In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and hilarious Ashley Nicole Black—Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and actor known for her work on A Black Lady Sketch Show, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking. We dive into her personal ADHD journey, the powerful intersection of being Black and neurodivergent, and how her diagnosis—sparked by an unexpected wave of social media feedback—reshaped her understanding of herself. Ashley opens up about what it was like navigating school as a gifted yet misunderstood student, and how she's found strength and freedom in embracing the way her brain works.

This conversation is packed with insight, laughter, and hard truths. We talk about the realities of being undiagnosed for years, the emotional and physical toll of late recognition, and how ADHD both challenges and fuels her creativity in fast-paced writing rooms. Ashley shares why she believes improv should be part of every neurodivergent toolkit, and we touch on the need for authentic, joyful neurodivergent representation in media. This is a must-listen if you're looking for validation, inspiration, or just a damn good laugh.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Ashley shares the moment social media “diagnosed” her with ADHD before she even knew
[2:21] - The real path to her diagnosis—and how PMS played a surprising role
[5:40] - Childhood teachers, misunderstood brilliance, and being “smart but not smart”
[8:28] - Why schools need to rethink how they handle gifted, ADHD, and Black kids
[11:15] - How acting and writing became Ashley’s creative outlet and career
[13:19] - Using ADHD strengths in fast-paced writing rooms and comedy
[17:11] - Learning to manage energy instead of pushing through burnout
[21:23] - Why social media helped Ashley get diagnosed—and how it ties into dopamine seeking
[23:26] - Misdiagnosed with anxiety: what doctors missed
[26:03] - Representation of neurodiversity in media: we need more funny, authentic portrayals
[30:33] - Managing personal energy, shifting social time, and navigating life balance
[32:30] - A hilarious behind-the-scenes ADHD moment in the writers' room
[33:32] - Navigating ADHD and being Black in Hollywood
[36:43] - Creating authentic Black representation on shows like Ted Lasso
[40:43] - The power of storytelling and audience connection
[41:09] - How Ashley remembers lines despite ADHD memory challenges
[42:40] - “Laziness” redefined: the creativity in finding your own way
[44:00] - Encouragement for adults and parents of kids with ADHD
[46:34] - Improv as therapy: how it builds confidence and authenticity
[49:25] - What’s next for Ashley—updates on Shrinking and Ted Lasso

Connect with Ashley Nicole Black:

IG: @ashnb1

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADH

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD student coaches, parents of ADHD students, and educators of ADHD students

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training

Help your ADHD students break free from overwhelm and gain confidence with our latest 3C Activation® : ADHD Student Coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD students

💥Earn 20 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Live training with Brooke, access to all 200 slides and over 100 worksheets to keep for life!

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training

In this episode, I’m joined by Russ Jones, the incredibly relatable and hilarious host of the ADHD Big Brother podcast and creator of the ADHD Big Brother community. Russ is not only a productivity coach trained in integrative wellness and ADHD-specific strategies—he’s also someone who’s walked the walk. Diagnosed later in life, Russ turned his own challenges into a mission to serve others, helping adults with ADHD cut through the noise and get the “tough stuff” done.

We dive into Russ’s ADHD journey—from late diagnosis to creating a thriving support community built around daily accountability, humor, and vulnerability. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or stuck in self-doubt, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that consistent, small steps can lead to transformational change. Tune in to hear how Russ turned a quit-smoking forum into the blueprint for an ADHD support system that actually works.

Russ Jones is a productivity coach trained in integrative wellness and ADHD-specific coaching. He’s committed to helping adults with ADHD get the tough stuff done. His personal journey, including a later-in-life ADHD diagnosis, fuels his passion for empowering the ADHD community, by simplifying the chaos of our unique skull spaghetti (his word for brains), and offering easy to apply solutions. Russ hosts the ADHD Big Brother podcast and is the founder of the ADHD Big Brother community, an online platform where he and members successfully give and get daily support and make progress on their goals, proving that community is one of the greatest tools to a well-managed and productive ADHD life.

Episode Highlights:

[1:02] - Introducing Russ Jones and his passion for simplifying the ADHD experience
[2:45] - Getting diagnosed at 40 and navigating the grief and relief
[5:00] - From actor to ADHD advocate: Russ’s early career and challenges
[9:22] - The emotional crash during COVID and rediscovering purpose
[12:46] - Launching his podcast and coaching practice
[14:10] - How quitting nicotine inspired the ADHD Big Brother community
[15:32] - The power of daily accountability and owning our struggles
[18:47] - What showing up consistently looks like—even on bad days
[20:27] - How community transforms shame into progress
[22:20] - Behind the scenes of the ADHD Big Brother platform and how it works
[25:16] - Gamifying success with “Skull Spaghetti” and badge rewards
[27:11] - Crushing long-term goals with consistent, low-pressure action
[30:04] - The “inverted mountain” analogy for achieving goals with ADHD
[33:39] - One big takeaway: be cool with yourself, even on hard days

Links & Resources:

• Russ Jones’ ADHD Community & Podcast: https://www.adhdbigbrother.com/

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD student coaches, parents of ADHD students, and educators of ADHD students

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training

Help your ADHD students break free from overwhelm and gain confidence with our latest 3C Activation® : ADHD Student Coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD students

💥Earn 20 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Live training with Brooke, access to all 200 slides and over 100 worksheets to keep for life!

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training

In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Elliott—science and health journalist, documentarian, and host of the podcast Climbing the Walls, which explores the surge in ADHD diagnoses among women. Danielle shares her personal journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis and navigating pregnancy as a single mom by choice, offering a refreshingly honest perspective on how ADHD uniquely shapes her experiences and decisions.

We dive deep into the intersections of ADHD, hormones, anxiety, perfectionism, and motherhood. Danielle reflects on the expectations society places on women—especially moms—and how she’s redefining what it means to prepare for parenthood on her own terms.

Danielle Elliot is a science and health journalist, podcast producer and documentarian. Her most recent series, Climbing The Walls, asks why so many women are being diagnosed with ADHD. It reached No. 8 on the Apple podcast charts.

Episode Highlights:

[0:59] - Meet Danielle Elliott: Journalist, podcaster, and newly pregnant mom navigating ADHD
[3:00] - The motivation to understand ADHD before becoming a parent
[6:26] - Hormones, IVF, and how ADHD symptoms shift during pregnancy
[9:08] - What Danielle learned from creating Climbing the Walls and interviewing ADHD moms
[11:50] - Strategies to tune out external expectations during pregnancy
[14:03] - Ditching the smartphone for a Light Phone to stay present with her baby
[16:43] - Reducing postpartum anxiety by preparing early and mindfully
[18:40] - Emotional dysregulation, anticipatory anxiety, and the importance of therapy
[21:57] - Seeking postpartum ADHD support and community resources
[23:15] - Over-preparing with love: labeled bins, frozen meals, and realistic expectations
[27:29] - Building a strong support system of family and friends
[32:01] - Setting boundaries with loved ones and advocating for postpartum needs
[38:44] - Danielle’s top advice for moms-to-be with ADHD: let go of the pressure and follow what works for you

Links and Resources:

· Listen to Danielle’s podcast: Climbing the Walls on Understood.org

· Follow Danielle on Instagram: @danielle.elliott

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD student coaches, parents of ADHD students, and educators of ADHD students

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training

Help your ADHD students break free from overwhelm and gain confidence with our latest 3C Activation® : ADHD Student Coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD students

💥Earn 20 ICF Credits

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Live training with Brooke, access to all 200 slides and over 100 worksheets to keep for life!

▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/student-coach-training