idea what was coming next!

We talked about rejection sensitivity (and how brutal it can be), what ADHD really looks like in daily life, the struggle to feel understood, and why self-diagnosis does count.

She’s rebuilding now - with a new business, better boundaries, and a completely different view of success.

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Today, I sit down with neurodivergent coach and consultant H. Harris to talk about identity, resilience, and the importance of visibility for neurodivergent individuals.

H shares their journey of self-acceptance, the challenges of navigating education as a neurodivergent person, and the impact of COVID-19 on their career path. 

We get real about the pressure to seek external validation, why owning your story is so powerful, and how embracing joy and play can transform your life.

We also dive into the complexities of cultural identity, the barriers that come with being truly visible, and why music can be such a game-changer for self-expression. 

 In This Episode, We Cover:

•  Why self-acceptance is key to personal & professional success
• The challenges neurodivergent individuals face in education & society
• The pressure of external validation & how to break free from it
• How music, play, and joy can shape your identity & wellbeing
• The complexities of cultural identity & self-reflection
• The importance of creating safe spaces for neurodivergent voices

This conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and some powerful moments of reflection on what it really means to be yourself in a world that often tells you to fit in.

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