Parenting is hard. Running a business is hard. Running a business AND parenting is even harder. Parenting while neurodivergent, and raising neurodivergent children, is another level altogether! It often feels like trying to juggle chainsaws in a hurricane. If you know this feeling, this episode is for you!

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I am joined by ADHD coach Sarah West to talk about diagnoses, school battles, perimenopause, low-demand parenting, and what it really means to raise children who don’t fit the mould - while unlearning everything you were taught about being a “good” parent along the way.

Sarah brings a beautiful combination of lived experience, clinical insight, and fierce mama-bear advocacy, and this episode will resonate with anyone who has ever thought: “Is it just us?” (spoiler: it’s not.)

We talk about:

✨ What led Sarah from a 20-year nursing career to ADHD coaching
✨ Navigating ADHD, autism, perimenopause, and burnout simultaneously
✨ The long road to her daughters’ diagnoses and the guilt that comes with “not knowing sooner”
✨ Why trusting your parental instincts matters more than pleasing professionals (or anyone else)
✨ The importance of curiosity in parenting neurodivergent kids
✨ Low-demand parenting, reducing conflict, and choosing connection over compliance
✨ Rewriting inherited parenting patterns and modelling emotional self-acceptance
✨ How school systems misunderstand behaviour and what it’s actually communicating

Magic moments to take away

💬 “Once you know what you’re dealing with, everything shifts. Not because the struggle disappears, but because you finally have language for it.”
💬 “My job is her mental health, not cross-country on a cold Tuesday.”
💬 “Everything we do gives our children permission to do the same.”
💬 “I’m done earning rest. Now I ask: have I rested enough to do?”
💬 “Let them be who they are, not who society tells you they should be.”

Whether you’re a neurodivergent parent, raising neurodivergent kids, or simply trying to break generational patterns and do things differently, this episode is equal parts validating and empowering. You’ll walk away with practical ideas, big exhale moments, and the reminder that you are not alone in this.

Find out more about Sarah West:

🌐 Website: www.sarahwest-adhd.com
📧 Email: hello@sarahwest-adhd.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-west-adhd/

This episode is for the ones who’ve ever been told “you don’t look autistic” or “but you seem so high-functioning” and rolled their eyes all the way into next week.

In this ep, Siobhan sits down with Liz Vande Putte - an autistic and ADHD trainer, writer and workplace educator who brings equal parts humour and honesty to the conversation about what it really means to live and work as a neurodivergent adult.

They cover everything from outdated labels to sensory overload, family patterns, and why the social model of disability matters more than ever.

They talk about:
✨ What it means to be “actually autistic” in a world that still misunderstands the spectrum
✨ How workplace training can open up wider cultural conversations
✨ The crossover between autism and ADHD (and why Liz thinks they’re two sides of the same coin)
✨ Sensory sensitivities, “texture” of sound, and managing capacity
✨ Learning to work with your brain, not against it
✨ Ditching the performance of “high-functioning” and embracing authenticity

Magic Moments:
💬 “Speech is a motor function, language is a cognitive one. Being non-speaking doesn’t mean having nothing to say.”
💬 “You’re healing me while you’re inflicting the damage - that’s remarkably efficient.”
💬 “I treat my brain like a slightly demanding toddler. Just give it the sweets and it’ll cooperate.”
💬 “We don’t get any time off from this method acting thing - people win BAFTAs for less.”

Liz also shares practical first steps for anyone wondering if they might be neurodivergent, from connecting with community groups online to exploring self-assessment tools and lived-experience blogs. Her message? There’s nothing wrong with you. You just need the right environment.

If you’ve ever felt “too much”, “too sensitive”, or like you’re playing life on hard mode, this one will make you laugh, nod, and maybe exhale a little deeper.

Find out more about Liz:
Website: www.actuallyautisticadult.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-vande-putte-1983220/

What if the reason you “never finish anything” wasn’t laziness… but wiring?

In this episode, I sit down with Nicola Thomas, ADHD coach and founder of the much-loved Finish It Friday sessions, to talk about how we can create structures that actually work for neurodivergent brains. Nicola shares her own unmasking journey, the importance of community, and why body doubling can be an absolute game-changer for people with ADHD.

We explore:

• Why masking is exhausting (and what happens when you finally stop)
• The beauty of body doubling and why it works when nothing else does
• Creating gentle accountability that empowers rather than shames
• Redefining productivity: why “done” is always better than “perfect"

This is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed: equal parts validating, practical, and reassuring.

Magic Moments

• “I thought I was broken. Then I learned my brain just works differently.”
• “Body doubling isn’t about someone pushing you. It’s about not being alone in the doing.”
• “We’ve spent so long forcing ourselves into systems that don’t fit. No wonder we’re tired.”

In short, if you’ve ever stared at your to-do list and felt completely paralysed, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken, you just need better tools (and maybe a body double).

You can find Nicola online at https://www.thebusybrain.co.uk/ or on Instagram @nicbusybrain.

Resources mentioned in this episode include the books Unmasked by Ellie Middleton and We Are All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise.

In this episode, I am joined by ADHD coach Christian Ehmen to discuss his unconventional approach to working with founders and executives with ADHD. We explore the differences between traditional coaching and ADHD coaching, along with the critical importance of self-discovery and "inner work" before diving into business strategy.

Christian Ehmen is an ADHD coach who specialises in helping mission-driven founders and executives “get the fuck unstuck," gain clarity, and grow their businesses. His coaching philosophy is built on the belief that personal development is the foundation for professional success.

The Unconventional Approach

Christian shares what makes his coaching unconventional. While many business coaches focus on immediate, surface-level strategies like marketing and lead generation, Christian’s method starts with "inner work." He believes that for individuals with ADHD, a lack of self-awareness and emotional regulation often holds them back. He encourages his clients to understand their unique brain and how it functions, rather than jumping straight into goal setting. As Christian says, "You can't build a house on a shaky foundation." Another key part of the inner work is identifying your narratives and patterns. Christian uses the analogy of a "monster under the bed" as something you're afraid of, but once you get a peek at it, you realise it's not as scary as you thought.

The Problem with "Shoulds"

Our conversation also touches on the overwhelming pressure for business owners to follow a rigid set of rules or templates. For example, Social Media is filled with advice from "hustle bros" who often don't share a founder's circumstances, such as having children or other commitments.

ADHD Coaching vs. Traditional Coaching,

We also dive into the key distinctions of ADHD Coaching vs. Traditional Coaching, for example, how ADHD coaching provides an educational lens through which our clients can understand their unique challenges, such as executive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation. This helps them realise their struggles aren't personal failings but just characteristics of their neurotype. We discuss the importance of providing a judgment-free zone, where clients can drop their "mask" and be their authentic selves. This allows them to openly discuss their struggles and unique ways of doing things.

Finding the Right Coach

Finally, we share some advice on how to find the right coach for you, such as looking for a coach who is aligned with your personal values and has similar experiences or demands on their time. Their advice will be much more relevant to your life. We also discuss the importance of paying attention to how a coach makes you feel during an initial call.

Finally, we conclude with the powerful idea that investing in yourself is the best investment you can make. When you invest in your personal growth, you're not just improving your business; you're unlocking your full potential.

What did you think of the episode? Share your key takeaways - and don't forget to leave us a rating or review.

To find out more about Christian and his work, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-ehmen-adhd-coach/

Why do unconventional minds need unconventional systems?

In this episode, I am joined Josh Budd, founder of Neuro Notion, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges of living with ADHD, in particular the critical need for better post-diagnosis support. Diagnosed at age 10, Josh shares a bit about his own ADHD journey and explains why traditional, "neurotypical" systems often fail those with ADHD.

We dive into the philosophy behind his innovative platform, Neuro Notion, which is designed to be “frictionless” for overwhelmed ADHDers. Josh explains how the app allows its users to "brain dump" tasks verbally, which are then organised and prioritised in a way that works with the ADHD brain, not against it. We explore his call for better post-diagnosis guidance and a shift towards more inclusive, ADHD-centric systems in education and the workplace.

This is a powerful conversation about reimagining productivity, embracing ADHD strengths, and creating solutions that don't just accommodate, but fundamentally celebrate neurodiversity.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Post-Diagnosis Support Gap: Josh shares his experience with the lack of guidance after an ADHD diagnosis and highlights the dire need for practical, ongoing support.
• Why “Neurotypical” Frameworks Don't Work for Neurodivergent Brains: We discuss why traditional productivity tools and systems often fail to meet the needs of the interest-based ADHD brain and how Neuro Notion offers a more effective alternative.
• A New Approach to Productivity: Josh explains his "user-centric design philosophy" and how his platform is built to reduce cognitive load and make organisation effortless, rather than increasing time spent in the app.
• The Power of the “Brain Dump": Learn how Neuro Notion's core feature allows its users to get thoughts out of their heads quickly and efficiently.
• Reframing ADHD: Josh shares his perspective on viewing ADHD not as a deficit, but as a "different operating system.”
• A Call to Action: We talk about what is needed to create more inclusive systems in education and the workplace, to level the playing field and unlock the untapped potential of neurodivergent thinking.

Quotes:

• “The reality is that your brain is literally wired differently. This system that you need to use needs to understand how you work, otherwise it won't work”
• "I was diagnosed 12 years ago. I literally obsess over learning stuff about this every day, I read scientific journals every day. I'm an absolute nerd for it, and I still learn new things every day. So never stop. There's not a point where you say, ‘All right, cool. I know everything’. The more you learn, the better your life will be.”
• “Every single person, no matter who you are, you deserve to have guidance, support, next steps, given to you when you get diagnosed.”

Links & Resources:

Neuro Notion Website: www.neuro-notion.com

Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-budd/

Is it possible to build lasting, sustainable habits with an ADHD brain? What does ‘work with your brain, not against it’ actually look like in practice? And crucially, how can that help you live and work better? Oh, and what on earth does a smorgasbord have to do with ADHD!?

I answer all these questions and lots more in this short, snappy but powerful episode designed to help you put self-compassion into action and understand what really works for you (and what doesn’t!) We dive into:

• The importance of understanding that ADHD brains are interest-based rather than importance-based
• Why ‘’hacking your brain’ beating yourself up and/or using brute force to get yourself to do things is not the only way - and actually let’s face it, it doesn’t feel good either
• Why your habits can fail, what actually does motivate your brain and why understanding ADHD brains are interest-based rather than importance-based is crucial to habit-forming
• My PANIC acronym (Pressure, Accountability, Novelty, Interest, Competition) for what motivates ADHD brains, with practical examples of how to use these elements to your advantage
• The power of the "smorgasbord" approach, which helps you identify multiple methods to achieve a single outcome, liberating you from your current narrative around ‘consistency’ and freeing you up to create deeply personalised approaches to life and business that feel easier to achieve
• How to experiment with different methods and options to reach the same goal, track what works, and avoid self-judgment and self-criticism along the way

If you are still beating yourself with the ‘consistency’ stick and telling yourself ‘I just can’t stick to anything’, this episode is for you my friend!

Find out more about my work coaching ADHD business owners at: https://bigpicturebusinesscoach.com/

Forget hustle culture. What if building wealth didn’t mean working harder, but thinking differently?

This week, I’m joined by Aleksandra Kohut, a money mentor who helps women pay themselves more and build businesses that actually support their dream lives (instead of draining them dry). From corporate accountant to digital nomad, Aleksandra has rebuilt her entire relationship with money and she's here to help us do the same.

We chat about:

• Why self-worth is the secret to earning more
• How to ditch your money baggage (thanks, childhood stories)
• What the freedom lifestyle really looks like (hint: it’s not just sunsets and laptops)
• The myth that you need buckets of money to live life on your terms
• Why hearing “no” is actually good for business (yes, really!)

This one’s part permission slip, part pep talk, and 100% fire.

Mind Blowing Moments

“You don’t need more money to find freedom. You need to make a decision.”

“If you were told you weren’t good at maths, you probably believe you’re not good with money — but the two aren’t the same.”

“Scarcity and abundance are just two ways of looking at the same situation. You get to choose.”

So if you're ready to feel empowered instead of anxious about money and build a business that gives more than it takes, this episode will change how you think, spend, and show up.

To find more of Aleksandra, head to LinkedIn, Instagram or search Alexsandra Kohut, Money Mentor.

https://www.instagram.com/aleksandra.kohut/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandrakohut/