Sarah Lovell - Executive Function & ADHD Coach

From Stuck to Started: Executive Function & ADHD Coaching to Take Action

Education EN ↓ 89 episodes

Welcome to From Stuck to Started, the podcast for ambitious ADHDers, perfectionists, and over-thinkers who are ready to achieve their goals without burning out. Join your host, Sarah Lovell, an executive function and ADHD coach, as she shares strategies to help you understand your brain, break down big tasks, and build systems that work for you. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life inspiration to help you tackle hard things and make progress that feels good.

Author

Sarah Lovell - Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Category

Education

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

058: Be a Better Boss to Yourself: Executive Function Coaching for Women Business Owners Navigating Overwhelm 14.01.2026

Learn more about Ideas to Action: A 12-Week Executive Function Group Coaching Program for Women Business Owners This episode kicks off a 5-part series all about entrepreneurship, executive functioning, and building a sustainable business without burning yourself out: “Be A Better Boss To Yourself” January 2026 marks my 12th year as an executive function coach and my fourth year as a business owner...

057: How to Keep Using That Planner You Just Bought: What to Do When Your Planner (or Any System) Stops Working 07.01.2026

Have you ever fallen in love with a new planner, app, or system… only to stop using it weeks (or days) later and feel like you failed again ? In this episode, I’m talking about why this cycle is actually normal—especially for ADHD brains—and why your systems aren’t supposed to last forever. If you’ve got a pile of half-used planners and a lot of self-judgment, this one’s for you. What you’ll learn...

056: Why Reflection Matters More Than Resolutions: Simple Ways to Practice Self-Reflection (Even When You’re Overwhelmed) 17.12.2025

Every December, I feel pulled in two very different directions. Part of me wants to cozy up with a notebook and plan out my entire life. And the other part of me is like, absolutely not. If you've ever felt the same, excited about a fresh start, and overwhelmed at the thought of doing anything about it, you're in the right place. This isn’t about goal setting, it’s about giving yourself credit and...

055: What to do when you feel overwhelmed: 5 Strategies to Manage ADHD Overwhelm Without Burning Out 10.12.2025

If overwhelm feels like your default setting—too much to do, not enough time, and everything piling up faster than you can catch it—this episode is for you.  I’m breaking down why you get stuck in that cycle of paralysis, frantic last-minute action, and burnout, and what you can actually do to interrupt it.  By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of the...

054: How to Stop Doomscrolling with ADHD: A Simple 3-Step Formula to Have a Healthier Relationship with your Phone 03.12.2025

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I should be able to stop scrolling,” while still somehow glued to your phone… this episode is for you.  I’m going to walk you through a simple 3-step formula to have a healthier relationship with your phone.  By the end of this episode you’ll build your own personalized toolbox of strategies to help you stop doomscrolling & use your phone in a w...

053: Why It's So Hard To Stop Doomscrolling & The First Step To Have A Healthier Relationship With Your Phone 26.11.2025

If you’ve ever picked up your phone to respond to a text or Google something quick, but accidentally found yourself down an unintentional doomscroll rabbit hole… or found yourself paralyzed, mindlessly scrolling while simultaneously telling yourself “you should stop” but feeling incapable of putting the phone down — this episode is for you. If you want to be more mindful of how you use your phone...

052: How Seasonal Changes Affects Executive Functioning, Mood, and Motivation: Strategies to Work with your Energy this Winter 19.11.2025

As the days get shorter and darker, it’s completely normal to notice changes in your energy, focus, and motivation — but most of us forget to adjust our expectations to match what’s actually going on. In this episode, I’m talking about how seasonal shifts impact your brain and your executive functioning skills, and how you can work with the season instead of pushing against it. Whether you love or...

051: Letting Go of “Shoulds”: Adjusting Expectations to Overcome Overwhelm & Take Action 12.11.2025

How often do you catch yourself thinking, “I should be doing more,” “I should have finished that by now,” or “I should be able to handle this”?  Maybe you feel like those “shoulds” *SHOULD* motivate you, but they often create unrealistic expectations that lead straight to overwhelm.  In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to adjust your expectations to match your reality—so you can...

050: How to Break the ADHD Shame Cycle with Self-Compassion: a conversation with Laura Sgro, LCSW 05.11.2025

If you’ve ever felt guilty for setting boundaries, said “yes” when you really meant “no,” or replayed past mistakes on a loop—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by therapist Laura Sgro, LCSW for an honest conversation about shame, guilt, and people-pleasing, especially for adults with ADHD. We talk about why these patterns show up and how to practice self-compassion, especially when sha...

049: How to Practice Growth Mindset, Ask for Help, and Overcome Fear of Failure to take Action on your Goals 29.10.2025

Today’s episode of From Stuck to Started is a little different. I’m sharing some personal reflections from my own life and business about growth mindset, asking for help, and navigating perfectionism, fear, and discomfort. Through a story about hiking—and a few winding but connected reflections—you’ll hear what I’ve learned from one year of podcasting and what it really means to give yourself cred...

048: How do you delegate tasks​ with ADHD: Strategies to make delegating eaiser 22.10.2025

Delegating sounds simple; just hand something off and check it off your list, right? But if you have ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or a touch of perfectionism, it’s rarely that straightforward. In this episode, I’m breaking down why delegating can feel so complicated, sharing a few real-life examples, and giving you practical strategies to make it a little easier.  What you’ll learn...

047: Why “Just Ask for Help” Isn’t Actually That Simple (& how to practice asking for help) 15.10.2025

Sometimes being stuck asking for help isn’t about fear or shame—it’s about not knowing what to ask, who to ask, or how to ask for help. That uncertainty can leave you spinning your wheels, overthinking, and feeling even more overwhelmed. In this episode, I’m breaking down the practical side of asking for help—the executive functioning skills it takes, why it can feel so complicated, and what to do...

046: How to Ask for Help When You're Overwhelmed (and How to Make Asking for Help Easier) 08.10.2025

Asking for help can feel uncomfortable—even paralyzing—whether it’s something small like troubleshooting a tech issue or something big like reaching out for professional support. In this episode, I’m diving into the emotional barriers that make it so hard to ask for help, why your brain resists it, and how to start shifting those thoughts so you can ask for help with less guilt, shame, and fear. Y...

045: How to stop being a people pleaser: 5 traps to watch out for 01.10.2025

Pleasing people isn’t always about saying “yes” to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or wanting to stay in their good graces. Sometimes people say “yes” to things because they don’t realize how long it will take, or the impact it will have on their schedule, or that they don’t actually have the capacity to do that thing they said they would do. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 common executive...

Replay: 5 Tips to manage overwhelm as a perfectionist ("Why can't I finish my to-do list?”) 24.09.2025

Do you ever end your day feeling like you didn’t get enough done, no matter how much you actually accomplished?  In this episode, we’re diving into the reasons behind this all-too-common feeling, from impossible expectations to executive functioning challenges like time blindness and prioritization struggles.  I share 5 practical strategies to help you shift your mindset, plan more effec...

Replay: Simple Ways to Reduce Overwhelm (and Make Tomorrow Easier) 17.09.2025

Does it feel like it's impossible to do anything “extra” because your day is so jam packed? In this episode, we’re talking about how tiny, intentional choices can create more ease in your daily life. From quick mindset shifts to simple habits, you’ll learn how to set future you up for success—without adding more stress to your plate. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How small decisions can reduc...

Replay: The Hidden Link Between Perfectionism and Avoidance (and How to Break It) 10.09.2025

Perfectionism isn’t just about high standards; it’s about fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being good enough. I break down why our brains avoid discomfort and, more importantly, how we can retrain our thinking to push through. By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable strategies to move past avoidance and take that first step—whether it’s asking for help, tackling a big...

Replay: How to Take Action When You’re Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start 03.09.2025

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly playing catch-up or struggling to keep the plates spinning, this episode is packed with realistic, practical strategies to help you navigate overwhelm and move forward with more clarity and ease. I break down what overwhelm actually is, why it happens, and how it impacts ADHD and executive function.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How to ident...

044: 3 questions to help overachievers avoid burnout 27.08.2025

This episode is for my overachievers—the ones who feel the pressure to do more, be more, and never slow down. If you’ve ever felt torn between “hustle harder” and “slow down for self-care,” you’re not alone. Today, I’m unpacking the all-or-nothing thinking that keeps so many stuck in ADHD overwhelm and showing you how to create space for both “productivity” and rest without burning out. What you’l...

043: My #1 Strategy to navigate overwhelm as an executive function & ADHD Coach 20.08.2025

If you’ve ever been so overwhelmed that your brain either spins out at 10,000 miles an hour or completely shuts down, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing practical, compassionate ways to navigate overwhelm with ADHD—whether it’s caused by stress, anxiety, or even excitement—and how to use connection and conversation to find your way forward. We’ll talk about the link between ADHD and ex...

Replay: How to Find the Right Community & Support for Your Gifted or Neurodivergent Child - Empowering Twice-Exceptional Students Beyond Traditional Classrooms with Sam Young 13.08.2025

Is your clever, quirky teen ready for advanced academics that actually ENGAGE rather than overwhelm? This episode is a re-released interview with Sam Young, Head of School at Young Scholar’s Academy. Our conversation dives into what it means to be “twice-exceptional,” the different challenges neurodivergent students face, and how community and leaning into strengths builds confidence and sets stud...

042: When a 5-Minute Task Feels Impossible: What’s Really Going On with Amy Voros 06.08.2025

Have you ever told yourself, “I just need to send that email” —and then… not done it for days (or weeks)? In this conversation with fellow coach Amy Voros, we unpack the phrase “I just need to” —why it feels so small but can actually signal something much bigger going on beneath the surface. From emotional overwhelm to unclear next steps, we talk about how getting stuck happens and what to do abou...

041: How to Manage ADHD Overwhelm When Your To-Do List Feels Impossible 30.07.2025

When you're staring down a mile-long to-do list and feeling frozen, you're not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into what happens when ADHD overwhelm, executive dysfunction, and unrealistic expectations collide and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to break free from the spiral of paralysis, avoidance, and guilt, and start making progress in a way that feels doable. What you’ll learn in this...

040: 3 Mindset Shifts to Stop Getting Overwhelmed When Everything Feels Like Too Much 23.07.2025

Life is joyful, stressful, chaotic, and never seems to slow down. Between the laundry, emails, deadlines, and all the things you want to make time for (like rest, hobbies, or time with your people), it’s no wonder your brain feels maxed out. In this episode, I’m diving into the messy reality of overwhelm, why it shows up, how it snowballs, and what you can do when it feels like too much. I’ll shar...

039: How to Be More Efficient When You Feel Overwhelmed 16.07.2025

Have you ever tried to take the most efficient route… only to end up creating more work for yourself? In this episode, I’m sharing a very real (and very soggy) story about how my attempt to save time ended with me falling into a lake. We’ll talk about why your brain chases efficiency, how it can actually drain your executive functioning, and how to create systems that help both current and future...

Listen to the From Stuck to Started: Executive Function & ADHD Coaching to Take Action podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.