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Executive functioning is the backbone of daily life, yet for ADHD moms, it can feel like rocket science. In this episode, we’re joined by two experts who not only study ADHD but live it—Dr. Diana Barrett and Dr. Lynne Baldwin.

This is the first in a series of conversations with Dr. Barrett and Dr. Baldwin, Stanford educated psychologists and consultants at Lingokids, the #1 learning app for kids. Together, we’re diving deep into the real struggles—and solutions—of ADHD motherhood.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is Executive Functioning?
  • How it affects everything from getting out the door to long-term planning
  • The role of working memory, emotional regulation, and task management
  • Why ADHD moms feel like they’re constantly behind
• Why ADHD Moms Struggle with Executive Functioning
  • The emotional toll of masking and compensating for ADHD
  • How motherhood raises the stakes and makes ADHD challenges more obvious
  • The role of emotional dysregulation in executive dysfunction
• Practical Strategies for ADHD Moms
  • "Everything Has a Home" Approach – organizing items in predictable places
  • "Make Time & Tasks Visible" – using visual timers, whiteboards, and schedules
  • Breaking Big Tasks into Small Steps – how to make routines actually work
  • Time-Blocking & Planning Ahead – setting up success through daily check-ins
• Managing Emotional Dysregulation
  • Why emotions are a key part of executive function
  • The science behind ADHD and emotional overwhelm
  • Simple self-regulation strategies like biofeedback, mindfulness, and movement
• Getting the Whole Family Involved
  • The power of family meetings and shared responsibility
  • Teaching kids executive functioning skills through daily habits
  • Strategies for parenting with ADHD when your kids have it too

Resources Mentioned:

📌 Time Timers (great for kids & adults!)
📌 Label makers & visual schedules
📌 Biofeedback devices like HeartMath
📌 ADHD-friendly planning tools

Dr. Lynne Baldwin, Ph.D. is a learning specialist consultant who has provided coaching and advocacy services for children with ADHD and their parents. While with the Abbey Neuropsychology clinic, she developed a program for executive functioning coaching for children and teenagers. Lynne earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Stanford University.

Diana Barrett, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with 16 years of dedicated service at the Abbey Clinic, where she currently serves as the Director of Assessment. She also is a member of the consultation team, bringing her knowledge and experience to collaborate efforts that enhance client care. Her expertise encompasses the learning disabilities, developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injury.

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If you need to tackle the chaos in your home (with some accountability), join us for Decluttering with Body Doubling HERE.

ADHD Cliff's Notes:

1. We speak with Emily King, Founder and CEO of Faye, a company that matches busy families with advisors to help manage the mental load. Emily created Faye after becoming a mother and realizing how difficult it was to keep up with her family's personal to-do's, and how little support there was for parents.
2. Faye fills a much-needed void: providing affordable help for busy families who do not have the means to hire full-time personal assistants but benefit from fractional help—it also creates part-time gig opportunities for women to monetize a skill set they typically don't get paid for.
3. Emily breaks down the type of work a Faye assistant can do—imagine someone who can "think like you" and act on your behalf as project manager. Here's what's on the table: Staying on top of appointments, scheduling, booking travel, coordinating activities, organizing school emails, finding and coordinating professionals like housecleaners and handymen, saving money by cancelling subscriptions you don't use, shopping around for insurance, activities, providers, etc.
4. While Faye can help with practical solutions, the mental health component is profound: the relief of knowing someone else is carrying the burden with you can be extremely emotional.
5. "We have been set up to fail." Modern motherhood feels like an impossible math equation. We talk about the trap of moms being expected to work full-time and juggle full schedules while also being expected to manage the mental load.
6. We discuss the added struggles of having ADHD in addition to being a parent in this busy, digital era, including decision fatigue and executive functioning challenges.
7. The belief that we should be able to do all of this ourselves, despite the impossible standards, is what keeps so many moms from asking for help.
8. Emily sees a shift that is a reason for hope: more and more women are willing to say that they deserve it, they don't question it, and they are willing to outsource this type of work.
9. Make sure you are using your energy the right way—it matters!

About Emily King:
Emily King is the CEO and co-founder of Faye, a service designed to help parents get more done with the help of trusted family advisors. These advisors handle everyday tasks—like scheduling appointments and organizing family travel—so moms can breathe.

As a working mother herself, Emily knows firsthand how impossible the juggle can feel. Her journey to launching Faye was fueled by her own experience navigating parenthood while excelling in demanding leadership roles—like serving as VP of Growth & Digital at Blue Bottle Coffee and more than a decade across consumer tech brands like Nextdoor, Good Eggs, and LivingSocial. She lives in Ogden, Utah, with her husband, Patten, and their daughter, Vivian.

Find Faye HERE

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In this monumental episode, we sit down with Jessica Buchanan—kidnapping survivor, New York Times bestselling author, and advocate for women’s empowerment—to delve into her extraordinary journey of navigating motherhood in the wake of unimaginable trauma.

Jessica shares her motherhood journey as chronicled in the 3rd book of her anthology series, Deserts to Mountaintops. Despite surviving 93 days as a hostage in Somalia before being rescued by a U.S. Navy SEAL team ordered by President Obama, Jessica reveals that motherhood was the experience that truly shook her to her core.

Jessica’s vulnerability in addressing the complexities of motherhood resonates deeply. She sheds light on the shame many women feel about their struggles in motherhood and how society conditions us to “shame ourselves into gratitude." Through her story, Jessica gives permission to mothers everywhere to acknowledge their hardships without guilt.

We also explore:

• The Consequences of Ignoring Intuition: Jessica reveals how ignoring her intuition led to life-altering consequences and explains why trusting our inner voice is vital for reclaiming our power.
• Distinguishing Intuition from Anxiety: Together, we unpack the fragile line between intuition and intrusive thoughts, offering strategies to discern one from the other.
• Reclaiming Our Voices: Jessica explains why solitude and stillness are essential to reconnecting with our inner wisdom and building a life aligned with our true selves.
• Motherhood Without Self-Abandonment: Jessica introduces us to the revolutionary concept of the “good enough mother,” inspired by Winnicott, and emphasizes the importance of living a life that’s yours too.

About Jessica:
Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Jessica is a highly sought after inspirational speaker and her TEDx Pearl Street talk, ‘Change is Your Proof of Life’ has been the foundation for which she travels the world, inspiring audiences to access their resilience by identifying their own autonomy and chance in the middle of their own life-changing event

As the founder of Soul Speak Press, she empowers women to reclaim their narratives through writing. Her upcoming anthology, Deserts to Mountaintops: The Pilgrimage of Motherhood, launching January 25th, 2025, is a testament to the strength of women’s voices and the healing power of shared stories.

If you’re in Colorado, don’t miss the chance to join Stace and Steph live for Reclamation: The Fempi

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**Find your center and connect with a community that gets it—join the Rituals Library today.**

In this episode of the Mother Plus Podcast, we continue our deep dive into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) with Dr. Rebecca Richey. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by rejection, criticism, or failure, this episode offers practical tools to help you manage your emotional responses and regain control.

Four Tools for Managing RSD:

1. Community Matters
   Surround yourself with people who understand your ADHD experience. Having "your ADHD people" in your corner—friends who won’t judge or dismiss your feelings—can make all the difference.
2. Therapy is a Game-Changer
   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques like recognizing when you're catastrophizing or generalizing are powerful tools. Dr. Richey shares her strategy of "putting your thoughts on trial" to help defuse emotionally charged situations. Pro tip: Seek a therapist experienced with RSD.
3. Self-Understanding Brings Calm
   Recognize when you’re having an RSD response. Simply saying, “This is my RSD talking,” can help you pause and stay mindful until your cognitive clarity returns.
4. Practice Self-Compassion
   Self-compassion is a crucial habit to cultivate. Dr. Richey stresses that being kind to yourself is the foundation of managing RSD effectively.

Special Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Parenting and RSD: Learn how to recover and repair relationships when your child’s behavior triggers feelings of rejection.
• Misdiagnoses and ADHD: Dr. Richey discusses the overlap of symptoms between ADHD and other conditions, why many women are misdiagnosed, and the importance of getting the right diagnosis.
• Advocacy Alert: Partners, parents, and friends—this is for you. Understanding RSD and its impact can make a world of difference in your relationships with ADHD women.

Dr. Rebecca Richey, Psy.D., MBA, serves as the Clinical Director at CWHC, overseeing therapy, psychological evaluations, group programs, and integrated care services. A triple-licensed mental health professional with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she specializes in psychological testing for women, including ADHD diagnosis.

Dr. Richey’s career highlights include serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she directed behavioral health services and training programs. She is a Past President of the Colorado Psychological Association and currently chairs the APA’s Committee on Early Career Psychologists. With expertise in integrated care, leadership, and advocacy, she is passionate about advancing mental health for women.

Website: https://cowomenscare.com/

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Join the Rituals Library today—a vibrant community with tools, meditations, and real-life strategies designed to help you thrive in motherhood. Don’t wait to find the support and connection you deserve. Click HERE to join us now!

Have you ever been told, “You’re too sensitive,” or felt like a minor rejection hit you like a gut punch? If so, you might relate deeply to this episode. We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Rebecca Richey, an expert in women’s mental health, to break down Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on women with ADHD.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎙️ What RSD is and why it feels so intense, both physically and emotionally.
🎙️ How vulnerability and shame are tied to RSD, especially for girls and women with ADHD.
🎙️ Why minor stressors—like a rude comment—can feel as devastating as major life events.
🎙️ How RSD triggers rumination, anxiety, withdrawal, and overcompensation.
🎙️ The link between RSD, anxiety, and the unique challenges faced by ADHD women.

Through personal stories and expert insight, we uncover how RSD can transport us back to a younger, insecure version of ourselves and “take our cognitive processing offline.” Dr. Richey also shares why this phenomenon is so under-researched—hint: it primarily impacts women—and how it differs from anxiety.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What’s wrong with me?” after a tough interaction or felt shame you couldn’t shake, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, validated, and better equipped to understand your emotional world.

👉 Hit play now to dive into this honest, eye-opening discussion about RSD and ADHD in women!

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*Use code MotherPlus10 to get 10% off your first order at Barlow Herbal*

In this episode, we sit down with herbalist Jane Barlow to explore the transformative potential of plant medicine. Jane shares her insights on shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach to health, addressing root causes instead of just treating symptoms, and embracing herbs as part of a balanced wellness plan.
We dive into:

1. Mindset Matters: Why having an open mind and being brave is essential when introducing herbs into your health routine.
2. The Best of Both Worlds: Jane’s vision of pairing Western medicine with herbal remedies for optimal health—and why more people are turning to natural solutions.
3. Adaptogens for ADHD: How these incredible herbs help manage modern stress by calming your nervous system and alleviating anxiety, particularly for the ADHD community.
4. Cortisol and Fight-or-Flight: The toll ADHD takes on your adrenal system and how herbal support can help break the cycle of chronic stress and overwhelm.
5. Jane also shares practical tips, including:
   • Why Tinctures Work Wonders: The science behind tinctures as a fast, effective way to absorb herbs, bypass digestion, and cross the blood-brain barrier.
   • Immune Health Essentials: Jane’s top herbal picks for staying healthy during cold and flu season, with a spotlight on her favorite herb: lomatium.
   • Elevating Your Rituals: How to incorporate herbs into your daily rituals to create deeper connections and greater well-being.
6. And don’t forget—ADHD moms, this one’s for you! You deserve to feel good. Prioritizing your health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
   If you’ve been curious about the healing power of herbs or looking for ways to feel calmer, healthier, and more balanced, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to get you started.

About Jane:
Jane's father founded Barlow Herbal over 60 years ago, and she has been immersed in his craft ever since. Working side by side with him in the field, she mastered the art of identifying the perfect harvesting seasons, as well as the intricate processes of drying, processing, and crafting potent herbal extracts. Jane’s lifelong experience and her ability to capture the earth’s strength make her a true expert in her field.

Her passion for the beauty industry, combined with her expertise as a Master Herbalist, gives her a unique edge in creating highly specialized health and beauty products. Building on her father’s legacy, Jane dedicates years to meticulous research and formulation, ensuring every product she develops is one she wholeheartedly uses and endorses.

Find Jane here:
https://barlowherbal.com/
https://www.instagram.com/barlowherbal/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtq9uAZnU8ay7y2e8Xl2mGQ

*Find your people and a rich library of rituals to get

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Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities, unsure of what to do next, or terrified by the thought that you don’t have it all figured out? You’re not alone. In this solo episode, Stacey dives into the raw, relatable experience of ADHD moms who constantly feel like they’re falling short—and what we can do about it.

Join Stacey as she unpacks:

• Why ADHD moms often feel lost and overwhelmed.
• The common (but ineffective) advice of "just get organized."
• A powerful, alternative approach: getting found by reconnecting with yourself.
• How morning rituals like movement, meditation, EFT, and journaling can transform chaos into clarity.

What You’ll Learn:
Stacey shares her personal rituals, including how they’ve helped her drop fewer balls, prioritize what matters, and live with intention. Whether it’s through guided visualizations, tapping through anxieties, or writing your future self into existence, this episode will inspire you to meet yourself where you are and step into a more centered, confident life.

Free Resource for Listeners:
As a special gift, Stacey is offering a free guided visualization straight from the Rituals Library. This meditation helps you imagine a day where you know what you’re doing and feel calm, confident, and in control.

Download it here: www.motherplusser.com/i-know

Ready to Go Deeper?
If you loved the guided visualization, the Rituals Library is for you. With meditations, EFT videos, journaling prompts, and an accountability community, it’s the ultimate resource for ADHD moms ready to reclaim their peace and purpose.

Join today for just $20/month: www.motherplusser.com/centered

Community Shout-Out:
Hear what our members are saying! Jenny C. shared how our “Ritual of the Day” transformed her routine. “It’s scary how much I needed this.”

You don’t have to do this alone. Join us as we support each other in building rituals that help us find ourselves again.

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Finally find calm and clarity as an ADHD mom—join the Rituals Library today for just $20/month and start working with your brain and enjoying your motherhood.

ADHD Cliff's Notes:

1. In this solo episode, Steph talks about the things that have shifted in her family's holiday traditions in this season of life and reads her Listen To Your Mother Boulder story, "Mom's First ADHD Christmas."
2. During a post-divorce era of raising teenage daughters, Steph is learning to let go of old traditions that they have outgrown. . . and some of it is a sweet relief.
3. Applying the ADHD lens to the holidays: which activities bring out our creative ADHD superpowers, and which ones feel like tedious tasks requiring too many executive functioning skills to feel joyful.
4. Embracing what is can be an essential element of a peaceful, fun holiday—this can mean letting go of things that no longer work, accepting shifting seasons of parenting, and allowing for happiness right where you are.
5. Steph confesses to the parts of the holiday season that feel anything but magical to her—stuffing stockings, playing Tooth Fairy, and hiding Easter eggs.
6. She shares the beautiful side of holidays with teenagers—and an ADHD household—and celebrates the new rituals and changes that have brought ease.
7. Understanding her ADHD brain has helped Steph find new ways to adapt during the holiday season to avoid unnecessary stress—how can you make small changes to accommodate your neurodivergence during a stressful season?
8. Join Stace and Steph for Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back on Thursday, December 5th. This all-female storytelling + stand-up comedy event is at Muse Performance Space in Lafayette from 7:00-8:30 pm. Tickets available here.

Ready to bring calm, clarity, and connection into your life as an ADHD mom? The Rituals Library is here to help you finally stop spinning your wheels and start creating lasting peace.

With guided meditations, EFT tapping videos, journaling prompts, and transformative workshops, this library is your one-stop shop for rituals that work with your ADHD brain—not against it. From practical tools to spiritual practices, you’ll have everything you need to reclaim your time, manage your energy, and feel more present in your life and with your family.

Plus, when you join now, you can lock in the special $20/month founding members rate! Don’t wait to start feeling less frazzled and more centered—because you deserve a life that feels good, not just one that looks good.

Do something different for your brain and join the ADHD Mom's Rituals Library - we'll see you in there!

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