ADHD Gathering

Ying Deng

Hosted by ADHD coach and meditation teacher Ying Deng, ADHD Gathering is a podcast that shines a light on the diverse and powerful stories within the ADHD community, with a special focus on BIPOC individuals. We explore how embracing strengths and practicing radical acceptance can help you work with your ADHD brain, not against it. Through authentic conversations, we aim to inspire listeners to see the possibilities within their own lives and create pathways for thriving. Tune in to hear voices that celebrate neurodiversity, challenge norms, and empower you to harness your unique potential.

  1. JAN 13

    Ep 10: Type B Ambitious – Understanding Your Intensity Needs with ADHD

    Ever feel like mainstream success advice – wake up at 4am, run marathons, host constantly – sounds exhausting? That’s because it’s most likely provided by people with endless physical energy. In this episode, award-winning ADHD coach and meditation teacher, Ying shares the concept of overexcitability from Polish psychologist Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration, exploring five categories of overexcitability/intensity needs: psychomotor, sensual, intellectual, imaginational, and emotional. For many late-diagnosed ADHD adults, especially those who experience the world with vivid depth, understanding which needs actually sustain you (versus which ones hit diminishing returns) changes everything. Ying shares her own discovery that she’s “Type B ambitious”: deeply driven to grow, learn, and contribute, but without that relentless physical energy the success culture glorifies. Through personal reflections on relating, travel, social media use, and how she structures her time, Ying explores how her intellectual overexcitability (that thirst for knowledge) is actually the foundation of what counts as bonding, novelty, and fulfillment for her. If you’ve ever felt like you’re ambitious but don’t fit the hustle culture mold, this framework might help you design a life that actually matches your brain’s natural way of operating, not someone else’s. 00:00 intro and update 01:45 what is overexcitability 06:10 rethinking how I met my needs 08:47 type B ambitious, ambitious without the psychomotor overexcitability 12:02 my coaching philosphy: accomplish more by doing less 13:40 intuition need important but not included in the overexcitability model 14:53 rethinking how I structure my weekends, evening, travel 16:02 novelty needs, which one doesn’t have diminishing marginal return 19:08 what needs am I trying to satisfy on social media 20:59 summary Listen now on Apple Podcast, Spotify and Youtube. Click here for podcast episodes. Resources: Booking a free coaching discovery call with Ying, an award winning ADHD coach & meditation teacher featured on Self Magazine Download a free ADHD emotional regulation menu Check out more podcast episodes Check out this podcast episode’s transcript To learn more about Dabrowski’s theory, check out: Dabrowski Center’s podcast episode on Overexcitabilities and Dabrowski’s theory. Book recommendation: Living with Intensity Another podcast episode ‘Meeting Intensity Needs’ from AuDHD Flourishing, which partially inspired this podcast episode of my own.

    22 min
  2. 09/12/2025

    Mindfulness Through Nature: ADHD-Friendly Meditation with Natural Objects (Without Music)

    Join meditation teacher and ADHD coach Ying, aka me, for a grounding mindfulness practice that uses nature as your anchor. This gentle, sensory-rich meditation is perfect for ADHD brains seeking a concrete way to experience and practice non-judgmental awareness. I first learnt this practice from my good friend, also a great meditation teacher, Lisa Pedscalny. What You’ll Need: Any natural object (rock, leaf, flower, pinecone, feather, etc.) Or simply use your hands if no natural object is available What You’ll Experience: Explore mindfulness through sight, touch, and physical sensation Practice radical acceptance using nature as your guide Learn to observe without judgment – the essence of mindfulness End with the beautiful poem “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver This practice adapts traditional mindfulness techniques to be more accessible for neurodivergent minds by providing tangible focus points and multi-sensory engagement. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking for ADHD-friendly practices, this guided session offers a peaceful way to connect with the present moment. Timemark: 00:00 Intro to the Practice 01:03 Guided Meditation Perfect for: ✨ ADHD brains seeking concrete meditation anchors ✨ Anyone wanting to connect with nature mindfully ✨ Those struggling with traditional “empty mind” meditation ✨ Building self-acceptance and non-judgmental awareness 💚 If this practice resonates with you, please share it with someone who might benefit and subscribe for more ADHD-friendly meditation content! Remember: There’s no “perfect” way to meditate – just your way. You belong in the family of things. 🦆 More from Ying: → Book a coaching discovery call with me, exploring mindful, strategic, and multi-dimensional coaching designed to help you accomplish more by doing less: https://calendly.com/ying21/discovery → ADHD-friendly digital tools: https://adhdasiangirl.com/product-category/tools/ → Join my newsletter: https://adhdasiangirl.substack.com

    10 min
  3. 08/07/2025

    Figure 8 Breathing Meditation for ADHD brains (With Music) | Mindful Movement Practice with Ying

    🧘‍♀️ Figure 8 Breathing: ADHD-Friendly Mindfulness Practice Join meditation teacher and ADHD coach Ying for a unique twist on traditional breathing meditation. This figure 8 breathing technique combines mindful breathing with gentle hand movements, making meditation more accessible for ADHD brains Timestap: 00:00 Intro to the Practice 01:46 Guided Meditation What You’ll Learn: ✨ How to practice figure 8 breathing meditation ✨ Combining breath awareness with physical movement ✨ Making mindfulness more tangible and engaging ✨ ADHD-accessible meditation techniques Perfect for: People with ADHD seeking accessible meditation Beginners looking for engaging breathing exercises Anyone wanting to try movement-based mindfulness Those who struggle with traditional seated meditation 💡 Why This Works: By engaging both breath and gentle movement, this technique gives your ADHD brain multiple points of focus, making it easier to stay present and engaged throughout the practice. Want more ADHD-friendly mindfulness tools? New meditations every Thursday Subscribe & hit the bell for future guided practices, tools, and reflections from the intersection of ADHD, mindfulness, and Asian identity. More from Ying: → Book a coaching discovery call with me, exploring mindful, strategic, and multi-dimensional coaching designed to help you accomplish more by doing less: https://calendly.com/ying21/discovery → ADHD-friendly digital tools: https://adhdasiangirl.com/product-category/tools/ → Join my newsletter: https://adhdasiangirl.substack.com — #adhd #meditation

    8 min
  4. 05/30/2025

    Ep 9: Discovering Strengths and Finding Zest with ADHD: Dr. Rebecca Jackson’s Journey

    In this episode of ADHD Gathering, host Ying interviews Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a positive psychology coach and fellow ADHD and autistic individual. They discuss Dr. Jackson’s journey from recognizing her ADHD symptoms to receiving a diagnosis, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she uses to manage her condition. Key topics include energy management, somatic and sensory practices, and the dark side of strengths like the love of learning. Dr. Jackson emphasizes the importance of joy, fun, and community support while sharing her own experiences, including an inspiring trek to Everest Base Camp. The episode provides valuable insights into living a fulfilling life with ADHD through self-awareness, adaptability, and leveraging personal strengths. 00:17 Meet Dr. Rebecca Jackson 00:57 Recognizing ADHD Signs 03:07 Managing ADHD: Strategies and Tools 06:40 Somatic and Sensory Practices 16:46 Building Sustainable Habits 24:48 Positive Psychology Coaching for ADHD 29:13 Everest Base Camp Adventure 33:23 Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom Listen now on Apple Podcast and Spotify Find more podcast episodes. Find this episode’s transcript here. Guest’s Bio: Dr Rebecca Jackson is a positive psychology coaching research practitioner. She researches best practice in safely, effectively and inclusively coaching autistic and ADHD adults. She is autistic and ADHD and, in coaching, specialises in work on zest, energy stewardship, self-regulation, motivation, authenticity and executive functioning. She also examines the role of games, humour, whimsy and fun in coaching. When Rebecca’s not eating, sleeping and breathing coaching, she can be found hiking with her dog or planning her next travel adventure. Or pretending to be a blue dragonborn paladin in Dungeons and Dragons.  How to connect with Dr. Rebecca Jackson: Website

    35 min
  5. 05/29/2025

    Ep8: The ADHD Exploration: Sydni’s Fusion of Science and Self-Discovery with Sydni Rubio

    In this episode of ADHD Gathering, host Ying interviews Sydni, a prominent ADHD creator known for her online presence and educational content. Sydni shares her personal journey with ADHD, detailing her experiences from childhood struggles to her eventual diagnosis in her mid-twenties. She discusses the impact of ADHD on her life, including her roles as a mother and a science communicator. Sydni also delves into the science behind creativity in ADHD brains and offers practical advice for managing the influx of ideas typical of individuals with ADHD. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their uniqueness and find strength in their ADHD experiences. 00:00 Introduction to ADHD Gathering Podcast 00:17 Meet Sydni: An ADHD Advocate 01:55 Sydni’s ADHD Diagnosis Journey 07:20 Challenges and Reflections on ADHD 09:17 Intersectionality and ADHD 12:15 Science Communication and ADHD 19:41 Creativity and ADHD 28:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Listen now on Apple Podcast and Spotify Find more podcast episodes. Find this episode’s transcript here. Guest’s Bio: Sydni Rubio (she/her) is an enthusiastic mother of one with a passion for neuropsychology, sarcasm, and learning. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Sciences & Chemistry in 2018, and has Master’s level experience in genetics and microbiology research. Sydni cares deeply for the education of and advocacy for ADHD and neurodiversity, gender equality, Endometriosis, pregnancy loss, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can follow Sydni’s shenanigans on her Twitter account: What in the ADHD? How to connect with Sydni: Website YouTube Video: Creativity, ADHD, the DMN, and why we have so many ideas YouTube Video: ADHD and starting projects only to abandon them – why we do it and how to manage Notion Resource: Research article summaries on ADHD, autism, medication, etc.

    30 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by ADHD coach and meditation teacher Ying Deng, ADHD Gathering is a podcast that shines a light on the diverse and powerful stories within the ADHD community, with a special focus on BIPOC individuals. We explore how embracing strengths and practicing radical acceptance can help you work with your ADHD brain, not against it. Through authentic conversations, we aim to inspire listeners to see the possibilities within their own lives and create pathways for thriving. Tune in to hear voices that celebrate neurodiversity, challenge norms, and empower you to harness your unique potential.