Hosts Justine and Lisa kick off the new year with their signature mix of honesty, humour, and unfiltered ADHD realness. This episode dives deep into the relentless cycle of burnout, the struggle to slow down, and how ADHD brains navigate energy highs and crashes.

Episode Highlights

ADHD, Burnout, and the Struggle to Stop

Justine and Lisa unpack the ADHD energy cycle—how momentum can feel unstoppable, leading to burnout before you even realize it. They explore why slowing down feels impossible for ADHD brains and how the drive to “do all the things” can push past the point of exhaustion.

Overfunctioning, Work, and ADHD Identity

The duo reflects on the unique pressures of work when your brain is wired for overachievement. They explore how ADHD passion-fueled hyperfocus can lead to taking on too much, and why rest often feels like an afterthought rather than a necessity.

The Emotional Load of ADHD & Parenting

From juggling work to supporting neurodivergent kids, Justine and Lisa explore how parenting with ADHD adds another layer of complexity. They discuss the emotional toll of always being ‘on’ and the challenge of balancing personal well-being with caregiving responsibilities.

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Burnout

ADHD brains tend to push through exhaustion—until they hit a wall. The hosts break down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that burnout is creeping in, from emotional dysregulation to losing patience over small things, and the importance of listening to your body before reaching total depletion.

Key Takeaways

🔥 Momentum Feels Addictive – The more you do, the harder it is to stop, making burnout a common cycle for ADHDers.

🧠 The ADHD Brain Struggles with Rest – Downtime doesn’t come naturally, and pausing often feels uncomfortable or unproductive.

💡 Early Signs Matter – Tolerance dropping, emotional swings, and physical exhaustion are all warning signs that a crash is coming.

⚡ Self-Awareness is Key – Recognising burnout before it fully takes hold allows for course correction and recovery.

Next Episode Preview

Coming up next, Justine and Lisa dig into over-functioning, ADHD work cycles, and the relentless drive to “do more” — even when it’s unsustainable. They’ll share insights on setting boundaries, prioritising rest, and why ADHD people often tie their identity to productivity.

From decoding why some projects get abandoned mid-sprint to exploring how ADHD brains can redefine success, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to balance ambition with well-being.

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🎧 Hit play and join the conversation, because ADHD brains are built for more, but we don’t have to burn out getting there.

Hosts Justine and Lisa are back, bringing their signature mix of sharp insights, humour, and unfiltered ADHD realness. This episode tackles impulsivity, public scrutiny, and how ADHD shows up in high-pressure situations. Inspired by the media storm around Dave Grohl’s recent personal revelations, they unpack the complexities of impulsive behaviour and public judgment through an ADHD lens.

Episode Highlights

• Impulsivity and Immediate Rewards Justine and Lisa dive into ADHD traits like emotional urgency, seeking instant gratification, and the challenge of self-regulation. They highlight how hyperfocus and impulsive actions can sometimes lead to neglecting personal needs or relationships. The hosts explore the neuroscience behind it all—dopamine deficiencies and the struggle with delayed gratification—and how this underpins behaviour that might appear selfish or reckless to others.
• ADHD, Empathy, and the Dave Grohl Media Frenzy Using Dave Grohl as a lens, the duo critiques media sensationalism and public quick-to-judge narratives. They argue that without an ADHD perspective, society misses the deeper context behind actions. They share how public figures like Dave become targets of armchair pundits, and call for a shift towards empathy and understanding—especially for those navigating neurodiverse challenges in the spotlight.
• Transitions, Loss, and Grief Through the ADHD Brain The hosts reflect on how transitions, like grieving or navigating major life changes, can overwhelm ADHDers. They link this to Dave’s recent life events, discussing how ADHD brains struggle with processing grief and transitions, leading to emotional and behavioural shifts. By weaving in lived experiences, they make the science of ADHD personal and relatable.
• The Role of Community and Safe Spaces Justine and Lisa emphasize the need for safe, judgment-free environments where neurodiverse individuals can process and heal. They extend an open invitation to Dave Grohl, reminding listeners that behind every scandal is a human story deserving compassion.

Key Takeaways

• ADHD Explains, But Doesn’t Excuse Understanding ADHD helps contextualise impulsive behaviours, but it’s not about justifying poor decisions—it’s about fostering empathy and deeper insights into why people act the way they do.
• Transitions Are Tough for ADHD Brains Whether it’s life changes, grief, or even shifting tasks, transitions demand executive functioning skills that ADHD brains find challenging.
• Empathy is the Game-Changer Instead of piling on judgment, the world needs to approach neurodiverse behaviours with curiosity and compassion.

Next Episode Preview

Future episodes will feature Lisa and Justine’s kids sharing their unfiltered take on ADHD in families. They’ll also tackle the neuroscience of holiday stress, explore why kindness and connection matter, and uncover how ADHD brains are wired for creativity and innovation. Expect a mix of science, stories, and strategies to help you thrive.

Find Us & Join the Community

👉 Website: brnwld.com/podcast

👉 Pre-register for Membership: brnwld.com/register

👉 Follow on Socials: @brnwldADHD

Welcome to the Debut Episode of the Born Wild ADHD Podcast! Hosts Justine and Lisa bring you the real, unfiltered truth of ADHD life. From tech fails to unplanned tangents, this episode dives into the mess, humor, and lessons of living—and parenting—with ADHD.

Episode Highlights

Justine and Lisa kick off the Born Wild ADHD Podcast with a hilariously relatable tech fail—a record button that needs pressing twice, plus Bluetooth struggles and even a rogue mosquito. They dive into the amplified demands of ADHD life, from juggling work, kids, and relationships to tackling everyday chaos. Justine opens up about sharing the mental load with her husband, while single mom Lisa talks about setting boundaries to stay sane.

Reflecting on their own upbringings, they explore the generational impact of ADHD and how they’re learning to rethink their parenting. Lisa shares her journey of simplifying life and saying no to what doesn’t serve her, while Justine discusses the challenge of prioritizing her well-being without guilt. In work, they agree that ADHD shines in flexible environments, with Justine thriving in freelancing and Lisa finding relief in a supportive workplace.

They close by celebrating the power of owning the ADHD label—not as a limitation, but as a unique perspective. For Justine and Lisa, ADHD life can be a “shit show on wheels,” but it’s also filled with humor, growth, and resilience. They encourage listeners to embrace the brilliance within the mess and make the most of their ADHD strengths.

This episode was the real ADHD experience – tech fails, laughs, and all. The difference between chaos and thriving?

• A Coaching Mindset With a coaching mindset, mistakes become learning moments, not failures. It’s all about rolling with the punches and leaning into our strengths.
• Supportive Environments Matter ADHD shines brightest when we’re in spaces that support us, where we feel safe to be ourselves and build resilience.

Next Episode Preview Next time, we’ll cover the topic we planned for today. Plus, we have thoughts on Karen and her crew’s latest attempt to cancel Dave Grohl—don’t miss it!

Find Us & Join the Community

👉 Learn more about us at brnwld.com/podcast

👉 Pre-register for the upcoming BRNWLD membership at brnwld.com/register

👉 Follow us on socials: @brnwldADHD

Thanks for tuning in – stay wild, and see you next time!