ADHDifference

• ADHDifference - ADHD, WORKPLACE WELLBEING & HOPE + guest Sam Gibson-Massey

  Julie Legg sits down with Sam Gibson-Massey, founder and CEO of Hope, a workplace well-being platform on a mission to transform how organizations support their people, especially those navigating burnout, mental health challenges, and neurodivergence. With a personal ADHD diagnosis discovered later in life, Sam shares his journey through shame, anxiety, and the moment of clarity that helped him reframe his brain not as a problem, but as a difference. From there, he’s built a mission-driven business that merges data science with personalized care to support real humans in real workplaces. Key Points from the Episode: Sam’s personal ADHD discovery at age 43 was sparked by a casual conversation and followed by a deep emotional journey How Sam’s ADHD diagnosis clarified years of internal struggle The power of naming the experience, moving from shame to self-compassion and eventually, public advocacyHope’s mission to bring evidence-based, real-time, and personalized workplace support through data-driven tools Transcendental meditation (TM) as a tool to manage mental overload and give the ADHD brain space to breathe The concept of “Lamborghini engine, bicycle brakes”, how ADHD can feel like racing through life without the tools to stop Understanding rejection sensitivity, emotional spirals, and the importance of building in mental recovery time A call to action for anyone suspecting ADHD: You're not alone, and your difference is not a disorder, it’s just different Links: WEBSITE: https://findhope.io LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-gibson-massey/ HOPE BLOG & RESOURCES: https://findhope.io/hope-blog-unlock-sustainable-success MEDITATION APP: https://www.tm.org/en-us Send us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello! Get social with us on Instagram Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

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• ADHDifference - ADHD, PUBLIC SPEAKING & THE PURSUIT OF PURPOSE + guest Alex McElroy

  Julie Legg is joined by Alex McElroy, an international speaker, pastor, author, and leadership coach whose ADHD diagnosis reshaped the course of his life. After hitting academic rock bottom in college, Alex received a diagnosis that gave him the clarity and tools to rebuild.Alex uses his platform to inspire others to find purpose in their challenges, harness their unique energy, and structure their lives in ways that work with their neurodivergence, not against it.Key Points from the Episode:Alex’s journey to diagnosis after academic burnout in universityHow medication helped him reclaim focus and graduate successfullyReframing ADHD as a strength when paired with purposeHow he uses calendars, alarms, and note-taking systems to stay on trackThe ongoing challenge of digital distraction and how he sets limitsAdvice for young people with ADHD: get support and don’t be ashamedHow his ADHD contributes to his passion, energy, and creativity on stageA reminder that structure is not limitation, it’s liberationFinal encouragement to “stay strong, stay in the fight”Links:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mcelroy-467869b/  WEBSITE: www.alexrmcelroy.comSend us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello! Get social with us on Instagram Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

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• ADHDifference - MIND SHIFTS & NEURODIVERGENT-FORWARD LEADERSHIP + guest Garrett Hammonds

  Julie Legg chats with Garrett Hammonds, the founder of a digital marketing agency and a self-described high-performing achiever who was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in adulthood. Garrett opens up about the emotional impact of a late diagnosis, and how it reframed his self-perception from “just a weird kid” to someone whose brain simply worked differently. Since his diagnosis, Garrett has restructured not only his personal systems, but also the way he leads his agency. With his wife (also neurodivergent), Garrett has intentionally designed a workplace where diverse minds can thrive, replacing rigid time-tracking and unrealistic expectations with autonomy, flexibility, and trust. Key Points from the Episode: Garrett’s journey to an adult ADHD diagnosis during the pandemic How a reading struggle led to testing and a surprising revelation Reframing childhood struggles through the lens of neurodivergence The emotional relief and clarity that came with diagnosis How his leadership style shifted after understanding his own brain Building a neurodivergent-friendly agency with flexible systems and structure Replacing micromanagement with trust and project-based work Productivity hacks: themed workdays, time-blocking, and the Morgen app Using tools like Willow Voice AI to manage writing-based executive dysfunction Advice for newly diagnosed adults: “Be patient and be kind.” Links: HAMMOND MEDIA: https://www.hmm.agency/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garretthammonds-digital/MORGEN CALENDAR: https://www.morgen.so/ WILLOW VOICE: https://willowvoice.com/ Send us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello! Get social with us on Instagram Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

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• ADHDifference - AuDHD, THIRST FOR LEARNING & CREATIVE DRIVE + guest Nicola Knobel

  Julie Legg welcomes Nicola Knobel, a creative strategist, systems thinker and proudly AuDHD, based in New Zealand. Nicola brings deep personal insight into what it means to navigate life with both ADHD and autism, particularly when diagnosed in adulthood.From academic success to building creative businesses, Nicola shares how she’s made sense of her brain’s unique wiring, including the tension between ADHD spontaneity and autistic structure. She reflects on grief, identity, and the power of building systems that work with your neurotype, not against it.Key Points from the Episode:Nicola’s late AuDHD diagnosis and how her son’s autism sparked her own discoveryThe emotional processing that followed including grief, self-forgiveness, and clarityThe interplay between ADHD and autism traits (and how they sometimes conflict)How she’s built systems to support energy, creativity, and emotional regulationUsing external scaffolding (like journaling) to manage cognitive loadNicola’s academic journey including six degrees Insights into building neuroinclusive workplaces and adapting leadership stylesHer experiences as a content creator and co-host of two podcastsStrategies for managing rejection sensitivity, hyperfocus, and executive functionA message of encouragement for those still figuring out how to thrive with AuDHDLinks:WEBSITE: https://nicolaknobel.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/in/nicola.knobel/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NikiKnobelFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaknobel.blogLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaknobel/SAFETEA PODCAST: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2290647TOXIC WORKPLACE STORIES: https://lets_break_up.buzzsprout.com/Send us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello! Get social with us on Instagram Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

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• ADHDifference - RESEARCH & DIVA-5 + guest Noemi Platania

  Julie Legg welcomes Noemi Platania, a clinical psychology researcher and PhD candidate based in the Netherlands. Working under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sandra Kooij and Dr. Dora Wynchank at the Expertise Center Adult ADHD in The Hague, Noemi is focused on improving the DIVA-5 diagnostic interview to better reflect the experiences of women and girls with ADHD.With passion, humility, and deep curiosity, Noemi shares her academic journey, the real-world inspiration behind her work, and what she’s learning about how ADHD shows up differently in women and marginalised genders. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about why so many women are diagnosed late, or missed entirely, and what’s being done to close that gap.Key Points from the Episode:Noemi’s personal and academic path to ADHD researchWhy the current diagnostic tools often miss ADHD in womenWhat the DIVA-5 is and how it’s used around the worldThe role of masking, gender expectations, and cultural influences in diagnosisHow international voices and focus groups are helping reshape the future of ADHD diagnosticsWhat’s next for the research, and why it matters for women, non-binary people, and clinicians globallyA message of hope for those still seeking recognition and supportLinks:DIVA FOUNDATION: https://www.divacenter.eu/Send us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello! Get social with us on Instagram Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

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