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Organizing an ADHD Brain

Megs Crawford

Organizing an ADHD Brain is the podcast for people who are tired of organizing advice that just doesn't stick. Host Megs Crawford — ADHD coach, professional organizer, and fellow ADHDer — goes beyond the bins and labels to explore the whole picture: how your nervous system, beliefs, and environment all work together to either support or sabotage your ability to function.

Each episode offers permission-giving, judgment-free strategies rooted in how ADHD brains actually work — because real organization isn't about a perfect system. It's about building a life that works for you.

With over 100,000 downloads and counting, this is the show where messy is welcome and progress beats perfect every time.

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S3 · E33
August 7 · 33 min
There's No After Picture: A Year in the Messy Middle (Season 3 Finale)
A year ago I sold everything, organized my whole life into a 5x8 trailer, and moved across the country. There's no after picture to show you — and that's exactly the point. In this Season 3 finale, Megs looks back on a year of navigating the messy middle: rebuilding a life in Massachusetts, decluttering an entire home in fight-or-flight mode, learning to interrupt hyperfocus before it turns into burnout, and letting go of the Pinterest-perfect kitchen for pink countertops that are exactly enough. If you've ever made a beautiful plan, watched it fall apart, and decided that meant something was wrong with you — this one's for you. In this episode: • Why the "before and after" picture is a lie, and what growth with ADHD actually looks like • How to catch yourself in fight-or-flight (even mid-oven-scrub) and come back to the present • The "shallow holes" problem: what happens when dopamine picks all your projects — and the treasure you find when you keep digging one • Why half-assing it beats no-assing it, every time Plans change — that's not failure, it's data. If you want to build a flexible fall plan that works with your ADHD brain, join me for the Plan Your Fall Before It Plans You workshop on August 30th: Sign up here Season 4 launches in September — with episodes on YouTube and big community news coming. Follow the show so you don't miss it. 💛 Related episode: Half-Assing It with Russ from ADHD Big Brother 02:09 Finding joy and learning to play with ADHD 05:24 When your plans fall apart (and why that's data) 08:21 ADHD fight or flight: regulating in real time 14:52 Hard days, self-belief, and why community matters 19:58 Getting out of debt with ADHD 21:52 Why there's no perfect "after picture" 25:13 Shallow holes, dopamine, and half-assing it Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E32
June 26 · 52 min
5 ADHD Organizing Tips From 2024: What Still Works, What I'd Change, and What I Got Dead Wrong
What if getting organized isn't something you finally achieve, but something you keep deciding, one small step at a time? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs revisits one of her earliest organizing episodes with fresh eyes, more ADHD knowledge, and a lot more compassion for how hard it actually is to start. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a realistic, shame-free framework for decluttering and building routines that actually work with your ADHD brain, not against it. Megs opens by reflecting on how her thinking has shifted since recording this episode two years ago, particularly around not prescribing one-size-fits-all habits (she's officially retiring the 5 a.m. wake-up recommendation) and understanding organizing as a collaborative, regulated process rather than a checklist to complete. She shares her own history of growing up surrounded by generational clutter, her Facebook Marketplace decluttering phase, and what she learned from the book Decluttering at the Speed of Life, that not everything needs to be sold, and donating is often the more regulated, sustainable choice. The episode covers why executive function challenges make starting and stopping so hard, why having less stuff means fewer decisions, and how tiny time-boxed steps, paired with reminders, habit stacking, a dedicated donation box, and focused "blinders", are what actually move the needle over time. She also talks through teaching kids organizing systems, what happens when everything feels equally important, and why action will always beat knowledge when it comes to getting your space under control. The good news? You don't have to overhaul your whole home. You just have to start somewhere small, and then praise yourself for doing it, without shame. Mentioned in this episode: Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White: https://amzn.to/43XyQAh Resources on ADHD and Executive Function: What Are ADHD Executive Functions?: https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/what-are-adhd-executive-functions/ How to Improve Executive Function with ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/how-to-improve-executive-function-adhd/ Time Management Skills and Organization Help for ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/time-management-skills-organization-help-adhd/ This episode is for anyone with ADHD who has tried to get organized, given up, and is ready to try again, this time with a plan that actually fits their brain. 00:00:39 — Revisiting Old Advice with Fresh Eyes and More ADHD Knowledge 00:13:03 — 2026 Megs: Selling Versus Donating perspective 00:15:19 — 2026 Megs: Lessons Learned from Her Parents' Decluttering Journey 00:20:57 — The Craft Closet Reality Check 00:22:46 — 2026 Megs: Teaching Kids How to Use Organizing Systems 00:25:54 — 2026 Megs: When Everything Feels Equally Important 00:35:01 — Starting Small with Time-Boxed Organizing Sessions 00:37:59 — 2026 Megs: Using Reminders and Habit Stacking to Build Consistency 00:45:40 — Why Having Less Stuff Creates More Ease 00:48:41 — Praising Your Progress Without Shame 00:50:59 — 2026 Megs: The Messy Middle and Closing Thoughts Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E31
June 17 · 38 min
From Misunderstanding to Pride: One ADHD Coach's Career and Identity Journey
Have you ever achieved something you were "supposed" to want, and still felt like something was quietly off? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs reconnects with Lauren Goldberg to talk about internalized ableism, disability pride, career transitions, and what it really means to work with your ADHD brain instead of against it. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a new lens for understanding the shame many of us carry around disability and neurodivergence, and what it looks like to slowly, imperfectly trade that shame in for pride. Lauren was diagnosed with ADHD at age eight, but it wasn't until an ADHD reassessment for college that she learned she also had hearing loss. She shares what it felt like to hide her hearing aids, why she initially resisted identifying as disabled, and the milestones that shifted things, ASL classes, learning about Deaf culture, and eventually decorating her hearing aids as a public act of pride. She also opens up about navigating the space between hearing and Deaf communities, and the ongoing messy middle of considering cochlear implants as her hearing continues to change. On the career side, Lauren talks about how repeated industry shifts and COVID-era unemployment pushed her toward entrepreneurship and why she moved away from digital products to focus on deep one-on-one coaching for neurodivergent clients. She and Megs dig into internalized ableism, toxic professionalism, and what self-advocacy actually looks like in practice when you've spent years masking and shrinking yourself to fit in. The good news? The messy middle of identity isn't a problem to solve. It's where the real work and the real growth actually happen. This episode is for anyone with ADHD who has ever felt shame around who they are and is ready to start seeing themselves differently. Lauren Goldberg is a Career Self-Discovery and Leadership Coach who specializes in helping neurodivergent changemakers move from self-doubt to self-trust, in their careers and beyond. Diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and hearing loss, Lauren brings lived experience and deep compassion to her coaching, helping clients unlearn toxic professionalism, advocate for their needs, and build careers that actually fit them. She describes herself as a disco ball, reflecting your light back at you so you can enjoy it and shine it on the world. Website: https://www.laurengoldbergcoaching.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengoldbergcoaching Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E30
June 10 · 28 min
Mud, Hopscotch, and Micro Practices: Reclaiming Joy with ADHD
When did you last do something just for the fun of it, no purpose, no productivity, no plan? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs explores what it really means to give yourself permission to play and why your ADHD brain might need it more than you think. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a new way to think about joy, mess, and micro practices that interrupt the go-go-go mindset and bring you back to the present. Megs opens with her daughter's observation that adults forget how to play and takes it seriously. Turning 40, watching her girls gleefully stomp through mud, and eventually joining them despite every instinct to stay clean became a turning point. From there she shares a series of playful experiments: ice skating, rollerblading, hopscotch on the school walk, a spontaneous lunch invitation, and using Command strips to try out home decor without the pressure of getting it perfect. She connects rigid internal rules, shaped by church culture, parenting pressures, and strict routines, to a deeper fear of making mistakes, and explores how treating life and work more like play helped her run a summer-planning event smoothly despite tech mishaps, stay present with her family, and slowly retrain her body to pause instead of push. The good news? Play doesn't have to be big or planned. It just has to be real and this episode gives you plenty of small places to start. Megs has been part of the Mindful as a Mother community and wanted to share something she thinks is worth knowing about. If you're a mom of a neurodivergent kid, their small group might be exactly what you've been looking for, a 4-week space led by neurodivergent child counselors who live this stuff too. Real talk about regulation, RSD, meltdowns, and burnout, in a small group where you can finally stop masking and get into what actually works. Learn more here: https://stan.store/Mindfulasamother/p/you-can-sit-with-us- Also check out the Mindful as a Mother podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-as-a-mother/id1546749518 This episode is for anyone with ADHD who has been running on empty and is ready to remember what it feels like to just play. 2:54 — Turning 40 and the Mud Lesson 5:45 — Micro Practices and Shifting the Go-Go-Go Mindset 7:24 — Family Skating and Making Play Happen 8:43 — Messy Social Play and the Lunch Invitation 11:12 — Rigid Rules, Church Culture, and Bedtime Battles 13:59 — Hopscotch on the School Walk 15:51 — Why Play Is Really Practice 18:03 — Home Decor Experiments Without Perfectionism 19:50 — Making Faster Decisions by Lowering the Stakes 21:16 — Running a Planning Event Like It's Play 24:45 — Interrupting the Go-Go-Go in Real Time Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E29
June 3 · 51 min
ADHD and Hormones: Why Women's Symptoms Are a Moving Target with Bailey Pilant
GUEST BIO Bailey Pilant is a New York and Florida-licensed therapist, ADHD-CCSP certified, and the founder of The Wave Counseling, a practice specializing in neurodivergent affirming therapy for women navigating ADHD, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work, helping women understand themselves more deeply and advocate for the support they actually need. Find her: Website: https://thewavecounseling.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewavecounseling TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewavecounseling SHOW NOTES Have you ever felt like your ADHD symptoms get dramatically worse at certain times of the month, and wondered if it was all in your head? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs welcomes back therapist Bailey Pilant to break down the connection between ADHD, hormones, and women's health, including cycle tracking, perimenopause, and PMOS. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll understand why women's ADHD is so often missed, how your hormones are directly affecting your symptoms, and what you can start doing right now to track, plan, and advocate for yourself. Bailey explains how estrogen affects dopamine and why that means ADHD symptoms can shift dramatically across the menstrual cycle, worsen with age, and intensify during perimenopause. She walks through why women's ADHD is so frequently dismissed as personality traits rather than a neurological difference, the knowledge gaps that exist around diagnostic criteria and co-occurring conditions, and why girls often mask in ways that hide their symptoms entirely. They also dig into emotional overwhelm, what borderline hormone test results can mean, and why "normal" results don't always tell the full story. Bailey shares her own experience with PMOS (formerly PCOS), the value of at-home hormone tracking, and how using real data can help you plan supports, communicate your needs, reduce reactivity, and extend yourself genuine self-compassion, through what she calls "experiments" rather than expectations. The good news? Once you understand what your hormones are doing and when, you stop wondering if something is wrong with you and start working with your body instead of against it. Previously on Organizing an ADHD Brain — Bailey's earlier episodes: Cravings & Cognitive Chaos: Decoding the ADHD-Eating Disorder Connection for Women Cognitive Chaos: Interview with Bailey (Part 2) This episode is for any woman with ADHD who has ever felt like her symptoms were a moving target — and is ready to understand why. 3:31 — Why women's ADHD is so often missed and dismissed as personality traits 8:18 — How ADHD presents differently in girls versus boys due to socialization and masking 14:18 — How estrogen affects dopamine and what that means for ADHD symptoms across your cycle 17:49 — When to test your hormones and what to look for 20:39 — When test results look "normal" but something still feels off 26:26 — Cycle tracking as a self-support tool, using data to plan and regulate 36:03 — Perfectionism, self-compassion, and reframing progress as experiments 44:03 — What PMOS means and Bailey's personal experience with her diagnosis 50:55 — How to work with Bailey and closing thoughts Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E28
May 20 · 28 min
What Grows Back After You Let Go
On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs breaks down the "deadheading" analogy, removing what's no longer living so your energy and resources can go toward what will actually thrive. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a new framework for making decluttering decisions that feel regulated, intentional, and aligned with where you're actually going, not where you've been. Megs shares the real story behind letting go of most of her family's belongings before their move from Colorado to Massachusetts. When she and Adam learned that moving pods could cost up to $16,000, they made a different call, sell, gift, donate, and occasionally discard. What followed was an unexpectedly emotional process of untangling identity, memory, and nervous system strain from the objects filling their home. She reflects on the time cost of selling, the weight of repeated decision-making, and how Dana K. White's decluttering questions helped her make choices that felt grounded rather than reactive. She shares memorable exchanges with buyers and neighbors, what they chose to keep (sentimental ornaments made the cut), and how renting furnished places freed them from the pressure of building a "perfect" space, and let them focus on what was actually next. The good news? You don't have to let go of everything. You just have to get clear on what you're growing toward, and deadheading gets a lot easier from there. This episode is for anyone with ADHD who is holding onto more than they need and is ready to make peace with letting go. Products mentioned in this episode: Colorful storage drawers with gold knobs: https://amzn.to/3Pxt9oY 3-tier rolling cart: https://amzn.to/3PgYDQm Organizing an ADHD Brain is supported by its audience: when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E27
May 13 · 24 min
What I Planned For and What Actually Happened
What if the hardest part of a big life change isn't the logistics, it's everything that happens while you're in the middle of it? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs walks through what it really looks like when a carefully made plan meets real life; grief, fear, and all. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a new way to think about the messy middle, not as failure, but as temporary data pointing you toward what matters most. Megs gets real about her fourth move of the year, relocating from Colorado to Massachusetts after selling their home in July 2025. She came prepared: early packing, labeled boxes, a full week off to settle in. Then the plan met life. What followed was a week of grief, anxiety, and move-related chaos that no amount of planning could have prevented. She explores why change is uncomfortable even when it's good, how clutter and unfinished logistics amplify emotional overwhelm for ADHD brains, and why regulation in those moments comes down to something simple, reminding yourself that you are safe. She shares the choice she kept making that week: putting down the unfinished tasks to be present with her kids, even when everything around her felt undone. The good news? The messy middle isn't a sign that something went wrong. It's information. And choosing presence over perfection, even once, even imperfectly, is always the right move. This episode is for anyone with ADHD who is navigating a season of change and needs permission to put down the to-do list and just be okay for a minute. TIME MARKERS 2:45 — How Megs planned the move: early packing, labeled boxes, a week to settle in 4:39 — When life hits: a friend's death, a community crisis, and Charlotte's hospital visit 7:22 — Finding home again in the middle of grief and chaos 10:23 — How clutter and unfinished logistics amplify ADHD overwhelm, and what regulation actually looks like 14:45 — Choosing presence over productivity, putting down the tasks to be with her kids 18:14 — Lessons from the week: what the messy middle was actually teaching her 22:17 — Permission to pause, why stopping is sometimes the most regulated choice Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E26
May 6 · 56 min
How to Stop the ADHD Crash Cycle and Start Regulating with Jenna Free
Does it ever feel like you're constantly running on empty, rushing, crashing, and starting the whole cycle over again? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs welcomes back therapist and author Jenna Free to talk about her book, The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, and what it actually means to heal your nervous system instead of just managing it. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll understand why so many ADHD coping strategies keep you stuck, and what a different approach to regulation could make possible for your everyday life. Jenna explains how many ADHDers live in chronic fight-or-flight, caught in frantic crash cycles that quietly make executive functioning and symptoms worse over time. Her approach isn't about more homework, better organization systems, or forcing your way through, it's about retraining your nervous system toward genuine balance. They dig into why rushing, rigid cleanliness, hustle culture, and constant news and social media scrolling can all function as attempts to soothe dysregulation rather than actually resolve it.. The good news? Regulation isn't about becoming a different person or achieving a perfect life. It's about building enough internal stability that you can stay okay — no matter what the messy middle throws at you. Grab Jenna's book, The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4w7Z14d This episode is for anyone with ADHD who is exhausted by the cycle of hacking and crashing and is ready to try something that goes a little deeper. Jenna Free is a therapist, ADHD specialist, and the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, a practical, structured approach to retraining the nervous system for people who are tired of hacks and ready for something that actually sticks. Diagnosed with ADHD herself at 32, Jenna brings both lived experience and deep clinical expertise to her work helping ADHDers move out of chronic fight-or-flight and into a life that feels more balanced, more spacious, and a lot less frantic. instagram: @adhdwithjennafree website: ADHDwithJennafree.com 1:25 — From coping and hacking to actually healing 3:16 — The eureka moment behind her method 9:35 — The "messy middle" 15:34 — Control, perfectionism, and how they show up as dysregulation in disguise 19:05 — The power of doing one thing at a time for an ADHD nervous system 22:46 — What it actually means to be dysregulated 25:09 — How Jenna's method differs 29:35 — ADHD dysregulation vs. trauma dysregulation 34:40 — How regulation creates space for ambition instead of replacing it 39:11 — News, doomscrolling, and the beliefs quietly driving the habit 44:22 — Choosing presence as a daily practice — what that looks like in real life 47:56 — Kids, screens, and the underrated value of boredom 54:07 — No shame, just curiosity — how to wrap it all together Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E25
April 22 · 38 min
What Does Planning with ADHD Actually Look Like?
Have you ever looked at a blank weekly planner and thought, I don't even know where to start? On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs teaches how to make a plan that actually works for an ADHD brain, without needing it to be perfect. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are. By the end, you'll have a new way to think about planning, one that bends instead of breaks, and actually helps you feel more regulated instead of more overwhelmed. Megs gets real about a hard day juggling two young kids and another move, then pushes back on the idea that ADHD brains just can't plan. Plans, rhythms, and routines can absolutely work, when they're simple, written down, and treated as flexible guides instead of rigid rules to fail at. Using meal planning as her anchor example, she shares what she learned living temporarily on a mountain in Georgia (far from any grocery store), and how she eventually built a Sunday meal-planning habit in Massachusetts that reduced both overwhelm and overspending, even on the weeks it still fell apart. She walks through how to notice what isn't working, break goals into small steps, set intentions with reminders and support like body doubling, and build a "bare minimum" plan for your worst days so you stay regulated even when life gets chaotic. The good news? A plan doesn't have to be beautiful or complete to work. It just has to exist, and this episode shows you exactly how to build one you'll actually use. This episode connects to an earlier conversation about all-or-nothing thinking, if that resonates, check out the "Burn It All Down" episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/organizing-an-adhd-brain/id1728728980?i=1000760213135 Looking for more meal-planning and organizing support? Join Megs' Circle community, a space built for ADHD brains who want accountability and connection without the pressure. > Join Here This episode is for anyone who has ever given up on planning because it felt too hard to do it perfectly, and is ready to try a different way. Time Stamps: 2:03 — An Instagram video about ADHD planning sparks a reframe 3:23 — Why plans fail: and why that's not the whole story 4:26 — The Georgia meal planning story: planning on a mountain far from groceries 7:46 — Building a Sunday meal-planning routine in Massachusetts 11:26 — Keeping plans simple, written, and flexible 13:25 — Beliefs, small wins, and what actually builds momentum 17:04 — What a plan really is — and what it doesn't have to be 18:25 — How to reverse-engineer a goal into something doable 4:03 — Setting intentions, reminders, and using body doubling for support 29:27 — Expecting imperfection: treating plans like projects, not promises 32:12 — Building a bare minimum plan for your hardest days 35:52 — Community invite and closing thoughts Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E24
April 15 · 47 min
Adult Timeouts and Habit Stacks: A Real Talk on Self-Care with Stephanie Wall Morrow
What if self-care isn't about bubble baths and spa days, but about planning, habit stacking, and finally feeling like you have your life together? In this episode, Megs sits down with Stephanie Wall Murrow, founder of the Self-Care Circle, to talk about her late ADHD diagnosis at 37, how postpartum anxiety led her to finally get answers, and how she turned a career in audiology business development, yoga, and mindfulness into coaching that actually meets ADHD brains where they are. Stephanie reframes what self-care really means; think meal prep, laying your clothes out the night before, scheduling rest on your calendar, and giving yourself an "adult timeout" before you burn out. She and Megs dig into habit stacking, morning routines, body doubling, and why tiny accessible steps beat big dramatic overhauls every single time. If you've ever felt like self-care is one more thing you're failing at, this episode will change how you see it. Practical, warm, and full of real talk. This one is worth a listen. Stephanie Wall Murrow is the founder of the Self-Care Circle and a coach who helps people recognize where mental overload is quietly getting in the way, not in obvious ways, but in the small moments that build up over time. After working with over 1,000 businesses and 9,000 individuals, she knows exactly how it feels to start one thing, switch to another, lose track of what mattered most, and end the day more drained than when it started. Her work blends mindfulness, accountability, and practical self-care tools to help you feel clear, focused, and more in control of how you move through your day. Find Stephanie at myselfcarecircle.com @myselfcarecircle on Instagram Free guide: ADHD-friendly clarity and focus TIME MARKERS 1:09 — Stephanie shares how her ADHD journey began as a high-achieving, constantly tired student 7:01 — Shifting from "what if" to "what now" — reframing the diagnosis as an explanation 11:34 — Accountability tools, body doubling, and how she coaches clients with ADHD 15:31 — Habit stacking and building morning routines that actually stick 20:37 — Practical self-care: meal prep, laying clothes out, finances, and planning ahead 25:58 — Why habits — not magic — are what create lasting change 29:24 — Embracing the messy middle without shame 30:41 — Habit stacking specifically for self-care routines 31:43 — Putting self-care on the calendar like any other commitment 32:38 — The "adult timeout" — what it is and why it works 35:36 — Schedule it or burn out: making rest non-negotiable 39:10 — Pick one tiny thing and start there 43:50 — The curiosity-first approach and a five-star self-check-in 44:41 — Modeling self-care for your kids Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E23
April 8 · 36 min
Burn It All Down: The ADHD Brain's All-or-Nothing Trap
Have you ever looked at a messy room and thought "forget it, I'll just burn it all down"? That's all-or-nothing thinking, and if you have ADHD, it's probably showing up in your laundry, your to-do list, and everywhere in between. In this episode, Megs breaks down why all-or-nothing thinking isn't a character flaw, it's actually a flight response, your nervous system trying to protect you from overwhelm. She explains how it keeps us stuck through perfectionism, procrastination, hiding messes, and waiting for the "perfect moment" to start, and why that moment never comes. The good news? You can build new brain muscles. Megs walks through tiny, doable steps; one dish, five minutes, touching the laundry once, that starts to rewire the pattern over time without requiring you to overhaul your entire life first. She also shares personal examples, why community and support matter, and where to find help if you want to go deeper. If you're looking for an ADHD-informed therapist, check out Neurodivergent Therapists, Psychology Today, and Zencare, all great places to find someone who gets it. This one is practical, validating, and a great place to start if all-or-nothing thinking has been keeping you stuck. TIME MARKERS 0:39 — Welcome and the "burn it all down" feeling — what all-or-nothing thinking actually looks like 1:55 — What all-or-nothing thinking is and how it connects to your ADHD brain 4:29 — Why this pattern keeps you stuck: overwhelm, perfectionism, and the impossible starting line 8:11 — How to start noticing where all-or-nothing thinking shows up in your daily life 11:14 — Starting small and building the brain muscle — why tiny actions actually work 13:55 — Real five-minute win examples: dishes, laundry, work sessions, and more 18:54 — Tiny steps in action: Megs shares personal examples from her own life 22:21 — The "not enough until it's done" trap — and how to break out of it 28:14 — Why community and being believed in makes a real difference 31:57 — Therapy and helpful resources: Neurodivergent Therapists, Psychology Today, and Zencare 33:31 — Do one thing today — your simple starting point 34:55 — Closing thoughts and what's coming next Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E22
April 1 · 47 min
ADHD at Work Doesn't Have to Mean Struggling in Silence with Meghan Brown-Enyia
Meghan Brown-Enyia is an ADHD coach, social worker, and the founder of ADHD at Work. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, she brings 15+ years of experience in HR, nonprofit leadership, and social work — plus her own lived experience — to help individuals and organizations better support neurodiverse employees. She specializes in executive function strategies, workplace accommodations, and helping people stop masking and start thriving. You can find her practical, solutions-focused content all over the internet and in your new favorite corner of the ADHD community. adhdatwork.co @adhdatwork on Instagram LinkedIn If you've ever felt like your ADHD brain doesn't belong in a professional environment — this episode is for you. Megs sits down with her friend Meghan Brown-Enyia, ADHD coach and founder of ADHD at Work, to talk about what it really looks like to navigate a career with ADHD. From late diagnosis to masking at work, asking for accommodations, and finding your people in the ADHD community — this conversation goes deep and keeps it real. Meghan shares her own journey of being diagnosed after years working in special education, and how she turned her MSW background and HR expertise into a coaching practice that supports both employees and the companies they work for. They also get into the "messy middle" — what it means to be a work in progress, embrace imperfection, and build a life that actually works for your brain. Whether you're looking for an ADHD coach, trying to figure out how to ask for workplace accommodations, or just want to feel less alone in this — pull up a chair. Topics covered: late ADHD diagnosis, ADHD in the workplace, ADHD coaching, executive function strategies, workplace accommodations, disclosure at work, psychological safety, masking, ADHD community, rest and burnout, organization systems, habit stacking. 1:24 Late ADHD diagnosis 4:30 Asking for accommodations 7:12 Unmasking at work 9:33 Showing up authentically online 13:46 Rest without shame 15:14 Social media and business 17:58 Service vs. income 20:55 Workplace coaching ROI 22:20 The messy middle workbook 23:35 Conference goals mindset 27:20 Owning the messy middle 29:40 Ask for support systems 31:00 Slow down strategically 33:37 Digital, mental, and physical order 38:59 Rules and habit stacking at home 42:30 Stop the 'should' timeline 44:36 Where to find Meghan Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E21
March 25 · 35 min
Why Is Change So Hard? (Even When You Want It)
Drawing from The Charisma Myth and her work coaching adults with ADHD, Megs breaks down why lasting change requires both a clear vision and a deep belief that you're capable of it. She explores why people with ADHD often carry limiting beliefs that block growth, how the dopamine pull of novelty (hello, online shopping) fits into that picture, and what it actually feels like to sit in discomfort long enough to forge a new path. Article referenced in show: Never Enough: Why ADHD Brains Crave Stimulation Whether you're part of an ADHD community looking for real talk, searching for an ADHD coach, or just trying to figure out why you keep ending up back at square one — this episode will give you language, perspective, and empowering beliefs to carry with you. You'll hear: the hiking metaphor for building new habits, the "Pandora's box" of self-awareness, why community and coaching accelerate change, and a set of affirmations you can repeat daily — including "My patterns kept me safe. I get to choose different now" and "Good things are allowed to happen to me and stay." In This Episode: 04:57 — Why your beliefs are blocking change (even when you're trying really hard) 06:26 — What discomfort actually is — and why it's proof you're capable 10:20 — How therapy, ADHD coaching, and mindset work together 13:45 — A guitar lesson on the power of community for ADHDers 15:45 — No-spend month as a real-life example of belief in action 19:15 — The Pandora's box of self-awareness: facing data, emotions, and avoided realities 22:12 — The hiking metaphor: forging a new path through your brain 27:56 — Be the hero of your own story — and take action 29:54 — Beliefs to repeat daily if you have ADHD Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E20
March 18 · 37 min
Two ADHD Brains, One Household: Kendall's Tools for Couples and Cloudy Days
If you've ever struggled to explain a hard mental health moment to your child — or wondered how to hold your ADHD brain together as a parent — this episode is for you. Megs sits down with Kendall, mental health advocate and children's book author, to talk about something most of us never learned how to do: make our inner emotional world visible to the people who love us most. Kendall shares her journey from lifelong anxiety diagnosis to ADHD discovery, how postpartum depression cracked her open, and the "cloud" metaphor she created so her kids could understand mom's hard days without fear or confusion. 🎧 What We Talk About Understanding your own brain first — Kendall spent years being told she had anxiety before landing on an ADHD diagnosis that finally made sense. If your mental health story has kept shifting, you'll feel seen here. The cloud metaphor that changed everything — After PPD, Kendall needed a way to say "mom is struggling today" without clinical language or blame. ADHD tools for couples — Kendall and her husband have different ADHD patterns. She shares "pause" check-ins, shared lists, and strategies that actually work when two executive-function-challenged brains are building a life together. Care kits for hard days — What goes in one? Simpler and more intentional than you'd expect. The book + pay-it-forward program — Kendall self-published Cloudy Day Chronicles to keep the family dialogue supportive rather than clinical, and now donates books through a pay-it-forward program and speaks with community organizations to connect parents to local mental health resources. About Kendall Kendall's greatest adventures began at home, as a mother. Her stories are inspired by the curiosity, humor, and boundless imagination of her children, who often help shape the characters and moments that appear on the page. Alongside her husband Matt and their dog Kiaora, she fills her days with laughter, exploration, and just the right amount of playful weirdness. When she's not creating stories, Kendall can usually be found where the wild things are. ⏱️ Jump To 01:12 — From mental health struggles to becoming an author 02:07 — Postpartum depression and the birth of the cloud metaphor 03:26 — Inside the Cloudy Day Chronicles book 12:21 — ADHD tools for couples with different patterns 18:46 — Building a care kit for cloudy days 23:42 — How (and why) to ask for support out loud 27:12 — Publishing choices and drawing the family line 29:56 — Advocacy work and connecting parents to resources 33:36 — Community impact and closing thoughts 35:16 — Where to find the book 📚 Resources & Links Cloudy Day Chronicles — Author's Website/Buy The Book Follow Kendall — Substack/Instagram Organizing an ADHD Brain is a podcast for humans with ADHD who are done with shame. Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E19
March 11 · 37 min
Weight Loss, Sobriety, and Decluttering: The Messy Middle is the Point
If you've ever started a weight loss journey, tried to declutter your home, or attempted to quit a habit — and felt like you were doing it "wrong" because it wasn't linear or easy — this episode is for you. As an ADHD coach for women, Megs Crawford digs into why quick fixes don't create lasting change, and why going through the "messy middle" is actually what builds sustainability, self-trust, and genuine self-understanding — especially for an ADHD brain. Using real stories from her own life, Megs shares her experience pursuing bariatric surgery and the required nutrition coaching, therapy, strict dietary changes, and body-image work that came with it; getting sober through a structured program, confronting depression and navigating triggers like ordering drinks in social settings, and maintaining sobriety for nearly four years; and decluttering her home through trial and error, selling items, lowering barriers, and discovering which organizing systems actually fit her ADHD patterns. She also connects these lessons to parenting a child through uncomfortable transitions, showing how the messy middle isn't just a personal growth concept — it's a life skill. If you're a woman with ADHD looking for an approach to organizing, sobriety, or weight loss that meets your brain where it is (instead of shaming you for not fitting a neurotypical mold), this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. 03:11 Cora And The Transition 04:17 The Quick Fix Trap 06:57 Weight Loss And Surgery 11:10 Body Image And Self Talk 13:07 Quitting Drinking For Good 16:15 Sober Struggles And Tools 19:05 Decluttering With ADHD 22:39 Trial And Error Systems 27:25 Fix It Mindset Shift 31:32 Small Steps Build Rome Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E18
March 4 · 41 min
Why Art Actually Fills You Up: The ADHD Brain on Color and Creativity with Eli Trier
🔁 Rerun from Fall 2024 — still so good, we had to bring it back. If you've ever felt guilty for loving color, keeping "too much," or struggling to maintain a minimalist space — this episode is your permission slip. Megs sits down with Eli Trier, an AuDHD neuroqueer artist based in Copenhagen, to talk about what it really means to organize and decorate as a neurodivergent person. Spoiler: it's not about having less. It's about having what fills you up. In this episode, you'll learn: Why colorful spaces aren't clutter — they're actually good for your ADHD brain (hello, dopamine 🧠) What maximalism really means and why it can be the most intentional way to live How art and color affect dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol — backed by science Eli's late AuDHD diagnosis story and the emotional journey that followed How to stop organizing out of guilt and start curating a space that genuinely supports you This episode is for you if: ✔ You're a human with ADHD looking for less overwhelm at home ✔ You've tried minimalism and it just… didn't stick ✔ You want a neurodivergent-friendly approach to your space and your life Connect with Eli Trier: 🌐 Website ▶️ YouTube Timestamps 00:14 Minimalism to Color 02:00 Meet Eli in Copenhagen 04:13 Diagnosis Journey 09:38 Art and Brain Chemistry 16:21 Maximalism Explained 26:21 Systems For Creative Chaos 32:45 Advice For Late Diagnosis 37:30 Final Thanks And Reflection Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E17
February 18 · 58 min
ADHD and Flow State: How to Focus in a World Built to Distract You
Book: Deep Work Learn more about Sukha: Join Steven's Flow State App Contact Steven: steven@thesukha.co In this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, Megs talks with Steven Puri — ADHD-diagnosed entrepreneur, former film executive, and founder of Sukha — about flow states, distraction, and what it actually takes to focus in a world engineered to pull your attention away. Steven shares his journey from engineering and Hollywood to building a company centered on sustainable focus for neurodivergent brains. Together, they explore: What flow state really is Why ADHD brains struggle with long to-do lists and context switching The nervous system layer of distraction Why hiding all but your top three tasks increases follow-through How finishing one meaningful task a day shifts identity Steven explains Sukha’s “friendly nudge” approach — gently asking, “Is this helping you?” instead of harshly blocking websites — and how redefining productivity as time for what truly matters (family, creativity, community) changes everything. 07:16 — What Flow State Actually Is (ADHD + Neuroscience Explained) Clear explanation of flow and why ADHD brains crave it. 13:01 — Why Modern Distraction Feels Impossible to Beat Notifications, dopamine loops, and the attention economy. 14:48 — ADHD Distraction & Regulation: Real-Life Examples Nervous system awareness + how distraction shows up day-to-day. 29:56 — Multitasking vs Monotasking: The Context-Switch Trap Why switching tasks drains executive function. 30:59 — ADHD To-Do List Paralysis & the “Top 3 Only” Strategy Reducing overwhelm to increase follow-through. 32:15 — Breaking Big Goals Down: 1% Progress & Micro Practices Sustainable momentum instead of burnout cycles. 28:15 — Beating the ‘I’m Behind’ Story: Identity & Momentum Rewriting self-narratives through action. 48:59 — Redefining Success: The One Thing That Moves Your Life Forward Today Values-based productivity instead of hustle culture. Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E16
February 11 · 29 min
Choosing Hope Instead of Avoidance with ADHD
In this episode, Megs explores organizing through the lens of ADHD, nervous system regulation, and the human need for comfort during difficult times. She shares a personal story about losing her childhood blankie to illustrate how comfort objects and familiar routines often help us feel safe — especially when life feels unpredictable or overwhelming. The episode also acknowledges the emotional weight of what’s happening in the world and how collective stress can quietly intensify avoidance, dysregulation, and the urge to retreat or “hide.” Through this discussion, the host differentiates between comforts that genuinely support regulation and those that keep people stuck. With compassion and honesty, the episode offers practical organizing insights, emotional regulation strategies, and reminders that seeking ease, structure, and hope is not a failure — it’s a form of care. The overall message centers on coming out of hiding, choosing supportive comforts, and remembering that progress doesn’t require perfection. Article: Exaggerated Emotions: How and Why ADHD Triggers Intense Feelings Podcast Recommendation: Connection Project 360 Episode Breakdown 01:21 – Childhood comfort objects and why they matter more than we realize 02:05 – Autonomy, choice, and trust in organizing decisions 04:04 – Why discomfort makes us cling to clutter, routines, or avoidance 07:47 – Emotional reactions, nervous system responses, and ADHD coping patterns 11:47 – Healthier comforts, regulation tools, and practical support strategies 16:37 – Hope, connection, and the role of community when things feel heavy 26:20 – Final reflections, reassurance, and encouragement to keep going Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E15
February 4 · 46 min
Learning to Let Life Be Messy (Without Giving Up on Yourself)
Motherhood. Neurodivergence. Work-from-home life. Burnout. And that uncomfortable in-between season where nothing is falling apart… but nothing feels settled either. This episode is a deep exhale for anyone living in the messy middle. Megs sits down with Candice Janae — therapist, coach, writer, and fellow human navigating real life — to talk about what happens when life shifts, routines stop working, and you’re trying to stay aligned without burning yourself out. Together, they unpack how to: Adapt when life changes (again) Build systems that actually work for neurodivergent brains Let go of guilt, perfection, and “this should be easier by now” Communicate needs and share the load at home Choose rhythms and rituals over rigid routines This conversation is grounding, honest, and full of “oh wow, that’s me” moments — especially if you’re juggling caregiving, creativity, and a career. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown (timestamps adjusted +39 seconds) 02:22 — What “The Messy Middle” Actually Means 03:46 — When Life Happens: Navigating Unexpected Changes 05:31 — Coping with the Unknown (without spiraling) 13:02 — Aligning Your Values with Your Real-Life Needs 19:19 — Creating Systems That Work For You (Not Against You) 24:47 — Letting Go, Grief, and Embracing Change 25:04 — Holiday Decorations, Traditions, and Letting Them Evolve 26:07 — Adapting to New Living Spaces 27:08 — Creative, Neurodivergent-Friendly Organizing Solutions 30:55 — Progress in the Messy Middle (Even When It’s Not Pretty) 37:13 — Why Rhythms & Rituals Beat Routines Every Time 42:54 — Sharing the Load: Communication & Balance with Partners 🌊 Guest Spotlight: Candice Janae Candice is a private practice therapist by day and, in the online space, a burnout & balance coach for indie, self-employed, and freelance moms. She works closely with chronically ill and neurodivergent moms who are trying to do all the things — without losing themselves in the process. She’s also: An author of both fiction and nonfiction A water-lover (oceans, lakes, give her all of it) An introvert constantly navigating the push-pull between community and quiet Candice brings a grounded, compassionate lens to burnout, balance, and identity — especially for moms who are exhausted from holding everything together. ✨ Connect with Candice Instagram / Threads: https://instagram.com/soul_cadence_coaching Substack: https://soulcadencecoachconnect.substack.com Website: https://soulcadencecoaching.services Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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S3 · E14
January 21 · 35 min
How Do You React to Your Clutter?
The Power of Noticing: Transforming Your Reactions to Clutter and Life In this episode, Megs—ADHD coach and professional organizer—dives into the practice of noticing as the true starting point for meaningful change. Before decluttering systems, routines, or productivity hacks can stick, we have to become aware of how we react. Megs explores the most common nervous-system responses to clutter and overwhelm—fight, flight, freeze, and appease—and explains how noticing these patterns without judgment creates space for compassion, curiosity, and choice. Through personal reflections and real client examples, she shows how noticing reveals triggers, beliefs, and habits that often run quietly in the background. Noticing can feel uncomfortable. It can bring grief, frustration, or resistance. But it’s also where growth begins. This episode invites you to stay curious, soften self-criticism, and understand that real transformation happens gradually—through awareness, not force. Episode Breakdown 01:03 – Why noticing is the first step to lasting change 02:04 – Understanding patterns, triggers, and automatic reactions 02:29 – Real-life examples of noticing in everyday moments 05:00 – How judgment shuts down awareness (and what helps instead) 09:04 – Why noticing can feel uncomfortable—and why that’s normal 15:26 – Fight, flight, freeze, and appease responses explained 30:37 – Using curiosity to analyze reactions without shame Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
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