ADHD-ish

You’ve probably heard that medications like Ritalin, Adderall, or Vyvanse simply "fix" your attention. But what if I told you that most of what you think you know about how these meds work is actually wrong—or at least seriously incomplete?
Understanding why neurodiversity is good for business starts with accurate information about how our brains actually function—including the real science behind ADHD medication.
In this episode, we’ll unpack new, game-changing scientific research that reveals what stimulants are truly doing in your brain. Spoiler: they’re not just fixing your attention networks.
We’ll explore how these meds boost arousal and make boring business tasks feel more worth doing, why sleep is a critical performance variable, and what all of this means for structuring your workflows and managing your expectations as a business owner with ADHD.
Whether you’re taking medication, considering it, or just plain curious, this episode will help you understand the real role of stimulants in your entrepreneurial journey—and give you practical strategies to work with your brain.
For years, we’ve been told stimulants “fix” our faulty attention networks. But new research out of Washington University just flipped that script—and it has huge implications for how we work, rest, and structure our businesses. This research on the attention mechanism in neural networks reveals that ADHD medication works differently than we thought.
3 Key Takeaways:
Stimulants = Wakefulness + Salience boost: They don’t “fix” your attention span—they make your brain more awake (like a great night’s sleep) and make boring tasks feel more worth doing.
Sleep is a performance variable, not optional: Meds can mask sleep deprivation, but can’t fix it. If you’re hitting a wall by afternoon, it’s likely a sleep issue, not a “bad brain” or “bad med” issue.
Build your business around your real needs: Use your medicated hours for tedious-but-critical tasks, create systems that connect daily actions to meaningful outcomes, and get super-specific in conversations about what “isn’t working”—the answer isn’t always a higher dose.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Study in Cell Magazine

About the Host, Diann Wingert:
Diann Wingert is the creator and host of ADHDish, a podcast that explores the realities of living with ADHD, especially for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Rather than prescribing solutions, she empowers listeners to make informed choices, providing clear, actionable information in an approachable, no-nonsense style that makes her a trusted voice for those navigating ADHD in the workplace and beyond.

Sharing is Caring
Know a fellow business owner who thinks their ADHD medication fixes their attention or claims they need a higher dose because it stopped working? They might need this wake-up call, too, so be a pal and share the episode. Here is a link to make it easy.

Want one-on-one support?
Ready to create the strategies that reduce the friction and fatigue of running a business with ADHD? Click here to book a free consultation. It’s the first step to transforming what you’re building intentionally through expert ADHD entrepreneur coaching.

© 2026 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

In this vulnerable and eye-opening conversation, ADHD-ish host Diann Wingert sits down with fellow ADHD coach, Brooke Schnittman, to explore the lasting impact of bullying for those of us with ADHD, drawing from her own lived experience and groundbreaking research.
One of the most surprising insights? While bullying trends downward in the general population as we age, it barely drops for those with ADHD, showing up in new and often subtle forms throughout adulthood.
What starts as name-calling and exclusion on the playground can morph into chronic criticism, micromanagement, gaslighting, and professional exclusion in adulthood. This constant “othering” can erode confidence and reinforce masking, people-pleasing, and overachievement as survival strategies.
Here are 4 key takeaways for anyone navigating ADHD (or supporting neurodivergent folks):
What makes it bullying? Repetitive pattern - Power imbalance - Harm
Bullying rarely ends with childhood: For adults with ADHD, bullying simply morphs. Physical teasing and exclusion may become workplace micromanagement, social exclusion, and subtle undermining.
The harm goes beyond “hurt feelings.” Chronic criticism and exclusion keep the brain’s stress system on high alert, triggering anxiety, imposter syndrome, burnout, and even making executive dysfunction worse.
Self-acceptance + community are critical. When we name bullying for what it is and seek out supportive communities, we can start to untangle shame and build resilience. As Brooke notes: “We were never too much. We were exactly who we were meant to be, just waiting for a world that could understand us.”

About Brooke Schnittman, MA, PCC, BCC:
Brooke Schnittman is an ADHD coach, educator, and advocate for adults with ADHD. With years of working directly with individuals and families, she noticed an alarming pattern: bullying is not only common in the lives of people with ADHD but is also a neglected topic in ADHD research and support. Brooke’s recent pioneering survey on adult ADHD and bullying—the first of its kind—has started an essential conversation about the legacy of bullying, how it changes form over time, and how those affected can heal and thrive
Connect with Brooke:
Website: https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithbrooke/
Free e-book:https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/ebook
Participate in the survey on ADHD & bullying: https://bit.ly/4stMllM

Mentioned during this interview:
Ned Hallowell, MD
William Dodson, MD
Take action:

Participate in Brooke’s survey on ADHD & Bullying: https://bit.ly/4stMllM

Your ADHD-ish host, Diann Wingert
Diann Wingert brings decades of experience as a psychotherapist and serial business owner, and is now a sought-after coach to entrepreneurs with ADHD traits. Her style is direct, strategic, and always honest—peppered with the insight of someone who lives and breathes the neurodivergent experience.
If conversations like this one are one of the reasons you keep coming back to ADHD-ish, the best way to let me know is to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. Here’s the link to make it happen.

© 2026 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Welcome to ADHD-ish, where we explore the strengths and struggles of being an entrepreneur with an ADHD brain.
In this episode, host Diann Wingert introduces a groundbreaking new resource – Di AI, her ADHD business coach digital clone, created to be accessible 24/7 for those moments when you need support most, not just during scheduled calls.
Di AI isn’t a replacement for human coaching, but an extension of Diann Wingert’s strategic thinking, built on her coaching frameworks, podcast content, and business methodology.
Diann explores the limits of traditional coaching, the ethical and practical concerns about AI, and the unique training process that ensures Di AI actually reflects Diann Wingert’s distinctive voice and approach.
Whether you’re curious about AI, skeptical, or just looking for a tool to help you navigate ADHD-powered business decisions, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical next steps—plus an invitation to test DiAI during its beta launch.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
Why Coaching for Entrepreneurs with ADHD is Extra Tricky: Diann Wingert shares why our brains don’t stick to scheduled inspiration and what inspired her to build a digital clone just for us.
What Di AI Really Is (and Isn’t): Get clear on why this isn’t therapy, isn’t generic AI, and absolutely isn’t replacing real-life business coaching, but instead extends Diann’s support to the moments you need it most.
How Di AI Helps You in Real Life: Whether you’re obsessing over pricing at 10 PM, stuck on firing a tricky client, or hit by a rejection sensitivity spiral, hear how Di AI becomes your go-to thought partner, 24/7.
How You Can Take Di AI for a Spin FIRST: Get all the info on joining the beta—free for now!—and help shape this tool for the ADHD business owner community.

Fun Fact from the Episode:
The inspiration for this digital clone project started all the way back in 1996, when Dolly the sheep became the world’s first cloned mammal. Diann Wingert admits her first thought was, “OMG, I can clone myself and finally do all the things!” 😂 Turns out, turning that wish into reality just took about thirty years, a platform called Coach Vox, and a lot of fine-tuning!
About the Host Diann Wingert (she/her)
A former licensed psychotherapist and serial business owner turned business strategist and coach, Diann understands ADHD inside and out. She’s dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurial clients turn their ADHD strengths into strategic advantages —making business success sustainable and tailored to real brains with real challenges.
For years, Diann has wrestled with a challenge: how could she empower more people with her transformative coaching, proven business methodology, and popular podcast content?
Known as “Di” to her close friends, she created Di AI, her own digital clone, using the CoachVox platform. Trained exclusively on Diann’s expertise, Di AI is designed to offer the very same high-impact guidance she’s honed over 30 years—making her unique coaching accessible to more people than ever before.

Mentioned During This Episode:
Where it all started: The Story of Dolly the Sheep
“How Can I Clone Myself?” 2020 blog post:
Will Christensen podcast interview
Coach Vox AI
“AI Coaching is Not Going Away” article on Medium

How to Sign Up for Di AI:
Sign up for Di AI beta access here
Agree to the User agreement (seriously, read it!)
Try it out and complete the quick feedback form

© 2026 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by burnout or the urge to abandon it all and start fresh, you’re not alone.
In this lively conversation, serial entrepreneur Megan Eckman shares her delightfully candid journey of starting, scaling, hibernating, and moving on from multiple businesses, offering honest lessons you won’t find in most business books.
We talk about Megan’s recent ADHD diagnosis, the three distinct ways she’s learned to transition in business, the emotional toll and freedom of letting go, and how curiosity and self-awareness have kept her evolving as both a creator and entrepreneur.
Why You’ll Love It:
Megan walks us through the three ways she’s learned to pivot and the circumstances that led to each one, allowing her to follow her curiosity and pursue her creative impulses, without risking her well-being or financial stability:
Test & Build - Learning to listen to your customers, running small experiments, and transitioning into new opportunities
Jump Without a Parachute: The Hard Stop Pivot - When a dramatic, not-so-planned exit from a thriving business is the way to save your sanity —and what it really takes to walk away.
The Hibernate & Resuscitate Pivot - Sometimes the best move isn’t quitting cold turkey, but putting a project “in the freezer” while you work on your next big idea.
Three key takeaways:
Pivoting isn’t failure—it’s evolution. Whether you’re testing and building, taking a bold leap, or putting a project into hibernation, each pivot can be a strategic step toward growth and alignment. (Diann said it perfectly: “You can burn out on your own success just as easily. Maybe even easier.”)
Curiosity is your greatest asset. Megan Eckman reveals how following her curiosity—not just passion or profit—helped her create unique offers and build true superfans, even when the work didn’t “look” like her dream on paper.
Burnout prevention requires boundaries and self-awareness. Recognize when you’ve hit your scale ceiling—or when you’re simply not excited anymore. It’s okay to say “enough,” recalibrate, and design your next chapter intentionally, not reactively.

Mic Drop Moment:
“It was basically a ‘hold my beer, I’ll go build that business for you.’ To be fair, they did wait a month.” Megan Eckman
About today’s guest, Megan Eckman
Megan Eckman is a serial entrepreneur who constantly finds new ways to delight her audiences, from fantastical pen-and-ink illustrations to bold embroidery kits to fantasy rom-coms.
For 14 years, she ran an embroidery kit business, managing revenue streams from wholesale, retail, and subscriptions. She's a published author and now also a podcast co-host for a show all about networking.
When she’s not working, she’s likely out on one of her bicycles exploring new routes in the woods. She lives in Vancouver, WA, with her husband and tri-color cat. Megan was diagnosed with ADHD in her 30s.
Connect with Megan:
Fat Cap Design
PDX Spellbound
The Awkward Handshake podcast
LinkedIn
Email
Your ADHD-ish host, Diann Wingert
Diann Wingert brings decades of experience as a psychotherapist and serial business owner and is now a sought-after coach to entrepreneurs with ADHD traits. Her style is direct, strategic, and always honest—peppered with the insight of someone who lives and breathes the neurodivergent experience.
Known for her candor and her refusal to compromise on what matters, Diann Wingert is a fierce advocate for self-acceptance and meaningful growth at the intersection of neurodivergence and entrepreneurship.
Mentioned during this interview:
Etsy
Colonial Patterns
Lisa Congdon

Simple suggestions for preparing for your next potential pivot:
1) Assess emotional, financial, and market conditions regularly.
2) Define your personal “red flags” for burnout and your criteria for build and grow, hard stop and hibernate, and resuscitate pivots
3) Inventory current and planned activities, noting which are energizing versus draining.
4) Keep communication open with your clients/community during hibernation phases. You never know who might want to be a part of whatever you do next.

If this episode saved you from burnout (or burning your business down…), now would be a perfect time for that 5-star rating and review you keep meaning to leave. Here’s the link to make it happen. Be sure to mention what you loved about the episode or the show in general.

© 2026 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

In collaboration with other independent podcasters during the global Podcasthon charity event, ADHD-ish host Diann Wingert is opening up about the real costs women face when their ADHD goes undiagnosed for far too long—especially those running their own businesses.
From emotional tolls and damage to self-worth, to identity crises and financial setbacks, Diann unpacks how the ADHD diagnostic criteria based on the behavior of young boys has resulted in several generations of females going undiagnosed, forcing them to struggle and overcompensate just to get by.
This episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to finally get answers after decades of struggle, and the reckoning that follows. Diann shares her own journey from therapist to entrepreneur, the lessons she learned raising kids with ADHD, and the impact a late diagnosis had on her life and work.
She also introduces listeners to the nonprofit “Find the ADHD Girls,” an organization dedicated to closing the diagnostic gap for girls everywhere, and invites you to make a difference. You can make a donation or simply share this episode to raise awareness.
So grab your favorite drink and settle in, because this week’s episode is about honesty, hope, and shifting the narrative for women and girls who’ve always felt just a little out of step with the world.
3 key takeaways:
Masking isn’t thriving. Many women spend years camouflaging their struggles, only to later realize they were “passing for normal” rather than actually okay.
Delayed diagnosis has real professional costs. Every ounce of energy spent managing ourselves is bandwidth that’s not going into growth, strategy, or creativity in our businesses—and it adds up.
Early awareness changes lives. The sooner ADHD is identified—especially in girls—the fewer years are lost to self-blame and missed opportunities.

About the host
Diann Wingert is a passionate advocate and expert on ADHD, rooted in her own delayed diagnosis, as well as two decades of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, serial business owner, and parent of several children with ADHD.
For years, Diann—and many women like her—carried a persistent sense that “something’s wrong with me,” a quiet conviction fed by a lack of answers and the feeling that everyone else had life figured out. This experience led her to see the reality: women with ADHD were hiding in plain sight, while the world slowly learned to recognize their struggles.
Now, as the host of the podcast ADHD-ish and an internationally recognized ADHD business coach, Diann welcomes a community of listeners searching for understanding and authenticity, promising strategic guidance and an honest exploration into what it means to live and run a business with ADHD
Suggested Listener Action Steps:
Donate to Find the ADHD Girls: help close the ADHD diagnostic gap for girls.
Share the Episode: If a donation isn’t possible, share this episode with someone who might benefit from it, raising awareness about ADHD in women and girls.
Visit the Podcasthon site and support other independent podcasters and non-profit organizations.
Visit the Find The ADHD Girls site for additional resources

© 2026 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.