Episodes

What helps an autistic professional navigate a demanding workplace—and how do they recognize and ask for that support? In the final episode of Patterns of Divergent Minds at Work, Cathy Rashidian speaks with autistic journalist Eric Garcia, author of We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. Eric shares experiences from newsrooms and political reporting, including asking an editor for clearer instructions, learning from a mentor, and becoming more intentional about his working enviro...

What can a late ADHD diagnosis reveal after decades of leadership success? Carlos Gutierrez, former chief executive of Kellogg and former United States Secretary of Commerce, joins Cathy Rashidian to discuss being diagnosed with ADHD at 65—and how that helped him understand his working life. Drawing on his memoir, Sheer Will: Learning to Lead When There Is No Path, Carlos reflects on ambition, his immigrant experience, and learning to lead through observation, feedback, and trial and error. W...

You agree to a deadline you’re concerned about, then work late to meet it. You receive positive feedback, but still feel you need to prove you deserve your role. How much effort goes into looking dependable? In part three of Patterns of Divergent Minds at Work, Cathy Rashidian explores the Adapter and Imposter patterns. We examine experiences that can overlap with people-pleasing and imposter syndrome at work, including suppressing concerns, overpreparing, and repeatedly checking work. In this...

Do you spend more time organizing your work than doing it? Take over a colleague’s task when they only asked for feedback? Start developing several ideas before deciding which one to finish? In part two of Patterns of Divergent Minds at Work, Cathy Rashidian explores the Architect, Rescuer, and Visionary. For professionals navigating ADHD productivity challenges or other neurodivergent experiences, these patterns offer a way to examine planning, boundaries, prioritization, and follow-through. ...

You’re delivering good work, but it’s taking more time and energy than you can keep giving. Is working harder still the answer? In this opening episode, executive and ADHD coach Cathy Rashidian introduces Patterns of Divergent Minds at Work, a special five-part series within Refined Leadership: ADHD Lens. We explore five recurring work patterns: the Architect, Rescuer, Visionary, Adapter, and Imposter. These approaches can help neurodivergent professionals organize complex work, solve problems...

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...

What happens when the mask comes off? In this episode, Coach Cathy dives into the unique challenges faced by high-achieving professionals with ADHD who feel pressured to conform to traditional leadership molds. Through her personal story of exhaustion and the breaking point that led her to quit her executive role, Cathy shines a light on masking—the exhausting effort to hide your struggles and maintain a polished facade. She unpacks the toll this takes on your mental bandwidth, decision-making...

"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...

In this episode of Refined Leadership: ADHD Edition, I’m sharing the story of two career-defining decisions I made at the height of my corporate leadership roles—both of which I now realize were driven by ADHD. On the outside, they looked like bold, deliberate moves. On the inside, I was in fight-or-flight mode, making fear-based calls that brought short-term relief but long-term consequences. You’ll hear: How ADHD traits like impulsivity, emotional intensity, and uncertainty intolerance can ...

Your Special June Invite To join us, there’s no requirement for a 3-month commitment (usual commitment to join our group).—just one powerful opportunity to see what this group experience can unlock for you. $150. One month. Full access. We begin Friday, June 6, at noon EST. (Encore Session: June 13) Here is what we are doing this month Monthly Group Call: June 6 & June 13 noon EST. (you can come to both or one of them) All members of the community are invited to join the call. Typically,...

If you’re ADHD and high-performing, here’s what no one tells you — self-leadership is your lifeline. In this episode, Coach Cathy explores how neurodivergent professionals can lead themselves with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. You’ll learn how to: • Track your energy patterns (instead of forcing productivity) • Identify personal anchor practices • Ask for what you need — without over-explaining You’ll also hear personal stories, practical tools, and an invitation to connect with...

In this week’s podcast, ADHD Burnout Traps: Overcoming Toxic Resilience at Work, we uncover the hidden patterns that keep you stuck, like the Self-Sufficiency Trap, overcompensation, and hyperfocus that disguises stress.

Join us in a special episode featuring a review of the Quantum Thinkers ADHD community. Discover how this unique space empowers professionals with ADHD by transforming challenges into leadership strengths. Learn about the community's structure, coaching methodology, and the wealth of resources available to help members thrive in their careers. Whether you're seeking enhanced leadership skills or a supportive network, this episode provides an insightful look into how Quantum Thinkers can guide...

In this episode of Refined Leadership ADHD Lens, Coach Cathy Rashidian explores the unique strengths that neurodivergent leaders bring to the table, including innovative thinking, hyperfocus, and resilience. Learn how these leaders drive innovation, build resilient teams, and make a lasting impact on organizations by harnessing their distinctive cognitive wiring. Discover practical strategies for turning these strengths into sustainable leadership and creating psychologically safe environments ...

Welcome to Refined Leadership ADHD Lens with Credentialed Coach Cathy Rashidian, where we delve into refining leadership skills through the ADHD perspective. In this episode, Coach Cathy builds on foundational strategies from the previous discussion, offering actionable steps to clarify and sustain progress despite ADHD challenges. Discover the MATTER framework - Milestones, Attitude, Tasks, Team, Evaluation, and Revision - designed to help you create a flexible planning system that accommodate...

In this episode of Refined Leadership ADHD Lens, join Coach Cathy as she explores the power of living in truth and purpose for leaders with ADHD. Discover practical strategies for creating a personal mission statement and setting meaningful visions and missions. These tools go beyond typical productivity hacks, providing a foundation for decision-making, boundary setting, and building self-esteem. Navigate the complexities of goal setting and time management with an ADHD-focused approach. Learn...

Join Cathy Rashidian on a transformative episode of Refined Leadership ADHD Lens, where we explore the intricate world of career transitions for those with an ADHD brain. Unlock practical strategies to leverage your unique strengths, gain clarity, and set yourself up for success in your professional journey. Discover how to balance the excitement and overwhelm of career changes, focusing on what truly aligns with your goals and values. Learn to declutter your career experiences and approach new...

Welcome to the revitalized podcast, where we embrace the unique strengths of ADHD in leadership and professional growth. Host Cathy Rashidian, an executive coach, returns after a two-year hiatus to share her transformative journey from corporate life to specializing in ADHD coaching. Discover the power of community through the Quantum Thinkers ADHD group, offering support and connection for high-performing professionals. Join us on this refreshed platform, now named "Refined Leadership, ADHD L...

In this episode I am speaking with Melissa Doman, MA, Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). We talk about mental health in the workplace and why now more than ever this is so important to be talked about in the workplace. Her book is a fantastic handbook on how to approach this sensitive conversation in the workplace. We addressed the approach of self-advocacy in the workplace as an individual contributor and a leader, the “toxic posi...

Discussing the hormonal fluctuation's impact on ADHD and women is one of the most important episodes I have recorded on the Proudly ADHD Podcast. Conversations on this topic need to continue and be amplified. I truly believe so many women diagnosed with ADHD suffer in silence from the negative impacts of, Puberty, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), PMS (premenstrual syndrome), Perimenopause, and Menopause. As these hormonal changes hugely impact and amplify the negative traits of ADHD. In...

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 open up about my personal story about seeking support to further manage my ADHD through Trauma Therapy. I knew that this method of therapy was going to be effective and I have always been a huge advocate of therapy but what I didn’t expect was the rapid results that I experienced. “In total, some 20–50% of children with a history of Childhood Trauma have clinical levels of ADHD (Glod and Teicher 1996; McLeer et al.1994).” Receiving support for mental health is a journey, fro...

ADHD and Burnout!!! I can not get enough of this topic, so I decided to have a candid conversation about it with my special guest Brendan Mahan, host of ADHD Essentials Podcast and ADHD Coach. “Is it the Fish or the Water? Is the fish sick because the fish is sick? or is the fish sick, Because it's swimming in a toxic ocean.” Brendan unpacks this concept so beautifully in this episode. (Yes we do get into politics in this talk) We covered various aspects of how those with ADHD might experience...

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