Episode Summary

Podcast: ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Episode: EP. 368: This Is What Alignment Feels Like with Clare Adams

Date: January 21, 2026

Overview:

In this episode, Tracy Otsuka sits down with Clare Adams, a British Canadian artist, poet, community builder, and advocate, to discuss the unique journey of discovering and thriving with ADHD, particularly as a woman. Clare shares her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis story, how supportive parenting changed her trajectory, the power of reframing ADHD as a strength, and the process of building a career—and a business—aligned with her values, passions, and natural talents. The conversation delves into authenticity, the transformational impact of connection and community, and actionable ways to fall in love with one’s ADHD brain.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Clare’s ADHD Discovery and Diagnosis

• Late Diagnosis, Family Connection, and Grief
  • Clare wasn’t aware of ADHD in childhood; it wasn’t discussed or recognized. (05:49)
  • Her daughter’s struggles led to assessments that mentioned ADHD, but it wasn’t addressed as a central concern.
  • Discovery expanded as her children became teenagers and research increased, especially via social media.
  • ADHD diagnosis at age 50, after both her children were diagnosed. Tracy: “Did you know it was genetic, Clare, at the time?” / Clare: “I can’t really remember when I really started to pick up, but a lot of my initial awareness ... came from my daughter Tash, being extremely smart and curious herself.” (07:02–07:25)
  • Recognized patterns in her family, particularly in her father.
  • Initially embraced the diagnosis as an explanation—but also grieved lost time and opportunities, feeling vulnerable and self-critical. (09:00–10:00)
  • “As soon as I saw and recognized ADHD... I then started focusing on the negatives, I think, and started doubting myself.” (28:43)

Reframing ADHD: Embracing Strengths over Deficits

• Environment and Support

  • Supportive parenting and school environments were protective factors, allowing Clare to flourish as a “quirky” and “highly spirited” child.
  • “If you have a supportive parent at home who’s on your side, it is literally life-changing.” (20:16)
  • Reflects on how negative support in adulthood—and an unsupportive relationship—amplified ADHD struggles.
  • “One of the ways that I am successful in living with ADHD is actually embracing some of those things and saying, well, it might not be how everybody does it, but I’m really okay with that.” (15:06)

• Strengths as Double-Edged Swords

  • ADHD traits are not merely advantageous or detrimental—they contain both sides.
  • “Every one of those things has a good side and a bad side. That high energy and that passion actually gets me into trouble when I can’t shut up... but equally, the not-super-organized actually means I’m highly flexible.” (11:22)
  • ADHDers thrive in dynamic, high-pressure environments (e.g., airline operations); rigidity is not a necessity for success.

Identity, Authenticity, and Community

• Authenticity as Alignment

  • Clare’s journey illustrates importance of “internal work” to discover who you really are, not just who you were told to be.
  • “It took me back inside of myself… What was different for me about your program [Your ADHD Brain is A-OK] … it was inside out, not outside in.” (35:15)
  • “We’re put into a box… but with A-OK, we’re getting rid of that box.” (37:50)
  • Emotional resonance of “holding hands with your five-year-old self” as a metaphor for rediscovering authentic identity. (65:44)

• The Power of Connection and Community

  • Clare underscores the essential role of supportive community: “You can’t do it alone. Even now, when you have a bad day… If somebody isn’t there going, ‘Hey, just remember last week you did this, this, this…’ Life’s a lot easier.” (31:33)
  • Importance of surrounding oneself with uplifting, understanding people—professionally and personally.

• ADHD and Societal Perfectionism

  • The modern world is “binary” and polarized; pressure to conform stifles nuance and neurodiversity.
  • “If, when we’re rushing toward productivity... and everybody’s like, ‘We’ve all got to fix the problem’... There isn’t room for nuance. We’ve lost all of that.” (46:37)
  • ADHDers as “canaries in the coal mine” recognizing problems in today’s productivity- and status-obsessed culture. (47:42)

Building a Life—and Business—in Alignment

• Non-linear Career Path and Value-Driven Choices

  • Clare’s career defied traditional trajectories: law, business, health, aviation, marketing, and more.
  • Followed her curiosity and what felt purposeful instead of societal definitions of success.
  • “It doesn’t get much more ADHD than that. It served me well... What about you define your own version of success?” (26:17)
  • Impact of “pre-tirement”: intentionally crafting a work-life blend anchored in joy, values, and flexibility, rather than climbing titles.

• Founding Compassion Art Creations

  • Clare’s business evolved from a desire to express empathy, foster connection, support nonprofits, and create meaningful gifts (jewelry, art, poetry, memorials).
  • “If it’s not joyful, we don’t do it.” (55:05)
  • Features innovative offerings like memorial jewelry containing pet/human ashes—a physical token of love and memory. (51:52)
  • Examples of authentic connection (e.g., gifting jewelry to strangers who experienced disrespect) as micro-acts of kindness and validation.

• Purpose and Impact

  • Clare’s “Best Humans of 2025” campaign highlights everyday acts of care, aiming to counter negativity and showcase the ripple effect of kindness. (55:24)
  • “There’s so much power in that... That’s what life’s about, isn’t it? That’s what living is all about.” (57:34)

Living Well with ADHD: Tactics and Takeaways

• Daily ADHD Hacks

  • Reliance on lists, alarms, and micro-rewards; leveraging digital systems for reminders. (63:08)
  • Playful tricks for motivation: “Racing the kettle” (starting a task during the time it takes to boil water, etc.) (64:02)
  • Mini-mantras: “Well, it’s better than it was.” A gentle, positive, progress-focused self-talk. (65:09)
  • Progress over perfection—and emphasizing self-compassion with minor, cumulative improvements.

• Advice for Listeners

  • “You are wonderful as you are… In all of space and time, the fact that you even exist is incredible. That’s enough.” (57:43)
  • The importance of finding community, “your tribe,” and the permission to show up authentically—even on tough days.
  • “We’re not supposed to do this alone.” (57:43)
  • Take the pressure off productivity; focus on meaningful connection and contribution.

• Program Endorsement

  • Clare’s testimony for the A-OK program: “You’ll never regret it. Could be literally life transforming—and not from an outside in, but it will reconnect you with your five-year-old self.” (65:44)
  • Stresses that this is a different, internal, and empowering approach compared to typical self-help or coaching.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On ADHD Positives & Trade-offs:

  • “Every one of those things has a good side and a bad side… The not-super-organized actually means I’m highly flexible.”
    — Clare, (11:22)

• On Embracing Authenticity:

  • “It took me back inside of myself... building block by block, and making decisions, not being assessed by somebody else and just getting a result.”
    — Clare, (36:14)

• On Connection:

  • “You can’t do it alone. Even now, when you have a bad day... If somebody isn’t there going, ‘Hey, just remember last week you did this, this, this…’ Life’s a lot easier.”
    — Clare, (31:33)

• On Redefining Success:

  • “If it’s not joyful, we don’t do it.”
    — Clare, (55:05)

• On Self-worth and Existence:

  • “In all of space and time, the fact that you even exist is incredible. That’s enough.”
    — Clare, (57:43)

• On Progress:

  • “Well, it’s better. It’s better than it was.”
    — Clare, (65:09)

• On Empowerment Through Identity Work:

  • “You’ll never regret [the A-OK program]… it will reconnect you with your five-year-old self. …This is from my heart because that’s the kind of impact that you had.”
    — Clare, (65:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Clare’s Introduction & “Bonkers” Life Story – 04:58
• ADHD Diagnosis in the Family – 05:49
• Reflecting on Late Diagnosis and Early Life – 13:40
• Environment and Support Effect – 20:16
• Career Trajectory and Defining Success – 21:14, 26:04
• Positive Impact of ADHD—Strengths & Flexibility – 11:22, 46:37
• Discussion of “Your ADHD Brain Is A-OK” Program – 28:43, 35:15
• Founding Compassion Art Creations – 48:55
• Micro-Habits, Hacks and Self-Talk – 63:08
• Advice to Listeners on Self-Compassion & Community – 57:43
• Program Endorsement and Contact Info – 65:44, 67:07

Where to Find Clare

• Website: compassionartcreations.com / compassionartcreations.ca
• Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: Compassion Art Creations
• Open to collaboration, consultation, and authentic connection.

Episode in a Nutshell

This episode is a vibrant, hopeful, and practical conversation about living—and thriving—authentically with ADHD as a woman. Clare Adams’ story highlights the transformative power of supportive environments, identity work, and self-compassion. By choosing alignment over conformity and contribution over status, she exemplifies how embracing difference becomes a strength—and how joy, connection, and authenticity can be the ultimate measures of success.