Episode 199 with Shannan Palma.

“Sometimes I know exactly what to do — but I just can’t make my body do it. And then comes the shame spiral, the anger, the anxiety.”

Shannan is the founder and CEO of ITI Assistive Technologies and co-leader of the Autistic Self-Reliance Support Network (ASR). Shannan is autistic and has ADHD, and she’s building the kinds of tools she wished had existed when she was struggling most. Prior to her dual diagnosis, Shannan was a professor who left academia due to severe burnout. After her diagnosis, she started looking for resources and support, but soon recognized a huge gap in support for autistic and ADHD adults — especially when it came to executive functioning and decision-making.

In this episode, Shannan and I discuss:

• Shannan’s path from academia to diagnosis and advocacy
• Her AI-powered decision support app Decide, designed specifically for neurodivergent brains by a team of autistic and ADHD developers
• How AI tools can support the mental load of neurodivergent life
• The concept of “bottom-up” processing in neurodivergent brains
• The urgent need for adult-focused research and how the tojisha-kenkyu method of self-directed research can be used among autistic adults.

Website: Autistic Self-Reliance (ASR) ; ITI Assistive Technologies

LinkedIn: Shannan Palma

Links & Resources:

Decide app

Video: Dr. Shannan Palma: #FlipThePowerDynamic in Autism Research and Funding

Annie Duke’s website

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Women & ADHD coaching: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/katy

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Episode 198 with Raquel Devillé.

“The idea of just sitting still to meditate was always terrifying. I need movement — something active — otherwise I can’t calm down.”

Raquel is a therapist, yoga teacher, and the author of It’s Not Your Period! Beyond Moods and Myths: Understanding Unexplainable Emotions and the Hidden Roots of Pain, Stress, and Anxiety. Originally from Portugal and now based in Belgium, Raquel was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in adulthood after recognizing the signs through her children’s experiences.

Drawing from her personal journey and professional training, Raquel developed the EnCorps Method — a body-centered, practical framework designed to help neurodivergent individuals manage sensory overwhelm, chronic stress, and emotional dysregulation. Her work offers a refreshing, empowering path to self-acceptance and nervous system regulation.

In this episode, Raquel and I discuss:

• The connections between chronic stress, masking, sensory overwhelm, and chronic pain
• How TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises) helps discharge stress stored in the body
• Why stillness-based meditation often doesn’t work for ADHDers — and what does
• Practical ways to weave body-based practices like TRE and somatic healing into daily life
• Highlights from her EnCorps Method, including embracing sensations, nurturing the body, and stabilizing the nervous system over time

Whether you're newly diagnosed or deep into your neurodivergence journey, Raquel’s approach offers some fascinating and tangible strategies for stabilizing the nervous system over time

Website: encorps.be ; raqueldeville.be

Instagram: @raqueldeville

Links & Resources:

Video: Peter Levine's Secret to Releasing Trauma from the Body

Video: Impala Escapes Death & Shakes off Stress

Book: When The Body Says No by Gabor Maté

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Women & ADHD coaching: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/katy

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Episode 197 with Danielle Elliot.

“I would love to see the conversation move towards less questioning of women when they talk about having ADHD.”

Danielle is a health and science journalist, documentarian, and creator and host of Climbing the Walls, a new 6-part podcast series produced by Understood.org that releases April 9 (in 2 days!).

Danielle was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 36 amid a surge of ADHD diagnoses in women since the pandemic. In her podcast series, she travels the country speaking with mental health professionals and women with ADHD to get answers to her big questions, like “Why women?” “Why now?” — and are we as a society equipped to support these many recently diagnosed women?

In today’s interview, Danielle shares her own diagnosis story as well as what she discovered throughout this investigative journey. She shares what surprised her most, and where she feels the conversation around neurodivergence — especially among women — needs to be headed.

Website: danielliot.com ; https://lnk.to/climbingthewalls

Instagram: @understoodorg

Links & Resources:

Understood.org

GODDESS ADHD team

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Hey friends! I'm excited to share something different with you - an episode from another podcast called ADHD Aha! It’s produced by the people at Understood.org, and it’s hosted by Laura Key.

(In fact, you might remember Laura as my guest in Episode 90 of Women & ADHD.)

This episode features Jessica McCabe, the brilliant woman behind the popular YouTube channel and New York Times best-selling book, How to ADHD. Jessica talks to Laura Key about motherhood, social anxiety, and ADHD medication …

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How to ADHD creator Jessica McCabe has been the source of many ADHD “aha” moments — so what were her ADHD “aha” moments?

Jessica was diagnosed when she was 12 years old but didn’t start to look into what ADHD meant for her until she was 32. Taking ADHD medication felt like putting on glasses — experiencing the world as everyone else did. But she didn’t have the skills and strategies to cope with ADHD.

So, she started making YouTube videos...and the rest is history. Listen in as Jessica answers Laura’s many questions, including: What’s it like for her to be a new mom with ADHD? Does she ever get a vulnerability hangover? And why doesn’t she think she’s cool?

Related resources:

• More episodes of ADHD Aha!
• Jessica’s YouTube channel, How to ADHD
• All about ADHD medication
• Understanding trouble with social skills

Episode 195 with Natalie Baker.

“Neurofeedback is really about identifying maladaptive brain waves, then training the brain to correct them.”

Natalie is a licensed psychotherapist, a certified brain health coach, and a dedicated Buddhist practitioner and teacher based in New York City. Given her Western training in psychology and psychotherapy and her Eastern training in meditation, Natalie brings a broader, holistic perspective to mental health and well-being.

Natalie began integrating neurofeedback technology into her therapy practice after witnessing its profound impact on trauma clients and those with ADHD and anxiety. She later founded the Neurofeedback Training Company to offer in-office and home neurofeedback programs nationally.

Natalie discusses the benefits of this science-backed, non-invasive therapy, and how neurofeedback can help train our brains to function more effectively, including improved focus, reduced anxiety, more regulated emotions, and better sleep.

If you’ve never heard of neurofeedback — or if you’ve heard about it and would like to know more about how it might apply to ADHD, then you don’t want to miss this episode because we go over all the details, including who it’s for, how it works, and how much it costs.

Exclusive discount: Use code ADHD75 for $75 off a home neurofeedback rental at neurofeedbacktraining.com

Websites: neurofeedbacktraining.com ; buddhistpsychotherapyny.com

Instagram: @neurofeedbacktrainingco

Links & Resources:

Neurofeedback Training Co Youtube Channel

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski

The Disruptors

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Episode 194 with Unami Magwenzi.

“I always felt like something didn’t quite click for me. I was capable and doing all these things professionally, but I never felt on top of anything.”

Unami is a clinical psychologist, a pastor, a wife, and the mother of 4 children — 3 teenagers and a 5 year old. She is originally from Botswana in Southern Africa and now lives with her family in Perth, Western Australia.

Unami shares how her children’s diagnoses prompted her own self-reflection, especially when it came to her struggles with focus, organization, and sensory sensitivities. She was diagnosed recently at the age of 44.

We talk about some of the nuanced cultural perspectives surrounding ADHD, particularly in southern Africa versus Australia, and how those views have shaped Unami’s journey to self-acceptance.

Website: hopelives.live

Instagram: @hope_lives_creations

Links:

Unami’s Shopify store: hopelivestreasures.com

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Episode 193 with Drew Turner.

“I was doing everything to make others happy, and then I wasn’t happy. A lot of that comes from ADHD and being empathetic, but ultimately it does a real disservice.”

Drew Turner lives near Austin, Texas, and was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 29. Drew’s diagnosis completely changed her understanding of herself and gave her an opportunity to rewrite her personal narrative from one of self-doubt, exhaustion, and shame to one of resilience, ambition, and empowerment.

After getting laid off from a leadership training position at Tesla, Drew was suddenly tasked with managing the fear, overwhelm, curiosity, and uncertainty that come with exploring new career opportunities, all while determining what would be most helpful for her ADHD.

We talk about the many ways ADHD shaped Drew's life, and how she’s learning to forge a path that aligns with her authentic self. And Drew now coaches other women in leadership who are ready to break through their own internal barriers, transform their doubts, and lead with genuine confidence.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drewturner2

Website: Free Strategy Call for Women in Leadership: From Feeling ‘Not Enough’ to Leading with Confidence: https://calendar.app.google/UcLQthiL9Vsi7VmS6

Links:

Fabulous is Forged on Fridays with Meshell Baker: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fabulous-is-forged-on-fridays-tickets-869325304387

Job Accommodation Network: https://askjan.org/

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd