ADHD Aha!

Understood.org
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Listen to people share candid stories about the moment it clicked that they have ADHD. Host Laura Key, who’s had her own ADHD “aha” moment, chats with guests about common topics like ADHD and shame, mental health challenges, and more. Through heartfelt interviews, listeners learn about the unexpected, emotional, and even funny ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults.

  1. ADHD, big dreams, and the struggle to finish projects (Brandon Hogstad’s story)

    3/02

    ADHD, big dreams, and the struggle to finish projects (Brandon Hogstad’s story)

    Brandon Hogstad — a scientist, musician, big thinker, and co-host of a dream interpretation podcast — talks about how ADHD showed up in his adult academic life. As challenges emerged, finishing projects became a persistent struggle. A high school valedictorian, Brandon entered college with confidence and a strong academic track record. College didn’t derail him. But it brought him down to earth. For the first time, he realized he’d never really learned how to study — and that raw intelligence only goes so far. The experience reshaped his ego and deepened his understanding of his ADHD brain. Brandon reflects on working with, not against, his ADHD. And the conversation turns when, right on the spot, he interprets a dream that host Laura Key shares. For more on this topic:  Read: ADHD and the brain Watch: ADHD and: Overachieving Listen: Brandon’s “Let’s Talk About Dreams” podcast For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min
  2. When simple things aren’t simple with ADHD (Terry Matlen’s story)

    20/01

    When simple things aren’t simple with ADHD (Terry Matlen’s story)

    Psychotherapist, author, and ADHD pioneer Terry Matlen shares what led to her ADHD diagnosis. Terry’s path started with years of shame and the feeling that everyday life was inexplicably harder than it should be. She describes getting overwhelmed by ordinary moments: making dinner, figuring out what to wear, and freezing at the sink with a wooden spoon in her hand. Terry is an expert on ADHD in women. She talks about mood regulation and self-esteem with empathy. And she offers hard-won guidance for women with ADHD, especially moms. The conversation is honest — and likely to feel familiar to anyone who’s ever felt like everyday life is too much to handle. For more on this topic Listen: She broke the silence on ADHD shame in women (Sari Solden’s story) Listen: She wrote the book on women, shame, and ADHDRead: ADHD and mood swingsFor a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  3. Imposter syndrome after a lifetime of hacking her ADHD (Debbie Reber’s story)

    6/01

    Imposter syndrome after a lifetime of hacking her ADHD (Debbie Reber’s story)

    Debbie Reber — author, podcast host, and founder of Tilt Parenting — shares her unexpected journey of discovering her ADHD as an adult. She talks about the imposter syndrome that came with it, especially after years of writing about executive function and advocating for neurodivergent kids. Debbie explains how being extremely organized her whole life — hacking her ADHD without realizing it — kept her from seeing the signs sooner. She reflects on believing she “should” be someone who has natural balance, feels accomplished every day, and can simply unwind at night. She also opens up about growing up as the class clown, being told she was too loud, and how therapy is helping her untangle those early messages and better understand herself. For more on this topic:  ADHD and imposter syndrome in womenPersonal story: What I do when imposter syndrome creeps in Check out Debbie’s books, including Differently Wired: The Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical ChildFor a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org . ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  4. Suicidal ideation, masking, and overlooked ADHD (From Hyperfocus)

    23/12/2025

    Suicidal ideation, masking, and overlooked ADHD (From Hyperfocus)

    This week, we’re sharing a powerful episode from our friends at Hyperfocus — a deeply personal story with its own “aha” moments. Inattentive ADHD is often missed, especially in boys who don’t fit the typical ADHD stereotype. Brandon Saiz shares his later-in-life diagnosis and what it meant to have been overlooked for so long.  If you’re not already listening to Hyperfocus, check it out here. Content warning: Mentions of suicide For more on this topic:  Read: The 3 types of ADHDListen: The “devastating” findings of a decades-long ADHD studyFollow: Brandon Saiz on Substack   For a transcript and more resources, visit our friends at Hyperfocus on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org . ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  5. From ADHD intensity to steady ground — and into disability theology (Ange Nolan returns!)

    09/12/2025

    From ADHD intensity to steady ground — and into disability theology (Ange Nolan returns!)

    Back by popular demand… it’s Ange Nolan! Ange returns to ADHD Aha! to share how her ADHD journey has evolved since we last spoke. That includes her decision to study disability theology and help make worship spaces more supportive for neurodivergent people.  Going back to school brought up old memories of past academic struggles. Ange talks openly about navigating those feelings with more clarity and self-understanding. She also gives an update on her personal life — this time, celebrating a calm, steady relationship that looks very different from the intense dynamics she experienced in the past. For more on this topic:  Ange’s first interview: ADHD, loving intensely, and impulsivityA guide to  ADHD and emotionsFor a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org . ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min
  6. Revisiting: ADHD, loving intensely, and impulsivity (Ange’s story)

    25/11/2025

    Revisiting: ADHD, loving intensely, and impulsivity (Ange’s story)

    This week we’re revisiting one of our favorite ADHD Aha! episodes.  Ange Nolan once suspected she had ADHD but was dismissed by her doctor. Years later, an ADHD “iceberg” graphic that visualized how so many ADHD symptoms live beneath the surface finally made everything click.  After her diagnosis, Ange recognized how much ADHD had shaped her romantic relationships, her drive for intense connection, her “chameleon” behavior, and her impulsive career changes.  Be sure to tune in next time! Ange is coming back to tell us how life has changed in the three years since her episode aired. Spoiler: She’s doing great. For more on this topic: Listen: ADHD and messiness (Jeannie’s story)Read: ADHD and emotionsRead: Understanding impulsivityListen: ADHD and marriage (Rachel and Jon’s story)Timestamps:  (00:50) The ADHD iceberg moment that revealed hidden symptoms (05:20) Early warning signs, misdiagnosis, and feeling dismissed (09:40) Career pivots, masking, and finding work that finally fits (15:30) Impulsivity, hyperfixation, and burnout in relationships For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    31 min
  7. Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but she didn’t find out until college (Atira’s story)

    11/11/2025

    Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but she didn’t find out until college (Atira’s story)

    When Atira Roberson was in first grade, she was evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, dyscalculia, and a specific learning disability. But she didn’t find out about those diagnoses until college — when she went through all of her old paperwork herself.  Growing up, Atira knew she was different and was bullied because of it. Her mother was her biggest advocate, but her parents chose not to tell her about her diagnoses at the time.  In this episode, Atira — now an English language arts teacher — shares how learning the truth changed the way she saw herself, and how it shaped her passion for teaching and education policy today. For more on this topic:  Why Black girls with learning disabilities need more visibility, from the Opportunity Gap podcastTo be Black in America with a learning disability, by Atira RobersonWhat are learning disabilities?For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min
  8. What’s so funny about ADHD? (Comedian Jim Tews’ story)

    28/10/2025

    What’s so funny about ADHD? (Comedian Jim Tews’ story)

    Jim Tews is a comedian, Coast Guard veteran, and New York Times bestselling author who’s not shy to talk about ADHD in his stand-up act. Jim shares how he went from doing admin work in the Ohio Coast Guard to community college, where panic attacks finally led to his ADHD diagnosis. Jim shares what it was like trying medication for the first time and why he thinks he wasn’t diagnosed sooner. (“I had girl ADHD.”)  These days, he’s channeling all of it into comedy. With a new special (With Pictures) and album (Without Pictures), Jim talks about how stand-up keeps him grounded and what he’s learned along the way. He also looks back on a childhood full of distractions — like hiding behind doors and watching squirrels — and how those moments still show up in his life and work. For more on this topic:  Jim’s book: Felines of New YorkADHD and distraction in the militaryADHD and the brainTimestamps:  (01:52) Starting out in the Coast Guard in Ohio (05:51) Jim’s doctors dismiss a possible ADHD diagnosis (07:30) How college made ADHD more obvious (15:29) Going alcohol-free with ADHD (16:45) ADHD stories from childhood For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
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Listen to people share candid stories about the moment it clicked that they have ADHD. Host Laura Key, who’s had her own ADHD “aha” moment, chats with guests about common topics like ADHD and shame, mental health challenges, and more. Through heartfelt interviews, listeners learn about the unexpected, emotional, and even funny ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults.

Informação

  • Canal
    Understood.org
  • Autoria
    Understood.org, Laura Key
  • Anos em atividade
    2021 - 2026
  • Episódios
    126
  • Classificação
    Para todos
  • Site do programa
    ADHD Aha!

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