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What if you've spent your entire life believing you were the problem... when ADHD was the missing piece all along?

In this episode of Rebel Momma Pod, host Sarah Castañeda sits down with Liz Lewis, writer, ADHD advocate, and author of You Are Not the Problem: Late-Diagnosed ADHD Women and the Invisible Forces That Shape Us.

Liz shares her journey from rediscovering her ADHD after becoming a mother to spending four years researching and writing a book that gives voice to the experiences of women diagnosed later in life. Together, they explore why so many women miss an ADHD diagnosis, how educational trauma affects creativity, and why writing with ADHD doesn't have to follow conventional rules.

They also discuss the emotional impact of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, overcoming rejection sensitivity, managing expectations, and creating meaningful work without comparing yourself to everyone else.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, navigating motherhood with ADHD, or dreaming of writing your own book, this conversation offers practical encouragement and validation.

• Why so many women receive an ADHD diagnosis later in life

• The emotional reality after finally getting diagnosed

• How motherhood often uncovers hidden ADHD symptoms

• Why educational trauma affects confidence and creativity

• Practical advice for writing with ADHD

• How to overcome perfectionism and rejection sensitivity

• Why comparing yourself to neurotypical writers doesn't work

• The mindset shifts that helped Liz complete her first book

• Late-diagnosed ADHD in women

• ADHD and motherhood

• Writing a book with ADHD

• Educational trauma

• Executive dysfunction and creativity

• Rejection sensitivity

• ADHD advocacy

• Women's mental health

• Self-expression and journaling

• Building confidence as a writer

Being diagnosed later in life doesn't mean you've failed, it means you've finally found the missing context. When you stop trying to fit neurotypical expectations and begin working with your ADHD instead of against it, creativity, confidence, and self-acceptance become much more possible.

Book: You Are Not the Problem: Late-Diagnosed ADHD Women and the Invisible Forces That Shape Us

Website: Healthy ADHD

Substack: Yes, And by Liz Lewis

Website: Healthy ADHD

Substack: https://substack.com/@healthyadhd

Instagram: @lizlewiswrites (mentioned during the conversation)

Email: [email protected]

👍 Like this episode

💬 Comment: If you were diagnosed with ADHD later in life, what changed for you the most?

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about ADHD, midlife, burnout, motherhood, neurodiversity, creativity, and living a life that works for your brain.

What if the best productivity hack isn't another app, AI tool, or social media strategy?

What if it's simply walking away?

In this episode of Rebel Momma Pod, host Sarah Castañeda sits down with ADHD coach Russ Jones, founder of ADHD Big Brother, for an honest conversation about social media addiction, doomscrolling, entrepreneurship, accountability, and building a life that aligns with your values.

Russ shares why he deleted Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, how social media was impacting his mental health, and why he believes many adults with ADHD are trapped in systems that drain their attention and energy. Together, they explore the pressure to constantly scale, hustle, and stay visible online, and what happens when you decide to do things differently.

They also dive into the power of accountability, why AI can't replace human support, and how community can be one of the most effective tools for adults with ADHD.

This episode is a refreshing reminder that success doesn't have to look like everyone else's version of success.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

• Why Russ chose to leave social media behind • How doomscrolling impacts ADHD, productivity, and mental health • The hidden pressure of personal branding and online visibility • Why scaling isn't always the right business goal • The difference between AI accountability and human accountability • How daily support can help adults with ADHD follow through • What Russ calls "productivity leaks" and how to identify them

🧠 Topics Discussed:

• ADHD and social media addiction • Doomscrolling and time management • Entrepreneurship and burnout • Authentic marketing without social platforms • Accountability partners and community support • AI tools for ADHD • Weekly planning and activation strategies • Building a business that feels sustainable • Mental health and depressive episodes • Finding success on your own terms

💡 Key Takeaway:

You don't have to build your life around platforms, algorithms, or someone else's definition of success. Whether it's social media, business, or productivity, the goal isn't to scale endlessly. It's to create a life that works for you.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

ADHD Big Brother https://adhdbigbrother.com BetterHelp - 10% off first month https://www.betterhelp.com/rebelmomma

📢 Connect with Russ Jones:

Website: https://adhdbigbrother.com

🔔 Don't Forget:

👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment: Could you quit social media tomorrow? Why or why not? 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about ADHD, burnout, midlife, productivity, and creating a life that works for your brain.

When Doctors Dont Have Answers: Self Advocacy with Jamie Lee

What do you do when your body knows something is wrong but every test says you're "fine"?

In this episode of Rebel Mama Pod, host Sarah Castañeda sits down with career coach Jamie Lee for a deeply personal conversation about neurodivergence, women's health, burnout, and learning to trust yourself when conventional systems fail you.

Jamie shares her experience navigating unexplained symptoms, brain fog, anxiety, hormonal shifts, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and the frustrating reality of being dismissed by traditional healthcare providers. Together, they unpack the connection between ADHD, chronic stress, inflammation, and self advocacy and why so many women are forced to become their own researchers just to get answers.

This episode is a powerful reminder that self advocacy starts with trusting your own experience.

🎯 What You'll Learn: Why so many women feel dismissed in healthcare settings The overlap between ADHD, burnout, hormones, and chronic illness What mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is and why it's often overlooked How stress and inflammation can impact focus, energy, and mood Why self advocacy matters in both health and career How AI, Reddit, and online communities are helping people connect the dots

🧠 Topics Discussed: Brain fog, PMDD, perimenopause, and histamine intolerance Women's health gaps in conventional medicine Functional medicine and alternative testing options Long COVID, autoimmune conditions, and chronic fatigue Neurodivergence, creativity, and entrepreneurship Learning to trust your instincts when no one else understands your experience

🚨 Jamie Lee is hosting a free webinar on May 20th. During "The Exit Negotiation: How to Get Better Paid So You Can Be Your Own Boss", she'll walk you through the exact framework she uses to help clients leave their 9-to-5s financially, mentally and emotionally set up for success. To learn more, visit jamieleecoach.com.

📚 Resources Mentioned: Jamie Lee Coach https://jamieleecoach.com

LDN Direct https://ldndirect.com

23andMe https://www.23andme.com

🔔 Don't forget: 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment: Have you ever had to advocate for yourself to get answers? 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about ADHD, burnout, women's health, and self advocacy

Most productivity advice doesn't work for ADHD—but this does.

In this episode of Rebel Mama Pod, host Sarah Castañeda sits down with Dani Donovan to break down what actually works when it comes to ADHD productivity.

Instead of forcing yourself into rigid systems, Dani shares her toolbox approach—a flexible, realistic way to get things done without burnout, shame, or relying on last-minute panic.

If you've struggled with consistency, procrastination, or overwhelm, this episode will give you tools you can actually use.

• Why most productivity advice fails for ADHD

• The toolbox method that adapts to your brain

• How to identify your real resistance (not just procrastination)

• The emotional side of ADHD: overwhelm, burnout, perfectionism

• How to replace shame-based motivation with something that works

• Post-it note Kanban system on your monitor

• The D20 dice method to make tasks more engaging

• A simple framework to identify what's blocking you

• The Anti-Planner

• https://antiplanner.com

• https://adhddd.com

Hello! Enjoy this throwback episode of The Adulting With ADHD Podcast while we continue to work on fresh interviews for Rebel Momma Pod!

The Adulting with ADHD is now Rebel Momma Pod 🔥. We're exploring what's not in the brochure about neurodivergence, midlife and burnout.

New episodes dropping soon 👊

Productivity advice rarely works for ADHD brains, not because you're lazy or undisciplined, but because most systems are built for neurotypical consistency.

In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Sarah talks with Robert Simms, founder of Embodied Resilience Wellness Clinic, registered social worker, Indigenous practitioner, and neurodivergent adult, about designing home and money systems that actually work with your brain, not against it.

Robert shares how discovering his own neurodivergence later in life reshaped how he approaches routines, finances, and daily structure. Instead of relying on motivation, discipline, or "just try harder," he explains how neuro affirming systems focus on variability, interest, energy fluctuations, and external supports.

They explore why traditional productivity advice often fails ADHD adults, and how small environmental tweaks, not willpower, create sustainable change.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What "neuro affirming" actually means in daily life

• Why consistency doesn't work the way we think it should

• Externalizing executive function with reminders, automation, and visual cues

• Removing shame and guilt from missed tasks and imperfect follow through

• Designing systems around strengths like hyperfocus and pattern recognition

• Why "inconsistently consistent" is a realistic goal

Robert also shares practical home and money hacks, including:

• Set it and forget it bill automation when financially safe to do so

• Simplifying bank accounts and credit cards to reduce overwhelm

• Creating small financial buffers for predictable emergencies

• Using visible, contained systems for everyday items like keys, wallets, and kids' clutter

• The five minute rule for task initiation

• Rotating routines instead of abandoning them when interest drops

One of the most powerful reframes in this conversation: your home should function like an accommodation. If the outside world isn't built for your brain, your personal systems can be.

Neuro affirming systems are not about doing more. They are about building support structures that match how your brain actually works, with flexibility, compassion, and less shame.

Resources mentioned:

Embodied Resilience Wellness Clinic – www.embodiedresilience.ca

Robert's weekly YouTube live series, "All Things Neurodivergence"

Follow Embodied Resilience on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube

People pleasing and rejection sensitivity are common struggles for adults with ADHD, especially in work and relationship settings where power dynamics and fear of disapproval are present.

In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Sarah talks with licensed therapist Billy Roberts, owner of Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, about why people pleasing develops and how it connects to rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), trauma responses, and self worth.

Billy explains how many ADHD adults learn to manage fear of rejection by prioritizing others' needs, avoiding conflict, and taking on too much responsibility. While this can feel protective in the moment, it often leads to burnout, shame, and feeling disconnected from your own goals and identity.

Together, they explore how people pleasing shows up in daily life, from over apologizing and over explaining to avoiding honesty and self advocacy. Billy also shares small, practical ways to begin shifting these patterns with more awareness and self trust.

In this episode, we talk about: – Why people pleasing is common in adults with ADHD – How rejection sensitive dysphoria influences behavior – The "fawn response" and its role in relationships and work – Overcommitment, over responsibility, and over accommodation – Conflict avoidance and ADHD masking – How shame can make honesty feel unsafe

Billy also shares practical strategies, including: – How to recognize when you are people pleasing – Ways to practice being more honest in low risk situations – Why self awareness is the first step toward change – How telling the truth builds confidence and agency – Why learning to trust yourself supports healthier communication

If you often feel responsible for other people's emotions or afraid to speak up at work or in relationships, this episode offers a compassionate and realistic starting point for understanding why — and how to begin changing it.

Resources mentioned: Focused Mind ADHD Counseling Billy Roberts' upcoming book on people pleasing and ADHD Adult ADHD therapy and coaching services

Rejection sensitivity and communication challenges at work are often misunderstood, especially for adults with ADHD.

In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Sarah talks with leadership coach and CEO of Collaborate Consulting, Trystan Reese, about how rejection sensitivity can affect workplace interactions and self advocacy. Trystan shares how understanding brain based differences can help people approach work challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

Together, they explore why asking for support can feel difficult, how fear of negative feedback can influence behavior, and how small shifts in communication can improve workplace experiences for neurodivergent employees.

This conversation offers a practical reframe: instead of focusing on what feels hard, we can focus on what helps communication feel clearer and more effective.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What rejection sensitivity is and how it relates to ADHD

• Why feedback can feel challenging in professional settings

• How to think through possible outcomes before making requests

• The difference between emotional discomfort and real risk

• Why preparation and practice support better communication

• How to align requests with shared workplace goals

• Why body awareness and regulation can help before difficult conversations

• How self understanding supports self advocacy

Trystan also shares practical tools and examples, including:

• A step by step approach for evaluating concerns

• Ways to request clearer expectations or meeting information

• Simple communication scripts for everyday situations

• Why practicing conversations can increase confidence

• How reframing internal narratives supports growth

If workplace communication feels stressful or uncertain, this episode offers a supportive and realistic approach focused on clarity, preparation, and self trust rather than fear or perfection.

Resources mentioned: Collaborate Consulting Trystan Reese coaching and training services Neurodivergent leadership and workplace inclusion programs

Clutter is often treated like a motivation problem but what if it's really a systems problem?

🎙️ In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Sarah sits down with ADHD and autistic decluttering specialist and podcast host Heather Tingle, founder of Untangled by Tingle, to explore how home organization, dopamine, and executive function are deeply connected for adults with ADHD. Heather shares how her own experience living in chaos led her to create decluttering methods that work with neurodivergent brains instead of against them.

Together, they unpack why consistency can feel so hard with ADHD, how perfection based organizing systems create burnout, and how decluttering can become a source of safety rather than another area of pressure or shame.

💬 This conversation offers a compassionate reframe: instead of asking "Why can't I stay organized?" we can start asking "What makes my space easier to live in?"

🧩 In this episode, we talk about: ✨ Why traditional decluttering systems don't work for ADHD and autistic brains 👀 How dopamine and visibility affect motivation and follow through 🏁 Why finishing matters more than starting 🧠 How executive dysfunction impacts home organization 🎶 How competition, music, and time limits can increase momentum ❤️ Why emotional attachment matters more than logical rules 🪜 How small, bite sized tasks make decluttering more achievable

🛠️ Heather also shares practical strategies, including: ⏱️ How to "beat the kettle" or a song with a tiny decluttering task 📦 Why gathering similar items into one visible place helps ADHD brains 🤝 How body doubling and shared accountability reduce overwhelm 🎮 How turning decluttering into a game builds motivation 🌱 Why starting with the smallest possible step creates success 🗺️ How treating decluttering as a "side quest" lowers resistance

🌈 If clutter feels overwhelming, emotionally loaded, or impossible to maintain, this episode offers a gentler way forward one that centers dopamine, ease, and self compassion instead of perfection.

📚 Resources mentioned: 🎧 Decluttering Untangled podcast by Heather Tingle 🏡 Untangled by Tingle (professional decluttering services) 👥 Untangled by Tingle Declutter Community (Facebook group)