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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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In this episode of Mad About Podcast, Maddy Alexander-Grout sits down with Alyssa for a brilliantly honest, chaotic, funny, and emotional conversation about neurodivergence, identity, trauma, performance, and the pressure to fit into a world that often doesn’t understand different brains.

Together they dive into the realities of living with ADHD, the long-lasting impact of bullying, rejection sensitivity, masking, burnout, and why so many neurodivergent people use humour as a survival tool. From cringeworthy moments and public perception to self-expression, grief, nostalgia, and self-care, this episode feels like a conversation between two people who genuinely get it.

It’s funny. It’s vulnerable. It’s validating. And it’s a reminder that sometimes the people who laugh the loudest are carrying the heaviest stories.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• ADHD, diagnosis journeys, and late discovery
• Bullying and its impact on confidence and identity
• RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)
• Why humour becomes a coping mechanism
• Performing, masking, and audience expectations
• The evolution of communication and online culture
• Alcohol, self-care, and neurodivergent coping strategies
• Balancing work, rest, family, and overstimulation
• Trauma, grief, and finding laughter in dark moments
• Cringe stories, public mistakes, and awkward memories
• Authenticity, visibility, and embracing who you really are

Key Takeaways

• Humour can be healing, especially for neurodivergent people navigating difficult experiences.
• Many ADHDers grow up feeling “too much” or misunderstood.
• Bullying and rejection can deeply shape self-worth and self-expression.
• Rest is not laziness — especially for neurodivergent brains.
• Authenticity becomes easier when you stop performing for everyone else.
• Shared experiences create powerful connection and validation.

Favourite Quotes

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Neurodivergence and Humor
02:59 – Alyssa’s Journey to Diagnosis and Performance
05:52 – The Impact of Bullying on Neurodivergent Individuals
08:55 – Nostalgia and the Evolution of Communication
11:51 – Navigating RSD and Audience Perception
13:56 – Public Expectations and Algorithms
14:46 – Alcohol, Self-Care, and Coping Mechanisms
18:36 – Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Needs
21:52 – Embracing Neurodivergence and Self-Expression
26:30 – Coping with Grief and Finding Humor
27:35 – Cringe Moments and Professional Mishaps
32:53 – Why Trauma Often Creates Dark Humor
36:46 – Defying Societal Norms and Embracing Authenticity

Connect with Maddy

Follow Maddy Alexander-Grout for more conversations around ADHD, visibility, business, money, identity, and showing up authentically as a neurodivergent human. @maddytalksmoney on instagram @madaboutmoneyofficial on TikTok

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Can ADHD Entrepreneurs REALLY Chill & Prosper?

In this episode of Mad About, Maddy is joined by money mentor, bestselling author and fellow ADHD entrepreneur Denise Duffield-Thomas for a brilliant, honest and hilarious conversation about money, business, ADHD and what happens when big ideas meet dopamine.

They talk about money shame, spending addiction, debt, low-ticket offers, overgiving, boundaries, business models that actually suit your brain, and why ADHD entrepreneurs need systems that protect them from themselves.

Denise shares her journey from entrepreneurial kid selling bracelets, to discovering coaching, building a huge online business, writing bestselling books and learning how ADHD shaped her money story. Maddy also opens up about her own debt journey, business failure, rebuilding after shame, and why visibility and honesty have been such a huge part of her work.

This episode is for anyone who has ever had a brilliant idea, bought the domain name, overcommitted instantly, then wondered what the fuck they’ve done.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Denise’s journey from bracelet-selling kid to bestselling author
• Why ADHD brains are often natural entrepreneurs
• Money shame, debt and the emotional side of finances
• Maddy’s journey from £40k debt to becoming a money and business voice
• Why failure can be one of the most important parts of business
• The link between ADHD, dopamine and impulse spending
• Why more money doesn’t automatically fix money blocks
• Denise accidentally buying 22 antique couches
• Low-ticket offers, overgiving and pricing your work properly
• Creating business offers that match your actual brain
• Why ADHD entrepreneurs need boundaries, automation and systems
• The difference between chilling and prospering
• How to stop setting yourself up to fail
• Why collaboration beats competition

Best bits:

“Money itself doesn’t cure money blocks.”

“Sometimes we need systems that protect us from ourselves.”

“If it’s a should, it goes in the fuck it bucket.”

“ADHD entrepreneurs need business models that support how their brains actually work.”

Links:

Follow Denise: @DeniseDT
Find Denise: denisedt.com
Follow Maddy: @MaddyTalksMoney on Instagram
TikTok: @MadAboutMoneyOfficial
Book: Mad About Money: Managing Finances and Life with ADHD

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In this episode of Mad About, Maddy talks about something so many business owners, especially neurodivergent ones, get wrong: trying to run a business when you are already running on empty.

Because let’s be honest, you cannot show up properly in your business if you are burnt out, overwhelmed, under-slept, under-fed, over-committed and ignoring your own needs.

Maddy shares her VIBE Method, a simple framework to help you check in with yourself before you dive into work, content, clients, or the never-ending to do list.

In this episode, she breaks down:

• Vitals: are you eating, sleeping, hydrating and taking your meds?
• Internal state: how are you feeling mentally and emotionally?
• Boundaries: where are you overgiving, people pleasing or saying yes when you mean no?
• Energy: what is your actual capacity, not just the time you technically have available?

This is your reminder that there is no badge of honour for working through the weekend, pushing through burnout, or pretending you are fine when you are absolutely not.

If your business feels harder than it should right now, this episode is your nudge to stop, reset, and check your VIBE first.

Maddy also shares why capacity matters more than hustle, why “should” belongs in the fuck it bucket, and why looking after yourself is not a luxury. It is part of building a business that actually works for your brain and your body.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or like you’re trying to pour from an empty cup, this one is for you.

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This week on Mad About, I’m joined by one of my favourite clients, the lovely Ben Gibbons.

Ben is the founder of Nimble Photography, creating a safe and comfortable wedding photography experience for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent people. But that is only part of his story.

In this episode, Ben opens up about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, being outed, going through conversion therapy, becoming homeless, and the huge journey of trying to work out who he really was after years of being told not to be himself.

We talk about trauma, rejection sensitivity, ADHD, autism, religion, politics, safeguarding, visibility, personal brand, and what happens when you finally stop shrinking and start speaking.

This is a really raw, brave and important conversation about identity, survival and finding your voice.

We cover:

• growing up in a strict religious environment
• being neurodivergent and feeling different from the start
• the reality and impact of conversion therapy
• losing family and rebuilding life from the ground up
• chosen family, healing and love
• confidence, TikTok and showing up online
• standing up for your values in public
• creating change through visibility

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussion of conversion therapy, suicidal ideation, homelessness, religious trauma, rejection, mental health, and discrimination.

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