One of the cruelest impacts of chronic bullying is the way it reshapes our internal world. As Brooke and I discussed, many people with ADHD internalize the constant criticism and "corrective" feedback, coming to believe that the problem resides within. Years of being othered, misunderstood, or called out can lead to anxiety, depression, and even dissociation—a survival mechanism designed to temporarily shield us from pain. This contributes significantly to ADHD and rejection sensitivity.

This episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast dives deep into what it really means to stop masking and start embracing your ADHD—especially as a female entrepreneur. Through the powerful metaphor of Wicked's Elphaba, we explore the stages of trying to “fix” and “fit in” before finally breaking free and building a business that honors your neurodivergent brain. If you’ve ever felt like success demands pretending to be someone else, this conversation will remind you: you were never meant to blend in—you were meant to fly.