Interviews Episodes

Why can a capable ADHD professional know exactly what needs to be done—and still find it incredibly difficult to begin? In this conversation, Cathy Rashidian speaks with Brendan Mahan, MEd, MS, author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful, about the emotional barriers that can build around work we have struggled with before. A report, email, decision or difficult conversation may look straightforward from the outside. Internally, that task may be carrying frustration, uncertainty, shame, fear of fai...

"I know what I need to do, but I don't trust that I'll do it when I need to do it." If that sentence lands, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Refined Leadership: ADHD Lens, I sit down with Dr. Russell Ramsay, one of the leading voices in adult ADHD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. We talk about his new book, Once I Get Started, and the cognitive theme he believes runs beneath much of adult ADHD: self-mistrust. This is not a productivity conversation. It is a conversation about...

Those with ADHD brain wiring feel emotions intensely, it actually may feel like we are constantly living in a state of emotional flood. In this state, all we can do is be on guard, be defensive and look for ways to survive and push through. No wonder we are not able to get shi%t done! In this episode, I am delighted to have Tamara Rosier Ph.D., back with us where she shares an effective tool for managing our big emotions so that we can go from fight or flight to present and calm! The Emotional...

In this episode, I am delighted to be reviewing the book, "Taking Charge of Adult ADHD", - 2nd edition with author Russell Barkley, PhD. This is a must-have book for all adults with ADHD! and a must-listen conversation We talked about: - Latest research in ADHD - Medication and ADHD - what's on the horizon - Emotional dysregulation - How to move past the diagnosis and take charge of your ADHD and sooo much more. Be sure to order the 2nd edition of Taking Charge of Adult of ADHD Additiona...

In today’s episode, we speak with Trey Vives, an entrepreneur in the jewellery and lifestyle industry. Among many topics, we talk about his encounters with suicidal thoughts and how faith saved him, why he views his diagnosis as getting a playbook to his brain, and self-sabotage in pursuit of success. Detailed show notes: In today’s episode, we speak with Trey Vives https://www.instagram.com/trey_dhd/ , an entrepreneur in the jewellery and lifestyle space https://www.instagram.com/1881g_/. We ...

In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with a therapist and fellow ADHD coach Inger Shaye Colzie. Among other things, we talked about IngerShaye’s late-in-life diagnosis, how she went from pursuing law to cosmetology to therapy, and her advice for other black women with ADHD. Detailed show notes: In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with a therapist and fellow ADHD coach Inger Shaye Colzie. Among other things, we talked about: IngerShaye’s late-in-life diagnosis - ...

In today’s episode we have a heartfelt conversation with Zara, Dr. of Pharmacy. We talked about: Her late-in-life diagnosis of ADHD, barriers to diagnosis, and the effects of medication on her day-to-day [0:52] Life after diagnosis and medication [6:55] Zara’s go-to tools for focus, productivity, and calm. Understanding the dopaminergic effects of task completion and procrastination. [8:49] Zara’s thoughts on medication and ADHD - addiction, psychiatrist guidance, and medication tolerance [1...

In this episode, I talk with Jeff Copper - ADHD & Attention Coach, we bring the Coaches’ point of view on ADHD medication. At first, Jeff simply explains the scientific facts behind the chemical reactions of our bodies when taking ADHD medications and he clarifies the side effects as well. He stresses the importance of taking the right drug, the right dose at the right time. Jeff and I, later on, have some fruitful discussions about the impacts of taking ADHD drugs and the impacts of NOT takin...

“When you own all parts of you life becomes much easier,” says Heather Ann Havenwood. I am delighted to share this inspiring, and candid conversation with you. My guest Heather Ann was diagnosed early in life, she shares her journey and strategies on how she leaned into her ADHD brain and has made it her best asset. Her energy is so contagious and inspiring and her stellar track record as an Entrepreneur is proof of how she has leaned into her strengths and her Neurodiversity is a testament th...

In this episode, I am excited to welcome back Dr. Ned Hallowell back on the show, this time we are talking about his new book ADHD 2.0. We do a deep dive into a couple of key areas in his book: Why he likes to change the name from ADHD to VAST (Variable Attention Stimulus Trait), he explains why we do not have a deficit of attention. How if we manage ADHD it can enhance our lives and can become your superpower. The main focus of this episode is Dr. Ned’s explanation of the regions of the brain...

In this episode, I wanted to introduce you to Brian Fanzo, who shares his journey of a late in life diagnosis. I was so inspired by his passion for life, family, and most importantly self-compassion as he moves through ADHD in adulthood. Key points: Journey of ADHD diagnosis as an adult and his perspective and later how he is supporting his child’s diagnosis of ADHD. Brian shares how he sees his ADHD as a superpower and feels loud and proud of his brain wiring. Reflection on how he managed ...

From time to time I like to showcase and interview professionals who are managing and thriving with ADHD. Each of us has our own special ways of managing and learning to live with a unique brain wiring. It was my pleasure to have Amber Duffney on my show where she shares her story and how she manages her business, her family while making an impact in young women's lives. Amber Duffney is a Certified Professional Coach, having graduated from iPEC in 2018. She works with tween girls to give them ...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Phil Parker, mind-body connection expert, about the automated programs that we have developed over time in our brain and their impact on our day-to-day life, and ways that we can reprogram our thoughts to really take control of our brain. key highlights Importance of Managing our State of mind and how to shift to useful states to optimally manage the way we respond to situations. The power of language and its effects on our neurology and how to reframe our langua...

Prior to my diagnosis of ADHD, I always wondered why my emotions were always so intense. Once I learned that Adults with ADHD have emotional regulation challenges my whole approach to understanding and managing my emotions has been life-changing. In this episode, I invited back ADHD/Attention Coach Jeff Copper, to share his views on Emotional Dysregulation and also share my perspective on this topic. Midway through this talk we also share our point of view on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria which...

My guest David Giwerc, Master Certified ADHD Coach, Entrepreneur, Founder/President of the ADD Coach Academy, shared a very powerful statement during this episode, “when you identify your strengths, you're identifying a natural, innate talent and a way of creating excellence consistently in your life. But that's not enough because, without the sustaining mechanism, Or the source that activates that strength, those strengths will die. And this is especially true in ADHD because ADHD is a deficit ...

Today, we’re discussing: -How he went from dyslexic student with terrible grades in English to successful author, publishing multiple NYT best-selling books each year -The powerful quote shared over 37,000,000 times that’s guaranteed to give you a boost of motivation -The distinction between counsel & opinion, and why you MUST understand the difference -A surprising tool to help you connect with top thought leaders and get the expert guidance you assumed was out of reach ...plus his simple,...

We all know that when it comes to Relationships/Marriage it is a bumpy ride, now let’s make it even bumpier when one or both partners have ADHD. My guest Melissa Orlov, a relationship consultant, talks about the impacts of ADHD on Marriage. She covered some key topics such as: ADHD entrepreneurs working with non-ADHD partner, pressures that it creates, and some possible solutions How both partners can create opportunities that are win-win for both Common themes of ADHD traits that might be ...

One thing I've learned about working with my ADHD clients, especially business owners and professionals is that they have the need/urge to do everything themselves and are very reluctant to ask for support. Even though they are truly gifted in so many ways and highly capable of taking on a lot, it does eventually catch up to them and that's one of the reasons they end up in my coaching practice. Deligation or Asking for support is not an automatic default mode since most of their lives they hav...

There are three representations of ADHD Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were present for the past 6 months Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: if enough symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity, were present for the past six months Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: if enough symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not inattention, were present for the past six months. (ref - CDC.gov) ...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by special guest, ADHD, and Attention coach, also the host of Attention Talk Radio, Jeff Copper. We’re discussing memory, and specifically working memory: the ability to hold thoughts in your mind, organize them, and sequence them, without forgetting them. This topic is hugely important for people with ADHD, but it’s not always talked about. We’ll explore: Why focus and attention issues are only surface symptoms, and the real issue is with working memory How w...

Contrary to what is known about ADHD, individuals with ADHD CAN actually focus! When we are interested and have a clear understanding of the tasks and know that it aligns with our goals we can become focused, even hyper-focused, and do a bang-up job. However, when we find a task boring, challenging to break into chunks, and ultimately the end results too far in the future for us to gain immediate gratification we have a harder time to focus. In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Sarah Cheyette abou...

Adult ADHD diagnosis may feel like a life sentence to some of us but what if we consider it an explanation of our very unique brain neurology. For some, this new piece of information can be a hard pill to swallow and may cause intense emotions, such as grief or the opposite, a sense of relief. ADHD Coaching and Therapy are two of the many ways we can manage Adult ADHD. In this episode, I speak with my guest Diann Wingert - mindset and productivity coach also a former licensed psychotherapist, ab...

In the past few years, as I've been going through coach training and coaching professionals and entrepreneurs, I have seen a theme around the importance of paying attention to mindset as it relates to their ADHD and how they were managing it before and after hitting their tipping point. Often these adults come to me to learn how to manage their day more effectively, be more productive, and learn new tips and tricks on managing ADHD. As we start the coaching process they start to see that managi...

One of the most effective ways for ADHDers to manage their intense emotions is to pause and pay attention before reacting. Easier said than done, and this is a skill that does not come naturally. So how can we sharpen this skill? Yoga is one way to do this. Paying attention to our breath and creating movement in the body to get the energy flowing so that it's not bottled up in one place in our body. In this episode, my guest Esther Nagle, Yoga Teacher, shares her own struggles with ADHD, Addict...