ADHD reWired

This Week’s Episode: 

James Ochoa returns to the podcast on this episode. James is a licensed professional counselor and the author of Focused Forward: Navigating the Storms of Adult ADHD.  He is the founder and Director of the Life Empowerment Center in Austin, Texas. James offers action-focused counseling and executive coaching to help his clients discover ways to empower themselves in all areas of life.  His passion is treating the emotional distress of ADHD so clients can build their internal worlds using their imagination to manage their attention challenges.  

In this conversation, you will hear James talk about emotional regulation.  He discusses the concept of emotional distress syndrome and the stress model, which involves distress and eu stress.  James shares how micro-meditations in the middle of the day create the activation of the kinesthetic muscle and how that activity helps keep us in balance.  He shares how slowing down actions by 25% at any given moment puts the mind in a state of pause and contemplation.  You will hear helpful strategies that are customizable and easy to implement.   

Connect with James Ochoa: 

You’ll Learn: 

  • [04:02] - I share what has been going on in my life, which includes a recent move, working on becoming a minimalist, and trying to find an office space. 
  • [17:00] - James shares that he has been diving into the emotional distress of ADHD. He explains that this is a balancing factor.   
  • [20:03] - James shares that he came up with the concept of emotional distress syndrome, a low-grade post traumatic stress.   
  • [21:07] - James would like people with ADHD to think about the stress model from a two component system, distress and eu stress.  
  • [23:13] - James talks about handling eu stress and moving forward. 
  • [25:41] - I share that I recently listened to a guided meditation with poor audio quality and I was able to shape this into a really good experience.  
  • [27:12] - James talks about elevating meditation to a higher level of need.   
  • [33:19] - James shares that as he walks on the beach, he will close his eyes.  He explains that it helps keep him connected to himself.  
  • [35:00] - James talks about Emotional Distress Syndrome. He explains micro-traumas and why it is critical to understand them. 
  • [37:36] - James states that it is important to customize and personalize strategies that work. 
  • [42:24] - James explains the shiny object du jour. 
  • [47:51] - James would like to develop a professional consultation model, and he talks about this.  
  • [51:50] - James talks about a new podcast series he is working on. It will be called “The Complex.”  
  • [56:24] - James follows up on our conversation when he was on the ADHD reWired Hot Seat the last time he was on the podcast.  
  • [59:41] - James shares that exercise has been difficult for him and customized short-term goals have helped him. 

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles: 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

The 10th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability group is now full. If you would like to join the waitlist go to CoachingReWired.com.  The 11th season of the group starts on January 8th. When I have details on early registration, I will let you know! 

 

Support the podcast on Patreon 

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired  

ADHD reWired Facebook Group: 

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application. 

Productivity Q&A 

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

 

Want to be a guest? 

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here. 

Direct download: 181_Emotional_Regulation_and_Shiny_Objects_w_James_Ochoa.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am CDT

Jo Meleca-Voigt returns to the podcast on this episode. Jo is a teacher and she last came on the podcast right after being diagnosed with ADHD and starting medication.  

In this conversation, you will hear Jo describe the last year of her life since we last spoke.  She has had some opportunities in her professional career to advocate for students with ADHD.  She shares how this has helped her in her own journey.

Jo shares some of the strategies that she has implemented in the last year.  Although a component of a strategy may not work, that doesn't necessarily mean the entire strategy does not have beneficial pieces.  We also discuss loss in this conversation, as Jo recently lost someone to suicide.  This situation brought back memories of her childhood and she explains how she is dealing with this loss.  

Connect with Jo Meleca-Voigt:

You’ll Learn:

  • [06:23] - Jo shares how the last year has been life-changing and career-changing.
  • [08:00] - Jo talks about the support she received at work after her diagnosis. 
  • [09:19] - Jo led a group of students with ADHD to support each other.
  • [12:28] - Jo saw herself in an individual student, and she explains how this student’s life changed after diagnosis.
  • [15:28] - Jo explains how being an advocate has changed her. 
  • [18:01] - Jo describes how the way that she viewed herself as a kid helped her work with students with ADHD.
  • [19:44] - Someone Jo knew recently committed suicide.  She explains how this situation brought back some memories of something that happened in her childhood.
  • [28:21] - Jo describes how she is dealing with this loss.
  • [36:00] - Jo clarifies some of her statements from earlier in the discussion.
  • [40:04] - Jo lists some strategies that she has implemented in the last year.
  • [43:48] - Jo shares how things have changed in her relationship with her wife since her diagnosis. 
  • [45:47] - We talk about the “mail monster.”  Jo explains her method of sorting mail.
  • [47:51] - Every strategy has a piece that doesn’t work, and we fall into an “all or nothing” mindset and dismiss those strategies that have beneficial pieces.
  • [51:31] - Jo explains how she prepares students for the world they are going to live in. 
  • [55:46] - We discuss the difficulties of grocery shopping. 
  • [1:02:24] - Jo talks about the things that have surprised her since her ADHD diagnosis. 

Your Resources:

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 10th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability group is now full. If you would like to join the waitlist go to CoachingReWired.com.  The 11th season of the group starts on January 8th. When I have details on early registration, I will let you know!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired 

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.


This Week’s Episode:

Jim Klopman is an innovator in other industries, Jim says that his brain damage, ADHD, and Dyslexia are blessings that free his mind to see tech advances before others. Jim developed the SlackBow Balanced Training System to improve and maintain his own athletic performance.  Jim believes a fit human balance system is the key to maintaining physical and psychological success in all areas of life.

In this conversation, you will hear Jim explain the importance of balance and the human balance system.  He explains how, through technology and other modern ways of living, we have diminished balance abilities.  Jim shares how strengthening the human balance system, you can calm your whole system and how this can help you in life, and specifically with ADHD.

Connect with Jim Klopman:

Website - SlackBow.com

You’ll Learn:

  • [06:17] - Jim explains the SlackBow Balanced Training System.
  • [07:46] - Jim talks about the human balance system and the sensors that make up this system.  
  • [08:48] - Jim sees a correlation between extreme sports and ADD.  He shares his opinion on why this is the case.
  • [09:43] - We talk about balance and counter-balance.
  • [14:06] - Jim explains why he calls it “the balance system” and explains why this is a set of systems.
  • [18:12] - Jim shares his background, which includes brain injury, dyslexia, and ADHD. He also describes his diagnosis experience.
  • [24:03] - Jim talks about his ADHD journey after his diagnosis.
  • [32:27] - Jim explains the brain-body connection and concussions.
  • [35:31] - Jim provides some examples of balance training that you can do at home.
  • [40:40] - Jim explains why balance training can help in life and with ADHD.
  • [47:22] - Jim shares how to calm your whole system.
  • [49:05] - We discuss vision, peripheral vision, and visual overstimulation.
  • [54:24] - I talk about my dad’s balance issues.  Jim provides me with some ideas that could help him.
  • [1:00:06] - Jim explains how a nerve stimulator can help with balance.
  • [1:05:45] - Jim talks about what he is working on with his business.

 

Your Resources:

SlackBow Balanced Training System

Balance is Power: Improve Your Body’s Balance to Perform Better, Live Longer, and Look Younger - Jim Klopman

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results - Gary Keller and Jay Papasan


Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 10th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability group is now full. If you would like to join the waitlist go to CoachingReWired.com.  The 11th season of the group starts on January 8th. When I have details on early registration, I will let you know!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

Direct download: 179_Creating_Balance_Jim_Klopman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am CDT

This Week’s Episode:

On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, we do a live Q&A.  This episode is a recording of the June Live Q&A.  If you are listening to this episode the day it’s released, tune into August’s Live Q&A at 12:30pm at http://EricTivers.com/events.

On this episode, I’m joined by Brendan Mahan. This is Brendan’s third appearance on the podcast.  Brendan is an ADHD coach and speaker.  He is currently a special education teacher.  He understands ADHD from as an insider, as well as from the perspective of an educator.

In this conversation, you will hear Brendan, and I answer listener questions, primarily on parenting.  We cover a variety of topics on children and adolescents with ADHD.  We talk about diagnosis, medication, and everything that goes along with parenting with ADHD and parenting a child with ADHD.

Connect with Brendan Mahan:

Website - ADHDEssentials.com

You’ll Learn:

  • [06:20] - Brendan talks about “the wall of awful.”
  • [08:45] - We talk about the danger in asking our children, “Why did you do that?”
  • [10:39] - Brendan shares his thoughts on lying.
  • [14:39] - VJ asks about the appropriate age for diagnosing ADHD and the role of parents in this process, specifically parents with ADHD.
  • [19:40] - We talk about how ADHD affects us as parents.
  • [22:40] - Marisol asks about consistency in the house and chores.
  • [38:29] - Brene Brown wrote about “the wholehearted parenting manifesto,” and I read a passage.
  • [42:39] - I share one of my most non-proud Daddy moments.
  • [44:36] - A few people asked questions about summer scheduling and structure. Brendan and I both have experience as a camp counselor, and we share some thoughts on theming and structure.
  • [49:44] - VJ asks about the appropriate time for speaking with a pediatrician about an ADHD diagnosis.
  • [52:27] - Steven reports he is seeing signs of ADHD in his daughter and has questions about diagnosis.
  • [59:20] - We talk about fidget spinners and alternatives.
  • [1:02:57] - Marisol asks for strategies for her daughter, who has impulse control issues during angry outbursts.
  • [1:11:43] - Brendan and I share our opinions on video games causing ADHD.
  • [1:13:50] - We talk about the importance of information and education for people recently diagnosed with ADHD.
  • [1:15:28] - We answer a question about getting a teenager to understand the importance of taking medication.
  • [1:18:39] - Brendan talks about medication diversion.
  • [1:23:08] - Brendan and I have an idea, and we share some information and ask for your feedback.  
  • [1:33:56] - Brendan explains why he feels that parents yell “too quick” and he shares how to start at a lower tier.

Your Resources:

ChorePad
The Tangle
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD - John F. Taylor

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 10th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability group is now full. If you would like to join the wait list go to CoachingReWired.com.  The 11th season of the group starts on January 8th. When I have details on early registration, I will let you know!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

 

Direct download: 178_Productive_Parenting_Live_Q__A_June_2017_with_Brendan_Mahan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am CDT

Thomas Wandall joins me on this episode of ADHD reWired.  Thomas is a listener of this podcast and was recently diagnosed with the inattentive presentation of ADHD. Thomas has lived in the Bay Area of California since 1995 and has a variety of interests.  He enjoys mountain climbing, bike building, novel writing, painting, crisis counseling, and shoe-making. He enjoys the hands-on nature of his work. He owns a shoe-making and repair business. He also struggles with broken deadlines and unfinished shoes, which he calls “shame shoes.”

In this conversation, you will hear Thomas explain different tasks that he has difficulty with in his business as a shoe-maker.  A major area of difficulty for Thomas is time estimates and finishing work within deadlines.  Thomas and I talk through his systems, and I provide him with some suggestions to adapt these systems to help him be successful in these areas.

Connect with Thomas Wandall

ThomasWandall.com

You’ll Learn:

  • [04:51] - Thomas explains his history and experience as a crisis counselor.  
  • [06:53] - Thomas was diagnosed just a month before the recording of this episode. He explains why he was evaluated.
  • [08:35] - Thomas wrote (and finished) a novel, a mountaineering ghost story.  He talks about the story he constructed.
  • [10:32] - Thomas explains how he got into shoe-making.  
  • [12:07] - Thomas describes what has allowed him to be a successful entrepreneur.
  • [14:24] - Thomas shares the process of his business.  He explains why he tries to NOT answer the phone and struggles with returning calls.
  • [17:35] - Because phone calls are such an issue for Thomas, we consider the benefit and value of hiring someone to answer and make calls.  
  • [22:36] - Thomas explains how he gives time estimates to customers. He describes his prioritization techniques.  I give Thomas a suggestion on creating short-term progress benchmarks.
  • [26:18] - Thomas shares the physical systems he uses to organize different orders. I give him some ideas on this organization and share my own techniques of under-promising and over-delivering.
  • [30:32] - We talk about the idea of working “slow” into the business slogan.
  • [32:34] - Thomas tells a story about clown shoes, which have become his shame shoes.
  • [39:18] - I share some ideas for Alex to deal with his shame shoes and the customer who owns these shoes.
  • [52:20] - I talk about the five-second miracle and how this practice can help us complete a task.
  • [59:05] - Thomas shares what his next action-steps are, and I issue a “preposterous” challenge for Thomas.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 10th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability group is now full. If you would like to join the waitlist go to CoachingReWired.com.  The 11th season of the group starts on January 8th. When I have details on early registration, I will let you know!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to ADHDreWired.com and click “Community” and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

Direct download: 17720Blue20Shame20Shoes20Thomas20Wandall.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am CDT

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