Discovering ADHD: Stories from Backyard Brunch

Episode 11: Eye Contact, Society, and Physical Pain

In this episode, Heidi and Heather share their backyard conversations in Brooklyn, emphasizing how eye contact can be challenging for people with ADHD and social anxiety. The discussion delves into societal expectations of eye contact, the internal versus external focus during conversations, and personal anecdotes about handling social interactions. They aim to support and uplift women dealing with undiagnosed ADHD, encouraging them to share their experiences and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.

Episode 12: Smoking, Spelling, and Standard Deviation Reassessment?

Heidi and her sister Heather, newly diagnosed with ADHD, share their backyard discussions in Brooklyn. They explore the impact of ADHD on their lives, recount personal stories, and reflect on their childhood challenges. The sisters discuss societal expectations, such as eye contact, and introduce a study on parental smoking and ADHD risk. They touch on their personal experiences with ADHD-related challenges like spelling and writing. The podcast provides support and aims to help others recognize and cope with undiagnosed ADHD.

Episode 13: Weird Words, Routines, and Music

In this episode, Heidi Faucette and her sister Heather discuss their experiences managing ADHD as newly diagnosed adults. They reflect on the changes in their sleep patterns, particularly the struggle with shifted circadian rhythms common in ADHD individuals. The conversation touches on the challenges of establishing daily routines, including hygiene and medication adherence. They share personal anecdotes about their strategies for differentiating homophones like 'there' and 'their,' and the pervasive scarcity mindset stemming from past trauma. Additionally, they explore the impact of ADHD on Heidi’s daughter's routine and the use of music to aid concentration.

Episode 14: Boundaries, Playfulness, and Sensitivity

In this informal and heartfelt conversation, Heidi and Heather explore the complexities of setting boundaries with ADHD. They discuss people-pleasing tendencies, imposter syndrome, and the impact on their professional and personal lives. Reflecting on childhood experiences of sensitivity and trauma, they also share lighter moments, such as observing snails in the backyard. Additionally, the discussion covers the challenges of late ADHD diagnoses in women, the formation of a support group for late-diagnosed women, and highlights community-building efforts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing ADHD symptoms in women and offering support to those diagnosed later in life.

Episode 15: Gen X ADHD Parenting Gen Alpha ADHD

In this episode, Heidi Faucette discusses the complex intersection of being a mom with ADHD and raising a child with ADHD. Heidi shares her personal challenges with maintaining self-care routines and instilling these habits in her daughter, Grace, who also struggles with ADHD. The episode delves into specific issues like hygiene, fear of bowel movements, and lack of balance, explaining how these may stem from ADHD. Heidi recounts advice from a pediatrician, including setting schedules and utilizing tools like Alexa for reminders, and describes her efforts to improve her daughter’s balance and posture with suggested exercises. She speaks candidly about the difficulties of being a role model and the shared struggles between her and her daughter. Ultimately, the episode aims to offer support to other mothers facing similar challenges.

Episode 16: Gen Alpha's Take on ADHD: Embracing Unique Thinking

In this episode, hosts Heidi and Heather break from their usual format to conduct interviews with individuals who have ADHD. The first guest is Heidi's daughter, Grace. They discuss Grace's recent experiences with ADHD medications, her unique ways of thinking, and the various symptoms and challenges associated with ADHD, such as lack of focus, time management issues, and emotional impulsivity. The conversation also touches on comorbid conditions like anxiety and sensory processing issues. Grace shares her perspectives on school, social interactions, and coping mechanisms, providing a personal glimpse into living with ADHD.

Episode 17: From Self-Medicating to Self-Discovery

In this episode Heidi and Heather switch from their typical backyard discussions to interviews, this one with Heidi's best friend Rachel, who also has ADHD. Rachel discusses her late diagnosis, coinciding with her journey to sobriety in 2013. The conversation covers the interplay between ADHD, substance abuse, and other comorbidities like anxiety, depression, and OCD. They also touch on the impact of ADHD on daily life, and the ways ADHD can manifest as both a challenge and a superpower. Rachel shares insights on how ADHD has influenced her career, her coping mechanisms, and the emotional growth she has experienced through sobriety.

Episode 18: The ADHD/OCD Battle, Water Sensitivity, and “Boreture”

In this episode, Heidi continues her conversation with best friend Rachel, discussing the complexities of ADHD and its interaction with OCD. The duo shares personal anecdotes about ADHD symptoms like impulsivity, hyperfocus, and sensory sensitivities, as well as the challenges of maintaining hygiene and managing compulsions. They delve into their struggles with executive function and share surprising ADHD manifestations, such as experiencing physical pain when bored and sensitivity to the taste of water. The conversation is a mix of humor, personal reflection, and a deeper understanding of ADHD and other comorbidities. Their candid discussion aims to highlight the often overlooked aspects of living with ADHD as adults.

Episode 19: Synesthesia, Tics, and AI

In this episode, Heidi continues her interview with her best friend, Rachel, diving deep into topics like sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and associated comorbidities. They share personal experiences with sensory stimuli, motor and verbal tics, and the challenges of undiagnosed ADHD. The conversation also touches on broader issues such as how ADHD manifests differently in people, the connection between neurodivergence and creativity, and the potential of emerging technology and AI to revolutionize individualized learning and treatment.