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  • How to Leave Your Business for 3 Months (Without the Guilt) with Candy Messer

    How to Leave Your Business for 3 Months (Without the Guilt) with Candy Messer
    2026/07/15
    Have you ever felt like your business is a beautiful, high-performance vehicle, but you are the only person who knows how to drive it? For many entrepreneurs, the dream of freedom often turns into a 24/7 job where stepping away for even a weekend feels like a recipe for disaster. But what happens when life throws you a curveball? What if a family emergency or a personal health crisis requires you to step away for weeks, or even months? In a recent episode of the Overgivers Anonymous podcast, host Angela Mondor (the Geeky Girl) sat down with Candy Messer, a profitability adviser and fractional CEO. Together, they explored the essential shift from being the bottleneck in your business to becoming a leader who empowers a team to run the show. Whether you are struggling with the "guilt monsters" of taking time off or you aren't sure how to trust your team with your "baby," this guide breaks down how to build a business that thrives without your constant oversight. The Wake-Up Call: Why Operational Efficiency Matters Most entrepreneurs start their journey seeking time and financial freedom. However, Candy Messer points out that we often end up just working in a different location. We take our laptops on vacation, check emails during dinner, and stay tethered to our phones. While this might work during the "hustle" phase, it fails when real life intervenes. Candy shared a deeply personal story about the importance of business systems. In late 2025, she received a call that her father had been diagnosed with cancer. Because she had spent years preparing her team and testing her business's operational efficiency, she was able to drive ten hours away and stay for three months to care for him. She didn't have to worry about the day-to-day operations because her team was ready to step in. "I was not worried about work," Candy shared. "I was able to be there for the whole time... I'm very thankful that we had that vision ahead of time to prepare." This is the ultimate goal of delegation: the ability to be present for the moments that matter most without the business collapsing in your absence. The 10-Week Test: How to Step Away Gradually You don't go from working 60 hours a week to taking three months off overnight. Candy recommends a "testing" phase to identify where the cracks are in your systems. This gradual approach allows you to build confidence in your team and refine your processes. The Step-by-Step Testing Method: Week 1: Take one full week off. When you return, look for the "bottlenecks." What questions could only you answer? What tasks stalled? Week 2: Once the first set of issues is resolved, take two weeks off. The Expansion: Gradually increase your absence to three weeks, then four weeks. By the time Candy had to care for her father, she had already tested her absence for a total of 10 weeks over the course of a year. This "stress test" ensured that her team knew exactly what to do when the real emergency arrived. Conquering the "Guilt Monsters" Angela Mondor introduced a concept many overgivers relate to: Guilt Monsters. These are the internal voices that make us feel guilty when we aren't working, but also make us feel guilty when we are working and ignoring our families. It’s a lose-lose cycle that leads to burnout. To defeat the guilt monsters, you must shift your mindset from control to empowerment. Many business owners believe that "no one will care as much as I do" or "no one can do it as well as me." While it’s true that your team might not do things exactly like you, they might actually do them better. "Your team might not do it the same way you do... and they might do it better than you," Angela noted. When you empower your team, you aren't just offloading work; you are giving them the opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and more efficient methods to the table. Effective Delegation: Outcomes Over Micromanagement One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make ...
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    30 分
  • Late ADHD Diagnosis: Moving From Self-Shame to Compassion with Misty Anderson

    Late ADHD Diagnosis: Moving From Self-Shame to Compassion with Misty Anderson
    2026/04/23
    Have you ever felt like you were constantly swimming upstream, trying to fit into a world that wasn’t built for the way your brain works? For many women, this feeling persists for decades until a sudden realization or a late-life diagnosis changes everything. In a recent episode of the Overgivers Anonymous podcast, host Angela Mondor (also known as the "Geeky Girl") sat down with Misty Anderson, an energy and alignment coach and host of The Queen Rising podcast, to discuss the transformative journey of discovering ADHD in adulthood. Misty’s story is one that resonates with countless women who have spent their lives "masking" their neurodivergence, overcompensating for perceived flaws, and finally learning how to work with their unique wiring instead of against it. This conversation dives deep into the nuances of late-stage ADHD diagnosis, the importance of self-compassion, and practical strategies for managing energy as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. The Lightbulb Moment: Discovering ADHD in Your 30s For Misty, the journey toward diagnosis didn't happen in a doctor's office; it started on social media. Like many women in their thirties and forties, she found herself down a "TikTok rabbit hole" where creators were sharing specific symptoms of ADHD in women. These weren't the stereotypical "hyperactive little boy" symptoms often associated with the condition, but rather things like internal restlessness, daydreaming, and chronic overwhelm. Misty realized that she had naturally gravitated toward a community of other neurodivergent women, coaches, and entrepreneurs. When she shared her suspicions with them, the response was a resounding, "Of course you do!" This community support provided the validation she needed to stop hiding and start investigating her own history. As Angela noted during the episode, many women miss early diagnosis because they become experts at masking—developing elaborate systems to appear "normal" while struggling internally. Understanding the Mask: Survival Mechanisms and Time Blindness One of the most relatable parts of the discussion centered on the "workarounds" neurodivergent people create to survive in a neurotypical world. Misty shared a vivid example of her own struggle with time blindness. In high school, she was so aware of her tendency to be late that she set the clock in her car ten minutes ahead to "trick" her brain into being on time. Despite this, her boss would still point to his watch as she walked in. Angela shared a similar experience of "daydreaming" in class. While teachers saw it as a lack of focus, it was actually a need for multiple stimuli. For many with ADHD, focusing on a single source of information (like a teacher’s face) is actually harder than having a secondary stimulus, such as looking out a window or listening to background audio, to keep the brain engaged. The Grief of Late Diagnosis Both Angela and Misty touched on the emotional weight of finding out you have ADHD later in life. It often triggers a process similar to the stages of grief. You have to mourn the person you thought you were and the life you might have had if you’d known sooner. However, this transition also offers a massive opportunity for self-compassion. Moving from Shame to Compassion: "Know Better, Do Better" A recurring theme in the conversation was the shift from self-blame to understanding. When you don't know your brain is wired differently, you tend to internalize your struggles as character flaws. You might tell yourself you are "lazy," "forgetful," or "unprofessional." Misty emphasizes the mantra: "When you know better, you can do better." Once you understand that your brain requires different inputs to function optimally, you can stop shaming yourself for not being "perfect" by societal standards. This compassion is the foundation for building a life and a business that feels sustainable. Practical Strategies for ADHD Energy Alignment
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    39 分
  • ADHD Focus: How to Beat Shiny Object Syndrome in Your Business with Sarah Snyder

    ADHD Focus: How to Beat Shiny Object Syndrome in Your Business with Sarah Snyder
    2026/05/06
    In a world that has long demanded conformity, the conversation around neurodivergence is finally shifting. We are moving away from hiding our "quirks" and toward a space where being "crazy and fun" is celebrated. On a recent episode of the Overgivers Anonymous podcast, host Angela Mandor (the "Geeky Girl") sat down with Sarah Snyder, a former journalist and the voice behind the Adulting with ADHD podcast. Their conversation dives deep into the realities of running a business and a podcast while navigating the unique challenges of an ADHD brain. For many neurodivergent entrepreneurs, the journey isn't just about spreadsheets and strategy; it’s about managing energy, protecting vulnerability, and finding a way to stay consistent when the initial "spark" of a project begins to fade. Whether you are a business owner with ADHD or someone looking to understand the neurodivergent experience better, this discussion offers a raw look at what it takes to show up authentically in a neurotypical world. The ADHD Novelty Cycle in Podcasting One of the most common traits of the ADHD brain is the love for novelty. When a new project starts—like launching a podcast—the "shininess" of the task provides a natural dopamine hit that keeps you engaged. However, as Sarah points out, that novelty eventually wears off, even if you truly love what you’re doing. Sarah describes this as the "sweet spot" of podcasting: staying engaged enough to avoid distraction, but having a backup plan for the days when the motivation isn't there. To combat the inevitable "lull" in excitement, she emphasizes the importance of core habits and deliverables. By establishing a baseline of quality, you ensure that even on your "off" days, you are providing consistent value to your audience. This allows you to go "extra" when you have the energy, without the pressure of having to maintain that peak intensity 24/7. The Bravery of Being Unfiltered Being a public figure with ADHD requires a specific kind of bravery. Sarah reflects on her early days of podcasting, where she was "raw and unfiltered." At the time, she took that authenticity for granted, feeling safe within her online bubble of supportive, like-minded individuals. However, as her platform grew, she realized that not all spaces are as welcoming as the neurodivergent community. This realization led to a "bout of anxiety" and a moment of reflection. "There is a bravery to exist openly that you can’t take for granted, and we have to protect it," Sarah notes. For many neurodivergent people, being "real" isn't a choice or a marketing tactic—it’s the only way they know how to exist. While others may see this as a gift, for the person living it, that level of vulnerability can feel exposed and overwhelming. Angela echoes this sentiment, noting the "weird role reversal" that happens when you spend most of your time in neurodivergent circles. When you finally step back into a "typical" or corporate environment, the rigidity of others can feel confusing. The challenge for the ADHD entrepreneur is to harness that authenticity as a strength while setting boundaries to protect their emotional well-being. Navigating High Empathy: The Circle of Control A significant part of the neurodivergent experience—especially for those with ADHD or autism—is a high level of empathy and a deep sense of "justice sensitivity." This can make the world feel incredibly heavy, particularly when we are bombarded with news of global struggles or local injustices. To help manage this emotional weight, Angela introduces a powerful framework: The Circle of Control. This tool is designed to help high-empathy individuals stay functional without becoming consumed by things they cannot change. The framework consists of three layers: The Circle of Control: This is the inner circle. it includes the things you have direct power over—your actions, your words, your business decisions, and your self-care.
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    38 分
  • Chaotic Discipline: The Neurodivergent Productivity Hack You’ve Been Missing

    Chaotic Discipline: The Neurodivergent Productivity Hack You’ve Been Missing
    2025/07/09
    In this energizing and refreshingly honest episode, Angela dives into the concept of chaotic discipline—the idea that true productivity doesn’t always look like neat schedules and color-coded planners
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    8 分
  • Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship: Building a Business Without Burnout with Alyece Smith

    Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship: Building a Business Without Burnout with Alyece Smith
    2026/07/08
    Are you constantly feeling like you’re doing too much, yet somehow never doing enough? In a world that glorifies "the grind," many entrepreneurs, especially those with neurodivergent brains, find themselves trapped in a cycle of overgiving and exhaustion. In a recent episode of the Overgivers Anonymous podcast, host Angela Mondor (the Geeky Girl) sat down with Alyece Smith, a TEDx speaker and ADHD business coach, to dismantle the myths of hustle culture and explore how neurodivergent individuals can build sustainable, profitable businesses without burning out. Alyece Smith, the founder of Socially Awesome and an advocate for the neurodivergent community through Cadence Corner, brings a unique perspective rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. As an autism mom and a neurodivergent entrepreneur herself, she understands that the "normal" systems of productivity often fail those whose brains work differently. This conversation dives deep into why we need to stop surviving and start building lives that actually support our unique cognitive wiring. The Hidden Dangers of Hustle Culture Hustle culture is everywhere. It’s the constant pressure to be "on" 24/7, to wake up at 5:00 a.m., and to sacrifice rest for the sake of the bottom line. For neurodivergent entrepreneurs, this culture isn't just exhausting; it’s harmful. Alyece explains that for those with ADHD or autism, energy is often tied directly to emotions. When we buy into the idea that we aren't doing enough, it triggers a downward emotional spiral. "That feeling of not doing enough and not being enough that comes from that hustle culture just takes us down an emotional path which gives us less energy," Alyece notes. "It’s a spiral that we can just be on forever." Because neurodivergent individuals often struggle with energy regulation, the shame of not meeting neurotypical standards of productivity can lead to extreme, long-term burnout. Navigating Rejection Sensitivity and Guilt One of the most significant hurdles for neurodivergent people is Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). This extreme fear of rejection or failure can make every business decision feel like a high-stakes emotional gamble. When combined with the performance pressure of a career and the personal responsibilities of parenting or marriage, the weight can become unbearable. Alyece points out that many women are late-diagnosed, meaning they have spent years trying to be "everything for everyone" without understanding why they feel so overwhelmed. This leads to a deep-seated feeling of guilt, guilt for not being "enough" for themselves, their families, or their businesses. The "Permission Slip" Concept To combat this guilt, Alyece introduces a powerful mental tool: the permission slip. Many of us spend our lives waiting for someone else to tell us it’s okay to rest, okay to ask for help, or okay to do things differently. Angela shared a personal story of how her physiotherapist literally wrote her a "prescription" to ask for help after a car accident. This physical note served as a tangible reminder that she didn't have to carry the world on her shoulders. Alyece suggests that we shouldn't wait for a doctor or a coach to give us that authority. We can create our own permission slips. Whether it’s a sticky note on the mirror or a digital reminder, giving yourself explicit permission to honour your needs is essential for breaking the cycle of overgiving. Energy Management vs. Traditional Productivity The traditional "productivity guru" advice usually focuses on time management. However, for the neurodivergent brain, energy management is far more important. We all have different energy patterns; what recharges one person might completely drain another. For example, Angela mentions that while some people find a trip to the mall energizing, for her, it’s a massive energy drain. Alyece agrees, noting that she prefers the efficiency of online shopping to avoid the sens...
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    42 分
  • Why Email Marketing is a Game Changer for Neurodivergent Owners with Helen Lindop

    Why Email Marketing is a Game Changer for Neurodivergent Owners with Helen Lindop
    2026/04/29
    Welcome back to the Overgivers Anonymous podcast! I am so incredibly excited to share today’s conversation with you. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m Angela Mondor, also known as the Geeky Girl, and my mission is to help you move past the cycle of overgiving so you can truly thrive in your business and life. Today, I am joined by a very special guest, Helen Lindup. Helen was a standout speaker at our recent Neurodivergent Business Summit, and her journey is one that I know will resonate with so many of you. Helen is a mentor for neurodivergent solo and independent business owners, and she brings decades of experience across IT training, education, and small business. She helps people find the clarity and confidence they need to make their businesses soar. We had such a blast "geeking out" together—don't worry, we kept it to "semi-geek" levels—but more importantly, we dove deep into how your unique way of thinking can be your greatest business asset. Let’s dive into the heart of our conversation! The Path to Supporting Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs One of the most inspiring parts of Helen’s story is how she allowed her career to evolve naturally. For years, she worked in adult education, helping people brush up on skills they felt they missed out on during their school years. What she discovered was a powerful pattern: many of these adults weren't "bad at school"—they were neurodivergent and simply hadn't been supported correctly. Helen noticed that many of her students, often in their 40s, were suddenly realizing they had dyslexia, autism, or dyscalculia. This realization usually came after their own children received a diagnosis, leading to a "lightbulb moment" where they finally understood why they had struggled for so long. Helen found it incredibly rewarding to watch the pieces "slot into place" for these individuals as they realized they could learn and succeed when the information was presented in a way that worked for their brains. "I just like working with people that think in different ways," Helen shared. This passion eventually led her to pivot her business. She realized that neurodivergent business owners were often overwhelmed by traditional, corporate-style strategies that didn't account for how they processed information. By combining her IT training background with her heart for mentoring, she created a space where people can learn at their own pace and in their own way. Why Email Marketing is Your Business’s Best Friend We spent a lot of time talking about Helen’s specialty: email marketing. In a world that is constantly chasing the next "shiny" social media platform, Helen remains a fierce advocate for the power of the inbox. Why? Because email is an asset you own. Back in the early 2010s, it was easier to be a "jack of all trades" in digital marketing. But as social media exploded and became increasingly complex, Helen realized that small businesses were putting themselves at risk by relying solely on platforms like Facebook or YouTube. We’ve all heard the horror stories: accounts getting shut down, reach dropping to zero overnight, or getting locked out of an audience you spent years building. Email marketing is the system that underpins everything else. It’s the safety net that ensures you can always reach your people, regardless of what the algorithms decide to do today. Helen’s mission is to take the "complicated and overwhelming" parts of email—the data, the strategy, the tech—and make them accessible for business owners who want to build a sustainable, long-term asset. The Trap of "Rented Land" I’ve always been a big believer in owning your data. As a "PC and Android girl," I like to be able to peel things apart and stay in control! The same logic applies to your business. When you build your entire presence on a social media platform, you are essentially building a house on rented land. If the landlord changes the rules (or kicks you out),
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    40 分
  • The 3-Step Focus Plan for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs

    The 3-Step Focus Plan for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs
    2025/07/02
    You don’t need to be a different person to be successful. You need systems that respect how you naturally operate.
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    8 分
  • Stop Being Your Own Worst Critic: Mindset Tips for Success with Sandee Sgarlata

    Stop Being Your Own Worst Critic: Mindset Tips for Success with Sandee Sgarlata
    2026/07/02
    In the latest episode of the Overgivers Anonymous podcast, host Angela Mondor, also known as the "Geeky Girl," sits down with an extraordinary guest whose life story is a masterclass in resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of peak performance. Sandee Sgarlata is a recruiting strategist, a two-time award-winning author, and a retired professional athlete who has spent decades navigating the high-pressure worlds of figure skating and corporate leadership. For many high achievers, the external markers of success often mask a deeper struggle with perfectionism and self-doubt. Sandee’s journey is no different. Despite her impressive resume, she spent years battling the feeling of "not being good enough." In this conversation, Angela and Sandee dive deep into how to silence the inner critic, the importance of "gliding" through life’s transitions, and why the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who never stop learning. The Metaphor of the Blade: Finding Your Stance The conversation opens with a fascinating comparison between figure skating and hockey. While both sports take place on the ice, the tools and techniques required are vastly different. Angela, a former figure skater, and Sandee, who has coached both figure skaters and hockey players, discuss the physical and mental shifts required to switch between the two. In figure skating, the blades are longer and flatter, featuring a toe pick essential for jumps and spins. Hockey skates, by contrast, require a more forward-leaning stance and offer more agility for chasing a puck. This serves as a powerful metaphor for neurodiversity and the different "tools" we use to navigate life. Just as a skater must adjust their center of gravity depending on their equipment, we must recognize that the strategies that work for one person might not work for another. Whether you are "gliding" through life or "chasing the puck" in your career, understanding your unique strengths and the tools you have at your disposal is the first step toward peak performance. Riding the Waves: The Duality of the Human Experience Sandee shares a personal symbol she wears, a wave necklace, to remind herself of a vital life lesson: "Just ride the waves." Life is rarely a straight line; it is a series of peaks and valleys. Sandee emphasizes that to truly experience love and joy, one must also be willing to experience pain and hurt. Many people, especially those prone to "overgiving," try to avoid the darkness or the "bad stuff." However, Sandee argues that these challenges are what make the human experience special. You cannot have light without shadow, and you cannot appreciate the good times without the perspective gained from the difficult ones. Embracing this duality allows for a more authentic and resilient approach to both life and business. Redefining Success: The "Gold Medal" Mindset One of the most poignant moments in the interview is when Sandee clarifies her "gold medalist" status. While many assume it refers to an Olympic victory, Sandee explains that her gold medal in ice dancing represents a specific level of technical mastery within the sport, a "black belt" of sorts. What makes this achievement significant is why she pursued it. Sandee didn’t reach this level as a child; she went back as a 34-year-old adult to complete the standard gold medal test. She chose the harder path, testing as a standard skater rather than an adult skater, because she wanted to prove her worth to herself and gain confidence in her coaching career. This story highlights two different paths to self-worth: External Validation: Seeking certifications or demarcations from organizations to validate one's skills. Internal Validation: Proving one's worth through personal milestones and honouring the drive within. Neither path is inherently better, but as Sandee and Angela discuss, the key is honouring what is inside you and using those achievements to resolve feelings of inade...
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    41 分