Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom

About Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom

Welcome to the podcast for the woman living at the intersection of a deeply sensitive, empathic soul and a busy ADHD brain. I’m your host, Lisa Kelly-Willis, and I’m here to help you navigate the unique "puzzle" of neurodivergent motherhood in real time. I share honest stories and discuss the the rare paradox of having a soul that craves peace and quiet, but a brain that won't stop talking. This podcast is is here to make highly sensitive ADHD moms feel less alone and prove that our sensitivity is a true gift, even on the days we're overwhelmed.

Publisher

Lisa Kelly-Willis

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Mar 2026

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   AI, Unfolded Laundry, and Protecting My HSP/ADHD Soul From Hyper-Productivity

   In this vulnerable and honest episode, I talk about navigating life after my ADHD diagnosis, managing medication transitions, and staying grounded through a recent breast cancer scare. I have a complex, love-hate relationship with artificial intelligence. And I share how tools like Gemini help me decode overwhelming executive function hurdles like grocery shopping and errands, while reflecting on the darker side of hyper-productivity, boundary blurring with personal AI companions, and the heavy toll fast-paced technology takes on my sensitive soul. From deleting social media and finally letting go of perfectionist laundry habits to embracing analog comforts like scrapbooking and reading physical magazines, this episode explores how I'm learning to use tech to clear the mental clutter without sacrificing my peace.

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   ADHD Emotional Flooding & Taking Medication Breaks

   Earlier this week, the perfect storm hit: digestive issues followed by a miserable stomach bug, PMS, and an unexpected ADHD medication gap—right when my sister emailed me back after seven months of absolute silence. I’m talking about what happened when my ADHD "brakes" were temporarily gone. I open up about sliding into emotional flooding, grieving a distant sibling relationship, and why it is so much harder to stay regulated with family than with friends. I've been thinking about how text, email, and AI are changing how we communicate. If you’ve ever had an impulsive, unmedicated moment or are quietly grieving a relationship that will never give you an apology, this one is for you—because you are not alone.

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   My Brain Has No Brakes: Navigating the ADHD Rumination Loop

   This week, I had to step away from my ADHD medication, and my brain's rumination loop ran completely raw. An unexpected email triggered a massive emotional spiral, and it clarified something huge for me: ADHD isn’t an attention problem, it’s a brakes problem. In this episode, I’m opening up about my own struggle with compulsively replaying hurts, why high sensitivity makes these loops feel so loud, and how I'm learning to stop demanding that my brain do something it currently cannot do. If you've ever felt completely exhausted by your own thoughts, this episode is for you.

4. 

   19 Sept 2026

   The Real Reason for My Break: ADHD, Lexapro Tapers, and Family Boundaries

   I’m back! After an unintended two-month summer hiatus, I’m discussing what I've been processing, and the massive shifts happening in my life. In this episode, I’m sharing my journey of tapering off Lexapro after realizing my anxiety was actually just unmanaged ADHD. I also dive deep into the emotional weight of my recent family trip to Connecticut—reflecting on the rigid routines of neurodivergent parents, navigating a distant sibling relationship, and grieving the lack of an extended family village. Finally, I talk about how this emotional clarity triggered a massive wake-up call for me to eliminate decision fatigue by simplifying, organizing, and creating a truly frictionless home.

5. 

   7 Jul 2026

   HSP & ADHD Mom: Tapering Lexapro & Anxiety About Anxiety

   Have you ever had anxiety about anxiety? In this episode, I’m opening up about a major milestone: working with my psychiatrist to very slowly taper off my antidepressant, Lexapro. After surviving an incredibly heavy year of stacked stress—including deep grief, financial uncertainty, and a major family rift—things have finally settled. But as I take this first step down, I’ve noticed a quiet internal "background scanner" running in my mind, constantly checking to see if my old anxious baseline is making a comeback. I’m also sharing a real-time breakthrough I had last week during a marathon, seven-hour pool day with a group of local moms. As highly sensitive ADHDers, we are often told to keep social events short to avoid sensory overload, but we can't build deep, meaningful friendships in a rushed, one-hour coffee date. I’ll explain why supporting my ADHD brain with low-dose stimulants feels like a cognitive pair of glasses, and why it is entirely normal to re-evaluate your medication baseline as your life circumstances change. Grab your favorite straw water bottle, take a deep breath, and remember that you are not alone.

6. 

   30 Jun 2026

   Going Off Antidepressants: An HSP Mom’s Real-Time ADHD Update

   Have you ever felt like your anxiety was the only engine keeping your life from falling apart? In today’s episode, I’m opening up about my conflicting relationship with medication as an HSP/ADHD mom, and why I’ve decided to slowly taper off my antidepressant, Lexapro, to transition solely to ADHD stimulant medication. I'm diving into the heavy reality of late-diagnosed ADHD, how the pressure to be a "perfect" gentle parent can cause us to implode physically, and the chaotic middle school years where many of us first learned to mask our executive dysfunction with pure panic. This is a real-time, unfiltered update—I’m only one week into this taper, and I’m sharing the exact approach I’m taking with my psychiatrist. From the physical realities of SSRI side effects to the looming question of how I will navigate the wild card of my luteal phase and PMDD without Lexapro, I'm laying it all out there. Whether you are navigating your own medication puzzle or just trying to survive your kids' summer schedule, I hope this episode reminds you to trust your body, listen to your intuition, and know that you are absolutely not alone.

7. 

   23 Jun 2026

   HSP & ADHD Travel Anxiety: What a Trip to Greece Taught This Mom

   Have you ever looked at your sensitive child and realized that the very things you struggle with are actually beautiful gifts? In this episode, I’m sharing the raw truth about our first family trip to Greece. As an HSP managing ADHD, travel anxiety and perimenopause used to derail me. I’m opening up about the reality of "medication jetlag" across an eight-hour time difference, the humor of rushing to early tours, and why I’m finally letting go of the mom guilt of outsourcing to protect my nervous system. I’m also diving into a mind-blowing, 2,400-year-old ADHD insight from Hippocrates that completely changed how I view my brain. Plus, I'm giving an honest update on tapering my antidepressant Lexapro under my doctor's care, and how this trip helped me embrace who I am. If you are tired of the exhausting American rush and ready for a little more slow grace, grab your coffee and join me. You are not alone!

8. 

   3 Jun 2026

   The 40s Loneliness No One Talks About from a HSP/ADHD Mom

   Have you ever felt a strange, quiet sense of loneliness as a mom, even when you're almost never physically alone? In this episode, I’m getting incredibly honest about why finding deep, soul-level friendships in our 40s feels so hard, especially for highly sensitive ADHD moms. I share the five realizations helping me build a beautiful tapestry of local connections without draining my battery, why I’m fiercely picky about my peace, and how a random four-hour pool day completely proved me wrong about adult friendships. Plus, I open up about my upcoming family trip to Greece, the real-time tools I'm using to manage travel anxiety, and the pre-vacation chaos of tackling my DOOM piles.

9. 

   30 May 2026

   Protecting My Empath Trait as an HSP/ADHD Mom

   In this episode, I’m opening up about what it’s really like to navigate daily sensory overload as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and ADHD mom. I’m sharing my exhausting habit of absorbing everyone else’s stress just to make the frantic energy in the room stop. By untangling my own childhood history alongside the science of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and ADHD emotional dysregulation, I look back at why my neurodivergent nervous system treats a loved one's bad mood like a code-red survival emergency—and how I'm actively working to break that old cycle. I’m walking you through four personal ADHD coping strategies I’m using right now to stop giving my peace away, inspired by Dr. Judith Orloff’s The Empath’s Survival Guide, a recent breakthrough in my parent support group, and a tough question from my therapist about the stories I create in my own head. From learning the vital distinction between co-regulating with my kids versus physically absorbing their big feelings, to fighting the urge to be a literal "mind-reader," I'm learning how to quiet the loud internal noise. Join me as I share my messy, real-life journey toward managing overwhelm, setting boundaries, and keeping myself grounded. Connect with Me: Facebook Page: Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 Review the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other neurodivergent moms find our community! Resources mentioned: Book: The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff ADHD Clinical Research: Learn more about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and emotional dysregulation from the pioneering work of psychiatrist Dr. William Dodson. Parent Support: Sending a huge thank you to ADHD parent coach Barbara Pestien, RN, MSN, for emphasizing the deep importance of allowing our children to borrow our calm nervous system to co-regulate. https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ Movie: Follow That Bird (The 1985 Sesame Street Movie).

10. 

    21 May 2026

    Grieving for my Younger Self as a Late-Diagnosed HSP/ADHD Mom

    Have you ever looked at an old childhood photo of yourself and felt a sudden wave of sadness instead of a smile? In this milestone 10th episode, I’m sitting right here in my closet, diving into a heavy but completely necessary topic: the grief we feel for our younger selves as late-diagnosed moms. It is a strange, heartbreaking thing to stand between two generations of ADHD—watching my 7-year-old daughter grow up validated and supported, while mourning the anxious, daydreamy little girl I used to be, who had to white-knuckle her way through a chaotic childhood. But as I unpack everything from generational trauma to pop culture moments like Firefly Lane, I’m learning that while we can't rewrite our pasts, we can heal our presents. I’m peeling back the layers of parenting perfectionism, embracing the concept of the "good enough mom," and learning how to protect my sensitive nervous system. This episode is a raw, honest look at how we can honor our grief, give ourselves the grace we never received, and recognize that our high sensitivity is a gift worth fiercely protecting. Connect & Support: Community: Join my Facebook Page Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Review: Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other moms find us Resources mentioned in this episode: TV Show: Firefly Lane (The series finale on Netflix) Movie: Follow That Bird (The 1985 Sesame Street movie) Movie: As Good as it Gets Book: Nowhere Girl: Life as a Member of ADHD's Lost Generation by Carla Ciccone Book: Master the Mundane: How to Manage Life, Home, and Family as a Mom by Amy Marie Hann Psychological Concept: The "Good Enough Mother" theory (1953) by Dr. Donald Winnicott. Podcast: Neurodiversity Podcast with host Emily Kircher-Morris ADHD Parent Coaching: Barbara Pestien (Wildflower ADHD) https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/

11. 

    15 May 2026

    How I'm Learning to Complete the Stress Cycle as a HSP & ADHD Mom

    Have you ever noticed that your body still feels tightly wound hours after a stressful moment passes? The morning chaos is over and the problem is fixed, but your nervous system is still stuck in absolute overdrive. In this episode, I’m sharing a raw, honest look into my daily battles with morning-rush anxiety, sensory overload, late-diagnosis ADHD, and perimenopause. Grounded in the book Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, we dive into why simply surviving a stressful situation isn't enough to clear trapped stress chemicals from your body. I share how I'm using 7 physical evidence based strategies to complete the stress cycle and move through the emotional tunnel including morning jogs, 20 second hugs, and "lion's breath." Your high sensitivity is a beautiful gift, but we cannot give from an empty cup. This episode is all about learning how to spot your body's warning signs, honor your unique biology, and give yourself and your family the ultimate gift: a regulated mom. Check out the resources below to connect and dive deeper into the tools we discussed today: Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle (https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/198481706X) by Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Amelia Nagoski, DMA Join my Facebook page at Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 Support the Show: If this episode validated your experience, please leave a 5-star rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help other highly sensitive ADHD moms find this podcast!

12. 

    9 May 2026

    I Won't Let RSD Internally Gaslight Me Anymore (HSP & ADHD)

    Have you ever felt a shift in the room that no one else noticed, only to tell yourself you’re "just being sensitive"? In this episode, we’re getting real about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). For a long time, I rejected the RSD label because I didn't want to believe I was "malfunctioning." But I’ve realized the real danger isn't the diagnosis—it's the way RSD tries to internally gaslight us into doubting our own perceptions. We aren't broken; we are Hyper Attuners. We’re sensing actual shifts in energy and tension that others miss. It’s time to stop feeling like our emotional volume knob is broken when we’re really just plugged into a much larger amplifier. In this episode, we dive into: Motherhood Earthquakes: Navigating the sting of parental preference and sensing a partner’s unspoken stress. The "Truth Seer" Reality: Why your "Human Wi-Fi" is actually accurate, even if the story your brain tells about it needs checking. From "Crunchy" to Medicated: My raw journey of honoring my nervous system and why "natural" doesn’t have to mean suffering in silence. You aren’t "too much." You’re just the one in the room who sees the truth first. It’s time to stop fixing our feelings and start believing our own hearts. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Clinical Research: Dr. William Dodson on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria The Highly Sensitive Person: Research and resources by Dr. Elaine Aron Community: Join my Facebook Page, Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306) Listener Guide: Revisit Episode 3 for the full "PE Teacher" story. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-lifelong-anxiety-about-getting-in-trouble-hsp-adhd-mom/id1888844740?i=1000760281904

13. 

    3 May 2026

    How I'm Resetting My Nervous System: An HSP/ADHD Story

    Description: In this episode, I’m talking about moving away from the frantic ADHD hyperfocus of "rushing for answers" and learning to actually sense the shifts in my own nervous system. After three months of diving into every book and podcast out there, I’m realizing that my highly sensitive system just needs a break from the noise. I’m sharing the ways I’m staying regulated from turning my iPhone into a "flip phone" to finding grounding roots right here in my Austin neighborhood. I also dive into those quirky ADHD traits I’m just now realizing are "a thing," like playing the same album on repeat. I want to give us all permission to stop working towards being "productive" and just be. I’m letting the mask come off, embracing middle age, and remembering that we aren't doing this alone. Resources Mentioned Books: Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski; The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Podcasts: Motherhood in ADHD, I Have ADHD, and ADHD Mums Connect: Join Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Facebook Page for photos and links to tools https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306) ADHD Coach: Barbara Pestien https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ 7 Strategies for Completing the Stress Cycle (From the book Burnout) Physical Activity: Tell your brain the "threat" is over. Breathing: Slow, deep breaths to reset. Positive Social Interaction: A friendly chat to feel safe. Laughter: Deep belly laughs to release pressure. Affection: A 20-second hug for connection. A Big Cry: Letting the physical energy out. Creative Expression: Processing stress through art or music.

14. 

    28 Apr 2026

    Why I Overestimate My Energy: HSP/ADHD Spoon Theory

    I’m being really honest in this episode about a super hard, emotional week I’ve had and why my ADHD brain is constantly writing checks my HSP nervous system can’t cash. I wanted to talk about Spoon Theory through our specific lens as neurodivergent moms—navigating that weird tension where the ADHD side of us wants all the excitement while the high sensitivity is begging for a nap. I’m sharing how I’ve been observing my own energy, especially during social events where I’ve realized I can be in a “stimulation surplus” while being in a total “emotional deficit.” I also get into the nitty-gritty of what’s actually giving me spoons back right now, like Jewel’s lullabies, my weighted blanket, and the “parallel play” I’ve been doing with my kids. I’m even opening up about the practical boundaries I’m setting to survive perimenopause—from my “two-place-a-day” rule to finally letting go of the guilt over having a housecleaner. I’m recording this in one take from my closet because I’m choosing connection over perfection, and I hope it helps you feel a little less alone in your own beautiful, overstimulated life. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Original Spoon Theory: The Spoon Theory essay by Christine Miserandino Sound Medicine: Jewel’s Lullaby album and the music of Eva Cassidy Nervous System Regulation: The Headspace app (meditation and breathing) ADHD Insights: The ADHD with Jenna Free podcast Coaching & Support: Barbara Pestien https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ Connect with Lisa: Join the conversation on the Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306

15. 

    23 Apr 2026

    Letting Go of the Guilt: My HSP/ADHD Transition Fatigue

    Ever wonder why a busy weekend leaves you feeling completely wiped out and agitated, even when it was "just" a soccer tournament? In this episode, I’m getting honest about transition fatigue and why shifting between environments is so draining for highly sensitive ADHD moms. I’m sharing how I’m finally stepping out of the guilt loop and learning to build a life that actually honors my biology—from my “two-location limit” to why I finally bought a "Sorry, we can't play today” sign for my front door. Let’s reframe what productivity looks like in this season, because at the end of the day, our kids don't need a mom who does it all—they just need a consistent, regulated mom.

16. 

    16 Apr 2026

    My Anxiety Breaking Point: 4 Tools for HSP/ADHD Moms

    Description: I’m Lisa Kelly-Willis, and in this episode, I’m talking about that heavy "mental load" we all carry—and why I finally had to stop holding everything in my head before it felt like it was going to explode. I’m getting honest about my own breaking point last summer and how I went from being a "super volunteer" numbing out my feelings to finally admitting that my sensitive ADHD nervous system was just done. I’m sharing the four simple, old-school paper tools that saved my sanity, including my personal planner that is strictly forbidden from ever leaving my house. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or working around the clock, I hope this helps you realize that your brain was meant for way more than just tracking our to-do lists. Let’s get all that noise out of our heads so we can actually have some room for joy again. I'd love to have you join my Facebook page at Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 Resources: ADHD Time Management Toolkit for Adults by Sophia Brooks

17. 

    8 Apr 2026

    My Lifelong Anxiety About "Getting in Trouble" | HSP/ADHD Mom

    For 45 years, anxiety has been my survival strategy—the engine I used to keep my ADHD brain from dropping the ball. In this episode, I’m sharing some of my hardest stories, from being a terrified kid in the dark to a sensory-overload moment at 23 that actually led to an arrest. I’m realizing now that these weren't character flaws or "troublemaker" moments; they were just a highly sensitive, undiagnosed brain trying to survive in a world that wasn't built for it. We’re also talking about the "quiet exhaustion" of being a mom who looks like she has it all together while running on the fumes of anxiety. I’m sharing why I finally felt "seen" by Kim Holderness, and how I’m trying to replace that old, exhausting engine with a little more grace. If you’ve ever felt that sinking feeling over an expired license or an unsent email, I want you to know you aren’t alone. We’re letting go of being "perfect" and just being authentic—even if it’s one voice memo at a time.

18. 

    2 Apr 2026

    "Mommy Likes to Organize": Living with an HSP/ADHD Mom

    Description: In my last episode, I shared my diagnosis story and let’s just say, wow, I had a total vulnerability hangover afterwards. This week, I’m being an open book again and sharing what my family actually sees. I asked my husband and kids for the "good and the hard" parts of having a highly sensitive ADHD mom in the house, and their honesty was both heart-warming and a little eye-opening. We’re talking about everything from my wide-open cabinets and "doom piles" to the funny way my daughter describes my need to organize. I’m also getting really real about how hard it is for my brain to just listen sometimes, and why I’m challenging myself to put my phone away and be more present for the people I love. If you’ve ever felt like that paddling duck trying to look calm while your legs are moving a mile a minute under the water, I hope this makes you feel a little less alone. We’re just figuring this puzzle out together. Resources Mentioned: Podcast: I Have ADHD with Kristen Carder

19. 

    26 Mar 2026

    My Mid-Life ADHD Diagnosis: The “Wait... What?” Moment

    I thought it was just perimenopause, a busy “mom” brain,” and my lifelong high sensitivity. But a single, confusing moment during my daughter’s piano lesson cracked the code to my entire life. Join me, Lisa Kelly-Willis, for the very first episode of the Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Podcast. I’m sharing the raw, unfiltered story of how my 7-year-old daughter and I were both diagnosed with ADHD just two months ago. If you’ve ever felt like a “paddling duck”—appearing calm on the surface while kicking frantically underneath—this episode is for you. We’re talking about mid-life diagnoses, the overlap of sensory overload and ADHD, and why I’m choosing “done over perfect.”

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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