Translating ADHD

From Mood to Action: Navigating Emotions and Decisions with ADHD

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Ash and Dusty explore the concept of emotional permanence—a term that highlights the experience of being stuck in intense emotions, often seen in people with ADHD. They discuss how emotional dysregulation, a common but under-recognized aspect of ADHD, interferes with motivation, goal-directed behavior, and the ability to tolerate distress. Dusty shares personal experiences and therapeutic tools such as distress tolerance and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques that help in recognizing that emotions are temporary and learning to self-soothe rather than react impulsively.

Ash and Dusty also discuss practical coaching strategies for clients dealing with emotional overwhelm, including shifting from reactive to curious mindsets to gain clarity and make thoughtful decisions. They emphasize the importance of balancing action and patience, knowing when to push forward and when to allow oneself time to regroup. The episode offers valuable insights into managing ADHD-related emotional challenges by fostering self-awareness, gentle self-talk, and curiosity—helping listeners build resilience and make more grounded choices in their daily lives.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Overcoming “I Don’t Want To”: Strategies for Motivation and Task Engagement

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the concept of "positionality," or what they call having "a case of the I don’t want," a common experience for people with ADHD where tasks feel overwhelming or unappealing, leading to avoidance and resistance. They discuss how this resistance can manifest in different ways, such as feeling stuck before even starting a task or struggling with opposition even when motivation is present. Both hosts share examples from their personal and coaching experiences, highlighting the importance of recognizing and naming these feelings to better manage them.

The conversation delves into practical strategies that help overcome this resistance, including breaking tasks into manageable steps, pairing unpleasant tasks with enjoyable activities, and using techniques like reverse Pomodoro to balance productivity with breaks. They emphasize the value of flexibility, mood management, and intrinsic motivation—encouraging listeners to find what works for them personally. Ultimately, Asher and Dusty stress that while these challenges are ongoing, they are manageable with the right tools and mindset, and that progress, no matter how small, is a meaningful step forward.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

When It’s Not Just ADHD: Exploring Underlying Health Issues Affecting Symptoms

In this episode, Ash and Dusty discuss the important topic of when worsening ADHD symptoms may actually be caused or worsened by other physiological or medical conditions. They explore how hormonal changes related to PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, and menopause can significantly impact cognition, mood, and executive function. Dusty shares her personal experience with PMDD and how medication has been life-changing in managing symptoms that overlap with ADHD but require different treatment approaches. They also highlight other health issues such as anemia, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), hypermobility disorders like Ehlers-Danlos, TMJ, migraines, and sleep disruptions that can mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing these co-occurring or separate conditions and how ADHD coaching can support managing them by focusing on follow-through, executive functioning, and problem-solving rather than "coaching out" chronic illness itself. Ash and Dusty encourage listeners to advocate for themselves with healthcare providers, get regular checkups, and explore potential underlying causes when symptoms suddenly worsen. They also caution against dismissing new or worsening symptoms as just ADHD and stress the value of integrated care between medical treatment and coaching to improve overall functioning and quality of life.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

ADHD and New Relationship Energy: Awareness, Safety, and Communication

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the concept of New Relationship Energy (NRE) and how it uniquely impacts individuals with ADHD. They discuss how ADHD brains are drawn to novelty and intense dopamine experiences, which can make the early stages of any relationship—romantic or friendship—feel overwhelming and all-consuming. The hosts highlight challenges such as impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and the difficulty in distinguishing genuine connection from the excitement of novelty. They stress the importance of time to truly know someone, managing expectations upfront, and being cautious to avoid rushing into commitments or overlooking red flags.

Asher and Dusty also share practical tips for maintaining healthy relationships beyond the initial novelty phase. These include setting clear communication expectations, using reminders to retain important details about partners or friends, and regularly renegotiating relationship needs to ensure mutual well-being. They emphasize self-awareness about personal values, limitations, and compatibility, along with the necessity of protecting oneself from toxic relationships by moving at a comfortable pace. Overall, the episode offers both insight and actionable strategies for people with ADHD to navigate new relationships thoughtfully and sustainably.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Coaching for ADHD: When You Need Practical Support vs. When You Need Insight

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Asher and Dusty explore the various types and levels of ADHD coaching, highlighting how coaching can range from practical, day-to-day executive function support to deeper, transformational insight work. They emphasize that ADHD coaching is not one-size-fits-all; some clients benefit most from hands-on logistical help, while others thrive on open-ended reflective questions that spark new perspectives. Both hosts share real-life examples illustrating how coaches adjust their approach based on client needs and how experience plays a crucial role in recognizing when to dig deeper or focus on practical scaffolding.

The episode also provides guidance for listeners on how to evaluate if their current ADHD coaching relationship is meeting their needs, cautioning against coaches who guarantee quick fixes. Asher shares a story about helping a client realize the importance of managing time as a resource, which was a breakthrough beyond organizing tasks. Dusty adds the importance of coaching clients to develop sustainable systems that work beyond the sessions. Overall, the conversation helps listeners understand what to expect from ADHD coaching and encourages them to seek the level of support that truly fits their unique challenges.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Navigating Friendship Expectations and Social Needs with ADHD

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the unique ways people with ADHD experience friendships and social interactions. They emphasize the importance of being intentional about the types of friendships and social situations that truly fulfill and energize you. Both hosts share personal stories illustrating their differing social preferences. They highlight that understanding your own needs and communication styles can help you cultivate relationships that support and nourish you rather than drain you.

They also discuss common challenges such as managing expectations around communication, dealing with social anxiety, and coping with overstimulation. Both encourage listeners to embrace their authentic social selves, whether introverted or extroverted, and to set boundaries that honor their rhythms. The episode underscores the value of friendships that accept neurodivergent traits without judgment and the importance of mutual flexibility. Ultimately, Asher and Dusty invite listeners to rethink traditional social norms and find what genuinely works for their ADHD brains in building meaningful connections.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

ADHD Variations: Exploring Our Unique Flavors and Life Strategies

In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Ash and Dusty dive into the diverse ways ADHD manifests in individuals, including their own experiences. Both diagnosed with combined type ADHD, Dusty leans more hyperactive while Ash leans inattentive, leading to strikingly different challenges and coping mechanisms. Dusty shares her "ready, fire, aim" approach, embracing complexity and constant activity, whereas Ash describes his struggle with inaction and getting stuck in neutral. They discuss how these differences influence their daily lives, time management, decision-making, and social engagement, emphasizing that ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition.

The hosts highlight the importance of personalized coaching and self-experimentation in managing ADHD effectively. They caution against generic advice found on social platforms and stress the value of curiosity and adaptability in discovering individual solutions. By sharing their contrasting experiences and strategies, Ash and Dusty illustrate how coaching encourages people with ADHD to understand their unique profiles and engineer approaches that fit their lifestyles, ultimately fostering empowerment rather than frustration.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Balancing Authenticity and Accommodation in Neurodivergent Relationships

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between showing up authentically as a neurodivergent person and the social accommodations necessary for healthy personal relationships. They unpack the nuanced difference between masking (hiding or changing one’s personality to fit in) and modulating (adapting communication and behavior appropriately to different social contexts). The conversation highlights how neurodivergent people often struggle with black-and-white thinking about authenticity, while real-life social interactions require constant give-and-take, consent, and mutual accommodation.

Asher and Dusty also share personal experiences from their working relationship to illustrate concepts of regulating emotions and modulating behavior. They emphasize the importance of ownership of one’s neurodivergent traits alongside understanding the impact those traits have on others. The episode underscores that successful relationships rely on clear communication, willingness to adapt, and recognizing individual capacities for accommodation — all within a foundation of growing intimacy and trust.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

ADHD in the Workplace: Managing Perceptions, Accommodations, and Challenges

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty continue their conversation on social skills by focusing on advocacy and adaptation in the workplace for neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the challenges ADHD and autism can pose in professional settings, especially when colleagues and managers lack understanding of neurodiversity. Through client stories and personal experiences, they illustrate how behaviors like asking many questions or seeming disruptive can be misunderstood and lead to negative consequences, including job loss. They emphasize the importance of awareness about how neurodivergent traits show up and are perceived, as well as the need for workplace accommodations that go beyond task-related adjustments to include communication and social dynamics.

The hosts also explore practical strategies for adaptation and self-advocacy, such as developing awareness of unwritten workplace rules, using clear communication about one’s working style, and collaborating with supportive managers who can provide backing and help set boundaries. They highlight the value of understanding “what’s yours, mine, and ours” in workplace conflict to identify where change is possible. Ultimately, Asher and Dusty stress that while some environments may be untenable, there are workplaces where neurodivergent strengths can be valued and flourished. The episode closes with the reminder that strength and challenge often go hand in hand, and cultivating intentional awareness helps individuals navigate and leverage their unique traits effectively in different contexts.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty
• CADDAC Workplace Accommodations Chart

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

Navigating Social Adaptation and Advocacy with ADHD: Striking the Balance

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between adapting social behavior and advocating for oneself as a neurodivergent person, especially within the context of ADHD. They emphasize the distinction between harmful masking and healthy adaptation, underscoring the importance of choice in how one shows up socially. Dusty introduces the concept of “intimacy buckets” to help listeners understand social boundaries and appropriate sharing depending on the type of relationship, a framework she found highly useful for building social awareness.

The conversation shifts to the workplace, where navigating social expectations can have significant economic consequences for neurodivergent individuals. Both hosts acknowledge how difficult it can be to find or create inclusive environments but stress the importance of awareness, social skills, and advocacy under the protection of disability accommodations when possible. They also highlight the harsh reality that sometimes adaptation is necessary for survival in non-inclusive settings.

Episode links + resources:

• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Asher and Dusty

For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:

• Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode
• Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD
• Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com