“You kind of live in an oxymoron when you’ve got ADHD.”

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of ADHD: Beyond The Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds sit down with Emily, hospitality leader and founder of the sober-curious community Sober & Social to explore the addictive patterns that can quietly shape an ADHD life.

From drinking at 12 to thriving in nightlife culture, Emily shares how alcohol and drugs became a way to quiet a noisy brain. What started as curiosity evolved into self-medication, a common but rarely unpacked ADHD trajectory.

But this isn’t just a story about addiction. It’s about awareness. It’s about hyperfocus turning into burnout. It’s about swapping substances for work obsession. It’s about dopamine, community, caffeine, kettle chips… and mushroom coffee. It’s about learning that the ADHD brain doesn’t stop being “addictive”, it just learns where to place its energy.

In a candid conversation, the trio explore:

- Why ADHD and addictive behaviours are so closely linked

- The progression from alcohol to drugs — and the rarely discussed reversal

- Hyperfocus, burnout and “productive addiction”

- The power of community in recovery

- Choosing healthier dopamine sources

- And why taking a conscious pause might be the bravest move of all

Emily’s journey isn’t about erasing her addictive side, it’s about understanding it, befriending it, and directing it with intention.

This episode is honest, hopeful and incredibly relatable for anyone who’s ever swung between extremes. Because sometimes growth isn’t about doing more. Sometimes it’s about pressing pause.

In this powerful episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds sit down with Jess Rad, to explore what happens when neurodiversity is no longer hidden, but celebrated.Jess shares the deeply personal journey that began with her daughter’s late neurodivergent identification and led to her own exploration of ADHD. What started as navigating EHCPs and education systems became a catalyst for profound self-understanding, validation, and purpose.Together, they unpack:- Why so many adults discover their ADHD only after their children are diagnosed- The emotional journey from denial and anger to acceptance and empowerment- How shame around “not conforming” can be more damaging than any label- The overlooked sensory experiences that shape daily life — from haircuts to school environments- Why curiosity may be the most powerful starting point for changeJess speaks passionately about creating safe and brave spaces in businesses and communities — environments where people can unmask without fear of judgment. Through her Neurocurious events, she’s working to normalize and mainstream conversations around ADHD, autism, and intersectional identity, reframing neurodivergence as a competitive advantage rather than a weakness.Drawing on Stoic philosophy and Elizabeth Gilbert’s metaphor of fear as a passenger (not the driver), this episode challenges listeners to rethink how they view ADHD. You may not be able to change your neurotype, but you can change how you think about it.At its heart, this conversation is about removing shame, changing the narrative, and building a world where someone can say, “Hi, I’m ADHD,” as casually as ordering a coffee and be met with understanding.

What if the way we describe ADHD and neurodivergence as a whole is already out of date?

In this episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton & John Reynolds explore a radical and deeply human reframe: that being “wired differently” isn’t a deficit to be managed, but a vital part of creativity, resilience, and even our survival as a species.

Joined by clinician, trauma specialist, and mindset coach Emmy Brunner, they question the very idea of “normal,” challenge the language of disorder, and unpack why creativity is so often overlooked as a core human need, not just a talent or a hobby.

Drawing on decades of clinical work, Emmy shares insights from working with high-performing artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs, many of whom live with ADHD traits and highly sensitive nervous systems.

This episode explores:

- Why labels can limit more than they help

- How creativity, vulnerability, and intimacy form a powerful internal compass

- The hidden cost of tethering self-worth to external validation

- Why slowing down physically can help fast minds thrive

- How fear, rejection sensitivity, and masking shape ADHD lives

- Why surrender, not control, is often where growth begins

At the heart of the conversation is Emmy’s concept of “vintivity”, the integration of creativity, intimacy, and vulnerability and why reconnecting with these qualities can transform how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.

This is a calm, expansive, and quietly radical conversation about bravery, self-acceptance, and letting go of the idea that you are a problem to be fixed.

Because bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. It means choosing to grow, even when you’re scared.