Hey Team! This week I got a chance to catch up with my good friend Brendan Mahan and talk with him about his upcoming book, Overcoming the Wall of Awful. Brendan is one of the first people I got to know in the ADHD space and I feel lucky to have done so because for one he's just an awesome guy, but also because his approach to ADHD has always just felt so real and coming from a place of lived experience. Brendan is the host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast, a board member of the Men's ADHD Support Group and the Director of Professional Resources for Calmer Con: Boston - and also one of the few people I know who gets me to sit down and listen because it's always worth hearing what he has to say. Today on the show we're going to be talking about a book that Brendan spent a decade being asked to write. After finding his co-writer, Alex Hughes Capell, Brendan brought us the book we've been waiting for. So for those of you who are unfamiliar, the Wall of Awful is a concept that Brendan developed to explain the metaphorical emotional barrier that builds up over time and makes starting basic, everyday tasks feel nearly impossible. Or, in simpler terms, the barrier that keeps us from starting what often feels like a simple task, such as doing the dishes or starting our homework. In our conversation, we discuss the ways that we build up these walls and also ways that we can work on getting past these walls (and what doesn't work). We also dive into the distinction between burnout and the wall and get into the nitty-gritty of the Wall of Awful. If you'd like to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/308 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD This Episode's Top Tips Worth restating here, the Wall of Awful is a metaphorical emotional barrier that builds up over time and makes starting basic, everyday tasks feel nearly impossible. And it's important to acknowledge that we can build this wall from both real and perceived failure. While smashing through our walls by activating through anger or anxiety often works, it's not always enough to get us completely through the wall. So while it may get us started it doesn't always get us to the finish line. As well, smashing often comes with a cost in terms of relationships, both to ourselves and to others who are hurt in the process of smashing through the wall. It's important that we're able to distinguish our walls from preferences and boundaries. While our walls are built out of the emotional response to failure, preferences aren't built out of failure. It may be something we don't like doing but we can get past it without reaching for our wall tools. And boundaries are choices that we make not out of our sense of failure but instead our sense of who we are.  

Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb, and I have ADHD. On this podcast, I dig into the tools, tactics, and best practices to help you work with your ADHD brain. Today, I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our research recap series. In this series, we take a look at a single research paper and dive into what that paper says, how it was conducted, and try to find any practical takeaways. In this episode, we're going to be discussing a paper called "The Experiences of Adults with ADHD in Interpersonal Relationships and Online Communities: A Qualitative Study." This study looks at how young adults with ADHD navigate real-world interpersonal relationships, how they mask their symptoms to fit into a neurotypical world, and what happens when they turn to online platforms like TikTok and Facebook. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/307 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

We're diving back into the vault today to bring you a foundational episode on one of my favorite ADHD strategies: Automation. We all know the struggle—if it's interesting, we're all in. If it's boring? It's nearly impossible to start. Because so much of "adulting" is inherently repetitive, automation allows us to frontload our work so our "future selves" don't have to rely on willpower alone. Top Tips from this Rebroadcast: Frontload your effort: Save time and brainpower by making decisions once and letting tech handle the rest. Systematize first: Learn why reducing steps in a task is often more important than the gadget you use to do it. Automated Accountability: How to let your teammates know you've finished a task without having to remember to send that "done" email. Smart Home, Clear Mind: Exploring the possibilities of smart speakers and sensors to keep your household running on autopilot. Support the show on Patreon Find the show notes at HackingYourADHD.com/automation

Hey Team! Welcome back to a special encore presentation of Hacking Your ADHD. I'm dipping into the archives this week to bring back an episode that has only become more relevant since it first aired. We're talking about misinformation—a topic that feels like it should be easy to define and identify, but as we know, the ADHD brain loves a rabbit hole, and not every rabbit hole leads to the truth. We've all seen those posts online where we roll our eyes and think, "How does anyone actually fall for this?" But here's the kicker: that exact feeling of immunity is what makes us vulnerable. When we think we're too smart to be fooled, we stop looking for the subtle stuff. We stop looking for the information that "rhymes" with the truth—the kind of stuff that's just close enough to be believable but just far enough off to be dangerous. With the explosion of ADHD content on social media, we have more access to help than ever before, but we're also swimming in a sea of oversimplifications. Today, we're revisiting the rules of engagement for evaluating what you see on your feed. Revisiting the Top Tips: As you listen to this rebroadcast, keep these three guardrails in mind: Credibility is Key: Always verify the source, especially when it involves health or medication. It's easy for a "fact" to go viral when it's wrapped in a relatable meme, but relatability doesn't equal accuracy. Look for the "Why": Most misinformation doesn't come from a place of malice; it comes from oversimplification or well-meaning errors. People (including me!) make mistakes. Being vigilant doesn't mean being cynical; it just means being careful with your mental health. The "Compared to What?" Filter: To get the full context of any advice, ask yourself: Compared to what? Is this tip a universal truth, or just something that worked for one person in one specific context? Focus on the big wins that actually move the needle for you, rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae.

Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb, and I have ADHD. On this podcast, I dig into the tools, tactics, and best practices to help you work with your ADHD brain. Today, I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our Research Recap series. In this series, we take a look at a single research paper and dive into what the paper says, how it was conducted, and any practical takeaways we can find. In this episode, we're discussing a paper called "Time Perception in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Does Task Matter? A Meta-Analysis Study." This study looks at how children with ADHD process the passage of time across different senses and experimental conditions. It investigates the exact mechanics behind "time blindness," confirming that our internal tracking systems don't just fail universally; they experience a predictable collapse the longer an interval drags out—specifically stretching past the five-second mark. We're going to get into all of this because it's fascinating how relevant this really is. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/306 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

We're diving back into the archives today to revisit one of our most-requested episodes. Does the hum of the refrigerator feel like a jet engine? Does a scratchy shirt tag ruin your entire afternoon? You aren't alone. With ADHD, our "filters" often don't work the way we want them to. We can't simply ignore the background noise or the overwhelming scent of a neighbor's perfume. In this encore presentation, we explore the world of hypersensitivity and what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) while navigating ADHD. In this episode, we revisit: Why our brains struggle to prioritize what to focus on. The five senses and how they can lead to sensory overload. The emotional side of sensitivity, including Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Top Tips from the Archive: Audit Your Environment: Reduce daily friction by choosing tagless clothing, using noise-canceling headphones, and adjusting your lighting. Understand RSD: Recognize that extreme emotional sensitivity to perceived rejection is a common ADHD trait—and while it's painful, it is temporary. Connect with the Show: Support the show on Patreon Find the full show notes at: HackingYourADHD.com/hypersensitivity

In this special rebroadcast, we are revisiting a conversation about a phrase many of us use at the start of a new project or a new year: "I want to hit the ground running." Often, we start with great momentum, but it doesn't take much—like an unexpected illness or a change in schedule—to throw a snag into our plans. For those of us with ADHD, we tend to thrive on speed and urgency. We don't want to wait around, and that "emergency" energy can be a powerful motivator. However, living from one urgent task to the next often means we never get around to the things that are important but don't have an immediate deadline. In today's episode, we explore how to use urgency as a tool without letting it run our lives, and how we can intentionally make space for the tasks that truly matter in the long run. This Episode's Top Tips Urgency vs. Importance: Just because a task feels urgent doesn't mean it is actually important. We often feel an internal pressure to act immediately, but it's essential to pause and evaluate if that task truly requires our instant attention. The Deadline Trap: We frequently use deadlines as our primary source of motivation. However, living deadline-to-deadline ensures that only "urgent" tasks get finished, while the "important but not urgent" goals—the ones that often lead to the most growth—continually fall by the wayside. Creating Artificial Pressure: Since important but non-urgent tasks lack a natural "fire" to get us moving, we can use accountability to bridge the gap. Creating artificial deadlines or engaging in co-working and body-doubling sessions are great ways to ensure we follow through on our long-term plans.

Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb, and I have ADHD. On this podcast, I dig into the tools, tactics, and best practices to help you work with your ADHD brain. Today, I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our Research Recap series. In this series, we take a look at a single research paper and dive into what the paper says and how it was conducted, and try to find any practical takeaways. In this episode, we're going to be discussing a paper called "Bidirectional Association Between Allergic Rhinitis and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." This is a comprehensive study looking at the relationship between allergic rhinitis—which is more commonly known as hay fever—and ADHD. All right, let's get into it. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/305 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

Hey team, We're dipping into the archives this week to revisit one of my favorite high-energy conversations! This episode features the incredible Rachel Scanlon—stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and co-host of the podcast Two Dykes and a Mic. You may have seen her on Don't Tell Comedy or Comedy Central, bringing her signature positivity to the stage. In this classic episode, Rachel and I dive deep into her ADHD journey and the intentional choices she's made to manage it. We also explore the fascinating intersection of ADHD and queer identity. Whether we're talking about the struggles of the classroom or the magic of finding your voice through podcasting, this conversation is a masterclass in the power of embracing your unique experience. Support me on Patreon Feel free to ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the full show note at HackingYourADHD.com/149 This Episode's Top Tips Challenge the Labels: ADHD is often unfairly linked to being "lazy" or "scatterbrained." Let's shift the focus to our real strengths: drive, engagement, and compassion. Embrace Your Brain: Understanding your neurodivergence is liberating. Stop trying to fit the neurotypical mold and start celebrating what makes you you. Explore the Intersections: There is a unique overlap between the queer and neurodivergent experiences. Self-reflection and introspection are vital tools for self-discovery. Find Your Outlet: Creative self-expression is a superpower. Lean into your strengths to find fulfillment in what you do.

Hey team, As we look at ways to refresh our systems, we're rebroadcasting a fan-favorite episode featuring ADHD coach Shane Thrapp. We're diving deep into the world of Focus101, a free digital body-doubling platform designed to help you reclaim your focus. If you struggle with task initiation or follow-through, this episode covers the essential mechanics of body-doubling. Shane and I discuss how working in the presence of others—even virtually—can dramatically reduce distractions. We also touch on the "productivity stack": using Pomodoros, alarms, and task-splitting to make your work sessions even more effective. This Episode's Top Tips (A Refresher): The Power of Presence: Body doubling is a technique where working in the presence of another person provides the external accountability many ADHDers need to stay on track and motivated. Stack Your Tools: Body doubling is even more effective when paired with "micro-productivity" tools like Pomodoro timers, scheduled alarms, and breaking large projects into tiny, actionable steps. Focus101: As discussed with Shane, Focus101 is a free, specialized tool that combines body doubling with accountability groups and timing features specifically for the ADHD community.