ADHD & Neurodiversity: The Spicy Brain Podcast

Megan Mioduski & Michelle Woodward
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

ADHD isn’t just a diagnosis; it’s a way of seeing the world.I'm a neurodivergent creative, and I'm teaming up with my neurotypical sister to unpack the chaos of ADHD, mental health, big feelings, and the wild ride of living with a spicy brain. Whether you're newly diagnosed, deep in the neurospicy trenches, or just trying to make sense of someone you care about, we hope you’ll leave every episode feeling a little more seen and a little less alone. Here, we mix sister talk with ridiculous stories. Here, we break down how ADHD physically and emotionally feels in the body. Here, we laugh our way through the sometimes messy (and wildly creative) ways neurodivergence shows up in real life.  We believe you don’t have to “fix” your brain to feel better. This is your reminder that being wired differently doesn’t mean being broken. We’re in it with you. Our podcast is funny, honest, and probably the most validating train wreck you'll listen to this week. (New episodes weekly-ish.)  💬 Say hello on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/spicybrainstudios  🧠 Spicy Brain: Navigating Neurodiversity Through Curiosity, Joy, and Radical Acceptance. Tags: ADHD, neurodivergent, neurodivergence, executive dysfunction, masking, RSD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, autism, AuDHD, sensory overload, overstimulation, burnout, dopamine, mental health, time blindness, creativity, sibling podcast, funny mental health podcast, women with ADHD, late diagnosis ADHD, emotional dysregulation, productivity struggles, ADHD hacks, real talk, neurospicy, ADHD podcast

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep. 82 — Sleep, ADHD, and Finding Calm in Chaos: "Blinking Like a Crazy Woman"

    Living with ADHD means navigating unpredictable emotions, burnout, and sleepless nights that don’t always make sense. In this episode, sisters Megan and Michelle unpack the strange, funny, and all-too-relatable ways ADHD affects sleep and nighttime routines. From Megan’s late-night blinking frenzy to discovering the surprising power of a “baby lamp,” they share stories filled with humor, insight, and self-discovery.As they reflect on what helps (and what absolutely doesn’t), you’ll hear about sensory preferences, anxious bedtime thoughts, and creative hacks like counting backwards by sevens. Whether you're someone who battles sleep, masks through fatigue, or just needs to feel less alone in the chaos, this episode offers warmth, laughter, and the reminder that even our messiest moments can lead to connection.Favorite line from the episode: “I was blinking like a crazy woman.”00:00 intro and a tale of a wild night03:05 the blinking incident and bedtime burnout08:40 Megan’s baby lamp vs. overhead doom12:55 counting backward by sevens16:30 the ADHD sleep cycle explained20:00 Michelle’s sensory preferences24:45 letting go of 'normal' routines28:10 how laughter helps regulate emotions32:05 wrapping up and a tiny winFollow the Spicy Brain Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more ADHDers (and the people who love them) find our show.ADHD, ADHD sleep, masking, burnout, bedtime routine, neurodivergent, humor, emotional regulation, ADHD sisters, Spicy Brain Podcast

    1 hr

  2. AUG 21

    Ep. 81 — ADHD Sensory Overload, Boundaries, and That Damn Tag: “The Lime Episode”

    ADHD shows up in the smallest moments, like the wrong T-shirt, a too-strong scent, or a clothing tag that suddenly becomes unbearable. In this replay of an early favorite, Michelle and Megan dive into how ADHD impacts sensory processing, emotional boundaries, and self-acceptance in daily life.From the intense lime-scented moment that inspired the episode title to childhood memories that shaped how they respond to the world, this episode blends humor, honesty, and sisterly insight. They talk about what it means to set boundaries with your body, your environment, and your inner critic. This is especially true when you’re neurodivergent and the world feels like too much.Whether you’ve lived this experience or are trying to understand someone who has, this is the episode that reminds you: you’re not too much, and you’re not alone.Favorite line from the episode: LIME! LIME! LIME!00:00 – Why we’re replaying this episode02:00 – Neurodivergent vs. neurotypical brains04:00 – “I think in pictures”06:00 – The Lime Situation™09:30 – Sensory overload and hard visual cuts13:00 – Acronyms, memory, and why bedtime brains are bonkers17:00 – Calmness, overstimulation, and tactile tools20:00 – Driving, grounding, and sequin slap bracelets25:00 – Clothing, tags, and adult boundary-setting30:00 – Seam rippers, itchy sheets, and the Princess and the Pea32:00 – A love letter to anyone whose brain gets distracted by pantsIf you’ve got a tag story, a lime story, or a sensory quirk that changed your life, then we want to hear it. Join us on Instagram @spicybrainpodcast and share your wins (and weirds). And if this episode made you feel seen, send it to someone who needs to know they’re not alone.ADHD women, sensory overload, neurodivergent podcast, boundaries, lime sensitivity, emotional overwhelm, seam ripper, tactile tools, neurospicy stories, adult ADHD

    34 min

  3. AUG 14

    Ep. 80: Boundaries, ADHD, and Finding Your House Key: “I Have a Million Butlers That Are Not My Own”

    ADHD doesn’t just challenge attention, it tangles with identity, boundaries, and emotional overwhelm. In this episode, Michelle and Megan continue their deep (and often hilarious) dive into Your Brain Is Not Broken by Dr. Tamara Rosier, focusing on how boundaries work for the ADHD brain, and what it means to actually live inside your own emotional house.From the metaphor of the house, yard, and fence to the vulnerability of inner child work, this episode touches on the complex dynamics of masking, self-trust, and growing up with blurry boundaries. Megan reveals what it means to lock herself out of her own house, while Michelle describes the exhausting noise of running “a million butlers that are not my own.” Together, they model in real time what it looks like to navigate sticky emotions, time stress, and real-life boundaries—without a script and with deep love.This is a must-listen for anyone working on creating a life where self-worth, communication, and compassion coexist.Favorite line:“I have a million butlers that are not my own.”00:00 — Welcome, high kicks, and boundary talk03:20 — Why the house/yard/fence metaphor is hard to live08:40 — The pullout couch story: navigating discomfort and honesty13:45 — Late starts and emotional misfires17:22 — Real-time boundary setting in action23:00 — Metaphors, membranes, and moving the fence26:10 — Being on the other side of the fence doesn’t mean someone isn’t loved31:20 — Megan’s thesis: the house is your self-worth36:10 — Michelle’s million butlers and the burden of managing others42:00 — Learning to trust each other with boundaries47:30 — What healthy fences actually give you50:00 — You can love people and still hand them a mint across the fenceBoundaries are messy. But boundaries are also healing. If this episode resonated, send it to someone you’ve shared a fence with (literally or emotionally). And don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you catch next week’s episode: “Dancing Through the Day”, where we talk about ADHD-friendly hacks for adulting that don’t suck.ADHD, emotional boundaries, inner child, neurodivergent relationships, burnout, masking, people pleasing, house/yard metaphor, Tamara Rosier, Your Brain is Not Broken, radical acceptance, self-worth, neurospicy women

    59 min

  4. AUG 7

    Ep. 79 — Navigating ADHD and Emotional Boundaries: “My Patio is Bangin'”

    ADHD often feels like emotional whiplash. There's burnout, masking, boundary blurring, and the ever-elusive goal of just being okay. In this episode, Michelle and Megan dive into the idea of emotional boundaries through the metaphor of a house and a yard (yes, complete with haunted attic and squirrel intrusions).Megan admits she’s been living in the yard, outside of herself, while Michelle shares what it felt like to suddenly sob on a massage table. With laughter, honesty, and a healthy dose of sibling chaos, they explore what it means to come back to your emotional home, one small win at a time.Whether your internal house is a fixer-upper or you’ve just been crashing in the garden shed, this episode is a nudge to replant your roots, prune some emotional hedges, and start feeling like your space is actually your own again.Favorite line from the episode: “You're Like Salt!”00:00 — Welcome to the haunted house05:08 — The massage table breakdown09:40 — Living in the yard (and forgetting the porch)13:22 — Why ADHD brains struggle with “the inside”17:47 — When your house is emotional clutter20:19 — “I’m not even at the front door yet”25:36 — The mall wins: small, sneaky signs of progress30:00 — Reclaiming your space one moment at a timeIf this episode felt like a peek into your own emotional yard, share it with a friend who gets it. Follow the show so you don’t miss next week’s episode, where we finally open the front door and look inside the house. (Closets full of emotional stuff? We’ve got you.)ADHD, boundaries, emotional burnout, overwhelm, masking, neurodivergent women, radical acceptance, haunted house metaphor, healing, small wins, self-awareness, ADHD women, therapy moments, yard metaphor

    1h 11m

  5. JUL 31

    Ep. 78 — ADHD, Boundaries, and the Art of Letting Go: "We're the Boundary Buddies!"

    Living with ADHD often means saying “yes” when you don’t mean to, overextending yourself emotionally, and struggling to know where you end and others begin. In this honest and heartfelt episode, Megan and Michelle dive into the chaos of building boundaries with ADHD, especially when you’ve spent years feeling responsible for everything and everyone.Through laughter, lived experience, and a few “wild 24-hour” detours, they unpack what it means to slow down, reassess your limits, and protect your energy. From navigating relational guilt to the mental gymnastics of internalized expectations, the sisters talk candidly about why setting boundaries isn’t mean, it’s necessary.Whether you're learning to say “no,” unsure where to even begin, or redefining what emotional responsibility shouldn’tfeel like, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and more equipped to draw the lines you need.Favorite line from the episode: “What are the small wins we can find?”Episode 77: A Wild 24 Hours00:00 intro and backstory of the last 24 hours05:38 emotional responsibility and why it’s so sticky11:45 do you need to respond right now?15:20 boundary-building for the ADHD brain21:17 patterns of saying yes out of guilt28:40 taking your foot off someone’s head35:55 practicing the pause and letting go of urgency40:22 closing thoughts and curiosity for next weekIf this episode helped you feel a little more seen, share it with a friend who gets your flavor of spicy brain. Or if someone needs a gentle reminder that it's okay to say no, send it to them as well. And if you haven’t already, hit follow so you don’t miss the next episode, where we dig deeper into the emotional health ladder and how to build better internal scaffolding. Your brain deserves support, not judgment.ADHD, emotional boundaries, people-pleasing, burnout, masking, self-awareness, neurodivergent, relationships, overwhelm, radical acceptance

    1h 20m

  6. JUL 24

    Ep. 77 — Climbing the Emotional Health Ladder with ADHD: “A Wild 24 Hours”

    What happens when you go from ADHD emotional shutdown to full sensory panic in less than a day? In this episode, Michelle and Megan unpack “a wild 24 hours” of ADHD chaos, spiraling thoughts, and real-time recalibration. Through laughter, compassion, and a surprising story about strawberries, Megan walks Michelle through a moment-by-moment breakdown of how she climbed out of emotional quicksand using Tamara Rosier’s Emotional Health Ladder.From barely being able to speak to mapping out decision trees on a grocery store whiteboard, this episode captures what it actually looks like to regulate emotions with ADHD. It's messy, nonlinear, and deeply human. If you’ve ever felt like you were too much or not enough, this one’s for you.favorite line from the episode: “A wild 24 hours”00:00 recap and where we left off04:22 the shutdown: can't talk, can't decide, can't move08:45 strawberries and the moment it shifted12:01 moving from shame to curiosity17:30 what the Emotional Health Ladder looks like in real time24:40 the power of micro-decisions (and whiteboards at Trader Joe's)29:55 sensory stacking and "I did one thing!" moments34:00 creating tools that catch you without judgmentIf this episode helped you climb your own ladder, share it with someone who gets. Also, leave us a review to help more ADHD humans find their way to radical acceptance.adhd, adhd women, emotional regulation, burnout, emotional health ladder, tamara rosier, overwhelm, sensory overload, strawberries, radical acceptance, neurodivergent strategies

    1h 2m

  7. JUL 17

    Ep. 76 — Survival Mode, Emotional Tsunamis, and the ADHD Soul: "This Isn't My Fault"

    Dive into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with ADHD. From survival mode to self-worth struggles, we explore how burnout shapes the ADHD soul. We explore how burnout isn't just tiredness, but a complex experience that can knock the wind out of your sails. This week, we unpack the chaotic nature of survival mode and how ADHD shapes those struggles in unique ways.Join us as Michelle and Megan share personal anecdotes that are as enlightening as they are humorous. From the harrowing tale of "the mouse that moved in" to Megan's sock game that forecasts her day, these sisters chat candidly about navigating the highs and lows of ADHD life. Listener beware: You might find yourself laughing hysterically and nodding in agreement at the same time.By the end, you'll have a better understanding of why sometimes, just naming your emotional state can be half the battle—and how holding onto hope (and a little humor) can lead you up the emotional health ladder.favorite line from the episode:“This isn't my fault.”00:00 intro & emotional tone check04:41 the mouse that moved in: chaos enters the chat08:15 Megan’s socks are a weather forecast for her day11:33 survival mode and the mental crash15:28 how ADHD changes the emotional stakes19:40 grief, joy, and everything in between23:52 learning how to name your emotional state27:45 emotional health ladder & staying curious32:00 Seeking Help and Overcoming Barriers33:27 The Frustration with Mental Health Labels37:19 Understanding Emotional and Physical States41:01 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries47:37 The Importance of Self-Care and Awareness59:56 Reflecting on Change and Growth01:05:55 Concluding Thoughts and Future TopicsFollow the show, share it with a friend who gets it, and check out our links for more resources and support between episodes.ADHD, ADHD women, emotions, burnout, survival mode, neurodivergence, emotional health ladder, mental health, sensory overload, masking, humor, sibling podcast, radical acceptance

    1h 8m

  8. JUL 10

    Ep. 75 — Navigating ADHD, Emotions, and Mundane Mayhem: "I Ate Cereal Out of a Pyrex"

    This episode looks at the everyday chaos of life with ADHD. We find joy in eating cereal out of a Pyrex and talk about the little moments that make hard days feel lighter.ADHD can bring a whirlwind of emotions, from burnout and overwhelm to the challenges of masking and finding self-worth. In this lively episode, we dive into the chaos of ADHD life, exploring the struggle with everyday tasks and the emotions that accompany them. We discuss everything from the pressure to be productive to feelings that make even the simplest chore feel like an epic battle.Join us, Megan and Michelle, as we laugh about personal quirks and debate whether driving around the block twice counts as self-care. Our witty banter provides a comforting and humorous take on ADHD experiences that are both relatable and enlightening. Tune in to rediscover joy, embrace curiosity, and practice radical acceptance in the beautifully messy world of ADHD.favorite line from the episode: "I ate cereal out of a pyrex measuring cup"00:00 intro & what cereal has to do with burnout04:12 Megan’s week of feeling stuck & emotionally messy08:33 “I want to be productive, but I’m crumbling”12:48 Michelle on managing her emotions in the moment15:20 the “loop of despair” and everyday shame spirals18:45 driving around the block twice counts as self-care21:30 radical acceptance vs. masking when things fall apart24:57 being a kid with big feelings and unfinished chores28:50 what does “doing enough” even mean?33:19 ending on a curious noteFollow the show, share it with a friend who gets it, and don’t forget to check out the links in the show notes for extra resources. New episodes drop weekly-ish!ADHD, ADHD women, emotions, burnout, masking, executive dysfunction, mental health, self-worth, radical acceptance, neurodivergence, sister podcast, everyday ADHD

    1 hr
See All (85)

Trailer

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

ADHD isn’t just a diagnosis; it’s a way of seeing the world.I'm a neurodivergent creative, and I'm teaming up with my neurotypical sister to unpack the chaos of ADHD, mental health, big feelings, and the wild ride of living with a spicy brain. Whether you're newly diagnosed, deep in the neurospicy trenches, or just trying to make sense of someone you care about, we hope you’ll leave every episode feeling a little more seen and a little less alone. Here, we mix sister talk with ridiculous stories. Here, we break down how ADHD physically and emotionally feels in the body. Here, we laugh our way through the sometimes messy (and wildly creative) ways neurodivergence shows up in real life.  We believe you don’t have to “fix” your brain to feel better. This is your reminder that being wired differently doesn’t mean being broken. We’re in it with you. Our podcast is funny, honest, and probably the most validating train wreck you'll listen to this week. (New episodes weekly-ish.)  💬 Say hello on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/spicybrainstudios  🧠 Spicy Brain: Navigating Neurodiversity Through Curiosity, Joy, and Radical Acceptance. Tags: ADHD, neurodivergent, neurodivergence, executive dysfunction, masking, RSD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, autism, AuDHD, sensory overload, overstimulation, burnout, dopamine, mental health, time blindness, creativity, sibling podcast, funny mental health podcast, women with ADHD, late diagnosis ADHD, emotional dysregulation, productivity struggles, ADHD hacks, real talk, neurospicy, ADHD podcast

Information

You Might Also Like