Podcast
Organizing an ADHD Brain
Hosted by Megs Crawford · EN
Organizing an ADHD Brain is the podcast for people who are tired of organizing advice that just doesn't stick. Host Megs Crawford — ADHD coach, professional organizer, and fellow ADHDer — goes beyond the bins and labels to explore the whole picture: how your nervous system, beliefs, and environment all work together to either support or sabotage your ability to function.
Each episode offers permission-giving, judgment-free strategies rooted in how ADHD brains actually work — because real organization isn't about a perfect system. It's about building a life that works for you.
With over 100,000 downloads and counting, this is the show where messy is welcome and progress beats perfect every time.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What Grows Back After You Let Go
2w ago00:28:04Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs breaks down the "deadheading" analogy, removing what's no longer living so your energy and resources can go toward what will actually thrive. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are.By the end, you'll have a new framework for making decluttering decisions that feel regulated, intentional, and aligned with where you're actually going, not where you've been.Megs shares the real story behind letting go of most of her family's belongings before their move from Colorado to Massachusetts. When she and Adam learned that moving pods could cost up to $16,000, they made a different call, sell, gift, donate, and occasionally discard. What followed was an unexpectedly emotional process of untangling identity, memory, and nervous system strain from the objects filling their home.She reflects on the time cost of selling, the weight of repeated decision-making, and how Dana K. White's decluttering questions helped her make choices that felt grounded rather than reactive. She shares memorable exchanges with buyers and neighbors, what they chose to keep (sentimental ornaments made the cut), and how renting furnished places freed them from the pressure of building a "perfect" space, and let them focus on what was actually next.The good news? You don't have to let go of everything. You just have to get clear on what you're growing toward, and deadheading gets a lot easier from there.This episode is for anyone with ADHD who is holding onto more than they need and is ready to make peace with letting go.Products mentioned in this episode: Colorful storage drawers with gold knobs: https://amzn.to/3Pxt9oY 3-tier rolling cart: https://amzn.to/3PgYDQmOrganizing an ADHD Brain is supported by its audience: when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →What I Planned For and What Actually Happened
3w ago00:24:13Tap to summarizeWhat if the hardest part of a big life change isn't the logistics, it's everything that happens while you're in the middle of it?On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs walks through what it really looks like when a carefully made plan meets real life; grief, fear, and all. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are.By the end, you'll have a new way to think about the messy middle, not as failure, but as temporary data pointing you toward what matters most.Megs gets real about her fourth move of the year, relocating from Colorado to Massachusetts after selling their home in July 2025. She came prepared: early packing, labeled boxes, a full week off to settle in. Then the plan met life. What followed was a week of grief, anxiety, and move-related chaos that no amount of planning could have prevented.She explores why change is uncomfortable even when it's good, how clutter and unfinished logistics amplify emotional overwhelm for ADHD brains, and why regulation in those moments comes down to something simple, reminding yourself that you are safe. She shares the choice she kept making that week: putting down the unfinished tasks to be present with her kids, even when everything around her felt undone.The good news? The messy middle isn't a sign that something went wrong. It's information. And choosing presence over perfection, even once, even imperfectly, is always the right move.This episode is for anyone with ADHD who is navigating a season of change and needs permission to put down the to-do list and just be okay for a minute.TIME MARKERS 2:45 — How Megs planned the move: early packing, labeled boxes, a week to settle in 4:39 — When life hits: a friend's death, a community crisis, and Charlotte's hospital visit 7:22 — Finding home again in the middle of grief and chaos 10:23 — How clutter and unfinished logistics amplify ADHD overwhelm, and what regulation actually looks like 14:45 — Choosing presence over productivity, putting down the tasks to be with her kids 18:14 — Lessons from the week: what the messy middle was actually teaching her 22:17 — Permission to pause, why stopping is sometimes the most regulated choice Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →How to Stop the ADHD Crash Cycle and Start Regulating with Jenna Free
4w ago00:56:37Tap to summarizeDoes it ever feel like you're constantly running on empty, rushing, crashing, and starting the whole cycle over again?On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs welcomes back therapist and author Jenna Free to talk about her book, The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, and what it actually means to heal your nervous system instead of just managing it. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are.By the end, you'll understand why so many ADHD coping strategies keep you stuck, and what a different approach to regulation could make possible for your everyday life.Jenna explains how many ADHDers live in chronic fight-or-flight, caught in frantic crash cycles that quietly make executive functioning and symptoms worse over time. Her approach isn't about more homework, better organization systems, or forcing your way through, it's about retraining your nervous system toward genuine balance. They dig into why rushing, rigid cleanliness, hustle culture, and constant news and social media scrolling can all function as attempts to soothe dysregulation rather than actually resolve it..The good news? Regulation isn't about becoming a different person or achieving a perfect life. It's about building enough internal stability that you can stay okay — no matter what the messy middle throws at you.Grab Jenna's book, The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4w7Z14dThis episode is for anyone with ADHD who is exhausted by the cycle of hacking and crashing and is ready to try something that goes a little deeper.Jenna Free is a therapist, ADHD specialist, and the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, a practical, structured approach to retraining the nervous system for people who are tired of hacks and ready for something that actually sticks. Diagnosed with ADHD herself at 32, Jenna brings both lived experience and deep clinical expertise to her work helping ADHDers move out of chronic fight-or-flight and into a life that feels more balanced, more spacious, and a lot less frantic. instagram: @adhdwithjennafreewebsite: ADHDwithJennafree.com1:25 — From coping and hacking to actually healing 3:16 — The eureka moment behind her method 9:35 — The "messy middle" 15:34 — Control, perfectionism, and how they show up as dysregulation in disguise 19:05 — The power of doing one thing at a time for an ADHD nervous system 22:46 — What it actually means to be dysregulated 25:09 — How Jenna's method differs 29:35 — ADHD dysregulation vs. trauma dysregulation 34:40 — How regulation creates space for ambition instead of replacing it 39:11 — News, doomscrolling, and the beliefs quietly driving the habit 44:22 — Choosing presence as a daily practice — what that looks like in real life 47:56 — Kids, screens, and the underrated value of boredom 54:07 — No shame, just curiosity — how to wrap it all togetherShare your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →What Does Planning with ADHD Actually Look Like?
Apr 2200:38:31Tap to summarizeHave you ever looked at a blank weekly planner and thought, I don't even know where to start?On this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, ADHD coach Megs teaches how to make a plan that actually works for an ADHD brain, without needing it to be perfect. Whether you're looking for ADHD coaching, a supportive ADHD community, or practical ways to get organized, this episode meets you where you are.By the end, you'll have a new way to think about planning, one that bends instead of breaks, and actually helps you feel more regulated instead of more overwhelmed.Megs gets real about a hard day juggling two young kids and another move, then pushes back on the idea that ADHD brains just can't plan. Plans, rhythms, and routines can absolutely work, when they're simple, written down, and treated as flexible guides instead of rigid rules to fail at.Using meal planning as her anchor example, she shares what she learned living temporarily on a mountain in Georgia (far from any grocery store), and how she eventually built a Sunday meal-planning habit in Massachusetts that reduced both overwhelm and overspending, even on the weeks it still fell apart. She walks through how to notice what isn't working, break goals into small steps, set intentions with reminders and support like body doubling, and build a "bare minimum" plan for your worst days so you stay regulated even when life gets chaotic.The good news? A plan doesn't have to be beautiful or complete to work. It just has to exist, and this episode shows you exactly how to build one you'll actually use.This episode connects to an earlier conversation about all-or-nothing thinking, if that resonates, check out the "Burn It All Down" episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/organizing-an-adhd-brain/id1728728980?i=1000760213135Looking for more meal-planning and organizing support? Join Megs' Circle community, a space built for ADHD brains who want accountability and connection without the pressure. > Join HereThis episode is for anyone who has ever given up on planning because it felt too hard to do it perfectly, and is ready to try a different way.Time Stamps:2:03 — An Instagram video about ADHD planning sparks a reframe 3:23 — Why plans fail: and why that's not the whole story 4:26 — The Georgia meal planning story: planning on a mountain far from groceries 7:46 — Building a Sunday meal-planning routine in Massachusetts 11:26 — Keeping plans simple, written, and flexible 13:25 — Beliefs, small wins, and what actually builds momentum 17:04 — What a plan really is — and what it doesn't have to be 18:25 — How to reverse-engineer a goal into something doable4:03 — Setting intentions, reminders, and using body doubling for support 29:27 — Expecting imperfection: treating plans like projects, not promises 32:12 — Building a bare minimum plan for your hardest days 35:52 — Community invite and closing thoughtsShare your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →Adult Timeouts and Habit Stacks: A Real Talk on Self-Care with Stephanie Wall Morrow
Apr 1500:47:41Tap to summarizeWhat if self-care isn't about bubble baths and spa days, but about planning, habit stacking, and finally feeling like you have your life together?In this episode, Megs sits down with Stephanie Wall Murrow, founder of the Self-Care Circle, to talk about her late ADHD diagnosis at 37, how postpartum anxiety led her to finally get answers, and how she turned a career in audiology business development, yoga, and mindfulness into coaching that actually meets ADHD brains where they are.Stephanie reframes what self-care really means; think meal prep, laying your clothes out the night before, scheduling rest on your calendar, and giving yourself an "adult timeout" before you burn out. She and Megs dig into habit stacking, morning routines, body doubling, and why tiny accessible steps beat big dramatic overhauls every single time.If you've ever felt like self-care is one more thing you're failing at, this episode will change how you see it. Practical, warm, and full of real talk. This one is worth a listen.Stephanie Wall Murrow is the founder of the Self-Care Circle and a coach who helps people recognize where mental overload is quietly getting in the way, not in obvious ways, but in the small moments that build up over time. After working with over 1,000 businesses and 9,000 individuals, she knows exactly how it feels to start one thing, switch to another, lose track of what mattered most, and end the day more drained than when it started. Her work blends mindfulness, accountability, and practical self-care tools to help you feel clear, focused, and more in control of how you move through your day. Find Stephanie at myselfcarecircle.com @myselfcarecircle on Instagram Free guide: ADHD-friendly clarity and focusTIME MARKERS1:09 — Stephanie shares how her ADHD journey began as a high-achieving, constantly tired student 7:01 — Shifting from "what if" to "what now" — reframing the diagnosis as an explanation 11:34 — Accountability tools, body doubling, and how she coaches clients with ADHD 15:31 — Habit stacking and building morning routines that actually stick 20:37 — Practical self-care: meal prep, laying clothes out, finances, and planning ahead 25:58 — Why habits — not magic — are what create lasting change 29:24 — Embracing the messy middle without shame 30:41 — Habit stacking specifically for self-care routines 31:43 — Putting self-care on the calendar like any other commitment 32:38 — The "adult timeout" — what it is and why it works 35:36 — Schedule it or burn out: making rest non-negotiable 39:10 — Pick one tiny thing and start there 43:50 — The curiosity-first approach and a five-star self-check-in 44:41 — Modeling self-care for your kids Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →Burn It All Down: The ADHD Brain's All-or-Nothing Trap
Apr 800:36:12Tap to summarizeHave you ever looked at a messy room and thought "forget it, I'll just burn it all down"? That's all-or-nothing thinking, and if you have ADHD, it's probably showing up in your laundry, your to-do list, and everywhere in between.In this episode, Megs breaks down why all-or-nothing thinking isn't a character flaw, it's actually a flight response, your nervous system trying to protect you from overwhelm. She explains how it keeps us stuck through perfectionism, procrastination, hiding messes, and waiting for the "perfect moment" to start, and why that moment never comes.The good news? You can build new brain muscles. Megs walks through tiny, doable steps; one dish, five minutes, touching the laundry once, that starts to rewire the pattern over time without requiring you to overhaul your entire life first.She also shares personal examples, why community and support matter, and where to find help if you want to go deeper. If you're looking for an ADHD-informed therapist, check out Neurodivergent Therapists, Psychology Today, and Zencare, all great places to find someone who gets it.This one is practical, validating, and a great place to start if all-or-nothing thinking has been keeping you stuck.TIME MARKERS0:39 — Welcome and the "burn it all down" feeling — what all-or-nothing thinking actually looks like 1:55 — What all-or-nothing thinking is and how it connects to your ADHD brain 4:29 — Why this pattern keeps you stuck: overwhelm, perfectionism, and the impossible starting line 8:11 — How to start noticing where all-or-nothing thinking shows up in your daily life 11:14 — Starting small and building the brain muscle — why tiny actions actually work 13:55 — Real five-minute win examples: dishes, laundry, work sessions, and more 18:54 — Tiny steps in action: Megs shares personal examples from her own life 22:21 — The "not enough until it's done" trap — and how to break out of it 28:14 — Why community and being believed in makes a real difference 31:57 — Therapy and helpful resources: Neurodivergent Therapists, Psychology Today, and Zencare 33:31 — Do one thing today — your simple starting point 34:55 — Closing thoughts and what's coming nextShare your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →ADHD at Work Doesn't Have to Mean Struggling in Silence with Meghan Brown-Enyia
Apr 100:47:02Tap to summarizeMeghan Brown-Enyia is an ADHD coach, social worker, and the founder of ADHD at Work. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, she brings 15+ years of experience in HR, nonprofit leadership, and social work — plus her own lived experience — to help individuals and organizations better support neurodiverse employees. She specializes in executive function strategies, workplace accommodations, and helping people stop masking and start thriving. You can find her practical, solutions-focused content all over the internet and in your new favorite corner of the ADHD community.adhdatwork.co@adhdatwork on InstagramLinkedInIf you've ever felt like your ADHD brain doesn't belong in a professional environment — this episode is for you.Megs sits down with her friend Meghan Brown-Enyia, ADHD coach and founder of ADHD at Work, to talk about what it really looks like to navigate a career with ADHD. From late diagnosis to masking at work, asking for accommodations, and finding your people in the ADHD community — this conversation goes deep and keeps it real.Meghan shares her own journey of being diagnosed after years working in special education, and how she turned her MSW background and HR expertise into a coaching practice that supports both employees and the companies they work for. They also get into the "messy middle" — what it means to be a work in progress, embrace imperfection, and build a life that actually works for your brain.Whether you're looking for an ADHD coach, trying to figure out how to ask for workplace accommodations, or just want to feel less alone in this — pull up a chair.Topics covered: late ADHD diagnosis, ADHD in the workplace, ADHD coaching, executive function strategies, workplace accommodations, disclosure at work, psychological safety, masking, ADHD community, rest and burnout, organization systems, habit stacking.1:24 Late ADHD diagnosis4:30 Asking for accommodations7:12 Unmasking at work9:33 Showing up authentically online13:46 Rest without shame15:14 Social media and business17:58 Service vs. income20:55 Workplace coaching ROI22:20 The messy middle workbook23:35 Conference goals mindset27:20 Owning the messy middle29:40 Ask for support systems31:00 Slow down strategically33:37 Digital, mental, and physical order38:59 Rules and habit stacking at home42:30 Stop the 'should' timeline44:36 Where to find MeghanShare your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →Why Is Change So Hard? (Even When You Want It)
Mar 2500:35:14Tap to summarizeDrawing from The Charisma Myth and her work coaching adults with ADHD, Megs breaks down why lasting change requires both a clear vision and a deep belief that you're capable of it. She explores why people with ADHD often carry limiting beliefs that block growth, how the dopamine pull of novelty (hello, online shopping) fits into that picture, and what it actually feels like to sit in discomfort long enough to forge a new path.Article referenced in show: Never Enough: Why ADHD Brains Crave StimulationWhether you're part of an ADHD community looking for real talk, searching for an ADHD coach, or just trying to figure out why you keep ending up back at square one — this episode will give you language, perspective, and empowering beliefs to carry with you.You'll hear: the hiking metaphor for building new habits, the "Pandora's box" of self-awareness, why community and coaching accelerate change, and a set of affirmations you can repeat daily — including "My patterns kept me safe. I get to choose different now" and "Good things are allowed to happen to me and stay."In This Episode:04:57 — Why your beliefs are blocking change (even when you're trying really hard) 06:26 — What discomfort actually is — and why it's proof you're capable 10:20 — How therapy, ADHD coaching, and mindset work together 13:45 — A guitar lesson on the power of community for ADHDers 15:45 — No-spend month as a real-life example of belief in action 19:15 — The Pandora's box of self-awareness: facing data, emotions, and avoided realities 22:12 — The hiking metaphor: forging a new path through your brain 27:56 — Be the hero of your own story — and take action 29:54 — Beliefs to repeat daily if you have ADHD Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →Two ADHD Brains, One Household: Kendall's Tools for Couples and Cloudy Days
Mar 1800:37:15Tap to summarizeIf you've ever struggled to explain a hard mental health moment to your child — or wondered how to hold your ADHD brain together as a parent — this episode is for you.Megs sits down with Kendall, mental health advocate and children's book author, to talk about something most of us never learned how to do: make our inner emotional world visible to the people who love us most. Kendall shares her journey from lifelong anxiety diagnosis to ADHD discovery, how postpartum depression cracked her open, and the "cloud" metaphor she created so her kids could understand mom's hard days without fear or confusion.🎧 What We Talk AboutUnderstanding your own brain first — Kendall spent years being told she had anxiety before landing on an ADHD diagnosis that finally made sense. If your mental health story has kept shifting, you'll feel seen here.The cloud metaphor that changed everything — After PPD, Kendall needed a way to say "mom is struggling today" without clinical language or blame. ADHD tools for couples — Kendall and her husband have different ADHD patterns. She shares "pause" check-ins, shared lists, and strategies that actually work when two executive-function-challenged brains are building a life together.Care kits for hard days — What goes in one? Simpler and more intentional than you'd expect.The book + pay-it-forward program — Kendall self-published Cloudy Day Chronicles to keep the family dialogue supportive rather than clinical, and now donates books through a pay-it-forward program and speaks with community organizations to connect parents to local mental health resources.About KendallKendall's greatest adventures began at home, as a mother. Her stories are inspired by the curiosity, humor, and boundless imagination of her children, who often help shape the characters and moments that appear on the page. Alongside her husband Matt and their dog Kiaora, she fills her days with laughter, exploration, and just the right amount of playful weirdness. When she's not creating stories, Kendall can usually be found where the wild things are.⏱️ Jump To01:12 — From mental health struggles to becoming an author02:07 — Postpartum depression and the birth of the cloud metaphor03:26 — Inside the Cloudy Day Chronicles book12:21 — ADHD tools for couples with different patterns18:46 — Building a care kit for cloudy days23:42 — How (and why) to ask for support out loud27:12 — Publishing choices and drawing the family line29:56 — Advocacy work and connecting parents to resources33:36 — Community impact and closing thoughts35:16 — Where to find the book📚 Resources & LinksCloudy Day Chronicles — Author's Website/Buy The BookFollow Kendall — Substack/InstagramOrganizing an ADHD Brain is a podcast for humans with ADHD who are done with shame.Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →Weight Loss, Sobriety, and Decluttering: The Messy Middle is the Point
Mar 1100:37:40Tap to summarizeIf you've ever started a weight loss journey, tried to declutter your home, or attempted to quit a habit — and felt like you were doing it "wrong" because it wasn't linear or easy — this episode is for you. As an ADHD coach for women, Megs Crawford digs into why quick fixes don't create lasting change, and why going through the "messy middle" is actually what builds sustainability, self-trust, and genuine self-understanding — especially for an ADHD brain.Using real stories from her own life, Megs shares her experience pursuing bariatric surgery and the required nutrition coaching, therapy, strict dietary changes, and body-image work that came with it; getting sober through a structured program, confronting depression and navigating triggers like ordering drinks in social settings, and maintaining sobriety for nearly four years; and decluttering her home through trial and error, selling items, lowering barriers, and discovering which organizing systems actually fit her ADHD patterns.She also connects these lessons to parenting a child through uncomfortable transitions, showing how the messy middle isn't just a personal growth concept — it's a life skill. If you're a woman with ADHD looking for an approach to organizing, sobriety, or weight loss that meets your brain where it is (instead of shaming you for not fitting a neurotypical mold), this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. 03:11 Cora And The Transition 04:17 The Quick Fix Trap 06:57 Weight Loss And Surgery 11:10 Body Image And Self Talk 13:07 Quitting Drinking For Good 16:15 Sober Struggles And Tools 19:05 Decluttering With ADHD 22:39 Trial And Error Systems 27:25 Fix It Mindset Shift 31:32 Small Steps Build Rome Share your thoughts with Megs! Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to StartThe Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD BrainYou can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Transcribe →