About this episode

Dr. Jennifer Adelhardt discusses her research on ADHD and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

What if some of the traits commonly framed as deficits could also help drive creativity, opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial action? In this episode of DBA Chronicles , Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant welcome newly minted DBA, entrepreneur and researcher Dr. Jennifer Adelhardt for an insightful and deeply personal conversation about her doctoral journey and research at the intersection of ADHD, neurodiversity and entrepreneurship. Jennifer shares what inspired her dissertation, Distracted but Driven , and explains why individuals with ADHD may be more likely to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. She explores the important distinction between hyperactive-impulsive andinattentive ADHD traits and reveals an unexpected finding about how emotion-focused coping strategies may influence entrepreneurial behaviour. The conversation also goes beyond the research. Jennifer speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, self-belief, accountability and the systems she created to complete her doctorate successfully. She reflects on the transformative role of her cohort and why the DBA journey is not a solo pursuit but one built through community, vulnerability and mutual support…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Kelly Burich, Dr. Valrie Grant

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Adelhardt

Topics covered

• ADHD
• neurodiversity
• entrepreneurship
• imposter syndrome
• community support

Keywords

• ADHD
• entrepreneurship
• neurodiversity
• imposter syndrome
• community support
• emotional coping
• doctoral journey

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DBA Chronicles

Books & works: Distracted but Driven

More episodes of DBA Chronicles

• Episode 061: The Actor, the Audience, and the Business of Belonging with Dr. Conwell Worthington III · July 1, 2026 · 52 min
• Episode 060: Sustaining the People Who Do the Work with Dr. Jeff Frey · June 17, 2026 · 54 min

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