In this episode, I am talking about an article in Psychology Today called Why Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD Students Are Stressed at School that shines a light on a new study that shows that schools place double emotional burdens on neurodivergent students. I talk about how so many of us were overlooked for diagnosis as kids and how our emotional needs weren’t being met and how we carried that emotional neglect from the world into adulthood. This show exists because of my Patreon members — and I’m pushing hard to reach my first milestone: 750 subscribers by the end of the year. For $12/month (with a 7-day free trial), you’ll get the video version, bonus episodes, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping me keep creating. Click here to join.

‘This Is A Lot’ Resources:

• Sign up for my ‘This Is A Lot’ Newsletter: - sent every 10 days

• Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

• Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources:

• 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

• 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

• Jen's Book Recommendations With 20% Off

Sources:

• Why Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD Students Are Stressed at School, Psychology Today

Autistic & AuDHD Humans Do Not "Understand" Hierarchy

This month's Out From Behind The Paywall Episode is a Little Pod bonus episode that until today was on Patreon only. I'm talking about the AuDHD and Autistic tendency to not be motivated by social climbing and not wanting to cooperate with workplace hierarchies. I know what it’s like to feel alone with your brain. That’s why I make this show—and most of the deep-dive, honest stuff lives on Patreon. This episode is just a taste. If it helped you feel seen, come hang out with us. I'm giving listeners 50% off of their first month right now! You get bonus episodes, videos, and access to a private chat community where we all talk about our challenges being neurodivergent. Click this link https://www.patreon.com/c/ALOTADHDPOD to pay just $6 right now and use CODE C1782

In this episode: It's all about letting go of self-esteem as a goal. It's vague, unmeasurable, and often just makes things worse—especially for people with ADHD/AuDHD. But self-efficacy is EVERYTHING. Simply put: it’s the realistic belief that you have the skills to do a task or handle a situation. Your self-efficacy can be improved (thanks to neuroplasticity) and there is irrefutable science and studies that support its life-changing results. I’ll explain more about the findings on self-efficacy, how it works, and give you some ways to start focusing on your self-efficacy today so that you can start projects, and actually follow through. Let’s go!

SHOW NOTES

"This is A Lot" Resources

Sign up for my “This Is A Lot” Newsletter: sent every 10 days

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

Sources

Why Self-Efficacy Is More Important Than Self-Esteem; YouTube

Dr. Albert Bandura Quotes

Self-Efficacy Theory Of Motivation Explained; YouTube

Self-Efficacy and Agentic Positive Psychology

Self-Efficacy And Why Believing In Yourself Matters; VeryWell Mind

In this episode: Most people don’t associate ADHD with hope — but they should. This episode explores the science behind hope as a cognitive process. Drawing on research I look at how hope is built, how it functions in the brain, and how it can get eroded by chronic adversity — especially for people with ADHD and AuDHD. If you’ve been struggling with follow-through, feeling stuck, or wondering why things feel harder than they “should,” this is an episode that explains why — and how you can cultivate hope!

SHOW NOTES

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

SOURCES

Build Resilience By Learning To Hope; ADDitude Magazine

Promoting Hope in ADHD; Dr. Hallowell

The Gift of Hope; Dig Coaching

The Science And Power Of Hope; Dr. Chan Hellman

EPISODE 49: An ADHD Guide To Cortisol + 13 Tips To Lower Your Cortisol Levels

In this episode: Exhaustion during the day, racing thoughts at night, sleep problems, anxiety, and unexplained inflammation can all be signs of a nervous system stuck in high-alert mode. While dopamine gets most of the attention in ADHD conversations, cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — plays a major role in how energy, focus, and fatigue are regulated. High cortisol, not low, is often behind chronic stress patterns in people with ADHD and AuDHD. I give tips on how to interrupt your long-term stress loop in ways your nervous system can actually handle.

SOURCES

The Intersection of ADHD and Hormones, CHADD

The WorkOut Witch

The Complex PTSD Workbook

SHOW NOTES

1. "You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

2. "You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

3. Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

4. Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

5. Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

6. 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

7. $50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

8. 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this special Out From The Paywall Episode - you're getting a Little Pod Patreon only bonus episode that originally aired on June 22nd, 2025. I have a special offer for you. You can join Patreon for FREE right now by clicking here. You'll get one month FREE of "You Are A LOT" on Patreon at Tier 1 which gives you access to all of the archives, video episodes, AMA's, bonus episodes, transcripts, a private chat community and more! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR MONTH! No commitment required after the month is up. (Offer expires 8/1)

OUT FROM THE PAYWALL: "And Just Like That" When A TV Show Fails ADHD" Permission to rant? Thank you. On this Little Pod which is available to Tier #1 and Tier #2, I'm criticizing the TV show "And Just Like That" for its bizarre portrayal of the ADHD medication shortage and how to handle a troubled teenager with ADHD.

SHOW NOTES

"You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

"You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

$50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this special Out From The Paywall Episode - you're getting a full Patreon only episode that originally aired on May 18th, 2025. I have a special offer for you. You can join Patreon for FREE right now by clicking here. You'll get one month FREE of "You Are A LOT" on Patreon at Tier 1 which gives you access to all of the archives, video episodes, AMA's, bonus episodes, transcripts, a private chat community and more! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR MONTH! No commitment required after the month is up. (Offer expires 7/31)

OUT FROM THE PAYWALL: "Future Fantasy Is Not A Plan"

In this episode: Jen explains a thought-provoking concept she recently learned—the difference between having a real plan of action for a life goal versus being stuck in a future fantasy about that goal. She walks through how being in a future fantasy is a habitual way to regulate our emotions, while actually making a plan would require being present—which can trigger dysregulation. So we avoid it. Mind. Blown.

You Don’t Lack “Follow Through” - Heidi Priebe, YouTube

"You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

"You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

$50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this episode: I’m talking about what’s coming for summer with this podcast, and stay subscribed as I release episodes from behind the paywall with topics like why you may be emotionally regulating through future fantasy instead of concrete planning, and my frustration with the ADHD medication plot on “And Just Like That.” I have an offer JUST FOR listeners to this podcast! Click to get 40% off of your first month of Patreon or annually and use this code: A3354

SHOW NOTES

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN