ADHDifference

Julie Legg
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

ADHDifference challenges the common misconception that ADHD only affects young people. Diagnosed as an adult, Julie Legg interviews guests from around the world, sharing new ADHD perspectives, strategies and insights. ADHDifference's mission is to foster a deeper understanding of ADHD by sharing personal, relatable experiences in informal and open conversations. Choosing "difference" over "disorder" reflects its belief that ADHD is a difference in brain wiring, not just a clinical label.Julie is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing, and Living with ADHD (HarperCollins NZ, 2024) and ADHD advocate.

  1. S2E42: Designing Work for ADHD Brains in a Distracted World + guest Kit Slocum

    14H AGO

    S2E42: Designing Work for ADHD Brains in a Distracted World + guest Kit Slocum

    Julie Legg is joined by Kit Slocum, neurodiversity lead and learning experience designer at Flown. With a background in psychology and behavioural neuroscience, and lived experience of ADHD, Kit brings both science and compassion to the conversation about focus, productivity, and nervous system regulation. From going from failing grades to straight A’s after receiving accommodations, to questioning the systems that label distraction as a personal flaw, Kit reframes ADHD through the lens of nervous system science and the neurodiversity paradigm. She explains why modern environments are fundamentally overstimulating, why burnout is often the predictable result, and how small, intentional shifts can radically change how ADHDers experience work and life. This episode offers insight into body doubling, nervous system check-ins, structured flexibility, and how leaders can design workplaces that actually support neurodivergent brains rather than forcing them to adapt. Key Points from the Episode: Kit’s journey from academic struggle to thriving with accommodationsThe shift from the pathology paradigm to the neurodiversity paradigmWhy distraction is often a dysregulated nervous system, not lazinessHow modern over-stimulation keeps ADHD brains in “on” modeBurnout as the end result of chronic nervous system activationNervous system check-ins and micro-regulation strategiesWhy many productivity apps fail ADHDersCreating a personalised “toolbox” through experimentationDesigning workplaces around curiosity and structured flexibilityThe Neural Passport: communicating how you work bestBody doubling as a powerful focus strategyThe importance of language — disability, difference, or superpower?Community as the most powerful ADHD tool of allLinks: WEBSITE: https://flown.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/flownspace/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flown/ADHD MASTERY PROGRAM: https://flown.com/adhd-focus-programSend a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    41 min
  2. S2E41: Why Self-Care Feels Harder Than It Should (ADHD Edition) + Dr Matthew Campbell

    3D AGO

    S2E41: Why Self-Care Feels Harder Than It Should (ADHD Edition) + Dr Matthew Campbell

    Julie Legg sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Matt Campbell, co-creator of the Our Primal Five framework, to explore why self-care feels so hard especially for ADHDers and why the basics matter more than we realise. Rather than promoting productivity hacks or aesthetic routines, Matt brings the conversation back to foundational human needs: sleep, sunlight, movement, social connection, and mindful consumption. He explains how modern life constantly pulls us away from these essentials, and why structure, not motivation, is the real key to sustainable change. This episode is a great reminder that self-care isn’t indulgence. It’s replenishment. And for ADHD brains in particular, small, structured, repeatable shifts can be far more transformative than grand, short-lived resolutions. Key Points from the Episode: Why “knowing” what to do doesn’t automatically lead to “doing” itThe difference between motivation and structure, and why structure winsWhy ADHDers struggle with the basics like sleep, hygiene, and routineHow perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking sabotage changeWhy guilt and self-criticism actually block behaviour changeThe concept of Our Primal Five: sleep, sunlight, movement, social connection, and consumptionHow stacking habits makes change sustainableWhy exercise can rival antidepressants for mood regulationThe hidden cost of digital “junk” consumption — social media, news, and overstimulationThe power of understanding ADHD to dismantle narratives of laziness or failureSustainable self-care as structure, not indulgenceLinks: WEBSITE: https://www.ourprimal5.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ourprimal5LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-campbell-a5b22910/WORKBOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQWSX73R?tag=ourprimal5-20 NEWSLETTER: https://our-primal-5.kit.com/9b41ee5325Send a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    39 min
  3. S2E40: ADHD Across Generations - The Power of Understanding + guest Ariel-Paul Saunders

    FEB 12

    S2E40: ADHD Across Generations - The Power of Understanding + guest Ariel-Paul Saunders

    Julie Legg speaks with registered therapeutic counsellor Ariel-Paul Saunders, who brings a relational, intergenerational lens to understanding ADHD. Diagnosed at 38, Ariel began questioning the traditional medical narrative after recognising that his most significant struggles with focus and regulation didn’t begin in childhood, but emerged following a major relational rupture in early adulthood. Together, Julie and Ariel explore ADHD not just as a fixed neurological condition, but as something shaped by attachment patterns, nervous system regulation, and family lineage. From wartime trauma passed down through generations to the orchid-and-dandelion analogy of sensitivity, this conversation reframes ADHD as a developmental journey rather than a personal defect. It’s an episode about compassion for ourselves, our parents, and our children, and about becoming the generation that transforms what gets passed forward. Key Points from the Episode Why Ariel’s ADHD symptoms intensified after a relational rupture in his early 20sWhat felt incomplete about the traditional medical explanation of ADHDThe role of nervous system regulation in how ADHD presentsAttachment, safety, and how connection shapes focus and executive functionThe “orchid vs dandelion” analogy for sensitivity and environmental fitHow trauma and emotional numbing can be passed down without intentionReframing ADHD as lineage rather than personal failureHow understanding our parents changes how we understand ourselvesSupporting children by seeing the state beneath the behaviourGrowing through ADHD traits, not necessarily “out of” themBecoming the generation that shifts relational patterns forwardLinks FREE CONSULTATION: https://securelythriving.com/book-a-callFREE RESOURCE: https://securelythriving.com/free-resourceARTICLE: Why-my-adhd-didnt-appear-until-age-21ARTICLE: The Neuroscience of How Attachment Shapes ADHD: From Dopamine to Executive FunctionARTICLE: Three Generations of ADHDINSTAGRAM: @securelythrivingfamilyFACEBOOK: @securelythrivingLINKEDIN: Ariel-Paul SaundersYOUTUBE: @securelythriving Send a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    47 min
  4. S2E39: Designing Calm - Why Environments Matter for Neurodivergent Brains + guest Nika Brunet Milunovic

    FEB 9

    S2E39: Designing Calm - Why Environments Matter for Neurodivergent Brains + guest Nika Brunet Milunovic

    Julie Legg is joined by Nika Brunet Milunovic, social worker, researcher, and founder of Calm Nest Collective. Nika shares how years working in the events and creative industries exposed a disconnect between how environments are designed and how human nervous systems actually function. Drawing on her lived experience as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, as well as her academic research, Nika explains why sensory overload, burnout, and emotional collapse are not personal failures, but predictable outcomes of overstimulating spaces. From conferences and festivals to offices, schools, and public venues, she makes a compelling case for sensory-friendly design as a form of prevention, not luxury. This conversation explores how thoughtful environmental changes can radically improve regulation, focus, and wellbeing for ADHDers and non-ADHDers alike, and why creating calm, inclusive spaces is one of the most practical ways we can support mental health at scale. Key Points from the Episode Why the events and creative industries are both a haven and a hazard for neurodivergent peopleHow burnout and mental health crises often stem from environmental overload, not individual weaknessWhat sensory-friendly spaces actually are, and how they support nervous system regulationWhy quiet rooms, calm corners, and sensory spaces benefit everyone, not just ADHDersThe science behind sensory deprivation, regulation, and the body’s stress responseHow workplaces and schools unintentionally exclude neurodivergent needsSmall, low-cost environmental changes that make a big differenceThe role of social media in helping neurodivergent people find language, community, and self-understandingWhy asking people what they need is the most powerful design tool we haveA reminder that strategies are personal, and regulation is not one-size-fits-allLinks WEBSITE: https://calmnestcollective.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thatinclusiongirl LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikabrunet/ Send a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    29 min
  5. S2E38: ADHD - Late Understanding, Early Shame & Making Peace + guest Carolyn Mallon

    FEB 5

    S2E38: ADHD - Late Understanding, Early Shame & Making Peace + guest Carolyn Mallon

    Julie Legg sits down with psychiatric nurse practitioner and mental health advocate Carolyn Mallon, whose journey from high school dropout to doctorate-level clinician is both inspiring and deeply relatable for late-diagnosed ADHDers. Carolyn shares how understanding her neurodivergence in adulthood radically shifted her ability to study, self-advocate, and succeed both academically and emotionally. The conversation explores the messy, non-linear paths many ADHDers walk, the grief that can accompany diagnosis, and how resilience often looks like simply showing up, trying again, and choosing compassion over shame. This episode is a great reminder that healing and success take many forms, and that it's never too late to start again... with better tools. Key Points in this Episode: Carolyn’s diagnosis at 28 and how it changed her entire trajectoryWhy ADHD can mask as laziness or failure in school settingsThe emotional impact of late recognition and academic shameMaking peace with your “past self” through compassion, not criticismHow resilience is built in the middle of the mess, not just in hindsightThe importance of redefining success beyond degrees and careersWhy mental health providers with lived experience are uniquely powerfulThe joy of offering others the kind of care she once neededLinks: LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/cmallonrn/WEBSITE: https://www.balancementalhealth.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/balancementalhealthnhYOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@balancementalhealthnhINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/balancementalhealthnhRECOMMENDED READING: Learning Outside the LinesSend us a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    31 min
  6. S2E37: Navigating Life Forward with ADHD + guest Leah Carroll

    FEB 2

    S2E37: Navigating Life Forward with ADHD + guest Leah Carroll

    Julie Legg chats with ADHD coach and advocate Leah Carroll, whose own diagnosis at 28 catalyzed a deep journey of self-understanding and transformation. Leah shares how her early attempts to "fix" her ADHD through medication alone fell short and how travel, radical honesty, and coaching led her to discover the personalized systems that now support her neurodivergent brain. Leah unpacks the behind-the-scenes reality of living with ADHD from executive dysfunction to emotional dysregulation and offers powerful strategies to shift from shame to self-trust. Whether it's in the workplace, relationships, or day-to-day life, this conversation is full of relatable truths and practical tools for anyone navigating ADHD. Key Points from the Episode: How Leah’s ADHD diagnosis at 28 was just the beginning, not the solutionWhy medication alone wasn’t enough and what she needed insteadThe emotional toll of shame, blame, and victimhood in undiagnosed ADHDWhat long-term travel taught her about adaptability and executive dysfunctionThe hidden labour behind ‘looking functional’ as an ADHDerHow executive function challenges overlap to create chaos and paralysisThe complex toll ADHD takes on relationships and how to build better communicationThe workplace mismatch: thriving in crisis but overwhelmed by adminStrategies for minimizing friction and maximizing clarity at workWhy emotional regulation is about safety, not just willpowerBuilding self-trust through small, consistent winsThe underestimated power of foundational habits: sleep, food, movement, light, and hydrationThe magic of a “dopamine menu” and tiny strategies that re-regulate the nervous systemLinks: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.coach.leah/WEBSITE: https://leahccoaching.com/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdcarroll/BOOK A FREE COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/adhdlc/freeREFERENCE BOOK: https://www.thefouragreements.com/Send us a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    52 min
  7. S2E36: Untangling The Story - ADHD Behind Closed Doors + guest Kayla Oughton

    JAN 29

    S2E36: Untangling The Story - ADHD Behind Closed Doors + guest Kayla Oughton

    Julie Legg speaks with Kayla Oughton — a Napier-based AuDHD coach and neurodivergent advocate with an eclectic background in construction project management, health coaching, suicide prevention, and digital marketing. Kayla shares her journey from burnout in a male-dominated construction industry to becoming a voice for ADHDers and autistic women navigating late diagnosis, shame, and self-trust. She talks about the importance of understanding rejection sensitivity, embracing neurodivergent strengths, and leaning into the body’s signals. This conversation cuts through the fluff and dives deep into what it really looks like to rebuild your life after diagnosis, and long before it. From beast days to slug days, Kayla reminds us all that we are not broken. Key Points in the Episode: How a therapist’s question sparked Kayla’s ADHD diagnosis at 35Life inside the chaotic, undiagnosed world of construction project managementThe link between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideationWhy shame often hides behind the productivity mask in womenHow understanding ADHD can reframe your entire life storyThe overlap (and contradiction) between ADHD and autism traitsWhy rest, nervous system awareness, and body cues are vital toolsThe reality of success amnesia and the power of small winsKayla's words to those still feeling broken or “too much”Links: LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-oughton/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkayla WEBSITE: https://dopamineandco.com/services  MATES4LIFE: https://mates4life.org.nz/  Send us a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    38 min
  8. S2E35: Pattern Spotters With a Justice Radar (ADHD Edition) + guest Dr Eugene Manley

    JAN 26

    S2E35: Pattern Spotters With a Justice Radar (ADHD Edition) + guest Dr Eugene Manley

    Julie Legg sits down with Dr. Eugene Manley, a bioengineer-turned-cancer scientist, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for equity in science and healthcare. Diagnosed with ADHD during graduate school, Eugene shares how his neurodivergent wiring shaped his path from misunderstood childhood behaviours and micromanagement clashes to his deep sense of justice, pattern recognition, and innovation. Eugene opens up about navigating academia, launching a nonprofit to address health disparities, and leading through empathy rather than conformity. This conversation is packed with powerful reflections on how ADHD can be a strength — especially when harnessed with awareness, strategy, and aligned values. Key Points in the Episode: The overlooked signs of ADHD growing up, and what finally led to diagnosis in grad schoolHow neurodivergence influences innovation, empathy, and the fight against injusticeWhy ADHDers often struggle in hierarchical workplaces — and thrive with autonomyMicromanagement vs. motivation: how trust and freedom foster better workWhat inspired the launch of the STEM & Cancer Health Equity FoundationThe hidden barriers underserved communities face in healthcare settingsPractical ADHD strategies that helped Eugene manage time, focus, and burnoutViewing ADHD through a strengths lens: pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and driveAdvice for late-diagnosed adults navigating regret, relationships, and self-trustLinks: WEBSITE: https://scheq.org/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenemanleyjrphd/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/STEMMCHEQ/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stemmcheq/Send us a text Thanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

    31 min
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About

ADHDifference challenges the common misconception that ADHD only affects young people. Diagnosed as an adult, Julie Legg interviews guests from around the world, sharing new ADHD perspectives, strategies and insights. ADHDifference's mission is to foster a deeper understanding of ADHD by sharing personal, relatable experiences in informal and open conversations. Choosing "difference" over "disorder" reflects its belief that ADHD is a difference in brain wiring, not just a clinical label.Julie is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing, and Living with ADHD (HarperCollins NZ, 2024) and ADHD advocate.

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  • Creator
    Julie Legg
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Julie Legg & Jel Legg
  • Show Website
    ADHDifference