You’re Not in Trouble is OUT NOW! Purchase your copy HERE.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #408: I Surveyed Over 2,100 Adults with ADHD—Here’s What Broke My Heart

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You're Not in Trouble is OUT TODAY!!! Purchase your copy HERE.

Is ADHD genetic, or could childhood trauma be responsible for some of what we're experiencing?

This week, I'm joined by cognitive neuroscientist and author Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz for a fascinating conversation about the science behind ADHD—and some of the questions I've been wrestling with personally.

We're digging into what it means for ADHD to be polygenic, why ADHD is NOT a new condition, and what research tells us about the relationship between genetics and early childhood trauma.

We also explore why so many adults with ADHD grew up feeling misunderstood, how dysfunctional family systems can impact neurodivergent people, and whether rejection sensitivity is something we're born predisposed to or something shaped by our experiences.

Ludovico also shares his own late-diagnosis journey, the grief that followed, and how he learned to stop forcing himself into environments that weren't working for his brain.

If you've ever questioned where your ADHD comes from—or wondered how much of your experience is ADHD versus trauma—this conversation is for you.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #406: No Meds, No Shame. Here’s How I’d Support My ADHD Without an Rx

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if you're not actually afraid of failing…you're afraid of succeeding?

My book, You're Not in Trouble, is officially out in the UK, and I should be feeling on top of the world, right?

Well…not exactly. 😂

Instead, I'm feeling vulnerable, uncomfortable, and honestly? A little desperate to hide from everyone.

In this episode, I'm getting REAL about why success can feel so terrifying for adults with ADHD.

We're talking about self-sabotage, rejection sensitivity, imposter syndrome, and why our brains sometimes prefer the familiarity of failure over the uncertainty of success.

I'm sharing how I've been navigating the discomfort of putting my work into the world, why I nearly sabotaged my own celebration, and how self-compassion is helping me keep going instead of running away.

If you've ever gotten close to something you've wanted and suddenly felt the urge to quit, hide, or blow it all up, this episode is for you.

You can do hard things AND be kind to yourself along the way.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #406: No Meds, No Shame. Here’s How I’d Support My ADHD Without an Rx

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you have ADHD, you probably know the feeling: you’re overwhelmed, so you make a giant list, try to get more productive, and tell yourself you’ll feel better once you finally catch up.

Except…you never actually catch up.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why overwhelm is not a productivity problem. It’s a mismatch between what your ADHD brain can realistically carry and what you believe you should be able to carry.

I’m walking you through my entire STOP Method for moving through overwhelm: See what’s happening, Take the pressure off, Open up to what you need, and then Proceed one step at a time.

We’re talking about self-compassion, emotional regulation, asking for support, saying no, understanding your actual capacity, and why productivity comes LAST.

If you’ve been trying to work your way out of overwhelm, I want you to try something different.

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #404: There’s No Rush: Getting Out of Fight-or-Flight with Jenna Free

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever told someone you have ADHD…only for them to question whether you really do?

In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when our diagnoses, experiences, emotions, and even our own understanding of ourselves are repeatedly invalidated.

I recently learned about traumatic invalidation—when your environment repeatedly communicates that your emotions, experiences, or characteristics are unreasonable, unacceptable, or wrong. And WOW did this hit home.

For so many of us with ADHD, being questioned about our diagnosis isn’t an isolated experience. It lands on top of years of being told we’re too sensitive, lazy, dramatic, not trying hard enough, or just need to “apply ourselves.”

We’re talking about validation, self-trust, why you may constantly feel like you have to defend yourself, and how to decide who is safe enough to receive your vulnerability.

Most importantly: your diagnosis and lived experience are not up for a vote.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.