Pause Purpose Play

You are complex, so ADHD assessments need to be too

Beyond Resilience: Unpacking Burnout and Finding Balance with Dr. Debbie Sorensen

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Debbie Sorensen to discuss the challenges and nuances of burnout. We chat about the importance of recognising and addressing chronic stress and the systemic and cultural pressures contributing to burnout. Debbie shares her personal burnout story and we explore the role of self-compassion in managing burnout.

 

04:30 Debbie's Personal Burnout Story

08:18 Identifying Burnout Symptoms and Risk Factors

18:52 Cultural and Systemic Factors in Burnout

37:01 Different Types of Burnout

39:46 Understanding Burnout Patterns

41:43 Setting Boundaries for Sustainability

42:34 The Importance of Self-Care

43:05 Navigating Emotional Engagement

45:20 Psychological Flexibility and Self-Awareness

48:54 The Role of Compassionate Motivation

52:17 Avoiding Prescriptive Wellness Routines

 

Dr. Debbie Sorensen  is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado, who has PhD from Harvard University and works with adults with chronic stress and burnout. She is a co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast, author of ACT for Burnout: Recharge, Reconnect, and Transform Burnout with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and co-author of the book ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Authenticity, vulnerability and compassion for your journey, with Dylan Holloway

Join me on this episode where I share an amazing conversation with Dylan Holloway, a talented singer-songwriter and transgender man, who shares his journey to authenticity and his passion for music.

Dylan opened up about the struggles of living inauthentically and the freedom he found after embracing his true self. We explored his hit song "Lemons," his powerful anthem "Chosen Family," and how music helped him find solace and connection. Plus, Dylan's story of duetting with his past self is not one to miss.

Dive in to hear this inspiring journey of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of authenticity!

 

01:35 Dylan's Journey to Authenticity

06:16 Navigating Identity and Acceptance

09:27 Musical Breakthrough and Success

11:54 Living Authentically and Neurodivergence

18:34 Relationships and Acceptance

24:47 Upcoming Projects and Music

26:32 Music as a Lifeline

29:17 The Power of Heartbreak Songs

29:42 ADHD and the Creative Arts

31:45 Chosen Family: A Love Letter to the Queer Community

34:58 A Vulnerable Revelation

45:28 A Message of Authenticity

 

Dylan Holloway, better known by his rockstar alias ‘Dylan And The Moon’. Award-winning musician and proud transgender man on a mission to inspire more people to live their most authentic and happy lives. 

www.dylanandthemoon.com

 

 

 

Boundaries and blind spots for ADHD business women, with Polly Lavarello

In this candid episode, I sit down with Polly Lavarello, an experienced business coach (and my own mentor!), to explore the unique challenges and joys of navigating business as neurodivergent entrepreneurs.

Polly shares her journey to discovering her own ADHD through her children, how it reshaped her approach to life and business, and the scaffolding she’s built to support her unique brain and role as a parent.

Together, we delve into the importance of boundaries, self-compassion, and structure for those with ADHD and neurodiverse minds in the entrepreneurial space.

02:02 ADHD Awareness: Personal Journeys and Parenting 

03:30 Navigating Neurodivergence: Self-Diagnosis and Validation 

04:21 Balancing Business and Parenting: Strategies and Challenges 

08:49 Building a Supportive Business Structure 

12:35 Setting Boundaries: The Key to Success 

18:41 Self-Awareness and Efficiency in Business 

25:27 Shiny Object Syndrome: The ADHD Entrepreneur's Pitfall 

29:49 Acceptance and Self-Compassion 

30:19 Asking for Help and Soothing Shame 

45:34 The Power of Long-Term Mentorship 

47:17 Navigating ADHD Challenges in Business   

 

About Polly Lavarello

 

Polly is an evergreen scaling strategist for highly-skilled and booked-out business owners ready to play their way to a simple evergreen business model that adds space to their calendar and spice to their bank account.

www.pollylavarello.com 

https://www.instagram.com/pollylavarello/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollylavarello/

You can be a perfectionist even if you're a hot mess

Join me as I dive into a topic close to my heart - how you can be a perfectionist, even if you’re what some might call a "hot mess."

I'll explore the tension between striving for perfection and managing the beautiful chaos that comes with ADHD and I share my personal journey from unmasking my ADHD to recovering from perfectionism.

This episode is unscripted, which I think beautifully embodies today’s theme: that done is better than perfect.

 

00:21 Understanding Perfectionism and Chaos

01:44 Navigating Perfectionism with ADHD

03:04 The Reality of Perfectionism

04:17 Self-Criticism and Perfectionism

05:56 Perfectionism in High Achievers

07:19 Perception vs. Reality of Accomplishments

08:12 Verbal Processing and ADHD

08:55 Revealing My Hot Mess Moments

09:37 Embracing Imperfections

10:46 Inspiring Despite the Chaos

13:42 Finding Your Tribe Through Vulnerability

15:25 Join the ADHD Club

 

If you want to dive deeper into embracing both your chaos and your accomplishments, come join me in the ADHD Club, where a group of inspiring women lets it all hang out - imperfections and all. You can sign up at www.thethomasconnection/adhd-club and be part of this empowering space.

Rebel against good girl conditioning, with Michelle Minnikin

In this episode, I welcome guest Michelle Minnikin and we delve into the multifaceted realities of societal conditioning, gender expectations, and the unique challenges of living with ADHD. Listen in to hear Michelle discuss her new book, and the impact of 'Good Girl' conditioning and ADHD on women's lives.

 

01:41 Embracing ADHD and Personal Growth

03:46 Discovering Good Girl Conditioning

05:25 Coercive Control and Societal Expectations

06:41 Strategic Exhaustion and Daily Struggles

10:19 Imposter Syndrome and Workplace Challenges

20:46 Rebelling Against Good Girl Conditioning

28:21 Hope for the Next Generation

29:03 Navigating Personal Relationships

30:29 Household Dynamics and Gender Norms

32:34 ADHD and Neurodiversity

34:23 Self-Compassion and Personal Growth

39:39 Male Allies and Shared Responsibilities

39:47 Practical Advice for Women

42:11 The Power of Asking

 

Michelle Minnikin is a North East-based Chartered Organisational Psychologist, coach and author of Good Girl Deprogramming, available now from all good bookstores in paperback, e-book and on audible.

 

 

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/

https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramming

https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikin

https://www.michelleminnikin.com/

Being playful in your business - and in your life

In this episode of Pause Purpose Play I dive into the joy of bringing playfulness into our lives and businesses, especially for those of us navigating ADHD.

I share how embracing a playful mindset can lead to creativity and success, and why soothing our minds is key to achieving our goals.

Plus, learn about my group coaching program, Burn Bright, and how it could be your next step. Tune in for all the details and let's have some fun together!

01:04 The Importance of Deep, Sustainable Change

02:29 Embracing Playfulness in Business and Life

06:34 The Power of the Soothing System

08:51 Unlocking the Power of Play

09:47 Burn Bright Program

 

Burn Bright is my transformational 6-month group coaching programme that helps you continuously calibrate what you need for your brain and your body, to balance your business with your busy ADHD brain.

 

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

Reconnecting with WHY you run a business

In this episode I invite you to join me on a journey of self-discovery as we explore the essence of purpose in our lives.

I share personal reflections and insights from the 'Sustainable Success Challenge,' where we delve into understanding our 'why' and celebrate the unique perks and challenges of entrepreneurship for those of us with ADHD.

01:20 Understanding Purpose and Pain

03:02 The Entrepreneurial Why

04:28 Setting Boundaries and Protecting Energy

05:24 Flexibility in Business for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs

06:50 Insights and Actions for Sustainable Success

08:03 Personal Reflections and Podcast Direction

10:45 Burn Bright doors are open!

 

Burn Bright is my transformational 6-month group coaching programme that helps you continuously calibrate what you need for your brain and your body, to balance your business with your busy ADHD brain.

 

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

Pause to notice how ADHD impacts your business

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I'm diving into the wild world of ADHD and entrepreneurship and sharing some golden nuggets from my Sustainable Success Challenge. We'll chat about why pausing is crucial to avoid burnout and how those quirky ADHD traits can be both your superpower and your kryptonite in business.

Plus, I'm inviting you to join me for some amazing upcoming events - whether you're more of an online binge-watcher or a face-to-face lunch enthusiast. Let's explore this together and find the balance we all crave!

00:26 Sustainable Success Challenge Insights

02:35 Invitation to In-Person Meetup

04:14 Challenges of ADHD in Entrepreneurship

09:05 Balancing Passion and Practicality

10:57 The Importance of Pausing and Self-Compassion

11:44 Upcoming Events

Bend, before you break - flexibility and high-performance with Prof Ross White

In this episode I'm joined by Ross White, fresh off the release of his fantastic new book, 'The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive.'

 

We dive headfirst into the pool of psychological flexibility, discussing its unique edge over concepts like grit, toughness, and resilience. Ross unpacks the importance of balancing our 'get,' 'threat,' and 'reset' modes to keep burnout at bay.

 

With practical tips, playful metaphors, and Ross's authentic vulnerability, this episode offers a refreshing approach to thriving in both work and life.

 

Grab your headphones and get ready to bend without breaking!

 

00:48 Exploring Psychological Flexibility

03:15 Defining Resilience, Toughness, and Grit

09:04 The Metaphor of the Tree

10:15 Modes of Operation: Get, Threat, and Reset

14:24 Momentary and Bold Moves

18:16 Personal Experiences and Vulnerability

23:49 The Comfort Zone vs. The Transforming Zone

28:06 Navigating Career Breaks and Sabbaticals

35:58 Balancing Productivity and Longevity

41:32 The Role of Attention and Mindfulness

46:01 Anchoring Statements and Staying Present