Grandma Has ADHD
Welcome to “Grandma Has ADHD,” the podcast dedicated to exploring the unique challenges and experiences of seniors living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and referred by some as ADD. We’ll provide valuable insights, expert advice, and personal stories to help older adults, their families, and caregivers navigate the journey of managing ADHD in later life mixed with a little humor and real life, unedited examples of navigating life with ADHD. Whether you are a senior who suspects you may have ADHD or love an ADHD Senior, “Grandma Has ADHD” embraces the saying “Making the rest of your life, the BEST of yo...
Episode 95 - Decluttering at the Speed of Life with Dana K. White
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with bestselling author and decluttering expert Dana K. White for a conversation that will feel like a breath of fresh air if you've ever wondered why traditional organizing advice just doesn't work for you.
Dana shares how years of struggling with clutter led her to discover that her brain simply worked differently than the brains of naturally organized people. Instead of trying to force herself into systems that weren't built for her, she developed a practical, judgment-free approach to decluttering that has helped hundreds of thousands...
Episode 94 - ADHD, Aging & Dementia
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with Certified Senior Advisor and dementia care specialist Sydney Kennedy for a conversation that bridges two often misunderstood topics: ADHD and aging.
Sydney shares how reading Jami's book, This Explains So Much, helped her recognize many ADHD traits in herself later in life, including being labeled a daydreamer, struggling to stay engaged in school, and hearing the familiar phrase, "She needs to apply herself."
The conversation then turns to Sydney's decades of experience helping older adults and their families navigate senior living and dementia...
Episode 93 - Anything But ADHD
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with filmmaker and producer Jessi Sorensen, creator of the upcoming documentary Anything But ADHD. Together, they explore what happens when ADHD goes unrecognized for years and why so many women are diagnosed with everything except ADHD.
Jessi shares her own late-diagnosis journey, including years of anxiety, insomnia, migraines, panic attacks, perfectionism, and overwork before discovering that ADHD was the missing piece. She also talks about the inspiration behind her documentary and the powerful experience of connecting with other women who shared similar stories.
Their...
Episode 92 - Why Knowing You Have ADHD Matters At ANY Age
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with ADHD coach, author, and podcast host Brooke Schnittman to discuss why understanding ADHD can be life-changing, no matter when you're diagnosed.
Brooke shares her own late-diagnosis journey and reflects on years of being treated for anxiety, depression, and learning differences before realizing ADHD was the missing piece. Together, she and Jami explore how ADHD is often hidden behind perfectionism, overachievement, people-pleasing, and coping strategies, especially in women.
They also discuss the impact of hormones, trauma, bullying, and major life transitions, and why awareness...
Episode 91 - ADHD & Adult Friends with Caroline Maguire
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with internationally recognized ADHD coach, educator, TEDx speaker, and author Caroline Maguire for an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked challenges of ADHD: friendship.
While ADHD is often discussed in terms of organization, productivity, or time management, Caroline has spent more than two decades helping people understand another reality: many individuals with ADHD struggle with loneliness, social anxiety, rejection sensitivity, and maintaining meaningful relationships.
Together, Jami and Caroline explore why friendships can feel so complicated for neurodivergent adults, how ADHD impacts communication...
Episode 90 - Why Community Matters for People with ADHD
In this special episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro is joined by her longtime friend, Sparkler Society co-founder, and first-time NeuroDiversion conference attendee, Lynn Layfield, for a candid conversation about what they learned at the NeuroDiversion 2026 Conference.
Jami and Lynn unpack the insights, strategies, and moments of connection that stood out most from a weekend spent surrounded by neurodivergent people who simply "got it."
From practical ADHD hacks and emotional regulation tools to conversations about perfectionism, self-compassion, body doubling, technology, and community, this episode captures what happens when you stop trying to fit into...
Episode 89 - Try Not To Get Into That Time Machine & Other Ways To Stop Ruminating
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with therapist and anxiety specialist Kristen Baird Goldman for a thoughtful and deeply relatable conversation about rumination, anxiety, and the exhausting mental loops so many people with ADHD know all too well.
If you’ve ever replayed a conversation for hours, spiraled over a mistake, or mentally traveled back in time wondering what you should have said or done differently, this episode is for you.
Kristen explains why the ADHD brain is especially vulnerable to rumination and how anxiety, emotional dysregulation, perfectionism, and shame ca...
Episode 88 - Why We Need to Banish the Term “Anti-Aging”
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with Bob Roth, managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions, for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about aging, ADHD, connection, and why the term “anti-aging” may be doing more harm than good.
Bob has spent decades working in the aging space and believes strongly that aging is not something to fight against, it’s a privilege. Together, he and Jami unpack how our culture’s obsession with staying young impacts the way we view older adults, ourselves, and the aging process as a whole.
The conv...
Episode 87 - What are Adaptive Accommodations and Why Might They Be a Game Changer for Those of Us with ADHD?
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro welcomes back ADHD coach and Attention Talk Radio founder Jeff Copper for a fascinating conversation about motivation, executive function, and a concept that could completely change the way we support people with ADHD: adaptive accommodations.
For years, many people with ADHD have been told they’re lazy, unmotivated, or just need to try harder. But Jeff challenges that narrative entirely. Instead, he explains how ADHD is an executive functioning impairment, and why people with ADHD are often working harder, not less.
Together, Jami and Jeff explore wh...
Episode 86 - Feel Less Shitty About Yourself
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with ADHD coach Shelley Fritz for a refreshingly honest and grounded conversation about what it really means to live with ADHD, especially when you’ve spent years thinking your struggles were personal failures.
Together, Jami and Shelley talk about redefining success, setting realistic expectations, and finding ways to make life feel more manageable not by pushing harder, but by working with your brain.
This is a conversation about letting go of shame, lowering the bar in a meaningful way, and creating a life that ac...
Episode 85 - Why We Need to Reframe Shame with ADHD
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with psychologist and adult ADHD expert Dr. Shawn Horn for an honest and empowering conversation about one of the heaviest emotions many people with ADHD carry: shame.
Dr. Horn shares how shame can quietly shape relationships, confidence, communication, and emotional regulation — and why healing begins when we stop judging ourselves and start understanding what’s really going on.
Together, Jami and Dr. Horn explore how reframing shame can open the door to stronger relationships, more self-compassion, and practical strategies that actually work for the ADHD...
Episode 84 - ADHD & Downsizing
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro switches things up and sits in the guest seat as she’s interviewed by her longtime friend Lynn.
With National Organizing Month as the backdrop, this conversation explores the powerful intersection between ADHD and organizing, especially when it comes to downsizing, decluttering, and navigating a lifetime of belongings.
Jami shares her personal experiences, professional insights, and practical strategies for making organizing more manageable, not by forcing perfection, but by working with the ADHD brain instead of against it.
What You’ll Lear...
Episode 83 - Overcoming the Guilt and Shame of ADHD
In this episode, Jami Shapiro sits down with ADHD coach and educator Jamie Blume for a deeply honest conversation about guilt, shame, and self-compassion in the ADHD journey.
Jamie shares her personal story of discovering ADHD through her son’s struggles and how that realization reshaped not only her understanding of him, but of herself and her past.
Together, Jami and Jamie explore how guilt shows up in ADHD, why it can feel so heavy, and how shifting from self-blame to self-compassion can open the door to growth, healing, and a more empowered way forward.
...Episode 82 - The Impact of ADHD Medications on Older Adults
In this episode, Jami Shapiro sits down with nurse practitioner and ADHD specialist Maggie Alexander for an eye-opening conversation about ADHD medication, especially in older adults.
For many people, ADHD has long been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply overlooked, particularly in women and those diagnosed later in life. And when it comes to treatment, there’s still a lot of confusion, fear, and misinformation around medication.
Maggie brings both clinical expertise and real-world experience to the conversation, breaking down what ADHD medications actually do, how they work in the body, and why ag...
Episode 81 - A Daughter's Experience with Alzheimers and ADHD
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with ADHD coach and behavior analyst Heather Callison for a deeply honest conversation about discovering ADHD later in life, raising neurodivergent children, and how family patterns often reveal the bigger picture.
Heather shares her journey of recognizing ADHD in herself after her daughter’s diagnosis and how that discovery reshaped her understanding of her past, her career, and her family dynamics.
Together, Jami and Heather explore the emotional realities of living with ADHD — from missed diagnoses in childhood to the powerful resilience that often deve...
Episode 80 - Anxiety and ADHD part 2
This episode continues a deeply personal conversation between Jami Shapiro and her longtime friend and collaborator Lynn, as they explore the lifelong impact of ADHD, especially for women who were never diagnosed growing up.
In Part 2, Lynn shares more of her childhood experiences—growing up with anxiety, night terrors, hyperactivity, and creativity—long before ADHD was widely understood or diagnosed in girls. Through therapy, structure, and the support of her parents, she slowly developed tools that helped her navigate school, relationships, and life.
Jami and Lynn also discuss the realities of ADHD in adulthood, including moth...
Episode 79 - We Don’t Suddenly Get ADHD at 60 - We’re Finally Becoming Aware a conversation with Dr. David Goodman
Episode Summary
In this powerful episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with internationally recognized ADHD expert Dr. David W. Goodman to explore one of the most overlooked conversations in mental health: ADHD in older adults.
For decades, ADHD was believed to be something children simply “outgrew.” Dr. Goodman has spent over 40 years researching and treating adult ADHD, challenging that myth and helping the medical community understand that ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition.
Together, Jami and Dr. Goodman unpack why so many adults—especially women—are only now discovering their AD...
Episode 78 - Anxiety and ADHD the hidden sign we all missed.
Lynn Layfield on Anxiety (Part 1)
In this deeply personal and emotional episode of the Grandma Has ADHD Podcast, Jami welcomes back her longtime friend and Sparkler Society co-founder, Lynn Layfield, for a conversation unlike any they’ve had publicly before.
What began as a private conversation about anxiety quickly turned into something much bigger. Jami realized their discussion needed to be recorded because Lynn’s story reflects something many women are just beginning to understand: the complicated relationship between ADHD, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
For the first time, Lynn open...
Episode 77 - It Wasn't Just Aging: Late-Diagnosed ADHD and the Life That Finally Makes Sense
Thriving with ADHD at Every Stage of Life with Jennifer Lorenz
In this insightful and validating episode, Jami welcomes certified ADHD and executive function coach Jennifer Lorenz. With over 25 years of experience mentoring professionals and extensive training in ADHD coaching, emotional intelligence, and CliftonStrengths, Jennifer brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to the conversation.
Together, they explore what it really means to live, work, parent, and age with ADHD—and how understanding executive function can transform shame into empowerment.
What You’ll Learn in This...
Episode 76 - Jami Shapiro on Love, Relationships and ADHD
“ADHD, Dating & Relationships”
with Jami Shapiro and Lynn Layfield
Episode Summary
In this candid and personal conversation, Jamie sits down with longtime friend Lynn to explore how ADHD has shaped their dating lives, marriages, and relationships. From impulsivity and rejection sensitivity to energy mismatches and household chaos, they unpack the real-world impact of ADHD across different life stages. The episode also introduces the vision behind their growing community, the Sparkler Society, designed to support midlife women navigating ADHD-related challenges.
What You’ll Learn
How ADHD traits...Episode 75 - ADHD and Relationships
In this episode, we dive into the complex, beautiful, and sometimes messy world of ADHD and relationships with psychotherapist and relationship expert Anita Robertson. Together, we explore how neurodiversity shapes the way we love, communicate, and connect — especially when both partners are navigating different brain wiring.
Anita shares her personal journey with ADHD, how it influenced her path into couples therapy, and why traditional relationship models often miss the mark for neurodiverse couples. Drawing from her clinical work and lived experience, she explains how emotional regulation, attachment patterns, and family dynamics intersect with AD...
Episode 74 - It's my party and I can cry if I want to. Do we have unrealistic expectations about birthdays?
It's my party and I can cry if I want to. Do we have unrealistic expectations about birthdays?
Birthdays are supposed to be joyful, celebratory, and full of cake—but for many of us, they come with unexpected emotions: disappointment, pressure, comparison, and quiet grief over where we thought we’d be by now.
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro unpacks the unrealistic expectations we place on birthdays and why they can hit especially hard for ADHD and midlife brains. We talk about social pressure, emotional labor, aging, and the freedom that come...
Episode 73 - Consciously Aging and Living Powerfully with ADHD
With over 30 years of experience working with adults, couples, and families with ADHD, James Ochoa, LPC brings a rare combination of clinical insight and lived experience to this episode of Grandma Has ADHD. As an ADHD clinician, author, and founder of the Life Empowerment Center, James joins Jami to explore what it truly means to age with ADHD, especially when the diagnosis comes later in life, and how finally naming it can profoundly change the way we age, relate to others, and care for ourselves.
James shares both his professional expertise and personal lived experience, opening up...
Episode 72 - Living Life Wide Open: ADHD, Menopause, and Learning to Love Yourself with Linda Roggoli
What happens when undiagnosed ADHD meets menopause?
In this episode, Jami Shapiro sits down with ADHD pioneer Linda Roggoli to unpack decades of masking, overwhelm, and “why is life suddenly harder?” moments. Linda shares how dropping estrogen turned everyday challenges into chaos—and how understanding the link between hormones and ADHD changed everything.
They dive into why stimulant medication isn’t always the full answer, how hormone therapy can be transformative when done safely, and why outdated research scared many women from treatment. They also explore how ADHD manifests differently in women, especially with incr...
Episode 71 - Menopause, ADHD & Oversharing: What Women Over 50 Need to Know
What happens when menopause, ADHD, hormones, and midlife all collide at once?
In this candid and deeply relatable episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro is joined by her longtime friend and Sparkler Society co-creator Lynn Layfield for an honest conversation about menopause, ADHD after 50, brain fog, hormones, emotional regulation, and what it really feels like to enter the “third act” of life.
Jami shares a milestone moment — officially entering menopause — and opens up about how hormonal shifts dramatically impacted her ADHD symptoms, energy, sleep, pain, focus, and overall quality of life. Together, Jami and Lynn...
Episode 70 - The Connection between Fibromyalgia, ADHD and Chronic Pain with Dr. Michael Lenz
What if the chronic pain, fatigue, migraines, or fibromyalgia you’ve lived with for years weren’t “just part of getting older” — but connected to undiagnosed ADHD?
In this eye-opening episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro is joined by Dr. Michael Lenz, physician, author, and host of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, for a deep dive into the powerful — and often missed — overlap between ADHD, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, IBS, migraines, and nervous system dysregulation.
Dr. Lenz shares how his early exposure to ADHD research shaped his medical career, why adult ADHD is still widely misunderstood...
Episode 69 - Task Triage for ADHD Brains: Stop Spinning & Start Winning with Coach Ryan Mayer
What does ADHD look like when it’s not the stereotype — and how does it impact work, family, and daily life across generations?
In this candid and energizing episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro is joined by Ryan Mayer, professional ADHD life coach, accountability and mindset specialist, and host of the More Than ADHD podcast. Together, they explore what it really means to live, work, parent, and lead with an ADHD brain — especially when structure breaks down and expectations don’t fit how our minds work.
Ryan shares his personal ADHD journey, from being the “las...
Episode 68 - ADHD & Aging: Understanding Depression and Suicide Risk in Seniors
What happens when ADHD goes undiagnosed or misunderstood for decades — especially in older adults, veterans, and first responders? In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Jami sits down with Stephen Wright, a U.S. Army veteran, law enforcement professional, suicide prevention advocate, and fellow ADHDer, to explore the emotional, mental, and life-changing realities of living with ADHD after 50.
Stephen opens up about his own ADHD journey, the frustration of a late diagnosis, the grief of “what could have been,” and why so many older adults mask their struggles behind resilience, productivity, and strength. Together, they unpack how untrea...
Episode 67 - Stop Doing Life on Hard Mode: The Truth About High-Functioning ADHD
What if your lifelong “drive,” perfectionism, and success were actually camouflage for undiagnosed ADHD?
In this validating episode, Jami sits down with Dr. Eliza Barach — cognitive psychologist, ADHD coach, and proud ADHDer — to talk about what ADHD really looks like in high-performing women, especially those diagnosed later in life.
Together, they explore why so many bright, capable adults get missed for decades, the emotional rollercoaster of finally understanding your brain, and how learning to work with ADHD (instead of fighting it) can change everything — motivation, self-worth, productivity, parenting, relationships, and life after 50.
You’ll also hear...
Episode 66 - Join our "Sparkler Society" - Be Bright. Be Bold. Belong.
What if the struggles you’ve carried for decades weren’t personal failures — but undiagnosed ADHD finally coming into focus?
In this warm, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Jami is joined by her longtime best friend Lynn Layfield for an honest conversation about friendship, late-diagnosed ADHD, and why finding the right support makes all the difference — especially after 50.
From lost permission slips and cluttered craft rooms to dopamine-seeking habits and “ADHD tax,” Jami and Lynn share real-life stories that will have you laughing, nodding, and saying, “Oh wow… that’s me.” They also pull back the curtain on an ex...
Episode 65 - Why People With ADHD End Up in Toxic Relationships?
What if the chaos in your relationships wasn’t your fault — but a pattern your ADHD brain was wired to fall into?
In this powerful and honest conversation, Jami sits down with licensed therapist, ADHD coach, and domestic violence survivor Kate Mageau to unpack the complicated link between ADHD and toxic relationships — especially for women over 50 who were never taught what “healthy” actually looks like.
Kate shares her personal story of surviving emotional and physical abuse, how late-diagnosed ADHD shaped her relationship patterns, and why so many ADHD women fall hard and fast into unsafe dynamics w...
Episode 64 - What happens when you are in a room filled with 1000 ADHD adults?
What happens when you spend three days surrounded by people who think like you, feel like you, and totally get your brain?
In this solo episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami sits down (with a few real-life distractions along the way… hi, Benji!) to share her biggest takeaways from the International ADHD Conference — and how it felt to show up fully, authentically, and maybe even a little impulsively.
This isn’t a polished “here are the highlights” recap. It’s honest, vulnerable, funny, emotional, and full of those unfiltered ADHD moments we don’t usually talk about.
Episode 63 - How about an "Exercise Snack?"
What if the constant overwhelm, racing thoughts, late-night wide-awake brain, or “why is this so hard for me?” moments weren’t personal failures — but your nervous system asking for support?
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami sits down with Brisbane-based ADHD & Executive Function Coach Monica Hassall, co-founder of Connect ADHD Coaching. Monica brings over a decade of experience working with adults, parents, students, and families navigating ADHD — along with a deep passion for neuroscience, mindfulness, and practical tools that actually stick.
Monica doesn’t identify as having ADHD herself, but she grew up in a very AD...
Episode 62 - The Future Hasn’t Been Written Yet
What if the overwhelm, decision fatigue, clutter struggles, and “why can’t I just get started?” moments you’ve carried for decades weren’t character flaws — but ADHD you never knew you had?
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami sits down with ADHD coach and Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast co-host Nikki Kinzer for a warm, validating, and eye-opening conversation about life with ADHD after 50 — including why so many women are discovering their symptoms later in life.
Nikki’s story is unique. She doesn’t have ADHD herself — but she built a career helping adults with...
Episode 61 - ADHD or Perimenopause? The Hidden Symptoms Women Miss for Decades
What if the brain fog, memory slips, overwhelm, and emotional ups and downs you’ve blamed on “getting older”…weren’t aging at all?
In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami sits down with UK-based author and menopause expert Michelle Rowlinson for a raw, funny, and incredibly validating conversation about ADHD in midlife, perimenopause, and why so many women spend decades thinking it's just them.
Together, they swap stories, compare symptoms, and unpack why women over 40 and 50 are suddenly discovering ADHD—sometimes right alongside perimenopause. From misdiagnoses to masking, burnout, emotional spirals, and the lifelong fee...
Episode 60 - “This Explains So Much: Understanding Undiagnosed ADHD”
What if one book could finally make sense of your lifelong struggles with clutter, focus, or follow-through?
In this special solo episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro shares insights and readings from her book, This Explains So Much: Understanding Undiagnosed ADHD for Those Who Have Too Much, Feel Too Much, or Have Been Told They Are Too Much.
What began as Jami’s personal discovery of ADHD at midlife became a mission to help others—especially women and adults over 50—understand that what they’ve blamed on “getting older” might actually be ADHD hiding in pl...
Episode 59 - Crisis Doesn't Make an Appointment: A Conversation with a Care Navigator on Why We Need to Pay Attention to "Not Now"
What happens when ADHD meets the complex world of healthcare planning?
In this thought-provoking episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro sits down with Brett Frankenberg, founder of Apex Health Advocates, who brings over 30 years of experience as a clinician, executive, and healthcare advocate. Together, they unpack why proactive planning is so challenging for ADHD brains—and why “crisis doesn’t make an appointment.”
From his son’s 18-month insurance battle to helping families navigate care decisions, Brett’s story highlights the emotional and practical chaos that can come when we avoid conversations about aging, healt...
Episode 58 - This Boomer is a Technology Tutor
What if your biggest life reinvention happens after retirement?
In this inspiring episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro sits down with Joyce Feustel, a 76-year-old LinkedIn coach and founder of Boomers’ Social Media Tutor, to talk about rediscovering purpose, staying curious, and why it’s never too late to understand your brain.
From leaving a 17-year career in sales at 64 to launching her own business teaching boomers and Gen Xers how to navigate LinkedIn, Joyce shares how she turned curiosity into confidence—and why she might just be living proof that ADHD doesn’t have a...
Episode 57 - Gen Z and ADHD
What happens when ADHD runs in the family—but each generation experiences it completely differently?
In this candid and often hilarious episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro sits down with her 17-year-old daughter, Adyson, for an honest conversation about growing up with ADHD, understanding it across generations, and learning to embrace their brains—laundry piles and all.
From Jami’s early suspicions of Adyson’s ADHD in grade school to her eventual diagnosis in high school, the two share stories that many families will recognize: messy rooms, forgotten chores, and the constant “I’ll do it lat...
Episode 56 - This Explains So Much: Jami Shapiro & Charna Kinneberg on ADHD, Dyslexia, and Self-Acceptance
What if finally understanding your brain didn’t mean changing who you are—but celebrating how you’re wired?
In this heartfelt episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro chats with Charna Kinneberg, one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and a true pioneer in the move management industry.
Charna opens up about growing up dyslexic and undiagnosed with ADHD—always feeling “different,” being called an underachiever despite a high IQ, and learning to navigate life without ever knowing why some things felt harder. Through Jami’s new book This...
