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.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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 →Why Art Actually Fills You Up: The ADHD Brain on Color and Creativity with Eli Trier
Mar 400:42:03Tap to summarize🔁 Rerun from Fall 2024 — still so good, we had to bring it back.If you've ever felt guilty for loving color, keeping "too much," or struggling to maintain a minimalist space — this episode is your permission slip.Megs sits down with Eli Trier, an AuDHD neuroqueer artist based in Copenhagen, to talk about what it really means to organize and decorate as a neurodivergent person. Spoiler: it's not about having less. It's about having what fills you up.In this episode, you'll learn:Why colorful spaces aren't clutter — they're actually good for your ADHD brain (hello, dopamine 🧠)What maximalism really means and why it can be the most intentional way to liveHow art and color affect dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol — backed by scienceEli's late AuDHD diagnosis story and the emotional journey that followedHow to stop organizing out of guilt and start curating a space that genuinely supports youThis episode is for you if: ✔ You're a human with ADHD looking for less overwhelm at home ✔ You've tried minimalism and it just… didn't stick ✔ You want a neurodivergent-friendly approach to your space and your lifeConnect with Eli Trier: 🌐 Website ▶️ YouTubeTimestamps 00:14 Minimalism to Color 02:00 Meet Eli in Copenhagen 04:13 Diagnosis Journey 09:38 Art and Brain Chemistry 16:21 Maximalism Explained 26:21 Systems For Creative Chaos 32:45 Advice For Late Diagnosis 37:30 Final Thanks And ReflectionShare 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 and Flow State: How to Focus in a World Built to Distract You
Feb 1800:59:08Tap to summarizeBook: Deep WorkLearn more about Sukha:Join Steven's Flow State AppContact Steven: steven@thesukh.coIn this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, Megs talks with Steven Puri — ADHD-diagnosed entrepreneur, former film executive, and founder of Sukha — about flow states, distraction, and what it actually takes to focus in a world engineered to pull your attention away.Steven shares his journey from engineering and Hollywood to building a company centered on sustainable focus for neurodivergent brains. Together, they explore:What flow state really isWhy ADHD brains struggle with long to-do lists and context switchingThe nervous system layer of distractionWhy hiding all but your top three tasks increases follow-throughHow finishing one meaningful task a day shifts identitySteven explains Sukha’s “friendly nudge” approach — gently asking, “Is this helping you?” instead of harshly blocking websites — and how redefining productivity as time for what truly matters (family, creativity, community) changes everything.07:16 — What Flow State Actually Is (ADHD + Neuroscience Explained) Clear explanation of flow and why ADHD brains crave it.13:01 — Why Modern Distraction Feels Impossible to Beat Notifications, dopamine loops, and the attention economy.14:48 — ADHD Distraction & Regulation: Real-Life Examples Nervous system awareness + how distraction shows up day-to-day.29:56 — Multitasking vs Monotasking: The Context-Switch Trap Why switching tasks drains executive function.30:59 — ADHD To-Do List Paralysis & the “Top 3 Only” Strategy Reducing overwhelm to increase follow-through.32:15 — Breaking Big Goals Down: 1% Progress & Micro Practices Sustainable momentum instead of burnout cycles.28:15 — Beating the ‘I’m Behind’ Story: Identity & Momentum Rewriting self-narratives through action.48:59 — Redefining Success: The One Thing That Moves Your Life Forward Today Values-based productivity instead of hustle culture.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 →Choosing Hope Instead of Avoidance with ADHD
Feb 1100:29:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Megs explores organizing through the lens of ADHD, nervous system regulation, and the human need for comfort during difficult times. She shares a personal story about losing her childhood blankie to illustrate how comfort objects and familiar routines often help us feel safe — especially when life feels unpredictable or overwhelming.The episode also acknowledges the emotional weight of what’s happening in the world and how collective stress can quietly intensify avoidance, dysregulation, and the urge to retreat or “hide.” Through this discussion, the host differentiates between comforts that genuinely support regulation and those that keep people stuck.With compassion and honesty, the episode offers practical organizing insights, emotional regulation strategies, and reminders that seeking ease, structure, and hope is not a failure — it’s a form of care. The overall message centers on coming out of hiding, choosing supportive comforts, and remembering that progress doesn’t require perfection.Article: Exaggerated Emotions: How and Why ADHD Triggers Intense FeelingsPodcast Recommendation: Connection Project 360Episode Breakdown 01:21 – Childhood comfort objects and why they matter more than we realize 02:05 – Autonomy, choice, and trust in organizing decisions 04:04 – Why discomfort makes us cling to clutter, routines, or avoidance 07:47 – Emotional reactions, nervous system responses, and ADHD coping patterns 11:47 – Healthier comforts, regulation tools, and practical support strategies 16:37 – Hope, connection, and the role of community when things feel heavy 26:20 – Final reflections, reassurance, and encouragement to keep goingShare 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 →Learning to Let Life Be Messy (Without Giving Up on Yourself)
Feb 400:47:09Tap to summarizeMotherhood. Neurodivergence. Work-from-home life. Burnout. And that uncomfortable in-between season where nothing is falling apart… but nothing feels settled either.This episode is a deep exhale for anyone living in the messy middle.Megs sits down with Candice Janae — therapist, coach, writer, and fellow human navigating real life — to talk about what happens when life shifts, routines stop working, and you’re trying to stay aligned without burning yourself out.Together, they unpack how to:Adapt when life changes (again)Build systems that actually work for neurodivergent brainsLet go of guilt, perfection, and “this should be easier by now”Communicate needs and share the load at homeChoose rhythms and rituals over rigid routinesThis conversation is grounding, honest, and full of “oh wow, that’s me” moments — especially if you’re juggling caregiving, creativity, and a career.⏱️ Episode Breakdown (timestamps adjusted +39 seconds)02:22 — What “The Messy Middle” Actually Means 03:46 — When Life Happens: Navigating Unexpected Changes 05:31 — Coping with the Unknown (without spiraling) 13:02 — Aligning Your Values with Your Real-Life Needs 19:19 — Creating Systems That Work For You (Not Against You) 24:47 — Letting Go, Grief, and Embracing Change 25:04 — Holiday Decorations, Traditions, and Letting Them Evolve 26:07 — Adapting to New Living Spaces 27:08 — Creative, Neurodivergent-Friendly Organizing Solutions 30:55 — Progress in the Messy Middle (Even When It’s Not Pretty) 37:13 — Why Rhythms & Rituals Beat Routines Every Time 42:54 — Sharing the Load: Communication & Balance with Partners🌊 Guest Spotlight: Candice JanaeCandice is a private practice therapist by day and, in the online space, a burnout & balance coach for indie, self-employed, and freelance moms.She works closely with chronically ill and neurodivergent moms who are trying to do all the things — without losing themselves in the process.She’s also:An author of both fiction and nonfictionA water-lover (oceans, lakes, give her all of it)An introvert constantly navigating the push-pull between community and quietCandice brings a grounded, compassionate lens to burnout, balance, and identity — especially for moms who are exhausted from holding everything together.✨ Connect with CandiceInstagram / Threads: https://instagram.com/soul_cadence_coachingSubstack: https://soulcadencecoachconnect.substack.comWebsite: https://soulcadencecoaching.servicesShare 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 Do You React to Your Clutter?
Jan 2100:36:00Tap to summarizeThe Power of Noticing: Transforming Your Reactions to Clutter and LifeIn this episode, Megs—ADHD coach and professional organizer—dives into the practice of noticing as the true starting point for meaningful change. Before decluttering systems, routines, or productivity hacks can stick, we have to become aware of how we react.Megs explores the most common nervous-system responses to clutter and overwhelm—fight, flight, freeze, and appease—and explains how noticing these patterns without judgment creates space for compassion, curiosity, and choice. Through personal reflections and real client examples, she shows how noticing reveals triggers, beliefs, and habits that often run quietly in the background.Noticing can feel uncomfortable. It can bring grief, frustration, or resistance. But it’s also where growth begins. This episode invites you to stay curious, soften self-criticism, and understand that real transformation happens gradually—through awareness, not force.Episode Breakdown01:03 – Why noticing is the first step to lasting change 02:04 – Understanding patterns, triggers, and automatic reactions 02:29 – Real-life examples of noticing in everyday moments 05:00 – How judgment shuts down awareness (and what helps instead) 09:04 – Why noticing can feel uncomfortable—and why that’s normal 15:26 – Fight, flight, freeze, and appease responses explained 30:37 – Using curiosity to analyze reactions without shameShare 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
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