Breakups are hard for everyone. But for women with ADHD, they can feel all-consuming. Dr. J unpacks why heartbreak hits harder when you have ADHD — and how your brain’s reward system, emotional regulation, and executive functions all get thrown off balance. You’ll learn science-backed strategies to stop the mental replay loop, manage impulsivity, and start healing with compassion. If you’ve ever felt “too much” after a breakup, this episode is for you.

Last month, the Trump administration laid off over 460 people in the U.S. Department of Education. It included nearly everyone in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which enforces federal special education laws. A federal judge has temporarily halted the layoffs, but it’s unclear what will happen next. For people who work in or rely on special education services — including 7.5 million kids — the chaos and worry have already begun. So on this week’s Hyperfocus, we wanted to talk to smart people who could give us some perspective on what’s happening. What could it mean for families and for schools? And what does it say about how the administration views neurodivergent people in general? Our guests are Meghan Whittaker, a former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education, and Julian Saavedra, an assistant principal.

The holidays are here — and so is all the food, family, and sensory overload that can come with them. Host Cate Osborn sits down with Aleta Storch, dietitian, nutritionist, ADHD expert, and founder of Wise Heart Nutrition, to talk about food and ADHD. They cover what disordered eating looks like (and how it’s different from a diagnosed eating disorder), why sensory sensitivities can make meals stressful, and what it’s like not to be believed when you say you don’t want to eat something. Plus, the dopamine rush of holiday treats — and how to navigate it all with more compassion and understanding. (Note: This episode does not dive deeply into diagnosed eating disorders — we’ll have another episode in the future focused entirely on that topic.)

For many women with ADHD, the spark of a new relationship feels like magic. But what happens when commitment feels like too much to manage?In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains the ADHD brain during the early stages of a new relationship. Learn how ADHD impacts attachment and commitment for some women. Get tips for how to manage coming down from the emotional high when the initial spark fades.

In the final episode of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” three-part series, host Cate Osborn and Dr. Shauna Pollard explore what comes after burnout. They discuss how burnout can affect your relationships, the importance of communicating your needs clearly, and how to reflect on past experiences to avoid repeating patterns. Cate and Dr. Shauna also shares practical tips for tuning in to yourself, setting boundaries, and creating a plan for moving forward with greater awareness, balance, and resilience.

Why do some women with ADHD rush through the courting stage? Dr. Monica Johnson explains what happens in the ADHD brain during courting.From intense texting to early intimacy, the courting stage can look very different for women with ADHD. In this episode, find out what happens in the ADHD brain during courting. Learn how to recognize the difference between real chemistry and manipulation. And get tips on how to manage.

Inattentive ADHD often goes unnoticed. It’s an easier type of ADHD to miss because it’s more internal and less outwardly visible than its hyperactive, impulsive counterpart. But left unaddressed, inattentive ADHD can be just as disruptive. Boys with the inattentive type are especially overlooked — they don’t match the stereotype of what an “ADHD boy” is supposed to look like. So when Brandon Saiz wrote to us about his experience getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life, we knew we had to talk to him. After meeting with Brandon, it was clear his story needed to be shared. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please skip it if that’s not something you’re up for right now.

Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s a signal that your body needs real rest. Dr. Shauna Pollard is back for the second episode in our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series to answer the question: What is rest?  Cate and Dr. Pollard talk about what true, restorative rest looks like (hint: it’s not just zoning out on your phone), and how to start taking small, doable steps toward rest when you’re already deep in burnout.

Have you ever met someone and suddenly you’re imagining your wedding playlist — all before the first date? Dr. Monica Johnson weighs in on the science behind crushes and the ADHD brain. In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s happening in your brain during a crush Why women with ADHD often fall fast and hard in relationships How to stay grounded in reality without completely shutting down

Artificial intelligence has cemented itself as the latest world-altering technology. It follows the same lineage as electricity, the television, the internet — the list goes on. Depending on who you talk to, AI is the greatest thing ever or the thing that will destroy the world, with lots of room in the middle for discussion and experimentation. But within the bigger AI fascination, there’s a smaller yet critical conversation about how this technology might help or harm people who learn and think differently. That’s why we brought in Dr. Amy Gaeta for this week’s “Hyperfocus.” She’s an AI ethicist and researcher who also has autism, giving her a unique insight that she shares on our latest episode.

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or stuck in survival mode? In part one of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series, host Cate Osborn and psychologist Dr. Shauna Pollard unpack the question: What is burnout? They explore the signs to watch for, how to recognize when you’re in it, and how it’s different from depression. If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing is burnout, this episode is a good place to start.

Itchy tags, tight clothes, and scratchy fabrics can trigger real ADHD sensory overwhelm. Dr. Monica Johnson explains why it happens and what can help. For many women with ADHD, some clothing isn’t just uncomfortable — it can feel unbearable. This sensory overload can make even getting dressed a challenge. On this episode, you’ll learn: Why sensory overwhelm is more than being “too sensitive”
 How ADHD and sensory overload intersect, especially for women The common clothing triggers that spark discomfort (tags, textures, tight fits, etc.)

 Practical strategies to make daily routines easier

Craig Thomas is best known for his work on TV. He co-created the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” and has written for “American Dad” and more. He’s penned songs for “Sesame Street” and essays for “The New Yorker.” He’s less known for being a dad. For now, at least. He has a daughter, Celia, and a son, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen syndrome, a genetic condition causing physical and developmental disabilities. When Elliot was born, Craig’s career was taking off with “How I Met Your Mother.” “I was living an hour drama show at home and then driving to work and doing a sitcom,” Craig says. His upcoming novel, “That’s Not How It Happened,” is based in part on his family’s experience. If you heard our series on the resurgence of the R-word, you’ll recognize Craig’s voice. The conversation with him was so good that we’re sharing more!

It’s a solo mailbag episode! Host Cate Osborn grabs her trusty D20 to let fate decide which listener emails to answer. Cate answers some common ADHD questions from navigating ADHD as a woman, to what it means to have a diagnosis, to how symptoms can shift as we age.

For some women with ADHD, people-pleasing is more than just being nice. It’s a way to cope with feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down what people-pleasing looks like in women with ADHD. Find out how this coping mechanism can impact your life. And learn helpful strategies to stop people-pleasing and live a healthier life.

What if your money problems weren’t just about willpower, but about who you are? In this episode of Sorry, I Missed This, Cate chats with Ellyce Fulmore, financial educator and author of Keeping Finance Personal, about how who you are affects how you deal with money. We cover how things like ADHD, race, gender, and queerness all shape your money habits. Ellyce explains how to understand your own “money story” and why some advice doesn’t work for everyone. We also talk about what happens when someone with ADHD gets into a relationship and has to mix money with a partner.

Many women with ADHD turn to shopping to cope with stress and anxiety. Buying things can feel good in the moment. But it often leads to regret, overspending, and money struggles. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how too much shopping can become a form of self-sabotage for women with ADHD. She also shares simple tips to help take back control of spending and avoid money problems.

One of the most inevitable questions that comes with early adulthood is also one of the most fraught: “When are you having kids?” The question is loaded with assumptions and pressure. It also seems to ignore the fact that having kids is supposed to be a choice, not a requirement. For neurodivergent people, especially those with ADHD, deciding whether to become a parent can be even more complex. On this episode of “Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson,” we talk with author and editorial director Jordan Davidson. She’s interviewed hundreds of people about their decision on whether to become a parent.

For some women with ADHD, talking about boundaries can feel hard or scary. It’s not just about knowing your limits, but how to say them so others clearly understand. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains why ADHD makes it hard for women to talk about boundaries. Find out how communication styles can help make setting limits easier.

We’re picking up where we left off last time on Hyperfocus for the conclusion of our two-part series on the R-word’s resurgence. Today, we meet a comedy writer who shares his personal evolution with the word and hear from a disability advocate. We’ll also learn more from our research correspondent, Dr. KJ Wynne, and have producer Cody Nelson back on to hear from host Rae Jacobson about what she’s learned.