In this episode: It's all about letting go of self-esteem as a goal. It's vague, unmeasurable, and often just makes things worse—especially for people with ADHD/AuDHD. But self-efficacy is EVERYTHING. Simply put: it’s the realistic belief that you have the skills to do a task or handle a situation. Your self-efficacy can be improved (thanks to neuroplasticity) and there is irrefutable science and studies that support its life-changing results. I’ll explain more about the findings on self-efficacy, how it works, and give you some ways to start focusing on your self-efficacy today so that you can start projects, and actually follow through. Let’s go!

SHOW NOTES

"This is A Lot" Resources

Sign up for my “This Is A Lot” Newsletter: sent every 10 days

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

More Neurodivergent Friendly Resources

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

Sources

Why Self-Efficacy Is More Important Than Self-Esteem; YouTube

Dr. Albert Bandura Quotes

Self-Efficacy Theory Of Motivation Explained; YouTube

Self-Efficacy and Agentic Positive Psychology

Self-Efficacy And Why Believing In Yourself Matters; VeryWell Mind

In this episode: Most people don’t associate ADHD with hope — but they should. This episode explores the science behind hope as a cognitive process. Drawing on research I look at how hope is built, how it functions in the brain, and how it can get eroded by chronic adversity — especially for people with ADHD and AuDHD. If you’ve been struggling with follow-through, feeling stuck, or wondering why things feel harder than they “should,” this is an episode that explains why — and how you can cultivate hope!

SHOW NOTES

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

SOURCES

Build Resilience By Learning To Hope; ADDitude Magazine

Promoting Hope in ADHD; Dr. Hallowell

The Gift of Hope; Dig Coaching

The Science And Power Of Hope; Dr. Chan Hellman

EPISODE 49: An ADHD Guide To Cortisol + 13 Tips To Lower Your Cortisol Levels

In this episode: Exhaustion during the day, racing thoughts at night, sleep problems, anxiety, and unexplained inflammation can all be signs of a nervous system stuck in high-alert mode. While dopamine gets most of the attention in ADHD conversations, cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — plays a major role in how energy, focus, and fatigue are regulated. High cortisol, not low, is often behind chronic stress patterns in people with ADHD and AuDHD. I give tips on how to interrupt your long-term stress loop in ways your nervous system can actually handle.

SOURCES

The Intersection of ADHD and Hormones, CHADD

The WorkOut Witch

The Complex PTSD Workbook

SHOW NOTES

1. "You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

2. "You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

3. Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

4. Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

5. Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

6. 30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

7. $50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

8. 15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this special Out From The Paywall Episode - you're getting a Little Pod Patreon only bonus episode that originally aired on June 22nd, 2025. I have a special offer for you. You can join Patreon for FREE right now by clicking here. You'll get one month FREE of "You Are A LOT" on Patreon at Tier 1 which gives you access to all of the archives, video episodes, AMA's, bonus episodes, transcripts, a private chat community and more! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR MONTH! No commitment required after the month is up. (Offer expires 8/1)

OUT FROM THE PAYWALL: "And Just Like That" When A TV Show Fails ADHD" Permission to rant? Thank you. On this Little Pod which is available to Tier #1 and Tier #2, I'm criticizing the TV show "And Just Like That" for its bizarre portrayal of the ADHD medication shortage and how to handle a troubled teenager with ADHD.

SHOW NOTES

"You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

"You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

$50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this special Out From The Paywall Episode - you're getting a full Patreon only episode that originally aired on May 18th, 2025. I have a special offer for you. You can join Patreon for FREE right now by clicking here. You'll get one month FREE of "You Are A LOT" on Patreon at Tier 1 which gives you access to all of the archives, video episodes, AMA's, bonus episodes, transcripts, a private chat community and more! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR MONTH! No commitment required after the month is up. (Offer expires 7/31)

OUT FROM THE PAYWALL: "Future Fantasy Is Not A Plan"

In this episode: Jen explains a thought-provoking concept she recently learned—the difference between having a real plan of action for a life goal versus being stuck in a future fantasy about that goal. She walks through how being in a future fantasy is a habitual way to regulate our emotions, while actually making a plan would require being present—which can trigger dysregulation. So we avoid it. Mind. Blown.

You Don’t Lack “Follow Through” - Heidi Priebe, YouTube

"You Are A LOT" Podcast on Patreon

"You Are A LOT" Podcast Website

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

$50 Group ADHD Coaching (Jen's Coach)

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

In this episode: I’m talking about what’s coming for summer with this podcast, and stay subscribed as I release episodes from behind the paywall with topics like why you may be emotionally regulating through future fantasy instead of concrete planning, and my frustration with the ADHD medication plot on “And Just Like That.” I have an offer JUST FOR listeners to this podcast! Click to get 40% off of your first month of Patreon or annually and use this code: A3354

SHOW NOTES

Jen's Every 10 Day Newsletter: “This Is A Lot”

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals with code JENKIRKMAN

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks with code JENKIRKMAN

In this episode: I unpack (get it?) what it means to travel as a neurodivergent person, especially when you’ve internalized a bunch of rigid “rules” about what travel is supposed to look like. For a long time, I thought travel had to mean a picture-perfect vacation, and I put pressure on myself to pack light, leave comforts behind, and plan for an idealized version of my destination—rather than the reality of my actual needs. Plus, I’m creating a digital course about neurodivergent travel, and your input can help me make sure I’m covering what actually matters to people like us. Send an email with your thoughts and experiences around travel to alotadhdpod at gmail dot com or call the “A Lot Line” and leave a voicemail (347) 674-2201.

SHOW NOTES:

Special Patreon Offer! 25% off of your first month OR an entire annual membership! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM and use code: 90FFB. Offer expires June 30th, 2025. For bonus episodes, transcripts, video classes, AMA’s, a private chat community, and more!

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

Visit the “You Are A Lot” (an ADHD/AuDHD Podcast) webpage

Subscribe to the “This Is A Lot” Newsletter

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks

$50 off Jen’s ADHD Coach

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

In this episode: Have you ever felt completely frozen, staring at your project, knowing exactly what needs to get done — but physically unable to begin? It’s not procrastination — it’s ADHD Paralysis — and there are three kinds: mental paralysis, analysis paralysis, and task paralysis, all of which can lead to shutdowns. It’s a neurological issue (executive functions not functioning) as well as an emotional one (a trauma response). Whether you're ADHD or AuDHD, this episode helps you understand that you don’t need more willpower — you need more compassion. You’re overwhelmed, and you deserve support. Special Patreon Offer! 25% off of your first month OR an entire annual membership! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM and use code: 90FFB.

SHOW NOTES:

Special Patreon Offer! 25% off of your first month OR an entire annual membership! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM and use code: 90FFB. For bonus episodes, transcripts, video classes, AMA’s, a private chat community and more!

Take the ACE test here (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

30 FREE DAYS to BRAIN FM Wire Your Brain For Focus!

Visit the “You Are A Lot” (an ADHD/AuDHD Podcast) webpage

Subscribe to the “This Is A Lot” Newsletter

15% Off HUGIMALS weighted stuffed animals

15% off APPOINTED planners & notebooks

$50 off Jen’s ADHD Coach

Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com

Call The “A Lot” Line at (347) 674-2201

SOURCES USED FOR THIS EPISODE:

ADHD Paralysis: Mental Health

ADHD Paralysis is Real: ADDA

What is ADHD Shutdown? Calm

Understanding ADHD Paralysis: The Dorm

Complex PTSD Pete Walker