In today’s episode, I’m diving into identity work with the incredible Dr. Marcy Caldwell, and I promise, this conversation will shift how you see yourself and your ADHD. We’re not just talking about symptoms or strategies—we’re unpacking the emotional and psychological process behind how we relate to our diagnosis over time. Marcy shares her groundbreaking five-stage ADHD identity model that truly spoke to me, and I know it’ll speak to you too. We talk about everything from shame and self-acceptance to the stages we cycle through post-diagnosis—and why some of us get stuck.

Dr. Marcy Caldwell is a psychologist, writer, illustrator, and proud wife and mother in a family full of ADHD. With over twenty years of experience, she is a passionate advocate for those with neurodiverse brains, focusing on helping craft systems and environments that nurture unique strengths. As the Founder and Director of the Center for ADHD, one of the nation’s leading ADHD clinics, Dr. Marcy is committed to making a difference in the lives of those impacted by neurodiversity. She also established the blog ADDept.org and the digital program Meltdown to Mastery to bring accessible, science-backed information and strategies to adults with ADHD who might otherwise be unable to access services.

Episode Highlights:

[0:50] - Welcoming Dr. Marcy Caldwell and diving into her background
[2:20] - What identity work really means for people with ADHD
[4:47] - Why ADHD treatment often misses this huge piece
[7:19] - The five-stage ADHD identity model: an overview
[9:51] - Stage 2: Exploration—why it’s so energizing (and risky)
[11:14] - Stage 3: Foreclosure—when the excitement crashes into shame
[14:06] - Stage 4: Immersion—finding your people and feeling empowered
[16:27] - Stage 5: Integration—when ADHD becomes part of who you are
[24:35] - ADHD disruption spiral: when excitement leads back to burnout
[25:53] - Helping clients gently transition from immersion to integration
[29:00] - Justice sensitivity, burnout, and learning to put yourself first
[31:48] - Masking and how it changes across identity stages
[33:17] - Why it helps to know where you are in the identity model
[36:56] - The identity “reset” when another diagnosis (like autism) emerges
[38:00] - What integration looks like in real life
[39:03] - Why traditional identity models don’t fit ADHD
[40:56] - Marcy’s top advice if you're just starting to explore your ADHD

Connect with Dr. Marcy Caldwell:

• Follow Dr. Marcy Caldwell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marcycaldwel
• Learn more about Dr. Marcy Caldwell: https://www.thecenterforadhd.com/
• Access more tools and insights from Marcy at: https://www.addept.org/

Thank you for tuning into SuccessFULL with ADHD.

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Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share this conversation with you because today I got to sit down with someone I deeply admire in the ADHD world—Dr. Ari Tuckman. If you’ve ever searched for practical, no-BS ADHD productivity tips, chances are you’ve landed on Ari’s work. He’s a clinical psychologist, international presenter, and leading voice in the ADHD space, known for bridging the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. He’s also the author of five books, including his newest, The ADHD Productivity Manual.

Ari and I dive into what makes productivity so challenging for ADHD brains, why willpower isn’t the answer (and never was), and how we can move from self-blame to strategies that actually stick. We get real about over-scheduling, executive function, people-pleasing, gender roles, and how to stop promising things you can’t deliver. This one’s jam-packed with relatable stories and powerful insights that’ll help you rethink what success looks like with ADHD.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Ari on why willpower alone doesn’t cut it
[1:50] - Introducing Ari and what makes his approach to ADHD so relatable
[3:11] - Why “just try harder” doesn’t work for productivity
[5:27] - The problem with “top 5 hacks” and the danger of flashy solutions
[6:32] - A wild story about $50k coaching guarantees and why they’re BS
[8:53] - How willpower fails and why smarter setups matter more
[10:27] - Real-life ADHD examples, from brushing teeth to bedtime
[12:35] - The power of playful motivation and visual cues
[14:16] - Avoidance goals vs. approach goals—how both play a role
[17:07] - Redefining what a “good life” with ADHD really looks like
[20:35] - Managing expectations when you already feel like a failure
[23:19] - Learning to say no and avoiding the overpromise trap
[26:20] - The cost of overextending, especially for women with ADHD
[29:25] - Acknowledging impact without over-apologizing
[31:44] - Why ADHD strategies fizzle out and how to keep them fresh
[33:23] - Brooke’s planner win and the myth of “nothing ever works”
[36:16] - Planning for setbacks and building flexible systems
[37:26] - Cutting out what no longer serves you and managing guilt
[39:22] - Brooke’s 30-day rule for shiny new things
[40:11] - Final takeaway: dig deeper to understand what really went wrong

Links & Resources

Ari Tuckman’s books and info: adultadhdbook.com

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

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Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised.

In this deeply impactful episode, I sit down with the incredible Brittany Piper—international speaker, author, somatic experiencing practitioner, and founder of the Body First Healing program. Brittany shares her powerful story of overcoming trauma and explains how misdiagnoses like ADHD can sometimes mask deeper trauma responses.

We dive into the science of the nervous system, the power of somatic healing, and how trauma lives in the body long after the mind thinks it’s moved on. Brittany shares how her journey led her from survival to recovery, and how she now helps others understand their body’s language to reclaim safety, connection, and joy. If you or someone you love struggles with trauma, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD, this episode offers real hope, powerful insight, and practical tools for healing.

Episode Highlights:

[0:49] Meet Brittany Piper and a glimpse into her work and background in trauma-informed care.

[3:05] Brittany opens up about her early life and how trauma impacted her mental health.

[5:56] Grinning and bearing it: how unresolved trauma showed up as ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

[8:41] The exhausting toll of a two-year trial process and its re-traumatizing effects.

[12:08] Rock bottom: the jail cell moment that sparked Brittany's healing journey.

[13:49] Introduction to somatic experiencing and how Brittany began healing her nervous system.

[17:47] Why talk therapy alone wasn’t enough—and how polyvagal theory changed everything.

[22:10] Understanding nervous system responses and how to rewire for safety.

[24:20] Trigger vs. activation: decoding what your body is really telling you.

[28:56] How repeated exposure through the body can neutralize trauma responses.

[31:49] Real-time somatic work: what healing looks like on a body level.

[35:15] How somatic IFS and nervous system awareness help you lead from your most regulated self.

[42:53] Why trauma recovery requires slowing down and building foundational safety.

[44:47] The truth about regulation: it's not about "fixing" yourself—it's about changing how you relate to your emotions.

Guest Bio:

Brittany Piper is a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, author, and international speaker specializing in trauma-informed care and nervous system healing. She is the founder of the Body First Healing program and author of Body-First Healing: A Revolutionary Guide to Nervous System Recovery.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Brittany's work: bodyfirsthealing.com
• Follow Brittany on Instagram: @healwithbrit

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://bit.ly/CWBCoachCert

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits and 25.5 PAAC CCE’s

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed as a “Professional ADHD Coach” Under ACO Directory

Save your seat for the Q&A to learn more ▶️ https://bit.ly/CWBCoachCert