The Faster Than Normal Podcast: ADD | ADHD | Health

Peter Shankman
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Faster Than Normal Podcast: ADD | ADHD | Health

Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.

  1. OCT 16

    ADHD and Endometriosis -Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka Advocates for Women Living With Chronic Illness and Pain

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.   Our guest today is Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka. She is an entrepreneur originally from Poland, now living in Scotland. Her career journey has been diverse and shaped by a deep curiosity and drive to pursue multiple passions, holding degrees in cross-cultural psychology, media psychology, and cultural studies with a specialization in Japanese culture, along with certification in the Japanese language. In her own words: Growing up, I faced many challenges. I come from a difficult family background and was bullied throughout most of my life, which deeply impacted my self-esteem. These experiences, combined with the struggle of living with undiagnosed ADHD and with chronic pain, with undiagnosed endometriosis, pushed me to develop resilience and determination. I learned early on how to persevere, which has shaped the way I approach life and business today. After a few career starts I moved into project management at Samsung R&D Institute Poland, gained certifications in Prince2 and Agile, and co-created a Project Management Office for Android commercialization across Europe. After moving to Scotland, my career took an unexpected turn due to health challenges. I was diagnosed with endometriosis (finally after 20 years of suffering), which required multiple surgeries and led to a significant gap in my employment. This challenging period pushed me to reinvent myself, and I decided to focus on building my own business. During this time, finding work was made even more difficult by the timing of Brexit, which created additional barriers. So instead of banging my head against the wall, I decided to build my own business. I had many ideas, but I was constantly searching for something that could truly help others because I love helping people. That’s when VanFill was born - an on-demand platform connecting customers with transport providers using empty spaces in vans and trucks, helping underserved communities access delivery services. The idea came to life when I organized a collection of medical supplies in Scotland for Ukraine. I realized that this platform would be another way I could help others. I turned this idea into reality by learning no-code tools to build the prototype. Since then, I have participated in numerous accelerators and business programs to develop the skills and networks needed to bring VanFill to life. Throughout my life, I’ve been actively involved in volunteering - supporting women with chronic pain and health conditions, working with different charities, and helping minority groups. In addition to my entrepreneurial work, I am deeply committed to advocating for women living with chronic illness and chronic pain. As someone who also lives with ADHD, I know firsthand the mental and physical hurdles that can arise. Through my journey, I want to inspire and empower women facing similar challenges to pursue their goals despite the obstacles. Currently, I am writing a book aimed at helping entrepreneurs, with a special focus on those living with ADHD and chronic conditions, offering guidance and inspiration for navigating the challenges of building a business while managing health difficulties and living with ADHD. I believe that no matter the challenges - be it chronic pain, personal struggles, or professional roadblocks - there is always a way forward. We just need to find the right map and guidance to not get lost on our way. Enjoy! [You are now safely here] 00:40 - Thank you for listening and for subscribing!! 01:20 - Introducing and welcome Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka! Ref:  https://www.vanfill.co.uk 02:50 - What was gro

    21 min

  2. OCT 9

    What Doesn’t Suck.. ADHD Fueled Tales of A Jet Lag Junkie with Jeff Johns

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives. Jeff Johns is a lifelong adventure traveler and filmmaker who has spent nearly half of his life abroad, with the last twelve years as an expat living throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Graduating with honors from the Brooks Institute of Photography in 2010, Johns is a passionate storyteller with a degree in documentary filmmaking and visual journalism.  As a successful television producer, he has created popular shows for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. As the co-creator of the adventure travel platform “What Doesn’t Suck?”, he has filmed and published videos from Everest Base Camp to the Great Pyramids, and the Albanian Alps to the Greenland ice sheet. Watched over 15 million times by a growing worldwide audience of 250,000, these travel guides highlight unique and off- the-beaten-path locations made accessible to even the novice traveler. Jeff continues to work in the travel space as a senior creative producer for Booking.com and resides in the Netherlands with his French wife and their trilingual third-culture daughters. He struggles to keep up with all three. Enjoy! [You are now safely here] 00:40 - Thank you for listening and for subscribing!! 01:02 - Introducing and welcome Jeff Johns! Ref: https://www.whatdoesntsuck.com 02:20 - Tell about remote bars in Thailand; how did you wind up there? 02:28 - You were diagnosed with ADHD in High School, but you pursued a different course of management. Tell us! 04:30 - On eliminating the day-to-say of living in the US 05:07 - Did you miss a support system, kind of living on your own? 05:38 - On traveling to feel “nothing” 06:40 - How did you channel your talents into Television production? 07:38 - What tools did you develop for yourself as you were traveling and working? 09:00 - What gave you the strength to keep your momentum streak going?  Ref: DuoLingo  09:58 - What’s a day in your life like? 10:40 - On how rituals and resolutions work 12:10 - What do you do when you get overwhelm? 13:00 - Pre-dawn exercise rides (sometimes with police) 13:23 - How can people find you? His books are on Amazon and via https://www.whatdoesntsuck.com  Socials @WhatDoesntSuck at Facebook  INSTA YouTube 14:04 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

    15 min

  3. AUG 7

    What Happens When… with Children’s Book Author Sara Olsher

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.  After surviving a divorce and cancer all before she turned 35, mom and author-illustrator Sara Olsher took the lessons she learned about helping kids through major life changes and wrote a book. Then another, and another. She now has twelve picture books under her belt, and is the founder of Mighty and Bright, a company that helps kids and adults understand and manage their lives more easily using magnetic visual schedules. Sara was chosen as a 2023 Remarkable Woman by Nexstar Media. Enjoy! [You are now safely here] 00:40 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!! 01:09 - Introducing and Welcome Sara Olsher! 02:06 - What’s your story; what were you doing before you became an author? 02:37 - On how her ADHD helped her learn about kids and anxiety 03:30 - On handling anxiety and divorce. Ref: Mighty and Bright  04:48 - Sometimes it’s the easiest things in the world that make the biggest differences 04:55 - Tell us about some of your books and your process? Ref: Cancer Party! 07:28 - On following your gut 08:20 - Cancer and book marketing professionals  09:50 - On writing her second book / how we talk about science and coping in a non-scary way 12:00 - About anticipatory grief and having conversations about tough stuff 13:30 - How can people find you? All of her books are on Amazon. @saraOlsher on INSTA and @MightyandBrightCo on INSTA and TikTok and via https://mightyandbright.com/ 13:50 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

    15 min

  4. JUL 17

    Understanding The Noise and Anxiety with Author Sam Led

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives. Our guest today is Sam Led. He is a coach, speaker, author of Beyond ADHD, and host of the podcast The Fearless Now. Sam explores what is possible when we take our mind and thinking less seriously and discover our innate intelligence and wisdom underneath the daily dose of noise in an ADHD mind. Sam works with clients all over the world via Zoom. He leads one-on-one personalized coaching sessions and online group programs about understanding your ADHD mind and neurodiversity. He uses his years of experience and deep knowledge of personal development, human behavior, spirituality, and natural intuitive gifts to gently guide his clients. He helps them look underneath the heaviness of their noise called thinking to find true insight and wisdom on what to do next in any situation. Enjoy! [You are now safely here] 00:40 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!! 00:50 - Introducing and Welcome Sam Led ref: The Fearless Now podcast  01:56 - What’s your story; when were you diagnosed? 03:08 - What was your trouble in school, what were your symptoms? 04:40 - Was there a moment when things just kinda clicked? 05:20 - On Mind Thought and Consciousness 05:38 - What are you telling people about ADHD and learning? 06:46 - On Anxiety and what your mind is telling you 07:30 - Anxiety, rejection and stimuli inside the ADHD brain 08:00 - A longer chapter about anxiety and how to deal 10:00 - About how to understand your brain’s signals 11:40 - How can people find you? samledconsulting.com @samled1111 on INSTA  TikTok and via  The Fearless Now podcast and his Beyond ADHD Book 12:48 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodivergence to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked!

    14 min

  5. JUL 10

    ADHD Is Awesome - The Holderness Family

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives. I have been wanting to have our guests today on the podcast since we first started so I am thrilled to share my first interview with the Holderness Family with you!  Penn and Kim Holderness have been married for 18 years and for the past decade, they have been online content creators. Known for their award-winning videos of sketch comedy and music, they have garnered over 2 billion views and over 8 million followers across their social media platforms. Penn and Kim are best-selling authors, award-winning podcast hosts, and were winners on Season 33 of The Amazing Race. Before making their own content in the digital space, they honed their storytelling skills with twenty-five combined years in the TV news business. When they aren’t making their audience laugh, they help international companies make videos of their own along with their team at Holderness Family Productions. Penn and Kim live in Raleigh, NC with their children, Lola and Penn Charles, and their dog, Sunny. We’re talking routines, anxiety, medication, understanding partnerships, and of course how everything relates to our ADHD brains. Enjoy! [You are now safely here] 00:40 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!! 01:13 - Introducing and Welcome Penn and Kim Holderness! Ref: Scott Monty interview 01:52 - Their great new book ADHD Is Awesome 02:44 - How did ADHD become a passion for your books and what was like like pre-diagnosis? 04:06 - On social acuity and ADHD 05:20 - For a lot of people ADHD isn’t awesome; they haven’t found their groove yet. How do we balance the good with the bad or challenging, while also breaking stereotypes through comedy, and raising awareness for further education and study? 08:00 - The meaning of Awesome is great but it’s also scary 09:00 - The book is in three parts; the first one is how a diagnosis stinks initially. 10:30 - On different types of jobs and how the ADHD brain can benefit us in work 12:20 - About Peter’s schedule and how medication is utilized depending on the environment/daily demands 13:30 - What is your daily schedule like and what rituals do you two use? 16:00 - Talk to us about your physical fitness routines 17:30 - On Peter’s ticket for running in Central Park 18:00 - When inspiration hits, how do you save it? 19:40 - On staying in deep work- what do you do to make sure you can keep your flow? 21:50 - On relationships and ADHD 23:30 - How can people find you?  https://theholdernessfamily.com  @theholdernessfamily on Facebook, INSTA, TikTok, and YouTube  24:00 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodivergence to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

    25 min

  6. JUN 26

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Neurodiversity with Jessica McCarthy, Psy.D

    Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives. Todays’ guest is Dr. Jessica McCarthy. As a clinical neuropsychologist, clinical psychologist, and certified school psychologist, Dr. McCarthy provides evidence-based neuropsychological assessment and cognitive-behavioral therapy across the lifespan. Approachable, relatable, and with a sharp sense of humor, Dr. McCarthy has a positive demeanor and quickly puts you at ease with her engaging, refreshing style, and no-nonsense but compassionate approach that holds clients accountable for working toward values-driven change. We’re happy to be talking with her today about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. [You are now safely here]   00:40 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!!   01:13 - Introducing and Welcome Dr. Jessica McCarthy of www.elementspsych.com 02:40 - Dr. McCarthy on her ADHD diagnosis 03:47 - About learning how to study in school 05:00 - On understanding individual strengths and capitalizing on learning  05:30 - What do you tell a parent who’s child has just been diagnosed as neurodivergent? 07:20 - On the pitfalls of Dr.Google 08:40 - On using data points to tell a story 09:30 - Finding the right types of supports for students and parents 11:00 - On sharing the research/how good is the information? 12:20 - About the searching for information and finding a safe space to do so 14:20 - On diagnosis, accommodations and deficits 16:03 - How can people find you? www.elementspsych.com elements_psych on INSTA 16:38 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon! Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodivergence to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked!

    18 min

  7. JUN 5

    Overcoming Fear, Stuttering, and Crushing Negative Thought Patterns with Jeffrey Gurian

    Having #ADD or #ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their #ADD and #ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.  Our Guest today is Dr. Jeffrey Gurian, a well known “Renaissance Man.” He is a doctor, motivational speaker, comedy writer, performer, director, author, producer and radio personality. Dr. Gurian spent 20 years on the board of The Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, 12 years at NYU as a Clinical Professor in Oral Medicine and Pro-Facial Pain, and 25 years as a Cosmetic Dentist. Dr. Gurian specialized in treating headaches and the physical symptoms of stress, using “Energy Healing” as his modality, with a technique he developed called “STAR Therapy.” He also developed a method to stop stuttering that he successfully used to get rid of his own stutter. On top of his doctoral pursuits, Dr. Gurian boasts a long-standing career in comedy, and has worked with some of the biggest comedy stars from the last 20 years. Dr. Gurian is also the author of eight books and is a regular motivational speaker.    Enjoy!    [You are now safely here]   00:00 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!!   01:00 - Introducing Jeffrey.   03:01 - I’ve been busy with #ADHD.   04:29 - #ADHD makes you better at what you do.    05:33 - ADHD and #stuttering.    06:17 - Overcoming fear and tackling his stutter.    09:01 - Neurodivergent problem-solving.    11:07 - Sensitivity and neurodivergence.    11:50 - Healing the wounds that affect your decisions.    Connect with Jeffrey on: Instagram: @jeffreygurian Youtube: Comedy Matters TV Visit Jeffrey’s comedy website: comedymatterstv.com To stop your stuttering today, visit: stopstutteringnowgurian.com   If you haven't picked up a copy of my book The Boy with the Faster Brain yet, it is on Amazon and it is a number #1 One Bestseller in all categories! Click HERE or buy your copy at https://amzn.to/3FcAKkI. My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific: https://linktr.ee/petershankman.

    16 min

  8. MAY 15

    Helping ADHD Moms Overcome Their Symptoms With Anna Burns

    Having #ADD or #ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their #ADD and #ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.    Our Guest today is Dr. Anna Burns, PT, DPT. Dr. Burns is an ADHD coach for ADHD moms. As a coach and #ADHDmom herself, she helps moms who struggle to keep their lives and their family’s lives organized and running smoothly. She provides skills, tools, and an understanding of ADHD brains to make their worlds fit around them, not the other way around. Dr. Burns has a background as a pelvic health physical therapist and is a mom living outside of Boston.    Enjoy!    [You are now safely here]   00:00 - Thank you again so much for listening and for subscribing!!   01:00 - Introducing Anna.   01:45 - Anna’s diagnosis story.    03:11 - Parents are being diagnosed more frequently.   03:45 - Helping those with a late #ADHD diagnosis.    04:52 - How to create doable strategies for busy moms with #ADHD.   08:00 - How to define #ADHD so that it does not become a catch-all?    10:30 - How to handle the internalized idea that you are broken.    Connect with Anna on: Facebook: Anna Burns Wellness Instagram: @annaburnswellness  LInkedIn: Anna (Koteff) Burns, PT, DPT   Click this link to gain access to Anna’s free time-management tools for moms!   If you haven't picked up a copy of my book The Boy with the Faster Brain yet, it is on Amazon and it is a number #1 One Bestseller in all categories! Click HERE or buy your copy at https://amzn.to/3FcAKkI. My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific: https://linktr.ee/petershankman.

    14 min
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Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.

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