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This week I'm absolutely fuming.

A new Channel 4 documentary, The ADHD Myth, asks whether ADHD is really a neurodevelopmental condition and questions whether too many children are being medicated.

As someone who has ADHD, has spent years coaching people with ADHD, trained in ADHD, and literally wrote a book about it... I had a few things to say.

In this episode I talk about:

• Why headlines like this can be so damaging.
• The difference between asking scientific questions and fuelling stigma.
• Why ADHD medication is never an "easy option" for parents.
• The reality of living with ADHD and why validation matters.
• Why invisible disabilities are constantly questioned.
• Blue Badges, PIP and the myths surrounding ADHD support.
• Whether this documentary is genuine investigation... or simply rage bait.

I'm also sharing my personal experience as an ADHD parent, why I haven't rushed to medicate my own children, and why every family deserves the right to make those decisions without judgement.

If you have ADHD, love someone who does, or you're simply curious about the conversation, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

⚠️ Please note: This episode was recorded before the documentary aired and is a reaction to the promotional material and press coverage available at the time.

Connect with me

📖 Mad About Money: Managing Finances and Life with ADHD

📱 TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial

📸 Instagram: @maddytalksmoney

💼 LinkedIn: Maddy Alexander-Grout

🌈 Join The Maddyverse community for support with life, business, money and visibility.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. It really helps more people discover the show

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Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing... but what happens after that?

In this episode, Maddy is joined by ADHD empowerment and mindset coach Ileana Wainberg for an honest conversation about everything that comes after the diagnosis—the grief, the relief, the anger, the overwhelm, and the journey of finding your voice again.

Together they chat about the reality of raising children while navigating ADHD, the challenges of medication, advocating for yourself in healthcare, hidden disabilities, entrepreneurship, burnout, sensory struggles, and why support shouldn't stop the moment you receive a diagnosis.

Ileana also shares her incredibly powerful personal story, from surviving trauma and being sectioned overseas to becoming an advocate who now helps others understand their brains and rebuild their confidence.

As always, expect plenty of laughter, a few rants, parenting chaos, and the occasional tangent—because that's exactly how ADHD conversations work.

In this episode we cover:

• What nobody tells you after an ADHD diagnosis
• The grief of late diagnosis
• Medication journeys and mixed feelings
• Losing your voice and learning to advocate for yourself
• ADHD, autism and motherhood
• Running a business with hidden disabilities
• Burnout, energy management and executive dysfunction
• Sensory issues and healthcare experiences
• Why visibility matters
• Finding support that actually understands neurodivergent brains

Connect with Ileana

🌐 Website: https://force-of-mind.com

📱 Instagram: @forceofmind23

Facebook & TikTok: Force of Mind

🎁 Download Ileana's free Restart Playbook to help you break out of ADHD overwhelm and get unstuck.

Join The Maddyverse

If you're neurodivergent, disabled, living with a hidden disability or simply looking for a supportive community that understands life, business and everything in between, come and join The Maddyverse.

✨ First month FREE
✨ Group coaching
✨ Masterclasses
✨ Community support
✨ Business, money and life help

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear that they're not alone.

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Grief changes everything.

In this deeply honest episode of Mad About, Maddy sits down with Sacred Life Coach Karen Wybrow to talk about what happens after unimaginable loss—and how you slowly begin to rebuild a life you never expected to be living.

Karen shares the story of losing her husband, Ben, to bowel cancer at just 39 years old while raising two young daughters. Together, Maddy and Karen explore the realities of grief that people rarely talk about, including what happens after everyone else goes home, why grief never truly disappears, and how spirituality, the universe and small daily choices helped Karen find herself again.

The conversation also dives into ADHD, addiction, money after bereavement, manifestation, Reiki, the moon, and why looking after yourself isn't selfish—it's essential.

This episode is emotional, hopeful and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating loss, change or simply trying to find their way back to themselves.

Please note: This episode contains discussions around bereavement, terminal illness, death, grief and addiction.

In this episode we discuss:

• Karen's story of losing her husband to cancer
• Why grief never really ends—it just changes shape
• The "ball in the box" theory of grief
• Parenting through bereavement
• ADHD, addiction and unhealthy coping mechanisms
• Giving up alcohol and finding healthier ways to cope
• The financial reality of losing a partner
• Bereavement support and why the system needs to change
• Why wills, life insurance and power of attorney matter
• Spirituality versus religion
• Reiki, intuition and trusting yourself
• The connection between the moon, the universe and our wellbeing
• Manifestation, mindset and changing the stories we tell ourselves
• Karen's book One Sacred Life

Connect with Karen Wybrow

Follow Karen for guidance on grief, spirituality, Reiki and reconnecting with yourself.

Instagram: @karenwybrowcoaching
Facebook: Karen Wybrow
TikTok: @karenwybrow

Connect with Maddy

Instagram: @maddytalksmoney
TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial
Website: The Maddyverse

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear this conversation today. Every review helps more people discover the podcast.

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How many times have you left a GP appointment thinking...

"I forgot to say the important bit."

Or felt like you weren't being listened to?

In this episode of Mad About..., I'm joined by pharmacist, nutritional therapist and self-proclaimed Godmother of Pharmacology, Debbie Grayson.

We have a completely honest conversation about what it's really like trying to navigate healthcare when you're neurodivergent, dealing with ADHD, PMDD, perimenopause, thyroid problems, medication and everything else life throws at you.

We also chat about my own health journey, including starting sertraline after losing my dad, my recent experience with HRT, histamine reactions, and why advocating for yourself can sometimes be the hardest part of getting the right support.

In this episode we cover:

• Why antidepressants often make you feel worse before they make you feel better

• How ADHD medication actually works in the brain

• My experience of starting sertraline and why I'm so glad I stuck with it

• PMDD, hormones and why they can completely change how your ADHD feels

• The connection between ADHD, perimenopause and emotional regulation

• Why so many women are dismissed when talking about hormonal symptoms

• Histamine, hives, urticaria and why hormones can trigger allergic-type reactions

• The surprising link between oestrogen and histamine

• Why gut health isn't just about what you eat

• Simple changes that can genuinely improve digestion

• ADHD medication, appetite suppression and blood sugar crashes

• Coffee, caffeine and stimulant medication

• Practical ways to improve your energy without trying to become a wellness influencer overnight

• How to advocate for yourself at GP appointments

• What to do if you feel your doctor isn't listening

• Why taking someone with you to appointments can make a huge difference

Debbie's top advice

Sometimes the biggest changes aren't the dramatic ones.

Drink more water.

Eat before your ADHD medication kicks in.

Slow down when you eat.

Be present with your food.

Ask for a double GP appointment if you need one.

Write your symptoms down before you go.

And remember...

You know your body better than anyone else.

Follow Debbie Grayson

YouTube: The Godmother of Pharmacology

Debbie shares simple, evidence-based advice on medication, supplements, digestion, hormones and nutrition in a way that's actually easy to understand.

If this episode helped...

Please leave a review, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who's currently trying to fight to be heard by the healthcare system.

The more conversations we have about hidden disabilities, hormones, ADHD and advocating for ourselves, the better.

Because nobody should have to fight this hard just to be listened to.

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In this episode of Mad About, Maddy sits down with entrepreneur and marketing expert Laurie Burrows for a raw and honest conversation about grief, resilience, business, motherhood and finding the courage to start again.

Laurie shares her extraordinary journey from launching a business in January 2020, discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant just weeks later, navigating lockdown, and growing a successful seven-figure company while dealing with the devastating loss of her dad and other family members.

Together, Maddy and Laurie explore:

• Starting a business while preparing to become a mum
• Growing a company during the Covid lockdowns
• Coping with grief while running a successful business
• The impact of losing a parent and how grief changes over time
• Neurodivergence, identity and emotional processing
• Why success doesn't always equal happiness
• Outgrowing a business you've worked hard to build
• The courage it takes to pivot when something no longer lights you up
• The rise of AI and how it's changing the business landscape
• Building a new software company from scratch
• Laurie's mission to give back and support families facing financial hardship

This is a powerful conversation about trusting yourself, embracing change, and remembering that you're allowed to evolve.

If you've ever felt stuck, lost your passion for something you once loved, or wondered whether it's too late to start over, this episode is for you.

Find Laurie:
Instagram: @_laurieburrows

Find Maddy:
Instagram: @maddytalksmoney
TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial

Join The Maddyverse – Maddy's free community for people with hidden disabilities, chronic illness, invisible conditions and hidden struggles.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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What do women’s pockets, ADHD, personal branding and billionaires have in common?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

In this thought-provoking episode, Maddy sits down with style consultant and author Samantha Harman to explore why clothing is about so much more than fashion. Together they dive into authenticity, self-expression, neurodiversity, personal branding, consumerism, gender expectations and the hidden politics behind what we wear.

From colourful hair and leopard print to school uniforms, corporate dress codes and the pressures of conformity, this conversation challenges the idea that professionalism has to look a certain way.

They also discuss:

• Why authenticity is becoming rarer online
• How clothing acts as a powerful form of non-verbal communication
• ADHD, comfort, sensory needs and getting dressed
• The role style plays in personal branding
• Why women’s clothing is often designed differently from men’s
• School uniforms, class, privilege and self-expression
• The connection between clothing, identity and confidence
• Consumerism, fast fashion and the psychology behind spending
• How retailers use marketing tactics to encourage impulse buying
• Klarna, Clearpay and the rise of buy-now-pay-later culture
• Why Samantha wrote her new book, Just Get Dressed
• The importance of questioning societal expectations and creating a life that feels authentic to you.

This is a conversation about much more than clothes. It's about identity, freedom, self-expression and having the confidence to show up as yourself in a world that often encourages conformity.

About Samantha Harman

Samantha Harman is a style consultant and author of Just Get Dressed: Why You Have Nothing To Wear and What To Do About It. Her work explores style through the lenses of identity, beliefs, politics, gender, class and neurodiversity, helping people create wardrobes that feel authentic, comfortable and empowering.

Connect

Find Samantha on Instagram and LinkedIn: The Style Editor.

Find Maddy:

• Instagram: @maddytalksmoney
• TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial

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In this episode of Mad About, Maddy Alexander-Grout is joined by the wonderful Michael Bown, community champion, performer, theatre-lover, choir member, charity supporter, and quite possibly the busiest man alive.

Michael shares what life looks like as an autistic person with big passions, a packed calendar, and a deep love for performing, community, musicals, festivals and making a difference. From attending hundreds of theatre shows a year to singing in multiple languages, collecting DVDs, making personalised badges and taking part in local community events, Michael shows the joy, dedication and brilliance that can come from fully embracing your special interests.

The conversation also explores autism, bullying, burnout, belonging, friendship, performing, finding your people, and why being different is not something to hide from.

This is a beautiful, funny and heartfelt episode about autistic joy, community, and what happens when someone finally finds the places where they feel safe, seen and celebrated.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Michael’s role as a community champion in Lichfield
• His love of theatre, musicals, choirs and festivals
• Attending hundreds of shows and events every year
• Special interests and going “all in”
• Autism, dyspraxia and diagnosis at age 12
• The impact of bullying and finding belonging later in life
• Burnout and the pressure of a packed schedule
• Performing as a place of safety and connection
• Collecting DVDs, badges, calendars and memories
• The power of community, friendship and making a difference

Key Takeaways

• Special interests can be powerful sources of joy, identity and connection.
• Autistic people are not all the same, and social needs can look completely different from person to person.
• Finding the right community can change everything.
• Burnout can happen even when you love what you do.
• Being different is not wrong. It can be brilliant, beautiful and deeply meaningful.
• Belonging often comes from finding people who celebrate your quirks rather than question them.

Favourite Quotes

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Michael and the Mad About Podcast
00:56 – Michael’s Life as a Community Champion
01:41 – Choirs, Concerts and Singing in Seven Languages
04:05 – Theatre, Musicals and Personalised Badge Collecting
05:17 – Special Interests, Shows and Going All In
06:32 – Work, Volunteering and a Very Busy Calendar
07:35 – Burnout, Rest and Reducing Pressure
09:30 – Autism, Socialising and Breaking Stereotypes
12:20 – Museums, Family Memories and Special Interests
14:53 – Maddy’s Sea Glass Collection and Creative Joy
16:03 – Lists, DVDs and Michael’s Collections
20:49 – Performing, Belonging and Feeling Safe on Stage
22:39 – Festivals, Lichfield and “Viva Lich Vegas”
28:58 – Michael’s Autism Diagnosis
30:05 – Bullying, Difference and Starting Again
35:42 – Walking for Autism and Making a Difference
37:26 – What Michael is Mad About

Connect with Maddy

Follow Maddy Alexander-Grout for more conversations around neurodivergence, money, business, life, visibility and what it really means to be seen, heard and understood.

Follow Maddy @madaboutmoneyofficial on TikTok and @maddytalk

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In this solo episode of Mad About Podcast, Maddy Alexander-Grout gets honest about ADHD, shame spirals, gym guilt, money avoidance, task paralysis, and the pressure neurodivergent people put on themselves to “do the thing.”

From struggling to go to the gym without a PT, to investing money, overspending, procrastinating, and putting unrealistic expectations on herself, Maddy explores how the word “should” can become one of the biggest blockers for neurodivergent brains.

This episode is a reminder that you are not lazy, broken or failing. Sometimes your brain is overwhelmed by pressure, guilt and emotional weight — and the more shame you pile on yourself, the harder it becomes to start.

Maddy talks openly about ADHD, PDA, spending addiction, fitness, self-worth, and why tiny steps matter more than perfection. Plus, why all your “shoulds” probably belong in the fuck it bucket.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• ADHD, PDA and task paralysis
• Shame spirals and procrastination
• Gym guilt and putting pressure on yourself
• Why neurodivergent brains resist “should”
• Money avoidance and emotional spending
• Investing, saving and taking tiny financial steps
• Switching tasks and ADHD overwhelm
• Motivation vs pressure
• Tiny habits that reduce barriers
• Self-worth, identity and internal criticism
• Why community support matters for neurodivergent people

Key Takeaways

• The word “should” often creates shame instead of action.
• PDA can make demands — even self-imposed ones — feel emotionally impossible.
• Tiny actions build momentum better than perfection does.
• Doing something is always better than staying stuck in guilt.
• Shame keeps neurodivergent people frozen. Compassion helps movement happen.
• Reducing barriers can make difficult tasks feel more accessible.
• You don’t need to transform your whole life overnight.

Favourite Quotes

Chapters

00:00 – Why Maddy is Mad About the Gym
01:02 – ADHD, PDA and the Shame Spiral
02:20 – Strengthening Your Core Physically and Emotionally
03:05 – Task Paralysis and Emotional Weight
03:52 – Investing Money and Finally Doing the Thing
05:06 – Spending Addiction and Shame Around Money
06:02 – Ibiza, Book Writing and Reducing Pressure
06:50 – The “Fuck It Bucket” and Self-Worth
07:08 – Removing Barriers and Getting to the Gym
08:10 – Tiny Financial Steps That Build Momentum
08:55 – The Maddyverse and Community Support
09:32 – Why Neurodivergent People Need Cheerleaders
10:05 – Letting Go of Shame and Giving Yourself Grace

Connect with Maddy

Follow Maddy Alexander-Grout for more conversations around ADHD, money, visibility, business, identity and building a life that actually works for your brain.

@madaboutmoneyofficial on TikTok @maddytalksmoney on Instagram

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