SuccessFULL With ADHD

What happens when your ADHD hyperfocus helps you create something amazing but also pushes you toward burnout? In this episode of Successful with ADHD, I'm welcoming back Dani Donovan, ADHD advocate, creator of the viral ADHD comics, and author of The Anti-Planner. Since our last conversation in 2023, Dani has turned her creative passion into a growing business, and she's getting real about the challenges of entrepreneurship, executive dysfunction, perfectionism, and learning to prioritize herself along the way.

We dive into the connection between ADHD and OCD tendencies, obsessive thought loops, rejection sensitivity, and why high-achieving women with ADHD often struggle to know when something is good enough. Dani also shares how she's learned to reduce friction, build ADHD-friendly habits, and approach productivity differently without getting caught in the all-or-nothing mindset. If you've ever felt stuck between wanting to do everything perfectly and struggling to get started, this conversation is for you!

Episode Highlights
[0:45] - Welcoming Dani Donovan back and celebrating the incredible growth of The Anti-Planner since her first appearance.

[2:19] - How creating an ADHD-friendly productivity tool turned into running a business with unexpected challenges.

[3:44] - The realities of ADHD entrepreneurship, hiring friends, delegating, and becoming the bottleneck in your own business.

[6:04] - Why ADHD perfectionism, avoidance, and executive dysfunction don't disappear when you're running a successful company.

[8:23] - Breaking down the five emotional barriers in The Anti-Planner and why identifying what's keeping you stuck matters.

[9:49] - The hidden cost of ADHD hyperfocus and how pushing through 12- to 17-hour workdays led to serious burnout and physical consequences.

[12:36] - Using habit tracking and personal data to understand the connection between sleep, hydration, movement, and well-being.

[15:22] - How Dani made exercise enjoyable by combining swimming, podcasts, learning, and creativity.

[18:00] - Understanding ADHD friction and finding ways to make everyday tasks feel less overwhelming.

[19:02] - Introducing "checkpoint walks" and using tiny steps to build momentum without the pressure of big goals.

[20:30] - Making exercise ADHD-friendly by lowering expectations, creating rewards, and giving yourself permission to stop.

[22:09] - Can ADHD-friendly routines become automatic? Dani shares what happens when habits fall off and how to restart.

[24:26] - Exploring the overlap between ADHD, OCD tendencies, obsessive thoughts, and perfectionism.

[27:06] - The distress of repetitive thought loops and the struggle to stop focusing on unwanted thoughts.

[28:00] - How rejection sensitivity, childhood expectations, and being praised for overachieving can reinforce perfectionism.

[29:15] - Why obsessive checking and overpreparing may mask ADHD symptoms, especially in high-achieving women.

[29:53] - Sharing my own experience with obsessive research, injustice sensitivity, and getting caught in thought loops.

[31:20] - When ADHD and OCD tendencies work against each other, creating internal conflict and fear of criticism.

[33:12] - The fear of mediocrity, constantly revising your work, and never feeling like it's good enough.

[35:33] - How scope creep and endless creative ideas can turn exciting projects into overwhelming unfinished work.

[36:53] - Why putting projects in "beta mode" can help perfectionists release their work without waiting for perfection.

[39:38] - What's next for The Anti-Planner and Dani's plans for new activities and resources.

[40:14] - Managing unpredictable work schedules, ADHD hyperfocus, and using time tracking to understand where your hours go.

[42:07] - What Dani wishes she knew when starting her business and the lessons she's learned about empathy and accountability.

[44:19] - Finding the balance between being a compassionate leader, setting boundaries, and protecting your business.

[45:54] - Where to find Dani's Anti-Planner, ADHD comics, and additional resources.

Links & Resources
Dani Donovan is a multi-faceted internet content creator, public speaker, and ADHD comic artist known for her viral comics that have amplified ADHD awareness and acceptance online. As the author of The Anti-Planner and the founder of The Anti-Boring Project, she leverages her expansive social media following to make everyday challenges like productivity and organization more achievable and entertaining.

Dani Donovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danidonovan

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

What if changing your relationship with alcohol, breaking unhealthy habits, or overcoming all-or-nothing thinking wasn't about having more willpower? In this episode of Successful with ADHD, I'm welcoming back Colleen Hackman, ADHD coach, host of It's Not About the Alcohol, and known as The Hangover Whisperer. We're diving deeper into how the ADHD brain creates automatic habits, why black-and-white thinking can keep us stuck, and how emotional regulation and neuroplasticity can help us create lasting change without the shame spiral.

Colleen and I get into everything from ADHD decision fatigue and addiction labels to nervous system regulation, impulsivity, and learning to trust ourselves again. We also explore why focusing on what we want MORE of instead of what we're trying to eliminate can completely shift our approach to personal growth. Whether you're navigating alcohol use, struggling with perfectionism, or simply tired of feeling like you're constantly fighting your ADHD brain, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and perspective shifts you won't want to miss!

Episode Highlights
[1:20] - Welcoming Colleen back and exploring the ADHD all-or-nothing brain.

[2:04] - Colleen's name change, reclaiming her identity, and embracing personal growth.

[2:54] - Why ADHD black-and-white thinking complicates our relationship with alcohol and addiction labels.

[6:37] - How binary thinking traps us into believing we only have two options.

[8:03] - Asking better questions and shifting from negative goals to what we actually want MORE of.

[10:03] - Why ADHD decision fatigue makes recognizing small wins and progress challenging.

[12:18] - Breaking down the difference between being "lazy" and having an ADHD brain that automates habits.

[14:19] - My personal experience with an unexpected substance use disorder label and changing drinking habits.

[16:02] - Why breaking automatic habits requires energy, awareness, and intentionality rather than more willpower.

[18:27] - Replacing negative goals with small, positive actions that support lasting behavior change.

[21:49] - Colleen's "low bar method," my 1% actions, and why tiny habits help regulate the nervous system.

[23:06] - Becoming your own source of comfort instead of relying on external coping mechanisms.

[25:19] - How to distinguish intuition from anxious impulses and recognize what your body actually needs.

[29:13] - Setting yourself up for success before impulsive behaviors take over.

[31:46] - ADHD hyperfocus, time blindness, external reminders, and creating friction to interrupt unhealthy patterns.

[35:55] - How Colleen challenged her own all-or-nothing identity during recovery.

[38:31] - Navigating divorce, burnout, stress, and the ongoing process of finding balance.

[41:48] - What emotional sobriety really means and how separating facts from feelings changes decision-making.

[45:41] - My AIR method: Acknowledge, Interrupt, and Redirect to regulate emotions and take action.

[46:48] - The smallest first step toward changing your relationship with alcohol without committing to sobriety.

[49:11] - Understanding how coping behaviors serve us and why awareness creates opportunities for change.

[49:29] - Where to connect with Colleen and find more ADHD and emotional sobriety resources.

Links & Resources
Colleen is the founder of Emotional Sobriety Coaching©, where she helps high-achieving professional women reduce alcohol consumption by 80% without relying on willpower or deprivation. Combining holistic and evidence-based strategies in neurophysiology, cognitive reframing, and spirituality, she helps women reprogram their minds and bodies so they actually prefer drinking in moderation.

After secretly struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder for over 20 years, Colleen discovered that the solution to overdrinking is to get happy, not sober. She's an Addiction and Recovery-Certified Master Life Coach with an MSc in Health Coaching, a BS in Biology and Chemistry Education, and certification as a Women's Functional and Integrative Health Professional.

@thehangoverwhisperer

Thank you for tuning into SuccessFULL with ADHD. If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

What happens when you stop performing success and start building a life that actually feels like yours? I sit down with Kerrie Lee Brown, a longtime media executive, former Chief Content Officer and Editor-in-Chief of SUCCESS Magazine, founder of Red Lily Media, and a storyteller who has spent more than 30 years helping other people find and share their authentic voices.

Kerrie and I get real about vulnerability, ADHD masking, perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, and the pressure so many high-achieving women put on themselves. Kerrie shares how a heart attack at just 39 forced her to reconsider the relationship between stress, success, self-care, and identity. We also dig into what it means to unmask without oversharing, why authentic storytelling helps us feel less alone, how to lead creative and neurodivergent people as individuals, and what happens when we stop letting other people define success for us.

Episode Highlights
[0:56] - Why we edit ourselves, perform success, and hide the parts that feel like “too much.”

[2:59] - Kerrie shares what 30 years of interviewing people taught her about authenticity and the stories we’re afraid to tell.

[5:14] - The difference between sharing a real story and performing one—and why vulnerability creates connection.

[8:42] - Afraid to be visible? We talk judgment, vulnerability, and deciding who deserves access to your story.

[12:16] - Unmasking versus oversharing: how to stay authentic while still reading the room.

[17:11] - Kerrie opens up about having a heart attack at 39 and the perfectionism, pressure, stress, and warning signs she had been ignoring.

[22:52] - People-pleasing, overperforming, ADHD, and why putting yourself first isn't optional when everyone depends on you.

[27:36] - Why creatives are never really “done”—and how strong leaders make room for different brains, personalities, and working styles.

[31:22] - Being in “beta mode,” handling setbacks, taking people off pedestals, and questioning what success actually means.

[36:37] - Why Kerrie created a platform where everyday people can share stories that deserve to be heard.

[39:45] - The lifestyle and mindset changes Kerrie made after her heart attack—and how she learned to recognize stress creeping back in.

[44:32] - How to tell your story without oversharing, asking for sympathy, or making everything about you.

[46:45] - The difference between storytelling that builds genuine trust and storytelling that sounds like a pitch.

Links & Resources
Kerrie Lee Brown is an award-winning media executive, international journalist, author and speaker with more than 30 years of experience leading influential media brands across business,leadership, wellness and lifestyle. Having interviewed thousands of entrepreneurs, celebrities,executives, cultural icons and thought leaders, she brings a unique perspective on leadership,resilience, storytelling and personal transformation.She is the founder and CEO of RedLily® Media, a boutique storytelling consultancy, and co-founder of Lioness Global Initiatives™, a global experiential travel platform that brings ambitious women together through curated international expeditions focused on meaningful connection, cultural immersion and conscious leadership. A heart attack survivor and passionate advocate for sustainable success, Kerrie Lee inspires leaders to build lives and businesses rooted in authenticity, wellbeing and purpose through her speaking, writing, consulting and global collaborations.

@kerrieleebrown_official

KerrieLeeBrown.com

Thank you for tuning into SuccessFULL with ADHD. If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Most moms I talk to are running on empty and still showing up for everyone else first. But what if feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and responsible for everyone isn’t actually the price of being a good mom? In this episode of Successful with ADHD, I’m joined by Heather Chauvin, leadership coach, TEDx speaker, host of Emotionally Uncomfortable, and author of Dying to Be a Good Mother. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer at 28 while raising three boys, Heather was forced to rethink how she was living, parenting, and using her energy.

Heather and I get into ADHD, motherhood, burnout, emotional regulation, boundaries, executive functioning, and the invisible mental load so many women carry. We talk about what happens when you stop being everyone else’s executive function, why letting your kids struggle can actually help them build independence, and how operating from the energy you want to feel can change your relationships. I also share a deeply personal part of my own story and what happened when I finally started stepping back. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything and somehow still failing, press play on this one.

Episode Highlights
[0:45] - Meet Heather Chauvin and hear how a stage four cancer diagnosis changed the way she approached motherhood and life.

[2:19] - Heather shares the internal shift that made her decide she was no longer willing to feel depleted.

[4:10] - Facing fear, survival mode, motherhood, business, and cancer all at the same time.

[6:39] - The difference between simply coping and asking yourself how you actually want to live.

[8:29] - Why getting another planner or writing another to-do list won’t fix an identity built around doing everything for everyone.

[12:20] - Looking beyond ADHD and other labels to recognize our basic human needs for regulation, nourishment, movement, and connection.

[17:02] - Heather breaks down Energetic Time Management and her powerful “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” practice.

[21:11] - Holding boundaries with ADHD kids without rescuing, controlling, or falling into a guilt spiral.

[23:04] - Why emotional discomfort can feel horrible at first—and why yelling can actually be a stress response.

[28:21] - I open up about nearly getting divorced, carrying the executive functioning of my household, and what changed when I finally stepped back.

[30:45] - The fine line between helping, rescuing, codependence, and interdependence.

[34:54] - Getting the mental load out of your brain and allowing other people to take responsibility—even when they do things differently.

[36:22] - ADHD executive functioning, independence, and why letting our kids fail can be an important part of helping them grow.

[37:17] - Moving through shame, regulating your nervous system, and creating the accountability your brain actually needs.

[41:12] - Collaborative problem-solving: asking kids what their brains need instead of assuming we have all the answers.

[43:08] - Why Heather believes the more responsibility you have, the lighter you should feel.

[47:49] - Delaying difficult conversations, using ADHD-friendly communication strategies, and knowing when it’s better to text, write, or walk.

[50:02] - Heather leaves overwhelmed moms with one belief she wants them to stop carrying.

Links and Resources

Heather Chauvin is a leadership advisor for high-performing women raising children and building lives that demand more than conventional time management can hold.

Her work sits at an unusual intersection: Trained as a Social Worker, she spent the early part of her career inside the systems most of her clients are now navigating from the other side (schools, mental health services, family courts, the quiet machinery that shapes how children, especially neurodiverse children, are seen and supported). That lens still informs everything. She knows what's happening underneath the surface of a family, a marriage, a woman holding it all together.

What she layers on top is lived. A stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 28, while raising three young sons and building a career. A TEDx stage. A book — Dying to Be a Good Mother. A podcast with more than 11 million downloads. Years of working privately with executives, founders, and mothers who look successful on paper and feel quietly depleted underneath.

Her clients describe her as the advisor in their back pocket, someone who can hold the strategic conversation and the spiritual one in the same breath. The cash flow plan and the question of what makes you feel alive. The team restructure and the marriage or health diagnosis. The next career move and the child who needs you to show up differently than you were taught to.

The throughline is this: The more responsibility you carry, the lighter you should feel. Heather has spent 15+ years proving it's possible — for herself, and for the women she works with privately.

https://www.instagram.com/heatherchauvin_/

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

This is A Fan Favorite Rerun Episode 

In this episode, I’m joined by Russ Jones, the incredibly relatable and hilarious host of the ADHD Big Brother podcast and creator of the ADHD Big Brother community. Russ is not only a productivity coach trained in integrative wellness and ADHD-specific strategies—he’s also someone who’s walked the walk. Diagnosed later in life, Russ turned his own challenges into a mission to serve others, helping adults with ADHD cut through the noise and get the “tough stuff” done.

We dive into Russ’s ADHD journey—from late diagnosis to creating a thriving support community built around daily accountability, humor, and vulnerability. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or stuck in self-doubt, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that consistent, small steps can lead to transformational change. Tune in to hear how Russ turned a quit-smoking forum into the blueprint for an ADHD support system that actually works.

Russ Jones is a productivity coach trained in integrative wellness and ADHD-specific coaching. He’s committed to helping adults with ADHD get the tough stuff done. His personal journey, including a later-in-life ADHD diagnosis, fuels his passion for empowering the ADHD community, by simplifying the chaos of our unique skull spaghetti (his word for brains), and offering easy to apply solutions. Russ hosts the ADHD Big Brother podcast and is the founder of the ADHD Big Brother community, an online platform where he and members successfully give and get daily support and make progress on their goals, proving that community is one of the greatest tools to a well-managed and productive ADHD life.

Episode Highlights:

[1:02] - Introducing Russ Jones and his passion for simplifying the ADHD experience
 [2:45] - Getting diagnosed at 40 and navigating the grief and relief
 [5:00] - From actor to ADHD advocate: Russ’s early career and challenges
 [9:22] - The emotional crash during COVID and rediscovering purpose
 [12:46] - Launching his podcast and coaching practice
 [14:10] - How quitting nicotine inspired the ADHD Big Brother community
 [15:32] - The power of daily accountability and owning our struggles
 [18:47] - What showing up consistently looks like—even on bad days
 [20:27] - How community transforms shame into progress
 [22:20] - Behind the scenes of the ADHD Big Brother platform and how it works
 [25:16] - Gamifying success with “Skull Spaghetti” and badge rewards
 [27:11] - Crushing long-term goals with consistent, low-pressure action
 [30:04] - The “inverted mountain” analogy for achieving goals with ADHD
 [33:39] - One big takeaway: be cool with yourself, even on hard days

Links & Resources:

• Russ Jones’ ADHD Community & Podcast: https://www.adhdbigbrother.com/ 

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

This is A Fan Favorite Rerun Episode 

This episode is one that hits your home and your heart. I’m joined by Katy Wells, author of Making Home Your Happy Place and host of Maximize Minimalist. Together, we unpack the biggest lies we’ve been sold about decluttering—especially how harmful those messages can be for ADHD and neurodivergent brains.

We go far beyond “just get organized” and dig into how clutter impacts your nervous system, identity, emotions, and stress levels. Katy shares a compassionate, realistic, and ADHD-friendly approach to decluttering that doesn’t rely on perfection, Pinterest aesthetics, or overwhelm. If clutter has ever sent you into a shame spiral or made you feel like you’re failing at adulthood, this conversation is for you.

Katy Wells, author of Making Home Your Happy Place: The Real-Life Guide to Decluttering without the Overwhelm, created Holistic Decluttering—an approach that tackles clutter at its roots and pairs it with simple, sustainable systems. As host of The Maximized Minimalist podcast (5 million listens), Katy helps families break the cycle of clutter that keeps coming back. Her work has been featured on NBC News Daily, Martha Stewart, and Real Simple. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and two sons.

Episode Highlights:

[0:51] – Introducing Katy Wells and why this conversation goes way deeper than “stuff”
 [2:03] – The biggest decluttering myths we’ve been fed and why they harm ADHD brains
 [5:51] – The shocking research linking clutter, cortisol, and focus
 [8:27] – Why mess and clutter are not the same thing (and why that matters)
[11:56] – ADHD-friendly decluttering: one category, one decision at a time
[16:54] – “Only Handle It Once” and designing your environment for follow-through
[20:32] – Finding your baseline instead of chasing impossible standards
[24:45] – Decluttering as a lifestyle, not another exhausting to-do list
[33:00] – The four types of clutter: superficial, scarcity, sentimental, and identity
[40:33] – Letting go without regret and why decluttering is a skill you can build
[49:55] – Creating a home that feels possible, supportive, and truly yours

Links and Resources:

Katy’s website: https://www.katyjoywells.com/ 

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

This is A Fan Favorite Rerun Episode 

What ADHD teens actually need from their parents can feel confusing, exhausting, and emotional—and if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting it “right,” this episode will bring relief. I sat down with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and author of Love the Teen You Have, for a deeply validating and practical conversation about parenting teens with ADHD. You’ll walk away feeling supported, encouraged, and equipped with tools you can use right away.

We explore why she wrote her book, the real meaning behind its title, and the myths that leave so many parents feeling defeated. We dig into how to stay connected when your teen is pushing boundaries, why unconditional love changes everything, and what it truly looks like to support ADHD teens with executive function, emotional regulation, and respect. We also get honest about step-parenting, hormone changes, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the teen years. Dr. Lockhart offers practical scripts, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you navigate tough moments with confidence and compassion.

Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and author who has been featured in The New York Times, Parents, HuffPost, and The Today Show. After feeling disconnected from her own mom as a teen, she wrote her book to help parents build the closeness she once wished for. Love the Teen You Have is available now.

Episode Highlights:
[0:35] Introducing Dr. Lockhart + her book
[2:19] Why she wrote it + radical acceptance
[3:45] Parenting vs. loving the child you have
[6:14] Unconditional acceptance as transformation
[7:37] The myth that “good parenting = good results”
[10:11] Rejection sensitivity + separating facts from stories
[13:35] ADHD catastrophizing vs. teen behavior
[16:24] PDA vs. ODD
[18:11] Teens seeking connection through conflict
[21:06] Gentle parenting vs. permissive parenting
[23:05] The “redo” + modeling regulation
[25:39] Repairing after rupture
[28:32] Hormones, puberty, and emotional upheaval
[34:30] What ADHD adults need to know about teen brains
[36:43] Can you be a friend and a parent?
[39:25] Step-parenting + connection first
[42:09] What schools need to understand
[44:24] Where to find Dr. Lockhart

Links and Resources:

• 📘 Love the Teen You Have by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart – Available wherever books are sold
• 🌐 Visit Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s website: https://drannlouiselockhart.com/ 
• 📱 Follow her on Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart
• ▶️ Check out her YouTube channel for parenting insights and tips: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.annlouiselockhart  

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

This is A Fan Favorite Rerun Episode 

I had an incredible conversation with Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, in this week's episode of Successful with ADHD. Chris shared so many valuable insights on communication, empathy, and understanding - topics that are very relevant for the ADHD community.

Chris is a former Lead FBI Negotiator and dynamic speaker who debunks the biggest myths around negotiation. Chris engages all groups with captivating stories, insights, and useful tips for business and everyday life. Chris has lectured on negotiation at business schools across the country and has been seen on ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News. Chris has also been featured in Forbes, Time, Fast Company, and Inc. Chris’s Keynotes are based on his book Never Split The Difference©.

Episode Highlights:
[01:06] – Starstruck by my guest Chris Voss and why his book means so much to me and my husband.
[02:48] - Chris emphasizes the importance of listening and paying attention to more than just words in a conversation.
[03:50] - Strategies Chris suggests for people with ADHD to improve focus when listening intently.
[06:37] - How turning communication into a "game" can help capture wandering attention.
[08:39] - The challenges of reading body language accurately via video calls compared to in-person interactions.
[10:00] - Tips for maintaining engagement and energy on long video calls.
[11:05] - Using the "mirroring" technique to bring attention back to key points you may have missed.
[13:52] - Why some personalities may not enjoy being "mirrored" and prefer different approaches.
[17:22] - The strategic use of apologies before interruptions or assertions.
[19:10] - Why apologies shouldn't necessarily be seen as a sign of weakness.
[20:10] - Whether communication tactics can be used effectively when both parties are aware of them.
[21:33] - Chris explains prospect theory and loss aversion based on the work of Daniel Kahneman.
[25:14] - The importance of empathy and appreciation when using the powerful tool of invoking loss.
[26:34] - The benefits of handwriting over typing for memory retention and focus.
[29:49] - Practicing mental hygiene to counter our innate negativity bias.
[32:33] - Tuning into emotions rather than words when listening.
[35:33] - Paying attention to the "emotional timeline" based on the type of feelings being expressed.
[36:01] - Strategies for bridging disagreements by ensuring people feel truly heard.
[40:03] - Thoughts on reducing conflict through understanding and empathy for all sides.
[40:56] - Whether world peace can ever be achieved.
[43:13] - The importance of making people feel heard in communication.

Connect with Chris Voss:
•Black Swan Ltd - Chris Voss's company website: www.blackswanltd.com
•The Edge weekly email newsletter - get free negotiation tips from Chris
•Never Split the Difference - Chris's bestselling book

I loved diving into so many facets of communication and empathy with an expert like Chris. Let me know if you found this episode valuable by leaving a review! And don't forget to follow along on social media @coachingwithbrooke. See you next time!

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Have you ever been genuinely excited about a trip, only to realize you never booked the one thing you couldn't wait to do? If you've ever wondered why there's such a frustrating gap between wanting something and actually making it happen, this episode is for you.

This week, I'm joined by my longtime best friend, Gillian Gossow, founder and CEO of Bad Girls Yoga & Pilates. After traveling together for more than 20 years, Gillian has had a front-row seat to the unique challenges ADHD can create when planning vacations, group trips, and bachelorette weekends. We talk about executive function, travel anxiety, nervous system regulation, and the small shifts that can make traveling with ADHD feel so much easier—without the guilt or shame.

Episode Highlights

[0:31] - The Paris story that perfectly illustrates the ADHD planning gap.

[2:06] - Meet Gillian Gossow and why she's the perfect guest for this conversation.

[4:24] - Looking back at years of traveling together and what changed once ADHD entered the conversation.

[8:46] - How adding structure and shared planning completely transformed our California trip.

[12:32] - What Gillian has learned from planning hundreds of bachelorette yoga and Pilates experiences.

[16:04] - Why ADHD brains often struggle with executing plans—and how delegation changes everything.

[21:29] - Managing travel anxiety, group dynamics, and overstimulation before they spiral.

[25:48] - Simple breathwork techniques that help calm the ADHD nervous system in just a few minutes.

[31:07] - Why every ADHD traveler needs a "dive buddy" for support and co-regulation.

[32:46] - Practical scripts you can use to ask for help before your next trip.

[35:46] - Why your vacation doesn't have to be perfect to become one of your favorite memories.

Links & Resources

Follow Bad Girls Yoga on Instagram & TikTok: @badgirlsyoga

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

What if the reason productivity strategies haven’t worked isn’t because you’re lazy, unmotivated, or “bad at ADHD”—but because your nervous system is stuck in survival mode?

In this conversation, I’m joined by ADHD counselor and author Jenna Free, whose approach to ADHD starts with regulation before productivity. Jenna shares why so many ADHDers find themselves trapped in cycles of overwhelm, paralysis, burnout, and all-or-nothing thinking—and how learning to regulate your nervous system can create lasting change. We explore the connection between ADHD, anxiety, fight-or-flight responses, and executive functioning, while challenging some of the common assumptions about what ADHD really is. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from trying harder and getting nowhere, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it takes to move forward.

Episode Highlights

[0:40] - Meet Jenna Free and why regulation comes before productivity

[1:32] - The difference between avoidance and a nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight

[4:25] - Why awareness is the first step toward meaningful change

[5:59] - The “spinning wheels” analogy and why slowing down helps you move forward

[7:18] - Escaping the frantic-crash cycle that keeps ADHDers stuck

[12:13] - ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and the role of nervous system dysregulation

[13:57] - Jenna’s three-layer framework for ADHD regulation

[19:37] - How thoughts, beliefs, and self-talk fuel dysregulation

[27:59] - All-or-nothing thinking, perfectionism, and finding flexibility

[36:16] - Can regulation improve ADHD symptoms and task initiation?

[44:27] - What a regulated ADHD life actually looks like

[48:47] - Jenna’s new book and where to connect with her

Links & Resources

Jenna Free (CCC) is an ADHD counselor who also has ADHD. She specializes in helping ADHD brains move out of fight-or-flight and into a more regulated, sustainable state while honoring neurodivergence and individual strengths. Through her ADHD Regulation Groups and professional certification program, Jenna teaches practical strategies that help ADHDers become more productive while enjoying life more. Jenna lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband and two sons, and loves exploring new hobbies, including acting, tennis, and yoga.

• Website: ADHD with Jenna Free Website
• Instagram: @adhdwithjennafree
• TikTok: @adhdwithjennafree
• Podcast: ADHD with Jenna Free
• Book: The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation: The Secret to Finding Balance, Getting Things Done, and Enjoying Life

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training