Saying “yes” too quickly isn’t just a people-pleasing habit—it’s often rooted in the ADHD brain’s wiring. In this solo episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert unpacks the deeper causes of the “default yes,” from the deer-in-the-headlights effect to the reciprocity myth, and offers step-by-step strategies to break free. Learn boundary-setting as a skill you can build over time, discover physical reset techniques for high-pressure moments, and use guilt-free scripts to confidently say no. If you’ve ever regretted agreeing to something, this episode is your guide to making choices that truly align with your priorities.

Small business ownership is challenging enough—but for entrepreneurs with ADHD, the traditional 9-to-5 structure often feels stifling. I recently spoke with Evan Sargent, a remarkable entrepreneur who has built a business model around her ADHD strengths rather than in spite of them. Through hyperfocused sprint days, Evan has turned what many consider ADHD challenges into powerful advantages, creating both efficiency and creativity in her work.

Evan’s journey from a fast-paced agency environment to founding Leap_Year Branding illustrates how embracing your neurodivergence can transform your business. By structuring work in short, high-energy bursts, she maximizes her hyperfocus, allowing complex projects to be completed more quickly and with greater innovation. This approach also eliminates the inefficiencies and burnout often associated with traditional work schedules, particularly for ADHD brains.

Beyond productivity, sprint days support balance. Evan combines her work with family responsibilities and personal growth, demonstrating that ADHD-friendly structures can harmonize professional and personal life. She leverages processes, support systems, and coaching to ensure her strengths are optimized and her challenges managed.

For ADHD entrepreneurs seeking a roadmap, Evan’s methods offer a blueprint: honor your unique brain, design workflows that leverage your strengths, and embrace flexible yet structured systems. Sprint days are not just a productivity hack—they are a transformative tool for building sustainable, creative, and thriving businesses.

If you're a solopreneur with ADHD, you know the hidden costs all too well. The ADHD tax shows up as late fees, missed deadlines, impulse spending, and missed opportunities—but it doesn’t stop there. It silently drains your energy, strains relationships, and impacts your health. Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I felt like no matter how hard I tried, I was constantly paying extra for tasks that should have been simple. Task initiation, in particular, became a recurring pain point.

The turning point came when I realized these challenges weren’t character flaws—they were neurological realities. By building ADHD-friendly systems and rituals, I started reducing these hidden costs. Tools like Goblin.tools Magic To Do, ChatGPT, Claude, and Time Timer became extensions of my brain, helping me break down tasks, stay on track, and recover lost focus. I also learned to protect my well-being through hydration, scheduled breaks, and connection, inspired by experts like Ned Hallowell, MD.

Small, intentional strategies—rituals for task initiation, visual timers, and reminder apps like Voxer—made a significant difference. Even simple shifts, like using water bottles to prevent ADHD brain “jerky moments,” improved focus and consistency. Over time, these practices lowered the ADHD tax, freeing energy and resources for meaningful work.

Whether you’re protecting your health, nurturing relationships, or simply aiming to be a more effective entrepreneur, paying less ADHD tax is possible with intentional strategies and practical tools. With the right support and systems, your ADHD strengths—creativity, energy, and hyperfocus—become assets instead of hidden liabilities.

Entrepreneurs with ADHD and executive functioning challenges often find that traditional productivity tools fall short. That’s why Mina Raver, a self-taught coder and Techstars 2024 participant, created the Better CEO app—the first individually adaptive productivity software designed with neurodivergent entrepreneurs in mind. Inspired by her own lived experiences with ADHD, Autism, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Mina is on a mission to redefine what productivity looks like for those of us who don’t fit the mold.

In this episode, Mina shares how she turned her unconventional path into fuel for innovation, choosing passion over profit and building technology that adapts to the way our brains work—not the other way around. Better CEO is more than an app; it’s a movement toward solutions that empower neurodivergent entrepreneurs to plan, prioritize, and thrive. If you’ve ever felt like productivity tools weren’t built for you, this conversation is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.

Leading a team as a neurodivergent business owner can feel overwhelming, especially in female-dominated industries where the pressure to do it all is high. In this Client Success Story, Kirsten Beukes, owner of an OT group practice in South Africa, shares how learning to embrace her ADHD has completely reshaped the way she leads. Instead of pushing herself harder, she discovered the power of stepping back—creating Owner Days for strategic thinking, setting boundaries that prevent burnout, and learning to separate her identity from her business.

Her story is a powerful reminder that ADHD leaders don’t need to fight their wiring—they can thrive by aligning their leadership style with their strengths. From cultivating self-acceptance to empowering her team, Kirsten’s journey shows how working with your neurodivergence opens the door to growth, balance, and joy.

Many entrepreneurs with ADHD focus too much on their challenges, forgetting that their unique traits can actually be their greatest assets. In this episode, we spotlight Iris Goldfeder—marketing strategist, agency owner, musician, and unapologetically authentic entrepreneur—who shows how leaning into ADHD strengths like empathy, systems thinking, and radical authenticity can fuel long-term business success.

Iris shares how systems thinking helps her build strong teams and find the right client fit by seeing how everything connects. She highlights the power of empathy and emotional intelligence, using strategic listening to not only solve client problems but also sense alignment early on. Most importantly, Iris embraces authenticity over people-pleasing—proving that being yourself is the best filter for attracting aligned clients and repelling the wrong ones. From building sustainable partnerships to running a business rooted in integrity, her story is a roadmap for neurodivergent entrepreneurs ready to see their ADHD as an advantage instead of a limitation.

Email can feel like a never-ending slot machine for the ADHD brain—offering constant novelty, dopamine hits, and distraction at the expense of meaningful work. In this episode, we unpack why inbox management is one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs with ADHD and share actionable strategies to take back control. From setting dedicated email blocks to creating a simple 3-folder system and using templates for repetitive responses, these tools work with your brain rather than against it.

The truth is, compulsive email checking isn’t productivity—it’s avoidance dressed up as busyness. Every distraction eats away at your focus and drains executive function, leaving less energy for the projects and priorities that actually grow your business. By building healthy boundaries and streamlining how you handle your inbox, you can shift from reactive responding to intentional action. These strategies don’t just improve efficiency—they give you back ownership of your time, energy, and confidence as a business owner.

Is your solo business just a job, or a movement? Join us as we explore mission-driven entrepreneurship with brand strategist Rochelle Moulton. Discover how passion and purpose can fuel a revolution of positive change through your work.

ADHD and entrepreneurship can be a tough combo—missed deadlines, overload, and constant disappointment. Learn why it happens and ADHD-friendly strategies to stay on track. Don't forget to grab the free guide!

Brittany grew up around entrepreneurship but feared the instability. Hear how she overcame her hesitations, embraced her ADHD-ish traits, and built a thriving online business through curiosity and constant pivoting.

Running a business with ADHD can feel chaotic, but simple strategies can improve decision-making and confidence. Learn how to override impulsivity, overthinking, and self-doubt. Listen now and grab the free guide!

Discover how to overcome task avoidance and maximize productivity with Risa Williams, best-selling author, therapist and productivity coach, as she shares transformative strategies from her bestselling book The Procrastination Playbook.

Explore 7 key ADHD strengths and actionable strategies to transform them into powerful business assets in this insightful episode of ADHD-ish with Diann Wingert.

Learn how neurodivergent entrepreneur Meg Brunson uses justice sensitivity to attract conscious consumers and foster inclusive, accessible, and values-driven business practices.

ADHD-ish welcomes Anne Levine, who blends her background as a personal trainer, running coach, and therapist with 30 years in recovery to craft a framework for lasting change and overcoming personal growth challenges.

On ADHD-ish, Diann Wingert interviews Mark Sciutto, PhD, a psychology professor, clinician, and researcher, about 'job crafting' for ADHD. Learn how to align work with your ADHD strengths, leverage collaboration, and create a supportive work environment. Discover strategies for thriving at work and beyond.

Discover ADHD-friendly alternatives to resolutions! Learn how Theming and Nudging can spark novelty, sustain motivation, and build lasting habits. Perfect for an energized start to 2025!

Meet Goblin Tools: AI-powered helpers designed for neurodivergent individuals. In this episode, learn how they can transform your routines and executive functioning!

Discover how ADHD affects time perception for entrepreneurs. Learn strategies to overcome overcommitment, including the “reality bridge” technique and “energy accounting.” Tune in to prioritize tasks, reduce stress, and achieve work-life balance.

Explore burnout recovery for neurodivergent women with Paula Liub. Learn how hydration, sleep, and boundaries enhance executive functioning, and why self-care is crucial for managing ADHD and reducing stress.