Hacking Your ADHD

William Curb
  • 4.8 (95)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD, where you can learn techniques for helping your ADHD brain. ADHD can be a struggle, but it doesn't always have to be. Join me every Monday as I explore ways that you can work with your ADHD brain to do more of the things you want to do. If you have ADHD or someone in your life does and you want to get organized, get focused and get motivated then this podcast is for you.

  1. 1D AGO

    Breaking Down Tasks and Big Feelings with Vanessa Gorelkin (Rebroadcast)

    For this week's episode, we are dipping into the archives to revisit a conversation that resonated with so many of you. I'm talking with Vanessa Gorelkin, a seasoned occupational therapist and ADHD coach who's been working in the field for nearly 30 years. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis (Bran-Dice) University and a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from NYU. She specializes in executive function strategies, emotional regulation, and anxiety management, and she brings a unique perspective to helping adults with ADHD navigate the day-to-day. In this encore presentation, we discuss: The "Want-to-Do" Gap: Why we struggle even with the tasks we actually enjoy. The Anxiety Connection: How anxiety and executive dysfunction team up to create a cycle of frustration. Strategy Decay: Why tools that work perfectly for a month inevitably seem to stop working. Practical Regulation: How to break down tasks so they feel doable and why you need a "crisis plan" before the crisis actually hits. Whether you missed this the first time around or just need a refresher on these strategies, there is so much gold in this episode. You can still find all the links and resources mentioned in this episode on the original show notes page at: HackingYourADHD.com/215 This Episode's Top Tips 1. If something feels overwhelming, try breaking it down into micro-steps. Even something like getting out of bed can be broken into "sit up," "put feet on the floor," and "stand up." In more practical ways, we could think of this as starting out as just opening the document you need to work on, adding the formatting, and starting your first sentence. The idea is you want to build momentum and go with the flow. 2. Be mindful of language; words like "just" and "should" can be damaging. Instead of "I should just wash the dishes," you can reframe it as "I could wash the dishes," and then also if you need a little bit more asking yourself, "What's making this difficult, and how can I work with it?" 3. It's important to have a crisis plan ready before you need it. When emotional overwhelm hits, it's hard to think through what you need. You can pre-plan strategies like a weighted blanket, a favorite show, or calling a friend so you don't have to figure it out at the moment.

    51 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Research Recap with Skye: The ADHD and IBS Connection

    Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb. Today I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our research recap series. In this series, we dive into a single research paper to see what it says, how it was conducted, and find any practical takeaways. In this episode, we're discussing a paper called "Association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis." It's a fascinating one because they started with nearly 2,000 papers and narrowed it down to 11 high-quality studies. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/262 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

    17 min

  3. DEC 22

    Focused and Balanced: ADHD Strategies That Work w/ Skye Waterson (rebroadcast)

    Today, we're revisiting our conversation with Skye Waterson. Skye is a Doctoral Candidate and ADHD coach who specializes in research-backed tips for navigating life with a neurodivergent brain. We wanted to rebroadcast this episode because our discussion on her book and specifically her approach to calendars and burnout is still some of the most practical advice we've had on the show. Whether you're hearing this for the first time or the second, there is a lot of gold in here. Let's jump back into my talk with Skye Waterson. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at http://hackingyouradhd.com/206 https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/ This Episode's Top Tips Avoid overcomplicating your organizational tools, and try to rely more on basic principles, such as having a capture space, a prioritization system, and a scheduling system. Aim for 80% consistency with your systems and give yourself grace to bounce back after setbacks. No one will ever follow any system perfectly, so work on choosing tools and systems that can adapt to missed days without derailing your progress entirely. Don't forget to prioritize at least a little fun in your planning. Building dopamine into your day through enjoyable activities can help you stay consistent and avoid burnout.

    37 min

  4. DEC 15

    Our Own Worst Enemy (rebroadcast)

    This week, we're revisiting a classic episode inspired by a late '90s pop-punk anthem: "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit. The title of that song perfectly captures a feeling common to those with ADHD. We often feel like our own greatest obstacle, plagued by an endless supply of self-destructive behaviors stemming directly from the condition. Counterproductive manifestations like poor time management, hyper-focusing on low-priority tasks, overcommitting, and procrastination can leave us feeling incredibly frustrated. We're talking about our "worst self"—the version of us that emerges in ways we later regret or that seem to actively work against our own interests. While the internet is full of advice on how to become your best self, the reality is that many of these frustrating behaviors do not reflect our value as people. Instead, they are often a reflection of our unmet needs and coping mechanisms. In this important rebroadcast, we discuss: How this "worst self" manifests in the context of ADHD. Why we should extend a bit more empathy toward these maladaptive behaviors. Practical ways to work on moving forward—not necessarily toward a flawless best self, but at least toward a better one. Tune in to explore this internal conflict and learn how to find compassion for the parts of you that struggle. Support me on Patreon Ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/188 This Episode's Top Tips Approach the idea of your worst self with empathy. Focus on the fact that you developed these maladaptive behaviors for a reason. Pay attention to the situations and emotions that trigger your worst behaviors to anticipate and manage them more effectively. Often, our maladaptive behaviors come out when we're not doing a good job of meeting our basic needs. If we're engaging in numbing behaviors, we can look below the symptoms to try and see what's setting them off.

    15 min

  5. DEC 12

    Research Recap with Skye: Bullying and ADHD

    Welcome to Hacking your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb, and I have ADHD. On this podcast, I dig into the tools, tactics, and best practices to help you work with your ADHD Brain. Today I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our research recap series. In this series, we take a look at a single research paper and dive into what the paper says, how it was conducted, and try and find any practical takeaways. In this episode, we're going to be discussing a paper called Bullying in Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, analyzing Student Social Status, and Student Teacher Relationship Quality. So, a lot to talk about here, and I'm sure this is going to relate to a lot of people. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/261 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

    18 min

  6. DEC 8

    The High Cost of Undiagnosed ADHD with Sarah Templeton

    Hey team, Today, we've got a heavy but necessary topic. We're looking at what happens when ADHD goes unsupported and the stakes get high. In this episode, I'm joined by Sarah Templeton, a counselor, activist, and author of The Prison Counselor. Sarah spent years working inside the UK prison system before getting her own diagnosis at age 51, which led to some massive realizations about the people she was working with. In our conversation today, we look at the startling prevalence of neurodiversity in the prison population and how a lack of diagnosis fuels a cycle of reoffending. We explore the stark reality of the "school to prison pipeline" and the specific ADHD traits that land people in legal trouble. It's not just about being a trouble-maker, but about impulsivity, risk-taking, and a heightened sense of justice. And I know that last one might sound counterintuitive, but don't worry, we get into that in the episode. This is an incredibly important episode to me because I believe that it's one of my jobs to use my privilege as someone with an audience to highlight the struggles in our community from some of our most underserved populations. And our ADHD siblings in prison are definitely a prime example of people who had the system fail them and are now paying the price. Before we get started, I also just wanted to mention that there is some talk of suicide in this episode, so if that is something you are sensitive about, I just wanted to let you know. If you'd like to follow along on the show notes page, you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/260 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD This Episode's Top Tips While we often associate trouble with malice, many people with ADHD end up in legal or social trouble purely because they reacted impulsively to perceived unfairness. Recognizing this trait as a heightened sense of justice can help you pause before intervening in situations that might escalate. Severe boredom can physically feel like pain for the ADHD brain, leading to high-risk behaviors just to feel something. Acknowledging that boredom is a trigger state can help you find safer dopamine outlets before you do something regrettable. When trying to tame an addiction, traditional reduction techniques often fail for ADHD brains because of our "all or nothing" dopamine response. If you are struggling with substance use, ensure your support team understands ADHD, as "just one drink" can trigger a massive dopamine cascade that neurotypical advice doesn't account for. Work on reframing the idea of an excuse vs a reason. If we can understand that our brain wiring causes certain behaviors (like risk-taking), this isn't an excuse to keep doing them; it's the explanation that gives us permission to stop hating ourselves and seek out tools and strategies that can help manage behaviors.

    51 min

  7. DEC 1

    Overcoming Self-Sabotage with Dr. Judy Ho (rebroadcast)

    This week, we are rebroadcasting an insightful earlier episode featuring Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist with a PhD in clinical psychology. She focuses on mental health, ADHD, and various psychological disorders. She is triple board-certified and is a tenured associate professor at Pepperdine University, where she teaches graduate-level psychology. In our conversation, we delve into how ADHD can impact self-esteem, the importance of understanding your brain's wiring, and practical ways to manage attention and relationships. Dr. Ho shares insights into how cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help train your attention and how reframing your thoughts can reduce self-sabotage. Dr. Ho also shares some of her favorite strategies for improving focus, managing emotional regulation, and using mindfulness to tackle ADHD challenges. Whether you're struggling with self-sabotage or finding it hard to keep up with tasks, this episode is packed with tips that will help you thrive with ADHD. If you'd like to send me a question answer on the show feel free to head over to hackingyouradhd.com/contact and click the orange button Support me on Patreon Ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/197

    30 min

  8. NOV 28

    Research Recap with Skye: Hyperfocus in University Students

    Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD. I'm your host, William Curb, and I have ADHD. On this podcast, I dig into the tools, tactics, and best practices to help you work with your ADHD Brain. Today I'm joined by Skye Waterson for our research recap series. In this series, we take a look at a single research paper and dive into what the paper says, how it's conducted, and try and find any practical takeaways. In this episode we're gonna be discussing a paper called The Role of Executive Function in mediating the relationship between Adult ADHD symptoms and hyperfocus in university students. Now I think this is a really interesting subject and how about we just jump right into this. Can you tell me a little bit about this paper? If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at https://HackingYourADHD.com/259 https://tinyurl.com/56rvt9fr - Unconventional Organisation Affiliate link https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD - Patreon

    16 min
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to Hacking Your ADHD, where you can learn techniques for helping your ADHD brain. ADHD can be a struggle, but it doesn't always have to be. Join me every Monday as I explore ways that you can work with your ADHD brain to do more of the things you want to do. If you have ADHD or someone in your life does and you want to get organized, get focused and get motivated then this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    William Curb
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    323
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Hacking Your ADHD
  • Show Website
    Hacking Your ADHD

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