Adhd Essentials

Today, it's just me.  I'm discussing a metaphor I've been sharing for years in my workshops, but somehow haven't brought to the podcast yet.  It's a way to pay more attention to the things that are going smoothly, rather than the things that are getting in the way and causing trouble.  It's an important skill to develop, so we can reinforce the things we want, and have a better outlook on our lives.  And it's especially critical with ADHD in the mix. Where's Brendan? November 1st– I'll be doing a live webinar for ADDitude on how teachers and parents can help lonely teenagers who are dealing with peer rejection. November 7th– I’m part of the Putting Mama First Virtual Summit where I’ll be talking about why setting boundaries is part of self-care, and how to set them. November 7th– I’m also part of the See Beyond ADHD Virtual Summit.  This one is a more free ranging interview where I talk about everything from the foundations of ADHD management, to homeschooling, to why we should give ourselves more credit.

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer. Dr. Kilmer is a licensed clinical psychologist and the director of education and training at Game to Grow.  In this outstanding interview Elizabeth shares a brief exploration of the ways Dungeons and Dragons supports social growth, and then for the bulk of the interview we examine the SPARK model from Game to Grow’s Critical Core program, and how parents can use this guide for good game mastering to improve their parenting.  I recognize that this interview might seem a bit niche and geeky.  But I promise, even if you have zero interest in Dungeons and Dragons, you’ll find it the information useful.  Throughout, we’re essentially looking at the similarities and metaphorical interconnections between being and game master and being a parent and leader.  Besides, it’s been a few years since I last did a D&D episode.  Guest Links: Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer at https://gametogrow.org/about/staff/elizabethkilmer/ Learn more about Game to Grow at https

Today, we’re talking to Alex Gilbert of Capeable Consulting.  Alex is a New Yorker (Go Mets), a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast.  After spending her career in leadership development, Alex has moved into the coaching and consulting with people with learning disabilities and ADHD. In this excellent, wide ranging episode, Alex talks to us about ADHD and careers.  She shares what our favorite games can tell us about the careers we should pursue, how to navigate our weaknesses at work, the roles boredom and excitement play for ADHDers at work, how to distinguish between things that are hard and things that are challenging, ways to help our kids get jobs, and why extracurriculars are so valuable.     >>>CHECK OUT THE ADHD SUMMIT OCTOBER 17-20

Today, we’re talking to Holly Blanc Moses.  Holly is a psychologist who helps neurodiverse kids, adults, and families.  She’s also one of the hosts of the upcoming ADHD Summit that I mentioned earlier.  You can find my link in the show notes. In this episode, Holly talks to us about ADHD in girls. We discuss how cultural expectations influence the way ADHD symptoms affect girls, the importance of nature of girls’ social relationships, and the prominent role that anxiety can play in the life of girls with ADHD. >>>CHECK OUT THE ADHD SUMMIT OCTOBER 17-20

Today, we’re talking to Cathy Rashidian of Ready Set Choose Coaching.  Cathy is an executive and ADHD coach to emerging leaders, and the host of the Proudly ADHD podcast. In this episode, we discuss the importance of moving beyond structure, routine, and productivity when it comes to managing ADHD, why we should take more care in looking at home much time we actually have to do things, menstruation and ADHD, and the relationship between production, emotions and processing styles. Side note, this episode is overdue.  It was recorded back in February before things went off the rails for me.  So, some of the examples might be a little out of season.  Sorry about that, but it’s good to be back!   >>>Register for a free call about my parenting groups here!

Today, it's just me, your host in abstencia.  In today’s episode, I share a little bit about the family stuff I've been going through that led to the podcast being so intermittent of late, pledge to return to weekly posting moving forward, and share a lesson of two about parenting (and just being human) that I've learned as a result of all this. Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   ADHD Rewired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired ADHD Essentials Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle   

Today, we’re talking to Amanda Morin. Amanda works in print and digital media as a writer and editor, empowering parents and educators to affirm the pivotal roles they play in children’s education. She played an integral role in launching Understood.org in 2014. In today’s episode, we discuss what Understood.org is and why it’s so valuable, learning loss during the pandemic, masking, and the importance of acceptance for neurodiversity. Guest Links: Learn more about Amanda and her work at https://www.amandamorin.com Explore Understood.org   ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    ADHD Rewired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired ADHD Essentials Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Diversi

Today, we’re talking to Brandon Tessers of Effective Artistry.  Brandon is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), trained professional actor, amateur singer/songwriter, former schoolteacher, and a self-described “enthusiastic if sometimes ill-prepared husband and father”. He’s been helping children and adults with their executive functioning for over a decade, and has been doing so as a licensed therapist for the last five years. In this wide ranging episode, Brandon shares his Accomplishment Equation. He talks about motivation as resource management, ways to recover energy, negative vs positive aims, and why change requires discomfort. Register for a Free Consult for the Summer Parent Coaching Groups   Guest Links: Learn more about Brandon Tessers at https://centerforeffectiveartistry.com   ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Chec

In this episode we’re talking to therapist and author, Claire Bidwell Smith.  Claire is a grief expert, and her latest book is “Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief”.    In this episode, Claire talks to us about grief.  She discusses the interconnections between anxiety and grief, a few different models and perspectives on the subject, it’s cyclical nature, the importance of making space for grief, how to handle it with kids, and why grief is around us more than we might think. Register for a Free Consult for the Summer Parent Coaching Groups   Guest Links: Learn more about Claire and her work at https://clairebidwellsmith.com Get Claire's books at https://clairebidwellsmith.com/books/   ADHD Rewired Podcast Network Plugs:  ADHD reWired ADHD Essentials Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle    Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Com

Today, we’re revisiting an episode from May of 2020 with Richard Tedeschi.  Richard originated the concept of posttraumatic growth with his colleague Lawrence Calhoun during their years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. More recently, he has been applying the posttraumatic growth concept in the development of innovative programs for combat veterans and first responders. The success of which is leading to their implementation at a number of venues across the country. His new book about the growth experiences of military families is Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth (2020). In Today’s Episode, Dr. Tedeschi talks to us about trauma, PTSD, and Post traumatic growth as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We discuss how getting clear on our beliefs can help us more effectively navigate this crisis, the importance of taking action for our mental health - especially actions that help others, and how parents can help their kids better handle difficult and challenging times.   Reg

In this episode we're talking to Alex Gilbert of Capeable Consulting.  Alex has ADHD and dyslexia.  And after spending her career working in leadership development, she decided to start a consulting and coaching business to help adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are struggling in their careers.  In this episode, Alex talks to us about navigating jobs, careers, and employment with ADHD.  She discusses what your favorite game has to do with picking a job, navigating boredom and imposter syndrome, the fact that interview questions are a two way street, and why things can be challenging but not hard.   >>>The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups

Today, host Brendan Mahan explores why ADHD is poorly named in response to some of the things talked about in the recent episode featuring René Brooks, Inger Colzie, and Stacey Machelle.   >>>The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups

In this episode of the podcast we are talking to my friend Coco Stanback.  Coco is an ADHD and parenting coach whose family is, unsurprisingly, affected by the disorder. In this episode, Coco discusses effective co-parenting.  She talks about why we should first seek to understand when things get challenging, the importance of knowing and honoring each others’ skill sets, and her three core C’s of parenting.   >>>The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups

This episode of the podcast was commandeered by René Brooks of Black Girl Lost Keys.  I thought we were going to have one-on-one interview and catch-up, but René had other plans and brought along some friends!  So it’s me, René, ADHD coach and mental health clinician Inger Shay Colzie, and the Stacey Machelle of ADHD is the New Black on YouTube.   In this episode, we discuss and demonstrate the importance of singing people’s praises and the supportive nature of the ADHD Community, the power of planting seeds, finding humor in ADHD, the importance of diverse voices in ADHD, and some excellent Ending Essentials.    >>>The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups

Today, we’re talking to Cindy Goldrich, the founder of Pathways to Success Coaching.  Cindy is a mental health counselor and ADHD coach who has been working in the field for over 15 years.  She is the author of two books on parenting children with ADHD, and books and training programs have been translated into multiple languages.  In addition to working with parents, Cindy also trains ADHD coaches and other professionals.  In this episode, we discuss ways to distinguish between supporting and enabling, Cindy’s three N’s of praise, and the importance of connection and setting appropriate expectations in managing family dynamics. Register for The ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups   Guest Links: Connect with Cindy at https://ptscoaching.com Buy her book here! ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle  ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community L

In today's episode, I share how I responded to a guy who didn't like my supportive, and encouraging approach to parenting.  He tried to crush my positivity by saying, "I don't believe that everyone deserves a trophy".  So, I thought about it and came back to him with a clearer perspective.  The gist of which is that ADHD is a developmental disorder, so kids with ADHD might not meet the same standards as other kids their age.  We should meet them where they are. Then teach them to do better moving forward.  This episode will teach you how to do that.   >>>Check Out the Decoding Behavior Summit

In today’s episode, we’re revisiting a conversation I had with Monica Hassell.  Monica is an ADHD coach based in Australia.  She and her husband Jon make up ConnectADHD.  Monica has presented at the International Conference on ADHD several times, and her work is outstanding! In today’s episode, we discuss Executive Function, why ADHD rarely travels alone, and the various layers that underlie problem behaviors through Monica’s outstanding Volcano model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  The image for the volcano will be in the show notes.     >>>Check Out the Decoding Behavior Summit

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Renee Crook.  Renee is a veteran ADHD coach who works with adult clients both one-on-one and in groups.  She sits on the board of directors for ADDA and is the chair of their virtual support groups.  She also teaches for RenaFi, a financial education program for ADHDers, and trains coaches as part of the faculty of the ADHD Coach Academy. In this episode, Renee shares her story and discusses how her struggles with ADHD led to her leaving teaching and becoming an ADHD coach.  Along the way we discuss why clear expectations matter so much, how prioritization struggles can affect performance, the importance of standing up for ourselves, why ADHDers so often take on too much, the power of planting seeds, and the healing hidden of helping others.   >>>Check Out the Decoding Behavior Summit

In today's episode, I share a strategy I use to help kids get their homework done.  (I use it to help adults get stuff done, too!)   It involves assessing in advance the time and effort/energy required to do each homework assignment (or part of the task) and then using the information to make decisions about prioritization and sequencing.  So, not only dies it help kids attack the task at hand, but it build executive functioning skill, too! ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle   

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. Sharon Saline.  Dr. Saline is a friend of the pod, a licensed, clinical psychologist, and the author of “What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew”. In this episode, Dr. Saline and I talk about the effects of the pandemic on children and families.  We discuss the data on mental health pre- and post-pandemic, moral injury, the effect it is having on social skills, and ways to manage the anxiety we're all experiencing. Register for The ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups   Guest Links: Connect with Dr. Saline at https://www.drsharonsaline.com Buy her book here! ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle  ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials