The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly MissUnderstood)
Understood.org 171 episodes Nov 5, 2026
From Understood, this is The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly MissUnderstood) — the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. For decades, women with ADHD have been overlooked and undiagnosed. That’s finally beginning to change. But there’s still so far to go. That’s where The ADHD Channel for Women comes in. We’re a channel made by women with ADHD, for women with ADHD. And we’re talking about the things we want to hear. Women with ADHD need (good!) information, smart takes on ADHD topics, and so much more. Hang out with Cate Osborn and guests as they discuss ADHD, relationships, and sex on Sorry, I Missed This. Get answers to ADHD questions you didn’t know you had from Dr. Monica Johnson on ADHD and…. Or join journalist Rae Jacobson on Hyperfocus for deep dives, personal stories, and real talk about neurodivergence.
Episodes
Why the manosphere pulls in neurodivergent men (and how to help) | Sorry, I Missed This
Why would a community that says you’ll never be loved feel like a safe place? Tim Squirrell holds a doctorate in online communities and has worked in counterterrorism, focused on online extremism. He joins host Cate Osborn to talk about the manosphere and why teens and young men with ADHD or autism may be more likely to get pulled in.They discuss how these creators teach young men unhealthy ideas
ADHD and getting fired
Getting fired can feel like proof that you can’t keep up, can’t get it together, or can’t trust yourself. For many people with ADHD, though, it’s often a mismatch between your brain, your role, and your environment. It’s not a verdict on who you are.Licensed psychologist Dr. J explains why people with ADHD are more likely to be fired. Executive function skills like time management, working me
He has ADHD. She doesn’t. What actually helps this real couple communicate | Sorry, I Missed This
Your partner has rehearsed this conversation 10 times. You’re walking in at one. No wonder it goes sideways.Dani Burford doesn’t have ADHD, but her husband, Sean, does, along with OCD tendencies. Dani, who works in marketing at Understood.org, joins Cate for a casual, practical conversation about the systems that help them stay on the same team.She explains how they use things like the “care meter
ADHD and eating disorders: The shame-and-dopamine cycle
Ever reached for food when you were stressed, bored, or overwhelmed, then felt ashamed afterward? For many people with ADHD, eating isn’t only about hunger. Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and low dopamine can shape how, when, and why we eat. For some people that becomes an eating disorder. If that’s you, you’re not alone.Licensed psychologist Dr. J explains the difference between an eating
The fawn response: The survival instinct behind people-pleasing | Hyperfocus
Are you mad at me? It’s a question “Hyperfocus” host Rae Jacobson has asked more times than she can count.So when Rae saw a book with that exact title, she was a little unnerved. The book is by psychotherapist Meg Josephson, and it’s about the fawn response: a survival instinct that can look like people-pleasing.In this conversation, Meg breaks down what fawning is and why it’s hard to spot —
When intense feels normal: ADHD and abusive relationships | Sorry, I Missed This
Research shows that girls with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience intimate partner violence.Dr. Emily Rothman, who recently published a study on dating violence in neurodivergent youth, joins Cate to talk about what the research actually shows.They discuss why ADHD symptoms might make it harder to recognize abuse. They also cover how to tell ordinary relationship conflict from patter
PJ Vogt’s decades-long quest to understand his own brain | Hyperfocus
Podcaster PJ Vogt has talked about his ADHD for years. Casually. Almost cheerfully. Then things changed. He decided to go off his ADHD medication, and he found the neuropsych report from when he was 13. It didn’t say what he thought.On this episode of Hyperfocus, PJ, who’s spent his entire career making some of the most popular podcasts around – like Reply All and Search Engine — talks about his j
ADHD and narcissism: Why you keep getting called selfish
Ever been called selfish or a narcissist when you were trying your best? Some ADHD behaviors can look like narcissism from the outside: Interrupting, forgetting an important date, missing social cues, or talking at length about something you’re hyperfocused on can make it seem like you don’t care. But the behavior and the intention don’t always match.Licensed psychologist Dr. J explains what
The ADHD safety net hiding inside a kink power dynamic | Sorry, I Missed This
Kink isn’t required to get something real out of a power dynamic. And for ADHD brains, it might be more than you’d expectSex and relationship coach Amanda Dames — The Kink Consultant — joins the show to talk about power dynamics and what dominance and submission can actually offer neurodivergent relationships once the stigma gets stripped away. Amanda and Cate start with the basics: what a power d
ADHD and PMDD: why symptoms spike before your period (and what helps)
Some weeks you can handle anything. Then, seemingly overnight, everything feels impossible. Your mood. Your focus. Your patience with yourself. If that shift keeps landing the same week of your cycle, it might not just be PMS.In this episode, Dr. J — a licensed psychologist who works with people with ADHD — breaks down premenstrual dysphoric disorder. PMDD, a diagnosis recognized in
I’ve never felt like a good woman: ADHD and femininity | Sorry, I Missed This
In this episode, a complex conversation about ADHD, femininity, gender, and why talking about the hard stuff is important.Cate sits down with Rae Jacobson, host of Understood.org’s Hyperfocus podcast, journalist, and a producer on this show. They talk about something they’ve both struggled to name: the collision between ADHD, femininity, and gender expression. They dig into what it felt like to wa
ADHD and autism: Do I have AuDHD?
If you’ve been seeing AuDHD everywhere online and wondering if it might describe you, you’ve come to the right place. What does it actually mean to have both ADHD and autism? Dr. J breaks down where these two conditions overlap, where they diverge, and why so many people are recognizing themselves in this label for the first time. We cover shared traits, what AuDHD can feel like day to day, a
The brain is the last frontier of privacy. And you’re the target. | Hyperfocus
Your smartwatch tracks your steps and your pulse. Soon, devices like it could track your brainwaves, and even tell if the wearer is neurodivergent.
Brain-monitoring wearables that purport to help with focus, sleep, and even ADHD are already being sold online. This is called “neurotechnology,” and it’s a fast-moving market with almost zero regulation. Stephen Damianos of the Neurorights Foundation
An Emmy winner’s trick for ADHD idea overload (Live show!) | Sorry, I Missed This
We recorded our first-ever live show in front of a studio audience! Emmy Award–winning writer, director, and producer Adam Reid, co-creator of “Tiny Chef,” joined Cate to talk about ADHD creativity: what works, what doesn’t, when to dig in, when to let things go, and why finishing things isn't always the point.
Adam talked candidly about being diagnosed with ADHD at 45, after years of building an
ADHD and justice sensitivity
Why do small unfairnesses hit some people so much harder? Dr. J breaks down justice sensitivity: The intense reaction to perceived wrongdoing that’s especially common in ADHD and AuDHD brains. Learn about the four types of justice sensitivity, why emotional dysregulation, hyperfocus, and impulsivity make it stronger, and how lived experience shapes it. Plus, practical in-the-moment and long-term s
Is your ADHD brain fog actually CDS? | Hyperfocus
Many people with inattentive ADHD feel like something is missing from their diagnosis. That missing piece might be cognitive disengagement syndrome, or CDS: a cluster of symptoms including daydreaming, confusion, daytime sleepiness, and more.
CDS isn’t officially its own disorder. But scientists and clinicians are beginning to recognize it as something distinct from ADHD — though it often overlaps
Your ADHD brain loves a good argument. Here’s why that’s a problem.
Ever notice your ADHD brain gets a little too excited during an argument? Like you’re not even mad anymore, you’re just... having a really good time being right? Yeah. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not a great one.
In this mailbag episode of Sorry, I Missed This, host Cate Osborn is digging into questions from our Understood Facebook group
Our amazing listeners wrote in (and had the chance t
ADHD and living up to potential
“You’re not living up to your potential.” If those words have haunted you, you’re not alone — and the story you’ve been telling yourself about why might be wrong.
Dr. J breaks down two patterns she sees in her ADHD clients: the person who checked out after years of “you’re smart, you just don’t apply yourself”; and the high achiever whose color-coded planners are hiding total exhaustion.
She digs
Why money fights are never really about money | Sorry, I Missed This
Money is one of the biggest sources of conflict in relationships — and for people with ADHD, it comes with an extra layer of shame most people don’t talk about.
Cate sits down with Dr. Christine Hargrove, a financial therapist who specializes in ADHD, to unpack why money fights escalate so fast, why who’s the “mental load carrier” matters more than who earns more, and why people with ADHD often gi
ADHD and avoidance
Does replying to a text feel harder than it should? Or do you struggle when someone reminds you to do something you were already planning to do? In this episode, Dr. J breaks down the real science behind ADHD avoidance: how the nervous system mistakes tasks for threats, why perfectionism makes starting feel risky, and what actually happens in your brain before a shutdown. Plus, practical strategie
What the rise of fidget toys means for neurodivergence | Hyperfocus
Fidget toys, like NeeDohs, are sold out and banned in classrooms. Journalist Anna North joins us to unpack how fidget toys went from gag gifts to a generational obsession, and what that shift reveals about neurodivergence, attention, and play. Plus, fidget toys are not just for kids. We look at how they are destigmatizing fidgeting for neurodivergent adults. And we dig into the science behind fid
Parentification: The hidden pattern in ADHD relationships | Sorry, I Missed This
Ever feel like you’re the “parent” in your relationship — managing everything while your partner just... coasts? You’re not alone. And it’s not just you being controlling.
Host Cate Osborn talks with ADHD coach Kristen Carder (host of I Have ADHD, author of the upcoming You’re Not in Trouble) about why ADHD relationships so easily slide into parent-child dynamics, and how to climb back out.
They
ADHD and the boredom spiral
Boredom isn’t just annoying for ADHD brains. It can feel unbearable, even painful. Dr. J breaks down the real science behind why: dopamine sensitivity, warped time perception, and an overactive default mode network.
Learn why boredom fuels doomscrolling, impulsive spending, avoidance spirals, and relationship friction. Then get four practical strategies to work with your brain instead of against
ADHD and impulse control: The science behind why willpower fails | Sorry, I Missed This
Does ADHD really mean poor self-control? Or is that the myth that’s been making everything harder?
Dr. Polaris Koi is a philosopher who studies ADHD and self-regulation (and is an ADHDer themselves). In this episode, Cate and Polaris get into why “just try harder” is not only unhelpful advice — it’s based on science that most researchers don’t even believe anymore.
They talk about why impulsivit
ADHD and family vacations: Why you can’t relax
Family vacations are supposed to be fun. So why do they feel like a project you can’t stop managing?
If you have ADHD, travel is basically a multi-day test of your executive functions. Between planning paralysis, sensory overload, sleep disruptions, and lack of routine, vacations can leave you feeling more stressed than refreshed. And the strain can be even worse for women, who tend to carry a dis
ADHD and perimenopause: Why your symptoms are suddenly worse
If your ADHD symptoms have spiked out of nowhere, perimenopause might be the culprit. Estrogen plays a direct role in dopamine regulation. When it fluctuates, your focus, memory, and emotional regulation take the hit.
This episode breaks down exactly what’s happening in your brain, why the strategies that used to work may be failing you now, and how to adjust your support system for this stage of
Why people with ADHD can’t sleep (and what actually helps) | Hyperfocus
If you have ADHD, you’re probably exhausted — and there’s a real neurological reason for it. Sleep expert Marlee Boyle, co-founder of Sleep Works, joins us to explain why ADHD brains are wired against a good night’s rest. Plus how perimenopause can make it worse. She walks us through CBT-I techniques, the truth about melatonin, and some surprisingly low-tech tools that can fix your circadian rhyth
Why neurodivergent women can’t stop reading smut and romantasy | Sorry, I Missed This
Did you know that women with ADHD consume explicit fiction at dramatically higher rates than neurotypical women — and there’s a neurological reason?
Dr. Erika Miley is a licensed mental health counselor, certified sex therapist, and author of the only dissertation published on ADHD and women’s sexuality. After surveying over 2,000 participants, one thing kept surfacing: smut. Romantasy, explicit r
ADHD, AuDHD, and social skills: Why you feel like too much and not enough
Do you feel like too much in social situations — and somehow also not enough? Socializing with ADHD or AuDHD can feel like a minefield. There are the impulsive comments. The missed cues and oversharing. And then the post-hang crash. In this episode, Dr. J breaks down what’s happening in the ADHD brain that makes socializing harder. And she offers practical strategies for creating stronger connecti
I’m an ADHD expert. My kid still can’t get help.
Today’s episode is a crossover with Understood’s new podcast, Everyone Gets a Juice Box. Host Jessica Shaw interviewed Rae about something she rarely discusses on Hyperfocus: Being a mom to a fabulous kid with ADHD. Even with Rae’s 20 years of experience studying and writing about ADHD, getting help for her child in school has been really challenging. Here’s how she’s supporting her daughter while
ADHD, AuDHD, and self-diagnosis: Is it valid? | Sorry, I Missed This
Is ADHD self-diagnosis valid? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, that’s the wrong question entirely. When access to diagnosis is limited by cost, insurance, stigma, and identity — and when the people who self-diagnose show higher rates of negative self-image and internalized stigma — the real conversation isn’t about validity. It’s about how we make sure people have access to
ADHD and self-harm: Why people with ADHD are at greater risk
Content warning: This episode discusses self-harm and suicide.
ADHD doesn’t cause self-harm, but the research is clear: People with ADHD — especially women and girls — are significantly more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors, especially during adolescence.
Why is ADHD so closely linked to self-harm? In this episode, Dr. J breaks down how the core features of ADHD — impulsivity, emotional
The gene that could change how we treat ADHD | Hyperfocus
What if your brain had a volume knob? Researcher Dr. Zachary Gershon joins Rae to explain Homer1a, a gene variant that may hold the key to how we focus. When levels are lower during development, the brain gets better at filtering out distractions, or what scientists call “neural noise.” This discovery could one day lead to non-stimulant treatment options for ADHD. And it started with one scientist
Why ADHD makes decluttering so hard (and how to fix it) | Sorry, I Missed This
If your home has ever felt like it’s working against you, this one’s for you. Certified professional organizer Alison Lush joins the show to unpack the ADHD relationship to stuff. Learn what chronic disorganization actually means, why the Marie Kondo method can backfire, and how to build systems that work with your brain. We also get into the emotional weight of clutter, organizing as a couples is
ADHD and sleep: 5 strategies to finally beat insomnia
ADHD doesn’t clock out at bedtime. From delayed sleep phases and racing thoughts to stimulant timing and restless nights, sleep disruption is one of the most common (and most overlooked) challenges of living with ADHD. Plus, poor sleep makes every ADHD symptom worse!
In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why ADHD and sleep don’t always get along. And she shares five science-backed strategies to help
Can I get rid of my adult sensory issues? | Hyperfocus
Rae puts on her most uncomfortable pants (on purpose!) to ask a fashion designer and former special ed teacher whether adults can actually get over sensory issues. Julia DeNey, founder of sensory clothing brand Sense-ational You, breaks down why tactile sensitivity doesn’t disappear at 18, what adaptive fashion can (and can’t) fix, and why telling yourself “today’s the day I get over it” is the wo
How online community is saving (and breaking) my ADHD brain | Sorry, I Missed This
Laura Mears-Reynolds, founder of ADHDAF and an award-winning community organizer, joins Cate to talk about online communication, building connection, and staying in touch when you have ADHD. They dig into rejection sensitive dysphoria and miscommunication, object permanence with people, time blindness in relationships — and why online community can be genuinely life-saving. Plus: the great voice m
ADHD and weed: Why it feels like a fix (but isn’t)
Marijuana can feel like a miracle fix for ADHD, quieting the noise and taking the edge off. But this short-term relief comes with trade-offs. In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why ADHD brains are drawn to weed, what the research actually says about the long-term consequences, and healthier alternatives. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re self-medicating, this one’s worth your attention.
For m
PMDD: Why women with ADHD are 4x more likely to struggle | Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus listener Jenna Plonsky opens a raw conversation about ADHD, late diagnosis, and the mental health struggles many women face in silence.
From postpartum depression to PMDD, this episode explores how hormonal shifts intersect with neurodivergence — and why so many go undiagnosed for decades. It’s an honest look at shame, self-perception, and the turning point that comes with finally unde
Writing the ADHD guide we wish we'd had
Content warning: This episode discusses self-harm.
What does it actually take to finish a book with ADHD?
Cate sits down with Erik Gude, her co-author of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, to unpack five years of starts, stops, and persistence. They get into taking advantage of accessibility options and overcoming the shame of looming, unfinished projects to get this one done.
For more on this to
ADHD and filing taxes without the dread
Every year, tax season arrives on schedule. Every year, you scramble to track down bank statements, W2s, receipts, and… UGH. If you have ADHD, that’s not laziness. It’s your brain working against a task it wasn’t built for. Procrastination, forgetfulness, overwhelm, and shame stack up fast.
In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why taxes are so hard for the ADHD brain — and walks through practical s
Is “ring of fire” ADHD real? | Hyperfocus
Our team has been seeing something called “ring of fire” ADHD spreading across the internet. It’s a supposed subtype of ADHD promoted by Daniel Amen, a celebrity psychiatrist with clinics in multiple states and a huge online following.
But in reporting this episode, we found that “ring of fire” ADHD isn’t recognized by mainstream science. Nor are brain scans approved by the FDA as a diagnostic too
ADHD gaslighting and chasing new relationship energy (Reddit Reactions) | Sorry, I Missed This
As we know, Reddit is full of messy love stories, and we have thoughts.
From gaslighting and age gaps to the weird magic of “new relationship energy,” we read posts that make us laugh, cringe, and wonder — can memory be used as a weapon in a relationship?
For more on this topic
Listen: ADHD and dating
Listen: Is it love or is it dopamine?
For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Mi
ADHD and how guilt hijacks your brain
For people with ADHD, guilt can feel like a full-time job you never signed up for.
In this episode, Dr. J digs into why your brain keeps hitting replay on minor mistakes, why “I shouldn’t have said that” can echo for hours, and how emotional overdrive makes tiny errors feel enormous.
You’ll get clear strategies to pause, notice patterns, and respond without spiraling.
For more on this topic
This changed my mind on what’s possible with a learning disability | Hyperfocus
Rae has a lifelong misconception about her dyscalculia turned on its head. And she learns why labels don’t mean limits.
For more on this topic
Listen: Kids are at a breaking point, and school policies might be to blame
Listen: The uncertain future of special education in the United States
The discrepancy model: What you need to know
For a transcript and more resources, visit Hyperfocus on Und
When ADHD turns chores into conflict
Division of labor between partners isn’t easy for anyone. Add ADHD and suddenly dishes come with shame. Trash becomes a crisis. And rest starts to feel sketchy.
Cate sits down with KC Davis to unpack the messy, deeply human reality of sharing work at home. They talk about resentment, perfectionism, time blindness, trust, and why keeping score almost never fixes anything.
For more on this topic
ADHD and lying: Why it happens and how to stop
For many people with ADHD, lying isn’t about dishonesty. It’s a stress response.
Some days your ADHD brain tells a tiny fib just to survive the social jungle. Saying “yes” when you mean “no.” Inventing excuses for forgetting something obvious. Lying isn’t villainy here — it’s impulsivity, executive dysfunction, and a dash of fear.
In this episode of ADHD and, Dr. J digs into why ADHD makes dishon
Why there’s no “gold standard” for adult ADHD tests
Last fall, I heard something that floored me: The tests we have for ADHD in adults don’t work very well.
As an adult with ADHD, I think about this all the time because our diagnosis is so stigmatized and so misunderstood. It’s overdiagnosed. It’s underdiagnosed. Everybody has it. Nobody has it.
If only there were a silver bullet or some test that could definitively say yes or no.
So, I asked the t
Decisions, decisions: ADHD and the trap of analysis paralysis | Sorry, I Missed This
Have you ever stayed up all night replaying a meeting in your head? Or obsessed over an email? Or questioned every instinct you have? If making decisions feels like a full-time job, this one’s for you!
We’re talking with Dr. Mark Schrime, a surgeon with a PhD in the science of decision-making. Hear about the exhausting cycle of analysis paralysis, second-guessing, and decision fatigue that’s a rea
ADHD and how to stop a mood spiral fast
Why can a small stressor like a confusing email or a last-minute change suddenly feel like the floor just dropped out from under you? One minute you’re fine. The next, you’re overwhelmed, avoiding, and stuck in a loop of guilt and overthinking.
Dr. J walks through what’s actually happening in your brain and nervous system during an ADHD mood spiral and how avoidance becomes “relief with hidden fee
How menopause and hormones impact ADHD symptoms in women | Sorry, I Missed This
If your ADHD symptoms seem to have leveled up out of nowhere, you’re not losing it. Hormones play a much bigger role in ADHD than most of us understand, especially during perimenopause and menopause.Today, we’re chatting with licensed counselor Mandi Dixon about why focus, memory, sleep, and emotional regulation can suddenly fall apart in your 40s. We also dig into why ADHD meds may stop working t
ADHD and setting goals (when resolutions flop)
By now, New Year’s resolutions already feel… kind of over. In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why traditional resolution culture doesn’t work for ADHD brains — and how to approach goal setting after the January hype has worn off. We talk about executive dysfunction, motivation, and dopamine. And we share practical ways to set goals that are flexible, realistic, and actually sustainable. No fresh s
The ADHD content economy: How algorithms and incentives turn help into grift | Hyperfocus
The ADHD internet is crowded — and not all content is created equal. From unlicensed coaches to miracle cures and viral “hacks,” misinformation spreads fast and wide.The problem is that many prominent voices have little to no formal training. And algorithmic incentives encourage creators to bait their audience.Cate Osborn, known online as @catieosaurus, joins Hyperfocus to explain how the ADHD con
Stuck in your head? ADHD, overthinking, and getting “unstuck” | Sorry, I Missed This
Ever catch yourself spiraling over a decision and feeling like your brain won’t stop replaying every possible “what if”? Dr. J is joining us to talk about rumination, overthinking, and getting caught in a mood spiral as a woman with ADHD. We’re breaking down why we get stuck and practical ways to interrupt those thought loops. For more on this topic: Try: ADHD Unstuck (a free self-guided activity)
ADHD and routines: How to build habits that stick
Routines aren’t about perfection. They’re about keeping the peace and developing a sense of stability. In this episode, Dr. J explains why traditional routines can feel impossible for ADHD brains — and what actually works. Think tiny, doable habits. Attaching new routines to things you already do. And yes, leaving room for rest, fun, and even the occasional “I forgot my socks” day.For more on this
Kids are at a breaking point, and school policies might be to blame | Hyperfocus
U.S. kids are more depressed, stressed, and anxious than ever. ADHD and autism diagnosis rates are steadily rising. What’s going on? In this episode of Hyperfocus, journalist Jia Lynn Yang joins Rae to examine how major school policy shifts in the U.S. have changed what’s expected of kids, often with unintended — and serious — consequences. Drawing from her New York Times reporting and her persona
When ADHD mistakes spiral and resentment hits (Reddit Reactions) | Sorry, I Missed This
When ADHD overwhelm hits, it’s usually not because of one big event. It’s the work project and your kid’s school play and the relationship thing and everyone is out of clean socks... and now you’re caught in a spiral of OMG. Today, Cate and our fabulous producer, Jessamine, dig into Reddit stories about work screw-ups, panic lying, and how pattern recognition can quietly turn everyday moments into
ADHD and accountability (without the shame)
Accountability can feel loaded with guilt for women with ADHD — especially after years of masking, late diagnosis, and being told you’re “making excuses.” In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why accountability hits so hard, how hormones and executive function play a role, and the difference between excuses and explanations. For more on this topic: Listen: Punishment for ADHD symptomsRead: ADHD and
How are ADHD and chronic pain connected? | Hyperfocus
If you have ADHD or autism, research shows you’re at a much higher risk for developing chronic pain — a connection many doctors and patients still don’t know about. In this episode of Hyperfocus, we talk with a doctor who’s trying to change that.Dr. Michael Lenz, a Wisconsin-based pain specialist, explains what the medical community is discovering about the connection between ADHD, autism, and chr
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 6: Are hormones the final frontier for women with ADHD?
In this final episode of Climbing the Walls, Danielle explores the frustration women with ADHD feel toward a medical community that can’t answer their questions about how hormones impact ADHD. Searching for answers, they turn to online communities for information and support.Danielle talks to experts about the latest research on ADHD in women and what the future of treatment could look like.More o
Sensory overload in intimacy and the ADHD hyperfocus spiral (Listener Q&A!) | Sorry, I Missed This
In this listener Q&A, Cate tackles two wildly relatable ADHD questions: sudden sensory discomfort during intimacy, and the maddening cycle of not being able to start a task… then not being able to stop. From sensory overload and burnout to hyperfocus, momentum anxiety, and emotional regulation, Cate breaks down what’s going on and how to navigate it without losing it. Thanks to our listeners for t
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 5: Stories from ADHD camp
On episode 5 of Climbing the Walls, Danielle attends an ADHD camp in Michigan and hears stories from several women about being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Many of them have one thing in common.More on this story: I’m sure my mom has ADHD. Should I tell her?What is the ADHD tax?“Who are we missing?” One doctor’s lifelong fight for women with ADHDFor a transcript and more resources, visit Cli
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 4: From stigma to superpower
On this episode of Climbing the Walls, ADHD finds itself at the center of mental health discourse — and some see it not as a disorder but as a strength. Danielle investigates the origins of this theory and questions who benefits from the rebranding of ADHD.More on this story: What does “thriving” with ADHD actually look like?The myth of the ADHD “superpower”For a transcript and more resources, vis
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 3: How social media changed ADHD forever
On episode 3 of Climbing the Walls, we see that as ADHD content explodes during the pandemic, many people seek care for the first time. That includes many Black women. But new telehealth rules also open the door for potential misdiagnosis. More on this story:ADHD symptoms in womenHow to handle a misdiagnosisA day in Danielle’s lifeFor a transcript and more resources, visit Climbing the Walls on Un
Weaponized incompetence and other ADHD “crimes” (Reddit Reactions) | Sorry, I Missed This
We’re back with another spicy Reddit Reactions episode!This week, we dive into two wildly relatable ADHD relationship posts: one about a partner claiming “you lost your sparkle” (eye roll), and another spiraling over chores, shame, and new-job burnout. We unpack toxic dynamics, people-pleasing, clutter blindness, and why you’re not weaponizing incompetence. For more on this topic: Listen: ADHD, ch
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 2: She wrote the book on women, shame, and ADHD
In the next episode of Climbing the Walls, we meet Sari Solden — who was looking for answers. Why was she having memory issues? Why couldn’t she get her life organized? Where did this feeling of deep shame come from?Sari’s books have changed the lives of generations of women with ADHD. Her early research uncovered the truth that the disorder looks different in women.More on this story:ADHD symptom
Climbing the Walls | Ep. 1: I didn’t want to have ADHD
This month, we’re featuring our limited series Climbing the Walls. Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she explores the surge in ADHD diagnoses among women. She shares her own story and speaks with experts and women across the country to uncover why it’s happening — and why now.In this first episode, when Danielle finds herself among the many women diagnosed with ADHD during the
Trans with ADHD: Finding good care shouldn’t be this hard | Hyperfocus
One of the most urgent ADHD research gaps has to do with ADHD and trans people. We know there are lots of trans folks with ADHD. But when it comes to understanding how best to treat them, it’s a whole different story. That’s why we wanted to talk to someone who knows this experience well. Ivan Hsiao is the founder of Trans Health HQ. He joined this week’s Hyperfocus to share his own diagnosis stor
ADHD impulsivity and saying yes to sex too fast | Sorry, I Missed This
Ever said yes to sex a little too fast and regretted it later? Same. Today we’re joined by psychologist and Understood Expert Dr. Ari Tuckman for a candid talk about impulsivity, ADHD, and intimacy. We’ll dig into the messy mix of consent, shame, and emotional regulation. And we’ll talk about how to slow down, stay curious, and find self-compassion after a spicy decision. For more on this topic: L
ADHD and dating: Why breakups feel like withdrawal
Breakups are hard for everyone. But for women with ADHD, they can feel all-consuming. Dr. J unpacks why heartbreak hits harder when you have ADHD — and how your brain’s reward system, emotional regulation, and executive functions all get thrown off balance. You’ll learn science-backed strategies to stop the mental replay loop, manage impulsivity, and start healing with compassion. If you’ve ever f
The uncertain future of special education in the United States | Hyperfocus
Last month, the Trump administration laid off over 460 people in the U.S. Department of Education. It included nearly everyone in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which enforces federal special education laws. A federal judge has temporarily halted the layoffs, but it’s unclear what will happen next. For people who work in or rely on special education services — including 7.5 milli
ADHD, disordered eating, and getting through the holidays | Sorry, I Missed This
The holidays are here — and so is all the food, family, and sensory overload that can come with them. Host Cate Osborn sits down with Aleta Storch, dietitian, nutritionist, ADHD expert, and founder of Wise Heart Nutrition, to talk about food and ADHD. They cover what disordered eating looks like (and how it’s different from a diagnosed eating disorder), why sensory sensitivities can make meals str
ADHD and dating: Why the spark burns bright (then fades fast)
For many women with ADHD, the spark of a new relationship feels like magic. But what happens when commitment feels like too much to manage?In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains the ADHD brain during the early stages of a new relationship. Learn how ADHD impacts attachment and commitment for some women. Get tips for how to manage coming down from the emotional high when the initial spark fad
Breaking the burnout cycle: How to move forward | Sorry, I Missed This
In the final episode of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” three-part series, host Cate Osborn and Dr. Shauna Pollard explore what comes after burnout. They discuss how burnout can affect your relationships, the importance of communicating your needs clearly, and how to reflect on past experiences to avoid repeating patterns. Cate and Dr. Shauna also shares practical tips for tuning in to yourself,
ADHD and dating: Why casual dating never feels casual
Why do some women with ADHD rush through the courting stage? Dr. Monica Johnson explains what happens in the ADHD brain during courting.From intense texting to early intimacy, the courting stage can look very different for women with ADHD. In this episode, find out what happens in the ADHD brain during courting. Learn how to recognize the difference between real chemistry and manipulation. And get
Suicidal ideation, masking, and overlooked ADHD: A Coast Guard veteran’s story | Hyperfocus
Inattentive ADHD often goes unnoticed. It’s an easier type of ADHD to miss because it’s more internal and less outwardly visible than its hyperactive, impulsive counterpart. But left unaddressed, inattentive ADHD can be just as disruptive.Boys with the inattentive type are especially overlooked — they don’t match the stereotype of what an “ADHD boy” is supposed to look like.So when Brandon Saiz wr
Breaking the burnout cycle: What is rest? | Sorry, I Missed This
Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s a signal that your body needs real rest. Dr. Shauna Pollard is back for the second episode in our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series to answer the question: What is rest? Cate and Dr. Pollard talk about what true, restorative rest looks like (hint: it’s not just zoning out on your phone), and how to start taking small, doable steps toward rest when you’re already d
ADHD and dating: Why crushes feel so intense
Have you ever met someone and suddenly you’re imagining your wedding playlist — all before the first date? Dr. Monica Johnson weighs in on the science behind crushes and the ADHD brain.In this episode, you’ll learn:What’s happening in your brain during a crushWhy women with ADHD often fall fast and hard in relationshipsHow to stay grounded in reality without completely shutting downFor more on thi
What could the AI boom mean for neurodivergent people? | Hyperfocus
Artificial intelligence has cemented itself as the latest world-altering technology. It follows the same lineage as electricity, the television, the internet — the list goes on. Depending on who you talk to, AI is the greatest thing ever or the thing that will destroy the world, with lots of room in the middle for discussion and experimentation. But within the bigger AI fascination, there’s a smal
Breaking the burnout cycle: What is burnout? | Sorry, I Missed This
Feeling drained, unmotivated, or stuck in survival mode? In part one of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series, host Cate Osborn and psychologist Dr. Shauna Pollard unpack the question: What is burnout? They explore the signs to watch for, how to recognize when you’re in it, and how it’s different from depression.If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing is burnout, this episode i
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