ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

By: Tracy Otsuka
  • Summary

  • I have NEVER met an ADHD woman who wasn’t truly brilliant at something! This podcast, with nearly 7 million downloads, is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. If you want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and discover where your brilliance lies, this podcast is for you!

    ADHD for Smart Ass Women is globally ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent of all podcasts in the world on any subject. It’s streamed in more than 160 countries and is downloaded by more than 150,000 listeners every month. My book of the same name, published by HarperCollins/William Morrow, was recently honored by Amazon Editors as a Top 20 Best Nonfiction Book of 2024.

    I’m Tracy Otsuka, your host. I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, a lifelong learner, and a certified ADHD coach. I’m on a mission to change the conversation around ADHD because I believe it’s time to focus on the strengths that come with our unique brains. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life finally made sense, yet all I read and heard about ADHD focused on what I should struggle with. What I discovered, though, was that my ADHD was responsible for some of my greatest superpowers.

    Another thing we constantly hear is all the success stories about ADHD men, but no one talks about the women. This podcast is here to change that. ADHD women are my people, and I’m here to acknowledge, support, and cheer them on. My experience as an adult living with ADHD, along with my expertise, is regularly sought out by top-tier media, including Forbes, CBS Mornings, ABC News Live, Inc., Prevention Magazine, Verywell Mind, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast.

    www.adhdforsmartwomen.com


    THE CONTENT IN THIS PODCAST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN OR HEARD FROM TRACY OTSUKA OR THIS PODCAST.

    © 2024 ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
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Episodes
  • EP. 305: Katy Weber’s Mission for Women with ADHD
    Nov 6 2024

    From parenting struggles to podcasting success, Katy Weber’s ADHD journey has reshaped her life.

    Diagnosed at 45, Katy—a health coach and founder of Women & ADHD—found herself rethinking everything she thought she knew about ADHD. This unexpected self-discovery helped her understand how ADHD had influenced her as a mother, professional, and individual. Through her podcast, she’s built a supportive, encouraging space for neurodivergent women to connect, share stories, and find community.

    Katy’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery, full of twists that many will find relatable. Before entering the ADHD advocacy world, Katy spent years as a journalist, covering a range of human experiences and honing her ability to tell powerful stories. With experience at publications like National Geographic and PsychCentral, she now brings her storytelling expertise to Women & ADHD, sharing stories and insights that make listeners feel seen and understood. This episode captures her journey from the fast-paced world of New York City to finding a new sense of balance in the Hudson Valley, where she has found purpose in health coaching and community-building.

    Through Women & ADHD, Katy addresses topics that resonate with her listeners on a personal level, such as the complex relationship between ADHD and binge eating and moving beyond diet culture to embrace a more holistic approach to health. She shares how ADHD affects not only personal identity but also how women show up in their work and family lives. Katy’s story goes beyond diagnosis; it’s a journey of learning, unlearning, and embracing the strengths that come with ADHD. Her message is clear: it’s never too late to understand your own mind and rewrite your narrative in ways that are both empowering and authentic.

    Resources:
    Website: https://www.womenandadhd.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenandadhdpodcast
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/womenandadhd

    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message


    Are you feeling uncertain about your life's direction? Join Tracy Otsuka's free "What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass" to discover how to make better, more confident decisions and realize your full potential. Become an expert on yourself and choose the right path forward. Register now at spyhappy.me/class.

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    1 hr
  • EP. 304: Compassionate Communication for a Neurodiverse Family with Breanna Autolitano
    Oct 30 2024

    When life gets overwhelming, self-compassion and mindfulness can be the key to thriving.

    Breanna Autolitano, a mother of 9 and mindfulness expert, shares how she embraced neurodivergence and used compassionate communication to transform her life. As a mindfulness tour guide certified by Eckhart Tolle, Breanna uses her skills to help others find balance amidst the chaos of daily life.

    Diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Breanna talks about her journey of self-discovery and the tools that helped her cope with childhood trauma and the pressures of raising a neurodiverse family. She opens up about the challenges of being misunderstood growing up, from struggling with dyslexia and math in school to finally receiving the support she needed. Her experience with mindfulness and compassionate communication gave her the ability to navigate her own neurodivergence and become a more present, understanding parent.

    In this episode, Breanna shares insights on how mindfulness and compassionate communication can reshape relationships, especially with children. From applying empathy in everyday situations to creating systems that work for ADHD minds, her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and connection.

    Resources:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breannaautolitano/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanna-autolitano-88227778/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breannaautolitano3

    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message


    Are you feeling uncertain about your life's direction? Join Tracy Otsuka's free "What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass" to discover how to make better, more confident decisions and realize your full potential. Become an expert on yourself and choose the right path forward. Register now at spyhappy.me/class.

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    57 mins
  • EP. 303: Turning Work into Play: Kristen West’s Story
    Oct 23 2024

    When life feels chaotic, humor can be your greatest tool for finding balance.

    Kristen West, founder of The Centered Life Co., has built a thriving online community around her fun, ADHD-friendly tools that bring joy and structure to daily life. With over half a million followers, her playful, shame-free videos on mental health and productivity inspire others to embrace their quirks and find motivation in unexpected ways.

    Diagnosed with ADHD at 26, Kristen struggled in traditional work environments, constantly facing burnout and frustration. Her diagnosis became a turning point, allowing her to build a life suited to her brain’s unique strengths. Now, through her planners and videos, she helps others create routines incorporating joy and play, proving that productivity can be fun and tailored to individual needs.

    Kristen’s work goes beyond to-do lists, blending humor and creativity with effective planning tools. In this episode, she shares her journey of managing ADHD, offering insights into overcoming challenges with self-compassion and humor. Her experiences show how turning perceived limitations into strengths can bring more balance and happiness into everyday life.

    When Kristen isn’t creating viral content, she’s likely climbing, baking bread, or trying to keep her vegetable garden alive. Her story is a reminder that success comes from embracing who you are and building systems that align with your unique needs, leaving room for fun along the way.

    Resources:
    Website: https://thecenteredlife.co/
    Website: https://www.findyourmagic.biz/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenteredlifeco/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourmagicbiz/
    Tiktok: @findyourmagicbiz


    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends:,https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message


    Are you feeling uncertain about your life's direction? Join Tracy Otsuka's free "What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass" to discover how to make better, more confident decisions and realize your full potential. Become an expert on yourself and choose the right path forward. Register now at spyhappy.me/class.

    Show more Show less
    59 mins

What listeners say about ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

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Helpful information that is so validating!

I was nodding my head with every word. it's so validating to hear others' experiences as females with ADHD.

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So great! Highly recommend. There is hope!

This podcast was excellent. I have only listened to a few episodes in the series because I just found it, but so far, the ones I've listened to have been great! I was so happy to hear the interview with Kailin. I feel like my medication isn't working (or helping) the way it should be, but I've only been diagnosed and on meds for 2 years. It took SO long to try this dose to start and give it a few weeks, step up a tiny bit higher and try that for a while, step a bit higher again - over and over and over, I'm afraid to try something different because it is such a difficult process! She also made me question my diagnosis. I've been on various antidepressants for about 20 years now, which started in college. I have such similar traits to Kailin, I'm wondering if there isn't something more to my Neuro divergence. I knew that ADHDers have super powers and are amazing at some specific things, but I had never heard anything about ADHD in high achieving women. First I opened up Kailinjohnson.com so I didn't have to worry about remembering the url. Next up, a Google search for ADHD in high achieving women. Thank you!

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Getting to know myself.

This is so helpful. I love a lot of this episodes. the one about learned helplessness was very helpful. thank you so much. it is entertaining, informative and engaging.

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thank you!!!

Great and helpful information!! I love listening to these podcasts everyday while driving to work.

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Understanding

One, two, three, four, Five, six, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything

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this is me!!

I'm 59 and just going through this. This episode was so very empowering and helpful

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Love this podcast!

I have been on my own journey and slowly discovering that I have ADHD. I have not been officially diagnosed but my 5yo son is about to go through the process. Listening to the first few episodes confirmed in my soul he had something more going on with him than just behavior problems. It's also helped give me the confidence to be able to walk this journey with my son and be his advocate.

I have never felt so heard and understood in my life! Love listening to this podcast. Tracy is fun to listen to and love her perspective on the subject!

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Really helpfull

All great points and good to not feel so alone in it but ... acknowledging medication and doing the work sometimes doesn't make life livable.

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LOVE THIS PODCAST

As a woman with ADHD I so appreciate this! I feel so seen when listening but would LOVE to hear from more women diagnosed later in life (I was as diagnosed at 42-after my son was). I still struggle with imposter syndrome (despite proven success) and am terrified to be “out” in a professional capacity. Would love to hear more of a GenX perspective on these issues.

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Thank you for doing these podcasts

I just found this podcast and have been listening non stop. For the longest time I felt like I was the only woman with ADHD. To hear others talking about their journey, so often it’s like I’m hearing myself. I don’t personally know any other woman struggling with ADHD. It gives me hope things can and will change for me, hearing others have been able to get control of their ADHD and thrive.

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