ADHD-ish™

Feeling stuck in a cycle of procrastination, resistance, and avoidance?
If you’re running a business with an ADHD brain, it’s time to stop fighting your nervous system and start listening to it. Understanding ADHD means recognizing that your resistance is data.
In this episode of the ADHD-ish™ Podcast, part of the Reframing ADHD Traits as Business Strategy series, I challenge the mainstream productivity tips, and offer a new perspective: Procrastination isn't always the enemy—it's often vital business information.

3 Key Takeaways:
Procrastination is a signal, not a personal failing. Your nervous system might be telling you something important about your business, like a task you’ve outgrown or a decision you haven’t fully made. This is how ADHD neurodiversity communicates through resistance.
Five “signals” behind resistance: Delegation (tasks you should hand off), Decision (incomplete choices), Sunset (offers you need to let go), Revenue (underpriced work), and Clarity (undefined scope/stakes). Most productivity tips miss these underlying issues entirely.
Don’t override, diagnose first. Before pushing through with more discipline, ask “What is this resistance telling me?”—then act on the real issue behind your avoidance. This diagnostic approach honors ADHD neurodiversity.

The Reframe: Procrastination is regulatory, NOT motivational.
Your nervous system is sending a protective signal, not exposing a character flaw or lack of discipline. For ADHD neurodiversity, this shows up when something is off below the surface—even if you don't consciously know what it is. This is why traditional productivity tips often fail.

Next time you find yourself stuck, don’t reach for another productivity hack. Instead, ask: “What is my resistance trying to tell me?”
Then act on the message, not just the task. Your business, and your brain, will thank you. This is what working with ADHD neurodiversity—rather than against it—actually looks like.

Other episodes in the series:
Ep #315: How Successful ADHD Entrepreneurs Trigger Hyperfocus on Demand
Ep #317: Time Blindness is a Pricing Problem, Not Just a Productivity Problem
Ep #321: The Recurring Revenue Trap: The Hidden Cost of Stable Income
Looking for an ADHD-informed business coach that is available on demand? Sign up for my digital clone, Di AI Beta access is still free and available now!

Your ADHD-ish ™ host, Diann Wingert
Diann Wingert is a business strategist, coach, serial entrepreneur, former psychotherapist, and passionate thought leader at the intersection of ADHD and entrepreneurship. Diann is the creator of The ADHD-ish ™ Method, a practicing Buddhist, dog mom, and relentlessly curious human.
Want help to reimagine business with your ADHD traits in mind? Schedule a free consultation to explore 1:1 ADHD entrepreneur coaching with ADHD business strategist and coach, serial business owner, and former licensed psychotherapist, Diann Wingert.

For more ADHD-informed business strategies, follow ADHD-ish for the rest of the Reframing Your ADHD Traits as Business Strategies, as well as inspiring guest interviews and real client success stories! Subscribe/Follow ADHD-ish on Apple or Spotify

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

Welcome to another episode of ADHD-ish, where we explore the lived realities, hidden challenges, and unique gifts of being neurodivergent in business and life.
Today’s episode is an intimate conversation between friends, colleagues, and fellow neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
Returning guest, Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen, is an expert at the intersection of relationships and entrepreneurship, who has made the decision to forgo a formal diagnosis, while fully accepting her ADHD traits.
Together, we explore how trauma, workarounds, and unapologetic authenticity shape both personal growth and professional impact.

3 Key Takeaways:
Workplace Dynamics Are Deeply Human: So many organizational challenges stem from unresolved personal issues that show up at work. As Naketa says, bringing relational intelligence into organizations is the next frontier for trust, performance, and true inclusion.
Diagnosis Isn’t Required for Legitimacy: You don’t need a formal diagnosis to embrace your neurodivergent identity. For some, building effective "workarounds" is enough to thrive—labels can be empowering for some and unnecessary for others, as powerfully shared.
Hyperfocus Is a Super Tool—With Boundaries: Our ability to “hear the words and the music”—to focus deeply and be truly present—is a neurodivergent gift. Guarding these focus states with strong boundaries is key to making the most of them, both in business and personal growth.

About today’s guest, Dr Naketa Ren Thigpen
Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen is the Architect of Intimacy in Innovation, the world's foremost Balance (and) Relationship Advisor, and Co-Founder and CEO of ThigPro Balance (and) Relationship Management Institute.
Embodying her wild & rare nature, she moved beyond traditional therapy into something the industry hadn't seen.
Double Board Certified and doctorate-trained in Relationship Dynamics, Dr. Naketa licenses Applied Relational Intelligence Systems to mid-market organizations, certifying their own leaders to reduce turnover, stabilize trust, and accelerate decisions from the inside.
Her private advisory, BAR COTERIE, serves a select few bold enough to recalibrate success without regret. Named among 100 Women to Watch in 2026 and honored by the NAACP, she proves one thing: intimacy fuels innovation.
Connect with Dr Naketa:
Website: https://thigpro.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naketathigpen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asknaketa
Naketa’s framework: Applied Relational Intelligence System (ARIS)
Substack: https://thigproquo.substack.com/

Your ADHD-ish™ host, Diann Wingert
Diann Wingert is a former therapist turned coach, speaker, and consultant who blends her expertise in entrepreneurship and neurodiversity to help others thrive.
Host of the top-rated ADHD-ish™ podcast and creator of The ADHD-ish™ Method, Diann works with ADHD-ish™ business owners who are ready to create stand-out, sought-after, profitable businesses based on their unique brilliance.

What’s the first step for turning the business you have into the business you want? Take the ADHD-ish™ Business Blindspot quiz
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© 2026 ADHD-ish™ Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

Welcome back to ADHD-ish! I’m Diann Wingert, and in this episode, we’re addressing a question that many business owners with ADHD hesitate to ask themselves: Do you actually like the work that brings you your most reliable income?
Not just the money, but the day-to-day tasks, the routine, and the clients you serve month after month. Understanding neurodiversity means recognizing that what works for neurotypical business owners—predictable recurring revenue models—may actively sabotage your success.
Because so many of them hate to admit they don’t, I’m breaking down what I call the “recurring revenue trap”—the idea that true business maturity comes from stacking retainers, running memberships, or launching evergreen offers for that coveted, predictable income.
This myth is especially damaging for those of us navigating neurodiversity in business. But what happens when your ADHD brain, which craves novelty, challenge, and variety, clashes with the sameness and repetition these models demand?
If you’ve ever found yourself bored, resentful, or white-knuckling through work that “should” feel like a win, the problem isn't you—it's a structural mismatch between how neurodiversity is wired and traditional business models.
3 key takeaways for ADHD business owners:
Predictability vs. Novelty: Recurring revenue models (like retainers and memberships) are built for brains that thrive on sameness and routine—not the dopamine-hungry ADHD brain, which craves novelty, challenge, and change. Understanding neurodiversity means designing around these realities, not fighting them.
Structural Not Personal: Burning out on reliable income streams isn’t a failure—it’s a sign of structural mismatch. ADHD brains are wired to lose motivation with repetitive, predictable work. This is where value based pricing strategy becomes essential—charging for outcomes and transformation, not time.
Design for Your Brain: You DON’T have to quit recurring revenue altogether. Instead, intentionally build novelty into your recurring offers—limited run cohorts, rotating scopes, themed “seasons,” and planned refreshes let you keep both financial stability and creative energy. A flexible retainer model can honor both your needs and your neurodiversity.

6 Dopamine-rich alternatives to boring recurring revenue models:
Limited-run cohorts: Short sprints, not never-ending slogs
Retainers with rotating scope: New focus each quarter keeps it fresh
Memberships by season/theme: Built-in breaks & changing content
Quarterly intensives: Ditch the monthly grind; go deep, then rest
Planned sunsets: Don’t beat dead offers—set a clear end date!
Built-in refreshes: Schedule reinventions before boredom strikes

The offer you’re white-knuckling today is NOT the offer that’ll get you to the next level. Try, tweak, or sunset—but make it on YOUR terms.

Mentioned during this episode:
Episode #238_Creative Sprint Days: One Entrepreneur’s Solution for an ADHD-Friendly Business, with Evan Sargent
Other episodes in the series:
Ep #315: How Successful ADHD Entrepreneurs Trigger Hyperfocus on Demand
Ep #317: Time Blindness is a Pricing Problem, Not Just a Productivity Problem

Your ADHD-ish ™ host, Diann Wingert Diann Wingert is a business strategist, coach, serial entrepreneur, former psychotherapist, and passionate thought leader at the intersection of ADHD and entrepreneurship. In addition to hosting the ADHD-ish ™ podcast, Diann is the creator of The ADHD-ish ™ Method, a practicing Buddhist, dog mom, and relentlessly curious human.
Want help to reimagine business with your ADHD traits in mind? Schedule a free consultation to explore 1:1 ADHD entrepreneur coaching with ADHD business strategist and coach, serial business owner, and former licensed psychotherapist, Diann Wingert.

For more ADHD-informed business strategies, follow ADHD-ish for the rest of the Reframing Your ADHD Traits as Business Strategies, as well as inspiring guest interviews and real client success stories! Subscribe/Follow ADHD-ish on Apple or Spotify

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

Welcome back to ADHD-ish!
In this episode, I sit down with Paul Pape, a creative business coach who brings creativity and playfulness to entrepreneurship by turning business strategy into an adventure—literally.
Together, we explore the starving artist myth, the difference between creatives and artists, and why traditional business advice often falls flat for "cloud thinkers" with ADHD.
You'll hear behind-the-scenes stories about rescuing multi-million dollar businesses with a single round of "D&D Business Edition," how self-knowledge (and a character sheet!) can help you embrace your quirks, and find profit, purpose, and magic—on your own terms.
Whether you’re a seasoned creative entrepreneur or wondering how to turn your neurodivergence into your greatest asset, this conversation is filled with wisdom bombs, real talk, and practical strategies for making business—and life—a game worth playing.

Here are my top 3 takeaways for creative entrepreneurs and fellow neurodivergents:
Gamify for Engagement: Turning business challenges into quests (not just tasks!) makes even the most daunting to-do list approachable and—dare I say—fun. Paul swears by quest structures with tangible rewards to help ADHD brains stay motivated and follow through.

Identity Is Your Superpower: Creating a "character sheet" for yourself enables candid self-reflection, minus the ego panic. It’s a way to step outside traditional business coaching and unlock rapid personal growth—especially for those who hide or mask their real selves.

Redefine Success on Your Terms: Not every creative business needs to scale. chooses bespoke, deeply connected work over group programs and mass-produced results. The real magic? Custom approaches lead to legacy-building impact for both coach and client.

Ready to gamify your business? Take Paul’s personality quiz at www.gamifybusiness.com/quiz

About today’s guest, Paul Pape:
Despite the challenges of running an all-custom operation—a model many believe is doomed to fail—Paul Pape has been thriving, creating more than 3,000 original products for an impressive roster of clients, including Disney, Universal, and Nickelodeon, as well as individuals from around the globe. His unwavering dedication and inventive spirit have sustained his business for over 20 years, proving that passion and adaptability can defy the odds.
In addition to his custom design work, Paul runs Gamify Business, where he is the barkeep in a tavern for creatives. Tapping into his neurodivergent nerdery, Paul takes boring business practices and translates them into gaming themes and terminology. Character classes instead of customer avatars, quest lines instead of project plans. Want to chat with Paul about your business quest? The barkeep is in, so pull up a stool.

Paul’s Body of Work:
Gamify Business
TEDx Talk: Santa for Nerds
Paul’s Books:
Stop Selling Your Shit
The Creative Player’s Handbook to Business
Paul Pape Designs

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.
Diann is a fierce advocate for self-acceptance and meaningful growth at the intersection of neurodivergence and entrepreneurship.
She is the creator of the ADHD-ish Method and host of the top-rated ADHD-ish podcast. Diann is many things, but she is not a gamer. She is, however, learning to tap into her nerdy side.

Mentioned during the episode:
Dragons & Beasties‍ ‍ Breaking Bad‍ ‍Dungeons & Dragons‍ ‍World of Warcraft‍ ‍Joe Dispenza: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself‍ ‍‍ ‍Vincent Van Gogh‍ ‍Jackson Pollock‍ ‍The Industrial Revolution‍ Target‍ ‍TJ Maxx‍ ‍Tim Burton‍ ‍Nightmare Before Christmas‍ ‍Danny Elfman‍ ‍Johnny Lam’s You Are Player 1 ‍

Loved this episode? Leave a review and tell us why!

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

When many leave traditional employment to start their own business, they dream of freedom, creativity, and fulfillment. Yet the reality often looks eerily familiar.
Even after making that bold leap, it’s easy to recreate the same patterns and pitfalls from corporate life—scope creep, burnout, and that ever-present sense of chasing moving goalposts.
For today’s guest, Jabari Allen, a tech consultant specializing in AI reliability, the early entrepreneurial road was filled with the same energy-draining dynamics he’d hoped to escape.
But what makes Jabari’s story so unique is the intersectionality at play: building a business while navigating the realities of being Black and neurodivergent in the predominantly white tech industry.
Jabari shares what it feels like to be “the only one” in the room, and how owning every facet of his identity—rather than hiding or compensating—becomes the most radical business strategy of all.
This Client Success Story is a vulnerable and inspiring conversation about evolving your entrepreneurial identity and what is possible with a thought partner who challenges you to move beyond proving your worth into owning your power.
Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Trusting Your Intuition Matters: What it really means to listen to your gut in business, especially when everyone else seems to know better
People-Pleasing Isn’t Always Obvious: Discover the sneaky ways people-pleasing shows up for entrepreneurs—and why setting boundaries is actually better for you and your clients
Intersectionality & Self-Advocacy: Gain insight into what it’s like to navigate tech as a Black neurodivergent professional, and how those layers shape confidence and communication
Embracing Your Thought Leadership: Learning how to shift from “technician” to “expert”—and how the simplest offer can be both disruptive and profitable

Fun Fact from the Episode
There’s a term in the tech industry for endlessly fussing with tiny details called “yak shaving.” Turns out, it’s not just about perfecting code—but can be a major sign you’re avoiding a bigger decision. Jabari calls it circling the drain, and I refer to it as fluffing the pillows.
Whether it's the obsessive nature of ADHD perfectionism, anxiety about feeling we need to prove ourselves, or keeping ourselves too busy with the small stuff to confront the big stuff, or a combination plate of all of the above, set a limit on this tendency to keep from holding yourself back while feeling productive.
Connect with Jabari Allen: Website - Substack - LinkedIn

Is it time to redefine your success as a business owner with ADHD, and shift from proving your value to owning your expertise?
The first step is scheduling a free consultation where we talk about your goals and see if we are a good fit. Click here to book yours now.
Click here for the custom playlist of more ADHD-ish™ Method Client Success Stories

And, don’t forget to leave a comment on Spotify (I personally respond to every one) or leave a review so more ADHD-ish business owners can find THE podcast full of real talk and real solutions for neurodiverse business brains.

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