ADHD Aha!
Understood.org, Laura Key
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Top 10 ADHD Aha! Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best ADHD Aha! episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to ADHD Aha! for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite ADHD Aha! episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
08/22/23 • 25 min
Max Willey, an expat living in Norway, often found himself overwhelmed by complex tasks as a kid. There were too many moving parts, and his brain was always racing too fast. A teacher thought he might have ADHD.
But it wasn’t until adulthood that Max was diagnosed “by accident.” He was feeling depressed and was struggling with some relationships. When he sought treatment, he was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression all at once.
Max felt relieved. And he’s come to see ADHD as a “glorious curse.” It has its downsides — but also allows him to feel and do wonderful things.
Listen in as Laura and Max unpack this and more.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
- ADHD and creativity
- Trouble getting work done is real. Executive function challenges may be the culprit.
- ADHD and depression
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
2 Listeners
08/08/23 • 24 min
Allison O’Keefe, a UX designer in Detroit, always felt she rubbed people the wrong way. Then, in her early teen years, one of her friends confirmed it when she called Allison “the annoying friend” behind her back. This made Allison more cautious in social situations, which often overwhelmed her. Worse, she also found herself accidentally “ghosting” people, forgetting to respond to their messages.
Eventually, a therapist asked her if she’d ever been diagnosed with ADHD, and the diagnosis started to make a lot of sense. She now feels less isolated — even as she still grapples with how open she wants to be about her ADHD.
How do folks with ADHD navigate these choppy social waters? Listen in as Laura and Allison sort through these questions and more.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
2 Listeners
09/28/21 • 23 min
Host Laura Key shares her own “aha” moment in this inaugural episode of ADHD Aha! Laura was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. But it took an emotional moment in her childhood bedroom to finally show her that her ADHD is real. Amanda Morin joins Laura to talk about ADHD in women and girls, anxiety, and why so many people with ADHD are perfectionists.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
1 Listener
09/05/23 • 27 min
“The cup that is draining.” That’s how musician and content creator Weston Gardner describes ADHD’s effect on him. He’d spent his whole life feeling like he couldn’t do things that came so easily to everyone else. Weston was at his wit’s end. Getting diagnosed with ADHD (along with anxiety and panic disorder) has helped him be kinder to himself and accept his ADHD brain for how it works.
Weston is a musician and content creator who goes by Arcane Anthems (@arcaneanthems). His music sets the scene for podcasts, Twitch streams, tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, and more.
This episode is guest hosted by ADHD Aha! alum Cate Osborn. Cate, aka @catieosaurus, is a content creator and co-host of Catie and Erik’s Infinite Quest podcast. Listen to this week’s episode to hear Cate and Weston talk about ADHD and gaming, rejection sensitivity, and the power of failure.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
- ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria
- Emotional sunburn: What rejection sensitivity feels like
- In It podcast: The benefits of gaming for kids
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
1 Listener
02/04/25 • 25 min
We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.
Dan McCoy understood better his mood swings, fear of rejection, and hyperfocus when he was diagnosed with ADHD last year. He got an ADHD evaluation after reading an article his brother wrote about being on the autism spectrum.
Dan is a comedy writer who’s won two Emmy awards for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He also co-hosts the movie podcast, The Flop House. Dan explains how comedy writing can be exposure therapy for rejection, and how he’s coping with managing emotions.
Related resources
Timestamps
(01:24) Dan’s recent ADHD diagnosis
(03:55) Recognizing emotions and burnout from masking
(06:40) The “Boom Bust” ADHD energy cycle
(08:05) Would it have been helpful to have an ADHD diagnosis as a child?
(11:26) Rejection sensitivity and comedy writing
(15:32) Does ADHD make you funny?
(19:34) Are people considerate of ADHD characteristics?
(22:34) What is Dan working on?
For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood
Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
1 Listener
05/07/24 • 35 min
What makes being a mom with ADHD so hard? Navigating executive functions and emotional labor, for one. And feeling burned out when burnout isn’t an option — because there’s always something else that needs your very limited attention!
Talking about it with someone who just “gets it” is such a relief. In this episode, Laura talks to her friend and colleague Rae Jacobson, also a mom with ADHD. Listen to their conversation and insights on this bonus Mother’s Day episode.
Related resources:
- Rolling with my ADHD Mom Brain
- Building self-compassion skills
- 3 things I’m learning as a new mom with ADHD
To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the “ADHD Aha!” podcast page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about ADHD Aha! and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts.
Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
07/25/23 • 23 min
Lawyer Adam Sosnik was miserable in his job. Miserable when he couldn’t concentrate, which was often. Miserable because it was physically uncomfortable to focus on even a small thing, like writing a single sentence. The trouble was, he was being treated for anxiety and depression, but not ADHD.
When he began working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, his wife noticed his frustration. And with her encouragement, he booked an appointment with a new psychiatrist. That led to an ADHD diagnosis, which validated the discomfort Adam felt. But it also marked the beginning of a new struggle.
Also in this episode: Adam talks about ADHD and tics and his experience with Tourettic OCD (TOCD). And how he’s charted a new way of living that’s finally made him happy.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
05/14/24 • 31 min
Casey McQuiston, best-selling author of Red, White and Royal Blue, grew up in a neurodivergent family and was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Still, they had trouble coping, and in high school, English teachers gave them an intervention for “not trying hard enough.”
Casey is the author of multiple books in the queer romance genre. Casey chats with Laura about how ADHD influences their writing. They also share a sneak peek of their upcoming book The Pairing, coming out August 2024.
Related resources
To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about ADHD Aha! and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts.
Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
04/15/25 • 25 min
Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.
Emilia McGuckin was surprised when a teacher suggested her son might have ADHD. As a teacher herself, she thought she would have spotted the signs. But after diving into the research, an even bigger surprise hit her: Could she have ADHD too?
Emilia, a high school and college teacher, was hesitant to pursue an ADHD evaluation. She’d felt dismissed by medical providers in the past, an experience all too common for many women. But when she finally got diagnosed, everything started to make sense. What she once saw as “character flaws” or “personal failings” turned out to be overlooked symptoms of ADHD.
Related resources
Timestamps
(01:10) Emilia’s son’s ADHD diagnosis
(04:42) Hyperfocusing on ADHD to help her son, and realizing she has symptoms too
(06:49) Apprehension about seeking an ADHD evaluation, after not being believed by doctors in the past
(09:20) Feelings and coping after diagnosis
(11:56) An “avalanche of ADHD” in the family
(17:02) How Emilia and her son’s diagnoses changed how she teaches
(20:29) Busting ADHD myths
For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at [email protected].
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
07/19/22 • 32 min
Jon Gardea has ADHD... and his wife Rachel doesn’t. She helped him spot the signs, though, including his hobby graveyard. Once Jon got diagnosed, it was clear that ADHD had been impacting their marriage over the years. Having an explanation created a positive mindset shift in their relationship, bringing them even closer.
Rachel hosts a YouTube channel called Post-Mormon Parenting. In this episode, she and Jon also talk about how leaving the Mormon church contributed to Jon’s ADHD discovery. Listen to this heartfelt and honest discussion to get a behind-the-scenes look at ADHD and marriage.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources
- Post-Mormon Parenting YouTube Channel
- The relationship between ADHD and executive functioning
- “Setting aside” my ADHD to be a better parent and husband
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
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FAQ
How many episodes does ADHD Aha! have?
ADHD Aha! currently has 104 episodes available.
What topics does ADHD Aha! cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Podcasts, Adhd, Self-Improvement, Education and Adult Adhd.
What is the most popular episode on ADHD Aha!?
The episode title 'ADHD, social awkwardness, and ghosting (Allison’s story)' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on ADHD Aha!?
The average episode length on ADHD Aha! is 26 minutes.
How often are episodes of ADHD Aha! released?
Episodes of ADHD Aha! are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of ADHD Aha!?
The first episode of ADHD Aha! was released on Sep 23, 2021.
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