ADHD Alchemy Podcast
ADHD Alchemy Podcast, hosted by Jessica Covington, explores the experience of living with ADHD, especially for women who feel overwhelmed by chaos and shame. The show blends personal stories with expert guests, focusing on the body-mind connection to help listeners harness their unique potential. It aims to quiet self-criticism, rebuild trust, and create a calmer, more focused life without apology. Each episode encourages embracing ADHD as a different way of thinking, not a deficiency.
Episodes
ADHD Executive Dysfunction in Women: Why “Just Start” Doesn’t Work (and What Actually Does)
Today Jessica talks to Crystal Chittick—writer, founder, and unfiltered life guide—about what it really means to live, work, and build a life with ADHD when your brain doesn’t follow conventional rules.Crystal shares her late discovery of ADHD alongside becoming a mother—and how that collision forced her to re-evaluate everything: how she learns, how she works, and how she defines success.This con
From Misfit to Meaning: ADHD, Identity, and Finding Your People
What if the thing you’ve spent years trying to “fix”… is actually the thread that connects you to your people?In this episode, Jessica sits down with Christine Polite to explore what it really means to grow up feeling like a misfit—and how that identity can quietly become your greatest source of connection, clarity, and self-trust.Christine shares her nonlinear career path (including a Cake Boss a
Why We Need to Find the ADHD Girls Earlier—and What Five Minutes Can Change
Today Jessica talks with Cynthia Hammer and Kristan Shimpi, two leading advocates working to make sure girls with ADHD are recognized, supported, and understood before years of shame and misunderstanding take hold.Cynthia is the founder of Find the ADHD Girls and Executive Director of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition. Diagnosed with ADHD at 49, she turned her own late discovery into a lifelong missi
ADHD, Movement, and Finding Focus When Your To-Do List Feels Impossible
Today Jessica talks with Ashley Grant about movement, ADHD overwhelm, and why getting your body moving can change far more than your fitness level.Ashley shares how she went from a childhood full of dance, tae kwon do, and activity to nearly two decades of sedentary work—and how one decision to take movement seriously changed the way she feels, works, and sees herself. What began as a personal com
Late-Diagnosed ADHD, Perimenopause, and Reclaiming Your Power in Midlife
Today Jessica talks with Lisa Barwise about late-diagnosed ADHD, midlife transformation, and what happens when perimenopause, burnout, and self-understanding collide.Lisa shares how years of being the “healthiest lazy person you know” eventually gave way to a diagnosis that helped explain so much of her life, and why self-compassion mattered more than trying to fix herself.This conversation also e
Late-Diagnosed ADHD in High-Achieving Women: Masking, Grief, and Reclaiming Your Brain
What if the reason life feels harder than it “should” isn’t a personal failure—but a different way your brain works?In this episode, Jessica sits down with licensed mental health counselor Amelia Howard to explore the deeply layered experience of late-identified ADHD in high-achieving women. Together, they unpack the hidden cost of competence, the emotional toll of masking, and the grief that can
ADHD, Motherhood & the Myth of “Normal”: Redefining Disability, Rest, and Self-Advocacy with Gabriella Mooney
What if the problem isn’t you… it’s the world you’ve been trying to fit into?In this conversation, Gabriella Mooney shares what happened when her son’s ADHD diagnosis cracked something open in her—and how it led her to finally recognize her own brain.We go beyond the usual ADHD talking points and into something deeper: the quiet accommodations she was already making, the exhaustion of motherhood l
Is ADHD Really Neurodivergent? Rethinking Neurodiversity and “Normal” Brains
Is ADHD really “neurodivergent” — and if so, what exactly is it diverging from?In this short solo episode of ADHD Alchemy, Jessica questions the idea that there is one “normal” kind of brain and everything else is a deviation from it.What if neurodiversity isn’t an exception to the rule, but the rule itself?Jessica digs into the meaning of normal, the biological variation found throughout the livi
How Movement Rewires the ADHD Brain: Exercise, Emotional Regulation, and Self-Trust
What if movement isn’t just “good for you”—but one of the most powerful tools for regulating an ADHD brain?In this episode, I sit down with Emmy Rousseau, transformational speaker, fitness instructor, and fellow Intensati leader, to explore the profound connection between movement and the mind. We talk about Emmy’s late ADHD realization, the hidden shame of being a high-achieving woman who looked
Late-Diagnosed ADHD, Nervous System Awareness, and Learning to Pause
Today Jessica talks with Nicole Hope, author of "Calm Is Power," about ADHD, stress, and the surprising power of learning to listen to the body.Nicole shares how years of anxiety, overwork, and physical burnout eventually led her to a deeper understanding of nervous system regulation, behavior, and what true calm can actually look like.This conversation also explores the connection between body aw
ADHD Overwhelm and Burnout: Building A System That Actually Works
Today Jessica talks to Monica Walston about ADHD overwhelm, burnout, and the relief that comes from building a structure that actually fits your brain.Monica shares what it was like to realize she had ADHD in her 40s, how shame shows up when overwhelm turns into shutdown, and why perfectionism kept getting in the way of progress.This conversation also gets into the real-life pressure of managing m
Is ADHD a Superpower? My Honest Take.
Plot twist: today it’s just me.Several recent guests have described ADHD as a superpower, and listeners who know me well have asked why I didn’t correct them. The short answer is that there was nothing to correct. If calling ADHD a superpower helps someone understand and embrace their experience, I’m not going to take that away from them.But the word doesn’t work for me. Growing up undiagnosed, I
ADHD in Women: Emotional Regulation, Justice Sensitivity, and Building a Business That Fits Your Brain
What does ADHD look like in women who were labeled “smart but not applying themselves”? In this episode with Kim Steen, we explore late-diagnosed ADHD, emotional dysregulation, justice sensitivity, time blindness, task paralysis, and entrepreneurship. You’ll hear how interest-based nervous systems shape school performance, why impulsivity can fuel small business success, and how movement supports
Why ADHD Looks Like “Wandering” — And Why That’s Actually a Strength
"ADHD wandering" is often misunderstood as distraction or lack of direction—but for many neurodivergent adults, it’s actually a powerful way of thinking, learning, and creating impact.In this episode with Dr. LaToya Hinton, we explore how ADHD curiosity, nonlinear career paths, and pattern recognition fuel innovation, leadership, and community building—especially for women navigating business, aca
ADHD Systems That Actually Work: How High Performers Build Structure Without Shame
Today, Jessica talks to Jordan Barker—tech leader, mom of two, and emerging coach—about what it really looks like to work with an ADHD brain instead of constantly fighting it.Diagnosed in early childhood, Jordan brings a rare perspective: she’s spent her life not just aware of ADHD, but actively designing systems that allow her to thrive in high-performance environments like Microsoft and Azure.Bu
ADHD, Fear of Growth, and Modeling Bravery for Your Child
Living with ADHD often means learning how to manage fear, self-doubt, and the feeling of being “stuck”—especially when you’re also trying to model courage and growth for your child.In this episode, Ryan Vik shares her lifelong experience with ADHD, being diagnosed young, rejecting shame, and slowly learning how to push past fear by doing things before she feels ready. From creating “mini-adventure
Late ADHD Diagnosis in Women: Misdiagnosis, Self-Advocacy, and Learning to Work With Your Brain
What if the thing you’ve been told is depression… isn’t the full story?In this episode, we talk with Mindi Alexander about what it’s like to finally recognize ADHD as an adult — especially after years of feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and overwhelmed by treatments that never quite addressed the real problem.Our guest shares her journey through autoimmune illness, multiple specialists, and a
How Neurodivergent Trauma Shapes Relationships, Time Blindness, and Self-Trust
What if the hardest parts of ADHD aren’t about focus or productivity — but about relationships, shame, and feeling safe with other people?In this episode with Harris Eddie Hill, we explore how neurodivergent brains are shaped by early relational experiences, especially when childhood includes chronic criticism, misunderstanding, or unmet emotional needs. You’ll hear why ADHD and autistic children
ADHD, Big Ideas, and Learning to Say No Without Burning Out
For many women with ADHD or executive function challenges, life is full of big ideas, constant motion, and relentless pressure to do it all—until burnout hits.In this episode, Heather Cleverly shares what it’s been like navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, leadership, and a possible late ADHD diagnosis while learning how to simplify instead of constantly pushing harder.From running multiple bu
Living With ADHD Later in Life: Work, Overstimulation, and Finding What Actually Works
Being diagnosed with ADHD later in life often means spending years believing you were “defective,” lazy, or not trying hard enough—before realizing your brain was simply wired differently.In this episode, Lori Cobbs shares what it’s been like living with ADHD for over two decades, navigating work, motherhood, overstimulation, and burnout while slowly building a toolbox that actually supports her b
Why Generic Advice Fails Neurodivergent Brains (and What Actually Helps Instead)
If you’ve ever followed well-meaning advice and still felt stuck, broken, or misunderstood — this episode is for you.In this conversation with writer Jeanette Smith, we unpack why most advice is built for the “average” brain, and why that model breaks down for neurodivergent thinkers. We explore how ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other overlapping diagnoses can complicate communication — especially i
Late ADHD Diagnosis in High-Achieving Women: From Shame and Misdiagnosis to Self-Trust
What if the very traits that made you successful are the same ones that kept your ADHD hidden for decades?In this candid and deeply affirming conversation, we unpack what late ADHD diagnosis looks like for high-achieving women — especially those who were the “good girl,” the capable one, the leader, the stoic, the high performer.We talk about:Growing up undiagnosed and shrinking to fitBeing labele
When Your Brain Is “Too Much”: ADHD, Chronic Illness, Shame, and Learning to Trust Yourself
What happens when a “fancy brain” collides with chronic illness, medical trauma, and a world that keeps demanding simplicity from someone inherently complex?In this deeply human conversation, I sit down with attorney-turned-disability advocate Alisa Aczel to talk about late-diagnosed neurodivergence, shame, chronic conditions, intuition, and the emotional exhaustion of trying to explain a life tha
ADHD in Women: Postpartum Brain, Masking, Burnout, and the Identity Shift No One Expects
Motherhood changes your brain. Literally.In this conversation, we explore the complex overlap between ADHD in women, postpartum brain, burnout, and identity shifts that often surface in midlife.Sara brings a therapist’s lens to the nuanced question so many women ask:Is this ADHD — or is this just motherhood?We unpack how hormone changes, sleep deprivation, and the fourth trimester can temporarily
ADHD Motivation, Structure, and Dopamine: Why Gamifying Your Life Actually Works
People with ADHD aren’t struggling because they lack discipline.They’re struggling because they’re trying to function inside systems that were never designed for the way their brains work.In this episode, Jessica talks with Heather, founder of Quests for Success, about what happens when you stop trying to force productivity through shame and start building systems that work with your brain instead
ADHD, Burnout, and Consistency: How to Build a Flexible Life and Business That Actually Works
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly behind — in your business, your house, or your relationships — this episode is for you.In this episode, I sit down with brand and web designer Tabitha DeSeranno to talk about the real, messy intersection of ADHD and entrepreneurship. We unpack the pressure to be “consistent,” the burnout that comes from forcing rigid productivity systems, and the freedom
ADHD in Relationships: Curiosity, Compassion, and Ending the Shame Spiral
What happens when ADHD shows up inside a relationship? Therapist Ashley Ludwinski explains how curiosity, emotional awareness, and compassion can replace shame spirals—helping couples understand each other and communicate better.ADHD doesn’t just affect the person who has it—it also shapes the dynamics of their closest relationships.In this episode, Jessica talks with licensed clinical social work
Midlife Brain Fog, ADHD, and Raising Neurodivergent Girls
What happens when brain fog, midlife changes, and possible ADHD traits collide—and you’re also raising the next generation of girls?In this episode, award-winning journalist and author Kate Rope joins the conversation to talk honestly about midlife brain fog, executive function challenges, perimenopause, and what she learned from interviewing neurodivergent girls for her latest book, Strong as a G
ADHD, Postpartum Identity Shifts, and Building Brain-Friendly Systems That Actually Work
When the systems that once worked suddenly stop working… it can feel like you’ve lost yourself.In this conversation, Jessica sits down with Kelly Lopez, founder of Life Between Systems, to explore what happens when ADHD traits, motherhood, and entrepreneurship overlap.Kelly shares her journey from 12 years in corporate operations to building a business while raising three children — including a to
Gifted, ADHD, and Twice-Exceptional: Rewriting the Shame Story for Neurodivergent Adults
If you were the “smart kid” who somehow still felt behind… this episode is for you.Jessica sits down with clinical psychologist and neurodiversity expert Dr. Matt Zakreski to explore the powerful — and often misunderstood — overlap between giftedness and ADHD.They unpack what it means to be twice-exceptional (2e): highly intelligent and neurodivergent at the same time. For many adults, especially
ADHD in Women: Impostor Syndrome, Emotional Overwhelm & Learning to Trust Yourself
ADHD, impostor syndrome, and emotional overwhelm—how women learn to trust themselves and let go of shame.Today, Jessica talks to Melissa Goodwin—speaker, author, business owner, and self-described “all-in or all-off” ADHD brain—about what it really feels like to navigate life as a high-achieving woman with late-diagnosed ADHD.Melissa shares her journey from being labeled “too much” as a child to b
Was It ADHD All Along? Misdiagnosis, Masking, and Late Diagnosis in Women
Many women with ADHD are first diagnosed (or misdiagnosed) with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. In this episode, we explore late ADHD diagnosis, masking, emotional intensity, and how reclaiming your neurodivergent identity can transform shame into self-understanding.In this conversation, Jessica speaks with occupational therapist Josie Jarvis about the long and often confusing journey ma
ADHD Burnout and the Nervous System: Why High-Achieving Women Hit the Performance Cliff
ADHD is often framed as either a superpower or a disability—but neither story fully tells the truth.In this episode, performance scientist and ADHD coach Dr. Saara Haapanen shares a grounded, science-backed perspective on what ADHD actually is, why so many high-achieving adults go undiagnosed for decades, and how understanding motivation can change everything.Drawing from her experience as an elit
ADHD Burnout in Mothers: Nervous System Overload, Transitions, and the “Frequency Holder” Effect
Many women who suspect or live with ADHD describe a similar experience: life often feels like trying to function without the guidebook everyone else seems to have received.In this episode of ADHD Alchemy, Jessica speaks with embodiment practitioner Lisa Holz about nervous system sensitivity, motherhood burnout, and the deeper body-mind dynamics that shape how neurodivergent women move through the
Is Homeschooling Better for Kids With ADHD?
Homeschooling for ADHD kids can boost confidence, focus, and learning—when it’s done the right way.Homeschooling alone is often misunderstood, and that's especially true for kids with learning differences—but when education is personalized, strength-based, and experiential, it can completely transform a child’s confidence and ability to learn.In this episode, we explore why traditional school envi
ADHD, Masking, and Learning to Live Authentically
Late-diagnosed ADHD often means years of masking—this episode explores identity, grief, and coming home to yourself.Many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in life—after years of masking, self-blame, and wondering why life felt so much harder than it seemed for everyone else.In this episode, certified master life coach Emily Johnson shares her journey to a late ADHD diagnosis, the grief and relie
ADHD, Business, and the Loud Inner Critic (How Women Actually Cope): Nicole Foley
Women with ADHD in business face burnout, shame, and a loud inner critic—this episode talks about what actually helps.Running a business with ADHD can feel like a constant cycle of excitement, burnout, self-doubt, and starting over—especially for women who were diagnosed later in life.In this episode, we talk honestly about ADHD, entrepreneurship, and the inner critic that tells so many women they
ADHD in Smart Women: Why You Always Feel Behind — and What’s Really Happening (Welcome to ADHD Alchemy)
ADHD in women is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or missed entirely.In this podcast, holistic ADHD coach Jessica Covington explores the science, stories, and strategies that help bright, sensitive women work with their ADHD brains instead of fighting them.ADHD Alchemy is a podcast about transforming the ADHD experience—from shame and overwhelm into clarity, self-trust, and real momentum.Through
Late-Diagnosed ADHD, Recovery, and Building a Business That Actually Works
Late-diagnosed ADHD can change how you work, rest, and build a business—this episode shows what that looks like in real life.Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can change everything—how you work, how you rest, how you build habits, and how you run a business.In this episode, Alyssa Moorhead shares her journey through addiction recovery, a late ADHD diagnosis, and learning how to build a busine
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