Chaos & Caffeine - ADHD Parenting Podcast

Danielle Kelly
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Chaos and Caffeine, where parenting gets real, messy, and fueled by endless coffee refills. Hosted by ADHD parent coach Danielle Kelly, this podcast dives into the beautiful chaos of raising neurodivergent kids, balancing life, and finding joy in the middle of the madness. From ADHD hacks and emotional management tips to stories that’ll make you laugh, cry, or say awesome Chaos and Caffeine is your go-to resource for navigating the unpredictable world of parenting. Whether you’re looking for expert advice, relatable stories, or just someone who gets it, grab your mug and join the conversation. Parenting isn’t perfect, but with a little caffeine and a lot of community, we’ll get through it together. New episodes every week!

  1. Are Screens Rewiring Your ADHD Child’s Brain? The Truth About Social Media, Dopamine & Attention (ft. Dr. Jane Shawcroft)

    1D AGO

    Are Screens Rewiring Your ADHD Child’s Brain? The Truth About Social Media, Dopamine & Attention (ft. Dr. Jane Shawcroft)

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! Are screens actually rewiring your child’s brain… or are we just being dramatic? In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, I sit down with Dr. Jane Shawcroft to break down what research actually says about screen time, social media, and kids — especially for children with ADHD. Because here’s the reality no one is saying loud enough:  ADHD brains are already wired for dopamine, novelty, and instant feedback… and today’s digital platforms are built to deliver exactly that. So what happens when those two collide? We dig into:  ✔️ Whether social media is designed to be addictive for kids  ✔️ Why ADHD children may be more vulnerable to problematic screen use  ✔️ The long-term effects of early screen habits on behavior and mental health  ✔️ What actually works for ADHD families when limiting screen time feels impossible This is not about guilt.  This is about understanding what your child is up against — and how to support them without losing your mind in the process. If you’ve ever wondered why your child melts down when screens turn off…  why focus feels harder after device time…  or if you’re “doing screens wrong”… This episode will change how you see it. Connect with Dr. Shawcroft 👉 Media Across Development     This Month's Sponsors: 📱 My Screen Coach Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug.  🧠 Social Thinking Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally.  🎲 Taco Cat Games Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown…  🌱 MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com. Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    50 min
  2. ADHD, Screen Time & Emotional Regulation: What’s Really Happening in Your Child’s Brain | with Dr. Jody Carrington

    APR 28

    ADHD, Screen Time & Emotional Regulation: What’s Really Happening in Your Child’s Brain | with Dr. Jody Carrington

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  If screen time feels like it has a stronger grip on your child than you do… this episode is going to change the way you see everything. Today on Chaos & Caffeine, I’m sitting down with clinical psychologist and globally recognized expert Dr. Jody Carrington to break down what’s actually happening in ADHD brains when it comes to screens, emotional regulation, and those next-level meltdowns that hit the second you say, “time to turn it off.” Because this isn’t just about screen time.  This is about nervous system regulation, connection, and why ADHD kids aren’t “addicted” to screens—they’re often using them to cope. In this episode, we get into:  Why ADHD kids struggle so hard to transition off screens  What’s happening in the brain during screen use (and why it feels impossible to compete)  The difference between screen “addiction” vs. emotional regulation  How dysregulation shows up as behavior—and what your child actually needs in those moments  Why connection beats control (and how to actually do that in real life)  What to do after a full-blown screen meltdown (without shame or punishment)  Practical ways to reduce screen battles in your home starting today If you’re exhausted from fighting the same screen-time battles on repeat…  If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so much harder for my kid?” If you want real, science-backed strategies that actually work for ADHD families… This conversation will hit different. Connect with Dr. Jody 👉 Dr. Jody Carrington   This Month's Sponsors: 📱 My Screen Coach Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug.  🧠 Social Thinking Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally.  🌱 MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.   Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  📧 Have questions or ideas for future epi Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    56 min
  3. What Screens Are Stealing From ADHD Kids (And How to Rebuild Those Skills) | Michelle Garcia Winner

    APR 21

    What Screens Are Stealing From ADHD Kids (And How to Rebuild Those Skills) | Michelle Garcia Winner

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! Screens aren’t the enemy. But they are replacing something our ADHD kids desperately need: real-world skill practice. In this powerful kickoff episode of the Chaos & Caffeine Screens Campaign, Danielle sits down with internationally recognized social-cognitive specialist Michelle Garcia Winner, founder of Social Thinking and one of the leading experts in how children develop the invisible social skills that shape friendships, emotional regulation, and real-life success. And when screens take up more and more of childhood, those practice opportunities quietly disappear. In this conversation we unpack: • The social thinking skills screens are quietly replacing • Why ADHD kids struggle with flexible thinking, perspective taking, and reading the room • How screen-heavy environments impact executive functioning and emotional regulation • The gap between digital competence and real-world social confidence • How parents can intentionally rebuild the skills that make friendships and conversations work • Practical ways to coach social awareness, frustration tolerance, and flexible thinking at home This conversation launches our Chaos & Caffeine Screens Campaign, where we explore the complex relationship between screens and neurodivergent brains — not from a place of panic, but from a place of strategy. Connect with Michelle 👉 Social Thinking    This Month's Sponsors: 📱 My Screen Coach Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug.  🧠 Social Thinking Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally.  🎲 Taco Cat Games Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown…  🌱 MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us a Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    52 min
  4. ADHD Kids & Screen Time: Why Turning Screens Off Triggers Meltdowns (And What Actually Works) | ScreenCoach

    APR 14

    ADHD Kids & Screen Time: Why Turning Screens Off Triggers Meltdowns (And What Actually Works) | ScreenCoach

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  If asking your ADHD child to turn off screens feels like lighting a match near a gasoline can… you’re not imagining it. For many neurodivergent kids, screen time isn’t just entertainment. It’s a dopamine firehose, which means stopping can trigger emotional explosions, power struggles, and daily family conflict. And if you’ve ever wondered… • Why screens are so hard for ADHD brains to walk away from  • Why timers, limits, and parental controls often fail  • Why screen battles can take over your entire household  • And how to actually reset your family’s relationship with technology …this episode is for you. Today on Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle sits down with Stephanie and Peter Kakris, founders of ScreenCoach — a system designed to help families turn screen time from a daily fight into something kids earn through real-world activities like movement, creativity, chores, and learning. Stephanie brings a background in psychology and behavior change, while Peter is a serial tech entrepreneur who has spent his career building software that solves real-world problems. But ScreenCoach didn’t start in a lab. It started in their own home — trying to solve the same screen battles millions of parents are fighting right now. Connect with Peter & Stephanie 👉 Social Thinking    This Month's Sponsors: 📱 My Screen Coach Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug.  🧠 Social Thinking Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally.  🎲 Taco Cat Games Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown…  🌱 MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com. Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    53 min
  5. What Screens Are Stealing From ADHD Kids (And How to Rebuild Those Skills) | Michelle Garcia Winner

    APR 7

    What Screens Are Stealing From ADHD Kids (And How to Rebuild Those Skills) | Michelle Garcia Winner

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! Screens aren’t the enemy. But they are replacing something our ADHD kids desperately need: real-world skill practice. In this powerful kickoff episode of the Chaos & Caffeine Screens Campaign, Danielle sits down with internationally recognized social-cognitive specialist Michelle Garcia Winner, founder of Social Thinking and one of the leading experts in how children develop the invisible social skills that shape friendships, emotional regulation, and real-life success. And when screens take up more and more of childhood, those practice opportunities quietly disappear. In this conversation we unpack: • The social thinking skills screens are quietly replacing • Why ADHD kids struggle with flexible thinking, perspective taking, and reading the room • How screen-heavy environments impact executive functioning and emotional regulation • The gap between digital competence and real-world social confidence • How parents can intentionally rebuild the skills that make friendships and conversations work • Practical ways to coach social awareness, frustration tolerance, and flexible thinking at home This conversation launches our Chaos & Caffeine Screens Campaign, where we explore the complex relationship between screens and neurodivergent brains — not from a place of panic, but from a place of strategy. Because the goal isn’t to eliminate screens. The goal is to strengthen the skills our kids need to thrive in the real world. Connect with Michelle 👉 Social Thinking    This Month's Sponsors: 📱 My Screen Coach Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug.  🧠 Social Thinking Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally.  🎲 Taco Cat Games Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown…  🌱 MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    52 min
  6. ADHD Parenting Reset: 12 Brutally Honest Lessons That Changed Everything (New Year, Less Chaos Finale)

    MAR 31

    ADHD Parenting Reset: 12 Brutally Honest Lessons That Changed Everything (New Year, Less Chaos Finale)

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  After 12 weeks of expert interviews, real-life experiments, and “oh wow… I’ve been doing that wrong” moments, this is the episode where it all comes together. In this raw, unfiltered finale of the New Year, Less Chaos series, I’m breaking down the most powerful ADHD parenting lessons that actually stuck — the ones that changed how I show up for my kid and for myself. From food and behavior to school advocacy, emotional regulation, co-parenting alignment, and mom rage… we’re talking about the real shifts that make a difference in everyday life with ADHD kids. You’ll hear takeaways inspired by conversations with experts like Dr. Michael Elice, Tracy Otsuka, Dr. Mary Hulseman, and more — including honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m still figuring out. If you’re raising a child with ADHD and feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in the same cycles, this episode will help you reset your approach with practical, compassionate strategies that actually work in real homes. Because less chaos isn’t about perfection — it’s about understanding your child’s brain, regulating your own, and making small shifts that add up over time. This Month's Sponsors: 📱 Talkspace  Therapy that fits real life. With Talkspace, you can message or chat with a licensed therapist right from your phone, no face-to-face required.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!  📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com. Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    14 min
  7. Parenting the Child You Have: ADHD Parenting, Emotional Regulation & Mental Health with Dr. Kristen Cook

    MAR 24

    Parenting the Child You Have: ADHD Parenting, Emotional Regulation & Mental Health with Dr. Kristen Cook

    Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! What does it really mean to parent the child you have — especially when that child has ADHD, big emotions, intense behaviors, or doesn’t fit the traditional parenting playbook? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Dr. Kristen Cook, physician, psychiatrist, author, and mental health expert, to talk about what ADHD parents actually need to understand about their child’s brain, behavior, and emotional development. If you are parenting a neurodivergent child, a strong-willed child, a highly sensitive child, or a child who feels “too much” for the systems around them — this episode is for you. We dive into: What “parenting the child you have” truly means (and why it can feel confronting at first)ADHD parenting strategies that work with your child’s brain — not against itEmotional regulation in kids with ADHDThe difference between behavior problems and nervous system overloadWhy traditional discipline often backfires for neurodivergent kidsHow to separate your child’s identity from their behaviorParenting mindset shifts that reduce shame and increase connectionDr. Cook breaks down the neuroscience behind behavior in a way that is compassionate, grounded, and practical. We discuss how biology, temperament, trauma, and environment all shape a child’s development — and how ADHD parents can respond with clarity instead of chaos. This conversation is packed with actionable ADHD parenting tips, mental health insights, and permission to stop trying to force your child into a mold they were never meant to fit. If you’re raising an ADHD child and feeling exhausted, misunderstood, or stuck in behavior battles — this episode will help you recalibrate your parenting approach and strengthen connection. 🎧 Listen now and start parenting the child you have — not the one the world expected. Connect with Dr. Cook 👉 Mom Doc Talk   Parenting Redefined Book This Month's Sponsors: 📱 Talkspace  Therapy that fits real life. With Talkspace, you can message or chat with a licensed therapist right from your phone, no face-to-face required. Perfect if you’re shy, anxious, overwhelmed, or just communicate better in writing.  🎒 Miacademy  An online learning platform that makes school feel less like a daily power struggl Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

    49 min
  8. ADHD Moms, Rage & Identity Loss: The Truth About Matrescence with Sami Garrett | Good Enough Motherhood

    MAR 17

    ADHD Moms, Rage & Identity Loss: The Truth About Matrescence with Sami Garrett | Good Enough Motherhood

    Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves! Motherhood changed you. ADHD amplified it. In this powerful episode of Chaos & Caffeine, I sit down with Sami Garrett, founder of Good Enough Matrescence, to unpack the identity shift no one prepared us for: matrescence. If you’re an ADHD mom who feels overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally reactive, burned out, or quietly grieving who you used to be — this conversation will hit deep. We talk about: What matrescence actually is (and why it matters for ADHD mothers)Postpartum rage, perfectionism, and nervous system burnoutWhy ADHD moms feel like they’re failing before 9 a.m.The mental load, executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation struggles of motherhoodHow to move from shame to self-compassionWhat “good enough motherhood” really means in a neurodivergent householdSami shares her personal story of postpartum trauma and how she turned her healing journey into a powerful community supporting mothers navigating identity loss, resentment, overstimulation, and the invisible labor of parenting. If you’ve ever Googled:  “Why am I so angry as a mom?”  “Is ADHD making motherhood harder?”  “Why do I feel lost after having kids?”  “ADHD mom burnout help” This episode is for you. This is part of our New Year, Less Chaos series — where we stop pretending we’re fine and start building sustainable support systems for neurodivergent families. 🎧 Listen now and send this to another ADHD mom who needs to hear: you are not broken — you are becoming. Connect with Sami 👉 GEM This Month's Sponsors: 📱 Talkspace  Therapy that fits real life. With Talkspace, you can message or chat with a licensed therapist right from your phone, no face-to-face required. Perfect if you’re shy, anxious, overwhelmed, or just communicate better in writing.  🎒 Miacademy  An online learning platform that makes school feel less like a daily power struggle. With engaging videos, games, quizzes, and built-in rewards, Miacademy helps K-8 kids stay motivated while giving parents tools to track progress without hovering.  🛒 Insight Family Market A thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families. Insight Family Market b Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

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About

Welcome to Chaos and Caffeine, where parenting gets real, messy, and fueled by endless coffee refills. Hosted by ADHD parent coach Danielle Kelly, this podcast dives into the beautiful chaos of raising neurodivergent kids, balancing life, and finding joy in the middle of the madness. From ADHD hacks and emotional management tips to stories that’ll make you laugh, cry, or say awesome Chaos and Caffeine is your go-to resource for navigating the unpredictable world of parenting. Whether you’re looking for expert advice, relatable stories, or just someone who gets it, grab your mug and join the conversation. Parenting isn’t perfect, but with a little caffeine and a lot of community, we’ll get through it together. New episodes every week!

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