Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast

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MENTAL HEALTH
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Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright offer support, life management strategies, and time and technology tips, dedicated to anyone looking to take control while living with ADHD.

9 HR AGO

Seeing Ourselves On Screen: ADHD Representation with Matthew Fox

Here's a puzzle that will stop you cold: ADHD has exploded into public consciousness. More diagnoses than ever. More research. More conversations. And yet? Turn on your television. What stares back at you? The class clown. The scatterbrained sidekick. The walking punchline. Something doesn't add up. This disconnect—between lived reality and screen reality—forms the heart of this week’s conversation with Matthew Fox, whose passion for dissecting genre media runs as deep as his own neurodivergent experience. Fox hosts Superhero Ethics and other podcasts that examine the ethics woven through our most beloved stories. But today, they’re hunting bigger game. Consider this: Maria von Trapp. "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" Sound familiar? Fox argues she's ADHD incarnate. Flighty. Unpredictable. Out of focus. The nuns can't pin her down. Neither can we, apparently. Because nobody—not once—uses the words. That's the pattern. Characters burst with hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention challenges. Dennis the Menace in the '50s. Tigger bouncing through the Hundred Acre Wood. Calvin racing after imaginary adventures. All ADHD-coded. None explicitly labeled. Why does this matter? Because children search desperately for themselves in stories. Adults do too, though less consciously. When representation gets frozen in stereotype—or worse, buried in subtext—it shapes how teachers see students, how employers evaluate talent, how we see ourselves. The conversation zigzags through terrain both familiar and startling. Percy Jackson, where ADHD becomes a god-given power. Phil Dunphy, the endearing but scattered dad. Jake Peralta solving crimes through controlled chaos. Then the darker territory: Barney Stinson using ADHD as an excuse for predatory behavior. But here's where it gets interesting. Fox notices something that escaped everyone else: the gender patterns. Hyperactive male character? Meet his organized, grounding female partner. It's everywhere once you see it. Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Modern Family. New Girl. The narrative is always the same—love of a steady woman tames the chaotic man. And buried within all of this lies a more uncomfortable truth. In our hunger to see ourselves on screen, we claim characters who were never intended as representation. We read ADHD into Kirk and Spock, into Hiccup and his dragon, into anyone who shows even a glimmer of recognition. Is that enough? Should it be? Whether you're searching for positive examples for your children or trying to untangle how decades of media have shaped your own relationship with neurodivergence, this conversation might just shift how you watch ... everything. Links & Notes Shows and Movies Modern Family - Phil Dunphy as ADHD-coded characterBrooklyn Nine-Nine - Jake Peralta as positive ADHD representationHow I Met Your Mother - Barney Stinson as problematic ADHD portrayalNew Girl - Nick and Jess relationship dynamicThe Simpsons - Bart Simpson and Ritalin episode (2000)Community - Abed Nadir as autism-coded characterParenthood (TV series) - Autism representationArrow - Felicity Smoak as ADHD-coded characterK-pop Demon Hunter - Zoe as positive ADHD representationThe Sound of Music - Maria von Trapp as ADHD-codedFinding Nemo/Finding Dory - Dory as ADHD representationHow to Train Your Dragon - Hiccup as ADHD-codedBooks and Characters Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan - ADHD as demigod traitCalvin and Hobbes - Calvin as ADHD-codedDennis the Menace - Classic hyperactive representationWinnie the Pooh characters as neurodivergent representationPodcasts by Matthew Fox The Ethical PandaSuperhero EthicsStar Wars GenerationsMarvel Movie Minute (co-hosted with Pete Wright)The Once and Future Parent(Coming soon!)Links & Notes Support the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:22) - Support the Show and Become a Patron! (01:58) - The ADHD Representation Paradox (02:48) - Introducing Matthew Fox ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

46 min
25 SEPT

ADHD, Emotions, and Rewriting Your Money Story with Nicole Stanley

Money is rarely just about math—it’s about stories, habits, emotions, and, for ADHDers, often a deep sense of shame. In this episode, Pete and Nikki sit down with Nicole Stanley, financial coach and founder of Arise Financial Coaching, to unpack the hidden ways ADHD intersects with our finances—and how we can finally start to build a healthier, ADHD-friendly relationship with money. Nicole shares her own diagnosis journey and the challenges of postpartum depression, financial anxiety, and feeling “not enough” as a new mom. From there, she walks us through how our early experiences shape money beliefs (most of us make up our financial mindset by age seven!), and why traditional budgeting advice so often fails the ADHD brain. This conversation is a blueprint for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or just exhausted trying to “do money right.” Nicole reframes key concepts: how to spot the real root of your financial stress, why automating your systems might be better than trying to “budget harder,” and how to emotionally connect to your goals so you’re actually excited to follow through. Plus: what financial coaches really do, how ADHDers can leverage dopamine to create a positive money loop, and the five core financial problems that every person needs to identify before they can move forward. Whether you’re in credit card debt, unsure where your money’s going, or just sick of feeling behind—this episode is your permission to drop the shame and start where you are. Links & Notes Arise Financial CoachingYNAB (You Need A Budget)Become a Supporting MemberJoin the ADHD Discord CommunityDig into the podcast Shownotes DatabaseBooks Mentioned in This Episode: The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. CollinsYour Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe DominguezI Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit SethiHappy Money by Ken HondaYou mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?! by Kate Kelly & Peggy RamundoDie with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins (00:00) - Introducing Nicole Stanley (01:55) - Nicole's ADHD Journey (04:43) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (07:30) - ADHD Money Assumptions (13:17) - The Areas of our Financial Lives (17:57) - What does it mean to "retire well?" (33:22) - The Five Potential Problems in Your Financial Life (40:37) - Coaching, Counseling, Advising, Accounting ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

50 min
18 SEPT

ADHD Meets the Budget Nerds: Give Every Dollar with a Job with Ben and Ernie

GPS is Now Open! Visit https://takecontroladhd.com/gps to learn more and take control of your planning today! Money and ADHD: two words that often stir up stress, shame, or avoidance. But what if we stopped thinking of planning as punishment and instead saw it as a path to clarity, confidence, and even peace of mind? This week, Pete and Nikki welcome Ben Barlowe and Ernie Reppe—the Budget Nerds of YNAB—to talk about why the word budgeting is going out of style and how we’re still all-in on the money mindset. They share how to build a money mindset that’s about purpose, not restriction, and why giving every dollar a job is the simple shift that makes all the difference. From impulse spending and forgotten bills to shame spirals and the fear of facing financial reality, this conversation gets real about the unique challenges ADHD brings to money management—and how to take the sting out of them. Whether you’re brand new to planning your finances or you’ve tried before and burned out, this is your invitation to make peace with your money and take back control. Links & Notes Getting Started with YNAB with Ben and ErnieYNAB for High Income EarnersGet your 34-day Trial of YNABSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (03:08) - Become a Patron at patreon.com/theadhdpodcast (03:29) - ADHD and Money with Ben Barlow and Ernie Reppe from the Budget Nerds (13:48) - The Budgeting Mindset: Give Every Dollar a Job (24:00) - What are the big questions to help you start your money plan? 🎯 Ready to turn your planning chaos into clarity? Take a look at Guided Planning Sessions (GPS)—from getting started to mastering your weekly routines. Whether you’re just picking your tools or refining a system that finally sticks, GPS gives you the structure, support, and community you need to make it happen. Explore more and join today at TakeControlADHD.com/GPS. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

51 min
11 SEPT

ADHD and that Side Hustle Life

GPS is Now Open! Visit https://takecontroladhd.com/gps to learn more and take control of your planning today! Side hustles can be exciting, creative, and empowering—especially when you have ADHD. But they can also be overwhelming, unsustainable, and, let’s be real, joy-draining if you’re not careful. In this kickoff to our new series on ADHD and money, we’re talking all things side gig—from handmade crafts and tutoring gigs to late-night freelance projects and full-on mini-businesses. We break down the benefits and challenges of turning your interests into income, while exploring the emotional and executive function landmines that too often get left out of the conversation. We look at the upsides: hyperfocus, creativity, independence, and the opportunity to build something meaningful on your own terms. And we also name the hard stuff: shiny object syndrome, burnout, disorganization, and the pressure to monetize every hobby. Whether you’re side hustling by choice or necessity, we’ve got practical strategies to help you stay on track—planning tools, body doubling, automation tips, and pacing ideas that won’t crush your ADHD brain. So before you burn the midnight oil trying to ship Etsy orders and do your day job, take a breath and join us for a real talk about protecting your energy, your time, and your joy. (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (03:42) - Side Hustles 🎯 Ready to turn your planning chaos into clarity? Take a look at Guided Planning Sessions (GPS)—from getting started to mastering your weekly routines. Whether you’re just picking your tools or refining a system that finally sticks, GPS gives you the structure, support, and community you need to make it happen. Explore more and join today at TakeControlADHD.com/GPS. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

39 min
4 SEPT

The Science of Sound and Focus with Brain.fm's Dr. Kevin J.P. Woods

Music isn’t just background noise—it can be a tool. This week, we’re joined by Dr. Kevin J.P. Woods, cognitive neuroscientist and Director of Science at Brain.fm, to explore the science behind audio designed to do something: improve focus, enhance rest, and support attention regulation, especially for ADHD brains. Dr. Woods breaks down the neuroscience of “functional music,” explaining how Brain.fm uses phase-locking, neural oscillations, and lab-validated protocols to guide your brain toward desired cognitive states. We dig into why ADHD brains might respond especially well to this kind of auditory support—and how students and adults alike can use it to manage study sessions, reduce overwhelm, and even fall asleep more easily. If you’ve ever tried to study to lo-fi beats, felt overwhelmed by silence, or needed a reliable way to shift your brain into focus mode, this one’s for you. Links & Notes 🎧 Brain.fm – Get a special 30-day free trial to give it a real spin!🧠 Follow Dr. Kevin J.P. Woods on LinkedIn📝 Learn more about how we support students with ADHD at Take Control ADHDSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (02:33) - Introducing Kevin Woods, Ph.D. and Brain FM (03:29) - The Cavalier Setup (10:23) - Entrainment (15:35) - Audio and the ADHD Brain (18:55) - Audio and Emotional Regulation (20:44) - Expectation Affect (22:51) - Realistic Expectations and Use (25:57) - Context Switching and Friction (28:45) - Who makes the music? (32:20) - One more thing on Context Switching (38:25) - How are people using it? (42:28) - Yet to come... (45:21) - Get Brain.FM ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

46 min
28 AUG

Making it Stick! Memory and ADHD for College with Daniella Karidi, Ph.D.

Memory isn’t just about recall — it’s about learning, encoding, storing, and retrieving information in ways that actually work with your brain. In this conversation, Pete Wright and Nikki Kinzer continue the ADHD in College series with returning guest Dr. Daniella Karidi, diving deep into the practical study strategies that help students and adults build lasting memory. From note-taking that actually supports learning, to strategies for sleep, nutrition, and asking for help, Daniella lays out a roadmap that makes studying less overwhelming and more effective. Whether you’re heading into a new semester, studying for certification, or just trying to remember what’s in that self-help book you just read, this episode gives you tools that can help you work with your ADHD brain — not against it. Links & Notes Join Focus on ADHD Books | BookclubsSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:49) - Daniella Karidi, Ph.D. (04:42) - Predicting Success in College (21:03) - The Classroom Experience (28:34) - Repetition and Finding Distinction in Information (40:08) - Energy (44:54) - Asking for Help ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

54 min
21 AUG

ADHD College Planning • Office Hours for Your Brain

Welcome to Season 31 of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast! In this episode, Pete and Nikki kick off the Back-to-School Series for college students with ADHD by tackling one of the most essential—and overwhelming—skills for academic success: planning. From understanding the logic of a syllabus to building an ADHD-friendly workflow using calendars, task managers, and learning management systems, this episode is packed with practical, real-world strategies to help students plan smarter, not harder. You’ll learn how to create your “College Workbox,” build semester-overview tools, and develop weekly and daily habits that support executive function and reduce academic stress. Pete also brings in insights from his experience as a former university faculty member to help students understand what instructors actually notice—and what they don’t. Whether you’re starting your first year or returning to campus as an adult student, this is your guide to planning a semester that works for your brain. Links & Notes Support the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:38) - College Planning (04:20) - The College Workbox (13:46) - The Syllabus ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

26 min
12 AUG

Inbox Zero-ish: A Shame-Free Email Update with Melissa and Pete

GPS is Now Open! Visit https://takecontroladhd.com/gps to learn more and take control of your planning today! In this bonus drop for all listeners, Pete and Melissa peel back the curtain on their personal email habits—and how ADHD continues to complicate even the simplest message. This is the fifth installment in the ongoing email challenge (the first four were re-released to Patreon earlier this year), and it’s a rich mix of confession, coaching, and curiosity. We recap where the challenge began in 2018 and what we’ve learned since then: How triage habits evolve (and fail) over timeThe mental and emotional load of email procrastinationThe shame spiral of watching your unread count climb into oblivionThen we shift into what’s new: Melissa’s accidental inbox apocalypsePete’s haunted January shame projectTools that actually reduce friction: Gmail + Gemini, Superhuman, Spark, and a candid look at MailbirdAI’s promise in cutting through clutter without replacing your brainThe challenge of confusing your workbox with your inboxMelissa is launching a personal email rehab project and will be posting updates in Patreon for Deluxe members and above. Pete’s committing to finally clearing out that January shame stack. And together, they’re setting the stage for a December follow-up episode—because this work isn’t one-and-done, it’s ongoing. 🧠 Key Takeaways: Triage isn’t the problem—action is.Email should be emotion-free (but often isn’t).AI isn’t the enemy—it might just be the assistant we’ve always needed.If you feel bad about your email habits, you’re not alone—and that doesn’t mean you’re broken.📌 Links Mentioned: SuperhumanSpark EmailMailbirdGmail + Gemini (00:00) - The Email 2025 Update! (05:24) - The Season Recap (07:36) - Where are you now? (16:01) - What did we not tackle? (28:48) - The Inbox and The Workbox 🎯 Ready to turn your planning chaos into clarity? Take a look at Guided Planning Sessions (GPS)—from getting started to mastering your weekly routines. Whether you’re just picking your tools or refining a system that finally sticks, GPS gives you the structure, support, and community you need to make it happen. Explore more and join today at TakeControlADHD.com/GPS. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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TRAILER

Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast

New season, new trailer! For you new listeners just checking us out, welcome! We're thrilled to have you! Join the Community: https://takecontroladhd.com/discordPinterest, Instagram, Facebook: @takecontroladhd ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

S29

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1 min

Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright offer support, life management strategies, and time and technology tips, dedicated to anyone looking to take control while living with ADHD.