ADHDifference

Julie Legg explores The Greater Arc Perspective — a grounding mindset inspired by a conversation with Ariel-Paul Saunders. Rather than viewing ourselves in isolation, this perspective invites us to zoom out and recognise that we are part of something much larger: generations before us, generations after us, and the unfolding human story we all contribute to.For ADHDers, where emotions and urgency can feel intensely immediate, this wider lens can soften self-judgment and interrupt survival-mode thinking. Backed by insights from developmental neuroscience, attachment theory, and intergenerational research, this episode explores how awareness, reflection, and repair don’t just change us — they ripple outward.Key Points from the Episode:Why ADHD can make life feel intensely immediate and overwhelming  How emotional overload narrows perspective into survival mode  Introducing The Greater Arc Perspective Zooming out beyond the current moment or emotional state  The influence of generations before and after us  How emotional patterns are passed through families and relationships  Why awareness and repair can interrupt unhealthy cycles  The brain’s lifelong ability to grow and adapt  Shifting from self-judgment to participation  Asking: “What am I passing forward?” Why future generations need humanity, not perfection  The ripple effect of self-talk, repair, and emotional awarenessARIEL-PAUL SAUNDERS S2E40: https://adhdifference.nz/s2e40-adhd-across-generations-the-power-of-understanding-guest-ariel-paul-saunders/ADHDIFFERENCE: https://adhdifference.nz/the-greater-arc-perspective/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Ever tried to focus… and the silence feels too loud, but the noise feels overwhelming? That in-between state — restless, distracted, unable to land — is something many ADHDers know well.Julie Legg explores The Music Scape Method, a practical approach to using sound as a tool for focus, calm, and regulation. Inspired by a conversation with Meredith Jones, this strategy isn’t about playing your favourite songs — it’s about intentionally creating a sound environment your brain can settle into.From low-fi beats to binaural frequencies, this method helps bridge the gap between under- and over-stimulation. Backed by research showing that rhythmic, predictable sound can improve attention and reduce overwhelm, it offers a simple but powerful shift: instead of forcing focus, you create the conditions for it.Key Points from the Episode: Why silence can feel uncomfortable and noise can feel overwhelming for ADHD brains  Introducing The Music Scape Method as a tool for regulation  Using sound intentionally — not just as background noise  The role of low-fi music, binaural beats, and instrumental sound How rhythmic, predictable sound supports focus and task performance  Music as a way to regulate sensory input and reduce overwhelm The nervous system benefits of rhythm and repetition  Creating associations: sound as a cue for focus, calm, or reset  Why headphones can enhance the effect (especially with binaural beats)  Letting your brain settle rather than forcing concentrationLinks:MEREDITH JONES S2E21: https://adhdifference.nz/s2e21-adhd-self-recognition-growth-guest-meredith-jones/ADHDIFFERENCE: https://adhdifference.nz/the-music-scape-method/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

ADHD brains are brilliant at generating ideas — fast, creative, and often all at once. But when one idea leads to another, and another, it can quickly become overwhelming. Too many possibilities… and no clear direction.In this ADHDifference Strategies episode, Julie Legg introduces the concept of “Forrest Gumping” — a simple mindset shift inspired by a conversation with Douglas Katz. Rather than forcing ideas into action or shutting them down completely, this approach invites you to let ideas move naturally — like the feather in Forrest Gump — until something gains momentum.Backed by research on the incubation effect, this strategy highlights how stepping back and allowing space can actually improve clarity, creativity, and decision-making. Instead of chasing everything (or nothing), you begin to notice which ideas return, which ones evolve, and which ones quietly fall away.Key Points from the Episode:  Why ADHD brains generate constant, non-linear ideas The overwhelm of too many possibilities and no direction  The instinct to either act on everything or shut it all down Introducing “Forrest Gumping” as a third option  Letting ideas move without forcing immediate action  The incubation effect and why stepping back creates clarity  How important ideas tend to resurface over time Recognising momentum instead of forcing decisions  Separating curiosity ideas from commitment ideas Why not every idea needs to become something  Letting go of ideas without attaching failure or meaning  Trusting your brain’s natural filtering processLinks:DOUGLAS KATZ S2E43: https://adhdifference.nz/s2e43-adhd-adaptive-innovation-guest-douglas-katz/ADHDIFFERENCE: https://adhdifference.nz/forrest-gumping/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg explores The Drama Triangle — a powerful framework that helps make sense of our reactions in emotionally charged moments. Originally developed by Stephen Karpman and brought into the ADHD conversation by Bex O’Malley, this tool highlights three common roles we can fall into: Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor.With ADHD, where emotional responses can feel fast, intense, and hard to shift, these roles can show up quickly and even change mid-conversation. But with awareness comes choice. This episode introduces a simple yet powerful way to step back, identify your role, and gently shift into more supportive, regulated responses.A practical, compassionate reminder that it’s not about getting it perfect — it’s about noticing the pattern and giving yourself another option.Key Points from the Episode: The link between emotional dysregulation and overthinking Understanding the three roles of the Drama Triangle  Why awareness is the first step to emotional regulation  The power of asking: “What role am I in right now?” How self-distancing can reduce emotional intensity  Shifting from:  Victim → Self-Advocate, Rescuer → Supportive Ally. Persecutor → Clear Communicator Recognising that these roles come from protection, not failureLinksBEX O'MALLEY S2E19: https://adhdifference.nz/s2e19-adhd-burnout-thriving-in-corporate-guest-bex-omalley/ADHDIFFERENCE: https://adhdifference.nz/drama-triangle/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg explores how many of our emotional reactions (especially anxiety and hesitation) are not about the present moment at all, but are driven by old predictions the brain learned in the past.Drawing on insights from Brian DesRoches, the episode introduces the concept of memory reconsolidation, the brain’s ability to update outdated emotional patterns when it experiences something different from what it expects.Rather than trying to force change through willpower or positive thinking, this approach invites curiosity. By noticing when the brain is predicting a negative outcome and gently creating new, contradictory experiences, we can begin to rewrite those internal patterns.It’s a simple but profound shift: you are not your reactions — you are witnessing your brain’s predictions. And those predictions can change. Key Points from the Episode Anxiety is often based on past predictions, not present reality The brain is constantly scanning and predicting outcomes  Many predictions are formed in childhood or repeated experiences These predictions show up as feelings, not just thoughts The “foot on the gas, foot on the brake” feeling is a prediction conflict  Change happens through memory reconsolidation (updating emotional learning)  A mismatch between expectation and reality is what rewires the brain  You don’t need willpower — you need new experiences Small, safe contradictions to predictions are enough to create change  Repetition strengthens new neural pathways  ADHDers often carry predictions like “I’m too much” or “I’m not enough”  These patterns are learned and therefore can be overridden with updated dataLinksBRIAN DESROCHES S2E47: https://adhdifference.nz/s2e47-the-hidden-neuroscience-behind-self-sabotage-guest-brian-desroches/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with psychotherapist Dr. Katie Brzozowski about the inner critic, where it comes from, why it can feel so loud for ADHDers, and how it shapes the way we see ourselves.Katie explains how a lifetime of correction, criticism, and misunderstanding can become internalised, turning into the harsh self-talk many ADHDers carry into adulthood. These “tapes” often resurface during moments of stress, grief, burnout, or life transitions — amplifying self-doubt and making it harder to move forward.Rather than trying to silence the inner critic completely, Katie introduces a more compassionate and practical approach: learning to separate from those thoughts, reduce their power, and stop letting them dictate behaviour. From ACT-based tools to visual techniques and gentle reframing, this conversation offers a grounded, realistic pathway toward self-compassion and emotional resilience.Key Points from the Episode: How ADHDers internalise years of correction and criticism  The inner critic as learned “tapes” from earlier life experiences  Why the inner critic gets louder during stress, grief, and transition  The difference between “I am” vs “I’m having the thought that I am” Why ignoring negative thoughts doesn’t work  Using ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) to create distance from thoughts  Techniques to stop getting “hooked” by the inner critic  The impact of comparison and unrealistic life expectations  ADHD, non-linear life paths, and redefining success  Why self-compassion is essential for growth and changeLinks: WEBSITE: https://speakeasytoday.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasypsychotherapy/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkathrynbrzozowski/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with therapist Jennifer Noll Sparks, creator of the Create the Win System — a practical, science-informed approach designed to help people move through overwhelm and take meaningful action, even on the hardest days.Drawing from both her professional background and lived experience, Jennifer unpacks why so many ADHDers feel stuck... not from laziness, but from nervous system dysregulation. She introduces the concept of the window of tolerance, explaining how overwhelm can show up as either high activation (anxiety, urgency) or shutdown (paralysis, procrastination).Through simple, playful tools like gamification, “widening the win,” and micro-movements, Jennifer offers an alternative to willpower-based productivity. Key Points from the Episode: Overwhelm as a universal (non-clinical) human experience  ADHD, focus struggles, and early school challenges  Why willpower-based advice often fails  The window of tolerance and nervous system states  Activated overwhelm vs shutdown (freeze)  Why procrastination is often nervous system paralysis  Gamification as a dopamine-based motivation tool  “Widening the win” to reduce pressure and build momentum  Micro-actions to break inertia (even moving a limb)  Creating momentum through small, achievable wins  Moving from autopilot to intentional living  Rebuilding agency and self-trust through actionLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.createthewin.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/createthewinco/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-noll-sparks-lcsw-88563885/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Kamy Moussavi, former engineer and founder of Step Together, who brings a powerful and personal perspective to the conversation around ADHD, emotional eating, and the brain’s relationship with food. Kamy shares his own childhood experience with obesity, restrictive dieting, and undiagnosed ADHD, revealing how traditional approaches like calorie counting failed to address the real drivers behind his behaviour. Together, they unpack the critical link between dopamine, emotional regulation, and eating habits, particularly in ADHD brains. This conversation shifts the narrative away from willpower and discipline, and toward curiosity, compassion, and understanding the root causes behind behaviour. It’s an eye-opening episode for parents navigating food struggles with their children and for anyone who has ever felt stuck in cycles of guilt, shame, or emotional eating.Key Points from the Episode:Emotional eating as a dopamine-driven behaviour in ADHDWhy calorie counting and restriction often fail long-termThe connection between ADHD, dopamine deficiency, and foodBulimia, binge eating, sneaky eating, and shame cyclesWhy weight is a symptom, not the root problemThe role of anxiety, loneliness, and boredom in eating habitsHow shame drives secrecy and worsens behavioursThe impact of environment vs relying on willpowerDopamine regulation and over-stimulation from food and technologyWhy removing food too quickly can backfireFamily dynamics and parental influence on eating behavioursRedefining “healthy” beyond diet cultureLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.steptogether.us/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568953434947YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@steptogether-child-weightlossINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/steptogether_us/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamymoussavi/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Tiara Brumberg, certified ADHD coach, entrepreneur, and founder of The Middle Coaching. Tiara lives and breathes the realities of ADHD both professionally and personally — as a mum to three children with ADHD, a partner to a husband with ADHD, and an ADHDer herself.Together, they explore what Tiara calls the “messy middle” — the real-life space where executive functioning challenges, emotional dysregulation, parenting pressures, and everyday family chaos collide.Tiara shares honest insights about raising neurodivergent kids without losing yourself in the process, why curiosity is more powerful than criticism in ADHD households, and how simple tools like whiteboards, visual systems, and self-compassion can transform family dynamics.Key Points from the Episode:Parenting in a household where everyone has ADHDLate ADHD diagnosis in high-performing womenCuriosity vs criticism when kids struggle with behaviourThe “messy middle” of family life with ADHDWhy ADHD mums often lose themselves in caregivingSelf-compassion in the middle of overwhelmVisual tools and whiteboards to reduce mental loadMoving from nagging to collaboration with kidsTeaching independence without shame or power strugglesThe importance of internal vs external locus of controlWhy parents must “put their oxygen mask on first”Redefining success in ADHD familiesLinks:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/tiara.brumberg/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tebrumberg/WEBSITE: https://www.themiddlecoaching.net/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themiddlecoaching/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Dominic Carubba, a former U.S. Army officer, sales leader, and ADHD coach who was diagnosed later in life after decades of high performance that masked a quiet erosion of self-trust. Dominic shares how ADHD can drive overcomplication, overthinking, and constant attempts to compensate for perceived shortcomings. Even when life looks successful from the outside, internally many ADHDers feel like they are always catching up, always trying to prove themselves. The conversation explores how cycles of abandoned projects, unfinished ideas, and chronic urgency can slowly chip away at confidence. Dominic explains why simplifying systems, building visible wins, and learning to forgive yourself are key to rebuilding self-trust. This episode is a reminder that ADHD isn’t about being broken. Often it’s about learning to design systems that work with your brain rather than constantly trying to fix it. Key Points from the Episode: Late ADHD diagnosis after decades of high performance The hidden cost of overcomplication How unfinished projects erode self-trust Imposter syndrome in capable ADHD adults Why ADHDers often add more systems instead of simplifying Visible wins as a way to rebuild confidence The importance of learning to say no Lowering the bar to rebuild momentum Designing systems that work with ADHD brains Persistence vs consistency Self-forgiveness as part of growth Why ADHD isn’t something to eliminate, but learn to work with Links:WEBSITE: https://momentum.theadhdleader.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/salesandtechnologyconsultantsINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_dominicxLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiccarubba/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with psychotherapist and author Brian DesRoches (Living a Trigger-Free Life), whose work focuses on the neuroscience of emotional learning and a process called memory reconsolidation. Brian explains why so many people struggle with recurring triggers, self-sabotage, and emotional patterns even after years of insight or therapy.Rather than simply managing reactions or trying to “think positive,” Brian describes how the brain actually stores emotional learning and how those memories can be updated and rewired through a process that allows the brain to recognise when past threats are no longer true.The conversation explores internal conflict, self-criticism, and the protective mechanisms behind behaviours many ADHDers experience and offers a hopeful perspective: that lasting emotional change isn’t about trying harder, it’s about helping the brain learn something new.Key Points from the Episode:Emotional memories vs explicit memoriesWhat memory reconsolidation actually meansWhy insight alone rarely changes behaviourThe brain’s constant threat prediction systemInternal conflict: one foot on the gas, one on the brakeWhy willpower and discipline often failSelf-sabotage as a protective mechanismUpdating emotional memories through new experiencesReframing ADHD self-criticism and identityWhy emotional learning may represent an evolutionary shiftLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.briandesroches.com/LIVING A TRIGGER-FREE LIFE: https://a.co/d/bDgsLtCLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-desroches-12313731a/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Ryan Turner — motocross rider, recruiter, content creator, and founder of Dopamine Hunters. After receiving his ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, Ryan began reflecting on a lifetime of intensity, stimulation-seeking, and relentless energy that had previously felt chaotic and misunderstood.Through motocross and other high-adrenaline pursuits, Ryan discovered that the environments many people see as risky or extreme can actually bring calm, focus, and clarity to ADHD minds. That insight inspired Dopamine Hunters, a growing community, podcast, and documentary exploring how dopamine drives passion, performance, and purpose.Ryan shares candidly about late diagnosis, substance use, self-medication, education systems that miss neurodivergent children, and why interest-based learning is often the key to unlocking potential. This episode is an honest and energetic conversation about finding healthy outlets for ADHD intensity and creating spaces where neurodivergent people can thrive.Key Points from the Episode:Ryan’s late ADHD diagnosis and emotional aftermathGrowing up masking ADHD while siblings received supportThe connection between ADHD and substance self-medicationWhy adrenaline environments can calm ADHD brainsMotocross as regulation, focus, and communityThe idea behind Dopamine Hunters and how it startedInterest-based learning and why traditional classrooms fail many ADHDersThe “hidden 20%” of students with internalised neurodivergencyBurnout vs healthy stimulation for ADHD mindsReframing hobbies as exploration rather than “quitting”The link between ADHD, dopamine, and purposeRyan’s mission to create a platform for neurodivergent storiesLinks:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dopamine-hunters/WEBSITE: https://www.dopamine-hunters.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@DopamineHuntersRyanTurner-h8zINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ryanturner751/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with accountant, financial educator, podcast host, and author of ADHD Money, Tina Mathams. Together they unpack the emotional side of money for ADHDers — the impulsive spending, the avoidance, the shame, and the cycle of guilt that can quietly spiral into financial overwhelm.Tina shares her personal story of hitting financial rock bottom while undiagnosed, and how understanding her ADHD completely changed the way she approached money. Rather than relying on willpower or rigid budgeting systems, she explains how tools like gamifying, body doubling, identity-based goals, and nervous system regulation can create sustainable financial change.This is a great reminder that money struggles are not moral failings — and that small, imperfect action can change everything.Key Points from the Episode:Growing up with limiting money beliefsImpulse spending as dopamine-seekingAvoidance, shame, and money guilt cyclesSeparating self-worth from financial mistakesUnderstanding your “money story”Why willpower-based budgeting fails ADHD brainsGamifying savings and body doubling for money tasksBreaking long-term goals into present-moment identity shiftsPersistency over consistencyThe power of self-compassion in financial recoveryTina’s rock-bottom moment and rebuilding journeyWhy money doesn’t have to be perfect to improveLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.instagram.com/theadhdaccountant/ADHD MONEY & FINANCE PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/25LpCxWszqhkbmS8tcvLa1?si=891d61c6f6714cc0BOOK: https://amzn.to/3ZDExkNLINKTREE: https://beacons.ai/adhdmoneySend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with psychotherapist Karen Dwyer-Tesoriero, who specialises in adult ADHD, complex trauma, and attachment. With over 25 years in social work and psychotherapy, Karen brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation after discovering her own ADHD later in life through her son’s diagnosis.Together, they discuss powerful overlap between ADHD and trauma, particularly how negative childhood messaging can evolve into legacy burdens that shape adult identity, attachment styles, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Karen unpacks how rejection sensitivity can be mislabelled as personality disorder, how masking impacts women especially, and how internalised “I’m not good enough” narratives quietly drive anxiety and depression.Key Points from the Episode:Discovering ADHD later in life through a child’s diagnosisMasking in women and the “talks too much” childhood narrativeADHD and complex trauma: where they overlapRejection sensitivity vs borderline personality misdiagnosisHow negative childhood messages become “legacy burdens”Perfectionism and people-pleasing as trauma responsesAttachment styles in ADHD relationshipsThe role of nervous system regulation in healingUsing EMDR and Internal Family Systems to untangle beliefsWhy “normal” and “perfect” don’t actually existBuilding evidence for “I am good enough”A daily mantra: Dare to believe in yourselfLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.kdtesorierolcsw.net/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kdtesorierolcswFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kdtesorierolcsw.net/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dwyer-tesoriero-lcsw-emdr-certified-411316a1/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with Douglas Katz — West Point graduate, Army veteran, inventor — about receiving an ADHD diagnosis in his 50s and how that moment reframed his entire life. Rather than seeing ADHD as something to “manage” or suppress, Douglas began to recognise how his urgency-driven thinking, rapid problem-solving, and constant scanning for stimuli had actually fuelled his success in the military and entrepreneurship. What once felt like quirks or liabilities became strategic advantages in the right environments.From inventing adaptive tools inspired by his own physical limitations (such as his NULU knife), to embracing what he calls “Forrest Gumping” (allowing ideas to flow rather than forcing control) Douglas shares how understanding his brain allowed him to build a life based on ability rather than disability.This conversation is a reminder that adult diagnosis is not an ending. It is often the beginning of self-acceptance, recalibration, and unlocking a different lens on success.Key Points in the Episode:Receiving an ADHD diagnosis in his 50s and the surprising sense of validationWhy military and startup environments can reward ADHD traitsThe difference between managing ADHD and positioning yourself strategicallyReframing “disability” into contextual mismatchThe power of building a complementary team as an entrepreneur“Forrest Gumping” — letting ideas flow instead of forcing controlWhy intention is the most misunderstood ADHD traitHow adult diagnosis can become a turning point rather than a setbackMakers vs consumers — why producing creates regulationViewing ADHD as a superpower when aligned with the right environmentLinks:DOUGLAS KATZ: https://linktr.ee/dougkatzINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/d.m.katz/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DOUGLASMKATZ/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaskatz/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Kit Slocum, neurodiversity lead and learning experience designer at Flown. With a background in psychology and behavioural neuroscience, and lived experience of ADHD, Kit brings both science and compassion to the conversation about focus, productivity, and nervous system regulation.From going from failing grades to straight A’s after receiving accommodations, to questioning the systems that label distraction as a personal flaw, Kit reframes ADHD through the lens of nervous system science and the neurodiversity paradigm. She explains why modern environments are fundamentally overstimulating, why burnout is often the predictable result, and how small, intentional shifts can radically change how ADHDers experience work and life.This episode offers insight into body doubling, nervous system check-ins, structured flexibility, and how leaders can design workplaces that actually support neurodivergent brains rather than forcing them to adapt.Key Points from the Episode:Kit’s journey from academic struggle to thriving with accommodationsThe shift from the pathology paradigm to the neurodiversity paradigmWhy distraction is often a dysregulated nervous system, not lazinessHow modern over-stimulation keeps ADHD brains in “on” modeBurnout as the end result of chronic nervous system activationNervous system check-ins and micro-regulation strategiesWhy many productivity apps fail ADHDersCreating a personalised “toolbox” through experimentationDesigning workplaces around curiosity and structured flexibilityThe Neural Passport: communicating how you work bestBody doubling as a powerful focus strategyThe importance of language — disability, difference, or superpower?Community as the most powerful ADHD tool of allLinks:WEBSITE: https://flown.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/flownspace/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flown/ADHD MASTERY PROGRAM: https://flown.com/adhd-focus-programSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Matt Campbell, co-creator of the Our Primal Five framework, to explore why self-care feels so hard especially for ADHDers and why the basics matter more than we realise.Rather than promoting productivity hacks or aesthetic routines, Matt brings the conversation back to foundational human needs: sleep, sunlight, movement, social connection, and mindful consumption. He explains how modern life constantly pulls us away from these essentials, and why structure, not motivation, is the real key to sustainable change.This episode is a great reminder that self-care isn’t indulgence. It’s replenishment. And for ADHD brains in particular, small, structured, repeatable shifts can be far more transformative than grand, short-lived resolutions.Key Points from the Episode:Why “knowing” what to do doesn’t automatically lead to “doing” itThe difference between motivation and structure, and why structure winsWhy ADHDers struggle with the basics like sleep, hygiene, and routineHow perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking sabotage changeWhy guilt and self-criticism actually block behaviour changeThe concept of Our Primal Five: sleep, sunlight, movement, social connection, and consumptionHow stacking habits makes change sustainableWhy exercise can rival antidepressants for mood regulationThe hidden cost of digital “junk” consumption — social media, news, and overstimulationThe power of understanding ADHD to dismantle narratives of laziness or failureSustainable self-care as structure, not indulgenceLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.ourprimal5.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ourprimal5LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-campbell-a5b22910/WORKBOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQWSX73R?tag=ourprimal5-20 NEWSLETTER: https://our-primal-5.kit.com/9b41ee5325Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with registered therapeutic counsellor Ariel-Paul Saunders, who brings a relational, intergenerational lens to understanding ADHD. Diagnosed at 38, Ariel began questioning the traditional medical narrative after recognising that his most significant struggles with focus and regulation didn’t begin in childhood, but emerged following a major relational rupture in early adulthood.Together, Julie and Ariel explore ADHD not just as a fixed neurological condition, but as something shaped by attachment patterns, nervous system regulation, and family lineage. From wartime trauma passed down through generations to the orchid-and-dandelion analogy of sensitivity, this conversation reframes ADHD as a developmental journey rather than a personal defect.It’s an episode about compassion for ourselves, our parents, and our children, and about becoming the generation that transforms what gets passed forward.Key Points from the EpisodeWhy Ariel’s ADHD symptoms intensified after a relational rupture in his early 20sWhat felt incomplete about the traditional medical explanation of ADHDThe role of nervous system regulation in how ADHD presentsAttachment, safety, and how connection shapes focus and executive functionThe “orchid vs dandelion” analogy for sensitivity and environmental fitHow trauma and emotional numbing can be passed down without intentionReframing ADHD as lineage rather than personal failureHow understanding our parents changes how we understand ourselvesSupporting children by seeing the state beneath the behaviourGrowing through ADHD traits, not necessarily “out of” themBecoming the generation that shifts relational patterns forwardLinksFREE CONSULTATION: https://securelythriving.com/book-a-callFREE RESOURCE: https://securelythriving.com/free-resourceARTICLE: Why-my-adhd-didnt-appear-until-age-21ARTICLE: The Neuroscience of How Attachment Shapes ADHD: From Dopamine to Executive FunctionARTICLE: Three Generations of ADHDINSTAGRAM: @securelythrivingfamilyFACEBOOK: @securelythrivingLINKEDIN: Ariel-Paul SaundersYOUTUBE: @securelythrivingSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Nika Brunet Milunovic, social worker, researcher, and founder of Calm Nest Collective. Nika shares how years working in the events and creative industries exposed a disconnect between how environments are designed and how human nervous systems actually function.Drawing on her lived experience as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, as well as her academic research, Nika explains why sensory overload, burnout, and emotional collapse are not personal failures, but predictable outcomes of overstimulating spaces. From conferences and festivals to offices, schools, and public venues, she makes a compelling case for sensory-friendly design as a form of prevention, not luxury.This conversation explores how thoughtful environmental changes can radically improve regulation, focus, and wellbeing for ADHDers and non-ADHDers alike, and why creating calm, inclusive spaces is one of the most practical ways we can support mental health at scale.Key Points from the EpisodeWhy the events and creative industries are both a haven and a hazard for neurodivergent peopleHow burnout and mental health crises often stem from environmental overload, not individual weaknessWhat sensory-friendly spaces actually are, and how they support nervous system regulationWhy quiet rooms, calm corners, and sensory spaces benefit everyone, not just ADHDersThe science behind sensory deprivation, regulation, and the body’s stress responseHow workplaces and schools unintentionally exclude neurodivergent needsSmall, low-cost environmental changes that make a big differenceThe role of social media in helping neurodivergent people find language, community, and self-understandingWhy asking people what they need is the most powerful design tool we haveA reminder that strategies are personal, and regulation is not one-size-fits-allLinksWEBSITE: https://calmnestcollective.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thatinclusiongirlLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikabrunet/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with psychiatric nurse practitioner and mental health advocate Carolyn Mallon, whose journey from high school dropout to doctorate-level clinician is both inspiring and deeply relatable for late-diagnosed ADHDers. Carolyn shares how understanding her neurodivergence in adulthood radically shifted her ability to study, self-advocate, and succeed both academically and emotionally.The conversation explores the messy, non-linear paths many ADHDers walk, the grief that can accompany diagnosis, and how resilience often looks like simply showing up, trying again, and choosing compassion over shame. This episode is a great reminder that healing and success take many forms, and that it's never too late to start again... with better tools.Key Points in this Episode:Carolyn’s diagnosis at 28 and how it changed her entire trajectoryWhy ADHD can mask as laziness or failure in school settingsThe emotional impact of late recognition and academic shameMaking peace with your “past self” through compassion, not criticismHow resilience is built in the middle of the mess, not just in hindsightThe importance of redefining success beyond degrees and careersWhy mental health providers with lived experience are uniquely powerfulThe joy of offering others the kind of care she once neededLinks:LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/cmallonrn/WEBSITE: https://www.balancementalhealth.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/balancementalhealthnhYOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@balancementalhealthnhINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/balancementalhealthnhRECOMMENDED READING: Learning Outside the LinesSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with ADHD coach and advocate Leah Carroll, whose own diagnosis at 28 catalyzed a deep journey of self-understanding and transformation. Leah shares how her early attempts to "fix" her ADHD through medication alone fell short and how travel, radical honesty, and coaching led her to discover the personalized systems that now support her neurodivergent brain.Leah unpacks the behind-the-scenes reality of living with ADHD from executive dysfunction to emotional dysregulation and offers powerful strategies to shift from shame to self-trust. Whether it's in the workplace, relationships, or day-to-day life, this conversation is full of relatable truths and practical tools for anyone navigating ADHD.Key Points from the Episode:How Leah’s ADHD diagnosis at 28 was just the beginning, not the solutionWhy medication alone wasn’t enough and what she needed insteadThe emotional toll of shame, blame, and victimhood in undiagnosed ADHDWhat long-term travel taught her about adaptability and executive dysfunctionThe hidden labour behind ‘looking functional’ as an ADHDerHow executive function challenges overlap to create chaos and paralysisThe complex toll ADHD takes on relationships and how to build better communicationThe workplace mismatch: thriving in crisis but overwhelmed by adminStrategies for minimizing friction and maximizing clarity at workWhy emotional regulation is about safety, not just willpowerBuilding self-trust through small, consistent winsThe underestimated power of foundational habits: sleep, food, movement, light, and hydrationThe magic of a “dopamine menu” and tiny strategies that re-regulate the nervous systemLinks:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.coach.leah/WEBSITE: https://leahccoaching.com/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdcarroll/BOOK A FREE COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/adhdlc/freeREFERENCE BOOK: https://www.thefouragreements.com/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Kayla Oughton — a Napier-based AuDHD coach and neurodivergent advocate with an eclectic background in construction project management, health coaching, suicide prevention, and digital marketing.Kayla shares her journey from burnout in a male-dominated construction industry to becoming a voice for ADHDers and autistic women navigating late diagnosis, shame, and self-trust. She talks about the importance of understanding rejection sensitivity, embracing neurodivergent strengths, and leaning into the body’s signals.This conversation cuts through the fluff and dives deep into what it really looks like to rebuild your life after diagnosis, and long before it. From beast days to slug days, Kayla reminds us all that we are not broken.Key Points in the Episode:How a therapist’s question sparked Kayla’s ADHD diagnosis at 35Life inside the chaotic, undiagnosed world of construction project managementThe link between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideationWhy shame often hides behind the productivity mask in womenHow understanding ADHD can reframe your entire life storyThe overlap (and contradiction) between ADHD and autism traitsWhy rest, nervous system awareness, and body cues are vital toolsThe reality of success amnesia and the power of small winsKayla's words to those still feeling broken or “too much”Links:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-oughton/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkaylaWEBSITE: https://dopamineandco.com/services MATES4LIFE: https://mates4life.org.nz/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with Dr. Eugene Manley, a bioengineer-turned-cancer scientist, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for equity in science and healthcare. Diagnosed with ADHD during graduate school, Eugene shares how his neurodivergent wiring shaped his path from misunderstood childhood behaviours and micromanagement clashes to his deep sense of justice, pattern recognition, and innovation.Eugene opens up about navigating academia, launching a nonprofit to address health disparities, and leading through empathy rather than conformity. This conversation is packed with powerful reflections on how ADHD can be a strength — especially when harnessed with awareness, strategy, and aligned values.Key Points in the Episode:The overlooked signs of ADHD growing up, and what finally led to diagnosis in grad schoolHow neurodivergence influences innovation, empathy, and the fight against injusticeWhy ADHDers often struggle in hierarchical workplaces — and thrive with autonomyMicromanagement vs. motivation: how trust and freedom foster better workWhat inspired the launch of the STEM & Cancer Health Equity FoundationThe hidden barriers underserved communities face in healthcare settingsPractical ADHD strategies that helped Eugene manage time, focus, and burnoutViewing ADHD through a strengths lens: pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and driveAdvice for late-diagnosed adults navigating regret, relationships, and self-trustLinks:WEBSITE: https://scheq.org/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenemanleyjrphd/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/STEMMCHEQ/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stemmcheq/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Dr. Jack Hinman — clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Engage Young Adult Transitions. Drawing from over two decades of experience working with young adults in hospitals, residential treatment, and community mental health, Jack shares what he sees at the root of today’s growing anxiety epidemic: a crisis of focus, a crisis of connection, and a culture of avoidance.Jack explores how ADHD often shows up subtly or is missed altogether in young adults, especially in women, and why emotional regulation, identity development, and executive function all suffer when connection is lost. This conversation dives into the deeper systemic and developmental factors shaping today’s “anxious generation,” and why safety, structure, and relationship-based support are key to long-term growth.Key Points from the Episode:Why ADHD is under-diagnosed in young adults, particularly womenThe real drivers behind anxiety, shutdown, and burnoutHow emotional dysregulation and avoidance are often misreadThe impact of missed early coping development and attachmentWhat’s fueling the “attention crisis” and “connection crisis” in this generationThe harmful effects of pathologising normal anxietyThe role of phones, online connection, and the loss of real-world social skillsWhy therapy should be immersive, relational, and present in everyday lifeThe importance of structured autonomy and consistent supportHow nature-based, experiential learning (like skiing or biking) boosts self-trustWhat young adults, and parents, need to thrive through transitionLinks:WEBSITE: engagelifenow.comLINKEDIN: jack-hinman-engagelifenow INSTAGRAM: engage.transitions FACEBOOK: Engage-Young-Adult-Transitions-100087789164852/YOUTUBE: @engageyoungadulttransition6817Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by clinical psychologist and tech entrepreneur Dr. Jay Spence, co-founder of Evro AI, an innovative software platform purpose-built to support neurodivergent professionals.Drawing on years of research and clinical insight, Jay shares how Evro is reshaping workplace communication by translating meetings, externalising tasks, reducing overwhelm, and acting as a cognitive co-pilot for ADHD and autistic thinkers. From memory scaffolding to emotional tone translation, this AI tool is designed to work with the brain, not against it.Jay offers powerful insights into how neurodivergent professionals are already using AI as a productivity lifeline and how platforms like Evro can reduce burnout, support disclosure decisions, and radically shift how we experience work.Key Points in the Episode:Why neurodivergent professionals are early adopters of AIHow ADHD brains use AI tools to reduce burnout and organize thoughtsAutistic professionals using AI as a social translatorThe hidden communication workload neurodivergent people carry at workWhat the Evro AI platform does differently for ADHD and autistic usersHow to use AI as a working memory prostheticWhen and how disclosure at work can be helpful (or risky)The business case for neurodivergent-inclusive teamsOne practical to start: use AI to externalize and prioritize your mental loadLinks:WEBSITE: https://www.evro.ai/EVRO AI COMMUNITY: https://discord.com/invite/Yh4aXRkYfcLINKEDIN: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/evro-ai/LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-lee-a0716918/LINKEDIN (founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjayspence/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/evro.ai/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@evroai  Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Ryan DeLena - a professional mountaineer, author, and mental health advocate. Ryan shares the harrowing realities of his childhood, growing up in therapeutic institutions where physical restraint was a regular response to neurodivergent behaviour. Misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and traumatised, it was ultimately the mountains, and the freedom they offered, that helped him find his way back to himself.Now a seasoned skier, guide, and the author of Without Restraint, Ryan shares how physical movement, flow states, and deep connection to nature became lifelines. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the radical healing power of passion. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or neurodivergent yourself, this episode is a reminder that regulation doesn’t always come from the systems around us but from reconnecting with what lights us up inside.Key Points from the EpisodeRyan’s early years in therapeutic schools where physical restraint was used routinelyThe trauma of misdiagnosis and over-medication, and how it delayed his healingHow ADHD was masked by trauma, and why clarity only came in adulthoodThe emotional and nervous system regulation that came from skiing and natureWhy the flow state is so beneficial for ADHD mindsThe danger of systems that pathologise neurodivergent kids instead of understanding themHis documentary 91 and what skiing 91 routes taught him about persistencePassion as a survival tool — why doing what you love can be a lifelineRyan’s message of hope to anyone feeling trapped or unseen in the systemLinksBOOK: https://www.without-restraint-book.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.delena.970397/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@extreme_ryan_delenaINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/extreme_ryan_delena/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with Hilary Momberger Powers — actress, inspirational speaker, trauma-informed guide, author, and the original voice of Sally Brown from the Peanuts cartoons. Hilary shares her extraordinary story of early fame, childhood trauma, addiction, and four decades of recovery — and how her ADHD diagnosis in adulthood reframed much of her past.With humour and insight, Hilary discusses the impacts of being an undiagnosed neurodivergent child in a high-pressure environment. She explores how ADHD and addiction fed into each other, how healing her inner child led to transformation, and why stabilising the body, mind, and spirit is essential for recovery. This is a raw and hopeful conversation about finding peace, embracing difference and living in colour.Key Points from the EpisodeHilary's journey from child actor to decades-long recovery advocateHow ADHD traits were misread as character flaws or "too muchness"The cycle of addiction and self-shame when ADHD goes unrecognisedADHD and addiction as a mind–body–spirit triangleThe power of sensory grounding and daily stabilisation toolsHealing through inner child work and reframing self-perceptionFrom victim to victor: embracing ADHD as a kaleidoscopic giftHow trauma, addiction, and ADHD often intersect in womenThe role of connection, belonging, and self-acceptance in recoveryLinksWEBSITE: https://www.hilarymombergerpowers.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thehilarymombergerpowersINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-momberger-powers-078a604/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Russell Van Brocklen — dyslexia researcher, educator, keynote speaker. Known as The Dyslexic Professor, Russell shares his extraordinary journey from being a severely dyslexic student with ADHD to a New York State Senate-funded researcher reshaping literacy education.Through lived experience, practical strategies, and powerful case studies, Russell reveals how identifying a child’s “speciality” can unlock motivation and transform learning outcomes. He breaks down how ADHD and dyslexia often co-occur and provides a step-by-step methodology for parents and educators to help kids improve reading and writing at any level, no diagnosis required.Key Points in the EpisodeRussell's journey from failing student to pioneering dyslexia researcherThe importance of identifying a child’s “speciality” to unlock motivationWhy ADHD and dyslexia are more similar than many realiseStep-by-step writing strategies for kids with ADHD and dyslexiaHow a 10-year-old jumped 8 reading grade levels in 6 monthsWhy early testing and intervention is crucial and affordableThe problem with waiting for a diagnosis to start supportHow Russell’s approach helps kids outperform even AP-level studentsThe neuroscience behind moving writing skills from chaos to clarityA new model for training teachers in under three hoursPractical advice for overwhelmed parents on where to startLinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/WEBSITE: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/OVERCOMING DYSLEXIA: https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/overcoming-dyslexia-2020-edition-9780307558893Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with writer, advocate, mother of six, and trauma survivor Julie Barth, whose powerful story of caregiving, survival, and personal evolution is nothing short of extraordinary. Julie opens up about life before and after her ADHD diagnosis, the generational ripple effects of misunderstood neurodivergence, and rebuilding her life after emotional and financial abuse.This episode explores the complexity of undiagnosed ADHD in women, the strength in vulnerability, why “bouncing forward” not just bouncing back is the real definition of resilience, and the Colin James Barth Outreach she has founded to help others.Key Points from the EpisodeHow Julie's undiagnosed ADHD showed up in her life, especially during caregiving and traumaMisunderstood signs of ADHD: Overthinking, anxiety, and people-pleasingRealising her son’s ADHD only after understanding her ownThe emotional impact of not validating her child’s needs earlierGenerational beliefs about labels, fitting in, and parenting through shameNavigating grief, abuse, and ADHD overwhelm as a neurodivergent womanWhy picking yourself (not pleasing others) is the first step to freedomWhat resilience truly means after hardship: “bouncing forward” not backHer charity’s work supporting women in crisis with no clear roadmapStrategies for emotional steadiness when ADHD and life feel overwhelmingLinksWEBSITE: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/julie_barth_author/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebarthauthor/OUTREACH: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/cjb-outreachSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with clinical psychologist and ADHD specialist Bryan Gastelle. With both professional expertise and lived experience of ADHD, Bryan unpacks how neurodivergence impacts romantic relationships, communication patterns, emotional regulation, and household dynamics.This conversation explores what healthy conflict really looks like, how couples can better support one another without falling into burnout or resentment, and why therapy doesn’t have to be a “last resort.” Bryan also shares practical tools, including the 5% Rule, for navigating emotional overwhelm, executive dysfunction, and relationship strain.Key Points from the Episode:Why ADHD is often misunderstood, especially the inattentive type in adultsHow neurodivergence shows up in communication and daily relationship dynamicsCommon patterns when both partners have ADHD (and what to look out for)How neurotypical partners can support without slipping into rescuing or parenting rolesWhat healthy conflict looks like and why “I” statements and validation matterThe Four Horsemen of relationship breakdown (from the Gottman Method)Tips for suggesting therapy to a partner without triggering defensivenessWhy a therapist trained in ADHD makes all the differenceHow to use the “5% Rule” to break down overwhelming tasksWhy couples therapy can be a tune-up, not just a last resortLinks:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-gastelle-719820a5/WEBSITE: https://www.empowermytherapy.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/empowerpsychotherapyllc/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerPsychotherapyllcSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Hufsa Ahmad (a licensed clinical social worker, scientist, and mental health advocate) about her journey navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, and repeated misdiagnoses. Hufsa shares how being a high-achieving, internally motivated student meant her ADHD often went unnoticed, and how co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder complicated her diagnosis and treatment.This is a compassionate look at what happens when neurodivergent identities are misunderstood or dismissed and how curiosity, humour, and self-compassion can become essential tools for healing and growth. Hufsa’s insights as both clinician and lived-experience advocate offer validation for anyone living with multiple diagnoses or feeling unseen in traditional mental health narratives.Key Points from the EpisodeHufsa's ADHD was repeatedly diagnosed and undiagnosed due to her high academic performance and non-stereotypical traits.The challenges of co-occurring ADHD and bipolar disorder and how overlapping symptoms often lead to misinterpretation or mistreatment.Why "undiagnosing" someone is still a form of diagnosis — and often a harmful one.How high-achieving individuals with ADHD are often dismissed and the emotional toll that takes.The tension between “is it ADHD or is it just me?” and how that impacts identity and self-compassion.The impact of masking, internalised stigma, and imposter syndrome on neurodivergent people.Self-regulation strategies: from meditation and cycling to going offline and reducing social media use.Hufsa’s upcoming book, Same Shiite, Different Day, and how it reflects the nonlinear, multi-faceted nature of an ADHD brain.LinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hufsaahmad/WEBSITE: https://hufsaahmad.com/speaker/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg welcomes author, educator, and improv-driven motivator Ron Shuali, known for his unique blend of martial arts, humour, and unorthodox teaching. Diagnosed with ADHD in early childhood, Ron defied expectations and built a life around passion, curiosity, and non-conformity. From creating Yogarate to launching “Unprofessional Development” workshops, Ron’s journey is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, challenging norms, and harnessing your neurodivergence as a mighty strength.This fast-paced episode explores the beauty of authenticity, the power of play-based learning, and how to find stillness even in a racing ADHD brain.Key Points in the EpisodeWhy Ron has never followed the rule book, and why that’s his strengthThe importance of play, curiosity, and defiance in his ADHD journeyHow ADHD allowed him to hyperfocus and master diverse passionsThe birth of Yogarate and behaviour mastery for neurodivergent learnersWhy he’s on a mission to revolutionise “professional development”A surprisingly powerful ADHD-friendly strategy to find instant calmWhy embracing your inner child is essential for growth and connectionLinksLINKEDIN:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronshuali/WEBSITE: www.unpd.wtf YOUTUBE:  www.ronshualisyoutube.com TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/realronshuali?lang=en FACEBOOK:   https://www.facebook.com/RonspeakECE/ INSTAGRAM:   https://www.instagram.com/ron_shuali_m.ed/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Erica Glessing - a writer, publisher, happiness coach, and mother of three neurodivergent children. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Erica brings positivity to everything she touches. From founding Happy Publishing to producing over 5,000 articles and a plethora of books, Erica has built a life that works with her brain’s natural rhythms.Together, they explore how embracing creative flow, multiple projects, and daily joy can lead to a more meaningful and manageable life with ADHD.Key Points from the Episode:Erica’s late ADHD diagnosis through a coaching connectionHow recognising her children’s differences helped her understand her own brainBuilding a multi-passionate career through writing, publishing, and SEOThe power of letting joy and creative flow guide your workWhy she created Happy Publishing and the stories behind her booksStrategies for celebrating small wins and choosing joy dailyPractical insights on releasing self-judgement and working with your ADHD brainLinks: LINKEDIN: Erica GlessingFACEBOOK: Erica GlessingINSTAGRAM: Erica GlessingEMAIL: [email protected]   AMAZON: Erica Glessing AuthorSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with therapist, sex addiction specialist, and former pastry chef Mordy Gottlieb, who brings a refreshing perspective on ADHD, shame, and self-worth. Mordy shares his own lived experience with undiagnosed ADHD, his journey through perfectionism. He discusses why traditional talk therapy isn’t always enough and how experiential and action-based approaches can help rewire the brain more effectively.This conversation explores what it really means to stop fixing and start accepting, offering tangible insights for those navigating ADHD, trauma, shame, and stuckness. From redefining productivity to the healing power of movement, Mordy invites us to shift how we see ourselves.Key Points from the EpisodeWhy perfectionism and productivity can mask undiagnosed ADHDThe link between trauma, shame, and ADHD symptomsHow traditional talk therapy sometimes falls short for neurodivergent clientsReframing avoidance: not as laziness, but as a nervous system responseThe therapeutic power of experiential modalities like psychodrama and accelerated resolution therapyDelegation as a key ADHD-friendly productivity toolHow redefining success can be a radical act of self-acceptanceDancing as a metaphor, and practice, for embracing imperfection and body trustLinksLINKEDIN: Mordy GottliebWEBSITE: thegamechangergroup.comSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with Jessica Lewis, a voice-over artist, photographer, podcast host, and mum of three ADHD kids, about her journey of self-discovery and late ADHD diagnosis. Jessica reflects on how parenting led to recognising her own neurodivergent traits, the emotional rollercoaster of raising differently wired children, and how small, simple strategies have helped her create calm amidst the chaos.Jessica’s podcast Quick Wins for ADHD Moms is all about practical tools, and this conversation is no different. Full of real-world wisdom, it’s a reminder that tiny wins can lead to big changes and that self-compassion might just be the most powerful strategy of all.Key Points from the EpisodeThe parenting journey that sparked Jessica’s own ADHD discoveryWhy her son’s impulsivity and creativity became a turning pointThe emotional impact of diagnosis and the validation it broughtHow Jessica built a creative career around voice work, photography, and podcastingWhy Quick Wins for ADHD Moms was born out of a need for simple, actionable helpThe power of tiny habits, daily rituals, and delayed dopamineSelf-coaching: how to pause, reflect, and reframe in real timeScripts for saying no: the underestimated ADHD boundary strategyLetting go of perfection, embracing seasons, and asking for helpLinksLINKEDIN: Jessica LewisQUICK WINS PODCAST: TheADHDmom.comINSTAGRAM: quickwinsadhdmomsWEBSITE: JessicaLewisVoice.comWEBSITE: ThePaintedSquare.comSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with Marnie Wills — AI strategist, former international athlete, educator, and multi-passionate entrepreneur. Marnie opens up about her late-discovered ADHD and how understanding her fast-moving brain has shaped the way she works, creates, and lives.By amplifying her innate multitasking drive and insatiable curiosity, Marnie shares the tools and strategies that help her channel her energy more productively, including how AI has become a key support in her own life, and how she now guides clients to use it as a powerful, generative business tool.Packed with insight and real-life examples, this conversation is a compelling reminder to view AI not as artificial intelligence, but as amplified intelligence, especially for ADHDers and neurodivergent thinkers wired for momentum and innovation.Key Points in the EpisodeThe early signs that made Marnie question how her brain workedDiscovering the power of strategy, creativity, and forward-thinkingHow late-diagnosed ADHD shaped her entrepreneurial journeyThe surprising ways AI complements an ADHD brainWhy multitasking and reverse engineering are her superpowersThe mindset shift from "gap" to "gain"Why AI isn’t cheating. It’s amplifying human intelligenceBuilding ethical and human-led AI systems in businessThe potential of AI to transform education for neurodivergent learnersHigh-performance habits and the importance of reflectionReframing life seasons with “It’s not forever, it’s just for now”LinksLINKEDIN: Marnie WillsINSTAGRAM: Marnie WillsFREE RESOURCES & AI STRATEGY SESSION: https://stan.store/business_with_ai_strategistSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with radio host, advocate, and mum of two neurodivergent children, Meredith Jones. Through supporting her children, Meredith began recognising familiar patterns in herself, leading to a journey of curiosity and self-awareness around ADHD.While currently undiagnosed and on the ADHD assessment wait-list, she is on a journey of understanding how her brain works, allowing herself to implement meaningful strategies for emotional regulation, daily structure, and self-compassion. This conversation is a wonderful reminder that you don’t have to wait for an official diagnosis to begin supporting your brain. Sometimes, recognition is the first and most important step.Key Points in the Episode:Why Meredith started questioning her own neurodivergence How rejection sensitivity was a major clue in her ADHD discovery journeyThe emotional weight of being misdiagnosed with depression for yearsHow self-understanding has brought compassion to her past and present selfWhy validation and curiosity are key before and after diagnosisThe role of somatic tools, sensory techniques, and low-pressure routinesHow she’s building a more supportive world for others through her radio show and podcastLinks:ACCESS RADIO: Thats-good-to-knowLINKEDIN: Meredith JonesTHAT’S GOOD TO KNOW PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Z5UDMRTdyKNpAI5WL8Ny2?si=6baa08a3713a4556INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thats.good.to.know.pod/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with 19-year-old neurodiversity advocate Lily Doolan, recently elected CEO of the Young Neurodiversity Champions of New Zealand. Diagnosed with ADHD at 17, Lily shares her journey from being misunderstood at school to finding clarity, purpose, and passion as a youth leader and university student. Lily opens up about the impact of diagnosis, burnout, education reform, and the importance of filling your cup. With refreshing honesty, she challenges the narrative around “naughty kids,” and champions inclusion, compassion, and spaces where neurodivergent voices are truly heard.Key Points from the EpisodeWhat it felt like growing up undiagnosed with ADHDThe emotional impact receiving a late teen diagnosisHow medication and understanding changed Lily’s academic experienceLife as a university student and managing executive dysfunctionStepping into leadership as CEO of the Young Neurodiversity ChampionsHow to create more neuro-inclusive schoolsThe power of routines and checklists for energy regulationBurnout warning signs and what helped Lily recoverA message of hope for undiagnosed or struggling young peopleLinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-doolan-22ab11282/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/whoknowslils/WEBSITE: https://www.neurodiversity.org.nz/neurodiversity-championsINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/youngneurodiversitychampions/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Bex O’Malley  —  a neurodiversity consultant, ADHD coach, and former corporate high-performer. Diagnosed later in life, Bex shares the toll of masking, the realities of ADHD burnout, and the strategies that helped her rebuild on her own terms.From emotional dysregulation to workplace misalignment, from self-awareness to role crafting, Bex invites us into a conversation about designing systems that serve neurodivergent lives — not squeeze us into the wrong ones. Plus, she shares her own frameworks, including AFFEMA, HALT-HB, and the triangle check-in that helps her clients (and herself) reset in moments of stress.Key Points from the EpisodeWhy burnout in ADHD isn’t about overwork — it’s about misalignmentThe invisible cost of “high performance” in neurotypical environmentsHow Bex reframed her experience of boredom as a need for momentumPractical tools for identifying early signs of ADHD burnoutWhat a neuro-affirming workplace really looks like (and why it benefits everyone)The power of intentional pausing, breathwork, and self-awareness toolsRole crafting and why it matters more than ticking a “diversity” boxA deep dive into an array of strategies: Drama Triangle, AFEEMA and HALT-HBThe mindset shift that helped Bex protect her joy and energyAdvice for anyone stuck in the burnout-blame cycleLinksLINKEDIN Bex O'MalleyINSTAGRAM: Bex O'MalleyHUMAN FABRIC WEBSITE: www.humanfabric.co.nzBEX O'MALLEY BIO: Bex OMalleyCOACHING INFO: ADHD Coaching for ProfessionalsCURIOUS TO LEARN MORE: Book a discovery call or coaching sessionSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with Carol Siege, certified professional coach, keynote speaker, and mother of four neurodiverse sons. Carol brings practical insight drawn from decades of lived experience navigating ADHD, autism, learning differences, anxiety, and more within her own family.Carol shares how parenting her “alphabet soup” family led to her passion for supporting other parents through her coaching work. From emotional regulation and sibling dynamics to twice-exceptionality and self-care, this episode is full of real-world strategies for raising neurodiverse children while staying grounded yourself.Key Points from the EpisodeWhat it’s really like to raise four children with overlapping neurodivergent needsWhy sibling relationships can be both challenging and transformational in neurodiverse familiesHow understanding your child’s diagnosis changes everythingWhat “twice exceptionality” means and why it often goes unnoticedHow Carol helps young adults find their footing beyond schoolThe daily rituals that helped Carol stay grounded through it allWhat most parents get wrong about supporting neurodivergent kidsWhy self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essentialThe one thing Carol believes every neurodivergent child needs to hearLinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-siege/WEBSITE: https://familypathwayscoaching.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/siege.carol/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Sian Flynn-Coleman, an ADHD life coach, mother, and passionate advocate of the ADHD Inquiry New Zealand. Together, they unpack the ADHD Inquiry petition calling for a public investigation into the systemic gaps that impact ADHDers across health, education, justice, and employment sectors in Aotearoa. It’s calling for a national cross-sector ADHD strategy and an annual funding plan — not to start from scratch, but to build on the progress already made and ensure lasting reform. With lived experience and clarity, Sian highlights why coordinated national support is critical and how collective voices can lead to lasting change.Whether you’re based in New Zealand or beyond, this conversation offers hope, solidarity, and practical insight into what advocacy can look like from the ground up.Key Points from this Episode:Sian’s personal ADHD diagnosis and the turning point that led to advocacyWhy the ADHD Inquiry NZ matters now—and what it’s really calling forThe concept of “systemic harm” and what a public inquiry could achieveThe hidden cost of inaction: financial, societal, and personalHow a petition becomes part of the national record and leads to changeWhat sustainable, government-backed funding could unlock for ADHD supportDisproportionate impact on the justice systemThe power of grassroots movements and collective visibilityWhat Sian would say to policymakers, and the hope she holds for the futureLinks:ADHD INQUIRY PETITION: https://petitions.parliament.nz/42b5c524-f57f-4c3f-eb1f-08ddcf0ec835?lang=enWEBSITE: https://adhdinquiry.nz/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhdinquirynz/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/adhdinquirynzINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhdinquirynz/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianmichelle/LINK TREE: https://linktr.ee/sian.michellePODCAST & WEBSITE: https://multidimensionaladhd.com/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Kathy Buskett, a professional caricature artist and solo entrepreneur who discovered her own ADHD while navigating her son’s diagnosis. Kathy shares how her ADHD traits, once dismissed as being "scatterbrained", have become her greatest strengths in both life and art.From rebuilding her life after personal tragedy to becoming one of the fastest caricature artists in the world, Kathy opens up about resilience, creativity, faith, and the power of leaning into your neurodivergence. She also discusses her writing projects, her unique ADHD-driven creative process, and how she's embraced late diagnosis as a turning point, not a setback.Key Points from the EpisodeDiscovering her ADHD during her son’s diagnosis journeyMisunderstood childhood behaviours and inattentive ADHDThe impact of executive dysfunction in life and entrepreneurshipRebuilding life after the loss of her husbandUsing hyperfocus as a superpower in her artTransitioning into weddings and emotional storytelling through caricatureWorking with (not against) insomnia and creative burstsWriting a historical fiction novel in a non-linear ADHD-friendly wayEncouragement for late-diagnosed adults: “You’re not starting over”LinksWEBSITE: www.caricaturesbykathy.comWEBSITE: www.weddingsketchartist.comLINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/caricatures-by-kathy-97621615/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kathybuskett/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kathyebailey Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg welcomes Chris Loper, a Habit Coach and educator, to explore how lasting change starts with brain health, not just willpower. Chris shares his own late-ADHD diagnosis journey and the pivotal realisations that followed, including how lifestyle foundations like sleep, nutrition, and movement support focus, emotional regulation, and motivation.From designing a brain-friendly morning routine to building focus with what Chris calls “bicep curls for the brain,” this conversation is full of accessible strategies and grounded encouragement for anyone looking to thrive with ADHD. So, whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting someone with ADHD, or looking to build better habits without brute force, this conversation is full of permission, strategy, and hope.Key Points from the EpisodeChris’s personal journey to ADHD diagnosis in adulthoodWhy lifestyle, not just medication, is foundational for ADHD brainsThe critical role of sleep, nutrition, and movement in managing symptomsHow improving brain health impacts focus, motivation, and emotional resilienceThe problem with relying on “brute force” and how strategy changes the gameWhy he calls focus “bicep curls for the brain” and how to train it sustainablyMorning routines that prioritise cognitive fuel and reduce stressCoaching lessons from working with students, adults, and parentsRethinking ADHD through an evolutionary and strengths-based lensEncouragement for those newly diagnosed or feeling stuckLinksWEBSITE: Becoming BetterWEBSITE: Smart College HabitsLINKEDIN: Chris Loper FACEBOOK: We Are Becoming BetterSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg chats with Kiwi screenwriter, actor, and pro wrestling commentator Steve McCleary, best known for his work on Power Rangers.  Steve reflects on his late ADHD diagnosis, tracing the thread from misunderstood childhood behaviours to the clarity that came in adulthood. He shares his pure joy for plot dynamics, his love of the creative process, how he’s redefined success, and how understanding his neurodivergence has reshaped his approach to writing, perspective, and living fully. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone exploring diagnosis later in life, those in creative industries, or anyone seeking permission to love what they love, unapologetically.Key Points from the EpisodeSteve’s journey to adult ADHD diagnosisHow childhood trauma often masks neurodivergenceThe "brake pad" metaphor and the crash of coping mechanismsWhy Power Rangers was the perfect ADHD jobInside the world of ADR, monster voices, and hyper-creative TV writingWrestling, dopamine, and finding your tribeManaging distraction and burnout with intentional creative ritualsRedefining success and choosing joy over judgementEncouragement for newly diagnosed creatives navigating ADHD LinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mccleary-9a649ba3/WEBSITE: https://proofreadernz.com/ X: https://x.com/SJMcClearyINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stevejmccleary/?hl=en Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Justine Munro, CEO of the Neurodiversity In Education Project in New Zealand. Justine brings passion, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to reimagining inclusive education. She shares her late ADHD diagnosis journey, the challenges facing neurodivergent learners, and the powerful programs being rolled out across New Zealand to ensure that every student, regardless of how their brain works, feels seen, supported, and celebrated. From practical strategies and resources for educators to mindset shifts around self-understanding and kindness, this episode is packed with empowering ideas for anyone raising, teaching, or working alongside neurodivergent young people. Key Points from the Episode: Justine’s late diagnosis and how it reshaped her understanding of herself and her family The mission of the Neurodiversity In Education Project and why it matters now more than ever Why traditional education systems fail to support neurodivergent learners and what needs to change The importance of celebrating brain differences rather than treating them as deficits How programs like Mind Plus and Clubs help neurodivergent learners thrive socially, emotionally, and intellectually Why empowering teachers (not overburdening them) is key to systemic change Justine’s personal strategies: curiosity, collaboration, self-compassion, and the game-changing power of neuroplasticityLinks:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-munro/  LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurodiversity-in-education-project/ WEBSITE: https://www.neurodiversity.org.nz/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/neurodiversity.org.nz INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversitynz/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/yncnz/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/youngneurodiversitychampions/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@youngndchampions Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg welcomes Colin McIntosh, a serial entrepreneur best known as the founder of Sheets & Giggles and co-creator of the AI-powered tool sheetsresume.com. Colin shares his late ADHD diagnosis story, how it shaped his work ethic and personal strategies, and the unfiltered realities of building multiple businesses while navigating ADHD.Colin talks about the highs (hyperfocus and creativity) and lows (distraction and dopamine traps) of ADHD entrepreneurship. From his 3am work sprints to self-imposed deadlines and ditching morning meetings altogether, Colin offers practical, real-world advice for anyone building a business with an ADHD brain.Key Points from the EpisodeColin’s unexpected journey to a late ADHD diagnosisHow ADHD shaped his path as a multi-time entrepreneurThe behind-the-scenes story of building Sheets & GigglesWhy traditional structures don’t work for ADHD brainsCreative ways Colin works with his ADHD, not against itWhat makes ADHD brains thrive in startup lifeColin’s refreshing take on failure, dopamine, and distractionThe surprising role Reddit played in launching his side hustleWhy mission-driven business fuels sustainable focusEncouragement for ADHDers who are just getting startedLinksLINKEDIN: Colin D McIntoshWEBSITE: Sheets & Giggles   AI RESUME BUILDER: SheetsResume.comPODCAST: Sheet Talk  Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Angela Harvey – a social worker, facilitator, speaker, author, poet, filmmaker, and founder of Let’s Talk University. Angela reflects on her late ADHD diagnosis, the shame she once felt about medication, and how embracing her neurodivergence has sparked a creative explosion in her 50s.Angela shares her evolving relationship with productivity, identity, and purpose, weaving in stories of her award-winning film, her self-help poetry book, and her unapologetic approach to living out loud.Key Points from the Episode:Angela’s journey to a late ADHD diagnosis and the pivotal moment medication changed her self-perceptionWhy shame, not ADHD, was the real obstacle The power of self-embrace and how Angela customises her days to honour her neurodivergent strengthsHow ADHD has fuelled her creativity and led to projects like her documentary Black Rainbow Love and poetry/self-help bookAngela’s mindset of “healing in public” and encouraging others to talk openly about their neurodivergenceThe origin of her identity as a “Growthologist”: someone who helps grown folks grow upEncouragement for newly diagnosed individuals to define success on their own termsLinks:LINKEDIN: Angie Harvey SpeaksWEBSITE: Angie Harvey SpeaksEXHIBITION: Head of StatementsFILM: Black Rainbow LoveINSTAGRAM: AngieHarveySpeaksFACEBOOK: AHarveySpeaksYOUTUBE: AngieHarveySpeaksSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg welcomes Dr. Alise Murray – a clinical psychologist and life coach. With over 20 years of experience supporting adults with ADHD and a background working with highly sensitive people, Alise brings both professional expertise and deep compassion to the conversation. Together, she and Julie explore what makes ADHD management feel emotionally complex, how to navigate real-world challenges like time management, emotional regulation, and people-pleasing, all while honouring the unique wiring of our brains. From productivity tips to mindset shifts, this episode offers both encouragement and practical tools for anyone struggling to make life work with their ADHD, not against it.Key Points from the Episode:Alise’s background and entry into ADHD workUnderstanding high sensitivity (HSP) and how it overlaps with traits often seen in ADHDersRejection Sensitivity & Emotional Regulation: why emotional overwhelm is so common in ADHD and how repeated criticism and internalised shame play a role.The “Prior 10” Life Management System: Alise’s flexible planning method designed specifically for neurodivergent thinkers who don’t fit into traditional, linear productivity systemsWhy many ADHD-friendly tools fail: a critique of overly rigid organisational methods and how they overlook emotional and motivational components“You can’t live a meaningful life without disappointing people sometimes”: a powerful mindset shift Alise shares to help ADHDers set boundaries and communicate with graceDealing with low motivation Turning shame into self-celebrationAlise’s upcoming group coaching program, STAND, which supports ADHDers with planning, communication, motivation, and follow-throughLinks:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alise-murray-454238a8/  INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dralisem/ PRIOR 10: https://www.dr-alise.com/ STAND WAITLIST: https://www.dr-alise.com/stand-waitlistPODCAST: https://yourprioritycenteredlife.buzzsprout.comSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg sits down with Shelby Dennis, a freelance copywriter turned ADHD-friendly business coach. Shelby shares her journey from corporate frustration to entrepreneurial freedom, following a late ADHD diagnosis that helped reframe years of feeling “too much” in traditional work environments.Now coaching other neurodivergent freelancers, Shelby brings lived wisdom to what it means to build a business that works with your ADHD brain. From questioning conventional business advice to designing creative systems, this conversation is packed with real talk for ADHDers trying to carve their own path.Key Points from the Episode:Shelby’s diagnosis journey and how recurring feedback at work helped her realise she wasn’t “broken”, just wired differently.Why traditional business advice often fails ADHDers.How to harness ADHD strengths in business, especially intuition, creativity, and rapid adaptability.The power of mindset: reframing “failures”. The whiteboard system Shelby learned from her dad, breaking tasks into small steps and time-tagging them to combat time blindness and overwhelm.Managing scattered ideas so you can build momentum without losing sight of bigger dreams.Creating emotionally intelligent business communities for ADHD freelancers and shame-free support.A powerful reframe for neurodivergent entrepreneurs: What if there’s nothing wrong with you and everything wrong with the systems you’ve been trying to fit into?Links: LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbydenniscopywriter/SHELBY DENNIS WEBSITE: https://www.freelancermindset.com/FREELANCE WITHOUT FILTERS: https://www.skool.com/freelance-without-filters-4974/about?ref=30e789474b3e4f13b956b3c7a355866cSend us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg is joined by Jel Legg, a multi-disciplinary creative whose life has moved through a remarkable series of reinventions - from engineering and web development to professional music production. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 55, Jel reflects on how his late diagnosis brought not just relief, but deep validation for a lifetime of curiosity, burnout, and non-linear success.With humour and insight, Jel shares how understanding his neurodivergence helped him give himself permission to live differently - to reconnect with childhood passions, prioritise joy over productivity, and make peace with his ADHD brain.Key Points from the Episode:Jel’s ADHD diagnosis at 55 and the clarity it brought to his lifelong pattern of reinventionHow burnout, especially after intense periods of creative or technical work, has shaped his career transitionsThe role of music and creativity as both outlet and lifelineReturning to childhood joys (like model railways) as a form of healing and self-connectionWhy ADHD brains often need novelty, movement, and autonomy to thriveThe importance of stepping away from systems that aren’t designed for neurodivergent mindsJel’s reflections on time blindness, executive dysfunction, and self-compassionHow self-awareness helped him stop trying to “fix” himself and start honouring what worksHis message for others diagnosed later in life: “You’re not broken. You’re just wired differently. And that wiring is brilliant.”Links:OLDER WEBSITE: https://older.co.nz/STUDIO 109: https://studio109.co.nz/Send us Fan MailThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz  📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast ▶️ YOUTUBE: @adhdifference🎙️ YOUR HOST: JulieLegg.nz ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More