What if the same pattern recognition that shapes bestselling thrillers is also tied to ADHD and autism?

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, I sit down with J.D. Barker, New York Times bestselling author, for an unscripted conversation about how his brain sees connections others miss — and how that ability influences creativity, storytelling, and suspense.

We talk about:

• Pattern recognition in ADHD and autism
• How noticing small inconsistencies can lead to big stories
• The overlap between neurodivergence and creative work
• Why some minds naturally see where things are headed — before anyone else does

This episode isn’t about writing tips or formulas. It’s about how certain brains work, how patterns become stories, and why neurodivergent thinking can be a powerful creative advantage.

If you’re curious about ADHD, autism, creativity, or what really goes on inside the mind of a thriller writer, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, an ADHD podcast for adults, Janine sits down with Leah Caroll, an ADHD life and mindset coach, to talk about adult ADHD, overwhelm, and why ADHD isn’t your fault.

Leah shares her lived experience with late-diagnosed ADHD, burnout, and years of feeling like life was harder than it should be. Together, Janine and Leah explore how executive dysfunction, shame, and all-or-nothing thinking keep many adults with ADHD stuck — even when they’re smart, capable, and trying their best.

This honest conversation focuses on what actually helps people with ADHD feel more in control: reducing overwhelm instead of chasing perfect systems, building habits that work with an ADHD brain, and replacing self-criticism with curiosity and self-compassion.

If you’ve ever wondered why routines don’t stick, why motivation feels inconsistent, or why you feel exhausted by daily life, this episode offers validation, practical insight, and a gentler way forward.

Find Leah!:

w: leahccoaching.com

i: @adhd.coach.leah

l: Leah Carroll

f: ADHD: Now What?!

00:00 – ADHD Isn’t Your Fault Why ADHD is about wiring, not willpower — and how shame keeps people stuck

02:15 – Leah’s ADHD Story & Late Diagnosis Burnout, meds, and realizing life didn’t have to feel this hard

05:45 – Burnout, Identity, and Starting Over Quitting everything and what it taught Leah about adult ADHD

09:30 – Executive Dysfunction Explained Why “just try harder” doesn’t work for ADHD brains

13:00 – Pills Don’t Teach Skills Where medication helps — and where coaching matters most

16:30 – Reducing Overwhelm Without Perfection Why small, realistic changes beat total life overhauls

19:45 – Consistency vs. Persistence Why flexible routines work better than rigid plans

23:00 – Habits That Actually Stick Keys on hooks, tiny systems, and ADHD-friendly habit building

26:15 – Curiosity Over Self-Criticism Breaking shame cycles and rewriting the ADHD inner voice

29:45 – Advice to Our Younger ADHD Selves Self-compassion, safety, and progress over perfection

Creativity is often romanticized as something that only comes from pain, struggle, or trauma — but what if that’s completely wrong?

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, Janine sits down with therapist and creative Rachel Moore for a candid, unmasked conversation about ADHD, late diagnosis, and the myth of the “suffering artist.” Rachel shares why creativity doesn’t come from trauma, but from sensitivity — and how that sensitivity shapes how neurodivergent people experience art, work, relationships, and the world itself.

Together, they explore why so many creatives are neurodivergent, how structure and novelty support ADHD brains, and why you don’t have to be miserable to make meaningful art. This episode is a grounding reminder that creativity can come from joy, regulation, and being fully yourself.

Settle in, get cozy, and be a butterfly on the wall for this honest and affirming conversation.

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to ADHD Eavesdrop A conversation about ADHD, creativity, and late diagnosis

00:39 – Rachel’s Late ADHD Diagnosis Testing well, failing homework, and being diagnosed at 45

02:12 – ADHD, Work, and Why Certain Jobs Fit Deadlines, novelty, urgency, and creative careers

04:22 – Are All Creatives Neurodivergent? The overlap between creativity, ADHD, and theater communities

05:39 – Therapy as a Creative Process Structure, intuition, and why creativity matters in clinical work

08:16 – The Myth of the Suffering Artist Why trauma is not the source of creativity

09:39 – Creativity Comes From Sensitivity A powerful reframing of art, trauma, and neurodivergence

11:46 – ADHD, Perception, and Trauma Why neurodivergent kids experience the world differently

13:35 – Art, Emotion, and Identity Why sensitivity shapes creative expression

27:52 – Being Fully Unmasked Creativity, safety, and the freedom to be yourself

A candid conversation about late-diagnosed ADHD, burnout, and the hidden cost of overachievement—featuring author and former academic Adva Shaviv. What does it cost to live for decades with undiagnosed ADHD—especially when you’re a high achiever?

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, I’m joined by author and former academic Adva Shaviv, joining me from the Netherlands, for a deeply honest conversation about late-diagnosed ADHD, burnout, and the unseen toll of overcompensating for years.

We talk about growing up feeling “different,” pushing through higher education without support, parenting while neurodivergent, and why so many people with ADHD appear successful on the outside while quietly burning out on the inside.

Our conversation weaves through journaling, block scheduling, sensory needs, creativity, homeschooling, and the stormy-but-magical inner world of the ADHD brain.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing too much and still falling short, this episode will feel familiar.

Come be a butterfly on the wall and listen in.

Big emotions, black-hole hyperfocus, and caffeine just to function—sound familiar? In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, we sit down with neurodivergent author Jennifer Shaw to explore her family’s shared journey with ADHD and autism.

Diagnosed in adulthood, Jennifer found clarity and healing through writing, music, and deep self-discovery. She shares how late diagnosis transformed her parenting, mental health, and creativity. From navigating emotional dysregulation to using writing as a nervous system regulator, this conversation is packed with real-life strategies and relatable stories for anyone living with ADHD or autism—especially women and parents.

🧠 Topics include: • Late ADHD and autism diagnosis in adults and children • Writing for emotional regulation and mental clarity • Music, movement, and creative expression as neurodivergent coping tools • Parenting neurodivergent kids while navigating your own diagnosis • Reframing “too much” as a neurodivergent strength

👩‍💻 Guest: Jennifer Shaw is a writer from Airdrie, Alberta, whose family shares both ADHD and autism diagnoses. Learn more: https://jmshawauthor.com

🎧 Subscribe for more honest, unscripted ADHD conversations.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for education and entertainment only. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Unspoken expectations are silent relationship killers — especially in ADHD marriages. In this episode, Janine VanStee sits down with leadership expert and relationship strategist David Kiwimagi (Kiwi Coaching) to unpack why unspoken expectations turn into resentment, how ADHD and RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) amplify conflict, and what couples can do to communicate better right now.

Kiwi shares powerful stories from his marriage, his Navy background, and his work coaching couples in business together. From the “his business / her business / not your business” framework to the simple 3-page exercise that can transform household expectations, Kiwi gives practical tools wrapped in humor, vulnerability, and wisdom.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why unspoken expectations create chaos
• How to turn expectations into clear agreements
• How ADHD + RSD intensify misunderstandings
• The “You and Me vs. the Problem” argument-fixing mindset
• Why environment matters more than trying to “manage” feelings
• Hyperfocus, humor, and ADHD superpowers in relationships
• Why conflict doesn’t have to be destructive — it can be growth fuel

If you’re in a relationship impacted by ADHD, communication struggles, emotional intensity, or business-life overlap, this conversation will hit home.

🦋 Want more episodes like this? Follow the podcast, leave a review, and stay connected for more real-life ADHD conversations that feel like being a butterfly on the wall.

ADHD makes prioritizing, time blindness, and emotional regulation feel impossible — even when everything is important. In this cozy couch conversation, Janine sits down with her daughter Savannah and son-in-law Jack to answer listener questions about ADHD, teaching, deadlines, creative chaos, and the moments when humor turns into overwhelm. Real, relatable, and a little chaotic (in the best way).

Why does everything feel important when you have ADHD? Why is prioritizing so hard—even when you know what needs to happen first? And what do you do when creative energy suddenly turns into total chaos?

In today’s episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, Janine curls up on the couch with her daughter Savannah and son-in-law Jack for a relaxed, funny, and very real ADHD Q&A. Together they dive into:

✨ Why prioritizing is so emotionally draining ✨ The guilt of the task you didn’t pick ✨ ADHD in teaching and why the classroom is both magic and chaos ✨ Time blindness, “circle time” (analog clocks!), and clock confusion ✨ Why four appointments in one day feels like running a marathon ✨ Task stacking, body doubling, and dopamine-driven momentum ✨ Creative energy → chaos → RSD spirals ✨ How humor helps… until it suddenly doesn’t ✨ Why ADHD favorites change daily ✨ Little brain hacks that actually help (sometimes)

This episode is cozy, honest, warm, and full of those “oh my gosh YES!” ADHD moments. Grab your coffee, curl up, and be a butterfly on the wall for one of the most relatable family conversations you’ll hear all week.

Why does grief hit so differently when you have ADHD?

In this heartfelt episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, host Janine VanStee welcomes returning guest Cheryl Dics, an ADHD coach from British Columbia, for an open, compassionate talk about grief, love, loss, and emotional regulation.

Together, Janine and Cheryl explore why ADHDers and other neurodivergent individuals often feel emotions more deeply and for longer periods, and how that affects the grieving process. They discuss time blindness, rejection sensitivity, guilt, and shame, and share personal stories of loss—including Cheryl’s moving reflection on the death of her sponsor after five years of sobriety.

Listeners will learn gentle, practical ways to process overwhelming feelings: breathing techniques, Cheryl’s “Five Things” grounding exercise, and a visualization for creating a sacred space to connect with loved ones who have passed.

💜 Key themes:

• ADHD & emotional intensity in grief
• Coping with loss, guilt, and “shoulds”
• Using mindfulness and grounding to self-regulate
• Spiritual tools for healing and connection
• Finding meaning and letting love continue

Whether you’ve recently experienced loss or simply want to understand ADHD emotions on a deeper level, this conversation offers comfort, wisdom, and permission to feel it all.

🦋 Be a butterfly on the wall as Janine VanStee and Cheryl Dics share authentic insight on what it means to love, lose, and heal—ADHD style.

Listen on RSS, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.