ADHD Essentials

Marina Darlow from Vision Framework visits us to talk about how creating systems can benefit families affected by ADHD, as well as what makes for a good system. We aslo discuss wanting to do good by your family, the characteristics of a good system, the benefits of having good systems, managing time vs. managing energy, and the value of transition rituals. You can learn more about Marina at  www.v...

In today's episode, I get to talk to Denielle Stasa, a middle school English teacher, and former co-worker of mine.  Denielle has flipped her classroom.  Her students watch instructional videos she’s created for them at home for homework, and then apply the lessons by doing the work in class with her where she can better support them, and monitor their progress.   We talka bout how she flipped her...

Kimberly has a son diagnosed with ADHD, and she sees that diagnosis as a manual to help her better understand how to help him succeed.  Over the course of the interview, she shares her son's passions and struggles, as well as the things she has learned as a result of their family's journey. Kimberly has some amazing stories about her son, including the challenge of her son's Geography test, his mi...

Today's episode is a bit different.  Due to the recent snow storms, and an exceptionally busy month, I don't have the 6-8 hours needed to edit a full interview.  In today's episode, I go back to my English teacher roots, and blend them with my ADHD coach skills to create something short, sweet, and actionable.  I hope you enjoy it. We're looking at the struggle that comes about for those of us wit...

In today’s episode, I talk to Jessica. She ahs ADHD, her husband ahs ADHD, and one of her two sons also has ADHD. Like many good ADHDers, Jessica has thrown out the rulebook for how things are “supposed to be done”, and is doing what works instead. As a family, they’ve built a foundation of mutual respect, and they address problems head on. They don’t play games, or hold grudges, and it’s clearly...

Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Eric Tivers. Eric is an ADHD coach, and licensed clinical social worker. He’s the host of the ADHD reWired podcast , and runs the ADHD reWired adult coaching groups . But in this episode, he’s talking as a dad who has ADHD, parenting a thrice-exceptional child who is gifted, and who has autism and ADHD. We discuss the challenges of transferring skil...

I had a blast talking to my friend Dr. Kirsten Milliken. We started off doing an episode for her show, Your ADHD Life , and wrapped up with this episode of ADHD Essentials. Kirsten is a psychologist, a mother (with ADHD) of two boys (one with ADHD, one without), and an ADHD coach! So there was a lot to talk about. In today’s episode, we discuss about her journey to getting an ADHD diagnosis as an...

On one of the recent snow days, I sent a message to my friend Stephanie Letourneau and asked if she’d let me interview her for the podcast. She agreed, and I’m glad she did. What followed was an excellent discussion about helping our kids break down tasks, manage their emotions, and feel included. Another topic we discuss is the challenging shift that occurs between 2nd and 3rd grade. This type of...

It was my honor to talk about ADHD with Cameron Gott. He’s been coaching people affected by ADHD for over 15 years, and is one of the people I most wanted to get on the pod. So, when he told me he liked the show, I jumped at the chance to get him on. I’m glad I did. We talk about his new book, Curious Accountability (co written with Casey Moore), as well as the trials of bringing unmedicated kids...

Sandy and I had a great conversation about her husband, her kids, and the way ADHD affects their family.  One aspect of this episode that I love is the symmetry of it -  the topics we discuss early on in our conversation return again at the end, allowing us to go into more depth in them the second time through.   I was impressed with Sandy's honesty and willingess to be vulerable, as well as the c...

Cara Fleming is a school psychologist at the high school level, as well as a transition consultant. What’s a transition consultant? I’m glad you asked. Transition consultants help kids successfully make the leap from high school to college and/or the workforce. Cara was great to interview. We laughed a fair amount, looked at things in new ways, and discovered some interesting things along the way....

 As I spoke with Dan and Stacy, our guests for this episode, I was struck by how clearly their love for each other and their kids came across.  Dan's thoughfulness about how ADHD affects their family of four, and Stacy's understanding and acceptance of the struggles it presents were moving.  As was their clear support for one another, and their children. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode...

Episode 3 finds me talking to Michele Monteiro.  She's a special education teacher at a school for kids with social, emotional, and other disabilities.  Many of her students have ADHD. We talk aobut how students taking, or not taking, their prescribed medication affects both themselves, and their classmates, the importance of letting kids earn back your opinion of them when they mess up, and the t...

ADHD Essentials , Episode 2! In this episode, I'm talking with Sam Gardner.  Sam is the mother of a daughter with ADHD.  (Even better, her daughter is in middle school!)  Sam shares the frustration, joy and adventure of being part of a family affected by ADHD.  We talk about selfcare, the importance of learning how best to manage your kid with ADHD, and the importance of recognizing growth in your...

It's the very first episode of the ADHD Essentials podcast!   In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. David Nowell.  He's a clinical neuropsychologist, international speaker, and renowned expert on ADHD.   This episode is an overview of ADHD.  We talk about it all!  How ADHD works in the brain, the role of dopamine, behavior management, reframing perspectives, even mindfulness.  It's a wide ranging dis...

Welcome to the origin episode of ADHD Essentials !  I'm your host, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S.  I'm a former teacher and school counselor, turned ADHD coach, speaker and consultant.   In this episode we'll be talking about the plan for the pod, and how it came about.  I'll also share some of my credentails, and preview some of the upcoming episodes and guests! The format is a little different than...