Podcast Summary: Adult ADHD ADD Tips and Support

Episode: ADHD, Creative Minds & The Antidote to School Trauma: Revolutionizing Education with Demetrius Fuller

Host: Michael Joseph Ferguson
Guest: Demetrius Fuller
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Michael Joseph Ferguson interviews Demetrius Fuller, an artist, educator, and creator of "the Homies," a learning framework designed to revolutionize education for neurodivergent (especially ADHD/hunter-type) learners. The conversation focuses on how traditional education systems can create lasting shame and self-judgment in those who think differently, and introduces "the Homies" as a powerful antidote—both practical and uplifting—for children and adults alike. The episode weaves together personal stories, educational philosophy, and actionable tools for empowering creative, neurodiverse minds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Demetrius Fuller’s Neurodiversity Journey (06:45–09:00)

• Demetrius discovered his ADHD as an adult and recognized traits like hyperfocus, time blindness, and risk-taking in his childhood.
  • Quote [07:22]: “...one big thing that really made me see myself was the idea of time blindness.”
• Michael’s podcast and the “hunter type” concept helped Demetrius frame his experiences positively.
• Demetrius’s early adventures and risk-taking behavior foreshadowed both his creativity and energy as an educator.

2. ADHD Strengths in Teaching and the Power of Connection (09:05–12:50)

• Demetrius highlights how his ADHD wiring enables him to make cross-disciplinary connections, enliven lessons with music, storytelling, and unique projects, and inspire students by tailoring creative tasks to their interests.
  • Quote [09:55]: “...our brains like to make lots of connections... I think that helps us to bring things to life.”
• Art class became a safe haven for students struggling elsewhere, providing them with mentorship, validation, and space to thrive.

3. School Trauma, Shame, and the Need for Change (16:21–18:43)

• Michael and Demetrius dissect the trauma that traditional, “instruction-focused” education instills in neurodivergent students—namely, a sense that there’s only one right way to do things.
  • Quote [16:40], Michael Joseph Ferguson: “...it’s a kind of trauma that I see in almost all my coaching clients... we’ve just given folks the assumption that there’s one correct way.”
• They stress the importance of “leading out” (educari), supporting divergent thinking, and building authentic self-esteem.

4. Origins and Structure of “The Homies” Framework (22:10–40:12)

• Framework Overview: Eight characters personify essential “habits of mind” (e.g., bravery, storytelling, imagination, close observation, innovation, reflection, deep focus, and passionate learning).

  • Each “Homie” brings an actionable cognitive or creative habit alive with chants, songs, and role models.

• Key Homies and Their Functions:

  • The Brave One: Embraces mistakes, essential for learning (23:53).
    • Chant [23:53]: “Behold the brave one! Yes!”
  • Stellar Storyteller: Expresses and explains ideas, crucial for both neurodivergent kids and language learners (27:21).
    • Chant [27:21]: “Once upon a time, there was a stellar storyteller...”
  • Captain of the Clouds: Encourages visualization and imagination, which is shown to overlap with memory and critical thinking.
  • Eagle Eye Detective: Fosters close observation, both in art (blind contour drawing) and other disciplines (31:46).
    • Quote, Demetrius Fuller [31:46]: “...there’s nothing replacing getting that microscope.”
  • Inventor Innovator: Celebrates novel connections (33:38).
  • Inspector Reflector: Champions the ability to review, revise, and evaluate one’s own work.
  • Maven: Drives deep, passionate exploration of interests (34:53–36:51).
    • Quote, Michael Joseph Ferguson [35:26]: “I fully related with the maven... I don’t want to just learn a little bit. I want to know every single thing there is to know about that subject.”
  • Triple Practicer: The drive to practice and master skills, inspired by figures like Kobe Bryant (38:06).
    • Chant: “The triple triple practicer... Practice, practice, practice!”

• Integration: The Homies overlay existing educational structures without requiring a complete curricular overhaul.

5. Real-World Application: From Art Room to Schoolwide Practice (40:50–44:27)

• Demetrius describes the evolution of the Homies framework from art class to a school-wide model, supported by collaborative thinking (“meeting of the minds”).
• The creation of a new role, “Homie Integration Coach,” enabled Demetrius to teach both students and teachers how to utilize these habits in all subjects, overlaying (rather than replacing) traditional curricula.
  • Quote [43:26]: “That’s the secret sauce of the Homies. It doesn’t need a school to have an alternative structure. Schools can keep their own traditional structure... it overlays this hidden layer of habits of mind.”

6. The Homie Handbook and Future Vision (44:51–45:37)

• The upcoming “Homie Handbook” will be a comprehensive resource for educators, mapping out each Homie, their utility, and step-by-step instructions for integration.
• The ultimate vision: give all students—neurodivergent or otherwise—the tools for empowered, creative, shame-free learning.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Education Trauma:
  Michael Joseph Ferguson [16:40]:
  “...it’s a kind of trauma that I see in almost all my coaching clients... there’s this right way to do it... so I guess I’m the broken one instead of questioning maybe the educational system itself is not fully functional.”

• On the Structure of “The Homies”:
  Demetrius Fuller [23:45]:
  “The Homies are a set of eight characters that personify eight habits of mind that successful writers, musicians, scientists, mathematicians, dancers... employ in order to be successful in their careers.”

• On Encouraging Passionate, Deep Learning:
  Michael Joseph Ferguson [35:26]:
  “I fully related with the maven... I don’t want to just learn a little bit, I want to know every single thing there is to know about that subject.”

• On the Homies’ Adaptability:
  Demetrius Fuller [43:26]:
  “That’s the secret sauce of the Homies. It doesn’t need a school to have an alternative structure... But what it does is it overlays another level, this hidden layer of habits of mind.”

• On Empowerment:
  Michael Joseph Ferguson [45:37]:
  “If they could just get this kind of protocol at a young age... it takes all of that shame out and just says, okay, wait a minute. There’s a whole other way we can be doing this.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Demetrius’s ADHD Story & Strengths: 06:45–09:55
• Art as a Sanctuary for Neurodivergent Kids: 10:22–12:15
• School Trauma and Shifting from “Instruction” to “Education”: 16:21–18:43
• Origins of the Homies & Key Habits of Mind: 23:45–40:12
• Real-World Integration and Schoolwide Implementation: 40:50–44:27
• The Homie Handbook’s Vision for the Future: 44:51–45:37
• Where to Learn More: 46:24–46:49

Additional Resources

• For more about the Homies framework: meetthehomies.com
• For the podcast host’s books and workshops: drummerandthegreatmountain.com

Takeaways

This episode offers an inspiring, practical, and humanistic reimagining of education that prioritizes empowerment over conformity. Both children and adults—particularly those with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity—can reclaim self-worth, joy, and agency through creative frameworks like the Homies. The change starts with recognizing diverse minds need diverse methods, and frameworks like the Homies provide an actionable blueprint for schools everywhere.

“The Homies are secretly for the grownups. Because the grownups have to find a way to find that aliveness, that excitement themselves.”
—Demetrius Fuller [21:46]

To connect with Demetrius Fuller, explore micro-challenges, chants, and more at meetthehomies.com.