For ADHD entrepreneurs, every new business idea can feel like “the one,” igniting a rush of passion and possibility. Fueled by dopamine, this cycle of attraction, infatuation, honeymoon, and reality often leads to shiny object syndrome—abandoning projects once the excitement fades. But this isn’t a flaw; it’s how ADHD brains are wired. The key is learning when to channel that creative burst into meaningful progress and when to commit for the long haul. By “dating” your ideas, testing them as side projects, and integrating them into your existing work, you can capture the thrill of novelty while building sustainable, long-term success.

High-achieving women are often missed when it comes to ADHD diagnosis, only discovering it in adulthood or midlife when the weight of hidden struggles becomes undeniable. Therapists Diann Wingert and Lisa Lackey share their personal journeys of realizing they had ADHD after years of helping others, revealing how intelligence and adaptability can mask symptoms for decades. Their stories highlight how menopause and midlife often intensify ADHD challenges but also open the door to what Lisa calls the “second knowing”—a return to self, authenticity, and purpose.

This awakening is not just about diagnosis; it’s about transformation. By shedding perfectionism, embracing self-acceptance, and building community, women are redefining success on their own terms. As Lisa says, “You’re not unraveling or falling apart, you’re actually coming together.”

For many entrepreneurs with ADHD, the word “business plan” brings up memories of 40-page documents, rigid structures, and endless details that feel more like homework than help. But building a business plan doesn’t have to be exhausting or overwhelming. In this episode of ADHD-ish, Diann Wingert introduces the Minimalist ADHD Business Plan, a flexible four-step framework designed to align with the way ADHD brains naturally work. Instead of long-term forecasting and jargon, this approach emphasizes clarity, focus, and sustainability, helping you move forward without burning out.

The plan rests on four simple pillars: your North Star (your guiding “why”), a Revenue Reality Check (understanding the numbers that actually matter), your Zone of Genius (focusing on strengths while minimizing energy drains), and your Next Three Moves (actionable steps that keep momentum going without overwhelming you). By making your plan visual, flexible, and imperfect, you create a living tool that supports your creativity while giving you enough structure to stay on track.

Diann also emphasizes the importance of working with your brain instead of against it: short planning sprints, visual dashboards, and regular reviews make the process doable and even energizing. This is planning reimagined—not about controlling your every move, but about creating a compass to guide your decisions. For ADHD entrepreneurs, this means less burnout, more intentional growth, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re moving toward your goals with clarity.

Running a business with ADHD can feel like a rollercoaster—thrilling highs, sudden pivots, and moments of burnout that leave you scrambling to catch up. In this ADHD-ish Podcast episode, Diann Wingert and guest Diane Mayor dive deep into how neurodivergent traits show up in business models, from dopamine-driven decision-making to executive dysfunction and open loops. Together, they unpack why traditional business advice often fails ADHD entrepreneurs and share practical tools like idea parking lots, structured flexibility, and “sandbox time” to balance creativity with consistency. More than a conversation about impulsivity, this episode offers a roadmap to build ADHD-friendly systems that fuel growth while honoring your unique brain. If you’ve ever felt like your business was built with duct tape and dopamine, this is your reminder that resilience, adaptability, and grit are your superpowers.

Entrepreneurs with ADHD often walk a fine line between passion that propels their business forward and emotional dysregulation that can derail it. In this insightful piece, Diann Wingert explores how understanding the difference—and building the right emotional scaffolding—can turn intensity into a competitive advantage. From recognizing early warning signs to creating structures that protect your decision-making, she offers actionable strategies for thriving in business without sacrificing mental well-being. By embracing neurodiversity and mastering emotional regulation, you can transform your most intense feelings into sustainable success drivers.

In a world where perfection is often praised, entrepreneur Mikey Schumacher is building a brand that finds power in the opposite. As the creator of But Cute, Mikey designs plush toys that celebrate anxiety, quirks, and emotional complexity—transforming insecurities into symbols of connection. On the ADHD-ish Podcast, he shares how his own struggles with anxiety, failed ventures, and creative detours led him to create a community where vulnerability is the foundation, not the flaw. With designs like the Anxious Moon Bunny and the Grumpy Croissant Crab, Mikey's message is clear: small business ownership doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful. His journey reminds us that embracing our flaws might just be the most effective strategy for growth, belonging, and sustainable success.

ADHD entrepreneurs face more than just the challenge of starting or finishing tasks—the real energy drain lies in switching between them. In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert explores the hidden productivity cost of task switching and how it wreaks havoc on momentum, focus, and mental energy. Through relatable stories and practical solutions, she introduces the Transition Bridge System, a method designed to help you move between tasks with more ease and intention. By using simple but powerful tools like breadcrumbs and transition rituals, ADHD minds can finally protect their flow, reduce overwhelm, and rebuild confidence in their workday. If you’ve ever ended your day feeling drained—but unsure why—this is your call to stop context chaos and start shifting smoothly.

ADHD entrepreneurs know how to start things with passion and intensity—but finishing them? That’s another story. If you find yourself trapped in endless tweaks, consumed by research, or held back by fear of judgment, you might be stuck in what Diann Wingert calls the "Stopping Problem." In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann unpacks the perfectionism, hyperfocus, and rejection sensitivity that keep brilliant ideas stuck at 85% done. You’ll meet three archetypes—Lenor the Tweaker, David the Protector, and Marta the Researcher—and learn how to break free using the “Completion Compass.” It’s time to redefine “done,” embrace real-world feedback, and start finishing what matters. Because done is not just better—it’s better for you.

If you’re an ADHD entrepreneur stuck in either over-researching or reckless launching, you’re not lazy or broken—you’re caught in the ADHD starting paradox. In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert introduces the “Messy Start Method,” a refreshingly doable approach to beat analysis paralysis, manage performance anxiety, and build momentum with less burnout. Tune in to learn how 2% effort and 20% planning can help you stop spinning your wheels and finally move forward.

In this deeply resonant episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert and guest Dave Greenwood unpack the liberating ideas behind The Courage to Be Disliked—and why its roots in Adlerian psychology are so powerful for ADHDers struggling with rejection sensitivity, burnout, and self-doubt. From radical self-acceptance to learning how to separate your responsibilities from others’ reactions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop people-pleasing and start building real confidence, on their terms.

In this compelling episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert dives into justice sensitivity—a trait many ADHD entrepreneurs carry quietly and intensely. Learn how to turn your fierce sense of fairness into a values-driven brand, connect with aligned clients, and avoid the emotional burnout that comes with caring a lot. With Diann’s 3-part framework, you’ll discover how to channel your passion without draining your power—and why neurodiverse businesses that give a damn are exactly what the world needs.

In this inspiring ADHD-ish Podcast episode, Diann Wingert and brand strategist Jess Malli Mercier explore how creative entrepreneurs can redefine productivity, embrace rhythm over rigidity, and use collaboration as a tool for transformation. They discuss why an ADHD diagnosis is optional, but self-understanding is essential—and how building a brand (and business) that reflects your truest self leads to real work-life harmony. Whether you’re sprinting through inspiration or slowing down for self-care, there’s a better way to create, heal, and thrive.

In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert breaks down how cognitive biases—like optimism bias, fundamental attribution error, and the sunk cost fallacy—shape the way ADHD entrepreneurs make decisions. With insights from Vicky Tan’s Ask This Book a Question, Diann offers a practical framework to spot these sneaky patterns, rethink your choices, and build a business that’s both bold and intentional. If your big ideas often outpace your outcomes, this episode will help you pause, pivot, and reframe with clarity.

In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert and guest Meredith Carder get real about the double-edged sword of ambition for ADHD entrepreneurs. From chasing big ideas to hitting burnout, they unpack the unique highs and lows of building a business with a neurodivergent brain. Together, they explore how radical self-acceptance, idea vetting, and honoring your life’s seasons can help you redefine success—on your terms. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own potential, this episode is your permission slip to pause, pivot, and protect your energy.

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.

In this powerful episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, I sit down with psychiatrist and entrepreneurship researcher Dr. Michael Freeman to unpack how ADHD traits—often seen as deficits—can actually be superpowers in business. From crisis-thinking to creative resilience, we explore how neurodiverse entrepreneurs (especially women) thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. If you’ve ever wondered whether your brain is wired for success on your own terms, this is a must-listen.

In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, I pull back the curtain on how ADHD entrepreneurs can move from brilliant-but-buried ideas to real, repeatable success. From dopamine scheduling to shiny object parking lots, I’m sharing the exact strategies that have helped me (and my clients) finally finish what we start—without smothering creativity or burning out. If your brain lights up with every new idea but struggles to see things through, this one’s for you.

Many neurodivergent entrepreneurs feel pressured to scale, hire teams, or chase seven-figure dreams—but that’s not the only path to success. In this conversation with Maggie Patterson, host of the ADHD-ish Podcast explores why staying solo can be the ultimate form of freedom and self-care. Maggie shares how designing a business around your actual life, capacity, and values can protect your energy, reduce stress, and create a more sustainable future. By challenging the hustle culture and rejecting one-size-fits-all business models, she empowers entrepreneurs to embrace simplicity, autonomy, and meaningful work over endless growth.

For many entrepreneurs—especially those with ADHD—the "Default Yes" can be a fast track to burnout. Years of people pleasing, driven by rejection sensitivity, fear of disappointing others, and impulsivity, can leave you overextended and undervalued. In this blog, you'll discover how to replace automatic yeses with intentional boundaries using strategies like buffer phrases, guilt-free responses, and practical follow-up habits. By learning to pause, assess requests, and protect your time, you’ll not only reduce stress but also gain more respect from clients and collaborators. The journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, self-respect, and creating space for what matters most.

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path, and for those of us with ADHD, it often feels like a winding road full of detours, dead ends, and unexpected scenic routes. Yet, it’s on these unconventional paths that our unique strengths shine brightest. Early in my journey, I struggled to fit into standard business practices—long meetings, linear plans, and rigid expectations left me restless and frustrated. It wasn’t until I embraced my ADHD that I realized my brain’s natural tendencies could become powerful business assets.

ADHD gives us the ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles. My mind thrives on novelty, spontaneity, and creative problem-solving, which has allowed me to craft innovative solutions and build systems that align with my natural workflow. Facilitated sprint sessions, a technique I learned from Evan Sargent, became a game-changer. Structuring work in quick, focused bursts with intentional breaks allows ADHD entrepreneurs to channel restlessness into productivity without burning out.

Being part of a community of like-minded, neurodivergent entrepreneurs has been equally transformative. Sharing strategies, celebrating wins, and navigating setbacks together fosters camaraderie and reinforces the value of our ADHD strengths. The biggest revelation? “Weird” is not a liability—it’s a competitive edge. By leaning into our differences and designing systems that honor our neurodivergent wiring, we can redefine success on our own terms and turn challenges into opportunities for creativity, innovation, and growth.In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, I explore why embracing your so-called “weirdness” is the secret to thriving as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. Joined by Evan Sargent, we dive into strategies like facilitated sprints, self-acceptance, and building systems that amplify your creativity instead of fighting against it. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit the traditional business mold, this episode is for you.