Kwame Dougan is an attorney by training, an investor by experience, and an advisor by design.  He earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia University and a Master of Science from London School of Economics, attending as a rotary ambassadorial scholar.  Previously, Kwame practiced commercial litigation with a global law firm.  His journey overcoming poverty and an undiagnosed learning disability has been documented in various publications and is the subject of a Ted Talk.  In 2015, Kwame was honored as a trailblazer by the National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.   

In this conversation, you will hear Kwame describe his background as a refugee from Ghana who grew up in Canada.  He talks about his unique experiences as a black man in China.  Kwame went through a lot of personal growth in China, and he explains why he felt successful in his time there.  Kwame was diagnosed in 2006, and until that point, he had been thriving in chaos and learning in a state of drowsiness.  Kwame is intentional and thoughtful and I think you’ll enjoy this conversation.   

Connect with Kwame Dougan 

kwame.dougan@scotchpalm.com 
Kwame Dougan on LinkedIn 

You’ll Learn: 

• [08:35] - Born in Ghana, Kwame grew up in Canada.  He shares his childhood story and explains how technology led to him not being diagnosed.   
• [11:50] - Kwame talks about his education history and the testing that identified some of his strengths, weaknesses, and diagnoses.  
• [17:20] - Kwame shares that he has also been diagnosed with sleep apnea. He shared how he learned to learn in a state of drowsiness.  
• [21:33] - Kwame survived a fire in China, and he shares this story of this situation.  
• [27:25] - Kwame talks about being black in China. 
• [34:06] - Kwame explains why he felt successful during his time in China.   
• [41:11] - We talk about attention, focusing, and leaving a trail of crumbs.  
• [45:00] - Kwame talks about how ADHD helps him encourage creativity with his daughter.  
• [46:45] - Algorithms to Live By is something that made sense to Kwame. He explains why.   
• [49:43] - Kwame talks about his intuition when it comes to a specific task that needs to be accomplished.  
• [53:20] - We talk about the concept of satisficers and maximizers.  
• [55:13] - Kwame shares that he was a successful nightclub promoter when he was in school.   
• [57:24] - Kwame says that the death rate is 100%, so we know what’s going to happen.  He talks about leaving a legacy by having a logical approach.   
• [1:01:03] - Kwame talks about being black with ADHD and creating your own path.  

Your Resources: 

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions - Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths 

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

Early registration of our 12th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group is now over. To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.  Registration is open through March 15th.  

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.  One perk example is our Patreon-only Adult Study Hall.  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. 

ADHD Women’s Palooza  

If you missed the ADHD Women’s Palooza, don’t worry.  They recorded all 33 sessions in audio and video, and they are available for purchase. Go to http://ADHDreWired.com/palooza for more information. 

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. 

Logan Nelson joins me on this episode of the podcast.  Logan is the creator of Scratch Your Own Itch Podcast, where he inspires and motivates listeners to scratch your own itch so that you can grow personally and professionally.  He is a performance enhancement expert and published author on thrive global.  Logan graduated with a BFA in Acting from NIU, and is now sharing his story and his “why.”   

In this conversation, you will hear Logan explain his why.  Logan opens up about body dysmorphia, the fear of failure, and a suicide attempt.  After that suicide attempt. Logan spent seven days in isolation, and those experiences have led Logan to the work that he’s doing now.   

Connect with Logan Nelson: 

Website - LoganTylerNelson.com 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/logan.nelson3 
Scratch Your Own Itch Podcast 

You’ll Learn: 

• [06:35] - Logan explains his “why.”  After 8 ½ years, he was not sure he still wanted to be an actor.   
• [09:33] - After a breakup, Logan didn’t want to see his own face, and he explains why he felt that way. 
• [10:24] - Logan describes body dysmorphia.  
• [11:30] - Logan shares his struggle with the fear of failure.   
• [12:32] - Logan believes that it’s good to joke about suffering.  
• [13:47] - Logan shares that he made the decision to jump off the top of a five-floor parking garage.  This has led Logan to the work he’s now doing. 
• [17:13] - Disproving a thought right away can help people with anxiety.   
• [19:45] - According to Logan, our stories make up the person that you are.   
• [21:54] - Logan says that scratching your own itch is about being creative, compassionate, curious, and making people feel less alone. 
• [24:18] - Logan asks me to give an example of a time I experienced trauma and turned it into a positive.   
• [32:23] - Logan wonders if the people who have things easy are asking themselves the quality questions that lead to a quality life.  
• [33:47] - Sam Harris is someone Logan believes people should listen to.  This leads to a discussion on truth and integrity. 
• [37:42] - Logan says that he reflects on times when he is the happiest.  However, he realized these were times when there was gossip.  
• [45:00] - Logan explains how he challenges his inner-dialogue and preconceived ideologies about himself.  
• [49:29] - Logan shares why he feels embarrassed 
• [51:27] - After his suicide attempt, Logan did seven days of isolation.   
• [56:31] - Logan talks about gratitude.   
• [1:00:34] - I read a passage of Brene Brown’s Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted. 

Your Resources: 

• The Waking Up Podcast 
• Brene Brown’s Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted 

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

Early registration of our 12th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group is now over. To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.  Registration is open through March 15th.  

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. 

ADHD Women’s Palooza  

If you missed the ADHD Women’s Palooza, don’t worry.  They recorded all 33 sessions in audio and video, and they are available for purchase. Go to http://ADHDreWired.com/palooza for more information. 

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 episode is the recording of January’s live Q&A.  These Q&A sessions take place the second Tuesday of every month.  The questions answered in this episode were submitted by listeners of this podcast, both ahead of time and live.  I am joined on this episode by Brendan Mahan.   

We cover several different topics on this episode, including questions on prioritization systems, money management, “The Wall of Awful,” and much more.  Because of Brendan’s area of expertise, we also answer a handful of questions on parenting with ADHD and parenting children with ADHD.   

You’ll Learn: 

• [06:15] - ADHD Essentials is now available in all of the places you find podcasts.  This podcast is aimed at families that are affected by ADHD.  
• [09:40] - Sara asks about determining the difference between an engaging interest and a lasting passion. 
• [14:50] - Tre asks about prioritization systems. I talk about the idea of block scheduling.  
• [19:39] - We answer a question about the inability to keep going.  Brandon talks about the energy we feel when we start tasks, and then we hit “the wall of awful.” 
• [23:55] - We discuss a question from someone who wants to know what to do if their spouse is not on board.  
• [28:07] - Sharon and her son are newly diagnosed.  She asks for parenting advice for staying on-point.  Brendan shares some of his expertise in this area. 
• [35:53] - Brendan and I do an exercise that demonstrates why multitasking kills productivity.   
• [39:38] - Terry asks for tips on getting to bed on time after meds wear off.  Brendan talks about the importance of not looking at a computer screen after 6pm. He shares several other tips on lighting, food, and hygiene. 
• [47:32] - David comes on live to share that he has had trouble finding a medication that works properly.  We talk about how diet can help manage ADHD symptoms, and I share a few words of caution. 
• [52:34] - A listener asks for advice on ways to focus 1-on-1 attention with children when there are a lot of other things going through your head.  Both Brendan and I can relate to this topic. 
• [59:45] - A student asks about functioning without Adderall.  I share that I would not be where I am without medication.  
• [1:00:20] - Brendan vows to do a webinar on The Wall of Awful. 
• [1:01:17] - A listener asks how to know if symptoms of anxiety stem from ADHD.   
• [1:02:31] - We discuss how “sometimes the ADHD wins” and the idea of forgetting about consistency and focusing on resiliency.  
• [1:03:52] - A listener asks about an ADHD-friendly money management app. I suggest this person hire it out. 
• [1:04:47] - Multitasking comes back up, and Brendan encourages you to single-task.  
• [1:05:42] - Brendan explains that there’s no dopamine in our brains for doing the dishes.  

Your Resources: 

• Ted Talk: “Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling” - Emilie Wapnick 
• TotallyADD.com 
• Understood.org 
• ADHDEssentials.com/essentials/the-wall-of-awful  

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

Early registration of our 12th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group is now over. To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.  Registration is open through March 15th.  

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. 

ADHD Women’s Palooza  

If you missed the ADHD Women’s Palooza, don’t worry.  They recorded all 33 sessions in audio and video, and they are available for purchase. Go to http://ADHDreWired.com/palooza for more information. 

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. 

On this episode, Matt Beardsley joins me in my office.  First off, thanks to Matt for giving me the motivation to clean my office!  Matt is a husband, father, and friend.  In his professional life, he works in technology as a site reliability engineer.  Since his diagnosis in April of 2017, Matt has been able to go on a deeper journey of self-discovery, finding along the way, himself and the community he cherishes.   

In this conversation, you will hear Matt’s story.  He talks about his academics and emotions as a youth.  He explains his love for math and why he sees math as a place for creativity.  When Matt was evaluated for ADHD, he was nervous that he would not be diagnosed because, in his research, it seemed to answer so many questions.  You will also hear Matt describe some of the tools he uses to be efficient.   

You’ll Learn: 

• [04:28] - Matt shares information on his background, which includes being labeled “sensitive” and being moved back and forth from advanced and standard classes.  
• [12:32] - Matt explains why he found it easier to pay attention in math classes and he says that math has space for a lot of creativity. 
• [14:38] - Matt talks about how numbers are abstract. An example is the fact that zero was not a number until a certain point. 
• [16:45] - Matt looks back on the anxiety he would feel with tasks and the introduction of the “what if” monster. 
• [21:42] - Matt says that, for him, numbers have shapes and feelings.  He explains why certain numbers are comfortable and uncomfortable.  
• [25:30] - Matt explains agile methodology and “cracking the code of you.” 
• [32:16] - Matt points out that we overestimate our ability to remember. 
• [33:17] - Matt talks about doing a budget.  
• [35:22] - Matt explains that 10% of your effort gets you to 90% of your goal.  The remaining 90% of your effort goes to the last 10% of your goal.  
• [37:37] - Matt talks about his routines and some of the adaptations he uses to be efficient.  
• [45:03] - Matt says his commute is the best three hours per day and he shares how he utilizes that time. 
• [50:56] - Matt tells the story of his diagnosis. 
• [1:00:07] - Matt talks about the support and love he receives from his family and the ADHD community. 
• [1:04:25] - Imposter Syndrome is something Matt has encountered.  We talk about reframing the situation by saying “Welcome to the party.” 
• [1:14:00] - Matt shares what a real apology sounds like.  
• [1:16:49] - Matt talks about “emotional flood” and the loss of control that comes as a result. 
• [1:20:00] - Matt explains that Delivered from Distraction made a lot of sense to him and his wife. 
• [1:22:59] - Matt listened to the first episode of this podcast and my sharing that I felt “normal” after starting medication.  He had the realization he had never felt normal.  
• [1:26:00] - Matt describes his first day on medication. 
• [1:38:44] - Matt says that if you want to be good, you have to be the best that you can be. 

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

Early registration of our 12th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group is now open. To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.  Early registration pricing is limited to the first 18 people.  

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. 

ADHD Women’s Palooza  

I will be one of the presenters at the 3rd annual Women’s Palooza!  Join me and over 30 other ADHD experts at this conference.  This is an online event, and you can catch all of the sessions and the replays.  Learn more and register at http://ADHDreWired.com/palooza 

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.