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Justin “ADHD Therapist Jay” Gillespie returns to share how his practice evolved from a 14-clinician operation to a tight-knit “training ground” for ADHD-focused care—and why smaller has actually meant better. He and Paula dig into why so many ADHD and neurodiversity trainings miss the mark, and Justin’s bold plan to build a more rigorous, lived-experience-informed ADHD certification for clinicians. Justin also opens up about parenting with ADHD and autism, from sensory surprises to alligator-roll diaper changes, and how that work has reshaped his clinical focus on supporting neurodivergent parents. They get candid about running family businesses with their spouses, navigating communication, trust, and executive functioning in love and work. Justin and Paula also highlight a necessary conversation about alcohol and substance use in social work and the ADHD community, inviting listeners to reflect on their own coping habits and what “getting your $h!t together” really looks like.

In this episode, you will hear:

• shifting practice direction
• professional themes in ADHD care
• parenthood and partnership
• books and future work
• insurance and business
• well-being

Bio:

Justin Gillespie, LMSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker, content creator, and therapist for neurodivergent people, specifically for ADHD. Justin also coaches fellow therapists on how to grow on social media and gain client leads by being their authentic self.

Socials:

Instagram: adhdtherapist_jay
TikTok: adhdtherapist_jay
Website: https://superior-center.com/

P's Upcoming Events:

Reimaging Rest - 9/19/26 @ 10am via Zoom

A Free (1 CE) Workshop for New York LMHCs, LMSWs/LCSWs

For info and registration: https://bit.ly/RRRWorkshops

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In this episode, Paula explores brain dumping, an accessible practice that helps us get thoughts, worries, ideas, and mental clutter out of our heads and create space in our brains. She identifies some daily root causes that contribute to our mental overload and ways that it impacts our mental health and wellness. Paula also provides examples of how societal and cultural contexts contribute to why things can pile up in our minds, as well as why conversations about using brain dumping as a tool aren't readily explored.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ mental overload and definition
+ why brain dumping can help
+ cultural context in real time
+ practice boundaries

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Paula reflects on key themes for closing out the summer season with gratitude, self-awareness, and realistic expectations instead of self-criticism. She explores seasonal frameworks, feelings about premature season endings, and ways to carry helpful rituals and routines into the fall.

In this episode, you will hear:

• seasonal timelines
• healing and joy
• relationship and growth
• carrying summer forward
• end of summer reflection

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Paula explains the difference between routines and rituals, emphasizing that routines are daily tasks, while rituals are symbolic practices that reflect our identity and values. She shares personal examples and highlights how these practices ground and center individuals. Paula also explores how rituals can evolve, suggesting a framework for reassessing and adapting rituals to better align with current needs and values. She encourages listeners to reflect on their rituals, considering which ones to protect, release, or remix to enhance their emotional well-being, and why these themes are often left out of regular conversations about wellness.

In this episode, you will hear:

• emotional and cultural significance of rituals
• examples of daily rituals
• role of rituals in emotional regulation
• challenges in maintaining rituals
• practical steps for remixing rituals
• importance of reflection and ownership

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Paula considers the concept of transitions through the lens of summer to fall and the challenges faced. She reflects on the importance of regulating one's nervous system and managing physical and emotional clutter. Paula emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries and realistic expectations, both personally and professionally. She explores the ways these themes touch different domains of life and ways we can reflect on ways we choose what we carry.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ summer scaries and transitions
+ physical and emotional clutter
+ navigating relationships and conflict
+ setting realistic expectations
+ boundaries and personal growth

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Paula discusses the importance of rest and the guilt often associated with it. She rereads Tricia Hersey's "Rest Is Resistance" and reflects on societal pressures to be productive. Paula highlights the need to rest without feeling guilty, noting that rest is essential for overall well-being. She shares personal anecdotes about managing tasks and the challenges of doing nothing. Paula emphasizes that rest is not avoidance but necessary for mental, emotional, and physical health. She encourages listeners to practice intentional unproductivity, starting with small increments of doing nothing, to improve their rest habits and reduce stress.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ the art of doing nothing
+ cultural and historical context of rest
+ the myth of resting until everything is done
+ challenges of rest for people of color
+ rest vs. avoidance
+ reflecting on rest and personal growth

Resources Mentioned:

Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

We Will Rest!: The Art of Escape by Tricia Hersey

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Paula discusses the importance of play and joy in adult life, particularly during the summer. She shares the benefits for adults of scheduling playtime, noting that it can improve creativity, communication, and emotional regulation. Paula mentions the cultural significance of community activities like cookouts, live music, and gameplay in fostering joy and connection. She encourages listeners to intentionally schedule joyful activities, likening it to emotional savings, and to reconnect with childhood joy to enhance their well-being.

In this episode, you will hear:

• the role of play in adult development
• nervous system regulation and joy
• community and cultural traditions
• nostalgia as healing
• adult friendships and connection
• emotional savings and joyful activities

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Paula returns after summer break to explore the importance of community and local environments in promoting emotional well-being, sharing personal experiences from the Bronx. She emphasizes the value of familiar places and spaces such as parks, community gardens, and libraries to reduce stress and improve mood. Paula presents the significance of community connections and introduces the theme of “third places,” as well as speaks about why there are misconceptions that healing requires financial investment, plus advocating for accessible, everyday practices.

In this episode, you will hear:

+ exploring local communities for emotional well-being
+ role of community and social connections
+ challenges and misconceptions about healing
+ impact of everyday experiences
+ importance of doing nothing

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Got a topic you want explored on a future episode? Please email us at whydontwetalkaboutthispod@gmail.com