Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author Dr. Jenny Byrne talks to the Mental Wealth team this week to unpack ADHD in high-achieving professionals — CEOs, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs— who are told they're "too high-functioning" to have it. 

Dr. Byrne explains why she calls ADHD "a terrible name" and makes the case for thinking of it as neurodiversity rather than disorder. She walks through her three-part assessment process (clinical interview, computer-based attention testing, and executive function rating scales), and shares why sleep and screen habits are often mistaken for ADHD. The conversation covers:

• Why professionals are so often misdiagnosed (bipolar, anxiety) before anyone considers ADHD
• How medication fits as one tool among many — and why it's not one-size-fits-all or forever
• Why standard CBT often needs to be adapted for ADHD brains, including rejection sensitivity
• Gender differences: how cultural expectations and hormone shifts (like perimenopause) shape how ADHD shows up in women
• Practical, low-stigma ways managers can support neurodivergent team members without requiring disclosure — from psychologically safe check-ins to rethinking meeting structure

Dr. Byrne's book, "ADHD in Professionals," draws on 40+ interviews with real professionals navigating diagnosis, stigma, and thriving — not just surviving — with an ADHD brain. Free resources available at constellationplc.com.

Dr. Jennie Byrne's
Book: ADHD in Professionals
Dr. Jennie Byrne's Youtube
Consultation Service: https://www.constellationpllc.com/contact/
LinkedIn

The Mental Wealth Podcast is co-hosted by Mukund and Rob, with Dr. Ethan Levine serving as clinical advisor, delivering evidence-based conversations on mental wellness, anxiety, resilience, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this episode of the Mental Wealth Podcast, geriatrician and hospice/palliative medicine specialist Dr. Surah Grumet — author of “Mindful Aging” — joins Dr. Ethan Levine to talk about what it really means to grow older in America. Dr. Grumet draws on 20+ years of family medicine and geriatric care to cover:

• Why dignity, not age-reversal, is the real goal of mindful aging
• How to start a conversation with a parent about memory loss or cognitive decline — without triggering defensiveness
• Navigating driving safety concerns and other tough independence conversations
• The critical difference between a power of attorney and a durable power of attorney (and why every adult needs one)
• Supporting the “sandwich generation” — those caring for kids and aging parents at once
• Understanding dementia-related behavior changes like paranoia and anger, and where they come from
• Polypharmacy: why older adults often end up on medications they no longer need
• Cultural differences in how families care for aging loved ones

A candid, practical conversation for anyone navigating aging — their own or a loved one’s — with real tools, not platitudes.

Dr. Surah Grumet's
Instagram: @age.mindfully
YouTube: Surah Grumet MD
Consultation Service:  https://www.mindfulagingllc.org/

Episode Transcript: https://mentalwealthpod.com/41-mindful-aging-dignity-dementia-and-the-sandwich-generation-with-dr-surah-grumett

The Mental Wealth Podcast is co-hosted by Dr. Ethan Levine and Rob, with Dr. Ethan Levine serving as clinical advisor, delivering evidence-based conversations on mental wellness, anxiety, resilience, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Tim McDonald sits down with Rob, Mukund, and Dr. Levine to unpack his 2020 diagnosis, the oncologist he fired mid-treatment, and the 14-month search for his own liver donor. He shares the "ego script" technique that carried him through the emotional rollercoaster, how COVID complicated his care, why he distinguishes volunteers from advocates, and how the diagnosis reshaped his marriage and his bucket list. 

Tim is a Fight Colorectal Cancer ambassador, Man Up to Cancer member, and author of "From Patient to Advocate." This conversation covers mindset, caregiver communication, and turning a cancer diagnosis into a lifelong advocacy mission.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

Episode Transcript:
https://mentalwealthpod.com/40-tim-mcdonald-on-turning-pain-into-purpose-from-stage-4-cancer-to-liver-transplant

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

AI isn't just changing how we work—it's hollowing out the middle.

In this episode, Rob sits down with Pam Mandel, host of the Canned podcast, to talk about what's actually happening on the ground: the white-collar workers who've been out of work for 18 months, the job seekers drowning in fake AI-generated applications, the screenwriters who trained the machine that replaced them—twice. They dig into the psychological weight of job loss when your identity is fused to your work, why managers are failing their teams, and what solidarity between workers might actually look like.

No economists, no corporate spin—just honest, human conversation about a tectonic shift in the economy. Check out Pam's podcast Canned wherever you listen.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

Episode Transcript:
https://mentalwealthpod.com/39-ai-job-loss-the-hollowing-out-of-the-middle-class

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this episode of the Mental Wealth Podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Ethan Levine joins host Rob to explore the psychology of resilience in an age of constant change. From information overload and AI in the workplace to remote work isolation and the fear of failure, Dr. Levine offers science-backed insights and practical strategies to help you think more clearly, adapt more confidently, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Whether you're a leader navigating organizational change or simply trying to keep up with the pace of modern life, this conversation is packed with tools you can use starting today.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

With Transcript
https://mentalwealthpod.com/38-resilience-and-overcoming-obstacles-with-dr-ethan-levine

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Ever feel like you're not good enough, no matter what you accomplish? You're not alone.

In this episode, we sit down with therapist, educator, and author Diane Lang to explore the thought patterns that quietly undermine our confidence and what we can do to change them. Diane, author of "Worthy," shares insights on:

• The difference between perfectionism and excellence, and why striving for perfection sets us up for failure
• How a growth mindset and the power of "yet" can transform our approach to challenges
• Practical mindfulness techniques that take just 2-3 minutes but can reset your entire day
• Why over-apologizing is connected to feelings of unworthiness
• The real relationship between money and happiness (spoiler: it's not what you think)
• How to navigate social media without damaging your self-worth
• Simple daily practices like journaling and gratitude that can rewire your brain

Whether you're dealing with imposter syndrome, people-pleasing tendencies, or just want to build more self-awareness, this conversation offers compassionate, practical guidance for your journey toward self-acceptance.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and "Pedal My Way" names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Feeling overwhelmed by decisions? You're not alone. In this episode, we welcome back Emily Papps from RemakeTheRules.com to discuss "choice inflation" - a term she's coined to describe the modern phenomenon of having exponentially more choices to make AND vastly more information to process for each decision.

Emily breaks down the "cycle of exhaustion" that traps so many of us: uncertainty leads us to create information management tools, but those tools actually create choice inflation, leading to information overload, then decision fatigue, and ultimately back to uncertainty - without resolving any of our original discomfort.

In this episode, we explore:

• What choice inflation is and why it's affecting everyone from individuals to small business owners
• The gap between data quantity and decision quality
• How to think probabilistically without becoming a statistician
• Why dating apps and hiring processes make us value the wrong information
• The difference between describing a job and understanding what it takes to do it well
• Practical strategies for cutting through information overload
• How to verify if the problems you're solving are actually real problems

Emily offers invaluable insights on managing the overwhelming volume of choices in modern life, whether you're navigating online dating, hiring employees, or making strategic business decisions. Her key message? Every choice has consequences - the question is whether you're okay with them. Perfect for entrepreneurs, small business owners, hiring managers, and anyone feeling paralyzed by too many options.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and "Pedal My Way" names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

This complement episode continues the disucssions in previous episode 35. Here Dr. Levine answers questions on common work-place related issues, providing practical advice that is aimed to reduce stress and help you make meaningful changes to improve your mental health.

Previous episode: https://mentalwealthpod.com/episode-35-whats-really-happening-to-our-mental-health-at-work

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and "Pedal My Way" names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this essential episode, we dive deep into the mental health challenges facing today's workforce. From the anxiety that creeps in during Monday morning meetings to the burnout that builds over months of overwhelming demands, workplace stress has become a defining issue of our time.

We speak with Dr. Ethan Levine to explore the psychological toll of return-to-office mandates, examine why work-life balance feels more elusive than ever, and discuss practical strategies for protecting your mental health while advancing your career. Whether you're struggling with impostor syndrome, dealing with toxic workplace dynamics, or simply trying to find breathing room in an always-on culture, this conversation offers both validation and actionable insights. 

Join us as we break down the stigma around workplace mental health and empower listeners to prioritize their wellbeing without sacrificing professional success.

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and "Pedal My Way" names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this candid and insightful episode, we sit down with Pam and Amy from the Canned Podcast to explore one of the most challenging professional experiences many of us will face: getting fired. Far from just another career setback, losing a job can trigger a complex web of emotions, self-doubt, and uncertainty about the future.

Pam and Amy bring their expertise and personal experiences to discuss the often-overlooked psychological impact of termination. They dive deep into the mental health aspects of job loss, from the initial shock and shame to the longer-term effects on self-esteem and identity. The conversation explores how our sense of worth can become entangled with our professional roles, and what happens when that foundation suddenly shifts. 

Beyond the emotional journey, Pam and Amy provide practical guidance on the immediate decisions and options available during the separation period. Whether you're currently facing this situation or want to be prepared for the unexpected, this episode provides valuable insights on turning this challenging chapter into an opportunity for growth and reinvention. 

Join us for an honest, compassionate discussion that removes the stigma around getting fired and empowers listeners with both the emotional tools and practical knowledge needed to navigate this difficult but often transformative experience.

www.mentalwealthpod.com

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not constitute legal, medical, or other forms of professional advice. The material and information presented here is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The "Mental Wealth Podcast" and "Pedal My Way" names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.