ADHDifference

Julie Legg sits down with Hilary Momberger Powers — actress, inspirational speaker, trauma-informed guide, author, and the original voice of Sally Brown from the Peanuts cartoons. Hilary shares her extraordinary story of early fame, childhood trauma, addiction, and four decades of recovery — and how her ADHD diagnosis in adulthood reframed much of her past.With humour and insight, Hilary discusses the impacts of being an undiagnosed neurodivergent child in a high-pressure environment. She explores how ADHD and addiction fed into each other, how healing her inner child led to transformation, and why stabilising the body, mind, and spirit is essential for recovery. This is a raw and hopeful conversation about finding peace, embracing difference and living in colour.Key Points from the EpisodeHilary's journey from child actor to decades-long recovery advocateHow ADHD traits were misread as character flaws or "too muchness"The cycle of addiction and self-shame when ADHD goes unrecognisedADHD and addiction as a mind–body–spirit triangleThe power of sensory grounding and daily stabilisation toolsHealing through inner child work and reframing self-perceptionFrom victim to victor: embracing ADHD as a kaleidoscopic giftHow trauma, addiction, and ADHD often intersect in womenThe role of connection, belonging, and self-acceptance in recoveryLinksWEBSITE: https://www.hilarymombergerpowers.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thehilarymombergerpowersINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-momberger-powers-078a604/Send us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Russell Van Brocklen — dyslexia researcher, educator, keynote speaker. Known as The Dyslexic Professor, Russell shares his extraordinary journey from being a severely dyslexic student with ADHD to a New York State Senate-funded researcher reshaping literacy education.Through lived experience, practical strategies, and powerful case studies, Russell reveals how identifying a child’s “speciality” can unlock motivation and transform learning outcomes. He breaks down how ADHD and dyslexia often co-occur and provides a step-by-step methodology for parents and educators to help kids improve reading and writing at any level, no diagnosis required.Key Points in the EpisodeRussell's journey from failing student to pioneering dyslexia researcherThe importance of identifying a child’s “speciality” to unlock motivationWhy ADHD and dyslexia are more similar than many realiseStep-by-step writing strategies for kids with ADHD and dyslexiaHow a 10-year-old jumped 8 reading grade levels in 6 monthsWhy early testing and intervention is crucial and affordableThe problem with waiting for a diagnosis to start supportHow Russell’s approach helps kids outperform even AP-level studentsThe neuroscience behind moving writing skills from chaos to clarityA new model for training teachers in under three hoursPractical advice for overwhelmed parents on where to startLinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHgINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/WEBSITE: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/OVERCOMING DYSLEXIA: https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/overcoming-dyslexia-2020-edition-9780307558893Send us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with writer, advocate, mother of six, and trauma survivor Julie Barth, whose powerful story of caregiving, survival, and personal evolution is nothing short of extraordinary. Julie opens up about life before and after her ADHD diagnosis, the generational ripple effects of misunderstood neurodivergence, and rebuilding her life after emotional and financial abuse.This episode explores the complexity of undiagnosed ADHD in women, the strength in vulnerability, why “bouncing forward” not just bouncing back is the real definition of resilience, and the Colin James Barth Outreach she has founded to help others.Key Points from the EpisodeHow Julie's undiagnosed ADHD showed up in her life, especially during caregiving and traumaMisunderstood signs of ADHD: Overthinking, anxiety, and people-pleasingRealising her son’s ADHD only after understanding her ownThe emotional impact of not validating her child’s needs earlierGenerational beliefs about labels, fitting in, and parenting through shameNavigating grief, abuse, and ADHD overwhelm as a neurodivergent womanWhy picking yourself (not pleasing others) is the first step to freedomWhat resilience truly means after hardship: “bouncing forward” not backHer charity’s work supporting women in crisis with no clear roadmapStrategies for emotional steadiness when ADHD and life feel overwhelmingLinksWEBSITE: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/julie_barth_author/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebarthauthor/OUTREACH: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/cjb-outreachSend us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with clinical psychologist and ADHD specialist Bryan Gastelle. With both professional expertise and lived experience of ADHD, Bryan unpacks how neurodivergence impacts romantic relationships, communication patterns, emotional regulation, and household dynamics.This conversation explores what healthy conflict really looks like, how couples can better support one another without falling into burnout or resentment, and why therapy doesn’t have to be a “last resort.” Bryan also shares practical tools, including the 5% Rule, for navigating emotional overwhelm, executive dysfunction, and relationship strain.Key Points from the Episode:Why ADHD is often misunderstood, especially the inattentive type in adultsHow neurodivergence shows up in communication and daily relationship dynamicsCommon patterns when both partners have ADHD (and what to look out for)How neurotypical partners can support without slipping into rescuing or parenting rolesWhat healthy conflict looks like and why “I” statements and validation matterThe Four Horsemen of relationship breakdown (from the Gottman Method)Tips for suggesting therapy to a partner without triggering defensivenessWhy a therapist trained in ADHD makes all the differenceHow to use the “5% Rule” to break down overwhelming tasksWhy couples therapy can be a tune-up, not just a last resortLinks:LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-gastelle-719820a5/WEBSITE: https://www.empowermytherapy.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/empowerpsychotherapyllc/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerPsychotherapyllcSend us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More

Julie Legg speaks with Hufsa Ahmad (a licensed clinical social worker, scientist, and mental health advocate) about her journey navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, and repeated misdiagnoses. Hufsa shares how being a high-achieving, internally motivated student meant her ADHD often went unnoticed, and how co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder complicated her diagnosis and treatment.This is a compassionate look at what happens when neurodivergent identities are misunderstood or dismissed and how curiosity, humour, and self-compassion can become essential tools for healing and growth. Hufsa’s insights as both clinician and lived-experience advocate offer validation for anyone living with multiple diagnoses or feeling unseen in traditional mental health narratives.Key Points from the EpisodeHufsa's ADHD was repeatedly diagnosed and undiagnosed due to her high academic performance and non-stereotypical traits.The challenges of co-occurring ADHD and bipolar disorder and how overlapping symptoms often lead to misinterpretation or mistreatment.Why "undiagnosing" someone is still a form of diagnosis — and often a harmful one.How high-achieving individuals with ADHD are often dismissed and the emotional toll that takes.The tension between “is it ADHD or is it just me?” and how that impacts identity and self-compassion.The impact of masking, internalised stigma, and imposter syndrome on neurodivergent people.Self-regulation strategies: from meditation and cycling to going offline and reducing social media use.Hufsa’s upcoming book, Same Shiite, Different Day, and how it reflects the nonlinear, multi-faceted nature of an ADHD brain.LinksLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hufsaahmad/WEBSITE: https://hufsaahmad.com/speaker/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad/Send us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More