The ADHD Skills Lab

Skye Waterson
  • 4.8 (103)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Navigate ADHD in real life, especially when things get complex. The ADHD Skills Lab shares research-backed strategies, real-world systems, and honest conversations to help you stay focused, make progress, and reduce chaos as responsibilities grow.| Hosted by Unconventional Organisation founder Skye Waterson, the show blends ADHD research, expert interviews, listener questions, and practical tools for adults who want support that actually works, not generic productivity advice. Skye is a former academic turned coach and researcher who was diagnosed with ADHD during her PhD. After experiencing firsthand how poorly traditional strategies translated to real adult responsibilities, she began developing and testing research-based, ADHD-aware systems. She has written over 50 articles read by more than 250,000 people worldwide and now focuses on translating research into strategies adults can actually use. In 2022, Skye was invited to share her work with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Since then, she has supported late-diagnosed professionals, including academics, senior leaders, and business owners, navigating increasing complexity. Unconventional Organisation was built to meet a gap Skye experienced herself: practical, personalized ADHD support for adults whose lives and work no longer fit simple solutions.Learn more https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/Talk with Skyehttps://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/

  1. Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Grow Through Bad Work

    9H AGO

    Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Grow Through Bad Work

    When creative work gets hard, most people with ADHD assume something’s wrong. Wrong idea. Wrong project. Wrong career. In this conversation, Andy J. Pizza (author, illustrator, and host of Creative Pep Talk) breaks down the moment his work completely dried up — and why that crisis forced him to stop winging it and start creating strategically. We talk about perfectionism, rejection sensitivity, creative droughts, collaboration fights, and the uncomfortable shift from “I hope this works” to “I’m building this on purpose.” This isn’t about hacks or hustle. It’s about understanding that hard and bad are not the same thing — and sometimes the difficulty is the point. What We CoverWhy “hard” is often a sign of growth, not failureThe shift from exploratory creativity to strategic authorshipHow perfectionism and RSD quietly stall creative outputRebuilding after a six-month career droughtWhy collaboration feels like conflict (and why that’s normal) P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    43 min
  2. Are You More Likely to Succeed in Business if You Have ADHD?

    3D AGO

    Are You More Likely to Succeed in Business if You Have ADHD?

    Business owner with ADHD wanting operational clarity and focus?  Click here to book a session with Skye. https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com for a operational clarity session! More adults with ADHD start businesses than the general population. But here’s the part nobody talks about: Research shows ADHD is positively linked to entrepreneurial attitudes and startup behavior… and negatively linked to post-launch outcomes, performance, and wellbeing. In this Research Recap, Skye and Robert Waterson break down a 2025 meta-analysis on ADHD and entrepreneurship - exploring why hyperactive types tend to start, why inattentive types may struggle more with scaling, and where the “ADHD is a superpower” narrative falls short. This episode is about what happens after the excitement of starting. What we cover: The difference between entrepreneurial attitude, startup behavior, and post-launch outcomesWhy hyperactive ADHD is linked to action (but also burnout)Why inattentive ADHD may struggle with scaling and follow-throughThe myth of brute-force hustleWhere the “ADHD is a superpower” framing conflicts with the dataWhy systems - not motivation - change outcomesIf you’ve ever felt amazing at starting… and exhausted trying to sustain - this one’s for you. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    29 min
  3. Is Atomoxetine Right for Your ADHD? Here's What It Does to Your Brain

    5D AGO

    Is Atomoxetine Right for Your ADHD? Here's What It Does to Your Brain

    Description Business owner with ADHD wanting operational clarity and focus?  Click here to book a session with Skye. https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com for a operational clarity session! Why does focus feel like forcing a rusty machine to start… instead of flipping a switch? In this Research Recap, Skye and Will unpack a randomized placebo-controlled study examining how brain networks behave differently in adults with ADHD. This episode isn’t about recommending medication. It’s about something more fundamental: the push-pull relationship between the brain’s default mode network (daydreaming, internal thoughts) and task positive network (focused attention) — and what happens when that switch doesn’t work automatically. If you’ve ever tried to white-knuckle your way through work, this episode will feel deeply validating. What we cover: Why ADHD brains struggle to “automatically” switch into focusWhat brain scans reveal about default mode vs task networksHow this study compared medication-naive adults with controlsWhat changed in network activity during treatmentWhy brain-difference evidence reduces self-blameWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    11 min
  4. Why Perfectionism Keeps Your Business Stuck (Even Though You're An Overachiever)

    MAR 2

    Why Perfectionism Keeps Your Business Stuck (Even Though You're An Overachiever)

    You can be successful on paper and still feel stuck. In this episode, Skye talks with entrepreneur and investor Kassidy Warren about leaving the corporate “safe path,” taking real risks, and the identity shift required to stop playing small. They unpack rejection, procrastination, reinvesting before results, and what it actually means to turn pro — especially with an ADHD brain. If you’ve built something stable but know you’re capable of more, this one will hit. What we cover: The hidden cost of corporate stability and “golden handcuffs”Why procrastination is fear in disguiseHow to handle rejection without shrinkingThe mindset shift from amateur to professionalActing before you feel ready — and why waiting keeps you stuckBusiness owner with ADHD wanting operational clarity and focus? Click here to book a session with Skye.  https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com for a operational clarity session! Connect with Kassidy Warren Kassidy Warren is the host of the For Your Own Good podcast, where he shares practical, direct conversations about business growth, leadership, and building companies that actually work. If this episode resonated, you can follow Kassidy and explore more of his work here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassidy.warrenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KassidyWarrenFor Your Own Good on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1UfWzqSpuL685ReFGnIrgBHe regularly shares insights for operators and founders who want to move from chaos to clarity without fluff or hype. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    33 min
  5. ADHD, Leadership, and the Identity Shift That Changes Everything

    FEB 23

    ADHD, Leadership, and the Identity Shift That Changes Everything

    “I wasn’t failing. I just wasn’t growing.” Adam Tasker had the career. The family. Three kids. Responsibility handled. But privately, he knew he was drifting. After being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, following his sons’ diagnoses, he began to look at how he was operating. Not just as a father, but as a leader. At home. In business. With himself. In this conversation, Skye and Adam unpack: What actually changes after a late ADHD diagnosisHow overwhelm escalates and why some days collapse fastThe identity shift from practitioner to leader in businessDelegation, emotional regulation, and being the tone-setter at homeThey talk through structure, routines, communication, and the tension between flexibility and discipline in a neurodivergent household. This episode is not about productivity hacks. It is about responsibility, self-awareness, and learning to lead without burning out or defaulting to shame. If you are a parent, a founder, or someone who knows you are capable of more than “going through the motions,” this conversation will resonate. Connect with Adam Tasker, COO of High Performance Father, at https://highperformancefather.com or email him directly at adam@highperformancefather.com for resources and support. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    42 min
  6. Think Your ADHD Isn’t “Bad Enough”? The Data Says It Still Matters

    FEB 16

    Think Your ADHD Isn’t “Bad Enough”? The Data Says It Still Matters

    Looking for The Business Visibility Workshop? Click here for details: https://unconventionalorganisation.circle.so/checkout/the-business-visibility-workshop-wednesday-feb-18th You don’t need a formal ADHD diagnosis for ADHD traits to affect your health, finances, or well-being. In this Research Recap, Skye and Will break down a study on subclinical ADHD - ADHD traits that fall below the diagnostic threshold - and how they impact entrepreneurs and employees. The findings are confronting. Across nearly 400 participants, higher ADHD traits were linked to: Higher anxietyWorse physical healthLower happinessLower subjective financial well-beingEven without meeting diagnostic criteria. Entrepreneurship showed some buffering effects — more autonomy, more novelty, slightly higher life satisfaction. But it also intensified financial pressure and the self-management demands that ADHD traits can make harder. In this episode, we unpack: What “subclinical ADHD” actually meansWhy “not diagnosed” doesn’t mean “not affected”Why entrepreneurs may feel financial strain more intenselyHow work environment fit shapes well-beingWhat this research misses about ADHD management in practiceIf you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s not bad enough to count…” this conversation may change how you see that. Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    18 min
  7. Selling With ADHD: Confidence Without the Sleaze or Burnout

    FEB 9

    Selling With ADHD: Confidence Without the Sleaze or Burnout

    If sales feels heavy, awkward, or mentally exhausting, it’s probably not because you’re bad at it. It’s more likely because you’ve been trying to sell using advice that relies on pressure, performance, or rigid systems - the exact things that make ADHD brains freeze, overthink, or avoid the conversation altogether. In this episode, Skye sits down with Wes Schaeffer (The Sales Whisperer) to talk about how to sell in a way that actually feels calm, grounded, and sustainable — without hype, manipulation, or forcing yourself into a persona that doesn’t fit. This isn’t about “loving sales” or magically becoming confident. It’s about: reducing anxiety around money conversationshaving something to lean on when your confidence dipsand building just enough structure so sales stops living rent-free in your headWes breaks down why money talk feels so uncomfortable, how scripts can reduce stress instead of making you sound robotic, and why avoiding systems usually creates more chaos — not less. If you’ve ever known you should follow up, talk about pricing, or ask for the sale… and still found yourself procrastinating, this conversation will feel uncomfortably accurate — in a good way. No hustle. No sleaze. No “just be confident” advice. In this episode, we talk about: Why sales feels uncomfortable for ADHD entrepreneurs and what is actually happening underneath that resistanceHow to talk about money and pricing without sounding pushy or rehearsedWhen scripts and systems help ADHD brains and when they make things worseA calmer approach to follow-ups that does not rely on pressure or guiltHow small sales systems reduce burnout, decision fatigue, and avoidance over timeConnect with Wes Schaeffer Learn more about Wes and his programs: https://12weekstopeak.comFree habit tracker and practical sales resources available on the siteText or book time directly via the site P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    41 min
  8. ADHD Isn’t Just in Your Head - Apparently It’s in Your Gut Too

    FEB 2

    ADHD Isn’t Just in Your Head - Apparently It’s in Your Gut Too

    A lot of people with ADHD deal with physical symptoms they’ve never talked about - or never thought were connected. This episode looks at what the research actually shows about ADHD and gut issues, and where the line is between association, speculation, and overreach. ADHD usually gets framed around focus, motivation, and productivity. But growing research suggests it may also be linked to very real physical symptoms, including gut issues that many people quietly live with. In this episode, Skye and Will break down a major research review examining the connection between ADHD and IBS - what the data shows (and what it doesn’t), and why this matters for quality of life, not just symptom labels. No biohacks. No diet rules. Just context, clarity, and what’s worth paying attention to if you’ve ever felt like ADHD affects more than just your brain. What we cover: What this large ADHD + IBS study actually found (and what it didn’t)Why IBS showed up - but other gut issues didn’tHow physical discomfort can quietly compound ADHD overwhelmWhy this research matters even if you don’t have gut issuesIf you want a copy of the paper we discuss, just ask us and we will send it to you. Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

    14 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

Navigate ADHD in real life, especially when things get complex. The ADHD Skills Lab shares research-backed strategies, real-world systems, and honest conversations to help you stay focused, make progress, and reduce chaos as responsibilities grow.| Hosted by Unconventional Organisation founder Skye Waterson, the show blends ADHD research, expert interviews, listener questions, and practical tools for adults who want support that actually works, not generic productivity advice. Skye is a former academic turned coach and researcher who was diagnosed with ADHD during her PhD. After experiencing firsthand how poorly traditional strategies translated to real adult responsibilities, she began developing and testing research-based, ADHD-aware systems. She has written over 50 articles read by more than 250,000 people worldwide and now focuses on translating research into strategies adults can actually use. In 2022, Skye was invited to share her work with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Since then, she has supported late-diagnosed professionals, including academics, senior leaders, and business owners, navigating increasing complexity. Unconventional Organisation was built to meet a gap Skye experienced herself: practical, personalized ADHD support for adults whose lives and work no longer fit simple solutions.Learn more https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/Talk with Skyehttps://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/

Information

  • Creator
    Skye Waterson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ADHD Skills Lab
  • Show Website
    The ADHD Skills Lab

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