ADHd20

Hey y'all, it's AK choosing to speak to you directly instead of in the usual podcast episode description-required 3rd person. What started as decision to NOT follow a well-established pattern en route to therapy has since led to the start of a breakthrough. How many habits have I been clinging to, long after forgetting why I formed them in the first place?

Curl up with me 'n Matt for an honest talk about my journey (so far) on a GLP-1. How has losing the food noise exposed just how much my relationship with my body AND mind...

Why can we genuinely want to prep a game, level up a character, tackle a project, or keep up with a hobby—then feel that desire evaporate the second it becomes an obligation?

Turns out, there's a name for that feeling: demand avoidance. What happens when a want to becomes a have to? How can we meet that resistance instead of letting it spiral into shame and shutdown?

We’d tell you what to do about it, but that sounds suspiciously like a demand.

💬 Bring your “but I WANTED to do it” grievances...

When the Big Light in AK’s new apartment becomes the Big Bad, AK and Matt become hypervigilantes trying to save their own brains from overstimulation.

What do you do when the lights are too bright, the room is too loud, your socks are committing crimes, seven people are talking at once, and your brain is simply doing its best under hostile sensory conditions?

This week, we’re investigating hyperactivity vs. hyperreactivity, what overstimulation actually feels like, and what to do around the tabletop and IRL when everything becomes Too Much.

💬 Bring your Bi...

Starting a new campaign? Delicious. Finishing one? Now that feels like homework. Let’s talk new campaign dopamine, the dreaded messy middle, scheduling doom, guilt spirals, and why sometimes the kindest thing you can do is end the arc on purpose. Plus! A spirited discussion of our current vocal stims. Comment with yours! 

Help us keep making weird little things: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsyturvy 
Bring your vocal stims, campaign ghosts, and scheduling woes to Discord: http://discord.gg/B2NFAhYDbA 

We’re back, baby! ADHd20 has returned for season five, and we’re kicking things off on our new tabletopsyturvy channel by asking one very inconvenient question:

What if ease isn’t laziness?

Inspired by nature, mycelium networks, our cave-dwelling ancestors, AI assistants, and the deeply radical idea that maybe we don’t have to make everything harder for ourselves, we’re talking about ADHD, TTRPGs, and the path of least resistance.

🔔 Subscribe for ADHD-friendly TTRPG conversations, neurodivergent-first GM tools, Daggerheart tips, and unserious-but-sincere tabletop nonsense.

🙃 Want to build, chat, and play alongside u...

An admittedly too-short Season 4 wraps with a little reflection, a little mischief, and a big look at what’s coming next.

We look back on 2025’s theme of Mastery, the unexpected places it led (including GMing at Gen Con), and the ideas that have been lighting our brains on fire lately. Also revealed? The theme guiding 2026 — and where this strange, wonderful adventure might take us next.

Thanks for spending another season of ADHd20 with us.

💬 Join our party at The Pocket Dimension Discord: http://discord.gg/B2NFAhYDbA

🌀 Help us keep making this...

We got Kelly McLaughlin (one half of the legendary Dungeon Dudes) to sit down and talk ADHD, masking, and why neurodivergent brains and TTRPGs might just be a perfect match. Spoiler for those that know us: Kelly agrees that it's not just about the dice—it's about taking off the real-world mask while putting on a character's, having actual agency in a world you can change, and exploring parts of yourself you didn't know needed exploring.

Kelly opens up about his adult ADHD diagnosis, growing up hiding his love of Powerpuff Girls and the color purple in a...

Reminder: progress doesn’t have to look like exhaustion.

After Gen Con, AK and Matt reflect on what “push mode” looks like in ADHD brains—from hyperfocus to emotional overwhelm. Pushing ourselves too hard, pushing through burnout, pushing people away—or feeling pushed around. A conversation about momentum, friction, friendship, and learning when stopping might be the smarter move.

💬 Join our safe party at The Pocket Dimension Discord: https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord
🌀 Help us keep making this podcast with your support: https://www.patreon.com/enterthepocketdimension 
🎹 Theme music by Michael Bellar: https://www.michaelbellar.com/<...

We’ve been quoting his book Extra Focus for years—so getting to sit down with author Jesse J. Anderson (aka ADHD Jesse) feels like a major level-up for ADHd20. We dig into adult diagnosis, ADHD myths that refuse to die, and why “just try harder” is absolutely not a viable strategy for the neurodivergent. Jesse walks us through his 4 Cs of motivation, and we all compare notes on system-hopping, shame spirals, and trying to invoice your way through executive dysfunction.

Also: fidget envy, secret middle initials, and TTRPG metaphors galore. We laughed a lot. You will too. 

Let’s talk about overstimulation. From cons to code, gameplay to group hugs, we’re digging into what it means to hit your sensory limit in a world that keeps turning up the volume. Inspired by a stunning moment on Worlds Beyond Number and a viral Survivor clip, this episode explores how TTRPGs offer structure, emotional safety, and surprisingly powerful tools for regulation—both in game and in life.

Also: shoutouts to the Queen of Wands, the Mars Cheese Castle, and the real MVPs—our fellow overstimulated weirdos doing their best to feel it all and still show up...

🎉 We made it to Episode 50, and you're invited on our stroll down Working Memory Lane—complete with surprise guests and distractions galore! Join us as we reflect on four seasons of masking, hyperfixations, catastrophizing, and all the strange, sparkly ways we’ve found meaning in the madness.

Thank you for being here—whether this is your first episode or your 50th. We love you. We see you. We’ll probably overshare with you!

💬 Come cry-laugh with us in Discord: https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord 
🌀 Help us make it to 100 episodes (and maybe get matching tattoos): https://www.patreo...

In this magically chaotic episode, Matt and AK pull a tarot card, misidentify it, and somehow still use it to unlock a whole conversation about context switching. From the dark arts of time-blocking to the ADHD curse of attention residue, they explore why switching gears is so hard for neurodivergent brains—and what TTRPGs can teach us about emotional regulation, better structure, and giving ourselves a damn break. Plus: Fiestaware, puppets, and why lunch might save your life.

💬 Come hang out with other awesome nerds in our Discord: 

https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord

 🌀 Support the podcas...

In the Season 4 premiere, Matt and AK throw caution (and possibly common sense) to the wind by diving into the mystical, mysterious world of Tarot. But this isn't just a gimmick—Tarot has been an especially helpful ADHD tool for AK, aiding with focus and perspective. So, what happens when they bring that energy into ADHd20? Will the cards unlock new insights, or will Matt just keep pulling Death? Let’s find out together.

🔮 Get woo-woo with us in Discord: https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord

🌀 Support the show on Patreon and get first access to future episodes...

In our Season 3 finale, Matt and AK reflect on the highlights of 2024 and all the growth and gaming goodness the year brought us. From top-notch guests like @The ADHDM, @Seth of All Trades, and @ADDLiberator to action plans for curbing futzing and doomscrolling, we’re hopeful we eked out just enough XP to hit Level 4.

But this episode isn’t just about looking back. We’re also paving the way for 2025 with a brand-new theme that will shape our journey forward. What is it, you ask? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

💬 Reflect wit...

Grief is a tricky beast—messy, unpredictable, and somehow still managing to make us laugh at the worst possible moments. And does your ADHD type shape how you grieve? AK has a theory, and this week, she and Matt explore how inattentive and impulsive ADHD brains might handle collective grief differently—whether it’s by doomscrolling until 2 a.m., rage-cleaning the kitchen, or existing catatonically on the couch. (No judgment, we’ve been there too.)

Expect spicy takes, big feelings, and a few tangents that somehow still make perfect sense.

💬 Let us be your favorite distraction...

It’s time for an intervention, folks! In this episode, Matt stages a surprise wisdom check for AK, calling her out on her, ahem, dedication to her phone and social media. Are our screens slowly turning us into digital zombies? Probably. Join us as we dive into the perils of doomscrolling and determine whether or not a sleight of hand could actually swipe AK's bad habits away for good.

💬 Bring your neurospicy opinions into our Discord and tell us what you’re addicted to: https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord
🌀 Support our TTRPG escapades and help us fund our social...

Why, why, WHY?! We're not toddlers, we're just people with ADHD! Ever find yourself wondering why about...everything? Us too! In this episode, Matt and AK go on a quest to uncover the big WHYs of TTRPGs AND life itself. From game mechanics to real-life motivation (and maybe some gaming convention stories along the way), we explore what makes our brains tick and how ADHD adds a little spice to the mix.

💬 Bring that neurospicy chitterchat of yours on into our Discord: https://bit.ly/thepocketdimensiondiscord
🌀 Support our streams 'n dreams AND play TTRPGs with us: https...

What happens when your ADHD diagnosis starts with a podcast and not a therapist? In this very special episode, Matt and AK sit down with Seth McKay, BFF of The Pocket Dimension, professional game master, and freshly diagnosed member of the ADHD community. It’s a wild ride full of nerdy tangents and a deep dive into how ADHD shapes creative life both at and away from the gaming table.

If you’ve ever felt like your brain was rolling with disadvantage, this episode is for you!

Please be sure you're all liked-'n-subscribed to Seth's amaz...

"Hello, my name is Matt, and I am a Futz-aholic." 

It's a danger for many, but especially for those with ADHD: the practice of "working" on building systems to increase productivity or improve online gaming experiences. With the new age of powerful app-building software like Notion, Obsidian, and Foundry VTT, there are more rabbit holes than ever to fall into.

AK, the "unqualified Therapist," tries to help Matt find ways to tinker less and do more.

p.s. if you're curious about which non-futzable software we went with for Project Management, PLEASE join o...

From deep within the comments section of a Ginny Di reaction video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7MEYTMSEW8&t=411s) a highly likely friendship was forged. Games sees game and the ADHDM + ADHd20 Team Tesseract emerged. Somehow refusing to procrastinate, we quickly booked some time to hop on the mics and get to know our new buddy. Now you're invited to get to know Skyler and the many exports of his Kingdom of ADHD, too! It's all here: anime stuff, woo-woo things, enlisting in the Navy, and more!

Ram Daas
Homie & the Dude
...

Your favorite ADHD/TTRPG nerds can find correlations between any number of subjects, and this time the topics include Baldur's Gate 3, the Stunned Condition of 5e, and colonoscopies!

If you're neurodicey, do you also find that you're easily incapacitated? And how do you shake it off? In this episode, we don't promise a lot of answers, but we sure do have a lot of questions! 

In the first official episode of ADHd20 of 2024, your intrepid hosts Alison and Matt share their struggles with feeling overwhelmed and not yet acclimated to the new year, even after starting the winter with all the energy of Duracell Bunnies.

What do you do when you know what to do but just can’t do it? Matt gives a taste of the RPG Methodology he has been moving into Notion, the hippest project management PKM in the world! And we are now taking applications to be a part of an official ‘NeuroSpice Exchange Program’, where we can kick a...

We are BACK, adventurers! 🎉 Season Three, Electric Boogaleigh!

We, your trusted guides Matt and Alison, speak with esteemed guest Brittany Smith, an ADHD coach and cognitive neuroscientist.

Brittany shares her strategies for ensuring that your 'Sims Bar' stays green as you balance work, life, and creative pursuits. Also, that these daily quests include an occasional Perception Check.

Here's to another season exploring the complexities of the mind through gameplay!

Find Brittany: https://conquer.consulting and @ADDLiberator on tiktok!

It’s the final episode of ADHd20 Season 2, folks! Join Alison and Matt as they wrap up this season with a "clip episode" packed with retrospection and much giggling, natch. We streamed this one live to our Patrons, who came prepared with some great questions, letting us ramble on everything from how ADHD affects the holidays to the impact of being neurodivergent on character creation. We also share our dreams and themes for ADHd20 in '24, so grab your CozyPants®, your favorite noise-cancelling headphones, and help us celebrate a nearly impossible feat for two peeps with ADHD: TWO FULL YEA...

So that we don't over-explain a video about over-explaining, here's a gen-text summary, soon to be part of Matt's patented "Un-ADHD-ify" app! 

"In this ADHD20 episode, Alison and Matt discuss the propensity to overexplain things common amongst many individuals, including themselves. They delve into their shared observations about social media interactions and the role of over-explaining within it. They also discuss how over-explaining affects their daily lives, personal relationships, and even their Dungeons & Dragons characters. The conversation navigates through themes like neurodivergence, masking, and impulse control, linking these aspects of their daily realities to their gaming personas a...

"It's not that bad!". "You're overreacting." "Calm the f&%k down!"

With ADHD, you've probably heard people say this to you your entire life. When your every reaction is dripping with emotion, others don't understand  that in your brain, stubbing your toe and losing your pet cat can produce the same amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

In this video, we explore how catastrophizing and ADHD intersect, and how they can impact our experiences in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).

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The beautiful article that inspired us talking about this:
h...

We know that everyone, ADHD or no, procrastinates on the things that you don't want to do. But those with "squirrel brains" can even procrastinate on things that we REALLY LOVE, like prepping for D&D. Why? We have some terribly-cited answers for you! And even some ways to Get Medieval on Procrastination's Ass when you need to!

We didn't use the advice given to us by our lovely Discord Server this week, but we usually do, and you can be a part of that advice: http://bit.ly/TPDdiscord

We DID send this video...

Things we learned while recording this episode: The characteristics we embody while awake are also present in our sleep. Inattentive awake? Inattentive asleep. Hello, insomnia!

We also took some time to call out the ridiculousness of long (and short!) rest mechanics in D&D. Don't worry, you guys—we fixed them.

Our Discord server truly is the stuff dreams are made of! Join us: https://bit.ly/TPDdiscord
If you're more interested in nightmare fuel, we have a Patreon for that, too: https://www.patreon.com/enterthepocketdimension

The most often-asked questions we've gotten since starting this podcast: "But what is D&D?! And how do you even play?!"

If our D&D-inspired tangents have left you feeling a little perplexed, then this is for you! Our talented pal Seth McKay stepped behind the DM Screen to lead our party of four boisterous adventurers through a fiery, funny, and very very dangerous encounter. This very special episode also features Evan Bivins and Official Lorekeeper Anna Fitzgerald.

If playing with us sounds more fun than simply watching us play, our Patreon includes monthly one-shots!<...

Join us for a LONG overdue chat with our favorite designer, beatmaker and wannabe lycanthrope, Evan Bivins! We attempt an unqualified armchair diagnosis—at Evan's request, of course—and use the words "Venn Diagram" a whole bunch.

We recorded and edited this podcast using an incredible tool called Descript. It allows us to record audio and video, sure, but then edit that audio/video using the text transcription it produces. We’re big into making podcasts accessible, so this is a no-brainer for us. We’re not sponsored by them, but the link you just clicked is an affil...

Matt and Alison, fresh out of a session of their favorite new TTRPG, Masks: A New Generation, find all the delicious correlations between having ADHD and being a teenage superhero! And the connection might not be what you think!

Plus! Coming to terms with the masks we've longed donned so neurotypicals can't figure us out, and a little chatter about what's changing for up-and-coming generations. Spoiler alert: The kids are alright. 

Our Den of Delectation, Discord: http://bit.ly/bivbrosdiscord
Our Paragon of Paradise, Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bivinsbrothers

Five minutes before they started recording this episode, Alison tossed the outline out of the window. Instead of the original topic they had chosen, she informed Matt they should have a very open and honest conversation about the goings-on in their most recent D&D session.

In an inadvertent "Part 2" of episode 10 (Free To Be You and Me), AK puts Matt's money where his mouth is…can he make the table more inclusive to everyone? Did these two friends settle the score amicably? Tune in to find out!

Our Lovely Discord: http://bit.ly/bivbrosdiscord

Best practices for making neurodivergent brains feel welcome at your gaming table!

A question, from our Discord Server: How about going in-depth on things that have made y’all feel welcome to show up as your whole self at a gaming table (or conversely what will put your walls up or make it harder to engage)? What are best practices for the neurotypicals around you to make a gaming table rad for their neurospicy friends?

(Thanks to our great friend Alejandro Tey for supplying this one!)

C'mon in as we get really real ab...

Alison and Matt challenge each other to talk about anything else besides ADHD and TTRPGs.

The ADH-Duo wonder aloud whether they have any other passions beyond neurodiversity or role playing games. Spoiler alert: they aren't that successful at keeping off topic. But this leads them to dive into past passions and why they loved them, and why they love them a little less now. 

We have the best Discord Server in the Land, and when you join it, you will actually talk to us, and not a bunch of AI bots! http://bit.ly/bivbrosdiscord

Our Homebrew Hero and Fave Game Designer, YouTube's The Dungeon Coach, joins Matt, Alison, and Fitz! to talk how to be creative and productive in a wild magic world.

We are so lucky to have met Alan at GaryCon this year, playtested his incredible upcoming TTRPG, DC20, and have a brand new friend to be inspired by. Please head straight to https://thedungeoncoach.com to learn more about DC20, his Patreon, excellent fixes for 5e, and watch this charismatic coach at https://youtube.com/thedungeoncoach . If you're  not into games, you'll still love Alan's productivity method to j...

We are entering our podcast to be considered for The ENNIES this year, and here's our tight 15!

Alison's only hangups involve vegetables, apparently, and Matt embraces the Chaos, in this episode about Leveling Up with ADHD.

Do we gain real-life levels through XP, or Milestones? Porque no los dos? We ponder this week on some of the things that we have learned about ourselves in the past year: about ADHD, about D&D, about eating all kinds of plant-based things. And Matt likens his ADHD to a Warlock's Otherworldly Patron, the Dark One, the Fiend, and suddenly life just makes way more sense!

We have one of the most fun Discord Servers...

In this very feral episode of ADHd20, we spin tales of our experiences at GaryCon 2023, our first official TTRPG convention together!

Alison, Matt, and Official Lorekeeper Fitz [twinkling bell chime] have just returned from a journey to Lake Geneva, WI, where they had a truly magical time at the conference that honors one of the Daddies of D&D, Gary Gygax. Starting the adventure in a castle full of cheese, our brave party delved deep into the dungeons of the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, home to GaryCon XV and crawling with creatures that were allowed to be...

AK and Matt have two questions for you, today: is the ADHD tax real? and are we in a cult?

The answers are yes, for sure, and…probably not? Unless you really were a part of the Satanic Panic, back in the day, and if so, mad respect, 'cuz that probably took a ton of time and energy. 

And speaking of the ADHD tax, we have a Patreon that we want to make sure to remind everyone that they might still be paying for: https://www.patreon.com/bivinsbrothers . It's worth it, for sure, but you...

"Exclusion doesn't make it better," says our new friend and RPG inclusion hero Dale Critchley of Wyrmworks Publishing. In this episode, we learn what Dale and his cohort of artists are doing to shift the representation landscape in the TTRPG community.

Including, and definitely not limited to, having a Unicorn as a freakin' Service Animal. Hell, yes!

Please contribute to Wyrmwork Publishing's new Kickstarter: https://crowdfundr.com/inclusiveartwork — you've got until the end of March! and you can pick up the incredible Limitless Heroes D&D 5e ruleset here: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com/limitless-heroics-for-5e/

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