RE-Focus: The ADHD Podcast with Angela Stephens

Angela sits down with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, licensed therapist, certified school psychologist, and founder of the Global Institute of Children's Mental Health, for a conversation about why nothing sticks until your nervous system settles. Dr. Roseann explains the stress cup, how small things like poor sleep, junk food, and constant device time fill it hours or days before you ever sit down to a task, and why attention, learning, and even your immune system stay offline until you regulate first. Dr. Roseann's new book, The Dysregulated Kid: The Parenting Playbook for Helping Your Child Find Calm in a Chaotic World, launches September 22 and is available to preorder now with bonus resources at dysregulatedkid.com. Learn more about her work at drroseann.com.

Angela Stephens sits down with Dr. Karolina Pekala, a licensed clinical psychologist who works with eating disorders, anxiety, public speaking fears, and chronic pain. Dr. Pekala shares how she resets between back to back patient sessions by returning to the present moment, how to tell whether therapy is actually working, and why summer brings a spike in eating disorder cases. She and Angela also get into anxiety and focus at work: batching email instead of living in the inbox, protecting a block of deep work, and the quiet cost of the phone at the dinner table. Dr. Pekala is licensed in New York, holds a permit in Florida, and will soon be licensed in Rhode Island. Learn more at nyhealthhypnosis.com/dr-karolina-pekala or connect with her on LinkedIn, and catch her career story on RE-Focus Careers.

Angela is joined by therapist and author Joanne Williams, LCSW, who explains how psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals help people living with anxiety, panic disorders, depression, and PTSD. Joanne breaks down the key federal laws (Fair Housing Act, ADA, and Air Carrier Access Act), explains the difference between emotional support animals and psychiatric service dogs, and details how dogs can sense and interrupt rising anxiety before a full-blown panic attack. To learn more about Joanne, click here!

Angela is joined by keynote speaker and author Dr. Jessica Kriegel to explore what it takes to lead in today's world. From the myth of traditional change management to the hidden power of employee beliefs, Jessica challenges leaders at every level to ditch the "action trap" and start building cultures that are genuinely aligned with strategy.

Jessica shares why only 25% of C-suite leaders can name their company's top three goals, and how fixing that one thing can transform your results. Plus, she gives the real talk on public speaking nerves, keynoting to rooms of 1,000, and the reset-button playlist that gets her in the zone.

Angela Stephens sits down with author, speaker, and Wiseman Group partner Shawn Vanderhoven to explore what it really takes to lead brilliant work in an overwhelming, hyper-connected world. Shawn shares his personal morning ritual for creating focus, and the core ideas behind the Wiseman Group's leadership philosophy inspired by Liz Wiseman's book Multipliers. He explains why so many people feel like "butter spread over too much bread," and how great leaders combat that by creating space for focus, not adding more noise. Shawn reveals key insights from his six-year research project and upcoming book "Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World," including the difference between a bias for impact and a bias for action, how to avoid "chasing shiny objects" in growing businesses, and why exposing hidden workloads and keeping growth on the agenda are essential leadership practices.

Angela is joined by Professor Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health at University College London and author of Disaster by Choice, to explore how disasters and health intersect in our everyday lives. Drawing on examples from the COVID-19 pandemic to earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, Ilan explains why "prevention is better than cure," what individuals can realistically do to prepare (like assembling a "go bag" and planning for sheltering in place) and how inequality and lack of resources make true preparedness impossible for many. To learn more about Ilan, visit his website.

Angela talks with Dani Dotterosa, a Benefit Auctioneer and gala fundraising consultant, about how to turn stressful nonprofit and school events into high-ROI fundraisers. Dani explains why you should treat your gala like the Super Bowl, how to separate "offense" (fundraising strategy) from "defense" (event logistics), and why ambiguity kills volunteer engagement and donations. She shares practical tips for getting better auction items, motivating busy parents and volunteers, setting budgets for first-time events, and building a "pure profit iceberg" with sponsors, matches, and paddle raisers. Dani also gives a peek into her unique background in iridology and how she creatively donates iris-reading parties to boost gala revenue. Learn more at her website AuctionsByDani.com! Subscribe to the RE-Focus Podcast to hear more podcasts on how Executives Focus & RE-Focus when they face diversity www.refocuswithangela.com/subscribe

Angela sits down with Robyn Anderson, CEO of Jam AI, to demystify AI for small business owners and professionals with busy brains. Robyn explains what AI and large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini actually are, how to use Custom GPTs as "virtual employees" for sales and marketing, and why generative engine optimization (GEO) is the new SEO. She shares practical tools (including website builders, branding helpers, and voice-to-text productivity apps), plus her own ADHD-friendly routines for staying focused, managing time, and avoiding AI rabbit holes. If you've been curious about using AI to grow your business—but feel overwhelmed—this conversation will show you where to start and how to make AI work for you.