Don’t Dis-My-Ability: A Discussion On Neurodiversity | Guest Shawn Smith

In this episode I am speaking with Melissa Doman, MA, Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). We talk about mental health in the workplace and why now more than ever this is so important to be talked about in the workplace.  Her book is a fantastic handbook on how to approach this sensitive conversation in the workplace.  We addressed the approach of self-advocacy in the workplace as an individual contributor and a leader, the “toxic positivity trend”, and so much more.  This episode is dedicated to all who are in the workplace and managing mental health. I genuinely wish I had Melissa’s book back in the day in my corporate life, her book is a must-have in each team.    From the amazon book listing: Taking a realistic approach, through research, stories of lived experience and applied techniques that anyone can use, the book includes information on:- How we bring our beliefs and experiences around mental health and mental illness into the workplace The importance of understanding how the language we use, consciously or unconsciously, impacts us Ways to manage the challenges around having mental health conversations at work ‘How-to’ conversation guides Concrete tips on ways to action this education individually or at a team level After reading this book, you'll feel empowered and equipped to have constructive, meaningful conversations about mental health in your workplace     About Melissa: Melissa Doman, MA is an Organizational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). Melissa works with companies across industries around the globe – including clients like Google, Dow Jones, Microsoft, Salesforce, Siemens, Estée Lauder, & Janssen.   She’s been featured as a subject matter expert in Vogue, the BBC, CNBC, Inc., and in LinkedIn’s 2022 Top 10 Voices on Mental Health. Having lived abroad in South Korea, England, Australia and traveled to 45+ countries, Melissa calls upon her global experiences to inform how she works with companies around the world. She has one core goal: to equip companies, individuals, and leaders to have constructive conversations about mental health in the workplace. Her work and book aim to accomplish just that.

Discussing the hormonal fluctuation's impact on ADHD and women is one of the most important episodes I have recorded on the Proudly ADHD Podcast.  Conversations on this topic need to continue and be amplified.    I truly believe so many women diagnosed with ADHD suffer in silence from the negative impacts of, Puberty, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), PMS (premenstrual syndrome), Perimenopause, and Menopause. As these hormonal changes hugely impact and amplify the negative traits of ADHD. In this episode, my special guest Linda Roggli gives us a view into hormones and what happens with our ADHD.   We also share our personal experiences and measures we have taken to manage the impact.   We hope that you find this episode useful and please do share and increase awareness of hormones and ADHD.   ***** More about Lind Roggli Linda Roggli is the creator of the ADHD Palooza series, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), an award-winning author, and founder of the A-D-Diva Network for ADHD women 40-and-better. She is recognized as an expert in midlife and senior ADHD. The online Palooza series now includes ADHD Women, ADHD Parents, and ADHD Couples. Linda’s book Confessions of an ADDiva-midlife in the non-linear lane won first prize for women’s issues in the prestigious Next Generation Indy Book Awards competition. She regularly hosts workshops, organizing groups, and retreats for ADHD women at http://addiva.net

Those with ADHD brain wiring feel emotions intensely, it actually may feel like we are constantly living in a state of emotional flood. In this state, all we can do is be on guard, be defensive and look for ways to survive and push through. No wonder we are not able to get shi%t done!  In this episode, I am delighted to have Tamara Rosier Ph.D., back with us where she shares an effective tool for managing our big emotions so that we can go from fight or flight to present and calm!  The Emotional Health Ladder created by Tamara Rosier and Cameron Gott, can be used as a daily checkpoint for quick check-in before you start a task, navigate a difficult conversation and so much more.  I consider this tool foundational to managing ADHD.  +++++++ About Tamara Rosier, Ph.D - is founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she and her staff work with individuals with ADHD (and their families) to learn strategies and develop new skills to live effectively with ADHD. Dr. Rosier is also the president of the ADHD Coaches Organization. She is a popular conference and keynote speaker a frequent guest on podcasts and has published numerous articles about living with ADHD. She lives in West Michigan. https://www.tamararosier.com ++++++ Check out my previous episode with Dr. Rosier, where we go in-depth on the Solve It Grid and her book, Your Brain's not Broken.  To see visuals of the Emotional Health Ladder visit her Instagram account @dr.tamararosier Visual of Level 3 on the Emotional health Ladder  Visual of Level 4 on the Emotional Health Ladder

In this episode, I open up about my personal story about seeking support to further manage my ADHD through Trauma Therapy.  I knew that this method of therapy was going to be effective and I have always been a huge advocate of therapy but what I didn’t expect was the rapid results that I experienced.          “In total, some 20–50% of children with a history of Childhood Trauma have clinical levels of ADHD (Glod and Teicher 1996; McLeer et al.1994).”    Receiving support for mental health is a journey, from long waits to getting the right doctor to finding the right treatment and medication that will work and also the energy that it takes to keep at it.  But once we do get the right support, magic can happen.  I am beyond grateful to have found the right support team to move through this stage of my life.  If you relate to this post and also to this episode, please don’t give up on your healing journey, keep going! I am cheering for your success. 

ADHD and Burnout!!! I can not get enough of this topic, so I decided to have a candid conversation about it with my special guest Brendan Mahan, host of ADHD Essentials Podcast and ADHD Coach.   “Is it the Fish or the Water? Is the fish sick because the fish is sick? or is the fish sick, Because it's swimming in a toxic ocean.” Brendan unpacks this concept so beautifully in this episode. (Yes we do get into politics in this talk)  We covered various aspects of how those with ADHD might experience burnout and how to move through it.  Thank you Brendan for being an amazing guest, really enjoyed this rich conversation and your wisdom.   #ADHD    About:  Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS., an internationally recognized ADHD/Executive Function coach, a highly engaging, sought-after speaker, and the host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. A former teacher, mental health counselor, and principal, Brendan helps individuals, families, schools, and businesses manage the challenges of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and neurodiversity through an approach that blends education, collaborative problem-solving, and accountability with compassion, humor, a focus on strengths and growth, and his trademark “Wall of Awful™” model. He has been featured in The Washington Post, ADDitude Magazine, How To ADHD, and Speaker Magazine. Contact him at [email protected].

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It was my absolute pleasure to have this candid, most genuine conversation with Dan Roth.   He is so damn relatable and lays down some serious truth about job hunting and recruiting for professionals with ADHD.   “I don't think that job seekers should be so desperate to take any job that they can. Now I understand that finances are. I am not saying that it is not difficult, but if we do a better job in our communication between the recruiter and the job seeker, then at the end of the day, you're going to be put in the best position where you don't have to worry about being there a year from now, because you have the long-term to look at.” Dan Roth   Dan shared his personal experience with ADHD, his view as a recruiter supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. Towards the end of this talk, he shares three success tips when looking for a new job.    Dan, is an internationally recognized recruiter and professional speaker. Having recently been named one of the Top 25 Job Search Experts to Follow by Jobscan, Dan uses his platform to encourage continuous discussions surrounding mental health while being a strong neurodiversity and women's empowerment advocate and an abolotionist. Follow Dan on Linkedin 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting with Yakini Pierce, discussing her journey with ADHD as a parent.   Yakini Pierce is a mom with ADHD that has two children, both with ADHD. She has an MBA and degrees in engineering and mass communications, but her strong passion is advocating for parents that have children with ADHD, parents, and adults in general that have ADHD through her ADHD Love platform. I enjoyed listening to her perspective and approach when it comes to parenting kids with ADHD.  You can find out more about Yakini's work: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/adhdlove2020/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/adhdlove2020 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adhdlove2020/ Clubhouse - https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@adhdlove2020  YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDLove2020 ADHD Love Merchandise:  https://www.adhdlove2020.com/ Podcast - ADHD Love Parent Talk Spotify, iTunes     

“Rather than be defined by a label, I choose to challenge the boundaries of its perceived limitations.” Shawn Smith   I had the pleasure of speaking with Shawn Smith, M.Ed., CCC about ADHD, ASD and his personal journey with it all, and how he supports his clients as a counselor/therapist.  This conversion was such a delight, Shawn has an amazing way to capture your attention and get to the heart of the discussion.    I enjoyed talking about ADHD and Medication, the long journey to finding treatment that supports ADHD, and how his own experience of medication He shares a unique approach to building confidence through creating challenges  Shawn was recently diagnosed with ASD in addition to his ADHD, he shares how this diagnosis shows up in his life  Navigating friendships as a neurodivergent thinker How to manage rigid thinking  I especially enjoyed his view on masking in social settings and setting boundaries   “no one said being awesome is going to be easy”, Shawn Smith.   More About Shawn Neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD) Psychotherapist, Consultant, and founder of Don’t dis-my-ability®, a multifaceted company that utilizes my unique gifts that come by way of being uniquely gifted and neurodivergent. Website: www.ddmacs.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddmacs.ca Twitter: https://twitter.com/dontdismyabilit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DdmacsCa Don’t dis-my-ability Podcast: http://ddmacs.ca/podcast/  

In this episode I speak with Tamara Rosier, Ph.D. about her new book, Your Brain’s Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD.  In Your Brain’s Not Broken, Tamara Rosier, Ph.D., founder of the ADHD Center in West Michigan, shares how those with ADHD can create new thinking habits, identify unhelpful thoughts and emotional patterns, and apply strategies to change them. “Seeing how the ADHD brain works differently from the neurotypical brain helps us understand, accept, and compensate for our differences,” Rosier writes in the book. “This knowledge that ADHD is a complicated disorder that affects each part of a person’s life is the first step to managing it...so that you don’t have to pretend to others and yourself.” Readers of this book will finally understand why those with ADHD think, feel, and act the way they do. Dr. Rosier applies her 12 years of coaching others to offer the critical practical tools like solving motivational murders, finding predictable patterns, setting boundaries, managing energy expenditure, understanding the ADHD Ladder of Emotional Health, and more. Anyone with ADHD—as well as anyone who lives with or loves someone with ADHD—will find a compassionate, encouraging guide to living well and with hope in this book.   About Tamara Rosier, Ph.D - is founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she and her staff work with individuals with ADHD (and their families) to learn strategies and develop new skills to live effectively with ADHD. Dr. Rosier is also the president of the ADHD Coaches Organization. She is a popular conference and keynote speaker is a frequent guest on podcasts and has published numerous articles about living with ADHD. She lives in West Michigan.