The ADHD Skills Lab

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Rating
4.8
from
101 reviews
This podcast has
127 episodes
Language
Publisher
Explicit
No
Date created
2023/05/08
Latest episode
2026/02/02
Average duration
28 min.
Release period
8 days

Description

Navigate ADHD in real life, especially when things get complex. The ADHD Skills Lab shares research-backed strategies, real-world systems, and honest conversations to help you stay focused, make progress, and reduce chaos as responsibilities grow.| Hosted by Unconventional Organisation founder Skye Waterson, the show blends ADHD research, expert interviews, listener questions, and practical tools for adults who want support that actually works, not generic productivity advice. Skye is a former academic turned coach and researcher who was diagnosed with ADHD during her PhD. After experiencing firsthand how poorly traditional strategies translated to real adult responsibilities, she began developing and testing research-based, ADHD-aware systems. She has written over 50 articles read by more than 250,000 people worldwide and now focuses on translating research into strategies adults can actually use. In 2022, Skye was invited to share her work with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Since then, she has supported late-diagnosed professionals, including academics, senior leaders, and business owners, navigating increasing complexity. Unconventional Organisation was built to meet a gap Skye experienced herself: practical, personalized ADHD support for adults whose lives and work no longer fit simple solutions.Learn more https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/Talk with Skyehttps://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/

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Check latest episodes from The ADHD Skills Lab podcast


ADHD Isn’t Just in Your Head - Apparently It’s in Your Gut Too
2026/02/02
A lot of people with ADHD deal with physical symptoms they’ve never talked about - or never thought were connected. This episode looks at what the research actually shows about ADHD and gut issues, and where the line is between association, speculation, and overreach. ADHD usually gets framed around focus, motivation, and productivity. But growing research suggests it may also be linked to very real physical symptoms, including gut issues that many people quietly live with. In this episode, Skye and Will break down a major research review examining the connection between ADHD and IBS - what the data shows (and what it doesn’t), and why this matters for quality of life, not just symptom labels. No biohacks. No diet rules. Just context, clarity, and what’s worth paying attention to if you’ve ever felt like ADHD affects more than just your brain. What we cover: What this large ADHD + IBS study actually found (and what it didn’t)Why IBS showed up - but other gut issues didn’tHow physical discomfort can quietly compound ADHD overwhelmWhy this research matters even if you don’t have gut issuesIf you want a copy of the paper we discuss, just ask us and we will send it to you. Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
If Accounting Makes Your ADHD Brain Shut Down, Listen to This
2026/01/26
If the word accounting makes your attention disappear, this episode is for you. Skye sits down with Joe Dunaway - founder of Vici Financial, accountant, business owner, and ADHDer - to talk about why so many ADHD entrepreneurs avoid their numbers, and how to understand them without overcomplicating things or forcing yourself into systems you won’t maintain. This isn’t about becoming good at accounting. It’s about knowing enough to make decisions, reduce background stress, and stop guessing about your business. We cover: Why accounting causes shutdown for ADHD brainsThe real cost of avoiding your numbersThe fastest way finances get messy (and how to stop it)How to separate signal from noise in your financialsWhen numbers actually become useful instead of overwhelmingIf you’ve been telling yourself “I’ll look at it later” — this conversation will help you finally look, without spiraling. Connect with Joe: https://www.vicifinance.com/ Instagram: @vicifinancial P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
You Weren’t ‘Too Much’. You Were an ADHD Kid in School
2026/01/19
Looking for the Bottleneck Reset Workshop? Click here for details: https://unconventionalorganisation.circle.so/checkout/bottleneck-reset-workshop-wednesday-jan-21st Kids with ADHD are not just more likely to struggle academically. They are more visible, more misunderstood, and often less liked by peers and teachers. In this Research Recap, Skye and Will unpack a study on ADHD, social status, and bullying, and talk honestly about what it felt like to stand out in school for reasons you did not choose. This is not a conversation about extreme bullying or obvious cruelty. It is about the quieter experience many ADHD kids grow up with. Being noticeable. Being different. Being picked last, corrected more often, or feeling out of sync with everyone else. If school felt harder than it should have, even when you could not explain why, this episode will likely hit close to home. What we cover: Why kids with ADHD are more visible in the classroom, but not for positive reasonsHow peer likability and teacher relationships shape vulnerability over timeThe difference between obvious bullying and subtle social exclusionWhy being “the noticeable kid” can quietly rewire how school feels emotionallyWhat this research helps explain for adults still unpacking their school experienceIf you want a copy of the paper we discuss, just ask us and we will send it to you. Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
I Thought My Memory Was Failing - Then I Realized I Had ADHD
2026/01/12
Looking for the Bottleneck Reset Workshop? Click here for details: https://unconventionalorganisation.circle.so/checkout/bottleneck-reset-workshop-wednesday-jan-21st Growing a business is hard. Doing it with ADHD - while raising five kids - can make you feel like your brain is actively working against you. In this episode, Skye talks with Tiana Sutton, a fitness instructor, community builder, and mother of five, about realizing she had ADHD later in life - not through childhood struggles, but through business, memory issues, and the feeling that she couldn’t keep up with herself anymore. They talk honestly about working memory falling apart, starting things with energy and losing momentum, learning how to sell without pressure, and what it looks like to keep showing up even when progress feels invisible. This isn’t a success story or a hustle episode. It’s a real conversation about understanding your brain after you’re already overwhelmed - and deciding to keep building anyway. Connect with Tiana Tiana is the founder and instructor at Bluebird Wellness, where she helps people reconnect with their bodies through movement, community, and care. Website: https://www.bluebird.life Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebird.life/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdWellnessTexas P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
Why ADHD Brains Rely on Hyperfocus (and Why It Backfires)
2026/01/05
Looking for the Bottleneck Reset Workshop? Click here for details: https://unconventionalorganisation.circle.so/checkout/bottleneck-reset-workshop-wednesday-jan-21st If you have ADHD, you probably know this pattern. You’re foggy, scattered, or stuck… until a deadline hits. Then suddenly, you’re laser-focused, productive, unstoppable. And afterwards, you’re wrecked. In this episode, Skye and William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD unpack why hyperfocus feels like the only way to get things done, and why it quietly creates more stress, burnout, and long-term chaos than most people realize.  Using research on university students, we explore how executive function difficulties change the way ADHD brains access focus, why more ADHD symptoms often lead to more hyperfocus (not less), and why relying on pressure is not a sustainable strategy, even if it looks productive on the surface.  This episode is for late-diagnosed adults, professionals, and business owners with ADHD who keep asking themselves:  “Why do I only function when everything’s urgent?”  “And why does it always cost me afterwards?”  What we cover: - Why hyperfocus shows up most when things feel critical or overwhelming  - How executive function difficulties push ADHD brains into last-minute intensity  - The difference between intense focus and sustainable focus  - How hyperfocus borrows energy from your future self  - What this pattern means for productivity, stress, and burnout long-term P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
ADHD and Advertising: Making Sense of the Noise
2025/12/29
Ads are overwhelming for a lot of ADHD business owners, not because they are bad at marketing, but because the information is scattered, noisy, and contradictory. In this episode, Skye talks with ads expert Jeremy Pogue, founder of Summit Acquisition, about how ads actually work at a high level, what they are and are not responsible for, and how to think about them without spiraling into complexity. This is a grounding conversation designed to help you understand the landscape before you decide anything. What we cover Ads as awareness, not instant resultsWhy starting small matters emotionally and financiallyThe role of time and patience in ad performanceCommon misunderstandings that create anxietyHow to tell if ads even belong in your business right nowConnect with Jeremy: Instagram: jeremy_pogue. YouTube: @Jeremy_Pogue P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
Why ADHD Brains Struggle With Video Content
2025/12/22
Video is everywhere, but very little of it is designed with ADHD in mind. In this Research Recap, Skye and William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD unpack a qualitative study exploring how people with ADHD actually experience video content. From captions to pacing to visual overload, they look at what helps, what hurts, and why one size never fits all. They also talk about why many ADHD viewers adapt by speeding up videos, multitasking, or using video as background stimulation, and how those habits make a lot more sense once you understand the research. This is a grounded look at accessibility, attention, and why flexibility matters more than rules when it comes to ADHD and learning. What we cover How ADHD viewers experience video differentlyWhy captions help some people and frustrate othersThe impact of pacing and playback speed on focusWhy redundancy can improve comprehensionWhat accessibility really means for ADHDIf you want a copy of the research paper discussed in this episode, DM VIDEO to on Instagram to @unconventionalorganisation and we will send it to you. Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
Focus, Flight, and Figuring It Out: An ADHD Founder’s Journey
2025/12/15
Skye sits down with Carly Braker, founder of Avialan Blue, to talk about building a high tech areospace engineering consultancy while navigating ADHD. Carly shares how she masked symptoms growing up, why the “real world” hit harder, and the adjustments she had to make when deep focus, sensory overwhelm, and impostor feelings collided with entrepreneurship. What we cover: Why gifted kids often miss their own ADHD signsThe crash that happens when school structure disappearsThe identity shift from employee to founderWhat it took to create stability in a high focus consulting businessHow behaviour mapping helped her create systems that actually workCurious to see more of Carly’s work? You can find it here: https://www.avialanblue.com/adhdskillslab/ Connect with Carly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlybraker/ P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
ADHD Strengths and Success: The Evidence Behind the Myth
2025/12/08
People love to say ADHD comes with superpowers. The research is more nuanced. In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye and Will examine two papers that look at ADHD strengths in careers. They discuss the themes that appear across 79 studies, the stories from qualitative interviews, and the complicated truth about strengths that can help and hurt depending on context. What we cover: Why creativity and idea linking appear across ADHD career researchHyperfocus: strength, liability, or bothHow environment can support or sabotage ADHD strengthsThe emotional side of ADHD achievement before diagnosisThe role of humor, resilience, and adaptive altruismWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
The ADHD Shift: When Everything Suddenly Adds Up
2025/12/01
Most people with ADHD have one moment that stops them in their tracks. For Laura, it was finding her childhood journals filled with the word “focus” scribbled in every possible way. In this conversation, Skye talks with Laura Key, host of the ADHD Aha! podcast, and VP of content at Understood.org. After interviewing more than 120 people about their ADHD stories, Laura shares her own. From finding her childhood journals to understanding how ADHD shaped her leadership, parenting, and emotional load, this is the moment everything starts to make sense. They talk about late diagnosis, invisible overwhelm, the pressure women carry, and what Laura has learned from listening to so many ADHD journeys. It is warm, thoughtful, and full of the moments that make ADHD adults think, “I have lived this my whole life, I just never had the language for it.” What we cover: The moment ADHD finally comes into focusWhy so many women overlook their own symptoms for yearsWhat Laura learned from interviewing 120 ADHD guestsWhy recent research shows women trust ADHD podcasts more than any other mediumWhere to Find Laura Key Connect with Laura and explore her work here: Instagram: @understoodorg LinkedIn: Understood: https://www.linkedin.com/company/understood Laura Key: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-key-720b7436/ Podcast: ADHD Aha: https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha Research Mentioned in the Episode: Study on why women trust ADHD podcasts: https://www.understood.org/en/press-releases/new-study-finds-podcasts-help-women-with-adhd P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
ADHD, TikTok, and the Misinformation Trap
2025/11/24
Can TikTok actually teach you about ADHD - or is it just feeding you misinformation? In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye dives into a 2022 study analyzing the quality of ADHD content on TikTok. They explore how much of it is accurate, how much is personal storytelling, and why the most relatable content often isn’t the most reliable. What we cover: Why #ADHD is one of TikTok’s biggest health hashtagsThe 3 types of ADHD videos researchers foundWhy “personal experience” and “misinformation” often overlapHow even healthcare professionals get ADHD content wrong onlineHow to spot credible ADHD information before you share itWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel Disclaimer: The information shared in this message, including any examples or stories, is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It’s not professional, medical, or financial advice. Every person’s ADHD journey is different, and results will always vary depending on your individual situation, effort, and circumstances. While we share research-based tools and strategies, we can’t promise specific results or outcomes. Your progress will depend on factors like your goals, consistency, and environment. Unconventional Organisation and its coaches are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making significant personal, medical, or business decisions. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
ADHD, Momentum, and Other Mythical Creatures (with Russ Jones)
2025/11/17
This one’s real, hilarious, and way too relatable. Skye sits down with Russ Jones, ADHD coach, creator of the Ready, Set, Go framework, and host of the *ADHD Big Brother* podcast, to talk about what it really takes to build momentum when you’re working with an ADHD brain. They share stories, laugh a lot, and unpack the small mindset shifts that make consistency feel possible, even on the days when motivation disappears. Russ also shares what has changed for him since joining Skye’s coaching program, and the systems that are helping him keep that momentum going. What we cover: How to build momentum when you never feel “ready”The “Even Though” mindset for taking small steps that stickWhy ADHD-friendly systems need humor, not pressureWhat accountability looks like when you hate being told what to doHow progress really happens inside an ADHD brainFor the free Ready, Set, Go framework, mentioned in the show, visit the link below: https://www.adhdbigbrother.com/readysetgo Learn more about Russ, his coaching and his podcast, please visit ADHD Big Brother. To learn more about the ADHDBB membership, see the link here: https://adhdbigbrother.circle.so/adhdbb P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
The Science of ADHD Creativity: Why Your Ideas Work Differently
2025/11/10
Are ADHD brains more creative, or is that just a myth? In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye breaks down a foundational study on ADHD and creativity, exploring how ADHD brains innovate, imagine, and sometimes overreach. What we cover: How ADHD brains approach creative problem-solving differentlyWhat “conceptual expansion” means for ADHD thinkingWhy originality and practicality don’t always go hand in handWhat this research says about collaboration and follow-throughHow ADHD creativity can be a strength when supported by systemsWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel The information shared in this message, including any examples or stories, is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It’s not professional, medical, or financial advice. Every person’s ADHD journey is different, and results will always vary depending on your individual situation, effort, and circumstances. While we share research-based tools and strategies, we can’t promise specific results or outcomes. Your progress will depend on factors like your goals, consistency, and environment. Unconventional Organisation and its coaches are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making significant personal, medical, or business decisions. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
Understanding ADHD Medication: A Balanced Look at the Science
2025/11/03
ADHD medication can be a controversial topic online. Is it safe? Does it change who you are? What does the science actually say? In this episode, Skye talks with Dr. Ryan Sultan, psychiatrist, researcher, and founder of Integrative Psychiatry in NYC, about what medication does in the brain and what decades of studies reveal about its effects. This is not medical advice - it’s a clear, evidence-based conversation to help you understand your options. What we cover: How ADHD medication affects dopamine and focusThe difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medicationsWhy safety and addiction concerns often get misunderstoodHow to approach treatment decisions from an informed placeHow to know if your treatment plan needs adjustmentThe role of therapy, structure, and lifestyle alongside medicationDr. Ryan Sultan, MD is a double board-certified psychiatrist, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia, and the Founder & Medical Director of Integrative Psychiatry in Chelsea, NYC, and Miami, FL. He leads NIH-funded research on ADHD and comorbidities and has published in JAMA, The Journal of Adolescent Health, and JAACAP. Clinically, he works with children and adults navigating conditions like anxiety, depression, and substance use. Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Skye Waterson is not a medical doctor and does not make treatment recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about diagnosis, medication, or treatment for ADHD or any other condition. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
more
Delay Aversion and ADHD: Why Waiting Feels Like Torture
2025/10/27
Ever feel restless in a meeting or line and want to bolt? That’s not impatience, it’s delay aversion. In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye explores new research showing how delay aversion connects boredom, frustration, and inattention in ADHD. Together they dig into how the brain’s reward system makes waiting harder and what you can do to make it easier. What we cover: What delay aversion actually means for ADHDWhy ADHD brains overvalue instant rewardsThe neuroscience behind frustration and focusHow boredom fuels distraction and impulsive behaviorStrategies to make waiting time more productiveWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.
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Podcast reviews

Read The ADHD Skills Lab podcast reviews


4.8 out of 5
101 reviews
c10h12n2o5ht 2025/07/02
Great Job
Love love love this podcast. So friendly and supportive, and really great topics are covered. The time blindness one felt like it was written for me -...
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Little Shanny 2025/11/20
Great insight
I have just started listening to this podcast. Great insight. I have ADHD and I am constantly working to improve and correct behaviors with non critic...
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Vjz78 2025/10/20
Great content but
I wish I could hang on and listen to the whole episode. But there were too many “mhm”s by the interviewer and I couldn’t get past that after 8 minutes...
more
Pletched 2025/07/20
They eventually get to a point
As someone with ADHD, I’m so frustrated with this show. I really am interested in the subject, and wish they’d get around to it now and then.
Summer🥰☺️ 2025/06/18
Really good job with the podcast!!
I think it’s really nice to learn about different things like ADHD and things like that but I would just like to say that this podcast is really amazi...
more
Des70 2025/06/05
Practical, Relatable Help for Thriving with ADHD
If you're looking for real, practical strategies to navigate life with ADHD, The ADHD Skills Lab is a must-listen. Skye shares relatable advice and re...
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De Fever 2025/04/26
Validation, One “click” at a Time
I stumbled upon this podcast and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Simply listening to individuals whose mind works so similarly to my own, is truly valida...
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Hophopin 2025/04/23
I Feel Seen
Realized recently I had ADHD. Thanks for making this podcast.
Abbie Falls 2025/04/08
Yasss
Episode 90 was my first listened-to episode and was super valuable because I’m struggling to figure out how I can climb the corporate ladder as a remo...
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Myota 2024/12/30
Episode with Angie Harrington so relatable
I love listening this show, and the episode with Skye interviewing Angie was so relatable to me as a mom of two kiddos, one school age with ADHD sympt...
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