Chaos & Caffeine - ADHD Parenting Podcast

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If you’ve ever wondered whether screens are helping your ADHD child regulate… or completely hijacking their brain, this episode is for you.
This week on Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Randy Kulman — founder of LearningWorks for Kids and creator of Digitally Nutritious — for one of the most nuanced conversations we’ve had yet about ADHD kids, screen time, dopamine, gaming, play, AI, and technology.
Because here’s the truth nobody seems willing to say out loud: neurodivergent kids experience screens differently.
And parents are exhausted trying to figure out where the line is between “helpful,” “educational,” “regulating,” “addictive,” and “please just let me cook dinner in peace.”
Dr. Kulman has spent more than 40 years studying how children learn through play and how technology impacts developing brains. In this episode, we unpack:
Why ADHD kids are often more intensely drawn to screens
The connection between dopamine, emotional regulation, and gaming
What “digitally nutritious” technology actually means
The difference between digital junk food and healthy screen experiences
Why play is critical for executive functioning and ADHD development
How AI and emerging technology may impact neurodivergent kids
Signs your child’s relationship with technology may be becoming unhealthy
Why “just take the screen away” usually backfires for ADHD families
Practical, judgment-free strategies for creating healthier tech boundaries
This is not a fear-based anti-screen episode.
It’s a real conversation about raising ADHD kids in a world where technology is everywhere — and learning how to navigate it without shame, panic, or perfectionism.
If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child in the age of iPads, YouTube, gaming, TikTok, AI, and endless dopamine traps… this episode will make you feel seen.
Connect with Dr. Randy Kulman 👉 Learning Works for Kids
This Month's Sponsors:
🌙 Moonbuddy
Helping kids calm their nervous systems without another screen in sight. Use code: CHAOSANDCAFFEINE10
🎲 Taco Cat Games
Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown… 
📱 My Screen Coach
Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 
🧠 Social Thinking
Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

Are all screens bad for ADHD kids? Or are we finally asking the wrong question?
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In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle sits down with Josh Davidson, creator of, to talk about intentional screen time, ADHD brains, creativity, executive function, and why some digital experiences affect neurodivergent kids VERY differently than others.
Because let’s be real — ADHD parents are exhausted from hearing:
“Just take the screens away.”
But modern parenting isn’t happening in 1995 anymore. Our kids are growing up in a digital world, and many neurodivergent children thrive when technology is interactive, creative, and actually engages their brains instead of overstimulating them.
In this episode, we discuss:
ADHD kids and healthy screen time
The difference between passive vs active screen use
Why creativity changes learning for ADHD children
Educational apps for ADHD kids
Writing struggles and executive function challenges
How storytelling can build confidence in neurodivergent kids
Intentional technology use for families
Screen time guilt and ADHD parenting
Why some kids regulate better with creative digital experiences
The science behind engagement, dopamine, and learning
Josh also shares the story behind Night Zookeeper and how the platform helps kids transform from passive consumers into creators through storytelling, imagination, reading, and writing.
If you’ve been struggling to figure out healthy screen boundaries without constant shame, meltdowns, or power struggles… this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now and discover why all screen time is NOT created equal.
Connect with Josh & Night Zookeeper 👉 Night Zookeeper
This Month's Sponsors:
🌙 Moonbuddy
Helping kids calm their nervous systems without another screen in sight. Use code: CHAOSANDCAFFEINE10
🎲 Taco Cat Games
Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown… 
📱 My Screen Coach
Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 
🧠 Social Thinking
Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
Are screens helping ADHD kids regulate… or making emotional regulation even harder?
In this brutally honest episode of Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle Kelly sits down with Dr. Rebecca Fontanetta of The Neuropsychlopedia
for a real-world conversation about screen time, ADHD kids, emotional regulation, dopamine, meltdowns, and the parenting expectations that completely fall apart once you actually have children.
And unlike many screen time conversations online, this one isn’t based in shame, fear, or unrealistic parenting standards.
Dr. Fontanetta opens up about how becoming a mom to a three-year-old changed the way she thought she would approach screens, boundaries, and modern parenting — especially while raising a neurodivergent child in a world built around devices.
In this episode, we discuss:
 ADHD and screen addiction concerns 
 Why transitions off screens feel so explosive 
 Emotional regulation and dopamine in ADHD kids 
 Healthy screen time boundaries for young children 
 What parents at the beginning of the screen-time journey should know 
 The difference between survival parenting and intentional parenting 
 How guilt impacts ADHD parents 
 Realistic screen time strategies that actually work in busy homes 
 Whether screens help or hurt ADHD self-regulation 
 How to reduce daily screen battles without constant meltdowns 
If you’re raising an ADHD child and feel overwhelmed trying to navigate YouTube, gaming, tablets, emotional outbursts, or constant screen-time guilt… this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation that ADHD parents everywhere are desperate to have.
Connect with Dr. Fontanetta 👉 The Neuropsychlopedia
This Month's Sponsors:
🌙 Moonbuddy
Helping kids calm their nervous systems without another screen in sight. Use code: CHAOSANDCAFFEINE10
🎲 Taco Cat Games
Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown… 
📱 My Screen Coach
Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 
🧠 Social Thinking
Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 
🕹️ The Op Games
Building focus, connection, and social skills—one ridiculously fun, screen-free game at a time. 
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
If you’ve ever handed your kid a phone during a meltdown just to survive the moment… this episode is for you.
Because what if that “quick fix” is actually doing something deeper to your child’s emotional development?
In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Jenny Radesky, developmental behavioral pediatrician and leading expert on kids, media, and brain development, to unpack one of the biggest parenting questions of our time:
👉 Are screens helping kids regulate their emotions… or replacing the skills they actually need to build?
And if you’re raising a child with ADHD? This conversation hits even harder.
We’re diving into:
 The difference between true emotional regulation vs. distraction
 Why screens “work” in the moment—but may backfire later 
 What’s actually happening in your child’s brain during a meltdown 
 How screen use impacts ADHD emotional development 
 Real-life strategies for handling public meltdowns (yes, even in Target 😅) 
 What to do instead of reaching for a device—without losing your mind 
No guilt. No shame. Just real, science-backed insight for parents who are doing their best in a world full of screens.
If you’ve been wondering whether screen time is helping or hurting your ADHD child’s ability to cope, regulate, and thrive… this episode will change how you see those everyday moments.
🎧 Hit play, and let’s rethink what “calm” really means.
Connect with Dr. Radesky 👉 Center of Excellence   
This Month's Sponsors:
🎲 Taco Cat Games
Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown… 
📱 My Screen Coach
Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 
🧠 Social Thinking
Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 
🕹️ The Op Games
Building focus, connection, and social skills—one ridiculously fun, screen-free game at a time. 
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.

Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!
If you’ve ever wondered whether screens are helping your ADHD child… or quietly making everything harder — this episode is your wake-up call (in the best way).
Today on Chaos & Caffeine, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Rich — pediatrician, researcher, and founder of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital — also known as The Mediatrician. He’s spent decades studying how digital media impacts kids’ brains, behavior, attention, sleep, and emotional regulation… especially in neurodivergent kids.
And what he shares in this episode?
 It’s not the tired “just limit screen time” advice.
We’re diving into:
 Why screen time isn’t the real problem (and what actually is) 
 How screens can amplify ADHD symptoms like impulsivity, inattention, and emotional dysregulation 
 The difference between healthy vs. problematic media use
 Why content and context matter more than minutes
 How screens impact sleep, focus, and executive function
 What ADHD parents should do instead of constant restriction and power struggles 
 Practical, science-backed strategies to create calmer, more intentional screen habits
If you’re stuck in daily battles over devices…
 If you feel like screens have a grip on your kid’s brain…
 If you’ve tried limits, timers, threats, and nothing sticks…
This episode will help you stop guessing — and start parenting screens with clarity, strategy, and a whole lot less guilt.
🎧 Hit play, send this to a fellow ADHD parent, and let’s figure this out together.
Connect with Dr. Rich 👉 Digital Wellness Lab  
This Month's Sponsors:
🎲 Taco Cat Games
Helping ADHD families get off screens without triggering a full-blown meltdown… 
📱 My Screen Coach
Helping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 
🧠 Social Thinking
Helping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 
🕹️ The Op Games
Building focus, connection, and social skills—one ridiculously fun, screen-free game at a time. 
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.