Managing Money With A Neurodivergent Brain | For adults with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia | With Esther Bangura

Esther Bangura

I’m Esther Bangura the researcher behind the Neurodivergent and Money UK Survey 2025 and a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman living with ADHD (predominantly inattentive type), dyslexia, and dyspraxia. For years, I was stuck in vicious cycles of debt, emotional overspending, and executive dysfunction. Today, by learning to manage money in a way that works with my brain instead of against it, I’ve been able to pay off debt, regulate my emotions, and finally budget in a way that actually sticks. This podcast is a space for late-diagnosed adults who are tired of financial advice that leaves them feeling ashamed, overwhelmed, or behind. Together, we’ll explore the intersections of neurodiversity, diagnosis, adjustments, age, culture, work, career, education, race, and system barriers — because money doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s shaped by every part of who we are and the systems we live in. You can expect a blend of weekly episodes: some with just me sharing research and lived experience, and others with guests who bring powerful stories, insights, and tools. Here, you’ll learn how to: -Build shame-free money systems that work with your brain -Reduce stress-spending and emotional money habits -Create stability and confidence in your finances -Navigate money with less overwhelm and more self-compassion With 80% of neurodivergent adults overspending when stressed, 77% struggling to plan ahead, and 73% feeling shame or fear about money, this show reminds you that you are not alone — and it’s designed with you in mind. Because you’re not broken. You’re just learning to manage money in a way that honours how your brain actually works. 📑Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 https://www.estherbangura.com/neurodivergentandmoneyreport 💼 Connect with Esther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbangura/ 🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or provide regulated financial services.

Episodes

  1. SEP 22

    05: Redefining Dyslexia and Building Advocacy Across Africa with Adunola Shoge

    Dyslexia is a global challenge—affecting millions, yet still misunderstood in many parts of the world. What’s truly inspiring is how awareness is now gaining momentum in Africa, especially in Nigeria, where conversations about neurodiversity are just beginning to break through cultural and educational barriers. In this episode, I sit down with Adunola Shoge, a trailblazer who is changing the narrative around dyslexia in Africa. We explore her personal journey, the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent adults in Nigeria, and the practical tools that are making a real difference. Why is dyslexia awareness kicking off in Nigeria now? Because more voices like Adunola’s are speaking up, challenging stigma, and building communities of support. It’s a reminder that inclusion is a global movement—and every story matters.   Highlights   Adunola’s personal journey with dyslexia and what inspired her to become an advocate. The biggest challenges facing neurodivergent communities in Africa—and how Adunola is helping to overcome them. Practical resources and strategies that are making a real impact.   Links & Resources   👉🏽 Connect with Adunola on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adunola-shoge/ Check out Adunloa Shoge Dyslexic Genius book    📑 Free Neurodivergents and Money Report 2025: Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025   💼 Connect with Esther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbangura/     🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com

    54 min

  2. SEP 15

    04: Navigating Debt, Work & Business As A Neurodivergent (Dyslexia & Dyspraxia) Adult With Tae Dawodu-Alcide

    In this episode, Esther sits down with career coach Tae to discuss how neurodivergent adults can confidently navigate debt, work, and business. They share personal stories of late diagnoses, overcoming academic and financial challenges, and building systems that work for unique brains. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking practical advice and encouragement on thriving with neurodivergence in their career and finances.   Highlights: Tae’s journey to a late diagnosis of dyslexia and dyspraxia, and how it shaped her education and career path The realities of juggling work, study, and debt as a neurodivergent adult Building personalized systems and boundaries to manage overwhelm The power of self-employment and business for neurodivergent individuals Practical tips for managing money, finding support, and advocating for your needs at work and university The importance of community, faith, and leaning into your unique strengths   Links & Resources: 👉🏽 Connect with Tae Dawodu-Alcide on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tae-dawodu/ 📑 Free Neurodivergents and Money Report 2025: Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 💼 Connect with Esther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbangura/  🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com

    57 min

  3. SEP 8

    03: The Emotional Side of Money: Why Trying Hard Still Feels So Hard For Neurodivergent Adult

    In this episode, Esther Bangura explores why managing money is rarely about numbers alone, especially for neurodivergent adults with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia. Drawing on new UK research, she unpacks how emotions drive financial behaviour, the science of emotional regulation, and what practical strategies can actually help. If you have ever felt anxious, overwhelm.   Highlights Esther shares her personal experience of stress spending on Ubers when time blindness strikes and how this links to the survey finding that 71 percent of ND adults feel they are trying but still struggling. Discover why emotions like anxiety, overwhelm, and guilt create ongoing cycles of avoidance and shame, and how understanding brain science — the amygdala and prefrontal cortex — can help shift the narrative from willpower to self-compassion. Learn three practical approaches to emotional regulation that work with a neurodivergent brain: building self awareness, developing an emotional vocabulary, and using body scanning to reconnect with your feelings. Esther also shares how workplaces, financial institutions, and schools can play a role in creating more supportive systems.   Links & Resources 📑 Free Neurodivergents and Money Report 2025: Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 💼 Connect with Esther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbangura/  🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com

    14 min

  4. SEP 1

    02: Why I Launched the UK Neurodivergence & Money Survey and What 279 ND Adults are telling us!

    Summary In this episode Esther Bangura shares the story behind launching the 2025 UK Neurodivergence and Money Survey. She opens up about her own ADHD inattentive diagnosis, money shame, and cycles of overspending and reveals what 279 neurodivergent adults across the UK told us about stress spending, executive dysfunction, and financial goals. This episode is for professionals, workplaces, and ND adults who want to understand the barriers and the solutions that really work. Highlights: Story: Esther’s turning point after her ADHD inattentive diagnosis Barrier and breakthrough: Why 80 percent overspend when stressed, and why it is not about laziness Tools that actually help ND adults: money day routines, calm budgeting, and human support Survey insights: the top four things ND adults really want — resilience recognised, clear financial goals, inclusive workplaces, and personalised support The change we need: workplaces, banks, education, and government systems designed with ND brains in mind Links and Resources: 📑 Free Neurodivergents and Money Report 2025: Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 💼 Connect with Esther: LinkedIn 🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com

    11 min

  5. AUG 25

    01: ADHD Diagnosis And Why I Took An 22-Month Break From Coaching

    In this deeply personal first episode, Esther shares the story behind her unexpected 22-month break from coaching and social media.  A season marked by burnout, health challenges, and a long-overdue ADHD diagnosis. You’ll hear what led to her second neurodivergent assessment, how fibroids, a home renovation, and returning to university collided with emotional spending and financial strain, and why traditional productivity systems stopped working. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were quietly drowning while trying to hold it all together. Esther opens up about masking, money shame, and the moment she finally gave herself permission to stop performing and start healing. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, self-identy, navigating financial overwhelm, or just craving a space where your brain is understood — this is where the journey begins.   Links and Resources: 📑 Free Neurodivergents and Money Report 2025: Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 💼 Connect with Esther: LinkedIn 🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com

    9 min

  6. AUG 24

    Trailer: Welcome to Esther Bangura Show A Podcast for Neurodivergent Adults

    Welcome to Esther Bangura, the podcast for adult-diagnosed neurodivergents navigating life’s complexities—from work and family to business, identity, and everything in between. In this trailer, I share the heart behind the show—why it exists, who it’s for, and how we’ll explore life with honesty, intention, and brain-friendly tools. Expect real talk, gentle structure, and practical strategies that honour your lived experience. Whether you're managing executive dysfunction at work, juggling family responsibilities, building a business, or simply trying to make sense of your diagnosis in the midst of everyday life—you’re not alone. This is a space where your neurodivergence isn’t a barrier, but a lens through which we build lives that actually work for us. Let’s rewrite the rules together—with grace, clarity, and neurodivergent joy.   I was hoping you could go to your favourite podcast platform and make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss out on any of my money tips.   And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review on The Apple podcast and share your favourite episodes with your favourite human beings. Thanks!   Here's how to rate and review on apple podcasts: In the Library Tab under Shows, click on the podcast subscription and scroll down to Ratings & Reviews to give it a star rating. Click Write a Review, if you wish, then click Send when finished.

    1 min

Trailer

About

I’m Esther Bangura the researcher behind the Neurodivergent and Money UK Survey 2025 and a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman living with ADHD (predominantly inattentive type), dyslexia, and dyspraxia. For years, I was stuck in vicious cycles of debt, emotional overspending, and executive dysfunction. Today, by learning to manage money in a way that works with my brain instead of against it, I’ve been able to pay off debt, regulate my emotions, and finally budget in a way that actually sticks. This podcast is a space for late-diagnosed adults who are tired of financial advice that leaves them feeling ashamed, overwhelmed, or behind. Together, we’ll explore the intersections of neurodiversity, diagnosis, adjustments, age, culture, work, career, education, race, and system barriers — because money doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s shaped by every part of who we are and the systems we live in. You can expect a blend of weekly episodes: some with just me sharing research and lived experience, and others with guests who bring powerful stories, insights, and tools. Here, you’ll learn how to: -Build shame-free money systems that work with your brain -Reduce stress-spending and emotional money habits -Create stability and confidence in your finances -Navigate money with less overwhelm and more self-compassion With 80% of neurodivergent adults overspending when stressed, 77% struggling to plan ahead, and 73% feeling shame or fear about money, this show reminds you that you are not alone — and it’s designed with you in mind. Because you’re not broken. You’re just learning to manage money in a way that honours how your brain actually works. 📑Download Managing Money with a Neurodivergent Brain — UK Research 2025 https://www.estherbangura.com/neurodivergentandmoneyreport 💼 Connect with Esther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbangura/ 🌐 More resources: www.estherbangura.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or provide regulated financial services.

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