PODCAST · health
Authentically ADHD with Carmen
by Where the chaos of ADHD meets self-acceptance, growth, and a whole lot of authenticity
Hi! I'm Carmen, a late-diagnosed ADHDer, ADHD life coach, and early childhood special education teacher who wants to spread awareness, relate to other ADHDers, and have fun while talking and learning about the difficulties, awesomeness, and new research behind the neurodiverse ADHD brain.ARE YOU READY?? Let's get started! carmenauthenticallyadhd.substack.com
Episodes
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Stop Trying to Become a More Convenient Person
In this episode of Authentically ADHD with Carmen, we explore what it means to build an AuDHD-friendly life instead of constantly trying to “fix” yourself. We look at how executive-function differences, sensory needs, masking, and the demands of daily life can make routines, relationships, and...
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THE VERSION OF ME YOU MADE UP
RESEARCH NOTES / SHOW-NOTES SOURCES In this episode of Authentically ADHD with Carmen, we’re talking about what happens when people don’t just misunderstand you—they confidently decide what your behavior means, assign motives you never had, and then treat that interpretation like fact. For AuDHD...
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The AuDHD Self-Trust Crisis: When Your Brain Keeps Changing the Terms and Conditions
What happens when you genuinely mean to follow through—but your capacity, memory, emotions, and nervous system keep changing the terms and conditions? In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores the tangled relationship between AuDHD and self-trust. From inconsistent executive...
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ONE TINY TRANSITION, ONE COMPLETELY DERAILED DAY
Why switching tasks can feel physically impossible for the AuDHD brain—and how to make transitions less expensive One tiny transition can somehow derail an entire AuDHD day. In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores why stopping, starting, switching tasks and unexpectedly changing...
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“I’ll Do It When I Have More Energy” and Other AuDHD Fairy Tales
Have you ever promised yourself, “I’ll do it when I have more energy”—only to discover that Future You is just as exhausted and now has an even longer to-do list? In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores the reality of inconsistent AuDHD capacity and why being able to do something…
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ADHD, Autism, or Both? The Identity Plot Twist Nobody Explained to Us
ADHD and autism can share features - executive-function struggles, intense focus, sensory differences, social friction, emotional dysregulation - without being interchangeable. This episode explores how the same outward behavior can have different internal causes, why AuDHD often feels like…
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Your Brain Didn’t Forget They Exist—It Lost the Retrieval Cue
Have you ever forgotten to text someone you deeply love, missed an appointment that genuinely mattered, or lost the important object you deliberately placed somewhere “safe”? It is often described online as an ADHD or AuDHD “object permanence” problem—but that is not quite what is happening. In...
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My Brain Has Plenty of Goals—It Just Misplaced the “Go” Button
Why can an AuDHD brain write an entire podcast episode, reorganize a whole room, or research a random topic for three hours—but still feel physically unable to answer one email or move the laundry? In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen breaks down the neuroscience of dopamine, reward...
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The First Bell Is a Nervous-System Event
Back-to-school season is often presented as an exciting fresh start—but for neurodivergent children, AuDHD families, parents, and educators, the first bell can feel more like a full-body nervous-system event. In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores how the transition back to school...
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Priory? I Barely Know Her
Why can an AuDHD brain create an elaborate plan, color-code the entire week, and still have absolutely no idea what to do first? In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores the complicated relationship between AuDHD, executive dysfunction, planning, and prioritizing. For adults with…
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Your Student Isn’t Refusing to Learn—Their Brain Is Busy Surviving the Classroom
Neurodivergent students can know the answer, understand the lesson, and still be unable to access learning in a classroom that feels loud, unpredictable, overwhelming, or emotionally unsafe In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores what autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD students may need...
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The AuDHD Freeze Response
Why can you care deeply about a task, fully understand what needs to be done, and still feel physically unable to begin? In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores the AuDHD freeze response—the frustrating gap between intention and action shaped by task-initiation struggles, autistic...
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Why Does My Brain Have 47 Tabs Open and None of Them Are Loading?
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores why AuDHD brains can feel like they have 47 tabs open and none of them are loading. We break down the overlap between ADHD executive dysfunction and autistic overload, including sensory processing, decision fatigue, transitions, emotional...
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Still Exhausted After Rest?
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen breaks down why AuDHD recovery is so much deeper than simply lying down, sleeping, or taking a “lazy day.” For autistic ADHD brains, exhaustion is often not just physical — it can be sensory, cognitive, emotional, social, demand-based…
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Live Recording Replay - AuDHD with Carmen
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Tom Owens I did answer the question you left on my post! In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen turns a Substack Live AuDHD Ask Me Anything into a clear, compassionate, and deeply relatable...
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Dear AuDHDer, Your Nervous System Is Not a Group Project
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen gets into the nervous-system chaos of being AuDHD around unpredictable people, last-minute plan changes, emotional demands, masking, and the soul-deep exhaustion that comes from confusing love with constant availability. “Dear AuDHDer, Your Nervous...
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Your AuDHD Brain Does Not Need More Discipline. It Needs Better Ramps
Your AuDHD brain does not need more discipline. It needs better ramps. In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we’re breaking down why willpower is the crusty old motivational poster of nervous system support — and why accommodations, scaffolding, visual supports, sensory tools, body doubling,...
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Medicated, Misdiagnosed, and Mildly Electrified
Medication is not a morality test. It is a tool — and for AuDHD brains, that tool needs nuance. In this episode, we’re unpacking stimulants, non-stimulants, off-label meds, comorbid medication combos, misdiagnosis, and why treating anxiety or depression without recognizing ADHD/autism can leave...
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The “Right Way” Curse: Why AuDHD Perfectionism Is Actually a Nervous System Safety Plan
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we unpack the “right way” curse: that very AuDHD experience of needing the perfect plan, perfect instructions, perfect timing, perfect method, and maybe a tiny sacrifice to the executive function gods before starting literally anything. This episode reframes...
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Live with carmen_authenticallyadhd
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app, to be scheduled soon! Drop questions/Topics in the comments! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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Self-Trust After ADHD: Why You Don’t Believe Yourself Anymore
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen explores why so many late-diagnosed ADHD, autistic, and AuDHD adults struggle to trust themselves. This isn’t about being indecisive, dramatic, or “bad at life.” It’s about years of being misunderstood, corrected, dismissed, and trained to doubt your...
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AuDHD and the Social Battery: Why You’re Still Exhausted After Rest
Show Notes: Hello and welcome to Authentically ADHD – I’m Carmen, and I’m so glad you’re tuning in. Today we’re exploring a topic I know many of us grapple with: why you’re still exhausted even after resting, especially when you’re both autistic and ADHD (often called AuDHD). If you’ve ever...
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Your Brain Isn’t Broken — It’s Patterned (Understanding the AuDHD Brain)
If you’re AuDHD (autism + ADHD), life can feel like a constant contradiction: craving routine but rebelling against it, needing stimulation but getting overwhelmed, wanting connection but burning out socially. In this episode, Carmen breaks down what neurodivergence actually means (not a...
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AuDHD and the Holidays: Navigating the Holiday Hustle and Overwhelm
Hello and welcome to another episode of Authentically ADHD. I’m Carmen, and today we’re diving into how the holiday season feels through the eyes (and brain) of someone with AuDHD – that is, co-occurring autism and ADHD. For many of us, the holidays can feel less “holly jolly” and more like a...
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Masking, Unmasking, and the Exhaustion in Between
Introduction Imagine trying to swim while holding a beach ball underwater – you might pull it off for a bit, but sooner or later that ball is bobbing to the surface. Masking ADHD can feel just like that. Many of us with ADHD learn early that our brains and behaviors can stand out, so we develop a...
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Why Transitions Feel Like a Full-Body Earthquake
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we’re cracking open one of the most misunderstood struggles of AuDHD life: transitions. Whether it’s getting out of bed, switching tasks, or handling major life shifts like job changes or breakups—transitions can feel like full-body earthquakes that knock us...
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Too Positive? Deep Dive on Toxic Positivity (part 1))
🎙️ Episode Title: Too Positive? Deep Dive on Toxic Positivity – Part 1 💥 Podcast: Authentically ADHD with Carmen Episode Summary: In this powerful Part 1 episode, Carmen unpacks the surprisingly harmful impact of toxic positivity—that relentless “good vibes only” energy that floods our feeds…
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ADHD & Energy Management The Spoon Theory Explained
🎙️ Episode Title: ADHD & Energy Management: The Spoon Theory, Explained 💥 Summary:In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we're digging deep into something that hits WAY too close to home for many of us: energy management. You know that frustrating gap between what you want to do and what your...
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ADHD’s Secret Focus Hack
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, host Carmen dives into the powerful productivity hack of body doubling – a strategy that can help ADHDers stay focused, overcome procrastination, and actually get stuff done. Body doubling isn’t just about sitting next to a friend while you work (though that...
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Why This Season Feels Like a Mental Marathon
BONUS EPISODE Back-to-School Brain: Why This Season Feels Like a Mental Marathon and 7 Strategies to Survive It The back-to-school season is here, and if you have ADHD (or love someone who does), you might already feel that familiar cocktail of excitement, dread, and complete mental overload.…
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Impulsive, Confused, Regretful? You Might Be Missing This Key ADHD Skill
Ever found yourself blurting something out, making a random decision, or spiraling into shame after a hyperfocus bender — only to ask yourself later, “What was I even thinking?” You’re not broken — but you might be missing a critical executive function skill that ADHD brains often struggle with:...
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The Clock is Ticking: Understanding ADHD Time Anxiety
Summary: Ever feel like you're running late to your own life? Same. In this hilariously honest episode, Carmen dives headfirst into the whirlwind world of ADHD time anxiety — that all-too-familiar panic that shows up when a deadline is looming… or already passed. 🫠 We explore why ADHD brains...
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ADHD & Self-Awareness: Understanding Your Unique Brain
ADHD & Self-Awareness: Understanding Your Unique Brain Carmen (voice-over): Hey everyone, it’s Carmen here from Authentically ADHD. Have you ever felt like you just don’t know yourself? Like your brain is a mystery you can’t solve? (I see your hand – yes, you too!) You’re not alone. Today we’re...
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ADHD and Careers
Welcome to another episode of Authentically ADHD! Today, we're diving into a topic close to many of our hearts: choosing a career that aligns with our ADHD strengths and passions. Navigating career paths can be overwhelming, especially with ADHD traits like creativity, hyperfocus, and...
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ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions: Anxiety, Mood, and Learning Disorders
Welcome or welcome back to Authentically ADHD, the podcast where we embrace the chaos and magic of the ADHD brain. Im carmen and today we're diving into a topic that's as complex as my filing system (which is to say, very): ADHD and its common co-occurring mood and learning disorders. Fasten your...
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Authentically ADHD – ADHD, Alexithymia, and Anhedonia: Understanding Emotions and Motivation
Authentically ADHD – ADHD, Alexithymia, and Anhedonia: Understanding Emotions and Motivation Hello and welcome to Authentically ADHD! I’m Carmen, your host. Today, we’re diving into a topic that might hit very close to home for a lot of us: the confusing intersection of ADHD, alexithymia, and...
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ADHD and the Tangled Web of Self-Trust
Hey there, welcome back to Authentically ADHD! I'm so glad you pressed play on this episode today, because its on a topic that when I learned it, i found out it was the work i never knew i was missing and this skill has given me so much more access to my authentic self. Today, we're diving into a...
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Why Am I Always at Odds With Myself? ADHD and the Tug-of-War Within
In this deep-dive episode, Carmen explores the constant inner conflict many adults with ADHD experience—what psychology calls cognitive dissonance. It's that mental tug-of-war between what we intend to do and what we actually do, often amplified in ADHD brains due to emotional dysregulation,...
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ADHD and Procrastination: Understanding the Cycle and Breaking Free
ADHD and Procrastination: Understanding the Cycle and Breaking Free In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we dive deep into the relationship between ADHD and procrastination. For many with ADHD, procrastination isn't just about poor time management—it's a complex cycle rooted in the brain's...
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ADHD and Headaches: It's really NOT all in your head BONUS EPISODE
Published through Substack | Available on all platforms Hey ADHDers—ever canceled plans because your brain gave you a headache? (Yeah, same.) In this BONUS episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen—your coach, teacher, and fellow neurospicy human—dives headfirst into the wild connection between ADHD...
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The Hidden World of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome & ADHD
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen peels back the curtain on Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS)—sometimes called Sluggish Cognitive Tempo—to reveal why so many of us with ADHD feel stuck in a fog of daydreams, slow processing, and low energy. After a quick, relatable anecdote about...
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BONUS EPISODE: Love on a Roller Coaster, The ADHD Guide to Spotting Toxic Partners
Picture this: You’re on the wildest roller coaster of your life – dizzying highs, sudden drops, and your heart racing. For many of us with ADHD, early romance can feel exactly like that. Our brains light up with excitement and novelty, but those same traits that make us passionate can also leave…
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AuDHD and Processing Speed
Today, we’re diving into the world of AuDHD – a unique neurotype that combines both Autism and ADHD. This blog post will unpack why your brain might feel sluggish, how overstimulation can quickly spiral, and how sensory overload interferes with communication. We’ll also take a closer look at...
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Why We Ghost: ADHD, Social Avoidance & the Neuroscience Behind Ghosting
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, we dive deep into a behavior that many ADHDers know all too well: ghosting. Whether it's avoiding difficult conversations or disappearing unexpectedly from social situations, ghosting isn't about lack of care—it's about how our brains process and react to...
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ADHD & Autism in Daily Life: Neuroscience, Stories, and Strategies
Transcript: Welcome to today’s episode! We’re diving deep into ADHD and autism – what makes them unique, where they overlap, and how they shape day-to-day life. We’ll mix neuroscience, the latest research, and real-life stories to make it all click. This show is for neurodivergent adults, and…
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BONUS EPISODE Shame and Guilt in AuDHD: Understanding and Managing Emotions
Shame and guilt are heavy emotions that many neurodivergent people know all too well. In AuDHD (adults with co-occurring autism and ADHD), these feelings often run deep. Unlike simple embarrassment, shame goes to the core of “who I am,” while guilt is about “what I did”. For example, an AuDHD...
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ADHD and Emotional Intelligence: Why Feelings Can Feel Like Fireworks in a Windstorm
Welcome back to Authentically ADHD, where we turn emotional chaos into curious exploration. In this episode, Carmen dives deep into one of ADHD’s most misunderstood challenges: emotional intelligence. Spoiler alert — it’s not about being too sensitive, too reactive, or too much. It’s about how…
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Dopamine Dilemma: Understanding the ADHD Reward System
In this episode we talk about, this vicious cycle of avoidance, guilt, and stress is not your fault — it’s rooted in the neurobiology of ADHD. But understanding this gives us the power to break the cycle. We don’t have to rely on guilt or punishment to motivate ourselves. Instead, we can focus on...
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Understanding ADHD and Executive Functions: The Neuroscience Explaining a Very Common Disorder
In this episode of Authentically ADHD, host Carmen explores the neuroscience behind ADHD and executive functions—those critical mental processes essential for managing daily life tasks. Executive functions are described humorously as the "backstage crew" of the brain, responsible for working...
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Why Am I Always at Odds With Myself? ADHD and the Tug-of-War Within
In this deep-dive episode, Carmen explores the constant inner conflict many adults with ADHD experience—what psychology calls cognitive dissonance. It's that mental tug-of-war between what we intend to do and what we actually do, often amplified in ADHD brains due to emotional dysregulation,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hi! I'm Carmen, a late-diagnosed ADHDer, ADHD life coach, and early childhood special education teacher who wants to spread awareness, relate to other ADHDers, and have fun while talking and learning about the difficulties, awesomeness, and new research behind the neurodiverse ADHD brain.ARE YOU READY?? Let's get started!
carmenauthenticallyadhd.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Where the chaos of ADHD meets self-acceptance, growth, and a whole lot of authenticity
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Authentically ADHD with Carmen have?
Authentically ADHD with Carmen currently has 260 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Authentically ADHD with Carmen about?
Hi! I'm Carmen, a late-diagnosed ADHDer, ADHD life coach, and early childhood special education teacher who wants to spread awareness, relate to other ADHDers, and have fun while talking and learning about the difficulties, awesomeness, and new research behind the neurodiverse ADHD brain.ARE YOU...
How often does Authentically ADHD with Carmen release new episodes?
Authentically ADHD with Carmen publishes regularly with 260 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Authentically ADHD with Carmen on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Authentically ADHD with Carmen?
Authentically ADHD with Carmen is created and hosted by Where the chaos of ADHD meets self-acceptance, growth, and a whole lot of authenticity.
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