Translating ADHD

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex relationship between ADHD, perfectionism, and the pursuit of mastery. They discuss how perfectionism often blocks people with ADHD from starting new tasks or hobbies because of unrealistic expectations of immediate perfection. The hosts emphasize the challenge of appreciating incremental progress, noting that the ADHD brain c...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Ash and Dusty explore the concept of neuroqueerness, a term that captures the intersections between neurodivergent identities and queer experiences. They discuss how neuroqueerness challenges both heteronormativity and neuronormativity, offering a valuable framework for self-understanding, especially during Pride Month. Through personal experiences and coaching...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Ash and Dusty explore the concept of emotional permanence—a term that highlights the experience of being stuck in intense emotions, often seen in people with ADHD. They discuss how emotional dysregulation, a common but under-recognized aspect of ADHD, interferes with motivation, goal-directed behavior, and the ability to tolerate distress. Dusty sha...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the concept of "positionality," or what they call having "a case of the I don’t want," a common experience for people with ADHD where tasks feel overwhelming or unappealing, leading to avoidance and resistance. They discuss how this resistance can manifest in different ways, such as feeling stuck before even starting a task o...

In this episode, Ash and Dusty discuss the important topic of when worsening ADHD symptoms may actually be caused or worsened by other physiological or medical conditions. They explore how hormonal changes related to PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, and menopause can significantly impact cognition, mood, and executive function. Dusty shares her personal experience with PMDD and how medication has been li...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the concept of New Relationship Energy (NRE) and how it uniquely impacts individuals with ADHD. They discuss how ADHD brains are drawn to novelty and intense dopamine experiences, which can make the early stages of any relationship—romantic or friendship—feel overwhelming and all-consuming. The hosts highlight challenges such...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the various types and levels of ADHD coaching, highlighting how coaching can range from practical, day-to-day executive function support to deeper, transformational insight work. They emphasize that ADHD coaching is not one-size-fits-all; some clients benefit most from hands-on logistical help, while others thrive on open-end...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the unique ways people with ADHD experience friendships and social interactions. They emphasize the importance of being intentional about the types of friendships and social situations that truly fulfill and energize you. Both hosts share personal stories illustrating their differing social preferences. They highlight that understanding...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Ash and Dusty dive into the diverse ways ADHD manifests in individuals, including their own experiences. Both diagnosed with combined type ADHD, Dusty leans more hyperactive while Ash leans inattentive, leading to strikingly different challenges and coping mechanisms. Dusty shares her "ready, fire, aim" approach, embracing complexity and constant ac...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between showing up authentically as a neurodivergent person and the social accommodations necessary for healthy personal relationships. They unpack the nuanced difference between masking (hiding or changing one’s personality to fit in) and modulating (adapting communication and behavior appropriately to different soci...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty continue their conversation on social skills by focusing on advocacy and adaptation in the workplace for neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the challenges ADHD and autism can pose in professional settings, especially when colleagues and managers lack understanding of neurodiversity. Through client stories and personal experiences, they ill...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between adapting social behavior and advocating for oneself as a neurodivergent person, especially within the context of ADHD. They emphasize the distinction between harmful masking and healthy adaptation, underscoring the importance of choice in how one shows up socially. Dusty introduces the concept of “intimacy buc...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the challenges and opportunities involved in creating routines that work well for people with ADHD. They emphasize starting with what you already do and finding ways to add value without overcomplicating or overengineering your daily habits. The hosts discuss how routines don't have to be perfect or rigid but should instead b...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the challenge many people with ADHD face in capturing moments of high motivation and inspiration, often described as "lightning strikes." They discuss how the friction caused by disorganization or incomplete routines can prevent these moments from turning into productive or enjoyable experiences. Dusty introduces the concept...

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty discuss the crucial role of fun and joy as essential tools for managing ADHD. They explore how many people with ADHD fall into the trap of endless to-do lists and feel they must “earn” their fun, which leads to burnout, depletion, and a life spent in procrastination or the “dark playground” — a place of unproductive scrolling and disengagement....

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore how to manage difficult seasons of struggle, especially when living with ADHD. They focus on the importance of simple, flexible routines—not perfectionist or rigid ones—that support basic self-care such as hygiene, tidying, and sleep. Asher shares a personal moment of realizing the need to slow down and create a manageable mo...

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty discuss the concept of a "season of struggle," especially as it relates to living with ADHD during difficult times. They highlight how external factors — such as cold, dark months, global stressors, and personal health challenges — can compound the usual difficulties faced by people with ADHD. Both hosts share personal experiences ab...

In this episode, Asher and Dusty explore the complexities of organizing for people with ADHD. Asher shares insights from his background as a professional organizer and ADHD coach, emphasizing that traditional organization methods often don’t fit the unique needs of ADHD brains. They discuss the difference between situational and chronic disorganization, highlighting that organizing is not a one-ti...

In this episode, Ash and Dusty explore the concept of humility as a vital strength for people with ADHD. They discuss how humility differs from shame and self-deprecation and how it can help individuals manage the real impacts of ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and missed commitments, without falling into harsh self-judgment. Dusty shares how humility is an essential coaching tool that fosters...

In this episode, Asher and Dusty explore the complexities of frustration tolerance and emotional regulation, particularly as they relate to living with ADHD. They discuss how frustration often arises from a misalignment between expectations and reality, especially when tasks take longer or prove more difficult than anticipated. Dusty shares personal experiences, including being "trapped" in Costco...

This episode explores the core idea that ADHD brains are wired for context rather than linear order. Ash and Dusty explain how people with ADHD often struggle with outlines, step-by-step plans, and standalone documentation, because their meaning-making is dialogic and contextual. They describe common challenges—difficulty starting projects from an outline, trouble following instructions without th...

Asher and Dusty explore how ADHD-related experiences—repeated negative feedback, rejection sensitivity, and a focus on weaknesses—undermine self-esteem and self-worth. They explain how people with ADHD often dismiss abilities that come easily, assume others are more capable, and measure themselves by low moments rather than by peaks of high performance. The hosts emphasize the importance of recogn...

In this episode, Asher and Dusty introduce and unpack a practical coaching tool—“yours, mine, and ours”—designed to help people with ADHD (and their partners or coworkers) distinguish which parts of a conflict or problem they truly own, which belong to someone else, and where there’s real opportunity to collaborate. Asher explains how the model prevents the common ADHD pattern of blame-sponge beha...

In this episode, Ash and Dusty introduce the conversational labels "big brain" and "fast brain" as alternatives to inattentive and hyperactive ADHD descriptors. They explain how big brainers tend to get stuck in planning, perfectionism, and idea-generation—always needing the full picture before starting—while fast brainers rush into action, overcommit, and underestimate time and bandwidth. Through...

Asher and Dusty revisit the core coaching model—understand, own, translate—and show how it helps people with ADHD move from surface symptoms to real, usable solutions. They emphasize that common tips (planners, timers) often fail because they don’t address individual causation. Through concrete client stories—one about “hard emails” that caused compulsive inbox checking and another about preparing...