Podcast Summary: Adult ADHD Tips – Our 10 Year Anniversary!

Podcast: Adult ADHD ADD Tips and Support
Host: Michael Joseph Ferguson
Episode Date: July 30, 2025
Episode Theme: Celebrating 10 years of the Drummer and the Great Mountain community and podcast, with reflection on the journey, gratitude to listeners, updates on upcoming content, and continued focus on ADHD as a neurological type, not a disorder.

Episode Overview

This special episode marks the 10th anniversary of the podcast. Host Michael Joseph Ferguson reflects on the evolution of the project and its foundational message: reframing ADHD as a neurological type – particularly the “hunter-type” brain – instead of a disorder. He thanks the loyal community, shares insights from a decade of engagement, and announces plans for new episodes, workshops, and ways listeners can share their success stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Decade of Community Growth and Impact

Timestamp: 02:13 – 05:15

Michael expresses sincere gratitude to listeners, both long-term and new.
Surprised and humbled by growth: “We have 40,000 subscribers. We've had like 1.7 million plus downloads. I think it's actually quite a bit more than that. It's unbelievable and kind of overwhelming.” (03:03)
The podcast was started organically, with no initial plan, and its ongoing success has been shaped by listener engagement and feedback.

Quote:
“When we first started this, this was just a very organic thing… But the podcast was never something I had even thought about doing.” (03:12)

2. Celebrating Community Stories and Upcoming Features

Timestamp: 04:50 – 07:10

Announcement: Upcoming episodes will feature interviews with community members who’ve successfully integrated holistic ADHD tools into their lives.
These interviews will highlight “what worked not just for two or three months, but years” in real people's lives, showing the power of self-awareness, commitment, and gradual, long-lasting change.

Quote:
“You’ll be hearing from people that did that, that still struggle, just like I struggle every day… but they've been able to achieve amazing things as a result of leaning on their strengths and understanding what they need to do on a daily basis...” (06:40)

3. Mindfulness and Life Balance as Core Principles

Timestamp: 05:15 – 06:45

Michael shares a personal moment at the beach—his recognition of the importance of slowing down and being present.
Emphasizes that success is not just about strategies and tools, but also taking time to appreciate life, nature, and loved ones.

Quote:
“I finished my run and I walked back and I just connected in with that moment and just appreciated the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place and take this in and, and appreciate the moment. I thought, whatever I'm doing moving forward has to... I can't be so busy that I'm not taking in moments like this.” (05:45)

4. The Foundational Philosophy: ADHD as a Neurological Type

Timestamp: 07:10 – 09:10

Reiterates the core thesis of the book and podcast: ADHD is a neurological difference rather than a “disorder.”
The “hunter-type” framework resonates with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the audience.
Many in the community felt validated by this approach, as mainstream narratives often emphasize only the challenges.

Quote:
“From the beginning, the impetus for me writing the book... was to have a point of view about ADHD that views it as a neurological type and not a disorder… We don't feel totally broken, but we have these certain areas that we struggle with...” (07:35)

5. Long-Term Change Takes Time – No Quick Fixes

Timestamp: 09:10 – 10:30

Reflections on what’s stood the test of time: The foundational holistic approaches still serve well after a decade.
Upcoming interviews will demonstrate that “it takes time, it takes commitment. It's not easy. These aren't quick fix solutions.”

Quote:
“It takes time, it takes commitment. It's not easy. These aren't quick fix solutions. They involve self awareness and mindfulness.” (09:45)

6. Listener Engagement and Community Requests

Timestamp: 10:30 – 12:50

Michael invites audience members to send in their personal success stories—even short ones—for possible inclusion in future episodes: “If you have a story, even if it's just something short, don't feel like you have to write something really long. Drop us an email...” (10:58)
Promises website updates, including a new press and media page to showcase mentions and interviews about the podcast and its impact.
Provides instructions for listeners to interact with the podcast on streaming platforms, emphasizing how ratings and reviews influence discoverability.

7. Upcoming Workshop Announcement: Time & Task Management Masterclass

Timestamp: 12:50 – 13:40

Announcement of a special online workshop on Time and Task Management for adults with ADHD on August 16th and 21st.
The workshop tackles why traditional time management fails for “hunter-type” brains and blends practical tools with emotional management.
Key topics include:
- ADHD-informed approaches to time management
- Hybrid (digital & paper) systems
- Mind mapping and mindful scheduling
- Emotional regulation for consistency

Quote:
“The entire workshop is just about finding ways that feel more intuitive for us to move through the world and specifically handle time management and task management.” (13:28)

Most Memorable Moments & Quotes

“I know what it feels like when you hear me talk about overwhelm. I know exactly what that feels like.” (04:13)
“…So important to just take that space, to tune into your environment, to tune into nature, to tune into the people you care about around you. That's the most important thing.” (06:12)
“Most of the things that I talked about then still apply now.” (08:35)

Important Segments / Timestamps

Introduction & 10-Year Milestone Announcement: 02:13 – 04:50
Personal Nature Connection Story: 05:15 – 06:45
ADHD as Neurotype Philosophy: 07:10 – 09:10
Invitation for Success Stories: 10:30 – 11:42
Workshop Announcement & Details: 12:50 – 13:48

Conclusion

This celebratory episode stands as both a retrospective and a call to action, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to empower “hunter-types” through community, holistic strategies, and reframing ADHD as a set of strengths and navigable challenges. Michael’s tone remains authentic, grateful, and encouraging, setting the stage for a new season of listener-centered content and practical support.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Hey everyone. Really quick time and Task Management Online workshop happening on August 16th and 21st. It's the masterclass. I think we're only going to do one of those this year, so if you're interested, go to drummerinthegreatmountain.com workshop. There's more info on it at the end of this episode.

B (0:35)

Welcome to the Drummer and the Great Mountain, a podcast where we share effective tips and practices for working with adults. Add ADHD in a natural, effective way without the use of medications. Each episode join me, your host Batman Saram, along with the author of the Drummer and the Great Mountain, Michael Joseph Ferguson. Join Michael and myself in an interactive discussion of sharing our stories as we journey together in transforming what can be the gift of being what we call hunter types. This podcast is intended to be your audio companion to the book written by Michael, who joins me each episode where we both will strive to foster dialogue, give you our personal insights, and share both of our experiences on this similar path that we are all on. Our intention and hope is that along with the book, this podcast gives you an additional perspective as you listen to us, delve deeper into each chapter of the book to give you even more tools to go along with what it is that you are reading. Visit us at drummerandthegreatmountain.com to purchase the book and look for more tools, tips and updates as well as giving us feedback on this podcast. Join our growing global community of creative types, entrepreneurs and out of the box thinkers on our shared journey. Welcome to the Drummer and the Great Mountain Podcast.

A (2:13)

Welcome everyone. Thanks for tuning in. I'm your host Michael Joseph Ferguson. I hope you're all doing well. So this is 2025 marks the 10 year anniversary of this podcast and we kind of can't believe it. We kind of just looked up and went wow, we've been doing this for 10 years and we were just looking at our stats the other day and we have 40,000 subscribers. We've had like 1.7 million plus downloads. I think it's actually quite a bit more than that. It's unbelievable and kind of overwhelming. When we first started this, this was just a very organic thing. I put the book out. Obviously I put a lot of time and energy into the book, but the podcast was never something I had even thought about doing. And thanks to all of you who listened, especially at the beginning, who've stayed with us through all this time. We have so many people that have been with us since the beginning of this podcast. So in honor of that, to connect in with all of you and to connect in with the community. Over the next few months we will be feature featuring interviews with people from our community that have integrated a lot of things we talk about who've been listening for a long time and they've got remarkable stories. Oh my gosh. There's a few episodes coming up here that are just extraordinary and things that I didn't even know about some of these people who I've worked with as a coach and I've worked with them in workshops. But wow, phenomenal stories. You guys are going to love it. So I just really want to thank you all so much for taking the time to be with us for this journey. Some of you have been with us a long time, some of you are new, but just thank you all so much for the support you've given us and joining us in our community gatherings and in our workshops. It just means so much to us and me and Cuesta have been sort of at the heart of things for the many years we've been doing this. But I want to just give a big shout out to Bam and Saram who has been with us, who got this whole thing going, who was my co host and who will be joining us. I just spoke to him the other day. He'll be joining us for some episodes here coming up. So lots to tune into, lots to check out here. Please stay with us. I know it's been quiet the last couple months, but we're going to definitely have lots of new episodes through the end of this year. We're going to try to aim for a once a week episode as best we can, at least through October. As you can imagine, I'm wired like all of you and it's overwhelming. There's so much to do, but I know it'll be worth it. So if you're. I'm in it with you guys. I know what it, I know what it feels like when you hear me talk about overwhelm. I know exactly what that feels like. And I had a moment today when I was at the beach where I was running and I had all my thoughts in my head and then I just ran past some of these, some birds and I'm like, okay. And I just tuned it out and then I like process and I'm like, wait a minute, those are like snowy egrets which I almost never see at the beach and least turns which are also really rare. And I just went, what am I doing? I need to stop. And I finished my run and I walked back and I just connected in with that moment and just appreciated the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place and take this in and, and appreciate the moment. I thought, well, whatever I'm doing moving forward has to. I can't be so busy that I'm not taking in moments like this. And I have to constantly remind myself daily, especially when I'm very in my head and working on things, that it's so important to just take that space, to tune into your environment, to tune into nature, to tune into the people you care about around you. That's the most important thing. So from the beginning, the focus of me, the impetus for me writing the book the Drummer and the Great Mountain and eventually putting out this podcast, was to have a point of view about ADHD that views it as a neurological type and not a disorder. And what was so heartening was to hear back from all of you saying, yes, we feel the same way. We've been artists, we've been doing all these things. We don't feel totally broken, but we have these certain areas that we struggle with. And it's hard to differentiate what is strength from what is challenge. And so that's been the journey. And we've been hearing from you, we get feedback from you. We put together podcasts that hopefully capture themes and ideas that are things you're struggling with, that expand upon what I wrote about in the Drummer and the Great Mountain. What I can say is 10 years on to this podcast, 11 years since the, the publication of the book. I wouldn't change a lot. Most of the things that I talked about then still apply now. So I A lot of the episodes coming up here in the next couple months with interviews with people from our audience are going to showcase what worked like what worked over longer periods of time, not just for two months or three months, but years. And so I want you to take in as you listen to some of these interviews. It takes time, it takes commitment. It's not easy. These aren't quick fix solutions. They involve self awareness and mindfulness. It's about how you put your life together in a way that it leans things in your favor. And you'll be hearing from people that did that, that still struggle, just like I struggle every day. But. But they've been able to achieve amazing things as a result of leaning on their strengths and understanding what they need to do on a daily basis to keep themselves centered. So a couple requests. One is if you have a success story or a story about something that we've shared on this podcast that's been helpful to you, please consider dropping us an email@inforummarinthegreatmountain.com I will share and read as many as I possibly can in the next couple episodes as we go through and do some of these interviews. So if you have a story, even if it's just something short, don't feel like you have to write something really long. Drop us an email infodrummerandthegreatmountain.com and we're doing a bit of makeover on our drummerinthegreatmountain.com website and I'm going to add a page on press and media that's going to showcase so many of the people that have mentioned this podcast. There's been interviews with people that have mentioned us recently, artists and professionals that have talked about us. There's been YouTube videos made on discussing the book the Drummer and the Great Mountain. So I have done very little work in terms of actually showcasing any of that, and I feel really bad about it. So we'll be creating a whole page on the Drummer and the Great Mountain just to feature those mentions as well as we'll be doing some press here on the 10th anniversary of this podcast. So we might be getting some articles written on us. So I'll be posting those there as well. And one other big request and unfortunately, this is just the nature of living in the modern world and I have major issues with it. So understand this is not me condoning how our world, especially the digital world, is set up, but we are ruled by algorithms. So when people do searches, if people are not interacting or liking our podcast, then people just don't find it. So if you wouldn't mind, if you're someone who's been listening to this podcast for a long time, when you use like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, hop on, maybe give us a. Like, give us a rating on Spotify. If you're on Apple, maybe consider writing us a review. It so helps, even if it's just like two sentences, it helps keep people aware that we exist. And especially because the next couple months I think we're going to have some episodes that you're going to really like. If you're not on our email list, please consider going to drummerinthegreatmountain.com join the email list I'm going to try to do some book giveaways, maybe some workshop giveaways here in the next couple months. I'm also going to be going through the archives and picking out some that I know that I've heard from many of you really liked or that was something very helpful from that particular episode. Going back a ways, and I may add a little commentary at the beginning, give a little bit of context, maybe add something to that episode that I did not cover, that I would have liked to have covered. So you'll definitely be hearing more from us over the next couple months and I'm very much looking forward to that. And finally, just one quick announcement. We will have our next online time and task Management workshop happening on August 16th and 21st. This is the masterclass. We do this once, sometimes twice a year and it's primarily focused on helping you create system that support greater accomplishment, consistency, follow through. It is really like how do we approach time management with the hyper creative brains we have? Because so many of us struggle with keeping with the time management system, keeping with a planner, keeping with apps that we're using. So this one's really dedicated to how do we have the tools create the systems that we can keep with and stay with? And we cover both all of the logistics of that as well as on day two, the second session is all about emotional management. How do we manage our emotions that come up that keep us from staying consistent with our time management system? I feel like that piece is so important otherwise you can have all the tools in the world, but if you don't know how to manage when things come up or things derail you, the best tools in the world won't help. So specifically we'll be covering why traditional time management techniques do not work for us, how to approach time management from an ADHD neurodivergent perspective, strategies for digital and paper based or hybrid approaches to time management, note taking strategies. We'll be talking a bit about mind mapping, the importance of mindful scheduling, knowing when to schedule certain tasks, and as I mentioned, the understanding the emotional components, getting into the nitty gritty of okay, I've got this system. I've been working it for about a month and then I totally fell apart. How do I get back online again? This is about smarter, not harder. The entire workshop is just about finding ways that feel more intuitive for us to move through the world and specifically handle time management and task management. We'd love to have you join us. You can go to drummerinthegreatmountain.comworkshop for more information and you'll be connecting with all the people that listen to this podcast from around the world. So it's always fun. Always get really good feedback from our time management workshop. So hope you can join us. August 16th and August 21st and that's it. So until next time, be well.