ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Tracy Otsuka

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here : programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

I have NEVER met an ADHD woman who wasn’t truly brilliant at something! This podcast, with nearly 7 million downloads, is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. If you want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and discover where your brilliance lies, this podcast is for you!
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ADHD for Smart Ass Women is globally ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent of all podcasts in the world on any subject. It’s streamed in more than 160 countries and is downloaded by more than 150,000 listeners every month. My book of the same name, published by HarperCollins/William Morrow, was recently honored by Amazon Editors as a Top 20 Best Nonfiction Book of 2024.
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I’m Tracy Otsuka, your host. I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, a lifelong learner, and a certified ADHD coach. I’m on a mission to change the conversation around ADHD because I believe it’s time to focus on the strengths that come with our unique brains. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life finally made sense, yet all I read and heard about ADHD focused on what I should struggle with. What I discovered, though, was that my ADHD was responsible for some of my greatest strengths.
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Another thing we constantly hear is all the success stories about ADHD men, but no one talks about the women. This podcast is here to change that. ADHD women are my people, and I’m here to acknowledge, support, and cheer them on. My experience as an adult living with ADHD, along with my expertise, is regularly sought out by top-tier media, including Bloomberg, Forbes, CBS Mornings, ABC News Live, Inc., Prevention Magazine, Verywell Mind, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast, etc.
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adhdforsmartwomen.com

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The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of anything you have seen or heard from Tracy Otsuka, her guests or this podcast.

#14 in the Top 100 alternative health All time chart

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Top 10 ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka 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 for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

EP. 1: Tracy Otsuka Shares her ADHD Story and her ADHD Superpowers

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

11/19/18 • 29 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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This podcast is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative.
When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life suddenly made perfect sense but all I heard about was everything that my ADHD brain SHOULD be struggling with when in fact I would come to learn that my ADHD is responsible for some of my greatest superpowers.

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Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok
Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com
Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

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4 Listeners

1 Comment

EP. 165: This Might Be One of My Top 3 ADHD Life Hacks Ever!

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

03/02/22 • 42 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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I've always considered myself an avid reader. I read all the time, but up until recently I rarely finished any of them and had convinced myself that I needed a physical book, which led to an overwhelming amount of half-finished books scattered throughout my house. The clutter was a constant reminder that I wasn't reading as much as I wanted to, and as that negative emotion built, so did my resistance–I felt like a reading fraud.

I started asking myself if there's a way to remove some of the resistance I have towards reading so that I can finish more than a few chapters. I also wanted to figure out a way to better integrate what I was learning into my life. Enter: the Kindle. Now, I read every spare moment I can, the book piles are dissipating, and my brain feels more organized and less cluttered. I also figured out a way to better integrate what I'm reading into my life. In this solo episode, I'm on a mission to help you remove your own negative emotions around reading and find the path of least resistance so that you can feel successful and fall in love with reading again, just like I have.
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4 Listeners

EP. 215: Anxiety, Rumination and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone with Amanda Feliciano

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

02/15/23 • 53 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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In my 200th episode I made a callout for someone to come on the podcast who's been listening for a while, but who doesn't think they're accomplished or successful enough to measure up to my other guests. I personally know having interviewed hundreds of ADHD women at this point, that regardless of how much we've done in our life, we still think we haven't done anything. So I challenged our listeners to raise their hand, because every listener resonates differently with every guest and we can learn so much from each other regardless of our age or where we happen to be in life.
Well, listener Amanda Feliciano took a giant leap out of her comfort zone and volunteered for the challenge despite her fears, and I'm so glad she did. Amanda, who's a customer service representative by day and the co-founder and president of Full Circle Theatre Collective by night, has seen huge changes in her confidence, anxiety, and self-talk since receiving her ADHD diagnosis at 32.
Her story is a great example of what we can accomplish when we get out of our ruminating brains and into action, and I hope Amanda's leap of bravery inspires you to take even the littlest step out of your own comfort zone–I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with just how much you're capable of.
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Resources:

Instagram: @amanda_eff; @thefullcircletheatrecollective
Email: [email protected]

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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
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2 Listeners

EP. 2: ADHD, The Facts, The Symptoms and the Advantages of the ADHD Condition

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

01/24/19 • 37 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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Tracy covers the basic facts about ADHD diagnoses. Find out what’s included, how does it show up, the differences in symptoms in children and adults. She gives specific examples of behaviors that you may find very familiar. She also talks about why many women are not diagnosed and the seldom discussed advantage of having an ADHD brain. Knowledge is powerful in understanding how the ADHD brain works.
Get a practical, real-life understanding how it affects women. Here’s what Tracy covers in detail: What ADHD can look like in real women. Tracy outlines the technical symptoms and shares how ADHD has affected her personally. Find out the 3 sub-types of ADHD to see if any of them feel familiar to you. ADHD explained, and why it’s not always a negative. This is so important and not discussed enough! Why traits aren’t the same in all people and why it varies and a big reason why most women have not been diagnosed. ADHD is heritable, but it doesn’t always show up the same way. Find out why (related) people who are diagnosed can have much different symptoms. Learn what qualifies for a diagnosis as explained in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) There are 18 symptoms, 9 focused on inattention and 9 focused on hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These were developed for diagnosing children. Learn what the 9 traits are for adults according to the work done by Russell Barkley. Understanding how a diagnosis is determined and the differences between how symptoms show up when you were a child and now as an adult.
Note: Every ADHD brain is wired differently so symptoms may show up in a variety of ways. Tracy outlines 43 general symptoms. You may resonate with many of these – but some may not apply to you at all. Tracy covers 24 positive symptoms of ADHD. This is the part that is seldom covered but they should be! Find out why exercise is so good for our brains – and why many with ADHD exercise regularly. What resonated with you? Is there something that affects you that wasn’t mentioned? I’d love to know so we can all understand the unique ways that ADHD impacts women.
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Resources:

Email: [email protected]

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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
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2 Listeners

EP. 163: Entrepreneurialism, ADHD and Irlen Syndrome with Business Coach, Jessi Romero

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

02/16/22 • 73 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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Many of our ADHD traits like curiosity, fearlessness and creativity mesh well with entrepreneurialism. Other aspects of ADHD, however, like perfectionism and something I call "procrasti-learning", combined with outside influences telling us what we "should" be doing, can cause us to get in our own way. Entrepreneur and business coach, Jessi Romero, is here to remind us that ADHD women have all the skills necessary for starting and growing successful businesses, we just need to approach it in a way that works for our brains and aligns with our values, nervous systems, and even our circadian rhythms.

In this episode, Jessi gives some of her best tips on structuring your business to fit your needs while avoiding burnout, shares how her approach to teaching sets her apart from other business coaches, and explains why changing your expectations for yourself can make all the difference in your business's longevity. Plus, she has some valuable information about a little-known eye condition called Irlen Syndrome that changed her life and just may change yours too.
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Resources:

Instagram: @adhdowned
Website: Adhdfemaleentrepreneurs.com
Irlen Syndrome website: irlen.com

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2 Listeners

EP. 318: Brittany Madrid Mogenson: The ADHD Brain Behind BZenTV

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

02/05/25 • 68 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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Some people spend years trying to figure out what they want to do. Brit Madrid Mogensen does it all.

From sports reporting and acting to hosting her own TV show, Brit built a career that thrives on curiosity, creativity, and adaptability—hallmarks of the ADHD brain. But before she found her rhythm in the fast-paced world of media, she struggled in school, particularly with math, where her dyscalculia made numbers feel impossible. Despite excelling in subjects like literature and philosophy, she often felt held back by traditional education’s narrow expectations. It wasn’t until college that she was officially diagnosed with ADHD, a realization that helped her understand why certain things came so easily while others felt impossible.

Brit shares how she went from feeling like she wasn’t measuring up to carving her path in media, taking on opportunities without always knowing what she was doing—but trusting she’d figure it out along the way. She opens up about rejection in the entertainment industry, how she’s learned to bounce back, and why ADHD has been her greatest asset in a field that rewards quick thinking and adaptability. Whether she’s reporting from the sidelines, acting on the Dallas reboot, or creating TV that blends wellness and pop culture, Brit has found success by following her interests instead of forcing herself into a traditional mold.

She also dives into her love of astrology—how it helps her understand herself and others, and why it might resonate with ADHD brains. If you’ve ever struggled to stick to one path or felt like your interests pull you in a million directions, Brit’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t about narrowing yourself down—it’s about finding the through line that makes it all work together.

Resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britmadrid/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bzentv/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/bzentv/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bzentv
Podcast:

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1 Listener

EP. 247: Breaking Up with Booze and Living Your Best Life with Amanda Kuda

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

09/27/23 • 63 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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Amanda Kuda was acutely aware of being different from her peers growing up–the movie Matilda made her feel seen, minus the telekinesis–so when she discovered that alcohol made it easier for her to fit in, it became a regular part of her social life. After an ADHD diagnosis in her early 20's, Amanda started to take note of what was and wasn't helpful for managing her symptoms and realized the habit change that benefitted her the most was removing alcohol from her lifestyle.

Now, seven years later, Amanda is an author and holistic life coach who helps other ambitious women stop drinking and start manifesting the lives they want and deserve. She tells me, "What transpired after I stopped drinking alcohol was that my potential, my authenticity, my magic came online at a level that I hadn't before been able to access it."

Join my insightful conversation with Amanda to hear about how alcohol may be holding you back from your authenticity and all the ways life can open up for you when you take a step back from substances and embrace who you really are.
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Resources:

Website: amandakuda.com
Instagram: @amandakuda

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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
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1 Listener

EP. 44: Why ADHD and BiPolar Disorder Are Commonly Misdiagnosed

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

11/06/19 • 38 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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This week's topic is all about bipolar disorder and why ADHD often gets misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder. Tracy posted a simple question to her group: "HAVE YOU BEEN MISDIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?" She was shocked at how many women had been, so she decided to research the subject. In this episode, you’ll learn when bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed, what symptoms bipolar disorder and ADHD share, and what bipolar disorder actually is. The DSM requirements for diagnosing bipolar disorder are also discussed, along with why bipolar disorder can’t be ignored and must be treated.
Learn what mania and hypomania are, understand the symptoms of a major depressive episode, and recognize the greatest risk of bipolar disorder. Tracy discusses the different types of bipolar disorder, the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the distinction between episodic and contextual emotional changes. She also explains how sleep patterns differ in ADHD versus bipolar disorder, and how uncontrollable talking and distractibility present differently in the two conditions.
Explore how emotional sensitivity varies between ADHD and bipolar disorder, and how bipolar disorder manifests differently in kids, specifically around emotion. Discover if having an ADHD diagnosis makes you more likely to also have bipolar disorder, and if a diagnosis of bipolar disorder makes ADHD more likely. Tracy explains why it’s so difficult to get an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder and explores the link between bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder in kids. Learn whether a fiery, intense temper is indicative of ADHD, and how bipolar disorder is linked to creativity and artistic temperament and intelligence. Tracy also explains why heightened creativity or artistry only happens in hypomania, and which part of the brain is involved in this.

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1 Listener

EP. 179: ADHD, Relationships and Sex with Sex Educator, August McLaughlin

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

06/08/22 • 68 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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At this point in the podcast, I've covered just about every ADHD topic under the sun, but one area I've always tiptoed around has been sexuality and ADHD; I've never been quite sure how to approach it, or whether my listeners even wanted to hear me talk about it for that matter!

Luckily, sex educator, journalist, author, and podcaster, August McLaughlin, isn't afraid to run head-on into the scary and taboo. She offered to hold my hand this episode as we slowly wade into the tricky but wonderful world of sex and ADHD, from self-connection and masturbation to rejection sensitivity and relationships, to even 'girl boners'–yup, you read that right.

If you've ever wondered how ADHD impacts your own relationship with sexuality but have felt embarrassed or unsure of where to start, August's brilliance, empathy, and passion for this work will give you the perfect jumping-off point and may even empower you to go on a self-discovery journey of your own.
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Resources:

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Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class
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1 Listener

EP. 178: NO, it's NOT ADHD! and Other Bullshit Women Hear from Medical Professionals Who Should Know Better

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

06/01/22 • 54 min

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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ADHD women have heard every excuse under the sun for why their doctors won’t consider an ADHD diagnosis or take their concerns seriously; everything from the classic “it’s just anxiety,” to “you’re too smart to have ADHD,” to even “you just think it’s cool to have ADHD and that’s why you want a diagnosis.” Seriously, what the hell?!
Being gaslit, misdiagnosed, and dismissed by medical professionals can prevent us from getting a proper diagnosis and accessing treatment for years, even decades, because of the shame and self-doubt that follows these appointments. In this episode, I’m sharing misdiagnosis stories from members of the Facebook group to highlight just how often it happens. I’m also giving you some tips and tools for pushing back against the ADHD stereotypes that still very much exist in the medical community.
We know our brains best and we know ADHD is real, and my hope is to empower you to keep advocating for yourself and your health until someone finally listens.
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Resources:

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1 Listener

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FAQ

How many episodes does ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka have?

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka currently has 332 episodes available.

What topics does ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Alternative Health and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

The episode title 'EP. 165: This Might Be One of My Top 3 ADHD Life Hacks Ever!' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

The average episode length on ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka is 53 minutes.

How often are episodes of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka released?

Episodes of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

The first episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka was released on Nov 19, 2018.

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ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

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FAQ

How many episodes does ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka have?

What topics does ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka cover?

What is the most popular episode on ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

What is the average episode length on ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

How often are episodes of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka released?

When was the first episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka?

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