The evOLVED Brain: ADHD Parenting, Emotional Intelligence, & Raising Extraordinary Kids

Lara Dawn
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Parenting is Spiritual Work. ADHD is Your Awakening. What if your child's ADHD isn't something to fix… but something to understand? Welcome to The Evolved Brain, a podcast for parents raising children with ADHD in a fast-changing world. I'm Lara Dawn, a teacher of 25 years and ADHD parenting coach. I help families move from chaos and overwhelm to connection, confidence, and calm. Because here's what I've learned: The world is changing… and many ADHD traits like creativity, intensity, and original thinking are becoming real advantages. But most parenting advice hasn't caught up. On this podcast, you'll learn how to: • Support your child's brain through connection and nervous system regulation • Reduce meltdowns and build real cooperation without punishment • Strengthen focus and emotional regulation in ways that actually work • Shift your own patterns so parenting feels lighter and more aligned And along the way, something unexpected happens… Your child doesn't just grow. You do too. Because the challenges that stretch you as a parent are also the ones that expand you. If you're ready to stop fighting your child's brain and start understanding it, you're in the right place. Follow now and start parenting for the world your child is truly built for.

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Diagnosed with ADHD at 40: How Motherhood Became My Greatest Awakening

    What if the children we're raising are actually here to help us grow? At 40, an ADHD diagnosis changed everything. After decades of anxiety, overwhelm, and feeling like I was never enough, I finally began to understand myself. And why raising my own ADHD children had felt so incredibly hard. In this deeply personal episode of The evOLVED Brain, I share how discovering my ADHD, exploring somatic healing, and embracing conscious parenting transformed the way I understood myself, my children, and my purpose. What began as a personal journey became The ADHD Village and a mission to change the conversation about children's mental health. Because our children aren't just here for us to raise. They're here to help us evolve. ✨ Join TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON: A Warrior Mama Experience! November 9–13, 2026 | FREE 5-Day Experience Join incredible warriors sharing their stories, wisdom, and practical tools to help you protect your family's mental health, reconnect with yourself, and turn your lights back on. Every participant will discover powerful Weapons of Warriors tools. Upgrade to the Stay Lit Pass and receive my brand-new book, Weapons of Warriors (Volume 1)! 💗 Register FREE: https://www.theadhdvillage.com/TurnYourLightsOn

    Diagnosed with ADHD at 40: How Motherhood Became My Greatest Awakening

  2. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing She Escaped the Unthinkable and Chose Her Own Beginning from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOKS! I Choose My Beginning: A Story of Courage and Activism https://amzn.to/4j14o11 The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State https://amzn.to/4dwNaVF Nadia Murad was just 21 when ISIS attacked her village in northern Iraq. She was taken captive and endured unimaginable abuse before she escaped and went on to become one of the world's most powerful voices for survivors of genocide and wartime violence. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, Nadia first shared her experience in her bestselling memoir, The Last Girl. Now, in her new book, I Choose My Beginning, she explores what it means to move forward and build a life beyond her past. Oprah and Nadia talk about the difference between surviving and healing and why she continues to speak out for the victims of the Yazidi genocide who are still missing. Nadia also opens up about finding love, getting married and creating a life that includes both her activism and her own happiness. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney joins the conversation to talk about their work together seeking justice for ISIS crimes against the Yazidi people. 00:00:00 - Welcome Nadia Murad, author of “I Choose My Beginning” 00:05:40 - Why she chose to speak out 00:08:52 - Nadia wanted to rescue her niece 00:12:00 - Winning the Nobel Peace Prize 00:15:00 - Perceptions of survivors 00:18:00 - Online criticism 00:20:50 - Why Oprah admires Nadia 00:23:20 - Meeting Amal Clooney 00:27:00 - Cases for Yazidi women 00:31:30 - What Amal learned from Nadia 00:35:30 - Life in the refugee camp 00:37:35 - Falling in love 00:41:30 - Thousands of Yazidi people still missing 00:43:45 - The aftermath of war 00:51:00 - Nadia declined an operation 00:53:50 - Survival is not the end 00:56:00 - Building a new life Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/oprah/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

  3. Sep 4

    Homework and ADHD: Should Kids With ADHD Have Homework?

    Why is homework so difficult for children with ADHD? In this episode of The evOLVED Brain, Lara Dawn explores ADHD homework battles, executive function, homework refusal and what research says about homework by age. Learn how to distinguish between a child who needs more support and an expectation that may need to change. Before you listen: Subscribe to The evOLVED Brain and send this episode to a parent who is tired of homework taking over their evenings. If homework is turning your evenings into arguments, tears, shutdowns and constant nagging, I want you to consider something: Maybe the problem isn't your child. Maybe it's the expectation. In this episode of The evOLVED Brain, Lara Dawn takes a deeper look at homework through the lens of ADHD, neurodivergence, child development and 25 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, including 10 years in special education. Because homework isn't simply academic work for an ADHD brain. It can require task initiation, working memory, planning, organization, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance and sustained attention, often after a child has already spent an entire day using those skills at school. But this isn't an anti-homework episode. It's a question-everything episode. Lara explores what the research actually says about homework, Dr. Ross Greene's "kids do well if they can" philosophy, the 10-minute homework guideline, and what Montessori, homeschooling and unschooling can teach us about how children learn. Most importantly, she asks parents to consider: What is this homework giving my child? And what is it costing them? Because being a Warrior Mama isn't about automatically fighting the school. It's about becoming the conscious leader of your family. In this episode: Why homework can become an executive-function obstacle course for ADHD kids Why homework refusal isn't necessarily laziness or defiance What research suggests about homework at different ages Why responsibility doesn't have to be taught through worksheets What Dr. Ross Greene's work can teach us about homework battles What Montessori, homeschooling and unschooling reveal about learning When ADHD children may need more support and accountability When they may need less repetition, pressure and shame Why accommodations don't prevent children from becoming independent How to decide what is actually right for your child The goal isn't to raise a child who complies beautifully with every expectation. The goal is to raise a human who understands their brain, knows what they need and can advocate for themselves. Support the disability. Protect the design. Evolve the environment.

    Homework and ADHD: Should Kids With ADHD Have Homework?

  4. Aug 20 ·  Video

    Why Is My Smart ADHD Child Struggling in School? | ADHD Study & Executive Function Tips

    Your ADHD Child Isn't Lazy: They Were Never Taught How to Learn Subscribe to The evOLVED Brain and share this episode with a parent whose brilliant child is struggling to show what they know. Has anyone ever told you: "Your child has so much potential... if only they would apply themselves." For a child with ADHD who is trying, those words can hurt. Because sometimes the problem isn't intelligence. It isn't motivation. And it certainly isn't laziness. They may simply never have been taught HOW to learn. In this episode of The evOLVED Brain, Lara Dawn sits down with ADHD academic coach Andrea Zians, author of How to Study with ADHD and Other Learning Challenges, to explore why incredibly bright ADHD students can struggle academically despite having enormous potential. Andrea explains why traditional studying often fails ADHD brains, how executive-function challenges affect academic performance, and what parents can do instead of constantly reminding, prompting, and managing their child. In this episode: Why intelligence doesn't automatically translate into academic success Why rereading and rewriting notes may be ineffective study strategies The two academic transitions when learning strategies become especially important Why schools need to explicitly teach students how to learn How to help ADHD students build systems that work for their brains Why parents should guide rather than manage How connecting schoolwork to a child's bigger "why" can increase motivation Why failure can become information instead of identity How ADHD can become an incredible asset when the right systems are in place One of the biggest takeaways? Kids with ADHD don't need another adult constantly telling them what to do. They need someone willing to listen, understand what isn't working, and help them build strategies with them, not for them. Because your child may not need to try harder. They may need to learn differently. 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a parent, teacher, or student who needs to hear it. ABOUT ANDREA ZIANS Andrea Zians is an ADHD coach specializing in high school, college, and university students. She helps students with ADHD and learning challenges develop executive-function systems, learning strategies, study skills, and technology tools so they can better "show what they know." Andrea is also the author of How to Study with ADHD and Other Learning Challenges. FREE RESOURCE Andrea has created a study guide with practical strategies for students and families. Click here: https://www.andreazians.com/

  5. Aug 13 ·  Video

    Back to School with ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

    What if your ADHD child doesn't need to get better at school? What if school needs to get better at understanding your child? As back-to-school season begins, it's easy to slip right back into the old worries: The missing assignments. The difficult mornings. The calls from the teacher. The unfinished homework. The grades. But this year, I want you to try something different. Instead of asking, "How do I make my child more successful at school?" let's ask: "What does my child need to thrive?" In this episode of The evOLVED Brain, I'm sharing practical ways to make the transition back to school easier for ADHD kids and their parents, while challenging some of the beliefs we've been taught about what "success" at school should actually look like. We talk about why your child can hyperfocus on video games but struggle to start homework, why accommodations aren't "coddling," how to support executive functioning without doing everything for your child, and why the hours after school may matter more than you realize. And mama, we're talking about your nervous system too. Because your child isn't the only one going back to school. In this episode: Why ADHD kids can focus for hours on something they love but struggle with homework What actually motivates an ADHD brain Why IEPs and 504 plans create access, not unfair advantages How to work with your child's strengths instead of constantly correcting weaknesses Why we need to rethink outdated school environments How to start September without dragging last year's struggles into it Why some kids need less back-to-school preparation, not more What may be happening when your child falls apart after school Simple ways to help your child decompress and reconnect Why grades shouldn't be the only measure of a successful year How scaffolding and body doubling can support executive functioning Why your nervous system matters during the back-to-school transition How to help your child build self-awareness, self-advocacy and self-trust One question to carry into this school year: Would you rather have a child who understands their brain, or a child who believes their report card defines their brain? This year, let's stop trying to squeeze extraordinary brains into systems that weren't designed for them. Support the disability. Protect the design. Evolve the environment. Because this is bigger than back to school. This is about raising an evOLVED Brain. 🎧 Chapters 00:00 The "S" Word: Back to School 01:49 Why ADHD Kids Hyperfocus on What They Love 03:51 IEPs, 504s & Executive Function Support 05:55 Don't Bring Last Year's Story Into September 08:03 Anxiety, Transitions & What Your Child Needs 09:52 After-School Regulation, Connection & Nutrition 12:06 What If Grades Aren't the Goal? 13:57 Scaffolding, Body Doubling & Making Hard Things Easier 16:12 Mama, Your Nervous System Matters Too 17:58 Raising Kids Who Know and Trust Their Brains Resources  Join the ADHD Village Facebook community Grab the Back-to-School Success Kit Parent Like a Video Game With Aaron Huey ✨ Subscribe to The evOLVED Brain so you don't miss the upcoming episodes on IEPs, 504 plans and executive function support. Know a parent who is already feeling the back-to-school pressure? Send them this episode.

    Back to School with ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

  6. Jul 21 ·  Video

    ADHD and Anxiety By Overcoming the Wall of Awful - With Brendan Mahan

    Your child is sitting in front of their homework. The instructions are clear. The task may only take ten minutes. But they cannot begin. From the outside, it can look like procrastination, defiance, or a lack of motivation. Inside, your child may be facing what ADHD coach and author Brendan Mahan calls the Wall of Awful: an emotional barrier built from past struggles, shame, guilt, rejection, disappointment, and overwhelm. Before your child can complete the task, they may first have to get past everything the task has come to mean. In this episode, Brendan and Lara explore: Why easy tasks can feel impossible for ADHD brains How anxiety holds the Wall of Awful together Why shutdown, avoidance, and anger may be fight, flight, or freeze responses How parents can develop their own Wall of Awful Why regulation must come before problem-solving How planning can create a doorway through overwhelm Why mistakes are part of growth, not proof of failure How certainty, connection, agency, and well-being can reduce anxiety Your child may not be doing nothing. They may be doing invisible emotional work. Learn more about Brendan Mahan's book, Overcoming the Wall of Awful, at: http://www.thewallofawful.com Join our ADHD community here: https://www.theadhdvillage.com/

  7. Jul 8 ·  Video

    Why ADHD Parenting Feels So Hard (And the Shift That Changes Everything)

    If you've ever found yourself crying in the car after another hard day… wondering why nothing you've tried seems to work… or feeling like you're failing your child… This episode is for you. As a special education teacher, I knew the strategies. As an ADHD mom… I couldn't access them. In this deeply personal episode, I share the story that changed everything for me. The day I realized there weren't just two overwhelmed children in the back seat. There were four overwhelmed nervous systems. That moment led me to ask a different question. What if my child isn't the only one who needs support? That question transformed not only how I parented my two boys with ADHD, but how I understand the brain, emotional regulation, and what children truly need to thrive. In this episode, you'll discover: 💗 Why traditional parenting strategies often don't work for children with ADHD 💗 Why your child's behaviour is communication, not defiance 💗 The neuroscience behind emotional regulation and why connection always comes before correction 💗 Why you cannot pour regulation into your child from an empty nervous system 💗 How supporting yourself is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child 💗 Why ADHD is a design, not a deficit 💗 My framework: Support the disability. Protect the design. Evolve the environment. Most importantly, we'll explore a truth that changed my life: Our children aren't just here for us to raise them. They're here to raise us too. If you've been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, guilty, or like you're carrying more than anyone else can see, I want you to know this: You are not failing. You're carrying more than most people will ever understand. And there is another way. If this episode speaks to your heart, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who needs this message. Together, we can change how the world understands ADHD. Ready for more support? Join Warrior Mamas, my signature coaching community where you'll learn how to regulate your nervous system, understand your child's brain, and create a home built on connection instead of constant correction. Because when a parent changes… the emotional climate of the entire family changes. Remember… ADHD is a design, not a deficit. The future belongs to evOLVED minds. And we raise them. 💗

    Why ADHD Parenting Feels So Hard (And the Shift That Changes Everything)

  8. Jun 30 ·  Video

    Why Fair Isn't Equal: Julie Cole on Raising Neurodivergent Kids

    Why Fair Isn't Equal: Julie Cole on Raising Neurodivergent Kids 🎧 Before You Listen... If this episode encourages you, would you do me a quick favour? ✨ Subscribe to The evOLVED Brain so you never miss an episode. ✨ Share this episode with one parent, teacher, or caregiver who needs this conversation today. Together, we're changing the way the world understands ADHD and neurodivergent children. ❤️ Feeling inspired by this conversation? Imagine having weekly coaching, practical ADHD parenting tools, and a community of moms who truly understand your journey. Warrior Mamas was created for women who are ready to parent with more confidence, less guilt, and a whole lot more joy. We'd love to welcome you. Warrior Mamas is a coaching community for mothers raising neurodivergent children who are ready to stop surviving and start leading their families with confidence, calm, and connection. Learn more at: https://www.theadhdvillage.com/warrior-mamas What if the goal isn't to treat every child the same? What if the greatest act of love is giving each child exactly what they need? In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with entrepreneur, bestselling author, and mom of six, Julie Cole, whose parenting journey has shaped not only her family but also one of Canada's most successful companies. Julie shares the lessons she's learned raising six children with six unique personalities and learning profiles, including autism and ADHD. Together, we explore why "fair" doesn't always mean "equal," how behaviour is communication, and why taking care of yourself isn't selfish... it's one of the greatest leadership gifts you can give your family. We also dive into how parenting neurodivergent children transformed the culture at Mabel's Labels, creating a workplace where differences are celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Whether you're parenting ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning differences, or simply trying to become a more connected parent, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, understood, and reminded that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising extraordinary children. In This Episode We Discuss • Why treating every child the same isn't actually fair • The self-care advice most parents get wrong • Why behaviour is communication • Practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent children • The importance of early intervention and advocacy • How to build confidence instead of shame • Why ADHD and autism can become incredible strengths • Creating schools and workplaces where every brain can succeed Memorable Quotes "Taking care of yourself is a form of leadership." "Treat each child according to their needs, not equally." "Catch them being good." "Behaviour is communication." Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Cole 00:51 Raising six children 01:57 Why every child needs different parenting 03:36 The myth of bigger kids, bigger problems 05:00 Self-care is leadership 06:25 Why self-care looks different for every parent 08:22 Parenting neurodivergent children 11:25 Supporting different learning profiles 13:41 Autism advocacy and early intervention 15:05 Behaviour management that actually works 16:26 Hidden strengths of neurodivergent children 17:26 Genetics and late diagnosis 18:41 Julie's own neurodivergent journey 20:04 Strategies for success and resilience 21:56 Behaviour is communication 23:29 Helping children thrive at school 25:35 How parenting shaped Mabel's Labels 27:26 Neurodiversity in the workplace 29:31 Inclusive hiring practices 31:30 Connect with Julie 32:50 Final reflections About Julie Cole Julie Cole is the co-founder of Mabel's Labels, the award-winning company that grew from a basement startup into a multi-million-dollar brand. A recovered lawyer and proud mom of six, Julie now serves as a Senior Director, bestselling author, and one of Canada's most recognized voices in entrepreneurship. An award-winning speaker and trusted media contributor, Julie is known for her warmth, humour, practical wisdom, and passion for supporting women entrepreneurs, small businesses, and families raising neurodivergent children. Connect with Julie • Mabel's Labels: https://mabelslabels.com • Book: Like a Mother: Birthing Businesses, Babies and a Life Beyond Labels • Follow Julie on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for more parenting and entrepreneurship insights. Connect with Lara Dawn Join our Facebook Communities: The ADHD Village and Parenting ADHD Teens If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that our children don't need to fit the world... together, we can build a world where they belong.

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About

Parenting is Spiritual Work. ADHD is Your Awakening. What if your child's ADHD isn't something to fix… but something to understand? Welcome to The Evolved Brain, a podcast for parents raising children with ADHD in a fast-changing world. I'm Lara Dawn, a teacher of 25 years and ADHD parenting coach. I help families move from chaos and overwhelm to connection, confidence, and calm. Because here's what I've learned: The world is changing… and many ADHD traits like creativity, intensity, and original thinking are becoming real advantages. But most parenting advice hasn't caught up. On this podcast, you'll learn how to: • Support your child's brain through connection and nervous system regulation • Reduce meltdowns and build real cooperation without punishment • Strengthen focus and emotional regulation in ways that actually work • Shift your own patterns so parenting feels lighter and more aligned And along the way, something unexpected happens… Your child doesn't just grow. You do too. Because the challenges that stretch you as a parent are also the ones that expand you. If you're ready to stop fighting your child's brain and start understanding it, you're in the right place. Follow now and start parenting for the world your child is truly built for.

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