Are you exhausted from the daily battles, meltdowns, and power struggles of ADHD parenting? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep white-knuckling it through the chaos. In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle sits down with ADHD parenting coach and counselor Randy Free, creator of the PEACE-ful Parenting Process, to talk about practical, real-world strategies that actually work for neurodivergent families.

Randy brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent raising kids with ADHD into thriving adults. Together, we unpack why punishment doesn’t work for ADHD kids, how to move from constant conflict to real connection, and the step-by-step PEACE framework: Perspective, Ease, Attune, Connect, Empower.

If you’re ready to swap meltdowns for meaningful moments and raise emotionally resilient kids without losing your mind, this episode is your permission slip to parent differently—and finally breathe again.

👉 Learn more about Randy Free and his work: Coach to Resilience

👉 Subscribe to Chaos & Caffeine for more real talk, science-backed ADHD parenting strategies, and humor to keep you going.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

All our faves!

Products mentioned:

1. Visual Schedule Board
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
3. Reusable Snack Bags
4. Magnetic Kitchen Timer
5. Insulated Lunch Box
6. Parent Sanity Pick: The Holy Grail Travel Mug
7. BONUS Impact Parents

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Back-to-school season is basically the Olympics for ADHD families — new routines, new supplies, and about 4,000 chances for meltdowns before the first bell even rings. In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, I’m breaking down my top ADHD-friendly back-to-school tips plus my must-have picks for kids and parents that will actually save your sanity.

We’ll cover:
☕ ADHD parenting hacks that make mornings less chaotic
🎒 Smart tools that help ADHD kids thrive in class (and at home)
💡 My go-to resources for parents, including Impact Parents, the ultimate guide for navigating school meetings, IEPs, and ADHD struggles without losing your mind

PLUS — I’ve got a bonus pick just for parents that will help you feel supported and seen in this whole ADHD parenting journey.

✨ Want even more? Grab my 10-Day ADHD Back-to-School Challenge — a fun, daily game you can play with your child to build routines, boost skills, and get school-ready without the power struggles. [Insert link here]

If you’ve ever wished back-to-school came with a survival kit for ADHD families… this episode is it.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

All our faves!

Products mentioned:

1. Visual Schedule Board
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
3. Reusable Snack Bags
4. Magnetic Kitchen Timer
5. Insulated Lunch Box
6. Parent Sanity Pick: The Holy Grail Travel Mug
7. BONUS Impact Parents

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Feeling stuck between diagnosis and dinner? ADHD parenting is more chaos than calm—but what if nutrition could be one of your strongest tools?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sandrine Olmi—a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Certified Mind–Body Eating Coach, and fierce advocate for neurodivergent families—to dive deep into ADHD, nutrition, and sensory-friendly feeding.

Sandrine is not your average nutritionist. She’s a mum to an AuDHD daughter, a Nutrigenomics specialist, and the brilliant founder behind Savoir Fayre Nutrition, where she empowers anxious moms and their differently-wired kids with practical, shame-free nutrition solutions

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why mitochondrial & gut-brain health are game-changers for kids with ADHD, autism, sensory needs, and executive dysfunction
• How nutrigenomics can illuminate what's really missing in your kiddo's diet
• Simple, joyful food strategies (no kale smoothies mandated) that actually work for picky eaters, PDA profiles, and overstimulated family tables
• Real talk on self-care, meal-time overwhelm, and ditching the guilt trap of “good parent” vs. “bad eater”

If you’re desperate for clarity—like, “can food actually help ADHD symptoms?”—this is your nerdy, comforting, slightly unhinged parenting pep talk. Grab your coffee (or a glass of wine) and hit play.

Connect with Sandrine👉 SavoirFayre.co.uk

This Month’s Sponsors:

Dr. Laura

A licensed psychologist and Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider who works virtually with kids, teens, and adults in NY, DE, VA, and FL. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, stress, tics, and insomnia—and offers parent support that actually supports you. Dr. Laura is also a homeschooling mom of two, so yes, she gets it. Explore her children’s book, audio workshops (hello, Behavior Change Ahead!), and therapy services.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

📱 Goally

The tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

In this powerful deep dive, I unpack the Dr. Russell Barkley lecture that completely changed how I parent my neurodivergent child. We’re breaking down why ADHD is not a behavioral issue, but a developmental delay in executive function—and what that actually means in real-life moments (like, why your 10-year-old melts down like a kindergartener).

I also share Dr. Barkley's surprising reply to my personal email—and his groundbreaking insight into Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), formerly known as Sluggish Cognitive Tempo. Spoiler alert: If your child seems spacey, unmotivated, or not ADHD enough for the diagnosis to make sense, this might be why.

We’ll cover:

• The 5 core executive functions impacted by ADHD
• Why time feels different for neurodivergent kids (hello, Time Blindness)
• What CDS is, and why it matters more than most pediatricians realize
• How I radically shifted from shame-based discipline to skill-building scaffolds

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or five IEP meetings deep—this episode will help you make sense of the chaos, ditch the guilt, and finally feel seen.

🧠 Watch the full Barkley lecture here!

This Month’s Sponsors:

Dr. Laura

A licensed psychologist and Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider who works virtually with kids, teens, and adults in NY, DE, VA, and FL. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, stress, tics, and insomnia—and offers parent support that actually supports you. Dr. Laura is also a homeschooling mom of two, so yes, she gets it. Explore her children’s book, audio workshops (hello, Behavior Change Ahead!), and therapy services.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

📱 Goally

The tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

If your kid is falling apart over homework, school emails feel like personal attacks, and you’re constantly wondering if you’re failing as a parent… stop right here. This episode of Chaos & Caffeine brings you the straight-talking, research-backed, and soul-soothing advice of Scotti Weintraub—ADHD parent coach, educator, and founder of Reframe Parenting.

With over 17 years of experience in education and a Master’s in flipping school stress on its head (okay, technically education, but still), Scotti helps overwhelmed parents understand what’s really going on when their neurodivergent kids struggle with school. From IEP and 504 plans to executive function meltdowns and Sunday night homework spirals, we unpack the WHY, the WHAT, and the “what-the-actual-heck-do-I-do-now?”

You’ll learn:

• Why traditional schools often fail neurodivergent kids
• How to advocate without burning bridges—or burning out
• What “reframing” actually means (hint: it’s not toxic positivity)
• How to support your child’s nervous system and your own
• Scotti’s favorite scripts and mindset shifts that change everything

This isn’t a feel-good fluff fest. This is a practical, empowering deep dive that will have you nodding, crying, and screenshotting quotes like your life depends on it.

Connect with Scotti 👉 Coaching for Parents to Help a Child With School Challenges

This Month’s Sponsors:

Dr. Laura

A licensed psychologist and Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider who works virtually with kids, teens, and adults in NY, DE, VA, and FL. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, stress, tics, and insomnia—and offers parent support that actually supports you. Dr. Laura is also a homeschooling mom of two, so yes, she gets it. Explore her children’s book, audio workshops (hello, Behavior Change Ahead!), and therapy services.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

📱 Goally

The tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

If watching your ADHD child struggle to make friends feels like emotional whiplash, this episode is your lifeline. In this raw and radically helpful deep-dive, Danielle unpacks the heartbreaking reality of social struggles in ADHD kids—from impulsivity and rejection sensitivity to emotional dysregulation and executive function gaps.

You’ll learn what’s actually happening in your child’s brain during playdates, why they miss social cues, and how to support them with real-world, science-backed tools. This isn’t just another “get them out there” pep talk. It’s a masterclass in raising emotionally safe, socially connected, and authentically confident neurodivergent kids.

Plus: practical tips, social scripts, parent confessions, expert insights, and the ONE strategy that changed everything in Danielle’s own ADHD parenting journey.

This Month’s Sponsors:

Dr. Laura

A licensed psychologist and Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider who works virtually with kids, teens, and adults in NY, DE, VA, and FL. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, stress, tics, and insomnia—and offers parent support that actually supports you. Dr. Laura is also a homeschooling mom of two, so yes, she gets it. Explore her children’s book, audio workshops (hello, Behavior Change Ahead!), and therapy services.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

📱 Goally

Screens aren’t the enemy—lack of support is. That’s why I’m obsessed with Goally, the tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike. Check the show notes for the link and why I recommend it to every ADHD parent I coach.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

What if you could parent your ADHD child like a high-performance coach—calm, confident, and totally in control, even during a full-blown cereal aisle meltdown?

In this powerhouse episode of Chaos & Caffeine, certified mental performance coach Dan Mickle breaks down what every ADHD parent needs to know about building mental resilience, regulating emotions (theirs AND ours), and helping neurodivergent kids thrive in a world that wasn’t built for them.

We’re ditching the toxic positivity and diving deep into:

• Mental toughness strategies for ADHD families
• Coaching your child’s mindset instead of correcting their behavior
• Tools for staying calm when your kid is unraveling
• How to teach executive function, emotional regulation, and focus at home

Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, school struggles, or burnout by bedtime—this episode is your new playbook.

Connect with Dan 👉 Personal Website - Https://danmickle.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RealDanMickle

Mental Cast Podcast - Https://mentalcast.com

It Got Me Thinking Newsletter - Https://news.danmickle.com

2025 Mental Skills Boot Camp (ages 12-18) - https://717soul.io/bootcamp25

Free E-mail Courses - https://717soul.io/ecourses

This Month’s Sponsor: 💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

📱 Goally

Screens aren’t the enemy—lack of support is. That’s why I’m obsessed with Goally, the tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike. Check the show notes for the link and why I recommend it to every ADHD parent I coach.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Feeling lost in a sea of IEPs, 504s, FBAs, and all those other acronym landmines tossed around at school meetings and doctor visits? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not clueless. In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, ADHD parenting expert and emotional support bestie Danielle Kelly breaks down over 30 essential neurodivergent terms in plain English, with relatable stories, mom-level sarcasm, and zero judgment.

From decoding educational lingo to understanding behavior plans, this episode is your no-fluff, judgment-free decoder ring. You’ll walk away feeling empowered, educated, and maybe even ready to raise your hand in that next IEP meeting like the confident, caffeinated advocate you are.

🔥 Resources Mentioned:

This Month’s Sponsor: 💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it. Check out NeuroNeeds here.

📱 Goally

Screens aren’t the enemy—lack of support is. That’s why I’m obsessed with Goally, the tablet built specifically for neurodivergent kids. It’s distraction-free (no YouTube, no internet rabbit holes) and comes loaded with visual schedules, routines, AAC, timers, and even behavior tracking tools. Try Goally for your family and get support without the power struggles.

💌 The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club Newsletter

Tired of the polished parenting newsletters that pretend everything's fine when your kid is currently duct-taping the dog to a scooter? Welcome to The Unfiltered ADHD Mom’s Club, my no-BS weekly newsletter where we talk meltdowns, school drama, sensory hellscapes, and the real wins—like brushing teeth without tears.

📱 Aura Parental Controls

We can’t uninstall TikTok from the internet, but we can create boundaries that don’t make our kids feel like we’re tracking their every swipe. Aura gives you flexible parental controls that grow with your family—because the goal isn’t to spy, it’s to guide.

Parenting Simply by Adina Soclof

A gentle, doable intro to positive parenting with rave reviews from parents, bloggers, and experts alike. Check the show notes for the link and why I recommend it to every ADHD parent I coach.

🧠 Bonding Health

If TikTok is where your kid is getting their mental health info, Bonding Health is where you go to get real, evidence-based tools—without sifting through hashtags and hype. It’s a parent-led platform designed specifically for families navigating ADHD and emotional regulation.

Could Therapy be the Answer? TalkSpace —because let’s be real, even superheroes like you need a sidekick. Get connected with a licensed therapist and start feeling like the rockstar parent you are.

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show