In this episode of How Do Other People Do This?, Elizabeth sits down with Nashville transplant and tech professional Ellie Hurdle to talk about receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, navigating a world that wasn't built for neurodivergent brains, and finding creative systems that actually work.

Ellie shares what it was like to spend years believing she was simply "lazy" before discovering ADHD was the missing piece of the puzzle. Together, Elizabeth and Ellie discuss everything from procrastination and clutter to body doubling, accountability, and the unique challenges of moving from the nonstop energy of New York City to the slower pace of Nashville.

Most importantly, Ellie shares several practical strategies she uses every day, including: color-coded whiteboards, strategic sticky notes, and a surprisingly brilliant tech hack involving NFC tags that might just change how you manage recurring tasks.

Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you might have it, or love someone who does, this conversation offers validation, humor, and actionable ideas for working with your brain instead of against it.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult
• Why ADHD is often missed in girls and women
• The impact of labels like "lazy" and "unmotivated"
• ADHD, self-esteem, and self-compassion
• Procrastination and deadline-driven productivity
• Body doubling and accountability strategies
• Using whiteboards and visual planning systems
• Sticky note hacks for task completion
• NFC tags and phone automations for recurring chores
• Losing keys, glasses, and everything else
• ADHD in New York vs. Nashville
• Finding community after a big move
• Reframing ADHD as a source of creativity

Memorable Quote

"ADHD is a superpower. No one is going to have the same ideas you do."

Resources Mentioned

• Driven to Distraction by Driven to Distraction
• Apple's Shortcuts app (for creating NFC-triggered automations)

Connect With Us

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Follow How Do Other People Do This? for more conversations about mental health, everyday challenges, and the creative ways people navigate them.

Content Note: This podcast shares personal experiences with mental health and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and rely on the treatment plan you've created with your healthcare providers.

Samantha on Trichotillomania, BFRBs, & Learning to Sit With the Urge

Today’s episode is a very special one for a number of reasons. Samantha is not only a conflict resolution expert, mediator, volunteer organizer, and all-around incredible human being, she also happens to be my sister.

In this episode, Sam talks openly about her 20+ year journey with trichotillomania, a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) that causes compulsive hair pulling. Together, we unpack what BFRBs actually are, how they differ from everyday habits like nail biting or skin picking, and what it means to live with a condition that can feel both invisible and incredibly visible at the same time.

We talk about:

• What trichotillomania and BFRBs actually are
• The overlap between BFRBs, anxiety, and OCD
• The role genetics may play in these disorders
• Shame, visibility, and self-esteem
• Why awareness matters more than “just stopping”
• Meditation, mindfulness, and why traditional advice doesn’t always help in the moment
• Somatic therapy, tuning forks, and the surprising role vibration might play in regulation
• Support groups and the importance of being understood without explanation
• The practical reality of coping: fidget toys, crafts, makeup routines, sleeping positions, and tiny systems that make daily life manageable

One of the things I loved most about this conversation is how honest it is. Sam is incredibly pragmatic, deeply self-aware, and very funny, which means this episode moves between insight, science, sibling banter, and absolute chaos in the best possible way.

There’s also something really important underneath this conversation, the idea that mental health isn’t just about “fixing” ourselves. Sometimes it’s about learning how our bodies communicate with us (it's trying to tell us something!), learning to recognize patterns, and building systems that help us move through life a little more gently.

If you deal with OCD, anxiety, BFRBs, or honestly just being a human person trying to figure out how to function in the world, I think there’s something in this episode for you. And if you’ve ever wondered how other people do this, this episode is exactly why this podcast exists.

Thank you for listening to our very first episode. Truly.

Resources mentioned:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
• Somatic Therapy
• BFRB Support Groups
• HabitAware wearable bracelets
• NAC (N-acetyl cysteine)

And remember, you are absolutely stronger than you think.

Content Note: This podcast shares personal experiences with mental health and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and rely on the treatment plan you've created with your healthcare providers.

Episode 0: Why This Podcast Exists

Welcome to How Do Other People Do This?

In this introductory episode, host Elizabeth Katie shares the deeply personal story behind the podcast, from growing up with anxiety and ADHD to navigating severe OCD, trauma therapy, medication changes, and the difficult reality of trying to function during mental health struggles.

After reaching a particularly low point and searching for practical, real-world coping advice that felt honest and relatable, Elizabeth realized the resource she needed didn’t really exist. This podcast was born from that gap.

Rather than focusing only on clinical information or broad wellness advice, How Do Other People Do This? explores the everyday realities of living with mental health conditions and neurodivergence. Each episode features real people sharing the small but meaningful tips, routines, coping mechanisms, and survival strategies that help them navigate daily life.

Future episodes will feature conversations about trichotillomania, OCD, ADHD, depression, and more, with an emphasis on honesty, humor, community, and the everyday tools that make life a little easier.

If you’ve ever wondered how other people manage the things that feel impossible, this podcast is for you. Tune in and follow to join the conversation.