Revel In It: Attention Procrastinators!

Summary

Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson Episode Summary: "Revel In It: Attention Procrastinators!" Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Sibling Revelry, hosts Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson delve deep into the intricacies of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and its profound impact on individuals and their families. Joined by renowned ADHD expert Dr. Ned Hallowell, the conversation navigates personal experiences, misconceptions, and effective strategies for managing ADHD.

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Personal Journeys with ADHD

Kate and Oliver Hudson open up about their personal struggles with ADHD, sharing candid stories that highlight the challenges and triumphs associated with the condition.

• Kate Hudson (03:05):
  "I haven't had a drink in a month and not a cigarette in a month. I'm so proud of you."
  Kate discusses her journey toward sobriety, linking it to her ADHD-related impulsivity and addiction tendencies.

• Oliver Hudson (08:02):
  "I've had to help guide, even amidst my own struggles."
  Oliver reflects on recognizing ADHD in his son Ryder and the realization that ADHD affects various aspects of life beyond mere attention.

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Understanding ADHD: Insights from Dr. Ned Hallowell

Dr. Ned Hallowell provides a comprehensive overview of ADHD, challenging prevalent misconceptions and emphasizing its nature as a "way of being in the world" rather than a mere deficit.

• ADHD as a Variation, Not a Deficit:
  "ADHD is a variant on the theme of normal, but it's very much not normal." (09:56)
  Dr. Hallowell reframes ADHD as a unique neurological trait, highlighting its associated creativity and passion.

• Historical Perspective:
  "Simulant was first used to treat what we now call ADHD in 1937." (29:47)
  He provides historical context on ADHD treatment, tracing back to the use of amphetamines in the mid-20th century.

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The ADHD Spectrum and Its Multifaceted Nature

The conversation delves into the diverse manifestations of ADHD, debunking the notion that it’s a one-size-fits-all condition.

• Spectrum of ADHD:
  "No two ADDs are the same... There's a lot in common, but we're tremendously varied." (23:14)
  Dr. Hallowell emphasizes the wide range of experiences and symptoms within the ADHD spectrum.

• Positive Traits of ADHD:
  "The flip side of distractibility is curiosity... The flip side of impulsivity is creativity." (26:27)
  He highlights how characteristics often labeled negatively can be reframed as strengths.

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Managing ADHD: Tools and Strategies

Effective management of ADHD requires a multifaceted approach, combining knowledge, structure, and appropriate support.

• Essential Components for Managing ADHD:
  "You need knowledge, structure, and a coach." (27:09)
  Dr. Hallowell outlines the three pillars essential for navigating ADHD successfully.

• Medication as a Tool:
  "Medication is like eyeglasses. When it works, you see clearly." (28:56)
  He advocates for a balanced view of medication, recognizing its benefits while acknowledging potential hesitations.

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Impact on Daily Life and Relationships

ADHD profoundly affects various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors.

• Procrastination and Impulsivity:
  "We procrastinate because we crave high stimulation... We create a crisis to get that adrenaline rush." (10:00)
  The Hudsons discuss how ADHD-driven behaviors like procrastination stem from a need for constant stimulation.

• Correlations with Anxiety and Depression:
  "If you can't focus and get organized, you're going to be anxious... It feels like being in a constant state of failure." (33:44)
  The link between untreated ADHD and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression is thoroughly explored.

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Advice for Parents and Caregivers

Supporting a child with ADHD involves understanding, patience, and proactive strategies to harness their strengths.

• Educating About ADHD:
  "Teach them about their brain. Read the book together." (50:07)
  Dr. Hallowell stresses the importance of educating both parents and children about ADHD to foster self-awareness and empowerment.

• Creating Structured Environments:
  "Structure and creativity go hand in hand. Without structure, you have chaos; with structure, you create beauty." (27:22)
  Emphasizing the balance between providing structure and allowing creative freedom to optimize the lives of those with ADHD.

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Coping with Impulsivity and Addiction

Addressing the darker sides of ADHD, such as impulsivity leading to addiction, requires community support and open conversations.

• Never Worry Alone:
  "Never worry alone. When you worry alone, you get into worse trouble." (45:12)
  Dr. Hallowell shares essential advice to seek support networks to prevent impulsive and self-destructive behaviors.

• Personal Reflections on Addiction:
  "Five years ago, without planning or wanting to, I just stopped drinking." (50:35)
  Oliver Hudson recounts his personal struggle with alcohol, linking it to ADHD-driven impulsivity and eventual cessation.

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Harnessing ADHD for Creativity and Success

Despite its challenges, ADHD can be a catalyst for remarkable creativity and achievement when managed effectively.

• Fueling Creativity:
  "When we are creatively engaged, we are laser beam focused... It's never as good as I want it to be, but it's nothing's better." (52:29)
  The Hudsons discuss how ADHD can enhance creative pursuits, allowing for deep immersion and innovative thinking.

• Celebrating Unique Talents:
  "You're a champion in the making, but you have to strengthen those brakes first."
  Dr. Hallowell uses the Ferrari analogy to illustrate the immense potential inherent in individuals with ADHD, contingent on developing effective coping mechanisms.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges, reinforcing the importance of understanding and embracing ADHD as a unique aspect of human diversity. Kate and Oliver express their gratitude to Dr. Hallowell, highlighting the transformative power of knowledge and support in navigating ADHD.

• Kate Hudson (62:36):
  "I love him. I want to be his friend. I want him to mentor me."
  Reflecting on the inspiring conversation with Dr. Hallowell, Kate emphasizes the newfound clarity and motivation gained.

• Oliver Hudson (60:35):
  "Just channel your kids into the garden of delights that life offers in a positive and constructive way."
  Oliver underscores the importance of guiding individuals with ADHD towards positive outlets and constructive activities.

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Key Takeaways

1. ADHD is a Diverse Spectrum: Recognizing that ADHD manifests uniquely in each individual is crucial for effective support and management.
2. Reframing Perspectives: Viewing ADHD traits as strengths can empower individuals to harness their creativity and passion.
3. Holistic Management: Combining knowledge, structure, support, and, when necessary, medication leads to optimal outcomes for those with ADHD.
4. Community and Support: Building strong support networks prevents the isolation that can exacerbate ADHD-related challenges.
5. Embracing Creativity: ADHD can fuel remarkable creative endeavors when channeled appropriately.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kate Hudson:
  "I haven't had a drink in a month and not a cigarette in a month. I'm so proud of you." (03:05)

• Oliver Hudson:
  "ADHD is a way of being in the world that is fundamentally different from other people's way of being." (09:56)

• Dr. Ned Hallowell:
  "Medication is like eyeglasses. When it works, you see clearly." (28:56)

• Dr. Ned Hallowell:
  "Never worry alone. When you worry alone, you get into worse trouble." (45:12)

• Oliver Hudson:
  "We're like a Ferrari engine for a brain with bicycle brakes. I'll help you strengthen those brakes so you won't spin out." (41:34)

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Final Thoughts

"Revel In It: Attention Procrastinators!" offers a profound exploration of ADHD through the lens of personal anecdotes and expert insights. Kate and Oliver Hudson, alongside Dr. Ned Hallowell, provide listeners with a compassionate and informative perspective, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of ADHD's complexities and potentials.

Whether you're personally navigating ADHD or supporting someone who is, this episode serves as an invaluable resource, blending humor, honesty, and wisdom to inspire and inform.

Transcript

[Kate Hudson]

Sister Wives returns at last. And while the Browns have gone their own separate ways, that doesn't mean they're.

[Oliver Hudson]

Done with each other.

[Kate Hudson]

Mary and Janelle form an unlikely alliance, Christine is off living in newly married bliss, and Kody and Robin are left wondering, can they be happy in a monogamous relationship? And after all the joy and drama, they hit the hot seat and answer the questions everyone has been begging to know. Sister Wives return Sunday at 109 Central.

[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

On TLC with T Mobile no Trendspotter has to deal with TrendsBody Service because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch now. Keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service report in 90 plus days device ineligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Kate Hudson]

New Beauties in Bloom at Walmart Right now, it's all about springtime radiance. From easy ways to get glossy hair and luminous skin to fresh sun care and designer fragrances, Walmart has the things you love. I know I'm ready for a little refresh. Flowers are blooming. We're making fun plans. So now is the time. At Walmart you can get big name coveted beauty brands, the things you need and want. Find trending spring beauty at Walmart in stores, online and in the apps.

We're leaving today and entering a world of Cinderella, Castle sightseeing, Tron Light cycling.

[Oliver Hudson]

Jungle Cruise Punning Pirate swashbuckling Everest Climbing Dapper Danning Danning Dunning Soaring, soaring. Fireworks show of I'm not crying, you're crying. World of Favorites for whatever you love, infinite worlds await at the most magical place on earth.

[Kate Hudson]

Walt Disney World resort. And now two pigeons bemoaning the fact.

[Oliver Hudson]

You can choose the TV you want.

[Unknown]

With DirecTV so now they can pick out their favorite entertainment when they sign up and save money. You mean if you like sports you can get a sports pack? What about entertainment? Entertainment pack?

[Oliver Hudson]

It's like finding an old pizza with your favorite toppings, which for me would.

[Unknown]

Be pineapple and toenails.

[Kate Hudson]

Pineapple pay for the TV you want.

[Oliver Hudson]

Not the TV you don't.

[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

Genre packs starting at $34.99 a month.

[Oliver Hudson]

Visit directv.com for more information. New residential customers only.

[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

Local channels vary by market Services renew monthly unless you cancel online credit card.

[Oliver Hudson]

Required restrictions App foreign.

[Kate Hudson]

Hi, I'm Kate Hudson.

And my name is Oliver Hudson.

We wanted to do something that highlighted.

Our relationship and what it's like to be siblings. We are.

[Oliver Hudson]

A sibling rivalry.

[Kate Hudson]

No, no.

[Oliver Hudson]

Sibling rivalry.

[Kate Hudson]

Don't do that with your mouth.

[Oliver Hudson]

Sibling revelry.

[Kate Hudson]

That's good. I am so excited, too.

Because of adhd.

Yeah.

I just want to say one thing. I haven't had a drink in a month.

Yeah, a month.

I haven't had a drink in a month and not a cigarette in a month.

I'm so proud of you.

It's a double edge, though, because I'm going to be sober on your birthday.

I don't care.

Damn it. You're supposed to. You're supposed to drink again.

That makes you. I'm in. A toast to your sobriety.

But then I'm gonna go to Cabo, so that's just.

Just take it easy. Just enjoy it.

I just. I feel great. I mean, I'm reading I. I. And we'll go over all that anyway. Okay. Yeah, let's do the guest all later.

We've been waiting for this Dr. Ned Hallowell, which I think is how we pronounce it. Hallowell. Hallowell. We'll. We'll find out. I am incredibly excited because you talk about this a lot. We talk about this a lot. I think ADHD is like. Like, like narcissism, like gaslighting, like all these, like, you know, hashtag things is very, very overused to die, you know, to diagnose people. But I think we come from a long line of people who have certain types of things, like dyslexia, adhd. Um, and I'm really excited.

Me, too. He's going to lay it all out. ADHD is hot right now, but is it too hot? Is it. Is adhd, Is it saturated the market? That's what I.

All right, let's invite him in. Hello.

Hi, Doctor. How are you?

[Oliver Hudson]

I'm fine, thanks. How are you?

[Kate Hudson]

We're good. We're very excited to have you on.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, I'm excited to be with you. You guys are stars, you know. You guys are. You guys run the world.

[Kate Hudson]

Well, one of us is. Kate's working.

[Oliver Hudson]

Now, so you're Kate. And the fellow with you is your husband.

[Kate Hudson]

That's my brother Oliver.

[Oliver Hudson]

She's Oliver. Part husband, part boyfriend.

[Kate Hudson]

Yes.

But she did call me a Greek God when we were young, so I did.

[Oliver Hudson]

You're a very handsome dude.

[Kate Hudson]

I felt like he Needed that kind of validation.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, with you as a sister, no wonder.

[Kate Hudson]

Well, now you finally someone who understands me.

Oh, my God.

[Oliver Hudson]

Really? You look like you're similar ages. Are you.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, I'm older, so thank you.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. And Kate, you're. See, you see. See if I'm up on my People magazine. You're married to a baseball player.

[Kate Hudson]

No, no, but I did date a baseball player once.

[Oliver Hudson]

Okay. No, that. So that wasn't who.

[Kate Hudson]

No, you did not make that up.

That was real. I think you're reading a People magazine from like 2013.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

Nine. 2009.

2009.

[Oliver Hudson]

How did.

[Unknown]

Into this.

[Oliver Hudson]

It's really wonderful of you to do it. I mean, you're trying to give ADD the good name it deserves or. Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate G. You go, because. Yeah, go.

We. We come from a family of people.

[Oliver Hudson]

We all. We.

[Kate Hudson]

Oliver and I grew up. We grew up in, you know, a time, same with my mom, when people weren't putting a name to what it was that made certain things really difficult.

[Oliver Hudson]

It was smart and stupid and try harder. That.

[Kate Hudson]

That's right.

[Oliver Hudson]

Or.

[Kate Hudson]

Or figure a way around it, you know. And I think people who suffered from ADHD were sort of, you know, you say, like, had. Had nothing to understand really what it was except that, you know, for. For. I think for Oliver and I, it wasn't about necessarily our intelligence or even our ability to like, get it done. It was the procrastination. It was the last minute. Like. And I can speak for Oliver too, very similar like this. Like, we, you know, procrastinate till the last, last minute right before class, doing everything you can to just get by. And yet when you kind of took the time to do the work and were able to have some sort of structure, would, Would. Would have far more success. But, but. But no tools to create structure. On top of that, we didn't have the kind of family because I think they all have the same thing that really understood structure to help, like, help us through whatever that was that we were struggling with. It was just like, you know, you're failing this class. Figure it out. And. And when I had my son Ryder, I realized there was something going on when he was really young, about three years old, about third grade, and I had him assessed. And it was the first time I really understood ADHD as like a real. Like, actually understood the bell curve where you could have and test like in the 90s of intelligence, but your executive function could be, you know, under a 7%.

[Oliver Hudson]

And how that learned the jargon, I'm impressed. That's good.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. Well, I've had to help. I've had to try to help guide, even amidst my own struggles. And then Oliver and I had this moment, like, about a year ago where we. He. He. Ollie was like. I. I was. I think. I forget who said it first, but, like, we walk into bookstores, we have the same experience. We're like, I want to read every book. And then you pick up a book and it just sits. It's like a. It takes like a year.

Yeah. I'm in this moment right now.

It just sits there. And you try so hard. I figured out some tools, but anyway, we struggle with this. And so.

By the way, I have not been. I don't. I don't know if you have, Kate, but I have not been clinically diagnosed with anything at all.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, well, I could take care of that in about 10 minutes. But that. Oh, that's another thing. It has made it. People make it sound so complicated, and it really isn't. I mean, have you read any of my books, by the way?

[Kate Hudson]

No, no, but we are. But because we. Because we don't have the focus.

[Oliver Hudson]

No, no. I know, I know. But the last one is only 100 pages long.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, wow.

I can do that.

[Oliver Hudson]

The express reason of people with ADD. My first one, Driven to Distraction, came out in 1994. It was too long. I mean, lots of people read it, but. Or said they read it, but, you know, it was just too long. But the recent ADHD 2.0 is only 100 pages in. Most of. Most people can get through that, and it's a total eye opener. I'm telling you, you will just jump for joy. It's so not nearly as complicated as people think it is, but it's much richer and much more. It's a way of being in the world. I don't even think of it as a medical diagnosis. Certainly the term deficit disorder is just wrong. We don't have. I have the condition along with dyslexia. I don't have a deficit of attention. I have an abundance of attention. My challenge is to control it. My mind is going 17 ways all at once.

[Kate Hudson]

That's.

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And. And. And that's hard, you know? And you mentioned procrastination. The reason we procrastinate is we crave high stimulation. We cannot do boredom. Boredom is our kryptonite. We just can't do it. So one way of creating high stimulation is to create a crisis. Well, one way to create a crisis is to procrastinate. So if you're getting something done at the very last minute, you got a big bolus of adrenaline. And adrenaline is nature's own Ritalin or Adderall, you know, so you're self medicating without meaning to self medicate. That's why we also, we love to get into arguments and fights and difficult relationships and, and God, I love fighting. It's also why we're so unbelievably generous. We just give, give, give. This just our way of being. And it's such an interesting condition. And, and, but to get rid of the pathology. No deficit disorder. I mean, I renamed it Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. And the variability is the key. We are never the same person day to day, minute to minute even. And we can be explosive. One second where we're rapturously in love, the next second we're, we're arguing back and forth the next second. But we do have a heart of gold. Unless we've been traumatized so much that, that it's been beaten out of us. But most of us were unbelievably naive. I mean, I can't tell you how many women I asked to marry me on the first date. It's like we're having fun, let's make it last, you know, and, and that's so typical, you know, where these babes in arms and you know, God looks out for us because most of us are pretty darn talented. Which is, which is, which is good.

[Kate Hudson]

But, but when did you start this? Meaning when you were young you had ADHD or ADD or whatever the hell it was called.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh yeah, well, I'm 75 years old.

[Kate Hudson]

Right.

[Oliver Hudson]

You're supposed to say you don't look it. Right.

[Kate Hudson]

But you don't look it. You know, you look, you don't look a day over 58.

[Oliver Hudson]

Thank you. But, so when I was in school, I, I went to school in Chatham, down on Cape Cod. And that was a very.

[Kate Hudson]

I got my ID stolen in Chatham.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, no kidding.

[Kate Hudson]

I sure did. I had a fake ID and I was going into that bar there.

My wife is from there. My, my in laws are from Falmouth. I go there every year. They're Bostonians. My wife, so you know Chatham, one of her friends.

[Oliver Hudson]

You're a good old wasp.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

You know, you know what I call the WASP triad? Alcoholism, mental illness and politeness.

[Kate Hudson]

Exactly. That's my in laws. That's the best.

[Oliver Hudson]

And then Chatham, we, we just, we called it a drinking town with a fishing problem.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, that's Oliver, that's me.

[Oliver Hudson]

So There I am in first grade, and I can't read. And you're supposed to learn to read in first grade. And they didn't. They didn't know from learning differences. They were, like I said, smart and stupid and. And try harder. And they actually, to get you to try harder, they would spank you. They. They spanked kids in. In first grade in Chatham back then. But I was so lucky. I had a teacher by the name of Mrs. Eldridge, and she lives in my memory forever. She knew there was more to kids having trouble reading than being stupid, and that there are better ways to help them than punish them and humiliate them. So what was my treatment plan? What was my IEP during reading period? We'd be sitting at these little round tables reading those exciting books, C Spot Run. And she would just come over and sit down next to me. I would feel so safe, you know, none of the other kids would laugh at me as I would stammer and stutter because I had the mafia sitting next to me. And. And that was my iep. Now, by the end of the year, I was the worst reader in the class, but I was the most enthusiastic, terrible reader. You know, I. I really wanted to learn to read. And that's because the part of my brain that has talent with words was trying the best it could to inch its way out because it hadn't been scared away by the punishments and the shame and the ridicule. It hadn't yet reached its critical mass, if you will, but at least the door was still open because of that wonderful lady's arm. Now I ended up majoring in English at Harvard while doing pre med, and I've written 23 books.

[Kate Hudson]

Wow.

[Oliver Hudson]

It doesn't look like I have a reading disability, but I sure do. It takes me forever to get through a book. My wife says, I don't know how you know anything. It takes me so long, but it's. It's like. Like everything in this world. It's all paradoxical. You know, you can do this, you can't do that. You want to do this, you can do it. And as long as people don't try to beat us into submission, we change the world. Whoever invented the wheel definitely had add, you know, And Hollywood is ADD Heaven.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, my God.

[Oliver Hudson]

Wall street, you know, and. And wherever you find high intensity, high creativity, high emotion, emotional energy, you'll find add. Like I said, the thing we can't do is lack of stimulation, boredom. We just can't do it. We won't do it. We can't do it. It's like it's our kryptonite.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, it's so fucking true. I feel that so much.

[Oliver Hudson]

That's another thing we say a lot of fucking the F bombs. Really?

[Kate Hudson]

Is that true?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh yeah, because we have all this frustration that we need to bleed out of it, you know. And one way is to throw in an F bomb.

[Kate Hudson]

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[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

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[Kate Hudson]

Did you use your experience with that? Did that propel you into your line of work?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, well, yeah. So then I go, I had this distinguished academic career where nobody thought anything was. I knew I was a slow reader, but that hadn't been diagnosed because I'd done so well. Nobody thought nothing could be wrong with you. And the same with the add. I mean, most people didn't even think ADD was real back then. I mean, I graduated from Harvard in 1973 and most people had never even heard of it. They'd heard of dyslexia, but they didn't really know what that was either. And so I just went ahead, you know, and, and it was clear that I wanted to be a psychiatrist because my father was crazy, you know, the WASP pride. My family was a family of drunks and lunatics. And, and you know, they were all well meaning though. They, they were, they were nice. Which, which matters, you know, and, and, but I, I was on a mission. And that's another thing. We're very mission driven. I'll bet the two of you, you're passionate. You, you, you, it's what makes you so good. And, and so my mission was to, you know, give the strange mind a good name. I'm proud to be the way I am. I don't feel the least bit of shame. I think other people should be envious that, and the reason is they don't have new ideas are what we have in spades. That other people don't have is this huge imagination. We. We don't realize how big it is because we've always had it. We don't realize how dull most people are, you know, And. And. And they. They just can't conceive of what we're.

[Kate Hudson]

So funny you say that. Because I always wonder, like, my brain is so on fire. I mean, I love my brain, but it's. I'm thinking this in my bed, mama. I'm creating scenarios that don't exist. I. I'm entering worlds that I might have created just for. And I'm like, what am I doing right now? I. I'm playing out death scenarios where my whole family is dead and I'm alone.

I do that all the time.

I'm just like.

I do.

What the am I doing, you know?

[Oliver Hudson]

You too, Kate. I mean, you're.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, my God.

[Unknown]

That.

[Kate Hudson]

And like every scenario, I. My brain wanders. And sometimes I'll sit in bed when I'm really quiet, and I'll think of this, like, insane, like, fairy tale, like, science fiction world, and I'll be like. And then it's gone. And I'm like, where did it go? I can't write it down.

[Oliver Hudson]

Don't worry, it'll come. Come back. You. You couldn't get rid of it if you wanted to.

[Kate Hudson]

I. You know, I wonder. My son has this thing because he's. He's, you know, he. He has the type where, like, it takes him forever to wake up in the morning, and I don't know. I don't know what that is. I'm like, I wake up and. And I'm like, I'm shot out of a cannon. Ryder has this thing where he.

[Oliver Hudson]

Ryder. That's a great name. How old is he now?

[Kate Hudson]

Think he's 21.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, boy. Oh, my God.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. Yeah. So he. He's doing really great, but he's. His struggle is, like, to get up in the morning. It takes him forever.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, actually, that's pretty common. We have trouble shutting it down at night. As I like to say. I don't want to leave the party.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

When we finally get ourselves to shut it down in the morning, it. Raising it back up again is my daughter. We had to buy her a flying alarm clock, so she had to get out of bed to turn it off.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, that's so funny. Yeah. And. And. And what? So. So that's basically because the. The brain's finally resting.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah. And it's just. It's just for whatever. Whatever makes our brain unusual. It, it doesn't like to be put down and then it doesn't like to be activated.

[Kate Hudson]

Are there different forms of adh?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean it's, it's certainly multi. Varied. No, no tools.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, talk about that just for a second because I want to get into. There's so many questions but you know, you've got. First of all, ADHD seems hot right now. It's like everyone is adhd. My algorithm is all adhd, you know, from sort of the disastrous, you know, to where there's suicide to sort of the, you know, just this sort of scraping of the surface of it, you know. So how does the, what's the spectrum?

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, first of all, it's so misunderstood, like I said I could. And if you read 2.0, you'll see it.

[Kate Hudson]

I'm going to.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah, it's, it's a way of being in the world that is fundamentally different from other people's way of being in the world. But there are commonalities. So I mean, well, no two adds are the same. You take us as a group and you can see that there's a lot in common. And where does non ADD leave off and add begin? It's sort of like where does day leave off and night start? You know, there's a long period of dusk and, and so it is with, with this condition. You can't say exactly where, but you sure can say there's a difference between night and day. You know, there's no doubt about that. So people who like to say, well you can't tell. Well let's true, you can't tell at what time we go into night, but you can say midnight is different from noon. And that's the way it is with this condition. We're tremendously varied. We tend to be very creative, passionate, generous, like I said, impulsive. By the way, the three so called defining in the diagnostic manual, this condition is classified as a mental illness, which is ridiculous. We should all be so mentally ill. Anyway, the three defining qualities that make up the definition are distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Well, take each one of those and turn it on its head and you get a positive that you can't buy or teach. The flip side of distractibility, of distracted distractibility is curiosity. What's that? What's that? What's that? Yeah, you're being distracted, but you're being distracted because you're so curious. You want to know what's that, what's in there? What, what's you're Constant. When I was a kid, they called me the question box and they say, oh, here he comes. Better to get out of the way, you know, he's going to wear you out with all his questions, you know, and then, and then impulsivity. Oh, that's so bad. He's so impulsive. Look at me, asking to marry me on the first date over and over again. What is creativity but impulsivity? Gone. Right. You don't plan to have a new idea. They pop spontaneously, impulsively, you know, and you can't on demand, say, okay, now be creative. I mean, you as an actor must feel that all the time. Your best moments or your ad libs or your, your, you know, where did that come from? You know, and, and then the third one, hyperactivity. You have to be my age is called energy. I'm really glad I've got this little turbo pack on my back. And so what I'm trying to tell the world is get it out of the Diagnostic Manual of Madness, the dsm, and put it into the Diagnostic Manual of Life, like Shakespeare. I mean, you know, and, and because that's where it ought to be. It's a variant on the theme of normal, but it's very much not normal. I mean, you know, most people don't have it and don't have. I, I tell, I tell people I don't treat. I don't treat disabilities. I help people unwrap their gifts. Yeah. This is a gift that does not unwrap itself.

[Kate Hudson]

So, and when you're talking, do you, do you usually. Would you work with adults and children or. I mean, do you work with people anymore?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, yes. Oh, I love it. And both children and adults. More adults now than kids, although kids, for sure. Most people bring their kids to me to have me unbrainwash them, you know, tell them that there's actually a lot of good about this and, and you're not a lazy nook and.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And they just sit up in their chair. It's like, it's like sprinkling fairy dust. I mean, they just suddenly, you can see them. It's like those things that enemies. You put them in a bottle of water and they just blossom. Well, that, that's what these kids do when they hear the truth about who they are.

[Kate Hudson]

So, so there's. There's two parts of this. There's hearing the truth, which is. Which makes your back go up straighter.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yep.

[Kate Hudson]

But then there's implementing sort of the, the lessons or the, the tactics to bring out the best in in your add.

[Oliver Hudson]

So that's why you need, you need three things. You need knowledge, which you get, like we're doing now. You need structure because we, I get up time and go to bedtime. You know, creative people who say, I don't like structure. I say, yes you do. Look at Shake. You look at Shakespeare and Mozart. They worked within the tightest, most structured forms you could imagine. And within that they created infinite variety. So structure and, and creativity go hand in hand without one, without structure you have chaos. With structure you create beauty. And then, and so that, so you need information, you need structure, you need a coach. And that could be a teacher, a parent, a therapist, a doctor. Somebody really understands what Mrs. Eldredge was. For me, she didn't know from ADD, but she knew a talented kid when she saw one and helped draw that out. And then the question of medication, which is so misunderstood. Medication is like eyeglasses. When it works, you see clearly. When it doesn't work, it doesn't work. And that's okay, you don't have to have it, it's not necessary. But when it works, it's a godsend. It's an absolute godsend. People, you know, people say, well, I'd rather try, try without medicine for a few years. And I say to them, that's fine. I've written books about how to unwrap the gift of ADD without meds. But it's sort of like saying, why don't we do a few years of squinting before we try eyeglasses? You know, why not try the proven remedy that will make all the non medication remedies that much easier to use? People are amazingly Neanderthal or just skittish when it comes to medication. And well they should be because there's a lot of bad meds out there.

[Kate Hudson]

You know, for sure I get nervous about med. I get nervous about like kids on Adderall and stuff like that. I don't like it.

[Oliver Hudson]

You should get nervous. But, but that's why it's so important to see a good doctor. And there aren't that many to find. You know, a lot of people say they know about it and how to treat it, but they really don't.

[Kate Hudson]

How many different ADD meds are there? I know there's like Vyvanse and there's.

[Oliver Hudson]

Adderall, there's probably 15, but the basic two, the core two. And this is very reassuring news. Guess what year simulant was first used to treat what we now call add? Let's make a wild guess.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay, I'm going to say 1850. 18.

[Oliver Hudson]

No, no.

[Kate Hudson]

1890S.

I'm going to say 1990s.

[Oliver Hudson]

You are bold. 93. 1937.

[Kate Hudson]

Right?

[Oliver Hudson]

1937.

[Kate Hudson]

I was, I went to, like, I went to this, like, pharmacy that was like in the wild west. That was like an old mock up. And they had, they had all kinds of medications that we had no idea, like, was like, whoa, look at all this stuff. And that was 1896 or something.

In the 1930s, though, was that medication actually targeting attention?

[Oliver Hudson]

No, no, no, no. Nobody heard of that? No, no, no, it was, that was what it was. Targeting was the one symptom you can't ignore, which is disruptive behavior.

[Kate Hudson]

Got it.

[Oliver Hudson]

It was boys who were throwing chairs around.

[Kate Hudson]

And what was that medication?

[Oliver Hudson]

Amphetamine.

[Kate Hudson]

It was Amphetamine.

[Oliver Hudson]

Adderall.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And it worked wonders. And the kids, far from not wanting to do well, they loved it. They called it their arithmetic pill because now they could finally memorize these infernally boring math facts that they'd literally been unable to do before. They were so boring. You give them some amphetamine and they're sitting down, they're humming, and they're happy because everyone wants to do well. And they were doing well. They'd gotten their eyeglasses.

[Kate Hudson]

And the medication, when it works or it doesn't work, like, I guess it just has to sort of coincide with your chemistry and it's got to work correctly. I. I took Adderall one time at Coachella where a friend was like, dude, taking Adderall, it's fucking rad. And I, I took it and I hated it. I was like, I feel like my wife is. Takes Vyvanse and it's a game changer.

[Oliver Hudson]

She's on Viance.

[Kate Hudson]

She. Yeah, she gets everything done. She takes it as needed.

[Oliver Hudson]

You've seen how dramatic it can be.

[Kate Hudson]

I have. And I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna take a Vyvanse. I'm gonna make a. I'm gonna make a float plan. I'm gonna take up. I'm gonna do my. And I took a Vyvanse and I'm like, oh, man, I don't feel good. I don't like this.

[Oliver Hudson]

Okay, what was what. Let me know. What was the dose?

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, gosh.

[Oliver Hudson]

That makes a big difference.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. Before you give up on it, right?

[Oliver Hudson]

Before you give up on it, just check the dose. Because yeah, the. What these meds do is very dose related.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. The lowest is like 10 mil, 10 milligrams Vivance.

[Oliver Hudson]

The lowest is. I think they have a five now.

[Kate Hudson]

They do, yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

You know, basically it's in increments of 10 milligrams up to around 70.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay.

[Oliver Hudson]

But there's no such thing, by the way. The pharmacists don't understand this. But there's no number diagnosis that is by definition, too high. You assess the. The. Whether the dose is too high or too low by what it does to you. If it makes you wacky, then the dose is too high. If it does nothing, then the dose is too low. And again, we need a sudden attack of common sense to, you know, for this all to be resolved.

[Kate Hudson]

Well, the time, the timing of this is interesting because I have never gone to a doctor. I've been in therapy all my life, but I've never been clinically diagnosed over.

[Oliver Hudson]

What Kate did to you as a little boy.

[Kate Hudson]

Well, to get over what I did.

To her, it was the other way around.

But I've. But, you know, I've called a few friends and they've said, oh, you need to see this person. And I got in touch with someone and it was this long, crazy testing and this. I'm like, I don't want to fucking do all this.

[Oliver Hudson]

And you shouldn't have to.

[Kate Hudson]

So then how does one sort of quickly diagnosed. Like, how do we know whether we have this, you know, gift? Let's just reframe it.

Yeah, Like. Like how can you distinguish between someone.

[Oliver Hudson]

Who knows it as well as I do? And by the way, don't tell people that I said I can diagnose you in half an hour because they'll think I'm. I'm a crack.

[Kate Hudson]

Right?

[Oliver Hudson]

But I absolutely can. I mean, I can honestly diagnose someone the minute they walk in the room. I can feel emanates off of them, and I can feel a frame. Fertile imagination when I'm with one.

[Kate Hudson]

So are we. Are we all crazy? Am I. Am I. Am I officially diagnosed?

[Oliver Hudson]

Yes, yes, yes, you were blessed.

[Kate Hudson]

Can I ask about. Can I ask about the correlations with ADHD or ADD and anxiety and depression?

Yes.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, yes. Let me tell you. I mean, again, it's. It's obvious and very straightforward and.

[Kate Hudson]

Sorry to interrupt you, but I suffer. I'm on 20 milligrams of Lex Pro because anxiety has been a. An issue in my life, and I.

[Oliver Hudson]

Think we should revise that. Do you still have libido, by the way?

[Kate Hudson]

Too much, babe.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, good for you.

[Kate Hudson]

Good for you.

[Oliver Hudson]

The problem with SSRIs is they. They diminish libido and they're cognitively dulling. You lose a few IQ points and I don't think that's worth it unless you really need it. So let me know.

[Kate Hudson]

I real quick.

[Oliver Hudson]

Sorry.

[Kate Hudson]

I tried to wean off of it and I did it correctly and I was so up I had to go back on because you need it.

[Oliver Hudson]

So you're one of the people who needs it. And it's a good thing we have. It's just widely overused. But the, the relationship between.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay, sorry.

[Oliver Hudson]

The relationship between the two is as follows. If you can't focus and get organized and do what Kate earlier called correctly, executive function. If you can't do that, it's such a fundamental part of everyday life, you're going to be anxious. What am I going to miss? What am I going to overlook? Who's going to call me out next? What am I going to get in trouble for? And you're walking around like, you know, oh my lord.

[Kate Hudson]

You're like in a constant state of failure. Like you're just failing.

Exactly.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. And that feels like. So not only are you anxious, but you're in a low grade depression. It's not really depression as it is anxious apprehension that you know you're not feeling good about yourself or about about your life. Well, that can look like depression. So you get diagnosed with these two artifacts caused by the untreated ADD of anxiety and depression. And what happens almost always, particularly with adult women, you get put on an SSRI to treat the effect of the untreated add. To treat the anxiety and depression, you get put on an SSRI that has all kind of side effects that are undesirable. So if instead you treated the ADD first, then you'd feel more focused, you wouldn't be so anxious and your achievement would go up. So you wouldn't feel so depressed.

[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

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[Unknown]

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[Oliver Hudson]

What's good fam the Black Effect Podcast Festival is back and taking over Pullman Yards in Atlanta on Saturday, April 26 and it's gonna be a whole vibe. Doors open at 11am so you already know it's an all day celebration of Black excellence and we're partnering with Nissan to bring you an event you won't want to cause it's all going down in the Nissan Lounge. If you haven't seen the all new 2025 Nissan Kicks or the Nissan Rogue yet, this is your moment. From available Intelligent around view monitor to available Bose Personal plus sound system, the all new Nissan Kicks is ready. Whether you're cruising through the city or hitting the highway, the Nissan Rogue S is more affordable than cr V and RAV4 with available HD enhanced intelligent around view monitor with moving object detection and a standard VC turbo engine. So pull up to the Nissan Lounge to explore their cutting edge features, snap some epic pics and see which ride matches your energy, music, love, culture and community all in One place. So come through, show out and make some memories. Tickets are on sale [e-mail] podcast festival.

[Kate Hudson]

I think Oliver, this is a really interesting, interesting thing.

I am like, my. This is my favorite podcast I've ever done. And by the way, I want to be friends. Like, I just want to put that out there. I don't know where you live. Where do you live?

[Oliver Hudson]

Just outside of Boston.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay, good. I'm there. I'm there for three weeks during the summer. Come hang out.

[Oliver Hudson]

Like, oh, are you kidding? I'd be the toast of the neighborhood. You know who he knows? Wow.

[Kate Hudson]

I really. I really. I. I really want. Like, how can a parent, okay, who can't afford to see. Have their child see somebody but notices this in their child? Like, how. How do they support their. How do they support their child? Like, what's the best way to reach it? Because I know how hard. I know how hard it is. And, you know, to. To even. Just. To even. Just to know that you're what. What it is that's going on with your kid. Like, how can, like, someone listening, like, what can they do that can make just. Just like one thing or something simple that they can clue into for their kids?

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, knowledge is incredibly powerful. And if they would read 2.0, this is the most recent and the shortest. I mean, people really. They. They. They start crying. Ten pages into the book, chapter one lays out what it is and holy. You know, why didn't someone tell me this? And it saves marriages, it saves childhoods, it saves jobs, it saves careers. I mean, people get fired right and left because of the impulsivity that comes with add. Or they get kicked out of school and they get. They get chalked up as a bad seed or, you know, the devil's in it and all it is is imagination run wild. The analogy I give kids, I say it's like you've got a Ferrari engine for a brain. You've got this incredibly powerful race car for a brain. The problem is you have bicycle brakes. Well, I'm a brake specialist. I'll help you strengthen your brakes so you won't drive through stop signs, so you won't spin out on curbs so you'll win the races. You're a champion in the making, but you got to strengthen those brakes first.

[Kate Hudson]

Ollie, is this making you emotional?

A little, yeah. I mean, it's just so. It's just so spot on. Like, I. I just relate to it entirely and just, you know, we were talking about before you came on, but, you know, I. I haven't had a drink in a month. I haven't had a cigarette in a month. And for me, that's big. I might be a lowercase, a alcoholic. I definitely have, you know, impulsivity issues, addiction, sort of. It's. I can feel that it's a part of my DNA. Big part, you know, so actually, Kate asking that, you know, and I've never been more clear. I feel like I'm on. My brain is on fire now with sort of this. The fog has lifted, and your best.

[Oliver Hudson]

Work is ahead of you. Are you an actor as well, or.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So this is. This is part of. I have so many questions, but, you know, for me, personally, I. We have a. We have an extremely talented family, and everyone is in this business. Yeah, I am the most talented. But do you agree with that? I am. I'm the most talented I could be. I could win awards as actor. I could. Directing. Right.

[Oliver Hudson]

And you're the most modest on top of it.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, but that too.

So humble.

Yeah. But if. There's so much inside of me that I want to get out, but it's so difficult because I get overwhelmed and quit. You know, I. I don't know how to access it, and it's frustrating because I know how great I am.

Well, wait, you guys, I have to. I have to interrupt this because my son just FaceTimed me, and I said, honey, I'm on a podcast. Guy's amazing. We're talking with an ADHD expert, and he writes. I hope he's making me sound like the genius I am.

Excellent right now. Yeah, well, Ryder. Ryder. Ryder. Her son is a lot like me.

A lot like, I think the most alike.

[Oliver Hudson]

You raised them right. Sadly, they're like 2%. You know, 98% get told from day one that they're bad boys, bad girls.

[Kate Hudson]

They know sluts.

[Oliver Hudson]

They. They're hypersexual. They're addicts. They're.

[Kate Hudson]

I'll never forget when my son came home in sixth grade cry and. And Ryder. Funny, popular, cool, makes everybody laugh, like. And he just came home weeping. I'm so stupid. I can't. I'm so dumb. I. I'm. And I. And. And. And I was like, what a terrible. Like, you know, when. When it's your child and you know how brilliant they are, it's like, thank God I'm not that kind of parent that needs excellence in. In. In academics.

She's the opposite. She's the opposite. She's like, I know.

[Oliver Hudson]

Recognize the gift without. Without decorating it. With grades and let me.

[Kate Hudson]

Can I. Can I just get back to this impulsivity thing again? Because I, I. Because it can be dangerous, you know, with gambling or drugs or alcohol or sex or all of that, right?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, all of it, Absolutely. I've done all of those, you know.

[Kate Hudson]

Right. So how. How do you come out of that? You know what I'm saying? Like, at what point are you moving into real addiction stuff? And one. And what point is it sort of your ADHD and impulsivity taking over?

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, that's like the thing. Where does day leave off a night again? And one of the best rules of life I ever learned was from a. My first year of psychiatric training. Tom Gutal was his name. And he said, never worry alone. And that is so profound.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, I love that. I'm writing that down.

[Oliver Hudson]

Just never worry alone. When you worry alone, you get into worse trouble. That's when your worst introspections happen, when your worst fears get confirmed, when you hate yourself, when you behave impulsively, get drunk or attempt suicide or whatever it might happen to be or, you know, and so if you. If you have people, reliable others, friends, whatever, that you. And that you're honest enough to tell them the truth, you know, some of our stuff is not exactly. We want everyone to know about it, but if you're brave enough and. And that's the solution, is to not worry alone.

[Kate Hudson]

I love that I might get that tattooed on me.

That's just the best.

Well, it's interesting because my kids, you know, Wilder, my oldest, I'm.

[Oliver Hudson]

I'm like, what a good name for someone with add. His name is Wilder.

[Kate Hudson]

His name is Wilder. Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

Wow, that's great. And.

[Kate Hudson]

And I'm like, do you think you have, like, add He. And he's like, oh, yeah, of course. He goes, there's no doubt. Of course. But he's like. But he's just, like, kind of. Oh, he's cool with it. He's like, I don't. Yeah, of course.

[Oliver Hudson]

He should be. I mean, I brag about it. I tell people.

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

And even Bodhi. My middle kid is. My middle boy's name's Bodhi.

[Oliver Hudson]

And Bodhi or Brody? Bodhi.

Bodhi.

[Kate Hudson]

B O D H. I Like, Like Bodhisattva.

[Oliver Hudson]

And.

[Kate Hudson]

And, you know, his brain is on fire and he's crazy. And he's like, oh, yeah, yeah, I'm nuts. I. I know they're all crazy, but there seems to be an acceptance of their insanity, you know, and thank God.

[Oliver Hudson]

Thank God because we live in, you know there's so many narrow minded people out there and, and they do so much damage. But you know, it, you know, I happen to believe in God and, and people pin me down about that and how can you believe in God? It's a fairy tale. I say, well, you believe in love, don't you? And most people say yeah. I said, well, God is love. It's just that simple, you know.

[Kate Hudson]

No, I'm with you. I, I, I'm not, I don't. But is God a person in the sky?

[Oliver Hudson]

No, it's a spirit, It's a force. It's an invisible force, right?

[Kate Hudson]

But is it a male or like.

[Oliver Hudson]

Gravity is an invisible force?

[Dr. Ned Hallowell]

With T Mobile, no transponder has to deal with transbody service because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch now. Keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch. Up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card will have 15 days qualified unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required Card is no cash access. It expires in six months.

[Unknown]

Bring spring to your door with Target Circle 360 get all you need for Easter hosting spring get togethers and more with unlimited same day Delivery through Target Circle360. From Easter Basket goodies to fresh florals, getting everything the same day is easy. Open the Target app and bring the magic of the season to your door with unlimited same day delivery Through Target Circle360. Visit target.com circle or the Target app for more detail details. Subscription Required Same day delivery is subject to terms applies to orders over $35.

When you haven't found love, it can feel like everyone else has. It's in every movie, every song and all the PDA Looking for love sucks. Thankfully, California Psychics can give you the guidance you need to find the one we guarantee if your reading isn't life changing, it's free and new customers receive 20 minutes for just $20. Visit californiapsychics.com and experience the joy of certainty.

California Psychics from prioritizing time to keep our bodies active to simply creating space to check on our well being. Happiness Lab listeners take their health very seriously. But when it comes to treating complex issues like heart disease, neurological disorders or even cancer, the right care can make all the difference. That's why Cleveland Clinic has been elevating world class patient care for over a century. Whether they're raising the bar in heart care, uncovering the mysteries of the brain, or researching new treatments for cancer, Cleveland Clinic continues to redefine what's possible for every breakthrough in health for every care in the world. Explore a wide array of health and wellness information by visiting clevelandclinic.org today.

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[Kate Hudson]

I still want to understand something that a parent can do to help their child. Like what is something, like tangible, something they can start.

[Oliver Hudson]

Kate, just what I've been saying. Teach them about their brain. Teach them right. Read. I wrote a shorter book recently. It's called ADHD Explained and it's got illustrations and I mean it's even shorter, it's even easier to read, but it's not watered down. It's not like a children's book. It is in the format, but people and it's, it's wonderful. See, you can read that with them and then, and then it can't be done in one sitting. It's, it's over the course of a childhood, of a lifetime and, and, and it's a matter of delving. I still discovered parts of myself I didn't know. I mean, and it's a wonderful exploration finding out, you know, and it's plus and minus pain and pleasure. I too had a major drinking. I wasn't alcoholic, but I, I looked forward to my drinks every day. And then about five years ago, without planning or even wanting to, I just stopped. I had no idea it was the grace of God because I, I was, I was trying to start a new book. And the title of it is you're Better Than youn Think youk Are. And I think my brain knew that I'd do better off alcohol than.

[Kate Hudson]

So how much would you drink at when you came home on your average day?

[Oliver Hudson]

I mean, more than two beers. I'll say that. You know, I'd go out for dinner and I'd have two or three martinis and two or three glasses of wine.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And I Mean, before I got married. Well, that was 35 years ago. But even when I was dating sue, my idea of heaven was to go out with a beautiful woman and who was intelligent, and we would have amazing conversation over several martinis and several cigarettes, and we'd settle all the issues of the world.

[Kate Hudson]

I know we'd be friends.

[Oliver Hudson]

Carnal recreation. I mean, that was. That was heaven to me. And even as I describe it now, it sounds pretty good, you know?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. God, I'm definitely visiting you this summer.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah. No, I mean, what is that?

[Kate Hudson]

Before we. I have one other question about, like, the hyper focused add. Like, the ones that go into hyper focus, where they can go.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, we all do. I mean, that's why I can write so many books. I mean, right when. When we are creatively engaged, we are rock. We are laser beam focused. Building could be burning down, and we are not aware. We are so there. You're probably like that when you're acting, both of you. I mean, when you're doing something creative that you want to be doing, it can be incredibly difficult. Like, what you guys do is very, very, you know, what I do. Writing. Very difficult disciplines. But we love it, and so we focus on it. And we also hate it because it's never. I don't know about you, but it's never as good as I want it to be. And so it's like golf, and you're never as good as you want to be.

[Kate Hudson]

To be.

[Oliver Hudson]

But why do I play it? Because nothing's better.

[Kate Hudson]

How about that Masters, by the way.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, man.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, man.

Oh, my God. By the way, I'm. I'm a scratch golfer. I used to be a plus two.

[Oliver Hudson]

Are you really?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, that was my. My ADD sort of focused me on that when I was in my late 20s and 30s, and I became a great ADD sport.

[Oliver Hudson]

Because you get another chance every time.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

You know, I had bet on Malka Roy, and I thought I won, then.

[Kate Hudson]

I thought I lost, and I thought, oh, God, what?

It was so great. It was so much fun to watch.

[Oliver Hudson]

You're a golf fan, too. I mean, is that.

[Kate Hudson]

You know what's funny? I love. I. I got the bug about a year ago now. I'm really loving playing golf.

[Oliver Hudson]

Good.

[Kate Hudson]

And now I love watching it. I've never enjoyed it. And now I. I, like, put on even, like, you know, the. The. The ladies pga, and I watch it like, oh, no.

[Oliver Hudson]

It's in incredible control over all these different moving parts. A beautiful golf swing is beautiful.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, and Rory's is my Favorite golf swing ever.

Ollie. Ollie, the Greek God that he is, has an amazing golf swing.

[Oliver Hudson]

Now, who's Ollie? Is he your.

[Kate Hudson]

Oliver? Is the person that you're talking. Ollie.

Oliver.

You're Ollie, My brother. He's Oliver.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, my God. Oh, wow.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, yeah, we got to work on.

[Oliver Hudson]

That ADD, but it's really touching and obvious how much you love each other. That's. It's.

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

Do you have other siblings?

[Kate Hudson]

No, we have.

We have siblings. We have three. So it's four of us that all grew up together, so. So me and three brothers, including Ollie, and then Oliver and I all together. We have six siblings.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, wow.

[Kate Hudson]

There's some halves in there.

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And are your. Are your parents creatives? Two?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, every single one.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, that's wonderful. And you grow up in California?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, in Colorado.

[Oliver Hudson]

You're. You're Both in your 40s.

[Kate Hudson]

I'm 48. Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

Wow. You have to write this at some point, you know, I know.

[Kate Hudson]

We should.

Well, that's what's fun about this podcast is being able to sort of connect in a different way. You know, Katie and I being able to have these conversations with you and other people and you learn about yourself, you know, as we go through this process of the podcast. This has been amazing. I cannot wait to read your book. That 100 pager. And I feel like as AD. As ADD gets more prominent, your books are going to get shorter and shorter to the point where it's like you're going to open up the book, and it's like, you ha. If you've bought this book, you have it. That's it. But. But before we leave and we got to go, but I want to ask a real quick question about, you know, how you've seen this, you know, this gift grow and has it gotten. Has there been more? And how much social media, how much technology is. Is influencing this or if it is at all.

[Oliver Hudson]

Oh, my God. It. It is like. I mean, I. It's an answer to my prayers. When I published Driven Distraction, I have a very good friend who's a major player in the. In the publication world, and he said, ned, don't get your hopes up. This book is not going to change your life. And second, I don't like your title. It sounds like a book about cars. Both of those statements have proven to be very wrong. It's not a book about cars, and it dramatically changed my life, but more important, changed the lives of millions of people. It sold 2 million copies and still selling strong. And then. And then the Other books I've written, they're not all about add. A book about worry, a book about raising children. That's my favorite book. And a book about connection, a book about my own crazy family. The title is because I came from a crazy family. And that was my answer, by the way. And people would say, why'd you become a psychiatrist? I said, because I come from a crazy family. It's, I am so blessed and relieved and great. I mean the fact that I'm talking to you, I, that means it's going to move even more. And, and the, the chance for truth and knowledge to do good in this world is, is just wonderful when you see it because so often the opposite, you know, held sway. But the, this is, this is a good news diagnosis. Unlike most medical diagnoses. I can say to my patients, for sure, you will get better. How much better, I can't tell you, but I can promise you you will, your life will improve. And, and, and that's pretty wonderful feeling, you know.

[Kate Hudson]

Have you seen a spike, A growth? A growth just tick tock.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah, I, I, you know. Have you seen me on tick tock?

[Kate Hudson]

No, I, I haven't. But I'm wondering if like you think that tick. Because everyone says it does, but from a doctor standpoint, does tick tock you up?

[Oliver Hudson]

No. What it don't. Yes. Yes and no. Social media can you up. It's, and it's not just the content of the social media. It's what you're not doing when you're on social media. You're not playing baseball, you're not having sex, you're not writing a novel. You're, you're not, you know, daydreaming, lying on your back in the grass and daydreaming. You're not, you're not doing all the things that your mind is meant to do. And, and watching TikTok is pretty low on the, on the, on the, on the table of, of what is good for you to do. I say that as someone who, I've made like 50 TikTok things about ADD. But, but some of them are just so inane. And then people really do get addicted. They really do. They. If you define addiction as, as craving and then becoming really violent when you don't get it. Yeah. TikTok addiction, social media addiction is very real. Okay, but, but don't worry about that. Just channel your kids and other kids into the garden of delights that, that life offers in a, in a positive and constructive way. You guys are, you guys are the fairy godmothers of this world. People look up to you and. And follow you. And. And you happened. I can tell just in talking to. You happen to be good through and through. You're. You're honest, you're playful, you're fun, you're creative. You happen to be very attractive, which never hurts. And. And, you know, it's. And you're doing. You're like this. You don't need to do this podcast. You're doing it because you want to do something useful, do something creative. And. And you are.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

And I'm not buttering you up. I'm just saying, like, I'm feeling.

[Kate Hudson]

I love that.

That. That made me feel so good.

Me, too. Well, I'm 100% going to buy your book right now. That.

I know. Me, too.

[Oliver Hudson]

We suddenly. We've made new friends.

[Kate Hudson]

I love it. When did your book 2.0 come out?

[Oliver Hudson]

2 years ago.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay.

And do you have another one coming out soon?

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, as soon as some. I mean, I keep polishing, polishing, polishing. I've never put so much time into a book ever. I've been working on it for a couple of years, and like I said, the title is, you're better than you think you are. And I just. I see this as a problem bigger than add, by far. There are just so many people out there who sell themselves short.

[Kate Hudson]

Yep.

[Oliver Hudson]

You know, and they. And they. They give up too easily because they just don't have that faith in themselves. And it almost always comes back to they don't have the right people encouraging them. It's just very hard to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. And they have the talent, they have the goodness, they have the motivation, and they just. In fact, the book. The first line of the book is, how do you convince a person that it's Sunday, when it is, in fact, Sunday.

[Kate Hudson]

Mask. Great. I love that.

[Oliver Hudson]

And then that's. That's the conundrum that so many people live with it.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

Well, you two are very special, and I thank you for. Thank you.

[Kate Hudson]

I appreciate this, man. This is really fun.

Thank you so much. Have the best day, and we'll have you on again.

Yeah. Keep in touch.

Keep this going.

[Oliver Hudson]

Take care.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Hudson]

All right.

[Kate Hudson]

Thanks, doctor. Bye. Oh, my God, how great.

I love him. I want to be his friend. I want him to mentor me. I want him to take me to the promised land, whatever that is.

I feel inspired.

Me, too. I'm gonna go, like, direct something and win an award.

Wait, no. What you should say is what you want to do. Is get off your is big for me. Yeah. Like what an amazing thing to. To be like. Oh wait, I've been treating my symptom, not the actual problem.

Yeah.

So maybe you need to get off. Try to get off of it. Not wait till after the summer.

Wait, don't ruin our summer.

Let's. Let's not get weird in Greece.

[Oliver Hudson]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

Maybe I'll start in like, you know, when we get home, like in August.

Yeah. And like dween off and then go on five and then try. Yeah, try something else. As long as you feel good about it, you know.

Wow, that was cool.

I know. I can't wait for Ryder to hear this one.

Yeah.

Anyway, I loved it. I love you. I loved it.

All right, goodbye.

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[Kate Hudson]

New out of Nowhere Obstacles New all or Nothing Moments New Less Than Likely Triumphs Season two of the Unshakeables podcast has it all. Hi, I'm Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business and host of the show. We're excited to bring you more inspiring stories from small business owners who share the what are we gonna do? Moments that ended up changing everything. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JPMorgan Chase bank and a member FDIC Copyright 2025 JP Morgan Chase & Company.