Christmas - it’s the season of joy, right? Well, not always. Between the family drama, overwhelming sensory triggers, and the constant pressure to create magical moments, the holidays can feel more like chaos than cheer. For neurodivergent mums, it’s even trickier to juggle routines, expectations, and everything in between. Timestamps (approx): 1 min: Why family tensions skyrocket at Christmas - and how to handle unspoken expectations before they spiral. 2 mins: Guilt-free boundaries that actual...
Dec 16, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 49
The holiday season is supposed to be magical, but for many ADHD mums, it can feel like a chaotic, relentless sprint. Between managing school events, last-minute gift shopping, and endless holiday prep, it's easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted. In this episode, I go beyond the usual holiday tips and dive into proven strategies tailored for neurodivergent mums to help you reclaim your sanity and rediscover joy during the festive season. What I cover in this episode: Outsmart your brain’s tend...
Dec 11, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Ever wondered what happens when someone without ADHD takes ADHD medication? You’ve probably heard the rumours - instant focus, super-productivity, maybe even a “magic pill” for getting things done. But what’s the truth? A Guide to ADHD Medication : Find practical advice, answers to FAQs, and tips for tracking progress with ADHD medication. In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind how these meds work for neurodivergent brains versus neurotypical ones. Spoiler: it’s not what you t...
Dec 09, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 47
The holidays are here, and if your spending habits feel like they’ve gone rogue, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a serial online shopper or someone who’s mastered the art of hiding packages from loved ones, this season has a way of making impulse buying feel unavoidable. As someone who hates the chaos of shopping centres and has a delivery driver who might know me by name, I get it. Christmas can be a minefield of social expectations, emotional triggers, and last-minute stress that sends us str...
Dec 04, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where your needs always seem to come second? Or maybe you’ve wondered why some women, especially neurodivergent ones, end up in toxic relationships time and time again. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a colleague, or even a family member, understanding how narcissists operate can help you protect yourself and reclaim your sense of self-worth. This episode tackles those difficult questions with compassion and clarity, exploring the hidden patterns t...
Dec 02, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Family and domestic violence doesn't stop at home - it has a significant impact on workplaces too. That’s why I’m so grateful to have Laurie Arrowsmith from White Ribbon Australia back on the podcast. Laurie shares practical insights on how workplaces can foster safety, support, and equality for all employees. As a Senior Workplace Programme Specialist, Laurie has spent over a decade working with both survivors and perpetrators, creating programmes that drive meaningful change. Key Takeaways: Th...
Nov 27, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 46
**This audio has been replaced with a solo key take away messaging from Jane due to issues with audio quality** - Please email admin@adhdmums.com.au if you would like a copy of the original audio - it is scratchy which for those with noise sensitivity was difficult to listen to** Domestic Violence is one of those topics that’s so much more complicated than it seems from the outside. This week, I sat down with Elyse Nauta for a second time, and as always, she brought incredible insight. Elyse has...
Nov 26, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Friendships can be tricky, especially when navigating neurodivergence. As parents, we often wonder how to help our kids make meaningful connections, set healthy boundaries, and deal with social challenges. That’s why I brought in the one and only Bec Sparrow A.K.A. Australia’s Friendship Whisperer . With two decades of experience as a writer, speaker, and advocate for connection, Bec has helped countless parents, teens, and schools understand what it takes to create meaningful, lasting friendshi...
Nov 25, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Today, we're diving into an important yet often difficult topic - what women need to consider for safety and support when thinking about leaving an abusive relationship. Laurie from White Ribbon Australia is a leading voice in domestic violence prevention and intervention. At White Ribbon Australia, she manages the Workplace Accreditation Program, fostering safer spaces for women and families. Laurie has dedicated her career to reducing violence, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators ac...
Nov 20, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Commonly known as the ‘queen of common sense,’ Maggie Dent is one of Australia’s most beloved parenting authors, educators, and podcasters. And I finally had the chance to catch up with Maggie! More resources can be found here: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources Maggie’s down-to-earth stories and no-nonsense advice will leave you feeling ready to take on the rollercoaster ride of parenting teens. From dealing with slammed doors and one-word answers to navigating school dramas and social pressures...
Nov 18, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 43
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional trauma. It includes real-life accounts from survivors that may be distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please prioritise your well-being and consider listening to a different episode or proceed with caution. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it's okay to take a break or seek support. In this epis...
Nov 13, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In today’s episode, I welcome back Claire Britton, a neurodivergent OT with a wealth of experience supporting ADHD and neurodivergent families. Claire brings a unique, practical perspective on managing ADHD - think habit-stacking, body doubling, and dopamine menus! She shares insights on evidence-backed strategies that have helped her clients and breaks down why some popular approaches might not be the best fit for everyone. Claire and I also explore her thoughts on: Building ADHD-friendly routi...
Nov 11, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 42
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including emotional trauma. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please prioritise your well-being and consider listening to a different episode or proceed with caution. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it's okay to take a break or seek support. This episode is part of our Domestic Violence Mini-Series, and today we focus on a critical and often overlooked topic: workplace vio...
Nov 06, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 41
In this episode of ADHD Mums, I chat with Vanessa Anlezark, a 39-year-old Registered Nurse and Mum, about her experiences managing chronic health conditions, including EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Vanessa's journey highlights the importance of self-advocacy, finding the right healthcare team, and connecting with a supportive community. Her story sheds light on the realities of navigating multiple diagnoses and the resilience it takes to manag...
Nov 04, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 41
In this Mini-Series, for this episode we dive deep into the painful reality of emotional abuse in families, especially in mother-child relationships. We speak with Jasmine (not her real name), who courageously shares her personal experience of enduring emotional abuse by her mother throughout her childhood and into adulthood. TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional trauma. If ...
Oct 30, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 40
In this solo episode, I talk about a topic that's highly relevant for anyone navigating life as an ADHDer: the differences between stimulant and non-stimulant medications. Whether you're considering medication for yourself or your child, understanding your options and how they work is crucial. For detailed info, check out A Guide to ADHD Medication on my website. This is for the mums who are fed up with the confusing advice and just want the facts about ADHD medication – no fluff, no jargon. Dis...
Oct 29, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 40
In this episode of ADHD Mums, I chat with Georgia Poletti Moulds, co-host of the Going Loco podcast. Georgia candidly shares her journey with bipolar and her recent realisation that she likely has inattentive ADHD, discovered through her son's diagnostic process. Jane and Georgia discuss the challenges of distinguishing between bipolar and ADHD, especially when symptoms like hyperactivity, hyperfocus, and mood fluctuations can appear similar. They also touch on the impact of family history, the ...
Oct 28, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 39
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including lived experience recordings of attempted suicide. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please prioritise your well-being and consider listening to a different episode or proceed with caution. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it's okay to take a break or seek support. We cover the harrowing reality of maternal suicide , which tragically accounts for up to 20% of mater...
Oct 23, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 38
*Be aware I mention suicidal thoughts briefly in this episode* In this solo episode of ADHD Mums, I share my personal journey of how ADHD medication led to the unexpected discovery that I was Autistic. As more women receive an ADHD diagnosis later in life, many are realising there’s more beneath the surface. I discuss how stimulant medications like Vyvanse helped me manage ADHD symptoms, but also highlighted sensory sensitivities and social struggles that pointed to autism. I open up about feeli...
Oct 22, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In this episode, Kara Lynch, a neurodivergent mum and teacher from Sydney, shares her late ADHD diagnosis at 41, following her daughter's diagnosis. Kara opens up about her struggles with burnout, sensory overload, and the challenge of setting boundaries, which led to a breakdown late last year. Her candid account of how anxiety and sensory sensitivities affected her daily life, work, and parenting will resonate with neurodivergent mums navigating similar experiences. Kara also discusses how she...
Oct 21, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 37
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional trauma. It includes real-life accounts from survivors that may be distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please prioritise your well-being and consider listening to a different episode or proceed with caution. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it's okay to take a break or seek support. In this Mini...
Oct 16, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In this episode, we’re exploring why so many ADHD Mums are drawn to entrepreneurship with Paula Maidens, a business consultant and a mum of two. Paula has been helping entrepreneurs build high-performing teams in her own business for over 14 years. Paula shares her personal experiences as an entrepreneur and a mum, offering practical advice on how ADHD entrepreneurs can thrive in business without burning out. Key topics covered: Jane and Paula discuss why ADHD brains are so suited to entrepreneu...
Oct 14, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 36
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast series discusses topics that may be distressing to some listeners, including domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional trauma. It includes real-life accounts from survivors that may be distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please prioritise your well-being and consider listening to a different episode or proceed with caution. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, it's okay to take a break or seek support. In this Mini...
Oct 09, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 36
In this episode, I’m joined by internationally recognised experts in autism, Professor Tony Attwood and Dr Michelle Garnett, to explore the unique dynamics of friendships in neurodivergent families. We dive deep into the complexities of ADHD and autistic friendships, offering actionable advice for both children and adults. Whether you're navigating these challenges for your child or yourself, this episode provides valuable tools and insights to help you nurture and support meaningful social conn...
Oct 07, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In this episode, we discuss the challenges of navigating and managing ADHD medication while travelling across different states in Australia. Rebekah Howard, a neurodivergent mum of two and teacher, shares her experiences of living on the road for eight months and dealing with ADHD medication rules and regulations between states. Free Guide: Travelling Interstate with ADHD Medication - download here We get real about the frustrations of navigating state-based medication regulations and the strugg...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 34
In the second part of my series on autistic burnout, I move from personal reflection to practical strategies. This episode is all about helping you, as neurodivergent mums, prevent burnout before it takes over – both for yourself and your children. ***If you missed it, be sure to listen to Part 1 “ Realising Autistic Burnout: A Personal Story for Neurodivergent Mums ” on Apple Podcast or Spotify *** We know how easy it is to keep pushing ourselves until there’s nothing left, especially when we’r...
Oct 01, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 33
In this first part of my two-part series on autistic burnout, I’m sharing how I came to realise the impact of burnout on my life – something that had been affecting me for years without my knowing. From reflecting on childhood conditioning to understanding how societal pressures pushed me into burnout, I unpack the key moments that shaped my experience. I also share why this realisation was life-changing for me and why I’m passionate about helping other neurodivergent women and girls avoid the s...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In this episode, I’m joined by Claire Britton, an ADHDer, mum of two, and paediatric Occupational Therapist. Together, we dive into the often confusing and frustrating world of executive function. You know the feeling - struggling to keep it all together, constantly questioning why everything feels so hard. We’re breaking down what executive function really is, why ADHD mums feel like they’re always on the back foot, and how we can start managing the daily chaos with more compassion and less ove...
Sep 25, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In this episode, I’m joined by internationally recognised experts in autism, Professor Tony Atwood and Dr. Michelle Garnett, to explore the often misunderstood condition known as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Together, we dive into what PDA really is, how it differs from Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and what it means for neurodivergent children and their families. Key Takeaways : Understanding PDA vs ODD : Discover the critical differences between PDA and ODD. Tony and Michelle ex...
Sep 23, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 30
In this solo episode, I’m sharing 6 practical tips that have helped me reduce stress and create a calmer, more connected home as a neurodivergent mum. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the daily chaos or struggled to find a balance between parenting and navigating ADHD, this episode is for you. These strategies aren’t about perfection - they’re about finding what works for you and your family to bring a little more peace and ease into your days. Key Takeaways: How to set up simple, consistent r...
Sep 18, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 29
