I Have ADHD Podcast

If you have ADHD and sleep feels like a constant struggle, you’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. Research shows that 70–80% of adults with ADHD have chronic sleep problems, most commonly falling asleep too late and being unable to shift earlier, no matter how hard they try. For many of us, this pattern starts in childhood and is deeply tied to our biology.In this solo episode, I explain why ADHD brains are wired for later sleep, how “social jetlag” (early school and work schedules) creates ongoing sleep debt, and why so many ADHD adults are surviving on 5–6 hours of sleep when our brains actually need more. The tricky part? The symptoms of sleep deprivation—poor focus, low motivation, memory issues, irritability, and emotional dysregulation—look almost identical to ADHD itself.We dive into chronotherapy, a science-based approach that works with your circadian rhythm instead of fighting it. I break down how light exposure, strategic timing, and gentle sleep-wake adjustments can help regulate your internal clock without perfectionism or rigid routines.And yes—we talk about sunlight. Morning light is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for ADHD regulation. I share how light therapy glasses, sun lamps, melatonin, and intentional light exposure can support better sleep, better focus, and a calmer nervous system overall.If you’ve been blaming yourself for sleep issues your brain never signed up for, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a much more realistic path forward.Watch this episode on YouTubeWant help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTokGo to drinkag1.com/ihaveadhd to unlock 7 free gifts worth $126 during DecemberSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #326: ADHD Nearly Broke Us — How We're Still Standing After 21 Years With Greg CarderListen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been a while since we dropped a solo episode, and today I’m sharing something personal, vulnerable, and—honestly—encouraging. Because even after twenty years of living with ADHD and five years of deep healing work, rejection sensitivity still shows up for me. The difference now? I know how to support myself through it.In this episode, I share an update on my book (spoiler: I'm almost done writing!), answer a listener voicemail, share a helpful resource, and then take you behind the scenes of a recent rejection-sensitivity spiral that almost kept me from attending (and speaking at!) the CHADD conference. I walk you through exactly how I navigated the emotional storm—step by step—so I could do the work I’m meant to do.This isn’t a story about never feeling big feelings again. It’s a story about what becomes possible when we learn to move through them with skill, compassion, and self-trust.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ll “grow out of” rejection sensitivity or if you’ll always be derailed by it, this episode is a reassuring reminder: RS may not disappear, but your capacity to handle it absolutely can grow.Brick Code: https://www.getbrick.app/KRISTEN37887Watch this episode on YouTubeWant help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTokGo to drinkag1.com/ihaveadhd to unlock 7 gifts worth $126 during December.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #325: ADHD Burnout Is REAL: What A Physician With ADHD Wishes She Knew SoonerListen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Kristen chats with Bill, Creative & Executive Director of ArtPhilly, who is currently helping mastermind a city-wide arts festival for America’s 250th birthday. He’s smart, creative, high-capacity… and, like many ADHDers, he hit the limit of what his frontal lobe could juggle.And then? He hired help — aka he hired himself a frontal lobe.And everything changed.This interview is full of laughs, honesty, and so many “OMG SAME” moments.In this episode, Bill talks about:His ADHD story and how long he tried to push through on grit aloneThe stuckness and overwhelm that finally made him say, “Okay… I need an extra brain”What the hiring process was actually like — awkward, liberating, and so worth itWhy paying for help isn’t indulgent — it’s ADHD brain maintenanceHow getting support expanded his peace, confidence, and capacityThe big idea:If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should be able to do this myself,” Bill’s story gives you the permission slip you’ve been waiting for. If you have money to spend, hiring help isn’t a luxury — it’s a way of outsourcing executive function so you can actually live the life you’re trying to build.Watch this episode on YouTubeWant help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTokGo to drinkag1.com/ihaveadhd, to unlock 7 gifts worth $126 during DecemberSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.