ADHD reWired
In this episode, Brittany Smith returns to the podcast! Eric and Brittany share some of the digital automation tools they use, such as battery delivery for Tile, automated messages, using smart-lights, setting reminders and routines, and more! You will also hear Eric and Brittany talk about some of the pain-points they attempted to solve using apps and automation. About Brittany:

Brittany is a productivity, ADHD, and technology coach and recently published her first course, “From Aggravated to Navigated: Choosing a task-management system with ADHD”. She has a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Neuroscience lab at the University of Oregon. Brittany uses geeky pop-culture and cognitive science to help her clients and ADHD Guild members get more done with less stress. 


Connect with Brittany:


Questions Answered In this Episode:

  • How does Brittany use automation? 
  • What is the importance of ‘stability’ when using apps for automation? 
  • What can you do with smart-bulbs?
  • Can automation help routines? 
  • If someone has been thinking about getting into automation but they haven’t purchased anything yet to start (smart switches, smart devices, smart bulbs, etc.), is it a good idea to stick with one platform? Why?
  • What is Tile? What does the premium version of Tile do? 
  • What is the Shortcuts app? (for iOS users only) What are some good uses for an ADHD life? 
  • What is possible with automation? 
  • Can finances be automated? 

Before jumping into automation tools, here are some questions to consider before you start:

  • How can I scaffold my executive functions through automation?
  • What exactly do you want from automation? 
  • Where is your pain point where automation can help?
  • What are the fiddly things that you would like to have happen for you?
  • What’s really going to make a dramatic difference in your life? 

Honorable Mentions & Resources:


For our listeners who are PC and Android™ users – What tools do you use, if any, to automate your executive functions in your daily life? Share it with us on our website at ADHD reWired! 

Direct download: 417_-_Automation_Tools_w_Brittany_Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am CST

In this episode, Eric is joined by Lorri Hollingsworth who was officially diagnosed with combined-type ADHD about two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 64, having reached retirement without suspecting any neurodivergencies.  Yet, she always felt herself to be the “misfit” given the expectations set by friends, family, coworkers, and society at large, and forever assumed the role of “Inadvertent Perpetrator” with all the guilt inherent therein.  Lorri will share her journey shaped by the absence of an ADHD diagnosis in early childhood, which inevitably led to numerous comorbidities over the decades, as well as the never-expected hope that she now experiences for her future.  You’ll hear about the different comorbidities that were discovered before Lorri’s ADHD diagnosis, how her husband of over 35 years aided in Lorri getting diagnosed, her journey of the ways her diagnosis changed the way she viewed her past, and the dynamics of her environment growing up undiagnosed.  You’ll also hear about Lorri’s thrill of a challenge, and her journey through unhealthy eating behaviors, OCD, depression, anxiety, and more.  Lastly, you’ll hear about the importance of learning, self-awareness, and forgiveness to move forward.

Questions Answered & Memorable Moments in this Episode:

  • Lorri goes in depth about how important it is to get more stories of seniors getting diagnosed. 
  • What was it that led Lorri to get the diagnosis?
  • “I think the persistent leaving of cabinets and drawers open should be part of the diagnostic criteria!” - Eric
  • “...unless somebody does something drastic to get your attention, they don’t have your attention.” - Lorri
  • Mentioned here: https://drgabormate.com/book/scattered-minds/
  • How we show up in relationships:  Is that a product of our environment, or does ADHD sometimes get in the way?
  • “I, .as far back as I can remember, have been a ‘loner’.” - Lorri
  • At 64, you’ve been through a lot of stuff, so why does it matter now (to get diagnosed)?
  • “If you love your life, it’s worth the work.” - Lorri
  • “You have to forgive yourself, and you have to forgive the people that might have contributed inadvertently to you being in that place. Forgiveness is so important.” - Lorri

Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network:

Don't Forget These, Too:

  • adhdrewired.com/patreon — Support the show by becoming a Patron!
  • coachingrewired.com — Get your name on the waitlist to join the sping season of ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups!
  • adultstudyhall.com — Join your ADHD-friendly co-working space!
  • adhdrewired.com/events — Join Eric, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, Kat, and Lisa for an hour of Live Q&A on Zoom, every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm Central (10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern)
Direct download: 416_-_When_Im_64_with_Lorri_Hollingsworth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am CST

Join the ADHD reWired Podcast Family every second Tuesday of the month for a Live Q&A! In this Q&A episode, you’ll hear Eric, Barb, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, and Roxie answer your ADHD-related questions!


Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network:

Don't Forget These, Too:

  • adhdrewired.com/patreon — Support the show by becoming a Patron!
  • coachingrewired.com — Get your name on the waitlist to join the spring season of ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups
  • adultstudyhall.com — Join your ADHD-friendly co-working space!
  • adhdrewired.com/events — Join Eric, Brendan, Will, MJ, Moira, Kat, and Lisa for an hour of Live Q&A on Zoom, every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm Central (10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern)
Direct download: 415_-_Jan._Live_QA_Full_EP.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am CST

In this episode, Eric is joined by Danielle, a fresh graduate as of spring 2021. She has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and was very recently diagnosed with ADHD. She has learned a lot about herself after receiving her diagnosis, especially after listening to ADHD reWired’s podcast. She felt some imposter syndrome after receiving her diagnosis, but has fully embraced it after learning about the symptoms and how it presents for her.

In this coaching conversation, you’ll hear about Danielle’s biggest struggle with feelings of rejection while being a high-achiever, the thoughts that went through her head through the feelings of failure, and shares some of the ways she calms her mind in the midst of racing thoughts. Eric and Danielle also touch on topics of emotional regulation, uncertainty, feeling out of control, and you might even relate to some of the inner dialogue she shares throughout today’s show!

Then, hear Eric and Danielle come up with a few ideas that might potentially help with some of the feelings of rejection, distorted thought patterns, and ways to pause when the mind begins to spiral. 


In this Episode, you’ll hear Danielle answer some of these questions:

  • How did you make it through your Masters degree without knowing you had ADHD?
  • Being diagnosed with ADHD: Was it a surprise or a relief?
  • What were some of your common struggles going through higher education?
  • Was some of the rejection you felt  possibly driven by perfectionism? 
  • With your new ADHD diagnosis, have old stories started to change, or do they still have a bit of emotional sting to them? 
  • What’s the internal dialogue that’s guiding what you say and do? 
  • Do you internalize or experience any types of feedback that leans even a little bit on the negative side?
  • Is there something you might be able to do that you think you might enjoy that you would definitely “not be good” at? 
  • What if you did something you felt wasn’t your best work? 
  • If there were some patterned thoughts around the things that tend to send you in that spiral, if those patterned thoughts were like headlines, what would those headlines be? 
  • Is there anyone you know, whether work or personally, who can give you regular feedback about something where you could also - at the same time - communicate how you’re rating yourself while you’re getting the feedback? 
  • Is there anything else you think would help you in either handling uncertainty in certain situations, or being able to receive feedback that might be difficult to hear while being regulated? 

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