In this episode, I chat with Christopher French, an accomplished composer, musician, and fellow ADHD warrior. Christopher opens up about his journey from a rebellious high school dropout to finding solace and purpose through music. He shares his personal experiences with ADHD, addiction, and recovery, and how these challenges have shaped his creative path.

Throughout our conversation, Christopher shares how he's managed to develop a variety of life hacks and strategies to maintain balance, especially as a husband and father. From meditation to blue-tinted sunglasses, he reveals some unique methods he's embraced to regulate his sensory experiences and stay grounded. Join us as we unpack the highs and lows of living with ADHD, the power of self-awareness, and what it takes to thrive as a neurodivergent creative.

Christopher French is a multi-talented composer, artist, and 1:1 creative wellness coach based in Los Angeles. With a rich background in alternative rock and an impressive range of scoring credits, Christopher has worked on projects for HBO, Amazon Prime, and feature films. He lives with his wife, actress and singer Ashley Tisdale, and their two children, and continues to create from his private HD recording studio, Dreamhaus.

Episode Highlights:
[00:32] - Introduction to Christopher French, his artistic journey, and living with ADHD.
[1:41] - Christopher shares his early experiences with ADHD diagnosis and medication in the '90s.
[7:28] - Discussing the link between ADHD, substance abuse, and the pursuit of dopamine.
[13:36] - How major life changes, like marriage and parenthood, re-trigger ADHD symptoms.
[21:15] - The challenges of executive dysfunction and strategies for managing chaotic situations.
[26:26] - Embracing dual diagnoses in recovery programs for ADHD and substance abuse.
[30:51] - Using sensory strategies like blue-tinted sunglasses and white noise to ease sensory overload.
[35:50] - The power of self-compassion and accepting ADHD as a part of oneself.
[43:28] - Christopher describes his hyper-focus and how he leverages it in high-pressure situations.
[47:30] - Closing thoughts on the lifelong journey of understanding and managing ADHD.

Connect with Christopher French:

• Connect with Christopher French: cmfrench.com
• Follow Christopher on Instagram: @cmfrench
• Book mentioned: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

Are you a high-achieving adult who still struggles with the chaos of your ADHD, wants a hard reset to create structures and routines that stick, to ultimately build greater confidence?

Check out our 12-week signature process, small group for adults with ADHD or suspected ADHD, 3C Activation: starting Thurs, Dec 19 @ 10am EST ▶ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3cactivation

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and insightful Noelle Lynn, a therapist who specializes in using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help those with ADHD. Noelle brings a unique perspective on how trauma, whether big or small, impacts neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD. We unpack the nuances of how traditional therapeutic methods can sometimes fall short when working with ADHD clients, and how EMDR can fill in those gaps.

Noelle shares her passion for working with clients to stop shaming themselves for the way their brains work. We also discuss the challenges of misdiagnosis, particularly in women, and how ADHD and autism can often be confused with borderline personality disorder. If you've ever wondered about the connection between trauma, ADHD, and therapy, or are curious about EMDR as a potential path for healing, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable takeaways.

ADHD and Trauma Therapist, Noelle Lynn is a licensed clinical social worker and EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist. Noelle is pioneering the use of EMDR with clients who have ADHD. With over 4,000 EMDR sessions completed with clients who have ADHD, Noelle is excited to expand treatment options available to those who live with ADHD and trauma.

Episode Highlights:
[1:01] – How traditional therapies sometimes fail ADHD clients and why EMDR works better for trauma.
[5:00] – Misdiagnosis in women: Why ADHD and autism are often confused with borderline personality disorder.
[8:49] – Understanding EMDR: How it works and why it’s so effective for those with ADHD.
[12:43] – The trauma all ADHD individuals experience, even if not always recognized as such.
[16:34] – Coaching vs. EMDR: What works best for whom and why.
[19:15] – How to tailor EMDR for ADHD brains—visualization techniques, fidgeting, and re-imagining parts of the brain.
[25:58] – Internal Family Systems (IFS) and using imagination to process trauma in ADHD clients.
[29:22] – Noelle’s final thoughts on where to start after an ADHD diagnosis and how to find the right resources.

Connect with Noelle Lynn, LMSW, ADHD-CCSP:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelle-lynn-lmsw-adhd-ccsp-1287913b

Resources Mentioned:

• Attitude Magazine
• ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association
• How to ADHD YouTube Channel

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

Are you a high-achieving adult who still struggles with the chaos of your ADHD, wants a hard reset to create structures and routines that stick, to ultimately build greater confidence?

Check out our 12-week signature process, small group for adults with ADHD or suspected ADHD, 3C Activation: starting Thurs, Dec 19 @ 10am EST ▶ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3cactivation

This week I'm joined by my good friend, Neuropsychotherapist, and Author Britt Frank. Britt is a familiar face here, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s more relevant than ever: election anxiety. With the upcoming election in 2024, many of us, especially those with ADHD, are feeling overwhelmed by the constant news and social media overload. Britt shares her expertise on why our brains react this way, how the ADHD brain is particularly affected, and most importantly, strategies to help us stay grounded in such chaotic times.

Together, we explore practical ways to regulate your nervous system, why ADHDers tend to get stuck in anxiety loops, and how we can learn to manage these stress triggers. Britt also discusses her new Getting Unstuck Workbook and offers some powerful takeaways on how we can all regain a sense of control, even when it feels like the world is spiraling.

Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck (Penguin Random House), named by SHRM, Esquire, New York Magazine, and The Next Big Idea Club as a must-read. Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a contributing writer to Psychology Today and her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, Fast Company, Psych Central, SELF, and Thrive Global.

Episode Highlights:

[2:18] – The overwhelm of politics and how it’s affecting everyone, particularly the ADHD community.
[4:36] – Understanding how the ADHD brain reacts to news overload and what we can do about it.
[7:56] – Breaking down why election cycles trigger deep-rooted family or personal anxieties. [16:12] – Practical strategies to stop negative thought loops, including Britt’s “snow-globing” technique.
[20:36] – What’s your role? Understanding where to focus your energy and make the best choices for your mental health.
[28:42] – How to handle doomscrolling and reduce anxiety during election season by managing your nervous system.
[33:05] – Britt shares insights from her Getting Unstuck Workbook and the concept of "micro yeses."
[37:02] – Self-compassion and how to validate your feelings during overwhelming times.

Connect with Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP:

• Instagram: @brittfrank
• Email: britt@scienceofstuck.com
• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittfrankmsw/

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

Are you a high-achieving adult who still struggles with the chaos of your ADHD, wants a hard reset to create structures and routines that stick, to ultimately build greater confidence?

Check out our 12-week signature process, small group for adults with ADHD or suspected ADHD, 3C Activation: starting Thurs, Dec 19 @ 10am EST ▶ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3cactivation