I Have ADHD Podcast

Kristen Carder

The I Have ADHD Podcast is a clear, concise, and FUN podcast for adults with ADHD. Listen to learn about how ADHD impacts every area of your life from the boardroom to the bedroom...and how you can begin to overcome your symptoms by accepting who you are, flaws and all. Host Kristen Carder is a dually certified coach who has supported thousands of people with ADHD worldwide. Kristen's extensive experience working with ADHDers began in 2012, and she now leads a global community of adults with ADHD in her coaching program, FOCUSED. ****OBVIOUSLY, the content in this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Kristen Carder is not a medical professional.

  1. 3D AGO

    376 When ADHD Looks Like Freeze: You’re Not Lazy, You’re Overwhelmed

    In today’s episode, we’re talking about ADHD that looks like overwhelmed and under-functioning: when your brain gets so flooded that it can’t prioritize, and instead of choosing a next step… it shuts down. You’ll learn what overwhelm really is in the context of ADHD (total cognitive, emotional, and/or sensory flooding), why “freeze” can be a very real nervous system response, and how this pattern often develops especially for those who grew up criticized, emotionally unsafe, unsupported, or chronically overwhelmed. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not hyper—I’m stuck,” this episode is for you. We’ll break down the common pattern: Overwhelm → Freeze → Underfunctioning Not because you don’t care, but because your system can’t handle the load. Then we move into gentle, practical ways to “thaw” without bullying yourself: Name it and accept it (without shame)Use safe, doable movement to activate your systemShrink the cognitive load (two essentials, tiny timers, one-minute starts)Borrow someone else’s brain (ask for help, then obey)Reduce decisions wherever possiblePractice deep self-compassion as the pathway to change Finally, we talk about when to get extra support—especially trauma-informed therapy and nervous-system-based approaches like EMDR or somatic work. Watch this episode on YouTube Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED! Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343 Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m
  2. FEB 3

    374 10 Signs of a Healthy, Functional Family (and How We Get There with ADHD)

    This is part two of our series on dysfunctional families and ADHD. If last week’s episode felt heavy, emotional, or disorienting, that makes sense. Episode one was about naming reality—and naming reality can stir grief, anger, relief, or all three. But we can’t change what we’re not willing to name. Today, we answer the next (and crucial) question: If that’s dysfunction… what does health actually look like? Because knowing what you don’t want isn’t enough. You also need a clear picture of what you’re moving toward. In this episode, I walk you through 10 signs of a healthy, functional family—not perfect families, not calm-all-the-time families, but regulated-enough, repair-focused, emotionally safe-enough families. Yes, even with ADHD. We talk about: Why repair—not perfection—is the real difference between healthy and dysfunctional familiesWhat direct communication, emotional attunement, boundaries, and accountability actually look like in real lifeHow to end parentification and create age-appropriate rolesWhy unconditional love, safety, and reliable care matter more than appearancesSmall, realistic shifts you can make without shame or perfectionism This isn’t a pass/fail checklist. It’s about direction, not perfection. If you’re pausing, noticing, repairing, and setting boundaries—you are already changing the pattern. And that’s how generational cycles end. Your family can be marked by safety, honesty, connection, and repair. Even with ADHD. Especially with ADHD. Resources mentioned: @codependencykate @timfletcherco @sitwithwhit @benvbennett Watch this episode on YouTube Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED! Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343 Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr
  3. JAN 27

    372 10 Signs You’re In A Dysfunctional Family

    Today’s episode is part one of a two-part series on dysfunctional families and ADHD. I’m sharing this from a very real place. The last few weeks have been heavy with extended family drama, and when things feel overwhelming, I name it and bring it into the light. As someone writing a book on healthy relationships for adults with ADHD, I want you to know I come by this work honestly. When I look at my own family tree, I see generations shaped by abuse, addiction, emotional neglect, and unaddressed mental health struggles. I refuse to despise my lineage—but I also refuse to continue these patterns. It stops with me. If you have ADHD, there’s a strong chance your family system shaped how safe it feels to have needs, set boundaries, and regulate emotions. This episode isn’t about blame or shame—it’s about clarity. You’ll learn: Why dysfunction can exist even when there was loveHow emotional neglect often goes unnoticedWhy guilt shows up when you set boundaries10 common signs of a dysfunctional family system Awareness is how cycles are interrupted. In Part Two, we’ll explore what healthy families actually look like and how to move toward that—without burning it all down. Episode Resources: Toxic Family Test Patrick Teahan YouTube Watch this episode on YouTube Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED! Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343 Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m

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About

The I Have ADHD Podcast is a clear, concise, and FUN podcast for adults with ADHD. Listen to learn about how ADHD impacts every area of your life from the boardroom to the bedroom...and how you can begin to overcome your symptoms by accepting who you are, flaws and all. Host Kristen Carder is a dually certified coach who has supported thousands of people with ADHD worldwide. Kristen's extensive experience working with ADHDers began in 2012, and she now leads a global community of adults with ADHD in her coaching program, FOCUSED. ****OBVIOUSLY, the content in this podcast is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Kristen Carder is not a medical professional.

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