In this 2 part journey, Carmen kicks things off by defining “executive functions” — those behind-the-scenes brain processes that help us plan, prioritize, switch tasks, regulate emotions, and hold information in mind. From there, she unpacks the neuroscience: how dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex gets knocked off balance in ADHD, why neural connectivity matters, and what current research tells us about “wiring” versus “firing” in our brains.

Segment Breakdown:

* EF 101 – A friendly, jargon-free intro to the key pillars (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control) and why they feel like glitchy software on an ADHD brain.

* Neuro-Deep Dive – Carmen shares the latest on dopamine pathways, brain network communication, and what fMRI and EEG studies reveal about ADHD brains in action.

* Real-World Struggles – Listeners recognize themselves in stories about missed deadlines, email overwhelm, time blindness, and emotional hijacks.

* Practical Coping Skills – Learn five science-backed strategies: habit stacking, external scaffolding (timers, checklists, accountability partners), mindfulness micro-breaks, chunking big tasks, and nutritional/hormonal hacks to support dopamine balance.

* Growth Mindset Wrap-Up – A call to celebrate incremental wins, reframe “failures” as data points, and set up a next-step action plan. Carmen closes with encouragement to view executive-function work like training for a marathon—slow and steady builds lasting strength.

Key Takeaways:

* Executive functions are trainable skills, not immutable traits.

* Small environmental tweaks (alarms, visual cues, “if-then” plans) can bridge the gap between intention and action.

* Connecting science to strategy empowers us to rewire habits and reclaim confidence.

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to turn your ADHD “weaknesses” into a toolkit of neuro-friendly strengths. Let’s reprogram our brains together!

Welcome back to Authentically ADHD, where we turn emotional chaos into curious exploration. In this episode, Carmen dives deep into one of ADHD’s most misunderstood challenges: emotional intelligence. Spoiler alert — it’s not about being too sensitive, too reactive, or too much. It’s about how the ADHD brain processes emotional information on a totally different timeline.

✨ What we explore in this episode:

* What emotional intelligence really is, and why it’s essential for adulting, relationships, and self-understanding

* The neuroscience behind why ADHD brains struggle with emotional regulation, from delayed prefrontal cortex development to dopamine rollercoasters and amygdala overdrive

* What emotional dysregulation feels like in real life (hello, spiral over a microwave not closing properly 🙃)

* Hopeful, science-backed strategies for strengthening emotional intelligence using mindfulness, emotion labeling, coaching, and reframing sensitivity as data, not drama

* Why your emotional intensity isn’t a flaw — it’s a powerful signal that something matters

Carmen breaks it all down with compassion, humor, and the science to back it up. If your emotions have ever felt like a Fourth of July fireworks finale in a hurricane, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and a little more equipped to ride the waves.

💡 Bottom line? Emotional intelligence is a skill, not a fixed trait—and ADHDers are more than capable of building it, one small moment of self-awareness at a time.

🔁 Tune in and learn how to turn emotional overwhelm into emotional wisdom — ADHD style.

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In this episode we talk about, this vicious cycle of avoidance, guilt, and stress is not your fault — it’s rooted in the neurobiology of ADHD. But understanding this gives us the power to break the cycle. We don’t have to rely on guilt or punishment to motivate ourselves. Instead, we can focus on what works for our unique brain wiring: creating environments that are stimulating, breaking tasks into small chunks, and using rewards to trigger dopamine. Let’s stop the self-blame and start embracing strategies that actually work for us. Stay tuned for more tips on how to hack your brain’s reward system!

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In this episode of Authentically ADHD, host Carmen explores the neuroscience behind ADHD and executive functions—those critical mental processes essential for managing daily life tasks. Executive functions are described humorously as the "backstage crew" of the brain, responsible for working memory, planning, emotional regulation, inhibition, time management, and flexibility, largely governed by the prefrontal cortex.

Carmen explains that in ADHD brains, this control center operates differently—not broken, just wired uniquely. Scientific research highlights reduced activity and delayed maturation in the ADHD brain’s prefrontal cortex, impacting motivation, memory, and time perception. She emphasizes this difference isn't laziness but a genuine neurological divergence.

Common struggles for ADHDers include task initiation, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, organization, and follow-through. Each challenge is backed by neuroscience, explaining phenomena like "neurological inertia" preventing task initiation and hyper-reactive emotional responses due to amygdala sensitivity.

The episode provides seven ADHD-friendly coping strategies:

* Break tasks into smaller pieces for manageable wins.

* Use visual timers to combat time blindness.

* Externalize your brain with organizational tools.

* Create dopamine routines by pairing boring tasks with rewards.

* Incorporate physical activity to boost dopamine and executive function.

* Try body doubling to enhance accountability and focus.

* Practice self-compassion to counteract shame and enhance motivation.

Carmen concludes with a supportive message: ADHD isn’t a defect, but a different brain wiring deserving of understanding, compassion, and tailored strategies.

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In this deep-dive episode, Carmen explores the constant inner conflict many adults with ADHD experience—what psychology calls cognitive dissonance. It's that mental tug-of-war between what we intend to do and what we actually do, often amplified in ADHD brains due to emotional dysregulation, executive dysfunction, masking, and rejection sensitivity.

Usin…

Hi my friend and welcome or Welcome back to Authentically ADHD! I’m your host, Carmen, and today we’re diving deep into the journey of understanding ADHD, specifically from the perspective of those who’ve received a late diagnosis. The world of ADHD is vast, and when you’re diagnosed later in life, it can be like flipping a light switch in your brain – suddenly, everything makes sense, but there’s also a bittersweet grief over the years that could have been different. We’ll explore this journey, the grieving process for what could have been, and practical strategies to help you navigate your new reality. Let’s dive in."

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In this episode of Authentically ADHD, host Carmen explores the complex relationship between ADHD, self-confidence, and the constant need for external validation. For many adults with ADHD, self-worth has often been shaped by a lifetime of criticism, and this episode dives deep into how that reliance on others' approval can undermine self-trust. Carmen outlines why ADHDers tend to seek external validation and offers practical strategies for reclaiming control over self-evaluation.

In the first segment, Carmen explains the concept of an external locus of evaluation and how ADHD can lead to an overwhelming reliance on others for reassurance. She shares relatable examples of how this pattern develops from childhood and its impact on adulthood. The episode then introduces the psychological mechanism of the complementary moral defense, which emerges as a response to repeated criticism and can lead to overworking, people-pleasing, and chronic self-criticism.

Moving into the third segment, Carmen discusses why it's especially important for ADHDers to cultivate an internal locus of evaluation. Relying on internal validation not only promotes self-trust but also breaks the cycle of people-pleasing and constant doubt. The episode closes with seven actionable strategies to help ADHDers develop self-trust, including identifying core values, tracking small wins, practicing self-validation, and building self-compassion.

Carmen encourages listeners to start small and shift from seeking external praise to trusting their own judgment. She leaves listeners with a hopeful reminder that their ADHD brains are wired for creativity and resilience, and self-trust is key to unlocking their potential.

If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit and consider leaving a rating & review to help Authentically ADHD grow.

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