Lisa Alexoff is an experienced licensed clinical professional counselor with a demonstrated history in the mental health and healthcare fields.  She specializes in helping children, teens, adults, and families in dealing with ADHD, anxiety, and medical issues.  She enjoys collaborating with clients as they discover the next best steps on their journey to a healthier life.   

In this conversation, you will hear Lisa’s ADHD story.  Right now, the group of people being diagnosed with ADHD at the highest rate is women over 40.  This was when Lisa realized she has ADHD.  We talk about some of the developments in ADHD diagnosis in women.   

The bulk of this discussion revolves around motivation.  Lisa explains that ADHD is about energy management. If we can put our energy in the right place, we can be successful.  Lisa tells us that we are motivated because we are blissed, dissed, or pissed.  We each share some of our strategies for motivation, and some of these could be defined as Lisa’s “woo woo” strategies.   

Connect with Lisa Alexoff: 

Email - lisa@aspireccc.com 
Phone - 847-962-1639 

You’ll Learn: 

• [08:21] - Lisa introduces herself, and describes her “former lives.” 
• [10:36] - Lisa was in grad school in her early 40’s and realized that she has ADHD.   
• [13:34] - Lisa explains that she doesn’t get the desired effect from stimulants.  This leads to a discussion on medication.   
• [20:34] - I share my current medication cocktail. 
• [22:23] - We talk about developments in ADHD diagnosis in women.   
• [24:45] - Lisa explains how motivation works for people with ADHD.   
• [25:28] - Lisa says that people with ADHD experience three forms of motivations.  They need to be blissed, dissed, or pissed.   
• [27:10] - Lisa talks about being in a classroom during one of the first school shootings. 
• [30:45] - Lisa shares that one of her clients said that he is most motivated when he is desperate.   
• [32:25] - I share my new approach, “diversify joy by scheduling joy.”  I also talk about my struggles in March, and how my response has helped me. 
• [36:16] - Lisa talks about paying for a personal trainer.  We consider what the motivational framework would be to stay on schedule with the trainer.  
• [44:41] - We talk about finding motivation if you’re not blissed, dissed, or pissed. 
• [47:55] - I explain that part of being successful when you have ADHD is being able to push through a task when you don’t feel like doing it.  
• [51:00] - Lisa shares that we should focus on our top five priorities. 
• [54:34] - I share that things can drop off your to-do list.   
• [56:00] - We both share our distaste of paperwork, and talk about other work tasks we struggle with.  
• [1:02:37] - Lisa talks about the things you can do when you’re in a self-destructive mode.  
• [1:05:50] - Lisa shares the “woo woo” things she does.  

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

We are trying something a little different with our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group this summer.  This summer, I’ll be hosting our first 8-week intensive, called “One Big Thing.”  These groups will fill up quickly.  For more information, go to http://coachingrewired.com. 

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. 

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. 

Randy Kulman joins me on this episode of the podcast.  Randy is the founder and president of an educational technology company, LearningWorks for Kids.  They specialize in using video games to teach executive functioning and academic skills.  For the past 25 years, Dr. Kulman has also been the clinical director and president of South County Child and Family Consultants, a private practice that specializes in assessments and interventions for children with learning disorders and attention difficulties.  He has authored numerous essays and book chapters on the use of technology in improving executive functioning skills.   

In this episode, you will hear Randy talk about translating game-based learning into the real world.  He describes how “Detect-Reflect-Connect” helps individuals connect skills developed in games to the real world.  He also talks about the career fields individuals with ADHD and processing speed deficits are drawn to and explains that parents can help nurture positive self-esteem in their children by nudging them into certain activities.  

Connect with Randy Kulman 

Website - LearningWorksforKids.com 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LearningWorksForKids/ 
Twitter - @LW4K 
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lw4k/ 
Email - Randy@LearningWorksForKids.com 

You’ll Learn: 

• [06:15] - Randy talks about some of his current projects.   
• [07:24] - I talk about my own addiction to Minecraft, and Randy talks about why it’s difficult to stop playing these games.   
• [10:42] - Randy describes the concept of “play diet.”  He also defines “play” as an optional, voluntary activity that you choose to do.   
• [14:30] - Randy explains how we can use games and apps to learn.  He says that games provide the opportunity to develop skills.   
• [18:11] - Randy says that “Detect-Reflect-Connect” helps individuals connect skills developed in games to the real world.  
• [19:22] - According to Randy, apps are supports to executive skills.   
• [22:51] - Randy talks about the time it takes to practice a new behavior, and he talks about the effect of exercise on the brain. 
• [24:40] - Randy emphasizes the importance of maintenance.   
• [29:25] - Randy talks about how virtual reality is being used for assessing ADHD.  
• [36:48] - Randy defines “processing speed” and talks about why it has become an interesting issue over the last 15-20 years.  
• [40:08] - We talk about individuals with ADHD who are gifted, yet struggle with processing speed. 
• [45:08] - Randy shares how he dictates his notes into his phone. 
• [47:25] - Randy talks about a study that found that slow reaction time associated with slow processing speed was associated with depression 20-years later.   
• [48:55] - Randy lists some careers that have higher rates of people with slower processing speed.  
• [52:50] - Randy explains that he tells parents of children with ADHD that their biggest job in life is to nudge them into activities and interests where ADHD doesn’t really matter.  
• [56:00] - Randy describes how he manages his life with technology.   

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

We are trying something a little different with our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group this summer.  This summer, I’ll be hosting our first 8-week intensive, called “One Big Thing.”  These groups will fill up quickly.  For more information, go to http://coachingrewired.com. 

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. 

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 March’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, once again, joined on this episode by Brendan Mahan.  

 If you’re listening to this on the day it is published, you can listen to April’s live Q&A at 1:30pm Eastern.  Join Brendan Mahan and me as we answer your questions live.  You can register at http://ADHDreWired.com/events.  In this episode, you will hear Brenden and I answer several listener questions on medication, managing emotions at the end of the day, procrastination, cell phone notifications, and much more.   

Connect with Brendan Mahan 

ADHD Essentials Podcast 

You’ll Learn: 

• [05:05] - A listener asks if we have learned a new skill lately.  I share the importance of hydration and my recent bout of seasonal affective disorder.  Brendan talks about his learning experiences with podcasting.  
• [11:16] - Another listener asks about guanfacine, a non-stimulant form of ADHD medication.  I share that it tends to work with a stimulant medication.   
• [13:33] - Elise asks about activities with strict structure.  Brendan explains why he shys away from these types of activities.  I address the individuality of strategies. 
• [17:40] - Jessica asks about managing emotions later in the day when multiple family members have ADHD.  We share some of our experiences and Brenden provides us with some strategies.  
• [23:35] - David asks about managing evening routines when medication has worn off.  Brenden and I share some thoughts on this situation.  
• [32:58] - Rob asks about forming in-person support groups with other adults with ADHD in their lives.  I share some resources to help make this happen.  
• [37:05] - We discuss Elise’s follow-up question about bad habits.  
• [40:00] - A listener asks us to discuss procrastination. I suggest the I Procrastinate Podcast.  
• [45:45] - A listener struggles with being assertive and asks for some techniques.  
• [48:08] - We field the question, “Does turning off notifications apply to calendar notifications?” I explain my answer, “It depends.”  
• [52:40] - A listener asks for resources on the neural anatomy involved with their ADHD.  We share several ADHD resources. 
• [55:37] - A listener asks about people with ADHD finding themselves in difficult financial situations.  
• [1:01:45] - We end the episode with the question, “Does Harry Potter have ADHD?” 

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired  

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

We are trying something a little different with our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group this summer.  This summer, I’ll be hosting our first 8-week intensive, called “One Big Thing.”  These groups will fill up quickly.  For more information, go to http://coachingrewired.com. 

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. 

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. 

Joining me on this episode are Jessica McCabe and Edward Newton.  Jessica is the creator of the extremely popular and successful How To ADHD YouTube Channel.  She recently did a Ted Talk that has over 10 million views!  Edward has a background in television production and has played a large role in the success of How To ADHD.   

On this episode, you will hear Jessica and Edward talk about how How To ADHD has grown since they were last on the podcast.  They also share the backstory behind her Ted Talk, including how the talk was put together and executed.  Jessica has also organized a grassroots campaign in response to the Netflix documentary, “Take Your Pills.”  We discuss why this film isn’t accurate and does a disservice to those who would benefit from ADHD medication. 

Connect with Jessica McCabe and Edward Newton 

How To ADHD Website 
How To ADHD YouTube Channel 
How To ADHD Patreon 

You’ll Learn: 

• [05:07] - Jessica talks about being asked to do a Ted Talk.  
• [07:32] - Jessica started How To ADHD about a year into their relationship.  Edward stepped in to share his expertise with video production.   
• [09:30] - Jessica shares how Edward helped craft the ending of her Ted Talk.  
• [11:10] - Edward tells his version of the Ted Talk story.  They admit to writing the second half of the talk on the plane.   
• [16:55] - Jessica explains how time restrictions impacted her talk.   
• [17:59] - Jessica describes what it was like to see a million views a day on her video. 
• [20:58] - Since the last time she came on the podcast, Jessica and Edward have been able to go full-time with How To ADHD.  
• [25:18] - We discuss some ADHD cooking tips.  
• [28:00] - With around 100 videos completed, Jessica shares how their videos are evolving. 
• [35:37] - Jessica and Edward talk about his ADHD characteristics and diagnosis.   
• [38:53] - We talk about the Netflix documentary on the abuse of ADHD medication, Take Your Pills.   
• [41:46] - Jessica explains that this production is painting everyone with a broad brush and did not draw a distinction between people diagnosed and appropriately prescribed medication and those who may have been abusing it.  
• [45:29] - Jessica and Edward talk about how this film misrepresented ADHD meds and compared it to meth.   
• [47:25] - Jessica talks about her response to this film, including the hashtag #ITakeMyPills. 
• [49:40] - We talk about the idea that medication should be a last resort, and how this is not what the research says. We also discuss how safe these medications are. 
• [54:43] - I share that my brain is like a clock and how it operates differently with and without medications.  Jessica shares the positive effects of her starting medication. 
• [56:35] - Jessica describes her grassroots campaign to change public perception of ADHD medication.  
• [1:00:17] - Jessica shares how you can tell your own story about meds helping you. 
• [1:05:28] - I share that this is the 4-year anniversary with ADHD reWired. 
• [1:08:18] - Jessica shares how much time they invest in each video.  

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

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired 

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group 

Registration of our 12th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group is now over.  If you would like to join the waiting list for our spring season, schedule a call with me at http://CoachingReWired.com.  The spring session begins April 9th.  Our summer session begins July 9th.  

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. 

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.