Translating ADHD

ADHD and Intuition

This episode centers around the topic of ADHD and intuition, exploring how ADHD can impact one's ability to trust themselves and their instincts. Ash begins by explaining that ADHD often gets in the way of trusting oneself and one’s intuition. This lack of trust can stem from a lifetime of masking, adapting behavior to please others, or having inaccurate reads on situations, leading to a tendency to second-guess oneself. Ash shares a story about a client working in a nonprofit who was struggling with a performance improvement plan (PIP) at work, leading to questions about her future and whether she should stay in her current job. The client also experienced burnout, raising doubts about her identity and what other career options might suit her. As the coaching process progressed, Ash asked the client to tune into her intuition to find answers. Initially, the client was unsure about her intuition, feeling more comfortable with logical, quantitative approaches. However, she discovered that she could trust how her body felt to guide her decisions.

Cam and Ash discuss the coaching process and how coaches must balance the client's stated goals with the broader context of their life. They highlight the importance of being patient, allowing the client to find clarity at their own pace, and creating a space for reflection and discovery.
The episode emphasizes the connection between ADHD and intuition, showing how coaching can help individuals with ADHD navigate complex decisions by exploring their intuition and trusting themselves. Ash and Cam underline the significance of not getting attached to specific outcomes and instead fostering a process of discovery and insight.

Episode links + resources:

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

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

Shifting How We Converse with ADHD

This episode focuses on the idea of understanding, owning, and translating ADHD. Hosts Ash and Cam discuss how the language we use to describe our experiences with ADHD can shape our perception of it, and ultimately, our relationship with it.

Cam talks about a client who, through coaching, began to view their ADHD as something external that can influence behavior, rather than something inherent that defines them. This shift in perspective allows individuals to be more objective and less judgmental about their actions and traits. This client used language like "my ADHD tells me," indicating a shift towards a more flexible and accepting mindset.

Ash shares a story about a client whose optimism sometimes leads him to overcommit and take on too much. He introduced the term "toxic optimism" to describe this behavior, contrasting it with constructive optimism, which is more sustainable and realistic. This shift in perspective has helped him better manage his time and prioritize tasks.

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of reflective practice. They talk about how adopting a growth mindset and being open to changing one's perspective can lead to personal growth and a more balanced life. They also discuss the limitations of time and the importance of not being overly attached to rigid ideas of success or productivity.

Overall, the episode is about helping listeners understand their ADHD experiences, embrace a more flexible mindset, and find healthier ways to manage their lives and expectations. The hosts encourage the audience to examine their internal dialogue and consider different perspectives, offering practical advice and personal stories to support this approach.

Episode links + resources:

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

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 Managing Seeds of Doubt

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Ash and Cam continue on the topic of collapsing frameworks and how this can lead to self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Cam shares a client example of a college president who struggles with doubt immediately after very public events. Cam introduces the unique ADHD phenomenon of hyper-focusing on small data points and extrapolating negative conclusions from them and how this contributed to his client’s sense of doubt. Those of us with ADHD are prone to a "Dip of Uncertainty" especially after an intense performance. Cam and Asher discuss strategies for managing this doubt and related emotions.

Asher introduces other factors such as the influence of hormonal fluctuations and how this can contribute to sewing seeds of doubt. The hosts discuss the idea of diversifying sources of feedback. The episode emphasizes the importance of separating emotions from underlying narratives and collecting diverse data to combat self-doubt and maintain resilience.

Episode links + resources:

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

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: When Routines Collapse

In this episode of Translating ADHD, hosts Ash and Cam delve into the topic of routines and their tendency to catastrophically collapse, especially for individuals with ADHD. They discuss insights from a coaching session about why routines fail and the difficulty of re-establishing them. The conversation covers the erosion of remembering the benefits of routines, the making of meaning from failure, and the introduction of the concept of 'should accretion' where additional expectations complicate routines.

They provide examples from coaching experiences, discussing the importance of connecting to the benefits of a routine, seeing adaptation as progress rather than failure, and identifying non-negotiable needs. The episode also highlights the benefits of watching coaching sessions to gain insights into one's own ADHD.

Episode links + resources:

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

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

Ego and Energy: ADHD and Reframing Narratives

On this episode of Translating ADHD, Cam and Ash delve into the power of storytelling and perspective work for individuals with ADHD. They discuss the importance of recognizing the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our relationships and experiences. Cam shares about a client reflecting on the limitations of using ‘ego and energy’ to navigate his day as a fast brainer.

The hosts emphasize the role of context and meaning-making in the ADHD brain, highlighting how coaching can help individuals reframe their perspectives to navigate challenges effectively. Ash shares how progress and old stories can create a tension but also an opportunity for change. Tune in to gain insights on reframing narratives and embracing new perspectives in managing ADHD.

Episode links + resources:

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

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, Context and Storytelling

In this episode of Translating ADHD, hosts Ash and Cam dive into the world of storytelling and its significance for individuals with ADHD. Ash returns to the booth after a rough bout with the flu, which sparks a brief discussion on how illness can affect executive functioning. The conversation then shifts to the main topic of storytelling, where Cam delves into the importance of context as a superpower.

The hosts explore how those with ADHD are naturally wired for context due to their divergent thinking abilities, constantly seeking the narrative thread, theme, and personal impact of stories. The episode promises to shed light on why storytelling resonates deeply with individuals with ADHD, often seen in children's persistent why questions, which stem from genuine curiosity rather than obstinance. Join Ash and Cam for an insightful discussion on the intricate connections between storytelling, context, and ADHD.

Episode links + resources:

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

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 Practical Applications of Context

In Season 2 Episode 23 of the Translating ADHD podcast, hosts Ash and Cam continue to delve into the topic of context and its impact on ADHD. They recount the three ways of experiencing context: context switching, using context defensively, and using context proactively. Cam shares insights from a class he's teaching focused on improving relationships for those with ADHD. He emphasizes the importance of being a keen observer to identify dynamics that aren't working and taking proactive steps to address them.

Cam then recounts a success story from his class, where a participant used context to tackle the recurring stress of meal planning with their partner. They reached an agreement, allowing the ADHD partner to take ownership of meal planning which significantly reduced tension and improved communication. Ash and Cam stress the importance of understanding context and finding creative solutions to challenges.

Episode links + resources:

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

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

Context: ADHD Superpower

Today on Translating ADHD, Ash and Cam dive into the importance of context for individuals with ADHD. They explore how ADHD brains are wired for context and how storytelling can influence our perception of reality. Cam shares his experience teaching a class on improving relationships for individuals with ADHD and how discussing context sparked curiosity and expectation among the students.

The hosts discuss the role of context in making progress with ADHD and reflect on how it shapes the ADHD experience as a whole. Cam shares three ways context can show up, one helpful and the other two not so much. The hosts discuss the draining experience of context switching and using context to delay action. They also share how to turn context into a real strength. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the power of context for those with ADHD.

Episode links + resources:

• Visit Translating ADHD
• Join the Community | Become a Patron
• Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.
• About Cam and Asher
• Know more about Asher
• Know more about Cam

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

Revealing the True Self in a Coaching Engagement with ADHD

In this episode, hosts Ash and Cam delve into the importance of context and sense of self in coaching relationships. They reflect on previous discussions about context and its impact on self-awareness. Cam shares a disheartening experience with a client who had negative encounters with previous coaches and therapists. The client shared how in numerous engagements he immediately felt like he was failing in the coach’s ‘program for success’ and felt like he could not show up as his authentic self.

The hosts emphasize the responsibility of coaches to receive individuals as they are and not impose rigid programs - that a coaching engagement is the last place a coach wants to encourage masking. They highlight the importance of curiosity, responsiveness to clients' needs, and building trust and safety in coaching relationships. Ash underscores the balance between structure and flexibility in coaching, emphasizing the need for coaches to listen, adapt, and co-create the coaching journey with their clients. The episode concludes with a reminder about the podcast's Discord server and gratitude for listener support.

Episode links + resources:

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

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

Finding Your True Self When Context Shifts with ADHD

Exploring the theme of how context shapes our sense of self, this episode delves into personal experiences that highlight the impact of context on identity. From a client's transformation inspired by a TV character, to the host's own journey transitioning with ADHD, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how external influences can shift our perception of self.

Asher shares his own experience of how shifting context influenced his own identity. Tune in to gain insights on navigating the world with ADHD while staying true to one's authentic self amidst changing contexts.

Episode links + resources:

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

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