ADHD Essentials

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo, otherwise know as Dr. B.  Dr. B is the clinical director at TakeThis.org , an organization working to decrease the stigma and increase support for mental health in the game enthusiast community and inside the game industry.    In this episode, Dr. B talks about the three characteristics of burnout, the difficulties of not being taught how to be neuro...

In this episode, we’re talking to Joe Butler.  Joe is an autism and neurodiverse communication consultant, and co-author of “Is That Clear? Effective Communication in a Neurodiverse World” . Joe shares effective strategies for communicating with our neurodiverse kids, spouses, co-workers, students and friends.  She talks to us about  pausing and pacing, the importance of connection when communicat...

Today, we’re talking to my friend, Andrea Goulet.  Andrea is an author , an empathy driven software developer, and an ADHD mom. In this episode, Andrea discusses the patterns of emotions and communication.  She talks about the value of recognizing what we say about ourselves, the limits of binary thinking, paying attention to messaging, and the importance of empathy. >>> ADHD Essentials Parenting...

Today, it's your celebratory speaker, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S.   Holidays, especially religious holidays are intended as a break, and often as a time of reflection.  But they can also be unwelcome speed bumps in our week/month/year, if we aren't ready for them when they come.  So, we're looking at the calendar as a whole and exploring when some of of these holidays will occur, and how they can d...

Today, we’re talking to Erin.  Erin is a teacher, and an ADHD mom of two boys.  She’s also an alumna of the ADHD Essentials Parent Groups. In this episode, Erin shares some of the lessons she’s learned along her ADHD journey.   She talks about how learning about herself and her imperfections made her a better teacher and parent, how being a teacher made her a better parent (and vice/versa), the im...

Today, we revisit a conversation with James Garrett of Brain By Design .  James has been studying and teaching about the brain for over a decade. He’s passionate about turning this academic knowledge about the brain into practical tools that anyone can use.  And today, he’s doing it through the lens on ADHD! In this episode, James discusses the four qualities of restorative activities, managing th...

Today, we’re talking to Rick Webster.  Rick is the CEO and leader of Rena-Fi, a practical, research-based financial education platform.  He is also an ADHD Coach, and long-time associate of the ADHD organizations ADDA, and CHADD.  And he has ADHD. In this episode, Rick talks to us about financial literacy.  We discuss the role emotion and The Wall of Awful plays in people’s financials, money as if...

Today, we’re talking to Mary Dibinga, M.Ed.  Mary is a high school English teacher, and an ADHD parent. In this episode, Mary reflects the effects COVID has had on her students and her teaching.  She discusses what being  a parent during COVID taught her about teaching, learning loss and huge leap forwards, why we should intentionally teach our kids how to face hard things, and the significant dif...

Today, we’re talking to Ilyse Greenberg.  Ilyse is a strengths-based coach and expert in the use of the Clifton/Gallup Strengths-Finder Program. In this episode, Ilyse talks to us about the power and importance of focusing on strengths.  She discusses the Clifton/Gallup Strengths-Finder Program, the importance of playing to our strengths and our kids’ strengths, identifying what our kids are good...

Today, it's your host, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S. We're talking about transitions, as well as how video games can make them harder.  Specifically we look at transitions through two lenses - the physical/mental/emotional lens, and the into/out of lens.  I'm sure you'll find this episode useful!   Join the ADHD Essentials Facebook Community to be a part of the upcoming LEGO Contest Giveaway!   ADHD ...

Today, we’re talking to Jeff Szymanski, Ph. D. Jeff is the executive director of the International OCD Foundation, and author of The Perfectionist's Handbook.  In this episode, Jeff tells us about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a disorder that is com-morbid with ADHD.  Jeff talks about what OCD is and isn’t, what it’s like to live with the disorder, and methods of treatment - many of which are jus...

Today, we’re talking to Hilary Stern, M.Ed., CALC. Hilary is an ADHD mom, and an ADHD coach at ADHD Advance. In this episode, Hilary talks to us about her work in education, how her son’s ADHD diagnosis changed things for her, seeing ADHD as an explanation rather than an excuse, the difference between intelligence and executive function, how her son’s ADHD diagnosis helped him understand himself b...

Today, we’re talking to Palo. Palo is a dad with ADHD and dyslexia who basically grew up in a Mark Twain novel.  In this episode, Palo shares his experiences growing up with ADHD.  He tells stories of being raised by hippies, living an unfettered childhood, getting kicked out of every school he attended, (including kindergarten for not pledging allegiance!), his love of history, frustration with E...

Today, we’re talking to Leslie Josel, of Order Out of Chaos.  In addition to being an academic/life coach for teens and college students, Leslie is the creator of the award-winning  Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management®, writes the weekly Dear ADHD Family Coach ® column for ADDitude Magazine, and is the author of several books. In this week’s episode, Leslie talks to us about her new book,...

Today, it's your host, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S. Brendan finally shares his "Wall of Awful"model!  He discusses an overview of the model, and ways to get past it.    >>> The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups

Today, we’re talking to Shelly Collins!  Shelly is an ADHD coach, and, along with friend-of-the-show Cameron Gott, hosts of the Translating ADHD podcast. In this week’s episode, Shelly talks about the relationship between ADHD and time.  She discusses why ADHDers don’t really procrastinate, the difference between big brain mode and fast brain mode, the time horizon, the importance of understanding...

Today, it's just your host, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S. In this week's quick and actionable episode, Brendan shares his thoughts on self-talk, walking us through his the Cs of self-talk model.   Register for the latest season on Eric Tivers's ADHD reWired Adult Coaching and Accountability Groups!!!   >>>Go to coachingrewired.com for more info!

It’s the 175th episode of ADHD Essentials!  And to celebrate, I’m turning the show over to my friend MJ.  MJ was on two episodes back, and talked about her then upcoming show, ADHD Diversified. Well, ADHD Diversified is here, and I am honored to share her first episode with you.  It’s fantastic!  In her premier episode,  MJ talks about why she started the podcast, the expectations and cultural nor...

In this week’s episode, we’re talking to my old friend, Mrs. Melissa, an 8th grade English teacher. Melissa talks to us about the effects the COVID pandemic is having on schools.  Wed discuss the way it has changed school pacing, the heightened importance of technology and technology instruction, the positive changes she seeing, the areas of struggle for her students, the politics of educating dur...

Today, we’re talking to MJ Siemens, host of the upcoming podcast, ADHD Diversified.  In today’s episode, MJ shares her experiences growing up as a gifted Asian Canadian kid with undiagnosed ADHD.  She tells us about being caught in the push/pull clash of Asian culture and White culture and how having ADHD made it harder for her to meet the expectations of both, how her parents separation led to he...

Today, we’re talking to Dusty Chipura.  Dusty is an ADHD Coach based in Vancouver, British Columbia.  She has a passion for helping people better understand their ADHD, and an interest in the effects pregnancy has on the ADHD experience. In today’s episode, Dusty talks to us about just that – ADHD and pregnancy.  We discuss the importance of having a good care provider, the risk/benefit analysis o...

Today, we’re talking to Gabriel Villarreal, LMHC. Gabriel is an ADHD coach, as well as a strength and conditioning coach, and the owner of Lost Boys Strength and Conditioning, and ADHD Counseling in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia. In today’s episode, Gabriel talks to us about using exercise as part of our ADHD Treatment Plan.  We discuss how exercise affects the brain in ways that help us manage A...

Today, we’re talking to Todd Schmenk.  Todd is a licensed mental health counselor, and the author of Team Positive. In today’s episode, Todd talks to us about managing the psychological pain of the COVID pandemic.  Todd discusses the importance of accepting and riding out emotions, ways to understand our observing minds, how to develop psychological flexibility, the critical role that context play...

Today, we’re talking to Shell Mendelson.  Shell is an ADHD and career counselor and coach with nearly 35 years of experience. In Today’s Episode, Shell talks to us about job hunting, whether because you’ve lost a job due to COVID, or just because you’re looking to make a lateral move.  Shell tells us about informational interviewing, the importance of getting clear on what you want, why research a...

In today's episode, I interrupt your regularly scheduled interview episode to share ways to manage ourselves, and our kids, when the events of the world become troubling and upsetting.       Useful Episode Links:   Lasagna Love: https://www.lasagnalove.org Articles that may be useful: How Much News Coverage is OK for Children? Parenting While Shocked Talking to Kids About the Violence at the US Ca...