THE ADHD SKILLS LAB
Produced by Unconventional Organisation
If you want to hear practical researched-backed strategies and real-life experiences to help you navigate life with ADHD, you’ve come to the right place.
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Episodes
81
Basketballs to Balance Beams: Movement that actually supports your ADHD Executive Functioning
Can we really support our executive functions using movement? Well actually, turns out you can! Listen along as Skye and Sarah explain how focused movements and intentional play are a simple yet effective way to manage your ADHD. See you inside!
79
Vagus Nerve Magic: How ADHD brains can find calm
What does fight or flight have to do with ADHD? Come explore the Autonomic Nervous System with Abbie and learn how these responses affect your ADHD. Plus, don’t miss the grounding strategy we practice together—it's one I’ve personally used many times since recording. See you inside!
71
The Scientific Community has the floor... Adapting Treatment Methods for Adult ADHD [Research Recap]
Wondering about treatment for adult ADHD? You should listen to this one! We highlight some observational recommendations from the scientific community while reviewing studies on the impact of different treatment methods. See you inside...
69
The cat's out of the bag... Atypical Communication in ADHD [Research Recap]
Imagine a world where your voice could be analyzed for diagnostic purposes... it's not as far out as it seems. I can't believe both these papers exist at the same time and I'm so excited to share them with you! See you inside...
67
Deconstructing ADHD Diagnostics: How do we get to diagnosis? [Research Recap]
We talk about the diagnostic process a lot on this show, but today we are looking at research focused on the improvements being made in this area. From the screener tool to the in-office procedure, no step in this process is safe from quality improvement initiatives! See you inside...
63
Rethinking the DSM: A new approach from the HiTOP model
Ever wonder what psychology and diagnostics could look like in a world without the DSM? Some researchers have been exploring this for about 10 years! Get ready to hear about the HiTOP model and its potential implications in the future of this field. Don't miss the working memory strategies at the end! See you inside...
59
Attachment Style & ADHD: What does it mean for neurodiversity? [Research Recap]
Ready for another chicken or the egg question? This week's topic: attachment styles & ADHD, but it's probably not what you think. Hope you're ready to explore the transactional relationship between ADHD neurobiology and one's life experiences! See you inside...
57
ADHD BBC Documentary One Year Later: "Is it really too easy to be diagnosed with ADHD?" Interview with Lucy Robinson
Is it really too easy to be diagnosed with ADHD? That's not what I've heard... Come listen to Lucy Robinson chat with The ADHD Skills Lab about the 2023 BBC exposé that shook the ADHD community in the UK and beyond. See you inside...
55
Harnessing Impulsivity: Live in The ADHD Skills Lab with Jamie Cutino
Have you ever turned your impulsivity into an asset? We’ve all felt the sting of a hasty decision gone wrong, but this week’s guest, Jamie Cutino, is here to tell you why impulsive action can be one of her greatest ADHD strengths. Join us in The ADHD Skills Lab LIVE to witness Jamie’s vulnerability and infectious enthusiasm firsthand. See you inside...
53
Neurodiversify Your Time & Task Management - LIVE Interview with Marie Ng
Neurodiversify your time management portfolio with us this week on The ADHD Skills Lab! Marie Ng, founder of Llama Life, sits down to generously share strategies, tools, and personal connections to help those with ADHD move more easily throughout their day. See you inside...
51
Mastering your Environment with ADHD: LIVE Interview with Stephanie Scheller
Are chronic sensory issues holding you back? Tune in as Stephanie Scheller, founder of GrowDisrupt, guides The ADHD Skills Lab on mastering your environment! Learn how to transform your space into a DIY lab for classical conditioning to enhance focus and productivity.
49
AI & ADHD Support: Interview with Tobie Langel
Looking for a convo packed with insights on Machine Learning Models (AI) and ADHD? The ADHD Skills Lab sat down with Tobie Langel to bring you an episode packed with research, policy discussions, and personal stories. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!
47
LIVE with ADHD Jesse: a sneak-peek into "Extra Focus"
Check out this LIVE interview with ADHD Jesse, author of "Extra Focus," joined by members of our ADHD Academy community! Find out why this book is being called an "early survival guide to ADHD diagnosis!" RSVP to our next live recording - find the link inside!
39
Not Your Neurotypical Yoga! With ADHD Academy Member Whitney Spettel
Certified yoga teacher Whitney Spettel joins us to explore the research-backed benefits of the practice for those with ADHD. She also shares her experience with the ADHD Academy community and the strategies she puts in place to deal with emotional dysregulation.
37
ADHD expert interview: Kristen Carder on emotional intelligence, self-regulation and business ownership
ADHD is not a buzzword to Kristen Carder. It's her life's work. She’s a top podcast host, an internationally-recognised life coach and an all-round ADHD expert.
She joins us on this week’s show to share her most successful emotional self-regulation strategies and discusses the right time to ask for support. Spoiler alert: It’s always before you think you need it.
Hit the play and dive right in!
35
Learn talking strategies with an ADHD couple
We welcome our first couple with ADHD on this week's podcast. Shoda and Ollie host a podcast called Mindfully ADHD, where they try different strategies and dissect how well they worked.
They join us to discuss the power of radical self acceptance and share the ways they work together to live an ADHD-friendly life.
33
Writing with ADHD: How to get started and stay consistent with Katy Forde
Skye and Sarah are joined by Australian playwright Katy Forde for an open and honest discussion on the challenges of being a writer with ADHD. Katy explains how her daily rituals help her get started and stay consistent. She also offers practical tips and advice for anyone wishing to take on the often perilous journey of professional writing.
29
Lindsay Guentzel: On ADHD, rejection sensitivity and burnout
On this week’s show, Skye is joined by award-winning journalist and host of the ReFocued podcast Lindsay Guentzel. Lindsay shares her experience navigating her new normal since being diagnosed with ADHD aged 35 in 2021. The pair also discuss the challenges of rejection sensitivity, burnout and executive dysfunction and the strategies Linsay has developed to overcome them.
27
Eric Tivers: How to build a strategy-based life with ADHD
This week, Skye is joined by award-winning ADHD coach, podcast host and all-round expert in neurodivergence, Eric Tivers.
The pair discuss Eric’s experiences growing up with undiagnosed ADHD. He explains how, by playing to his strengths, he’s built a strategy-based life around his ADHD -- and how you can too.
25
ADHD burnout, balance and realistic expectations with Rosie Turner
There’s much more to ADHD than forgetting where you left your keys. This week Skye is joined by ADHD wellness coach, Rosie Turner, to discuss navigating the corporate and personal worlds while contending with chaos, RSD and burnout.
23
ADHD psychology, parenting and self-criticism: A conversation with Emily Kircher-Morris
Life with ADHD can be frustrating. That’s why it’s so important to silence self-criticism. Counsellor, author and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris, joins Skye to discuss this and plenty more -- from parenting and overwhelm to mental health and support strategies. Hit play to hear it!
21
Navigating Life with ADHD: A Conversation with Anna Frost
This week, Skye is joined by pole dance instructor, contortion coach, social media marketing manager and "the most organised disorganised person" Anna Frost. Anna shares her experiences with Unconventional Organisation courses -- how they’ve helped her break out of ADHD paralysis and hack her hyperfocus. Come for the surefire strategies, stay for the amusing anecdotes!
15
Overcoming ADHD-induced chaos with Russ Jones: Learn how to “be cool with yourself”
Join Skye on this week’s ADHD Skills Lab podcast to hear from coach, expert and host of the ADHD Big Brother podcast, Russ Jones. The pair discuss the importance of self-acceptance and explore tried and tested techniques to wrangle order from ADHD-induced chaos.
13
Rethinking ADHD with Peter Shankman: How growing up with a faster brain can be an asset
Join Skye on this week’s ADHD Skills Lab podcast to hear from six-time best-selling author and neurodiversity oracle Peter Shankman. Find out how to channel your ADHD energy, discover tools and techniques to help you stay focused — and learn why it’s always important to be yourself.
11
Interview with Dietitian Aleta Storch: ADHD eating strategies, self-compassion and snacks
On this week’s ADHD Skills Lab podcast, Skye and Sarah are joined by anti-diet dietitian and therapist, Aleta Storch. They discuss how to set flexible rules, prioritise food and practice self-compassion when it comes to eating with ADHD.
9
ADHD in the workplace with Trina Haynes, a founder of My Lady ADHD
This week, Skye is joined by the founder of My Lady ADHD, Trina Haynes. The pair discuss their experiences navigating the workplace with ADHD and explore the best strategies for getting started and staying on track in the world of work.
5
ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergent Parenting with Danielle Sullivan
Certified life coach Danielle joins us to talk about the combined diagnosis of autism and ADHD and helping neurodiverse children with regulation. Danielle is the founder of Neurodiverging Coaching and the host of the Neurodiverging Podcast.
78
Delegation? In this economy?! How to Gamify with the ADHD Big Brother
What’s the deal with gamification for ADHD? Can it really help you get stuff done, or is it just another shiny strategy? Russ Jones, The ADHD Big Brother, talks about turning everyday tasks into games and how community can help. See you inside!
76
Conquering Clutter with ADHD: Megs Crawford Shares Organising Tips that Work
Is it possible to declutter without losing what you value? ADHD organizing coach Megs Crawford is going to show us the way! Listen now as she shares her strategies to conquer clutter and maintain a space that works for your ADHD brain—not against it.
62
Netflix Screenwriter Heather Taylor: Interview in The ADHD Skills Lab
Heather A. Taylor, screenwriter and co-host of the Braaains podcast, joins us in The ADHD Skills Lab for a lively and candid conversation. Listen up for some incredible new metaphors to describe the ADHD lived experience. See you inside...
60
Interview with Jeremy Didier - President of CHADD: Small Beginnings and ADHD Strategies
Jeremy Didier, President of CHADD's Board of Directors, joined us in The ADHD Skills Lab for one of the most strategy-heavy episodes recorded here to date. Get ready to make some notes, and I'll see you inside...
58
Sensory Processing and ADHD: I can't hear you, my socks are wet [Research Recap]
Ever think about how much stimuli you process in one day? Estimates put this at millions of bits of information per second, but we consciously notice less than a hundred. Come learn why this hidden processing cost can be a serious concern for ADHD'ers and discover what to do about it. See you inside...
56
Sleep & Gaming with ADHD: Research Recap
When academics openly choose to "deviate from the requirements," it makes for interesting conversation. This week's Research Recap in The ADHD Skills Lab looks at sleep and gaming disorders, with a heavy emphasis on what this means and what you can do. See you inside...
54
ADHD Emotions: The Chicken or the Egg Dilemma [Research Recap]
Which came first... symptoms of Anxiety/Depression or ADHD? For years, the consensus was to treat the anxiety/depression first in the hopes the ADHD symptoms would clear up. But, what if that was wrong? Join us in this week's Research Recap as we dive into this and other fascinating finds. See you inside...
52
ADHD Stigma - Do you feel weird? same... - Research Recap
Do you ever walk into a room and realize you're just different from everyone else there... and they know it too? Yeah.. unfortunately, ADHD be like that sometimes, and the research we're talking about this week backs that up. Buckle up, grab some tissues, and listen up because we're getting personal and talking stigma with ADHD. *Read full description for TW/CW*
38
ADHD Research Recap: Does masking mean ADHD looks different in adulthood?
Are ADHD symptoms more severe in childhood? Does the ability to mask mean symptoms are more manageable? How do we test the link between ADHD and depression? To what extent do methodical limitations undermine ADHD research?
These are just some of the questions answered in this week’s research recap. Join us to get to the bottom of the biggest topics in the world of ADHD right now.
36
ADHD Research Recap: Is ADHD related to trauma in childhood?
In today's research recap, we discuss the outcomes of early methylphenidate treatment on mood and emotional regulation. Then, we delve into how childhood trauma impacts ADHD symptoms into adulthood before hearing from adults with ADHD who challenge what ADHD should be called.
34
ADHD Insights: How to manage your thoughts and self-regulate
This week, Sarah and Skye dig into papers on avoidant automatic thoughts and the role of genetics in ADHD and autism. They also share tips from the ADHD Academy on self-regulating in the moment.
Hit play for the latest research -- stay tuned for ADHD support strategies that stick!
32
ADHD Research Recap: Emotional challenges, late diagnosis, and internet addiction
Join Skye and Sarah as they discuss how well ADHD research reflects the nuances of neurodiversity. The pair talk increased cognitive effort in emotional regulation, commonalities among late-diagnosed women and a potential link to internet addiction.
30
ADHD Research Insights: Dyslexia, dyscalculia and subclinical symptoms
Join Sarah and Skye as they explore the potential links between ADHD and dyslexia, dyscalculia and other neurodivergence. The pair also discuss the individual differences in ADHD traits and how they present across the wider population. Could ADHD symptoms be a bell curve? Tune in to find out.
22
ADHD Research Recap: Practical support strategies and stressed out study life
This week, Sarah and Skye look at what’s behind common ADHD behaviours, discuss research-backed strategies to support life with ADHD and explore how medical student stress levels impact self-reporting. Hit play and let’s get started!
16
ADHD research recap: Motivation, procrastination and the childhood experience
This week, Sarah and Skye unpack a theory behind why people with ADHD procrastinate and outline the struggles behind getting an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. They then delve into the latest research into ADHD and genetic differences and spotlight some opportunities for future ADHD diagnosis. Come for the latest research, stay for the practical strategies and shared experiences.
10
Research Recap: ADHD motivation and the emotional experience of being undiagnosed
This week, Sarah and Skye examine what motivates us to achieve with ADHD before discussing a heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting paper which outlines the effects of late ADHD diagnosis in women. Come for the latest research, stay for the practical strategies and shared experiences.
8
ADHD Research Recap: Executive functioning, time perception and a new attention disorder
In today's episode of research recap, we examine the effect of mind-body interventions on symptoms of ADHD and discuss our attempts at mindfulness. We also cover the controversial link between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD diagnosis and examine an interesting study into how people with ADHD perceive time.
Host
Skye Waterson
Skye was diagnosed with ADHD as a doctoral student. After a few years of research and work with Auckland University, she left her academic career to launch Unconventional Organisation.
Now a worldwide ADHD support service, Unconventional Organisation has seven coaches and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, academics and professionals work with ADHD to achieve their goals through research-backed strategies
When she’s not supporting others with ADHD, Skye likes to explore her hometown of Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband and 1-year-old son.
Co-host and Producer
Sarah Russell
Sarah was diagnosed with ADHD aged 30 when she began to seek new treatment options for her depression and anxiety.
She is now the Coaching Director at Unconventional Organisation, where she has been working for the past two years. She has a passion for understanding how people work together in groups, which led her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. This background has provided her the opportunity to work in various roles within the public school system and the mental health field.
During her free time, Sarah cycles through hobbies like gardening, gaming, and baking while also juggling life as a mother of two children.