The ADHD Social Playbook

In this episode, I talk with ADHD coach, executive function expert, and author Brendan Mahan about his powerful concept, the “Wall of Awful,” the emotional barrier that can build between us and the things we struggle to do. Brendan explains why procrastination, task paralysis, avoidance, and difficulty getting started are often about much more than motivation, discipline, or making a better to-do list. Past failures, guilt, shame, overwhelm, anxiety, rejection, and disappointment can become emotional “bricks” in the wall, while anxiety can act like the mortar holding those bricks together.

What does friendship really look like for autistic and AuDHD individuals? In this episode, Rachel Feldman, LCSW, shares her personal and professional insights on communication, social cues, boundaries, and the importance of finding people who truly understand you. We explore why direct communication matters, how neurodivergent friendships often differ from societal expectations, and why there is no single "right" way to connect with others.

Why are so many women diagnosed with ADHD later in life? In this episode, psychologist and author Gilly Kahn opens up about the hidden realities of ADHD in women, from impulsivity and emotional dysregulation to trauma, masking, hormones, and late diagnosis.

In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Gilly Kahn joins the podcast to discuss the hidden realities of ADHD in women, from emotional dysregulation and masking to late diagnosis, anxiety, and the stigma surrounding treatment.

What does autism actually look like in women and late-diagnosed adults? In this powerful conversation, psychotherapist Rachel Feldman shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD in childhood and autism later in life and how that discovery changed everything.

In this powerful conversation, Patrick Casale shares his experience of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life and the years of loneliness, confusion, and self-doubt that came with it. From feeling “broken” to struggling with identity, burnout, and belonging, this episode dives deep into the emotional reality of undiagnosed neurodivergence.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack the emotional side of ADHD and friendships, including rejection sensitivity, people-pleasing, and the tendency to take on all the blame.

Have you ever walked away from a friendship feeling like you’re the problem?
In this deeply honest conversation, Caroline Maguire sits down with Jessica McCabe (creator of How to ADHD) to talk about something that doesn’t get said out loud enough: what it actually feels like to struggle with friendship when you’re neurodivergent.
Jessica shares what it was like growing up believing she wasn’t a “good friend,” always feeling like other people outranked her, and how that shaped the way she showed up in relationships. Together, Caroline and Jessica unpack the hidden gap between understanding ADHD and knowing how to connect with people.
They also share how their friendship has impacted each other in both meaningful and critical ways. This video is one you don't want to miss. It’s a real conversation about self-worth, social blind spots, people-pleasing, and why friendship can feel confusing even when you’re doing your best.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re missing something everyone else seems to just “get,” this episode will resonate.
Get your copy of Caroline's new book here: https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Skills-Neurodivergent-Adults-Distracted/dp/1538773082
Get your copy of Jessica's book How To ADHD here: https://www.amazon.com/How-ADHD-Insiders-Working-Against/dp/0593578945
Want more from Caroline?
Listen to The ADHD Social Playbook Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rm4vdyRflRoAmQvy5fqWw
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adhd-social-playbook/id1810263678
And subscribe for more conversations about ADHD, friendship, and building real connection.

What if the problem isn’t you, it’s the expectations you’ve been trying to meet?
Patrick Casale shares his journey of being late-diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and how years of masking and people pleasing led to burnout.
 

In this episode, ADHD expert Cindy Goldrich joins us to unpack the real challenges behind executive function and how they impact kids with ADHD at home and in school. We discuss why even highly intelligent children can struggle with organization, motivation, and processing speed, and how anxiety often plays a hidden role in their behavior. Cindy shares practical insights for parents and teachers on building collaboration, understanding executive function gaps, and supporting kids with compassion instead of blame. This conversation offers powerful tools to help families create stronger connections and empower neurodivergent children to succeed.