Podcast Summary

Podcast: I Have ADHD Podcast
Episode: 📣 I Need to Tell You Something About This Podcast (Don’t Skip This One!)
Host: Kristen Carder
Date: October 24, 2025

Overview:

This short, candid episode serves as an important update from host Kristen Carder about significant changes coming to the “I Have ADHD Podcast.” Kristen details the decision to introduce advertisements into the show for the first time in its six-year history. She covers the reasons behind this change, her commitment to transparency, and her continued dedication to serving the ADHD community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage

Kristen opens with her signature warm, welcoming tone, emphasizing this episode is different:

"[...] This is going to be short and sweet. Yes, this is coming out on a Thursday. It's a bite sized episode, but it is brand new. It's brand, brand new. I am here with an update. A little update from me to you." (01:08)

2. The Reality of Podcast Production Costs

Kristen explains the behind-the-scenes reality and rising expenses:
- Expenses include editing, production, distribution, music licensing, transcripts, marketing, and paying her team.
- In 2025 alone, she notes she’s spent more than $35,000 on podcast costs.
"This year alone, in 2025, I've spent more than 35 days, thousand dollars on podcast expenses. And listen, that's Fine. It's a cost of doing business. But I need to tell you that it's gotten to a point where I really can't continue to carry the cost completely on my own anymore." (02:04)

3. The Decision to Introduce Ads

Starting November 1st, listeners will hear ads at the beginning and middle of each episode:

"Starting November 1st, that's like, very, very soon, you're going to begin hearing ads on the show. Like, you know the kind of ads that you hear on every other podcast." (02:40)
Kristen emphasizes her resistance to ads in the past, having only partnered with two advertisers in over six years.

4. Transparency and Respect for the Audience

Kristen is intentional in sharing this update directly, rather than allowing ads to appear without explanation:

"I really respect you. I really appreciate you. You've been so loyal. Many of you have listened for years and years, and I do feel like you deserve transparency. You deserve to know." (03:54)
She acknowledges that change can be hard, especially for the neurodivergent, and wants to give listeners time to process:

"Transitions can feel jarring. So I wanted to give you a heads up and some time for you to prepare your heart, your soul, your mind for this." (04:13)

5. Addressing Listener Concerns

She is aware that ads may be frustrating and asks listeners for understanding:

"...if they are super jarring, like, go ahead and press that fast forward button. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's okay. But please understand my heart behind this decision. I'm not trying to sell out. I'm really just trying to keep the show sustainable and available to everyone who needs it and wants." (04:29)
Requests listeners not to react with negative reviews, and assures them she will only partner with brands that align with her values and serve the ADHD community:

"Please know that I will continue to be intentional about the companies and brands that I work with. I'm not just going to accept any sponsorship." (05:11)

6. How Listeners Can Support the Podcast

Kristen invites support through continued listening and positive engagement:

“So if you value this podcast, which I think you do, the best way you can support is just keep listening and be cool. Like, just keep listening. Just be cool.” (05:00)
She encourages supporting advertised brands if listeners find a product genuinely useful, as it directly supports the podcast’s sustainability.

7. Reaffirming the Podcast’s Purpose

Kristen finishes by reaffirming her mission to serve the ADHD community with compassion and helpful, honest content:

“I've always created this podcast with one goal in mind, which is to serve you, to give you real and helpful and compassionate content that helps you understand yourself and your ADHD a little bit better. And this hasn't changed. This decision doesn't change my heart or my mission.” (06:00)
She expresses deep gratitude for the community’s support, whether listeners are new or long time fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Transparency:

"I do feel like you deserve transparency. You deserve to know. You deserve to be told." (03:54)
On the Emotional Side of Change:

"Transitions can feel jarring. So I wanted to give you a heads up and some time for you to prepare your heart, your soul, your mind for this. Emotionally, spiritually, like, oh, we're gonna transition together." (04:13)
On Staying True to the Mission:

"This decision doesn't change my heart or my mission. It's simply a practical step so that I can keep showing up up for you." (06:16)
On Listener Appreciation:

"Every download, every share, every time you recommend the show to a friend, it matters to me." (05:49)
Sign-off:

"I love you guys." (07:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:36 – Kristen officially opens the update episode
01:08 – Announcement: The episode will be short, personal, and important
02:04 – Breakdown of podcast production costs and the financial reality
02:40 – Official announcement: Ads are coming starting November 1st
03:54 – On prioritizing transparency and respecting listeners
04:13 – Understanding change and preparing the ADHD audience
05:00 – How to support the podcast during this transition
06:00 – Reaffirmation of the podcast's mission and values
07:58 – Heartfelt sign-off

Conclusion

Kristen Carder's update is a heartfelt and transparent message about a major change for the "I Have ADHD Podcast"—the introduction of advertisements. She candidly discusses the unsustainable costs of production, thanks her loyal listeners, and affirms her ongoing commitment to the ADHD community. Kristen’s tone remains compassionate, honest, and reassuring throughout, inviting her audience to join her through this transition and continue supporting the podcast’s growth and accessibility.

For feedback or to share thoughts, listeners are encouraged to reach out: focused@ihaveadhd.com

Transcript

Anonymous Person 1 (0:01)

We're spending more than ever. I hate my job.

Kristen Carter (0:04)

The price of everything has gone up.

Anonymous Person 1 (0:06)

AI is threatening my job.

Kristen Carter (0:07)

It's crisis after crisis.

Anonymous Person 1 (0:09)

Nothing is working out.

Kristen Carter (0:10)

I can't find a We're one disaster.

James Patterson (advertisement voice) (0:12)

Take control of change.

Kristen Carter (0:15)

I need a change.

James Patterson (advertisement voice) (0:16)

Disruption is the force of change. Stop the chaos. Stop the madness. Take control. Read James Patterson's Disrupt Everything and win.

Kristen Carter (0:36)

Welcome to the I have ADHD podcast where it's all about education, encouragement and coaching for adults with adhd. I'm your host, Kristen Carter, and I have adhd. Let's chat about the frustrations, humor and challenges of adulting relationships, working and achieving with with this neurodevelopmental disorder. I'll help you understand your unique brain, unlock your potential and move from point A to point B.

Kristen Carter (1:08)

Hey, what's up? This is Kristen Carter and you are listening to the I have ADHD podcast. I am medicated, caffeinated, regulated and ready to roll. Hello. Hello. Come in, get cozy. This is going to be short and sweet. Yes, this is coming out on a Thursday. It's a bite sized episode, but it is brand new. It's brand, brand new. I am here with an update. A little update from me to you. There's not going to be any teaching or tips or deep dives in this episode. It's just me chatting with you about something important. Something important that is changing with the podcast. And you are the first to know. So let me give you a little background. For over six years now, I've been producing the I have ADHD podcast and. And for all of that time, I've done my very best to keep it as ad free as possible. I've always wanted this show to feel uninterrupted. Honestly, I've wanted it to feel uninterrupted. A place where you could calm and learn and laugh, maybe even cry a little. Feel seen without having to sit through ads. But I need to tell you that I've reached a point where that's just not sustainable for me anymore. So I'm going to give you some real talk. I don't think that most people realize what it costs to produce a podcast at this level. It's not just me sitting here at the mic. There's editing and production and distribution and hosting, music licensing, transcripts, marketing, my team, et cetera, et cetera. There's a lot that goes into it to give you some perspective. This year alone, in 2025, I've spent more than 35 days, thousand dollars on podcast expenses. And listen, that's Fine. It's a cost of doing business. But I need to tell you that it's gotten to a point where I really can't continue to carry the cost completely on my own anymore. So here's what I'm here to tell you. Starting November 1st, that's like, very, very soon, you're going to begin hearing ads on the show. Like, you know the kind of ads that you hear on every other podcast. You're going to hear them at the beginning and at the middle of each episode, just again, like every other podcast. But I'm here to tell you this because it's new for me. It's going to be new for you, too. And we don't really like new. I mean, we do when it involves dopamine and novelty, but a change like this is a little bit, you know, it might be a little hard, and I've resisted it for a long time. If you've been with me a while, you know that I've only ever partnered with two advertisers in the last six plus years. And that was a really intentional choice. But as costs continue to rise, this is actually an intentional choice for me as well. I had to make a decision. Either scale back the quality and consistency of the podcast or allow advertising so that the show can continue to exist and grow. And of course, I'm gonna choose to keep going because I love making this podcast for you. So why am I telling you this? There's a few reasons why I wanted to share this directly with you instead of just letting the ad start appearing. I think. I think in most cases, people would just like, let the ad start appearing and it would just be like, whatever. Like, they wouldn't even mention it. They wouldn't even address it. But I have a couple reasons why, like, hey, I'm here with real talk. Just very straightforward for. First of all, I really respect you. I really appreciate you. You've been so loyal. Many of you have listened for years and years, and I do feel like you deserve transparency. You deserve to know. You deserve to be told. Second, I. I know that change can be hard for us neurodivergent folks. Transitions can feel jarring. So I wanted to give you a heads up and some time for you to prepare your heart, your soul, your mind for this. Emotionally, spiritually, like, oh, we're gonna transition together. Okay. Third, I'm really hoping that this doesn't result in a flood of negative reviews. And I completely understand that ads can be annoying. I have felt that way on other podcasts, but, like, if they are super jarring, like, go ahead and press that fast forward button. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's okay. But please understand my heart behind this decision. I'm not trying to sell out. I'm really just trying to keep the show sustainable and available to everyone who needs it and wants. So if you value this podcast, which I think you do, the best way you can support is just keep listening and be cool. Like, just keep listening. Just be cool. And please know that I will continue to be intentional about the companies and brands that I work with. I'm not just going to accept any sponsorship. I'll be partnering only with brands that align with my values and that generally serve people with adhd. So if you ever hear an ad on the show and think, oh, that sounds interesting, that sounds useful, go check it out. Please support the brands because that's one of the most direct ways that you can support this podcast and ensure that it can keep going for years to come. And even if you never buy a thing, that's no problem at all. Your continued listenership means the world to me. The fact that you're here, the fact that you press play on these podcast episodes, the fact that you share it with your friends and family in your community, that means everything to me. Every download, every share, every time you recommend the show to a friend, it matters to me. I want to end by saying this. I've always created this podcast with one goal in mind, which is to serve you, to give you real and helpful and compassionate content that helps you understand yourself and your ADHD a little bit better. And this hasn't changed. This decision doesn't change my heart or my mission. It's simply a practical step so that I can keep showing up up for you. So thank you, truly. Thank you for sticking with me for listening all these years or for being a brand new listener. Like, I'm so glad that you're here. Thank you for trusting me with your time and your attention. I love this community. I. I absolutely love what we get to do here. And I hope that you'll continue to walk alongside the pod through this next chapter. And if you have thoughts or feedback I want to hear from you, you can email me at focused have ADHD.com that's focused have ADHD.com I would love to hear from you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for being cool. Thank you for being here.