Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD

David A Greenwood
  • 4.4 (115)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with Adult ADHD takes a street-smart approach to managing adult ADHD. This is THE podcast for busy professional adults, including business owners, entrepreneurs, CEO's, marketing and creative professionals and even PHD's with demanding workloads. The podcast is an excellent resource for any adult, especially individuals looking for strategies and tactics to create better circumstances in their professional lives. If you're a small business owner with ADHD and other life responsibilities, this is the perfect podcast to help you navigate the ups and downs of business and life with ADHD. Every week host David Greenwood, author of the book by the same name, has experts in the field of adult ADHD as well as other entrepreneurs with ADHD. Every episode is packed with solutions and methodical approaches to having a better life with ADHD. The podcast covers productivity, navigating workloads, how to manage yourself in a chaotic work environment, and burnout. And MUCH more! Entrepreneurs and business owners with ADHD share their insights and approaches with Dave regularly on the podcast. How did they do it and what do they need to have in place to be successful? Those answers can be found in the podcast. There are also many episodes with just Dave, who shares his thoughts as a busy entrepreneur with ADHD. Dave Greenwood has been both an entrepreneur for decades and an executive at one of the most recognized brands in the world, doing it all with ADHD. This is not a Q&A or a stuffy podcast. Every time you hit the download button, you'll feel like you're having a cup of coffee or a pint of your favorite beer with Dave and/for his guests.

  1. 2D AGO

    Prioritization for the Real World When You Have Adult ADHD

    In this episode, Dave breaks down how prioritization really works for busy professionals with adult ADHD. When everything feels urgent and your to-do list never ends, it's easy to confuse motion with progress. This episode of Overcoming Distractions focuses on sorting tasks by importance, urgency, and, most critically, energy. We explore an ADHD-friendly version of the framework Must / Should / Could system to reduce overwhelm and force clarity around what actually needs to get done today. Key discussion points include: Why everything feels urgent when you have ADHD How to identify high-impact vs. low-impact tasks The danger of reactive work and inbox-driven days How to triage your current to-do list in minutes Why managing energy matters more than managing time You'll walk away with practical steps to choose 1–3 meaningful priorities, align tasks with your peak focus windows, and stop letting busywork hijack your week. If you're tired of spinning your wheels, this episode will help you focus on what truly moves the needle. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    19 min

  2. FEB 9

    People-Pleasing & Adult ADHD — The Hidden Cost for High-Achieving Professionals

    People pleasing is often seen as being helpful, reliable, or easy to work with. But for busy professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners with ADHD, it can quietly become one of the biggest drivers of burnout, overcommitment, and frustration. In this episode, Dave talks about how people pleasing shows up in leadership and the workplace, why it's so common in high-achieving adults with ADHD, and what it actually costs you over time. More importantly, Dave will explore practical ways to recognize these patterns and how to begin shifting toward healthier boundaries that support sustainable success. In this episode: Why people pleasing in ADHD is less about being "nice" and more about emotional regulation How people pleasing shows up in leadership, business ownership, and professional roles The link between rejection sensitivity, conflict avoidance, and overcommitment Subtle signs of hidden people pleasing in high performers The professional, financial, and personal costs of chronic people pleasing Why saying yes often feels easier than tolerating discomfort Simple mindset shifts to move from automatic yes to intentional choice Practical strategies to reduce people pleasing without damaging relationships If you've ever felt overwhelmed, resentful, or stretched too thin while trying to be everything to everyone, this episode is for you. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    27 min

  3. FEB 1

    Uncovering Emotional Dysregulation in Women with ADHD with Dr. Gilly Kahn

    In this episode of Overcoming Distractions, Dave welcomes Dr. Gilly Kahn, a clinical psychologist, ADHD specialist, and author of the new book, Allow Me to Interrupt. While ADHD is often associated with external disruptions in boys, Dr. Kahn highlights how it frequently manifests internally as emotional dysregulation in women. The conversation dives deep into why women are often diagnosed later in life and how biological factors, specifically hormonal shifts, play a critical role in how ADHD symptoms fluctuate. Key Discussion Points The Gender Bias in Diagnosis: Dr. Kahn discusses how current ADHD diagnostic criteria are historically rooted in observations of male children, often leading to women provided with an accurate diagnosis. The Estrogen-Dopamine Connection: A fascinating look at how fluctuating estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause directly impact dopamine availability, often exacerbating ADHD symptoms during the luteal phase. Late-Life Diagnosis: Why many professional women aren't diagnosed until their 40s or 50s, often triggered by the increased cognitive load of demanding careers, parenting, or perimenopause. Co-occurring Physical Challenges: The link between ADHD and chronic health issues like migraines, which further complicate emotional and physical regulation. Strategic Management: Practical advice on "capitalizing" on high-energy weeks and practicing self-compassion during more difficult hormonal shifts. You can find Dr. Kahn at her website: https://www.drgillykahn.com/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    37 min

  4. JAN 23

    Stop storing everything in your ADHD brain

    Managing the Noise: Why Your Brain Feels So Loud If your brain feels like 37 open tabs that won't load, this short episode of Overcoming Distractions is for you. Designed for entrepreneurs and executives living with ADHD, we explore why your working memory is constantly overloaded and why "externalizing everything" is a biological necessity, not just a productivity tip. Dave shares lived experience on how to move from chronic mental noise to clarity by simply getting information out of your head and into a trusted system. Key Discussion Points: The ADHD Mental Strainer: Why trying to store ideas in your head leads to decision fatigue, stress, forgetting and more. Externalize Everything: Understanding Russell Barkley's core principle, and our brain is for having ideas, not holding them. The 5-Minute Brain Dump: How a judgment-free download of tasks, worries, and anniversaries (guys, this one's for you…)creates immediate psychological relief. The Power of One System: Avoiding the ADHD trap of using six different apps; find one capture tool that works, from a napkin to a notes app. Weekly Maintenance: Using a 20-minute weekly review to clean up the noise and reduce last-minute scrambling. Reframing Resistance: Why externalizing isn't "more work"….it's less work than carrying the mental load. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    21 min

  5. JAN 16

    Stop "Performing" and Live with Intention as an Adult ADHD

    In this episode of Overcoming Distractions, Dave welcomes mindset coach and former therapist Cindi Frechette to discuss a non-traditional approach to thriving with ADHD. Moving beyond surface-level productivity hacks like to-do lists and timers…, Cindi introduces the Unknow Method, a framework designed for high achievers to manage mental chaos and mitigate burnout. Cindi shares her "lived experience" with ADHD, offering a unique perspective on how internal narratives drive behavior. Together, they explore how busy professionals can stop "performing" and start living authentically by aligning their daily actions with their deepest values. Key Discussion Topics: The Unknow Method: A three-step framework consisting of Unravel (identifying automated thoughts), Rebuild (strengthening self-identity), and Reclaim (mastering time and energy). The "Thought Dump" Exercise: A practical tool to separate objective facts from ruminating opinions. The Neuroscience of Overthinking: Understanding how the ADHD brain interprets survival signals and conserves energy. Value-Based Decision Making: Why re-evaluating your personal values every 3–6 months is essential for long-term alignment. Masking and Burnout: How "performing success" leads to internal exhaustion and how to reverse-engineer your feelings to change your actions. Freebie to offer: "You can grab Cindi's free Thought Reset Tool at https://stan.store/Unknowwithcindi . It's designed to help you pause the chaos and rebuild clarity ADHD brain approved." **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    34 min

  6. JAN 8

    Navigating the Adult ADHD Survival Mode Trap

    In this episode, Dave takes a "street-smart" look at a cycle many high achievers with ADHD know all too well. Survival mode and ADHD! It's that grueling state where you're constantly reacting to fires, clawing your way to Friday, and feeling emotionally depleted at home. Dave will explore why survival mode is a nervous system response rather than a personal failure, and how to shift from chaotic reaction to intentional action. Key Highlights: Defining the Struggle: Identifying signs like constant urgency, mental exhaustion, and the "reaction vs. planning" loop. The High-Achiever Trap: Why being reliable and saying "yes" often rewards survival mode early on but leads to unsustainable burnout. Stabilize, Don't Optimize: Forget perfect routines; focus on "predictability" and small "home base" stabilizers to lower stress. Reclaiming Agency: Moving from "I have no control" to "I can influence this" through strategic delays and better boundaries. Redefining Success: Shifting your goals to match your current season of life, prioritizing sustainable energy over constant output. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    24 min

  7. JAN 2

    Why Vision and Values Matter for The Busy Professional with ADHD

    When you're driven, capable, and juggling a demanding career or business with Adult ADHD, it's easy to stay in constant motion, but still feel off, overwhelmed, or stuck in ADHD survival mode. And it may just be because you're not operating with your values and vision in mind. In this episode, Dave explores how clarifying your personal values and creating a values-driven vision of success can help you feel more fulfilled, productive, and in control, without relying on rigid systems and flirting with burnout. This episode is especially for ADHD brains that crave meaning, flexibility, and momentum, when it may be lacking. Why vision and values matter more for professionals and entrepreneurs with ADHD How chasing urgency and external expectations leads to busyness without fulfillment How to clarify personal and professional values in a way that actually feels usable Redefining what "fulfilled," "productive," and "in control" really mean for an ADHD brain Why productivity isn't about doing more, but doing what matters with less friction. Aligning short- and long-term goals with your values instead of constant pressure Simple reflections to help you evaluate whether your goals support the life you want, or just keep you busy. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    20 min

  8. 12/26/2025

    Managing Your Nervous System and Energy for the ADHD Professional

    In this episode, Dave sits down with Theresa Lear Levine, an EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Master Practitioner and hypnotherapist, to explore the deep connection between the nervous system and ADHD. For high-achieving entrepreneurs and professionals, ADHD is often managed through "mechanics" Which are mission critical. However, Theresa explains why the nervous system is in a state of high-functioning anxiety or chronic stress for many busy professionals with ADHD. And how we can mitigate that stress. Key Discussion Points: Reframing ADHD: Moving away from the "disorder" mindset to view ADHD as a mismatch between one's brain and their environment or expectations. The Power of the Nervous System: Why emotional regulation is the foundation that allows executive functioning strategies to actually work. Understanding EFT (Tapping): How combining ancient meridian points with modern psychology can disrupt "fight or flight" responses in the amygdala. The "Body Keeps the Score": Discussing how chronic stress and trauma are stored physiologically and how releasing that tension improves focus and health. Overcoming the Resistance to Slowing Down: Why high achievers fear "pausing" and how to reintroduce pleasure and joy to prevent burnout. Breaking the Procrastination Loop: Using nervous system tools to lower the perceived "threat" of a daunting task so it becomes doable. Find her at: https://theresalearlevine.com/  **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

    41 min
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About

Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with Adult ADHD takes a street-smart approach to managing adult ADHD. This is THE podcast for busy professional adults, including business owners, entrepreneurs, CEO's, marketing and creative professionals and even PHD's with demanding workloads. The podcast is an excellent resource for any adult, especially individuals looking for strategies and tactics to create better circumstances in their professional lives. If you're a small business owner with ADHD and other life responsibilities, this is the perfect podcast to help you navigate the ups and downs of business and life with ADHD. Every week host David Greenwood, author of the book by the same name, has experts in the field of adult ADHD as well as other entrepreneurs with ADHD. Every episode is packed with solutions and methodical approaches to having a better life with ADHD. The podcast covers productivity, navigating workloads, how to manage yourself in a chaotic work environment, and burnout. And MUCH more! Entrepreneurs and business owners with ADHD share their insights and approaches with Dave regularly on the podcast. How did they do it and what do they need to have in place to be successful? Those answers can be found in the podcast. There are also many episodes with just Dave, who shares his thoughts as a busy entrepreneur with ADHD. Dave Greenwood has been both an entrepreneur for decades and an executive at one of the most recognized brands in the world, doing it all with ADHD. This is not a Q&A or a stuffy podcast. Every time you hit the download button, you'll feel like you're having a cup of coffee or a pint of your favorite beer with Dave and/for his guests.

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