Mad About... with Maddy Alexander-Grout

Maddy Alexander-Grout
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Welcome to Mad About…with Maddy Aleander-Grout The podcast amplifying disabled and neurodivergent voices, messy stories, and the brilliant humans who refuse to fit in boxes. Hosted by bestselling author and visibility strategist Maddy Alexander-Grout, Mad About… is a podcast where discabled and neurodivergent people get to speak for themselves. Each episode brings honest conversations about life, money, business, identity, and everything in between. No inspiration porn, No pretending everything is perfect.  Just real humans sharing real experiences. Because disabled people have spent far too long being spoken about instead of being listened to. This podcast exists to change that. You’ll hear from entrepreneurs, creatives, parents, leaders, and everyday people who are navigating neurodivergence, chronic conditions, hidden disabilities, and lives that simply work differently. Some episodes are funny. Some are raw. Some might make you rethink everything you thought you knew about success. But every single one gives someone a voice and visibility. Maddy built her business and audience by telling the truth about her own struggles with disability, neurodivergence, money mistakes, and not fitting into traditional business spaces. Now she uses that platform to help others be seen, heard, and valued too. It’s about being real, imperfect, neurodivergent AF, and proud of it. If you've ever been told you’re too much, too loud, too different, or too chaotic… You’re in the right place. Welcome to Mad About…

  1. 4d ago

    Ep123 ADHD isn't a myth, the stigma is REAL - With Doctor Claire Stone

    Message Us! You Don't Look Like You're Struggling: The Hidden Side of ADHD – with Dr Clare Stone Just because someone looks like they've got their sh*t together doesn't mean they actually have. In this episode of Mad About, I'm joined by the brilliant Dr Clare Stone, a counselling and coaching psychologist with a specialist interest in ADHD, burnout and supporting women who are juggling approximately 84 million things while trying not to completely fall apart. We're talking about the stuff that people don't see. The masking. The exhaustion. The perfectionism. The pressure to be successful, organised and independent, even when your brain and body have other ideas. We also get stuck into the frankly ridiculous narratives surrounding ADHD and disability in the media, including Channel 4's The Great ADHD Myth, and why these conversations can do so much damage to people who are already struggling. And of course, we talk about perimenopause, because apparently having ADHD wasn't quite enough chaos for our brains to deal with! In this episode, we chat about: Why looking successful doesn't mean you're not struggling.ADHD diagnosis, self-understanding and why support shouldn't have to wait for a label.The connection between ADHD, hormones and perimenopause.Why so many women become experts at masking their difficulties.Burnout, perfectionism and the pressure to keep pushing through.The damaging portrayal of ADHD and disabled people in the media.Why two people with the same condition can have completely different experiences.The importance of self-compassion and giving yourself permission to do things differently.Why we need to stop waiting until people reach breaking point before offering support.We also have a very honest conversation about the realities of living with disabilities, including why sometimes dry shampoo, baby wipes and doing the bare minimum are absolutely good enough. Because here's the thing: you shouldn't have to completely fall apart before people believe you're struggling. And being successful doesn't cancel out being disabled. Meet my guest Dr Clare Stone is an HCPC-registered counselling psychologist and chartered coaching psychologist who specialises in supporting people experiencing overwhelm and burnout, particularly women with ADHD traits who carry high levels of responsibility. She is passionate about challenging the shame and stigma surrounding ADHD and helping people understand their brains with more compassion. You can find Clare on Instagram and Facebook at Dr Stone Elevate, as well as through her website, Dr Stone Elevate, where she shares free resources, weekly blogs and a free five-step guide to managing overwhelm. A big thank you to our sponsor, Purpl Discounts! 🌈 Purpl Discounts helps disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergent people and carers save money on everyday purchases. You can also get a two-week free trial when you sign up through the link in my Stan Store. Come and find me! Instagram: @maddytalksmoney TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial Other platforms: Maddy Alexander-Grout If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs reminding that they don't have to look like they're struggling for their struggles to be real. Content note: This episode includes discussion of disability discrimination, negative media portrayals, Nazi-era persecution of disabled people, burnout and difficulties with daily living. ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  2. Oct 5

    Ep122- Disability Competition- Who is Disabled Enough?

    Message Us! Apparently, being disabled now comes with a league table. Who knew? 🙃 In this episode of Mad About, Maddy is coming to you from bed, in pain, and with a bit of a rant about something that has been seriously pissing her off: disabled people being made to prove that they are “disabled enough” — and sometimes other disabled people joining in. After sharing a video about accessibility in Camden, Maddy was told that because she can get out of her wheelchair and walk, places with steps are technically “accessible” to her. Erm… no. Maddy talks about being an ambulatory wheelchair user, why being able to walk doesn't mean walking is pain-free, safe or sustainable, and why wheelchair users shouldn't have to perform their disability to be believed. She also talks about her experience applying for a Nimbus Access Card and the frustration of feeling like support and adjustments can depend on ticking the “right” boxes — PIP, a Blue Badge or particular evidence — rather than looking at someone's actual access needs. This episode gets into: ♿ Why accessibility means creating access for everyone, not just saying “well, technically you could…” 🦽 The reality of being an ambulatory wheelchair user 🤦‍♀️ The ridiculous “I saw you walking!” argument 🔥 Why disabled people don't need to compete over who has it worse 🧠 Why two people with the same condition can have completely different support needs 🚪 Why sending disabled people around the back of a building isn't magically inclusive because you rename it “the entrance” 💥 How gatekeeping and judgement within the disabled community hurts all of us ❤️ Why reasonable adjustments aren't special treatment — they're about giving people equitable access Maddy also gives an update on the Mad About Disability documentary, which has now been FILMED 🎥 and features disabled people sharing their experiences and challenging some of the biggest misconceptions around disability. The next mission? Getting it edited, funded and out into the world. Because disability isn't a competition. You don't have to prove you're more disabled than somebody else to deserve access, support or reasonable adjustments. And seeing someone stand up, walk, work, laugh, travel, create content or have a good day tells you absolutely f**k all about what their disability costs them behind the scenes. 🎧 Subscribe to Mad About for more conversations about disability, neurodivergence, money, business and all the things Maddy is passionate, excited, frustrated or downright MAD about. ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  3. Sep 28

    Ep121- Burnout, PMDD and Working for FREE

    Message Us! This week, I’m mad at… myself. Because apparently I’m really bloody good at teaching other people how to build businesses around their capacity, energy, pain and neurodivergent brains… and significantly less good at taking my own advice. The last few weeks have been A LOT. Media appearances. Articles. LBC. Launching Access to Business. Writing my third book. Planning a documentary about hidden disability. Parenting. Trying to keep up with thousands of comments and messages. Attempting to have “rest days” while lying in bed doing work. Oh, and actually being disabled in amongst all of that. In this very unfiltered solo episode, I’m talking about what happens when ambition, ADHD, internalised ableism and FOMO collide with a body that is very clearly saying: MADDY, FOR F**K’S SAKE, REST. I talk about: • Why I’ve realised I cannot keep giving unlimited access to myself for free • The hidden workload that comes with disability advocacy • Running a business when your capacity changes from day to day • Why using a wheelchair gives me MORE independence, not less • The financial cost of becoming more disabled • Trying to balance making money with doing work that genuinely matters • Why boundaries are becoming non-negotiable for me • The irony of teaching people to protect their spoons while chucking all of mine directly in the bin • My new Access to Business programme • The hidden disability documentary I’m currently creating • And why being disabled does NOT mean giving up the things you love This episode isn't me saying disabled and neurodivergent people need to push through. Quite the opposite. It's about recognising that we can build lives and businesses that work WITH our brains and bodies, but sometimes that means accepting our limits, asking for support, charging for our work and saying no. Turns out I need to take my own bloody advice. 🎧 Welcome back to Mad About. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ✨ Access to Business – my programme helping disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent people build businesses around their actual capacity. 🌈 The Maddyverse – my low-cost community for people with hidden struggles who want support, coaching, connection and a bit more Maddy in their lives. 🎥 The Hidden Disability Documentary – challenging the misconceptions about what disability actually looks like. 🎙️ Want to be a guest on Mad About? I’m bringing guests back and I want to hear what YOU are mad about. Follow me on socials and come and join the Maddyverse. ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  4. Sep 7

    Ep120- Disabled & Scared- A life update from me

    Message Us! It’s been six weeks since I last picked up the podcast mic… and quite frankly, A LOT has happened. In this episode of Mad About, I’m giving you a proper life update. I talk about burnout, navigating the summer holidays with two neurodivergent kids, the frankly horrific way disabled and neurodivergent people are being talked about online and in the press, and why it’s made me even more determined to use my voice. I also share my plans for a new documentary/mini-series about the REALITY of living with hidden disabilities. Real people. Real stories. No polished scripts or carefully manufactured narratives. Then there’s Gladys, my powerchair, becoming a much bigger part of my life, running a business when your health changes, and figuring out what I actually want the next chapter of my career to look like. And then something pretty bloody brilliant happened… I PRESENTED ON KERRANG RADIO. 🤘 Yep. My favourite radio station. And I absolutely bloody loved it. So now I’m thinking seriously about radio, journalism and how I can combine disability advocacy with the things that give me ridiculous amounts of dopamine: music, radio and apparently collecting sea glass. 😂 I also talk about what’s changing inside The Maddyverse, why that community matters so much to me, and what I want to create next. Oh, and it’s my birthday. A day I traditionally find deeply awkward because PLEASE DO NOT SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. 😂 Basically, this episode is disability, neurodivergence, business, burnout, birthdays, wheelchairs, Kerrang, sea glass and me figuring out WTF comes next. Welcome back to Mad About. 💖🤘 In this episode: 🎙️ Why the podcast disappeared for six weeks ♿ Becoming a much more regular wheelchair user 🔥 Disability backlash and why I want to fight back 🎥 My plans for a hidden-disability documentary 💖 What’s happening with The Maddyverse 🤘 My Kerrang Radio experience 📻 Why I want to do more radio and journalism 🧠 Running a business alongside disability and burnout 🎂 Why autistic me is really not a fan of birthdays 🌈 And what’s coming next If you have a hidden disability and would be interested in sharing your story for the documentary/mini-series, get in touch. And if you enjoy the episode, subscribe and leave a review. It genuinely helps more people find the podcast. 💖 ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  5. Jul 31

    Ep119 The ADHD Myth- with Maddy Alexander-Grout

    Message Us! This week I'm absolutely fuming. A new Channel 4 documentary, The ADHD Myth, asks whether ADHD is really a neurodevelopmental condition and questions whether too many children are being medicated. As someone who has ADHD, has spent years coaching people with ADHD, trained in ADHD, and literally wrote a book about it... I had a few things to say. In this episode I talk about:  Why headlines like this can be so damaging.  The difference between asking scientific questions and fuelling stigma.  Why ADHD medication is never an "easy option" for parents.  The reality of living with ADHD and why validation matters.  Why invisible disabilities are constantly questioned.  Blue Badges, PIP and the myths surrounding ADHD support.  Whether this documentary is genuine investigation... or simply rage bait. I'm also sharing my personal experience as an ADHD parent, why I haven't rushed to medicate my own children, and why every family deserves the right to make those decisions without judgement. If you have ADHD, love someone who does, or you're simply curious about the conversation, I'd love to hear your thoughts. ⚠️ Please note: This episode was recorded before the documentary aired and is a reaction to the promotional material and press coverage available at the time.  Connect with me 📖 Mad About Money: Managing Finances and Life with ADHD 📱 TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial 📸 Instagram: @maddytalksmoney 💼 LinkedIn: Maddy Alexander-Grout 🌈 Join The Maddyverse community for support with life, business, money and visibility. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. It really helps more people discover the show ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  6. Jul 27

    Ep118 Finding Your Voice After An ADHD Diagnosis- With Ileana Weynberg

    Message Us! Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing... but what happens after that? In this episode, Maddy is joined by ADHD empowerment and mindset coach Ileana Wainberg for an honest conversation about everything that comes after the diagnosis—the grief, the relief, the anger, the overwhelm, and the journey of finding your voice again. Together they chat about the reality of raising children while navigating ADHD, the challenges of medication, advocating for yourself in healthcare, hidden disabilities, entrepreneurship, burnout, sensory struggles, and why support shouldn't stop the moment you receive a diagnosis. Ileana also shares her incredibly powerful personal story, from surviving trauma and being sectioned overseas to becoming an advocate who now helps others understand their brains and rebuild their confidence. As always, expect plenty of laughter, a few rants, parenting chaos, and the occasional tangent—because that's exactly how ADHD conversations work. In this episode we cover:  What nobody tells you after an ADHD diagnosis  The grief of late diagnosis  Medication journeys and mixed feelings  Losing your voice and learning to advocate for yourself  ADHD, autism and motherhood  Running a business with hidden disabilities  Burnout, energy management and executive dysfunction  Sensory issues and healthcare experiences  Why visibility matters  Finding support that actually understands neurodivergent brains Connect with Ileana 🌐 Website: https://force-of-mind.com 📱 Instagram: @forceofmind23 Facebook & TikTok: Force of Mind 🎁 Download Ileana's free Restart Playbook to help you break out of ADHD overwhelm and get unstuck. Join The Maddyverse If you're neurodivergent, disabled, living with a hidden disability or simply looking for a supportive community that understands life, business and everything in between, come and join The Maddyverse. ✨ First month FREE  ✨ Group coaching  ✨ Masterclasses  ✨ Community support  ✨ Business, money and life help 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear that they're not alone.  ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  7. Jul 13

    Ep117- What grief really feels like and why it never leaves you- with Karen Whybrow

    Message Us! Grief changes everything. In this deeply honest episode of Mad About, Maddy sits down with Sacred Life Coach Karen Wybrow to talk about what happens after unimaginable loss—and how you slowly begin to rebuild a life you never expected to be living. Karen shares the story of losing her husband, Ben, to bowel cancer at just 39 years old while raising two young daughters. Together, Maddy and Karen explore the realities of grief that people rarely talk about, including what happens after everyone else goes home, why grief never truly disappears, and how spirituality, the universe and small daily choices helped Karen find herself again. The conversation also dives into ADHD, addiction, money after bereavement, manifestation, Reiki, the moon, and why looking after yourself isn't selfish—it's essential. This episode is emotional, hopeful and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating loss, change or simply trying to find their way back to themselves. Please note: This episode contains discussions around bereavement, terminal illness, death, grief and addiction. In this episode we discuss:  Karen's story of losing her husband to cancer  Why grief never really ends—it just changes shape  The "ball in the box" theory of grief  Parenting through bereavement  ADHD, addiction and unhealthy coping mechanisms  Giving up alcohol and finding healthier ways to cope  The financial reality of losing a partner  Bereavement support and why the system needs to change  Why wills, life insurance and power of attorney matter  Spirituality versus religion  Reiki, intuition and trusting yourself  The connection between the moon, the universe and our wellbeing  Manifestation, mindset and changing the stories we tell ourselves  Karen's book One Sacred LifeConnect with Karen Wybrow Follow Karen for guidance on grief, spirituality, Reiki and reconnecting with yourself. Instagram: @karenwybrowcoaching  Facebook: Karen Wybrow  TikTok: @karenwybrow Connect with Maddy Instagram: @maddytalksmoney  TikTok: @madaboutmoneyofficial  Website: The Maddyverse If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear this conversation today. Every review helps more people discover the podcast. ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

  8. Jul 6

    Ep116- Advocating for yourself in Healthcare- With Debbie Greyson The Godmother Of Phamacology

    Message Us! Advocating for Yourself, ADHD, PMDD, Perimenopause and Why Your Gut Might Be Trying to Tell You SomethingHow many times have you left a GP appointment thinking... "I forgot to say the important bit." Or felt like you weren't being listened to? In this episode of Mad About..., I'm joined by pharmacist, nutritional therapist and self-proclaimed Godmother of Pharmacology, Debbie Grayson. We have a completely honest conversation about what it's really like trying to navigate healthcare when you're neurodivergent, dealing with ADHD, PMDD, perimenopause, thyroid problems, medication and everything else life throws at you. We also chat about my own health journey, including starting sertraline after losing my dad, my recent experience with HRT, histamine reactions, and why advocating for yourself can sometimes be the hardest part of getting the right support. In this episode we cover: • Why antidepressants often make you feel worse before they make you feel better • How ADHD medication actually works in the brain • My experience of starting sertraline and why I'm so glad I stuck with it • PMDD, hormones and why they can completely change how your ADHD feels • The connection between ADHD, perimenopause and emotional regulation • Why so many women are dismissed when talking about hormonal symptoms • Histamine, hives, urticaria and why hormones can trigger allergic-type reactions • The surprising link between oestrogen and histamine • Why gut health isn't just about what you eat • Simple changes that can genuinely improve digestion • ADHD medication, appetite suppression and blood sugar crashes • Coffee, caffeine and stimulant medication • Practical ways to improve your energy without trying to become a wellness influencer overnight • How to advocate for yourself at GP appointments • What to do if you feel your doctor isn't listening • Why taking someone with you to appointments can make a huge difference Debbie's top advice Sometimes the biggest changes aren't the dramatic ones. Drink more water. Eat before your ADHD medication kicks in. Slow down when you eat. Be present with your food. Ask for a double GP appointment if you need one. Write your symptoms down before you go. And remember... You know your body better than anyone else. Follow Debbie Grayson YouTube: The Godmother of Pharmacology Debbie shares simple, evidence-based advice on medication, supplements, digestion, hormones and nutrition in a way that's actually easy to understand. If this episode helped... Please leave a review, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who's currently trying to fight to be heard by the healthcare system. The more conversations we have about hidden disabilities, hormones, ADHD and advocating for ourselves, the better. Because nobody should have to fight this hard just to be listened to. ---------------------- Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

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About

Welcome to Mad About…with Maddy Aleander-Grout The podcast amplifying disabled and neurodivergent voices, messy stories, and the brilliant humans who refuse to fit in boxes. Hosted by bestselling author and visibility strategist Maddy Alexander-Grout, Mad About… is a podcast where discabled and neurodivergent people get to speak for themselves. Each episode brings honest conversations about life, money, business, identity, and everything in between. No inspiration porn, No pretending everything is perfect.  Just real humans sharing real experiences. Because disabled people have spent far too long being spoken about instead of being listened to. This podcast exists to change that. You’ll hear from entrepreneurs, creatives, parents, leaders, and everyday people who are navigating neurodivergence, chronic conditions, hidden disabilities, and lives that simply work differently. Some episodes are funny. Some are raw. Some might make you rethink everything you thought you knew about success. But every single one gives someone a voice and visibility. Maddy built her business and audience by telling the truth about her own struggles with disability, neurodivergence, money mistakes, and not fitting into traditional business spaces. Now she uses that platform to help others be seen, heard, and valued too. It’s about being real, imperfect, neurodivergent AF, and proud of it. If you've ever been told you’re too much, too loud, too different, or too chaotic… You’re in the right place. Welcome to Mad About…

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