The Faster Than Normal Podcast: Add | Adhd | Health

We are joined today by a scientist! I love interviewing scientists! Although diagnosed as a child, Janice did not get fully treated for ADHD until her second year at Harvard. She is doing amazing research as she finishes her fifth year of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences PhD program there, and has found her way to rock life with ADHD! Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Janice discuss: :46-  Intro & welcome Janice Marie Nieves Bonilla de Ouellette! 1:40-  You didn’t get diagnosed until you got to Harvard, correct?  Tell us your story. 2:56-  How was growing up for you; how did school & your classes go? 4:36-  Can you tell any of our listeners who may be feeling like: “My ADHD is preventing me from being smart, or from being brilliant” exactly what it is that you are studying at Harvard?  ref: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Immunology and Autoimmunity, Joslin Diabetes Center 6:02-  Your first language is Spanish. Sometimes people with ADHD are not great with languages; how are you with learn

As you may know, I worked at AOL for a few years and then for a company called Jumbo- my last ever full-time job. I lasted for about 7 months before I realized I just did not work well with people; my friend Paul couldn’t either! We kinda bonded over that and we’re still friends to this day! Paul is currently the Director of Sales-Technical Sales North America for Varian Medical Systems.  He has been with them for 17 years w/ extensive experience in physical & virtual Oncology IT architecture.  He is helping hospitals all over the world design the best possible network to help treat cancer patients from India, Europe and North America. Today we reminisce about what it was like to have ADHD 20 years ago, and we talk about the tools & systems we have in place to help us run things ’on our own’ these days. Enjoy! In this episode Peter and Paul discuss: :46-  Intro and welcome Paul Berkson 1:23-  You and I are very similar in some ways; it always felt good to have sort of an ally in the ADHD world, back i

So, I’ve been reading about this new eTNS system that was recently approved by the FDA and it kinda freaked me out. The thoughts of me using this on my kid!? I’m not a medical professional, but my dear friend Dr. Jen IS. (her bio is here and she’s been on the podcast before today- you can listen to that here). I wanted to get her medical option and thoughts about this new machine.. and she freaked out too! So I invited her to come visit and share her opinion and about what she has learned with you. Let’s talk and discuss. Enjoy! In this episode Peter and Jen discuss: :50-  Neurosigma’s “eTNS System”  1:18-  Intro and welcome back Dr. Jen Hartstein 1:40-  I showed this thing to you yesterday and you also freaked out! What are your thoughts about it today? 3:00-  About the study group used in getting it’s FDA approval  ref: Dr. Stephen Hinshaw 3:50-  Side effects and intended usage for ages 7-12. 4:21-  About stimulation threshold(s) and other possible side effects listed. 5:04-  As compared to non-stimulant

Sometimes with ADHD, we can’t figure out why things just aren’t working out right. So when we finally get diagnosed, there can be a sense of relief- because we finally have a name for what’s wrong.  This guy knows all about that! After struggling through all of his high school & part of his college years, JO was diagnosed with Dyslexia and later with ADHD.  He was struggling into his 30’s. He has written a book about it, (in addition to a couple of others), that I started recently and am just loving. Now a husband and father, JO’s mission is to help parents and families- particularly stay at home dads- redefine life & family according to what works best for them. We talk about how excruciatingly painful having undiagnosed ADHD & Dyslexia can be, (especially in classroom settings), about self-love, about what finding a true mentor can mean, and about his new book, which is J.O.’s love letter to his younger self, here today. Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Jonathan discuss: 1:14-  Intro and welco

The day before Caitlin's 24th birthday, a young girl in Texas was texting while driving and didn't see a young couple on their motorcycle. Caitlin & her husband at the time were ejected from that bike. She lived to celebrate her birthday in the ICU. When she woke up from surgery the nurse informed her that she was four weeks pregnant. After 6 reconstructive surgeries on minimal pain medication, antibiotics, and anesthesia due to the pregnancy, Caitlin knew that her child was worth more than her own body. On June 12th, 2014 she amputated her left leg below the knee and began to take on life as a new Mom. February 13, 2015 she delivered a beautiful baby girl named Tinley. Caitlin had always wanted to be a Mom, but now the question arose as to what kind of mother she would become. She set her first two goals: to walk & run before the baby could. In April of 2016 she ran her first 5k w/ Tinley in a stroller. A month later, she found a crossfit gym and began a strength training regimen. A passion that bega

A lot of people I meet in the ADHD world are thrown into “all things ADHD” because they simply have no choice. What’s interesting is that my guest today has decided to make educating and helping folks with ADHD his profession! He coaches, he blogs, and he has started an ADHD support group for men- which is how I found him. There aren’t just loads of places to go, especially outside of the medical community, where you can have open and frank discussions with others who are similarly gifted. Marc has recently co-authored a book that will be out soon. We talk about how he chose this path, and some about what it’s like to be a guy who’s grown up with ADHD. Enjoy!    In this episode Peter and Marc discuss: 1:00-  Intro & welcome Marc! 1:57-  You struggled in school like most all of us, but you got diagnosed at age 16; tell us your story. 4:40-  On receiving the diagnosis 5:25-  After you were diagnosed, what were the most noticeable changes in your life? 6:25-  What made you want to become an ADHD life coach/w

My guest today had undiagnosed ADHD until she was twenty-one, and she wore a back brace for scoliosis from the age of eleven to thirteen, an experience that led directly to her debut novel Braced from Scholastic. It received three starred reviews, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, and has been nominated for several awards. Her new middle grade novel Focused, about a girl caught between her love of chess and her ADHD, will be in stores on March 26. Focused has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association’s Booklist and is a Junior Library Library Guild Selection. We talk about her struggles in learning to read, how things felt for her growing up, and how she ultimately found her voice.  Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Alyson discuss: 1:24-  Intro & welcome Aylson!  ref: books “Braced” and “Focused” 2:20-  Between your back brace and ADHD, growing up must’ve been a blast! Tell us your story? 3:48-  Were you getting a ‘you're not smart’ vibe from you teachers? 6:1

So as it turns out, Titus and I have like thousands of contacts in common. Like me, he was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after he was named to the Wired 100 list in 2010.. his resume is super extensive & impressive! We talk today about how he first discovered that he had ADHD & Dyslexia, and what he’s implemented that is making his super powers even stronger! (Oh and my voice is better now by the way- thanks for suffering though my rasp the last couple of weeks). Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Titus discuss: 1:46-  Intro & welcome Richard Titus!  ref: Wired Razorfish Breezeworks Shenzen BBC Samsung 3:20-  Tell us your story. You didn’t realize you had ADHD until you had a daughter and she was diagnosed?  ref: Dr. Roz Wright  7:05-  On realizing you're not alone 8:06-  On indicators of having ADHD 9:54-  What’s working for you; what’s your daily routine? 11:20-  On isolating yourself in order to focus/flow/deep-work 11:49-  On the importance of being punctual 12:43-  At what point did you

Dr. Lade Abuah is a Specialist Registrar in child and adolescent psychiatry; or in American parlance- a Medical Doctor with a passion for children & mental health.  She’s the host of Our Mental Health Matters Podcast, a member of the Royal College Of Psychiatry and today we get to talk about her experience in working with kids who have ADHD/ADD living in the United Kingdom! We exchange and compare notes about social stigmas, teaching methodologies, and ways of increasing education & awareness. Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Lade discuss: 1:44-  Intro and welcome Dr. Abuah! 2:15-  What do you see as some of the biggest differences between how ADHD is viewed in the UK versus the US?  ref:  DSM-5 versus ICD-10 classifications 3:14-  Do you think ADHD is as common in the UK as it is in the US? 4:15-  How did you end up working in child Psychology/Psychiatry? 4:45-  How would you explain an ADHD diagnosis to a parent for the first time? 6:40-  Is there a movement of awareness happening in the UK?  ref

Rett Harmon wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until he was in college, where he studied Real Estate. Now co-owner of Century 21 Novus, he actively sells real estate and leads his Team- Rettro Group. His previous team closed 226 transactions in 2017 so the man stays super busy! He likes video marketing, blogging for publications, and speaking at industry events, but additionally he’s an Amazon Best Selling Author, Eagle Scout, (my personal favorite), has ownership in 9 companies, and loves raising money via Reels for Easter Seals. So we talk today about how he balances it all, and his story of success. Enjoy!     In this episode Peter and Rett discuss: 1:32-  Intro and welcome Rett! 2:00-  You didn’t get diagnosed until you were in college- what was it like for you growing up? 2:42-  What did your college professor notice about you, exactly? 3:29-  What’s an average day like for you? 4:47-  What do you do to keep yourself centered? 5:32-  How does ADHD affect you positively? Negatively? 6:25-  How do you switch your

We get to share-in a very raw and real conversation today. If your a hockey fan like me, then you know the name Theo Fleury from his 1000+ games on the ice, or from his Olympic Gold medal win in 2002! But off the rink, his life once carried the markings of a troubled childhood, abuse and coping with emotional pain through addictive and self-destructive behaviors. Today, Theo defines himself as a victor over trauma and addiction, and a facilitator to those still trying to find their way. His best-selling books, Playing with Fire and Conversations with a Rattlesnake, encourage open sharing and provide practical tools that people seeking help can personally use. We talk about his ADHD, his childhood, his adjustment to retirement and about never quitting…Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Theo discuss: 1:40-  Intro and welcome Theo Fleury!! 2:30-  You started playing hockey at five years old- what were things like for you growing up? 4:40-  Your career is amazing!! How did things go when you retired from the NH

Relationships are hard enough to begin with. Sometimes when people with ADD&ADHD are in relationships with people who are Neurotypical, both parties don’t always know to apply the right lens, or view things for what they really are. They may internalize thoughts, not communicate about their feelings, or completely misread signals, etc. Today we get to talk to a professional who has incredible experience and perspective! Dr. Striar has been on the faculty of many leading universities where she’s taught courses on Group Dynamics, Communication, and Sexology. She has contributed to journals in the field of Sexology and Popular Culture, and has spoken at professional forums, on national television and radio. She studied with Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan, was there at the beginning of St. Mark’s Free Clinic in NYC and was around for the beginning of the Women’s Movement! (A bit more about Dr. Striar here) You probably want to put the kids to bed for this one folks! Here’s hoping you have a positive, if not good Val

Are you curious? Are you curious on a regular basis? Do you want to know all about everything you see? If you said yes, then we’re like-minded, because I am curious about EVERYthing! So, today we’re talking with curiosity expert Diane Hamilton!  Dr. Diane Hamilton is a nationally syndicated radio host, speaker, moderator, consultant, and educator. Through her work as the MBA Program Chair at the Forbes School of Business and at several other universities, she has taught more than 1000 business courses. I have no idea how she made the time to do all that! She is also the author of multiple books, including her most recent, Cracking the Curiosity Code: The Key to Unlocking Human Potential. She is the creator of the Curiosity Code Index assessment and I’m really excited today, (and really curious), to talk with her! Here we go- Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Diane discuss: 1:57-  Intro and welcome Dr. Hamilton!  ref: “Cracking The Curiosity Code- The Key to Unlocking Human Potential”,  “Take The Lead” Radio

I am thrilled & honored to finally visit with famed restauranteur & author, Danny Meyer! What a great guy, plus- he is the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and the founder of Shake Shack! (If I see you at the gym twice this weekend, you’ll know why). Today we talk about building a business that puts quality customer satisfaction first, coffee milkshakes, the necessity of cheese, and how folks with ADD&OCD often become great entrepreneurs! A little more about Danny:  The Union Square Hospitality Group comprises some of New York’s most beloved restaurants, including Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, and more. Danny, his restaurants and chefs have earned an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards, and Danny’s recent personal achievements include the Julia Child Award (2017) and his inclusion on the TIME 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World (2015). His first business book, Setting the Table (HarperCollins, 2006), a New York Times bestseller, examines the power of hospit

Today we visit with Marvin Russell, the founder of two startups in the digital marketing world. that were both successfully acquired for millions. He is now working on Checkli, a passion project born out of necessity that has become startup number three, visited by 60,000 people every month to make, share and publish their most valuable checklists. We talk about his hyperactivity as a kid, his drive, how he stays on track and is always on the move. Enjoy! In this episode Peter and Marvin discuss: 1:32-  Intro and welcome Marvin 2:30-  What was growing up like; what’s your background? 2:54-  On childhood and hyperactivity 4:46-  When teachers would give you laps to run, did it help you? 5:40-  On the pressures of making great grades 6:40-  On not being able to stand still. How movement is beneficial 8:43-  On practical uses of movement in daily life 9:20-  So what prompted the entrepreneurship? 10:55-  How did you put systems in place to keep you on track in your new business? 12:47-  Dow long did that initial

Due to unresolved personal life traumas he failed to appropriately address at a younger age – life experiences he was unaware were affecting his mental health – Eric developed a severe bout of PTSD, along with symptoms of anxiety and depression. This fall came essentially “out of nowhere” and left him almost permanently in bed, and with severe cognitive impairment, for just over two and a half years. Once he found a way to climb out of his abyss, he vowed to spend the rest of his life focused on changing the global conversation through mental health advocacy. We talk about his journey and the organization he founded, WeAreAllALittleCrazy.org, here today. Thanks to my friend Dr. Jennifer Hartstein for introducing us!  Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Eric discuss: 1:28-  Intro and welcome Eric 2:32-  Give us a little more detail on your background and how you got here. 3:47-  What were you doing instead of ‘having a life’? 5:14-  Where was your breaking point? 5:50-  So what did you do to get better?  ref: 

Eight years of college, ‘being stubborn’ and above all- never giving up, made a success story of our guest today Liz Wells. A friend recommended I interview her for many reasons, but what really got me- is that she’s a huge animal lover too!! We don’t talk that much about animals today, (big ones, or small ones), but we definitely talk about big passion, drive and perseverance! Happy New Year! I hope you enjoy this one!   In this episode Peter and Liz discuss: 1:28-  Intro and welcome Liz 2:25-  Share with us your background- growing up, school, when you got diagnosed, etc. 3:50-  On college years and repeating classes 5:00-  So when you finally got diagnosed- how did you feel? 6:03-  On depression, meds and ADD 7:20-  When you were taking home mostly all “D”s and “F”s on your report card; what did you do? 8:50-  On keeping your true passion & drive, and not letting others sway you 10:11-  Peter on keeping true to his passion 11:00-  Liz on how she maintained on track towards her passion 12:09-  How are y

This young man is just beginning his career path with a stealthy little product called the Robiii. We learn today about how he’s learning to hurdle ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dysorthography and about the road he’s currently traveling. Like all of us he’s making his own pathway; here’s to helping him onwards as a young entrepreneur. Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Robi discuss: 1:27-  Intro and welcome Robi 2:10-  When were you diagnosed and what’s your backstory? 2:42-  So when you were first diagnosed, what did they tell you- how was it presented to you? 3:18-  What was it like before you were diagnosed and on meds?  ref: Vyvanse 3:58-  What else were you diagnosed with?  ref: Dysorthography 4:48-  How do you work and deal with the Dysorthography? I’ve never even heard of that! 5:18-  Tell us about the ways you deal with the Dyslexia and Dysgraphia? 5:34-  Do you have plans to go to University? 5:58-  What made you decide to become an Entrepreneur?  6:30-  So for you, it was really learning what worked

I’ve been looking forward to this visit with Scott for a while! He’s written six books, but it’s his latest best-sellar that I’m totally in love with! The best part? He’s had ADHD since he was a nano-sphere in his mother’s belly, and when I say “I take cold showers every day”, he doesn’t respond: “What the hell is wrong with you man??!” We talk about all of his journeys here today. I know your going to like this one, Enjoy! A little bit more about Scott:  Investigative journalist and anthropologist Scott Carney (scottcarney.com) has worked in some of the most dangerous and unlikely corners of the world. His work blends narrative non-fiction with ethnography. Currently, he is the CEO of the tiny Denver-based media company Foxtopus Ink, a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a 2016-17 Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado. His books include the New York Times best seller"What Doesn't Kill Us" as well as "The Red Market" and "The Enligh

Lisa Betts-LaCroix is a podcaster, speaker, actor and dancer. As host of the Super Power U Podcast she does long-form interviews revealing the mental models and tactical skills needed to be your very own superhero. She's been featured in over one hundred films, television episodes and movies-of-the-week. Lisa is a dance performer and speaker who inspires audiences to embrace vitality, passion and reclaim empowered living in later life. In spite of taking up dance at age 50 she has also recently become a World Champion Pro-Am American Rhythm Ballroom dancer. We talk about all about her story here today. Enjoy!   In this episode Peter and Lisa discuss: 1:25-  Intro and Welcome Lisa! 2:00-  You have an amazing bio- tell us your story and a bit of your history. 3:15-  When were diagnosed? Were you diagnosed? 5:30-  On recognizing your own brain. 6:25-  You talked about people saying “Me also” when you began to share with friends. Do you think there is some sort of magnetic pull between those of us who have ADD/AD