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...

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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It was my absolute pleasure to have this candid, most genuine conversation with Dan Roth. He is so damn relatable and lays down some serious truth about job hunting and recruiting for professionals with ADHD. “I don't think that job seekers should be so desperate to take any job that they can. Now I understand that finances are. I am not saying that it is not difficult, but if we do a better job in our communication between the recruiter and the job seeker, then at the end of the day, you're go...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting with Yakini Pierce, discussing her journey with ADHD as a parent. Yakini Pierce is a mom with ADHD that has two children, both with ADHD. She has an MBA and degrees in engineering and mass communications, but her strong passion is advocating for parents that have children with ADHD, parents, and adults in general that have ADHD through her ADHD Love platform. I enjoyed listening to her perspective and approach when it comes to parenting kids with ...

“Rather than be defined by a label, I choose to challenge the boundaries of its perceived limitations.” Shawn Smith I had the pleasure of speaking with Shawn Smith, M.Ed., CCC about ADHD, ASD and his personal journey with it all, and how he supports his clients as a counselor/therapist. This conversion was such a delight, Shawn has an amazing way to capture your attention and get to the heart of the discussion. I enjoyed talking about ADHD and Medication, the long journey to finding treatmen...

In this episode I speak with Tamara Rosier, Ph.D. about her new book, Your Brain’s Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD. In Your Brain’s Not Broken, Tamara Rosier, Ph.D., founder of the ADHD Center in West Michigan, shares how those with ADHD can create new thinking habits, identify unhelpful thoughts and emotional patterns, and apply strategies to change them. “Seeing how the ADHD brain works differently from the neurotypical brain helps us understand, accept...

In this episode, Coach Cathy shares an update on the podcast and some personal reflections on her journey as a coach and mental health advocate. She also offers some tips and insights on how to stay motivated and focused on your goals. Segment 1: Podcast Update (0:43) Cathy gives listeners an update on the podcast and shares some exciting news about upcoming guests and topics. She also invites listeners to share their feedback and suggestions for future episodes. Segment 2: Personal Reflection...