Celebrating the 300th Episode with a Special Guest—My Son, Markus

For this milestone episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I wanted to do something meaningful and personal. So instead of interviewing a high-profile guest, I invited my son, Markus. While we usually only feature women, there have been a few exceptions—like Dr. Ned Hallowell, my husband, and Markus, who has been on twice before.

Now, Markus is at a different stage in life. He’s just graduated from college after navigating a challenging academic journey with ADHD and dyslexia, including attending three high schools and changing majors multiple times. Despite being told he wasn’t “college material,” Markus has proven that those labels mean nothing in the long run. He’s thriving in his first job in recruitment consulting and has gained a lot of wisdom along the way.

In this episode, Markus shares advice that blew me away. He talks about what it means to take risks, to stay hungry in a fast-paced career, and how to push through setbacks with resilience. His story is not just about overcoming challenges, but about thriving and finding success on his own terms.

Join us for this special conversation, filled with lessons on embracing discomfort, managing ADHD in academic and professional settings, and building resilience in both life and work. You may even catch a glimpse of yourself or your children in Markus’s story.

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Do you have PCOS and ADHD? Struggling with anxiety and fertility too? Kristyn Hodgdon’s story might sound a lot like yours.

Kristyn discovered her ADHD and PCOS while navigating fertility treatments and the challenges of motherhood. Balancing her role as co-founder of Rescripted with the emotional toll of trying to conceive, heightened ADHD symptoms eventually led to her diagnosis. In this episode, Kristyn opens up about how understanding her ADHD has reshaped her life, particularly in parenting and self-care.

The conversation also addresses broader women’s health issues like anxiety, depression, and the link between ADHD and conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis. Kristyn highlights the importance of time management, advocating in medical settings, and the need for more research into women’s health. Her story empowers women to embrace their unique health challenges and find strength in their journey.

Kristyn Hodgdon is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rescripted, a global media platform for women's health. After discovering she had PCOS and ADHD in adulthood, she became a fierce advocate for women's health. Kristyn lives in Long Island, NY, with her husband, twins Brooke and Charlie, and their dog Nash.

Kristyn’s journey is a reminder that understanding your health is key to personal empowerment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about navigating ADHD, fertility treatments, and the complexities of women’s health.

Resources:
Website: https://rescripted.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristynwithawhy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyn-hodgdon

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

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What if you could draw your way out of a scattered mind?

For Brandy Agerbeck, drawing became the key to turning her chaotic thoughts into something clear and manageable. Long before she was diagnosed with ADHD, Brandy used her visual skills to take control of her fast-paced brain, translating abstract ideas into organized visuals. In this episode, she shares how drawing helped her make sense of the world and how it’s become her go-to tool for managing ADHD—and empowering others to do the same.

From childhood, Brandy learned that drawing wasn’t just an artistic outlet, but a way to visually organize her thoughts and reduce overwhelm. We discuss how she honed this skill, growing up in a creative family, and found her community of neurodiverse thinkers in college. Brandy also talks about choosing self-employment to avoid the friction of traditional jobs, building a career she could thrive.

In this episode, Brandy walks us through her practical strategies for managing ADHD using visual tools—breaking down tasks with sticky notes, mapping ideas with diagrams, and creating flow states through drawing. We also explore the common challenges of ADHD, like time blindness and staying organized, and how visual thinking offers a way to navigate these issues.

Brandy’s story shows that for those who think visually, drawing can be more than an artistic skill—it can be a way to bring clarity and structure to even the most scattered thoughts.

Resources:
Envision: http://loosetooth.com/smartass
Website: https://www.loosetooth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loosetoothcom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agerbeck

Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book
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Are you feeling uncertain about your life's direction? Join Tracy Otsuka's free "What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass" to discover how to make better, more confident decisions and realize your full potential. Become an expert on yourself and choose the right path forward. Register now at spyhappy.me/class.