Today we welcome Matt Canning! A Philadelphia-based technologist, entrepreneur, ex-Fortune 50 executive, and author who founded NoPlex, which empowers individuals struggling with ADHD and anxiety to thrive in a neurotypical world. Matt has a 12-year-old daughter who struggles with ADHD, and her challenges (and the clear gaps in everyday tools for people with ADHD) are what drove him to develop NoPlex. NoPlex turned out to be huge for individuals who struggle with anxiety as well as neurotypical folks, leading to the conclusion that the pace and complexity of life in general have made it such that ADHD-focused tools are applicable for people of all walks of life. This has been atop his pursuits since he was unexpectedly diagnosed in his late 30s. Today we’re talking about his journey, chaos and breaking the stigma- Enjoy!

01:45 - Intro and welcome Matt Canning!!

02:31 - First of all, tell us your story and when you got diagnosed?

03:02 - Matt Canning's Journey with ADHD

05:55 - The Development of NoPlex

09:04 - Navigating Neurodiversity and Stigma

12:02 - Tools and Strategies for Managing ADHD

14:53 - Parenting and ADHD: Lessons Learned

15:12 - Why other than NoPlex, obviously, what do you have any secrets that you use or things that you do on a regular basis?"

17:54 - How's your daughter?

17:56 - The Impact of Technology on ADHD

20:52 - Conclusion and Resources for ADHD Support

21:34 - How can people find you?

• Website: https://www.noplex.ai/

• Socials: @ noplex.ai on INSTA TikTok Spotify LinkedIN
• Thank you for being here- give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Our guest today, Simon Blair, is an ultra-endurance athlete and entrepreneur; who is also the founder of the successful London-based property company SHB He is a husband, and father of three. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Simon has turned his diagnosis into a source of strength, using ultra-endurance sport as a tool for personal growth and mental maintenance.

Today we discuss the intersection of ADHD, mental health, and extreme sports. Simon shares his journey from being diagnosed with ADHD later in life to using ultra-endurance sports as a tool for personal growth, brain management and mental clarity. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of living with ADHD, the importance of diagnosis, and how Simon's documentary, "Beyond Limits," explores these themes. We’re talking resilience, neurodiversity, and the power of pushing beyond perceived limits- enjoy!

01:27 - Introducing and welcome Simon Blair!!

01:55 - ADHD and Ultra-Endurance Sports Dive into his inspiring journey and documentary 'Beyond Limits.' Watch now on Amazon Prime! #ADHD #Endurance #Inspiration

02:43 - Personally speaking..

05:50 - When were you diagnosed?

06:00 - Influences of ADHD on daily life

09:08 - Finding balance through exercise, aka self-medication

11:51 - Connections between nature and mental health

14:51 - Documentary/learned insights and personal growth

17:41 - The many roles of neurodiversity in society

20:44 - What’s next for you Simon?

22:20 - How can we find you?

• Website: https://shbre.co.uk/about
• Socials: @ LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/simon-blair-a4000510
• Thank you for being here- give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Our guest today, Praxie Osong is the founder of Divergent by Design Co, where she offers neurodivergent-affirming natal chart readings for late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic adults. With astrology as her lifelong passion and a lived experience of neurodivergence, Praxie’s approach centers on self-acceptance, strengths, and “cosmic confidence,” helping clients reframe their stories and embrace their authentic selves. Her sessions are collaborative, empowering, and rooted in the belief that being “Divergent by Design” is something to celebrate, not fix. Praxie’s mission: to create an affirming space where neurodivergent folks feel seen, validated, and inspired to trust their own path. Enjoy!

01:27 - Introducing and welcome Praxie Osong!

02:00 - You can’t pick your neighbors in this solar system

03:05 - So were you diagnosed ADHD early, or a little later in life?

03:53 - When/how did you begin to utilize your ADHD toolkit?

05:12 - What's your take on connecting Astrology and ADHD?

06:00 - A little about nature-versus-nurture, masking, hyper focus

07:13 - Can you walk us through how you'd help someone struggling with ADHD—like trouble focusing, job loss, feeling overwhelmed? Ref: What is a “house” in astrology?

09:55 - How do you begin a conversation with someone who's skeptical?

11:14 - We only know about six percent of what is on this planet.

12:30 - Have you noticed any patterns or trends in your experience that might stand out to you—even patterns that people unfamiliar with astrology and sign charting might overlook?

15:10 - How can we find you?

• Website: divergentbydesign.co
• Socials: @divergentbydesign on INSTA and TikTok
• 15:48 - Thank you Praxie, and thank you for being here- give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.

Our guest today, Nicole Groman is a registered dietitian who helps people heal their relationship with food and their bodies. She empowers her clients to let go of dieting and find peace enjoying all foods without guilt. Nicole shares her non-diet approach and practical tips on Instagram @thehungryclementine and has created an apparel line celebrating freedom from dieting. Special thanks to friend of the show Jenn for the introduction- Enjoy!

01:45 - Introducing and welcome Nicole Gorman!

02:39 - What’s your story?

04:42 - What’s the connection between food and ADHD?

05:50 - If we didn’t need food then…

07:00 - On moderation and food and control

07:58 - What is the middle ground or the compromise as you think about & consider which foods you use

09:45 - No restriction Pizza?

11:30 - About the connection between emotions and choices of comfort and simplicity

15:18 - On comparing tool boxes and rituals

15:55 - Food versus other addictions

17:25 - Could you share with us a few tips that you would recommend for our listeners?

21:00 - On why and how make room for the middle ground in your cravings and needs

23:00 - Intuitive eating versus scanning the numbers

• 23:20 - How can we find you?
• Website: https://www.nicolegroman.com/
• Socials: @thehungryclementine on INSTA and TikTok
• Thank you Nicole, and thank you for being here!! Give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Our guest today, Clifford Myers is a 16-year stand-up comedy veteran, Founder of The Other Comedy Company, and President of The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch and Improv Comedians (CASC).Clifford uses his unique position at the intersection of comedy, education and advocacy to speak on ADHD, humor and creativity as complex human traits, the importance of communal learning, emotional-drivers, adversity, authenticity and self-acceptance. Today we learn about how he harneses his ADHD to propel his comedic career- Enjoy!

• Introducing and welcome Clifford Myers
• So, were you diagnosed at school or did it happen years later?
• Tell me how the comedy started.
• I'm assuming it was that rush of you come off the stage, you're like, hs!
• When you first started versus now are people more open about their neurodiversity that you seeing
• Talk about how you use comedy outside of doing stand-up, outside of comedy, just on a regular basis to improve your life.
• How does ADHD or neurodiversity help you on stage?
• How can we find your great work!?
• 17:22 - Thank you for being here!! Give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Join host Peter Shankman as he kicks off the ninth season of the Faster Than Normal podcast with Rachel Watts, the owner of Doodles and Sketches. Rachel shares her journey of managing mental health, entrepreneurship, and raising a neurodiverse child. Discover how she built a powerful online community and the challenges she faced along the way.

Our guest today, Rachel Watts, founder of *Doodles and Sketches*, is a neurodiverse entrepreneur who creates fandom-inspired merchandise. Living with autism, ADHD, and chronic illness, she candidly shares her journey of balancing mental health, parenting a neurodiverse child, and running a business. Following a mental health hospitalization, Rachel shifted her focus from business promotion to authentic self-expression on social media. Her openness has cultivated a deeply engaged online community, echoing the influence of early parenting bloggers. Her story underscores both the struggles and triumphs of neurodiverse entrepreneurship and the transformative power of vulnerability and connection online. We are grateful you are here- Enjoy!

• 01:45 - Introducing and welcome Rachel Watts!
• 03:30 - Threads versus ‘the old days’
• 04:00 - On mental recovery, socials, community building and authenticity.
• 05:20 - How to find a topic and learn from trusting your community
• 06:00 - A little about talking representation and politics
• 06:38 - Dealing with criticism and opinions with positivity as a neurodiverse person
• 07:31- Rachel was not diagnosed with Autism until she was 28.
• 07:40 - About dealing with pushback in verbal confrontations
• 08:50 - A note about representation, curiosity, caring patience and compassion
• 10:30 - ON ADHD and Social media ‘self-controls’ and choices in 2025
• 11:15 - Why did you get diagnosed; what made you pursue testing? Ref: Dialectable Behavioral Therapy DBT
• 13:50 - On finding a provider and the ideal mental healthcare team members Ref: EMDR
• 15:50 - On how women and men present differently with behaviours and symptoms of being neurodivergent
• 17:60 - On finding the best team, advocating for your children.. and why you must learn to trust your gut.
• 18:15 - On how good mental health is a Practice!
• 19:00 - How can we find your awesome work!? www.doodlesandsketches.com
• 19:42 - This is Peter’s Sweatshirt Era (SB’s too btw -Ed)
• 20:40 - Protect Queer Kids - cheers!
• 21:00 - Thank you for being here!! Give us a shout anytime!
• https://linktr.ee/petershankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com
• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Our Guest today is Rosie Elvin, an ADHD coach, trainer, and educator who champions neurodiversity and inclusive design. Rosie, diagnosed with ADHD later in life, as she teaches architecture. Our discussion centers on the importance of Inclusive design, and naturally working with, rather than against neurodivergent brains. A little more about Rosie:

Rosie Elvin is an ADHD coach, trainer, and educator passionate about helping individuals and workplaces embrace neurodiversity. Following her own late ADHD diagnosis at 43, Rosie founded ADHD Focus, where she provides coaching for adults with ADHD and delivers engaging training sessions on neurodiversity in the workplace.
Her work blends lived experience with professional insight, supporting clients to understand their unique strengths, navigate challenges like executive functioning and emotional regulation, and build strategies that work with their brains, not against them.
Rosie also teaches architecture part-time at Nottingham Trent University, where her interest in social justice and inclusive design shapes both her teaching and advocacy. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, she challenges outdated narratives around ADHD and champions a strengths-based, human-centered approach.
Whether she’s coaching, writing articles, or leading workshops, Rosie’s mission is clear: to create environments where neurodivergent people are understood, empowered, and celebrated.
Enjoy!

[You are now safely here, feel free to breathe]

• Intro and Welcome Rosie Elvin!

• 01:10 - So, what is inclusive design?

• 02:57 - Coaching Strategies for Neurodivergent individuals

• 03:20 - We don't often consider design's role in neurodiversity or ADHD, similar to how the world is designed for right-handed people; it seems designed for "normal brains."

• 04:12 - When coaching, how do you incorporate design, and what key strategies work for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals?

• 04:30 - If someone comes to you feeling lost or stuck, how do you help them shift their perspective?

• 05:47 - Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact

• 08:06 - Much of the problem stems from being told we're "broken" or "not good enough" for so long.

• 08:39 - On the journey of Self-Acceptance and Advocacy

• 11:20 - It's difficult to un-ingrain lifelong beliefs.

• 11:43 - When you were growing up, neurodiversity "didn't exist"; it meant being disruptive.

• 12:33 - Many first-world countries still don't discuss it.

• 13:13 - You're so talented and good at what you do.

• 14:48 - This seems like a classic ADHD response: identifying a problem and immediately fixing it without overthinking.

• 15:00 - Rosie, where can everyone find you?

• 16:55 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon!

Rosie Elvin:

• LinkedIn: ADHD Focus, Rosie Elvin

• Website: www.adhdfocus.co.uk

• Instagram: @rosie.adhdfocus
  (Less active, as mentioned in the interview, but her LinkedIn and website are preferred contact methods)

Peter Shankman:

• Email: peter@shankman.com

• Podcast: Faster Than Normal

  Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

  We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman

Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.

Our guest today Dr. Sarah Fajgenbaum-Tesja, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with clinical expertise in treating anxiety, mood disorders and ADHD. She is the founder of Integrative Psychiatric Services, based in Montclair, New Jersey, where she provides in-person care and telepsychiatry across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her clinical approach integrates psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and evidence-informed complementary modalities—including lifestyle medicine, light therapy, and nutritional supplementation. Dr. Fajgenbaum-Teslja is committed to trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care and frequently collaborates with psychotherapists and interdisciplinary teams to support comprehensive treatment planning. Today, Sarah discusses her unconventional path to psychiatry, her integrative approach, and observations on changing attitudes toward neurodiversity and mental health stigmas - stigmans which we are here to help permanently remove through using education, community encouragement, care, and entertainment. Enjoy!

[You are now safely here, too]

01:00 - Introducing and welcome Dr. Sarah Fajgenbaum-Tesja!

01:45 - Could you please share a bit about your background and education?

03:20 - Was your path to this career revolving around Psychiatry what you expected?

03:39 - Why do you think ADHD diagnoses have increased, especially among parents and their children?

04:44 - Despite progress, why does stigma around mental health, especially for kids, still exist?

08:16 - What trends are you seeing in neurodiversity and ADHD treatment?

10:10 - How do you help new patients who feel anxious, or even ashamed about seeing a psychiatrist?

12:22 - How can people find you? @integrativepsychiatrynj on INSTA Facebook LinkedIN YouTube and via her company's website: Integrative Phychiatric Services aka https://njips.com/

12:55 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon!

Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain?

We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman