The ADHD MUMS Pod

We listen to a mother lay out the grind of advocating for her neurodivergent child: three-year diagnosis timelines, EHCP hurdles, and the cost of going part-time to manage endless forms. We hold space for the anger, share practical tactics, and commit to building community that lightens the load. • navigating ADHD and autism diagnosis delays • small-school benefits and funding gaps • EHCP prep, ev...

A surgeon finally gives clear answers, a timeline, and empathy, bringing relief and a hard truth about a year of recovery. We sit with fear, the loss of fertility, the grind of admin, and the joy that still breaks through, from book obsessions to band practice. • surgeon’s plan, recovery timeline, and real empathy • acknowledging medical neglect and its impact • facing mortality admin, wills, and...

We explore masking as ADHD mums—what it is, how it starts, and why it drains us—then share ways to unmask gently without losing safety. Stories from school, work, family, and the school gate show how expectations and stigma push women and kids to perform “fine” while struggling underneath. • Masking defined as hiding ND traits to appear neurotypical  • Everyday masking examples in speech, routines...

We trade chaos for a mid week and explore why calm can feel weird when your brain expects spikes. Therapy training gets real, co‑parenting shifts bring ease, ND‑friendly routines help with food, and a freezer fiasco turns into a small, satisfying win. • naming highs and lows with a steadier baseline • therapy training strain and client exposure under observation • feedback culture, empathy managem...

We share a listener’s voice note about burnout, PDA-like reactions, and the messy overlap between ADHD traits and the weight of modern caregiving. We trade stories of lost tickets, spare keys, and the quiet power of community when life keeps moving. • neurotypical versus neurodivergent traits under stress • workplace overload colliding with home demands • PDA resonance and reacting to constant ask...

We juggle a sleepover recording, a sudden calf tear, and a night of folklore feminism that turns into a debate on neurodiversity. Touring stories bring sensory overload, body image wobble, and new joy in a younger fanbase, all stitched together with gallows humor and care. • lost phone and charger spiral leading to injury • self-triage vs hospital anxiety and DVT worries • boots, crutches, accessi...

We unpack why stress hits neurodivergent mums harder, how it shows up in daily life, and what actually helps when recovery takes longer. Science, lived experience, and small, realistic steps you can use right away. • defining stress as long-term fight or flight • the ADHD motherhood load and executive dysfunction • sensory overload, shutdown, and dissociation • research on maternal ADHD, self-effi...

We ride the chaos of ADHD adulting, from a misbehaving boiler and phone call dread to the joy of a charity fill‑a‑bag haul and a surprise Drag Race shoutout that becomes a music collab. Between DIY lemon sprays and tailoring vintage, we find momentum in small wins and make space for big creative fun. • homeowner overwhelm, boiler running hot and cold, warranty confusion • executive function barrie...

Support the show Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol abuse, depression, mood disorders, medical emergency, miscarriage, traffic accidents, grief and loss, teen pregnancy, anxiety, abuse, PDA, low self esteem, and anti-depressant medications, disordered eating, hoarding... All music written and produced by Ash Doc Horror Lerczak . Artwork by Gen For more information about us, our...

We share a listener confession about a £400 AI robot called Emo, the rush of impulse buying around the holidays, and the slow slide into shame when the box stays hidden under a cupboard. We sit with the humor and the sting, and map gentler ways to unhook from targeted ads, hyperfocus, and regret. • how hyperfocus and novelty feed impulsive buys • the shift from excitement to shame after delayed gr...

We weigh the pull of casual dating against the craving for depth, then pivot to a season of intentional solo time. A chaotic lockout and a trampoline rescue collide with tender reflections on parenting a teen and finding new ways to connect. • choosing solitude over casual dating • therapy question reframing habits • building one mindful night alone • neighbor giveaway and door latch mishap • tram...

We connect the dots between ADHD and perimenopause, tracing how shifting hormones intensify brain fog, mood swings, and executive dysfunction while piling onto the invisible load many mums carry. We share lived experience, research highlights, HRT realities, and practical supports that make daily life kinder and more doable. • hormone shifts lowering estrogen and impacting dopamine regulation • pe...

Again the ADHD mums ride a week of small chaos and big feelings: the mystery of a missing soup maker lead, executive dysfunction flare-ups, and why reality TV can be therapeutic. We also reframe dating as play, by sharing conversation prompts that filter for values. • the soup maker mishap and expectations • cleaning the kitchen, mold discovery, small wins • reality TV as calming routine and daily...

We untangle the knot of executive dysfunction, depression, and ADHD burnout—why they overlap, how they differ, and what to do next. Personal stories, simple self-checks, and practical tools help you spot what’s happening and choose support that actually fits. • What executive function is and why it fails in ADHD • How working memory, inhibition, and flexibility show up day to day • Depression symp...

We move from a child’s “ugly” beauty mark to the roots of how we learned to see ourselves, then into ADHD strategies, midlife shifts, and a study win that restores momentum. A domestic spiral ends in repair, a charity shop miracle desk, and a color-coded bookshelf that feels like hope. • unlearning the male gaze and 90s beauty rules • talking to kids about body image without new pressures • perime...

What happens when every morning feels like a battleground? When getting dressed, brushing teeth, or simply walking out the door triggers anxiety so intense it manifests as defiance? In this deeply insightful exploration, we unpack the crucial differences between Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – two profiles that look remarkably similar on the surface bu...

This week we go from chaotic bedrooms and moving house anxieties to surprising revelations during alternative healing sessions. • Gen struggles with returning household chaos despite previous organization success • She's been creating detailed plans for an upcoming house move while battling task paralysis • Gen loved attending a women's financial well-being workshop, which provided struc...

Have you ever noticed how your child's meltdown seems to trigger your own internal alarm system? There's a biological reason for that—and understanding it might just transform your approach to parenting. In this deep dive into co-regulation, we explore the fascinating science behind how neurodivergent parents and children affect each other's nervous systems. Using Stephen Porges&apo...

We share our weekly highs and lows, exploring perfectionism, dating app adventures, and the challenges of parenting through burnout. • Claire discusses her struggle with perfectionism through a mirror restoration project that caused family tension and revealed further possible autism traits alongside her ADHD • She celebrates a successful counseling session with her son, with the therapist validat...

Ever felt that sinking feeling when you realize money's vanishing from your account every month for services you don't even use? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, Claire has reluctantly been tasked by Gen to investigate her subscriptions NOW, not tomorrow. This ends up in a financial awakening that reveals she's spending well over £125 monthly on completely un...

We share our highs and lows of the week, diving into embarrassing moments, therapy breakthroughs, and the financial challenges of managing ADHD. • Gen recounts an embarrassing incident with her new university tutor • She also found a therapist who feels like "a vibe" after reaching the top of a waiting list for free therapy • Claire discusses financial struggles while dealing with health...

We discuss the fascinating connection between neurodivergent children and their attraction to horror, spooky stories, and darker themes. We explore why these interests shouldn't necessarily concern parents but might actually represent healthy processing and identity formation. • Neurodivergent children often relate more to villains and outsider characters than traditional heroes • Many ADHD a...

We share our weekly highs and lows, focusing on how we're learning to manage the "feast and famine" energy cycles that come with ADHD. We discuss practical strategies for avoiding over-commitment and finding balance in chaotic lives. • Gen's low involves recognizing she was taking on too many new opportunities and creating an unsustainable schedule • Using a color-coded timetab...

We return to discuss the highs and lows of navigating life with ADHD while managing health challenges, medication adjustments, and back-to-school transitions. • Claire shares her realization that stopping ADHD medication during illness significantly impacted her cognitive function • We discuss the challenges of body awareness and pacing for neurodivergent people when unwell • Claire's health...

We're back again, with our Highs and Lows... • Claire's low: Being stuck at home while sick, dealing with hospitals and the mental health impact of isolation • The disconnect between feeling young inside while aging physically  • Gym memberships and exercise intentions that never materialize – a classic ADHD pattern. • Claire's high: Support from loved ones, especially her son cooki...