Backpacking Through ADHD

Words have power, and for ADHD kids, they often carry an even heavier weight. In this week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re leaning into the theme “Forged in Fire,” a phrase that reminds us how strength is shaped in the heat of challenge. When Grayson asked me to buy this hat, I hesitated at first, unsure of its meaning. But once I understood that being forged in fire is about resilien...

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unzipping something you can’t see in a classroom photo but every ADHD child carries: the invisible backpack. 🎒 Inside that backpack? Anxiety. Social pressures. Masking. Sensory overload. Perfectionism. The things that weigh our kids down, even when no one else notices. I’m not hiking this trail alone. Joining me is my friend and fellow ADHD mom, Sarah...

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unpacking the real story of back-to-school—the space where carefully crafted plans meet ADHD reality. From messy backpacks and emotional buckets to teacher check-ins and small wins, I share what really happens during the first week of school and why recalibration matters more than perfection. If your first week felt chaotic, you are not alone. This epis...

Back-to-school season is a high-stakes transition for every family, but for ADHD families, it’s layered with invisible pressure, emotional spirals, and deep questions about belonging. In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I’m sharing a heart-centered guide to navigating the return to school with compassion, clarity, and connection. From the anxiety of new teachers and classroom dynamics to...

In this week’s solo episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, Tera puts on her new “Social” hat—not to make noise, but to embrace the quiet. Episode 31, titled “ Letting Go of Linear Paths,” is a reflection on the messy, beautiful, nonlinear nature of growth—especially for those of us with ADHD. We’ve been taught that progress should be straight and steady, but ADHD doesn’t work that way. And honestly?...

Turning 50 has a way of pulling everything into focus, and for me, that meant finally understanding the winding, often misunderstood journey so many ADHD women walk. In this episode, we explore “Lost Girl Syndrome,” a term that describes how ADHD in girls and women is so often missed, masked, and misunderstood. From the report cards that said “she’s bright, but…” to the emotional toll of constantl...

I used to think that in order to collaborate or connect, I had to dilute parts of myself. That the tangents, the emotional spirals, the ideas that came in bursts—those things had to be hidden or softened. But I’m learning that the right people don’t just tolerate those things—they value them. They don’t need me to edit who I am. They just need me to be honest. When I stop over-preparing and just s...

In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re exploring what it means to live in the gray space between ADHD, anxiety, and identity. If you’ve ever felt misdiagnosed, mislabeled, or just misunderstood, this one’s for you. I share my own story of discovering ADHD later in life and how anxiety shaped so much of my experience before I had the language to understand what was really going on. We’l...

Ever feel like you’re doing everything and getting nowhere? Like your brain is spinning while your body stands still? This week, we’re unpacking ADHD paralysis, time blindness, and that strange mental traffic jam that leaves us frozen, yet totally overwhelmed. If you’ve been stuck, shaming yourself for not doing more, this episode is your reminder: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Let’s ta...

Impulsivity is one of ADHD’s most misunderstood traits—often mistaken for carelessness or recklessness. But what if impulsivity isn’t a flaw? What if it’s a signal, a strength, even a kind of intuition? In this episode, I unpack the difference between impulsivity and instinct, and explore how risk-taking can be a powerful tool for growth when we understand what’s really driving it. I share insight...

This week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD is inspired by the hat “I’ll Bring the Good Times”, and the unexpected star wearing it: my dog, Lucky. But behind the laughs and cuteness is a much bigger message. Joy isn’t something we earn after we’ve checked all the boxes. For ADHD brains, joy is the fuel, not the reward. In this episode, we’ll explore the science behind dopamine and why stimulat...

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re diving deep into one of the most powerful and challenging concepts in ADHD family life: unconditional love. Inspired by the “Love Freely” hat, this episode explores what it means to show up with love in the moments that test us most. From parenting through meltdowns to forgiving ourselves for the mess, we talk about how ADHD brains crave connection, str...

Ever feel like you need all the answers to feel okay? Same. This week’s episode is a day late—but right on time emotionally. Inspired by a hat with an upside-down question mark, we’re talking about sitting with uncertainty, asking better questions, and why curiosity might be our greatest ADHD superpower. I also share a moment with Grayson on the baseball field that changed everything. This one’s a...

In this week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I’m leaning all the way into a theme that’s been on my heart—and sitting right on my head. My hat this week says Be the Kindness, and that’s exactly where we’re going together. This episode is a deep, emotional, and at times raw exploration of how kindness isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a powerful ADHD regulation tool. We talk about what kindness lo...

In this deeply personal episode, I share my belated Mother’s Day tribute to the woman who raised a neurodiverse household without ever needing a diagnosis herself. My mom doesn’t have ADHD—but she parented three ADHD brains with grace, grit, and intuition that rivaled any expert playbook. Through stories, reflection, and a letter I never knew I needed to write, I honor the legacy of a woman who wa...

In the final episode of our “Under the Hat” series, we dive into the identity stories our ADHD kids tell themselves—and how those stories are often rooted in shame, perfectionism, and years of correction without recognition. From “I’m stupid” to “I always mess up,” we explore where these thoughts come from and how we can help rewire them. With insight from Kirk Martin’s Brain Boosters, the Child M...

In this episode of Under the Hat, we unpack the real, daily needs of the ADHD brain—movement, nutrition, sensory input, and the tools that actually help kids regulate and focus. Inspired by the Brain Boosters series and layered with personal experience, this episode explores what it means to fuel focus instead of forcing it. From fidgets to food routines, we’re building a survival kit that support...

In this kickoff episode of my new series, Under the Hat: What ADHD Kids Wish We Knew, I take you inside the real struggles behind ADHD behavior and how we can reroute the parenting and teaching roadmap with compassion, structure, and calm. Inspired by the Calm Parenting Podcast and Kirk Martin’s Brain Boosters series, this episode is filled with hard-earned insight, practical tools, and stories th...

This week, I’m solo on the mic — and feeling it — as I dive into one of the hardest lessons for ADHD brains: patience. Inspired by a weekend stuck on I-70 (again), I’m sharing real stories, including the birth of my son, and unpacking why waiting feels so impossible for us. We’ll talk time blindness, emotional spirals, impulsive decisions, and how to build patience like a muscle — even when every...

Today’s episode is a special one—because it’s personal. I’m sitting down with Matt Bonavita, an educator, dean, professor, and longtime advocate for neurodiverse students in New York City. But before I knew Matt the educator, I knew Matt the DJ—he was the one who rocked my wedding and taught me the power of letting go of rigid plans. We dive into everything from IEPs, emotional regulation, and the...

In this week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I’m live from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums conference with a very special guest—Grayson Ponti, founder of ZANE and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. We explore how zoos and aquariums can become more inclusive spaces for both visitors and professionals, especially those who are neurodivergent. Grayson opens up about his personal j...

Robin Keith, CEO of EcoLeaders and soon-to-be Ph. D. in Leadership Studies, joins me for a powerful conversation on the overlooked connection between ADHD, perimenopause, and menopause. Together, we explore how shifting hormones impact executive function, why so many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed, and what practical steps can help you reclaim clarity and control during this life stage.

Saying no should be simple, but for ADHD brains, it’s anything but. Whether it’s people-pleasing, overcommitting, or feeling guilty every time you set a boundary, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re unpacking why ADHD makes both saying and hearing no so difficult, the role of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, and how impulsivity and validation-seeking keep us stuck in the yes cycle. We’ll also b...

ADHD brains and food? It’s complicated. Whether you’re forgetting to eat, chasing sugar for a dopamine boost, or struggling to get your kid to eat anything besides Goldfish, you’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into how nutrition impacts focus, energy, and impulse control, the foods that help (and hurt) ADHD brains, and real-life meal solutions for busy families. Plus, we tackle the challeng...

Connection isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline for ADHD brains. Whether you’re an ADHD parent, an adult navigating friendships, or a child learning how to build relationships, connection shapes our experiences. But here’s the struggle—many of us with ADHD don’t always recognize our own ability to connect. In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about my son Grayson’s ADHD diagnosis, the s...