Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom

Lisa Kelly-Willis
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED DAILY

Welcome to the podcast for the woman living at the intersection of a deeply sensitive, empathic soul and a busy ADHD brain. I’m your host, Lisa Kelly-Willis, and I’m here to help you navigate the unique "puzzle" of neurodivergent motherhood in real time. I share honest stories and discuss the the rare paradox of having a soul that craves peace and quiet, but a brain that won't stop talking. This podcast is is here to make highly sensitive ADHD moms feel less alone and prove that our sensitivity is a true gift, even on the days we're overwhelmed.

Episodes

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    HSP & ADHD: I Have RSD, But I’m Not Going to Let It Internally Gaslight Me

    Have you ever felt a shift in the room that no one else noticed, only to tell yourself you’re "just being sensitive"? In this episode, we’re getting real about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). For a long time, I rejected the RSD label because I didn't want to believe I was "malfunctioning." But I’ve realized the real danger isn't the diagnosis—it's the way RSD tries to internally gaslight us into doubting our own perceptions. We aren't broken; we are Hyper Attuners. We’re sensing actual shifts in energy and tension that others miss. It’s time to stop feeling like our emotional volume knob is broken when we’re really just plugged into a much larger amplifier. In this episode, we dive into: Motherhood Earthquakes: Navigating the sting of parental preference and sensing a partner’s unspoken stress. The "Truth Seer" Reality: Why your "Human Wi-Fi" is actually accurate, even if the story your brain tells about it needs checking. From "Crunchy" to Medicated: My raw journey of honoring my nervous system and why "natural" doesn’t have to mean suffering in silence. You aren’t "too much." You’re just the one in the room who sees the truth first. It’s time to stop fixing our feelings and start believing our own hearts. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Clinical Research: Dr. William Dodson on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria The Highly Sensitive Person: Research and resources by Dr. Elaine Aron Community: Join my Facebook Page, Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 Listener Guide: Revisit Episode 3 for the full "PE Teacher" story. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-lifelong-anxiety-about-getting-in-trouble-hsp-adhd-mom/id1888844740?i=1000760281904

    27 min

  2. 3 MAY

    How I'm Resetting My Nervous System: An HSP/ADHD Story

    Description:  In this episode, I’m talking about moving away from the frantic ADHD hyperfocus of "rushing for answers" and learning to actually sense the shifts in my own nervous system. After three months of diving into every book and podcast out there, I’m realizing that my highly sensitive system just needs a break from the noise. I’m sharing the ways I’m staying regulated from turning my iPhone into a "flip phone" to finding grounding roots right here in my Austin neighborhood. I also dive into those quirky ADHD traits I’m just now realizing are "a thing," like playing the same album on repeat. I want to give us all permission to stop working towards being "productive" and just be. I’m letting the mask come off, embracing middle age, and remembering that we aren't doing this alone. Resources Mentioned Books: Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski; The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Podcasts: Motherhood in ADHD, I Have ADHD, and ADHD Mums Connect: Join Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Facebook Page for photos and links to tools https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 ADHD Coach: Barbara Pestien https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ 7 Strategies for Completing the Stress Cycle (From the book Burnout) Physical Activity: Tell your brain the "threat" is over. Breathing: Slow, deep breaths to reset. Positive Social Interaction: A friendly chat to feel safe. Laughter: Deep belly laughs to release pressure. Affection: A 20-second hug for connection. A Big Cry: Letting the physical energy out. Creative Expression: Processing stress through art or music.

    21 min

  3. 28 APR

    Why I Overestimate My Energy: HSP/ADHD Spoon Theory

    I’m being really honest in this episode about a super hard, emotional week I’ve had and why my ADHD brain is constantly writing checks my HSP nervous system can’t cash. I wanted to talk about Spoon Theory through our specific lens as neurodivergent moms—navigating that weird tension where the ADHD side of us wants all the excitement while the high sensitivity is begging for a nap. I’m sharing how I’ve been observing my own energy, especially during social events where I’ve realized I can be in a “stimulation surplus” while being in a total “emotional deficit.” I also get into the nitty-gritty of what’s actually giving me spoons back right now, like Jewel’s lullabies, my weighted blanket, and the “parallel play” I’ve been doing with my kids. I’m even opening up about the practical boundaries I’m setting to survive perimenopause—from my “two-place-a-day” rule to finally letting go of the guilt over having a housecleaner. I’m recording this in one take from my closet because I’m choosing connection over perfection, and I hope it helps you feel a little less alone in your own beautiful, overstimulated life. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Original Spoon Theory: The Spoon Theory essay by Christine Miserandino Sound Medicine: Jewel’s Lullaby album and the music of Eva Cassidy Nervous System Regulation: The Headspace app (meditation and breathing) ADHD Insights: The ADHD with Jenna Free podcast Coaching & Support: Barbara Pestien https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ Connect with Lisa: Join the conversation on the Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306

    43 min

  4. 23 APR

    Letting Go of the Guilt: My HSP/ADHD Transition Fatigue

    Ever wonder why a busy weekend leaves you feeling completely wiped out and agitated, even when it was "just" a soccer tournament? In this episode, I’m getting honest about transition fatigue and why shifting between environments is so draining for highly sensitive ADHD moms. I’m sharing how I’m finally stepping out of the guilt loop and learning to build a life that actually honors my biology—from my “two-location limit” to why I finally bought a "Sorry, we can't play today” sign for my front door. Let’s reframe what productivity looks like in this season, because at the end of the day, our kids don't need a mom who does it all—they just need a consistent, regulated mom.

    27 min

  5. 16 APR

    My Anxiety Breaking Point: 4 Tools for HSP/ADHD Moms

    Description: I’m Lisa Kelly-Willis, and in this episode, I’m talking about that heavy "mental load" we all carry—and why I finally had to stop holding everything in my head before it felt like it was going to explode. I’m getting honest about my own breaking point last summer and how I went from being a "super volunteer" numbing out my feelings to finally admitting that my sensitive ADHD nervous system was just done. I’m sharing the four simple, old-school paper tools that saved my sanity, including my personal planner that is strictly forbidden from ever leaving my house. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or working around the clock, I hope this helps you realize that your brain was meant for way more than just tracking our to-do lists. Let’s get all that noise out of our heads so we can actually have some room for joy again. I'd love to have you join my Facebook page at Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 Resources: ADHD Time Management Toolkit for Adults by Sophia Brooks

    31 min

  6. 8 APR

    My Lifelong Anxiety About "Getting in Trouble" | HSP/ADHD Mom

    For 45 years, anxiety has been my survival strategy—the engine I used to keep my ADHD brain from dropping the ball. In this episode, I’m sharing some of my hardest stories, from being a terrified kid in the dark to a sensory-overload moment at 23 that actually led to an arrest. I’m realizing now that these weren't character flaws or "troublemaker" moments; they were just a highly sensitive, undiagnosed brain trying to survive in a world that wasn't built for it. We’re also talking about the "quiet exhaustion" of being a mom who looks like she has it all together while running on the fumes of anxiety. I’m sharing why I finally felt "seen" by Kim Holderness, and how I’m trying to replace that old, exhausting engine with a little more grace. If you’ve ever felt that sinking feeling over an expired license or an unsent email, I want you to know you aren’t alone. We’re letting go of being "perfect" and just being authentic—even if it’s one voice memo at a time.

    30 min

  7. 2 APR

    "Mommy Likes to Organize": Living with an HSP/ADHD Mom

    Description:  In my last episode, I shared my diagnosis story and let’s just say, wow, I had a total vulnerability hangover afterwards. This week, I’m being an open book again and sharing what my family actually sees. I asked my husband and kids for the "good and the hard" parts of having a highly sensitive ADHD mom in the house, and their honesty was both heart-warming and a little eye-opening. We’re talking about everything from my wide-open cabinets and "doom piles" to the funny way my daughter describes my need to organize. I’m also getting really real about how hard it is for my brain to just listen sometimes, and why I’m challenging myself to put my phone away and be more present for the people I love. If you’ve ever felt like that paddling duck trying to look calm while your legs are moving a mile a minute under the water, I hope this makes you feel a little less alone. We’re just figuring this puzzle out together. Resources Mentioned: ​Podcast: I Have ADHD with Kristen Carder

    26 min

  8. 26 MAR

    My Mid-Life ADHD Diagnosis: The “Wait... What?” Moment

    I thought it was just perimenopause, a busy “mom” brain,” and my lifelong high sensitivity. But a single, confusing moment during my daughter’s piano lesson cracked the code to my entire life. Join me, Lisa Kelly-Willis, for the very first episode of the Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Podcast. I’m sharing the raw, unfiltered story of how my 7-year-old daughter and I were both diagnosed with ADHD just two months ago. If you’ve ever felt like a “paddling duck”—appearing calm on the surface while kicking frantically underneath—this episode is for you. We’re talking about mid-life diagnoses, the overlap of sensory overload and ADHD, and why I’m choosing “done over perfect.”

    14 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Welcome to the podcast for the woman living at the intersection of a deeply sensitive, empathic soul and a busy ADHD brain. I’m your host, Lisa Kelly-Willis, and I’m here to help you navigate the unique "puzzle" of neurodivergent motherhood in real time. I share honest stories and discuss the the rare paradox of having a soul that craves peace and quiet, but a brain that won't stop talking. This podcast is is here to make highly sensitive ADHD moms feel less alone and prove that our sensitivity is a true gift, even on the days we're overwhelmed.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Kelly-Willis
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Kelly-Willis
  • Show Website
    Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom