Journey With Me Through ADHD: A podcast for kids

Have you ever been told, "You are just being too sensitive!"? If so, you are absolutely not alone! In this final episode of our Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) series, we bring everything together by focusing on self-compassion and a powerful thought reframe: Your sensitivity is not a flaw-it's a strength! After learning what rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is and how it can show up in your thoughts, feelings, and reactions, this episode will help you take the next step- understanding yourselves in a kinder, more empowering way. Instead of seeing big feelings as "too much," we explore what those feeling actually mean! Key Takeaways: Feeling deeply is NOT something to fix: You may feel more intensely, but that doesn't mean there is something is wrong with you, it means that you care deeply!!! That's beautiful gift! Sensitivity and empathy often go together: Yes, our ADHD brains often feel things strongly: However, we are also incredibly empathetic, aware of others emotions, and passionate about fairness, kindness and connection . These are powerful strengths! RSD awareness gives you power-not labels: Understanding RSD helps you recognize what's happening in your brain so that you can respond with more control and self-compassion. It's all about gaining the tools for your toolbox to help your thrive in your thoughts and emotions day by day! You can learn to pause and name what's happening: When those big feelings strike, practicing skills like pausing, intentional deep breathing, and naming the emotion can help you respond with control instead of reacting right away. Mistakes and criticism don't define you: Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how you respond to them. Failure is fuel- and rememebering that your worth isn't based on the moment or a feeling...your thoughts aren't always telling you the whole story! Put your imagination caps on and visualize your emotions like a volume dial on a speaker. Sometimes you feel like the volume is turned up to a 8,9, or even a 10! The goal isn't to turn the volume off, it's to learn how to gently adjust it! With practice and continued self-awareness, you will begin to notice when your volume is getting too loud and use your tools to bring it down to a level that feels more manageable! Remember this... You are NOT "too sensitive." You are someone who feels deeply, and with the right tools, that sensitivity becomes one of your greatest strengths-helping you connect, care, and understand the world in a powerful way! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey toward learning more about naming and combatting RSD in a mighty way! Reach out to me at www.katelynmabry.com to reach out to learn more about 1:1 coaching as a means to dive deeper into exercising these skills with a coach that can help! I would also love to hear from you if there is a episode topic idea you'd like to share too! If you are overwhelmed NOW and would love a masterclass to help you explore next steps, click to register now for "Navigating ADHD Chaos," lead by master ADHD Coach, Tyler Dorsey, who is also the founder of Focus Forward ADHD Coaching. You will walk away from this 5-day masterclass with a deeper understanding of what's going on beneath the surface of the behavior seen, why things feel so hard, and what true progress looks like. You will also leave with a renewed hope and a clearer path forward for you and your family! You don't want to miss it! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day! Love and appreciate you all! I look forward to being with you again next week as we explore all that ADHD energy!!!

Bottom line, RSD can be one of the most painful parts of ADHD, so let's keep exploring how we can name it to tame it!! In this episode of our Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria series, you will learn how to recognize and start to name big feelings and pain points in the moment, especially when those feelings show up fast and feel overwhelming! To recap, RSD is when the brain reacts strongly and the body experience different intense feelings when experiencing different forms of rejection. It may be real, possible, or just something the brain is guessing, but the emotional response remains intense either way! This episode with help you spot common signals that RSD might be happening, including: Sudden shame or embarrassment Quick bursts of anger Wanting to shut down or hide Feeling exposed or judged Wanting to quit somthing right away (You will even hear examples from my son who also has ADHD and often experiences RSD)- This is scripted, but honestly rings very true for him too! You will even hear him sharing some silly voices and that goes along with the character analogy I share! Giving our intense fixed thoughts silly voices is a strategy to de-stress and shine light on the fact that we can talk back to those voices... The key is to NAME THE FEELING... I use the metaphor of putting a name tag on emotions as an imaginative visual of identifying what they are feeling- like, "this is shame, or this might be RSD." the feelings become less confusing and easier to manage. Naming the feeling helps: Slow down the brains reaction Take away some of the mystery Create space for reacting The goal isn't to fix everything instantly, but to build awareness in the moment. This week's challenge: Try to notice just ONE big feeling and put a name tag on it! Because when you start to name it, then you CAN tame it!! TRUSTED ADULTS: DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MASTERMIND CLASS!? Check it out if you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or constantly wondering why nothing seems to be working when trying to help your child with a uniquely wired ADHD brain? Here is the most ideal masterclass that will speak straight into the struggle... "NAVIGATING ADHD CHAOS" is a 5-day masterclass designed to help you understand what's really happening beneath the behavior, why things feel hard, and what process actually looks like. You will walk away with a deeper understanding, renewed hope, and a clearer path forward for you and your family. More details and registration opens April 20th...http://focusforwardadhd.com/katelyn Check out my website for more resources, order my book, or to reach out about being a guest on my podcast! I would also love to hear your future episode ideas too! www.katelynmabry.com

Are they mad at me? Did I do something wrong? They must hate me! I feel sick to my stomach (in response to a tone of voice) They don't think I'm good enough. What does that look mean? Do these narratives sound familar? If so, you are not alone... In this episode, I introduce this beast called "Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria" (RSD)- This is a common intense, even painful and overwhelming emotional experience when faced with internal, external, or percieved rejection. We will stay creative and curious as we use the metaphor of a microphone and speaker to explore how your brain may be turning up the volume in certain emotions- making small moments seem HUGE! "I am not too sensitive- my feelings might just be amplified!" This episode helps kids understand: How their brains turns up the volume on rejection Why small moments feel much bigger then they are. That these feelings are real- but sometimes louder than the situation itself That their inner voice isn't always telling the truth Please remember that your feelings are not wrong- Your brain is just using a powerful sound system. And with the right tools and strategies, you can learn how to turn that volume down. I look forward to being with you all next week as we continue to explore RSD! Always remember that you are never alone in how you think and feel! You are loved just as you are! Check out my website www.katelynmabry.com to learn more about the opportunity to move through 1:1 coaching with me as your next step! I offer a free consultation to learn more! I would also love to hear from you about different episode topic ideas for the future or if your kiddo would like to share part of his or her ADHD journey by submitting an audio clip that I can share on a future episode! Have a super blessed day!

Did you know that your feelings are not your enemy!? I know sometimes it feels like they are! But in this episode, we will talk about how feelings are messengers that is giving you a signal that your mind and body may need help in some way. In this episode, we will explore the idea of feelings being like mail being delivered to your brain and body. Every feeling carries a message that is trying to tell you something important. Feelings aren't good or bad, they are simply information. We will look at what anger, worry, sadness and anxiety are trying to tell us and ideas of how we can practice responding. Maybe anger is delivering a message that something is unfair. Maybe worry is dropping off a note that your brain needs reassurance or a plan. Even BIG stormy feelings are just messages asking to be noticed. This episode will help you see that you don't have to ignore, hide, run away or explode feelings. Instead, you can practice pausing, reading the message, and then deciding what to do. This is NOT easy and takes a lot of intentional practice! When you learn how to read your feelings like mail, you start to understand yourself better- That is a SUPERPOWER! Let's continue to build that emotional toolbox together as we understand our brains, bodies and big feelings better! I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you at www.katelynmabry.com. Check out my resources and reach out if you would like to be a future guest on my podcast or if you have a fun future episode topic idea! I also offer 1:1 coaching and will have more openings come Fall for the start of your new school year! You can book a FREE consultation to learn more about through my website too! Thank you for being here! You are loved and appreciated!!

Episode focus: Practical ADHD friendly regulation tools! Core message: Different tools work at different times and that's ok! Do you have BIG feelings too!!? I know I do and all 4 of my own kiddos with ADHD do too! They all look a little different and show up at different times, but we can all agree that the term, "just calm down never has and never will work! Do you agree!? The goal is learning how to REGULATE through using different tools in our toolbox! In this episode, I will introduce the idea of builing a regulation toolbox- because not every tool fits every job! Just like you wouldn't use a spoon to fix a bike, you won't use the same strategy for every feeling! And that's totally OK! You'll learn in this episode... Why big feeling aren't bad- they're signals! Different categories of tools that can be helpful: Including- movement, breath, sensory input, words, and connection! How to build a small, practical menu of go-to tools Why it's OK if a tool works one day and not the next... Movement helps the nervous system reset (wall pushes, jumping jacks, animal walks, quick sprints, etc... Breath that is slow and intentional- This is an internal tool that we can always turn to when our body feels safe to slow down (box breathing, balloon breaths, smell pizza and blow on it if it's too hot, etc.) Sensory input tools help your brain organize itself! (squeeze stress ball, weighted lap blanket, cold water on wrist, listening to calm music, etc...) Words- naming what's happening will lower the intensity ( "I'm in the yellow zone. I need a break, my brain needs help." Connection is key! This creates safety and helps the brain come back online to think of the next best step to take. (Sit next to trusted adult, ask for a hug, co-regulate before problem solving.) Key Takeaways- Not every strategy works in every moment. Different feelings need different tools What works today might not work tomorrow! That doesn't mean you fail, it just means you're continuing to learn your brain a little better every single day! Remember that big feelings are NOT bad behavior, they are information. Practice makes progress and the more confident you will become in using your toolbox! You don't need every tool, you just need a few that fit YOU! Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com for more resources or to share a future episode topic or series idea! I would love to hear from you! You are SEEN, VALUED AND lOVED!

Your body starts to tighten, your breath gets heavy, your mind is racing, senses are overwhelmed and your dysregulated emotions just burst... Sound familiar!? This is called a MELTDOWN...Your brain has had "too much" body is giving information that it needs HELP! It's when your brain is overloaded. This is not a misbehavior issue, it's a regulation struggle- a neurological response! So what is a TANTRUM then? "I want this...I don't like that...you need to do what I want... give me that...NOW"= Desire for control leading to emotional outburst... It can be tricky to tell the difference as a trusted adult, which is why staying curious and helping kids raise self-awareness is key! In this episode, you will discover the difference between a meltdown vs a tantrum and even hear a little from my 8 year old child with ADHD who struggles with this too. We will talk about how how brain is like a computer, at first it's doing great. Tabs open faster and faster, then suddenly it freezes up! The computer isn't being bad, it's overloaded...That's when a meltdown happens. My son shares some helpful self-talk tips : "My brain's not broken." "I wasn't being bad." "My system is overloaded." Meltdown brain is saying, "I need support, I need quiet, I need space, I need help!" Make sure you check out our February sponsor "Inflow!" This helpful resource has made it their mission to bring the right solution to individuals 13 + years and older, who are tired of dealing with the daily untamed struggles of ADHD. This app is designed for those who have tried countless strategies on their own, but they just aren't sticking. To makes it even easier, Inflow starts with a quick quiz that creates a personalized plan tailored to your brain- so you can finally get connected with strategies that work for your uniquely wired mind. I am thrilled to have Inflow as our sponsor this month so that your whole family can take even more control of your beautiful, brilliant ADHD brain! Visit http://getinflow.io/adhdjourney to discover details and get started with this great tool today. This tool works great alongside 1:1 coaching as well. Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com to learn more about coaching, discover my book for kids, or just message to share a future episode topic idea!! I would love to hear from you!

"Sometimes my feelings go up and down, that's when my head spins round and round!" This is a page in my book and it rings so true for the February series we are going to do! "Sometimes I feel happy, sometimes I feel sad, sometimes I feel jumpy, other times I feel mad!" Another page of my book that speaks to the emotional rollercoaster that we often feel like we are on living with an ADHD brain! In this episode we will jumpstart our February series where we dive into the topic of emotional regulation. You will discover WHY our emotions tend to get big really fast and how the waves of emotions can show up after allowing our balloon of emotions to blow up with worry, fear of failure, feeling too much or not enough, and how when it gets too big, it POPS! We will also touch on becoming surfers to ride those waves and then revisit the balloon analogy at the end of the episode to scratch the surface of ways to deflate the balloon before it pops! Come ride with me as we swim through the sea of emotional regulation! Im SUPER excited to introduce you to our February sponsor "Inflow." Are you continuing to struggle to manage your ADHD? Inflow has made it their mission to bring the right solution to people who are tired of dealing with the daily struggles of ADHD. Their app is designed to help those who've tried countless strategies that don't quite work yet. To make it even easier, inflow starts with a quick ADHD quiz that creates a personalized plan tailored to your brain-so you can finally get connected with strategies that work. I am thrilled to have inflow as our sponsor this month to help you all take even more control of your beautiful, brilliant ADHD minds! Visit http://getinflow.io/adhdjourney to get started today! This app is a great resource to consider alongside coaching as well! Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com if you'd like to explore how ADHD coaching could be helpful for you too!

Now that you've created your New Year targets and have had some time to shoot for them, let's refocus on the celebration of any amount of progress on your journey of aiming for targets made!! In this episode, we will celebrate hitting the target and the resilience built when missing the target and trying to aim again. We want to pause and celebrate how far you've come- not just where you landed. Wheather you hit your target, got close, changed your aim, or learned something new along the way, this episode is all about progress over perfection! As ADHD warriors, we often put in a lot of progress that goes unnoticed. Today, we will slow things down and shine a light on the growth that happens inside. Learning how to refocus, trying again, adjusting plans, and keep going even when things feel tricky or sticky! We will talk about why trying matters just as much as finishing, how noticing small wins builds confidence, and how every effort helps build momentum for the rest of the year! This episode will remind you that aiming takes practice- and that practice is something to be proud of! Let's practice those intentional breaths, give yourself credit, and celebrate the journey you are on! You are learning to aim with courage, kindness, and curiosity- and that's a BIG win! Please reach out at www.katelynmabry.com for more resources or to share future episode topic ideas! I would love to hear from you!

Living with an ADHD brain is often accompanied by negative self-talk and if we don't stay on top of it, then that bully can speak louder than the truth of the incredible creation that you were created to be in all of your amazing strengths and gifts! You may notice that I continue to circle back to the same message of becoming self-aware of the inner voice and what it is speaking to you! That is because, this is the key to moving forward and growing through each moment of challenge we face when shooting for tricky targets!! In this episode, we will make it crystal clear how missing a target never means failure, but it does mean that you have an opportunity to re-aim and become even stronger through trying again! It also grows our resiliance and perserverance in the process as we strive for progress, NOT perfection! It means your flexible thinking muscle is being stretched and you are learning how to adjust! Mistakes are information, not proof! Learning happens because of misses! Here is your GENTLE re-aim challenge: Pick one tiny next try and even choose to give space, grace and time to try again the next day! Missing a target doesn't mean you failed. It means you are brave enough to keep going! I absolutely love spending this time with you all and I would love for you to reach out to me through my webside www.katelynmabry.com so we can continue exploring your targets together! Love you all!

Are you putting your oxygen mask first before helping others!? I LOVE how your BIG feelings comes with a compassion compass that can be such a gift to others! Let's pause and talk about how we need to be sure that we are actively regulating our own big emotions in order to have the capacity to use the gift of helping others with their big emotions! In this episode, you will meet my dear friend and ADHD brother, Coach Ryan Mayer! He has a super fun way of talking about the importance of putting your oxygen (regulation/self-care) mask on, how to choose friends wisely, and how to be mindful of who and what you are choosing to spend your time and energy with/on! Coach Ryan's Free Productivity Guide Link: https://guides.ryanmayercoaching.com/?which_resource_are_you_most_interested_in=Productivity&_gl=1*1bfrz3p*_gcl_au*NzM0NzM0ODcuMTc1ODExOTQ4MA Coach Ryan's Free Coaching Session Link https://book.ryanmayercoaching.com/networking Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com for to connect or find more resources on your journey!

Do you ever feel like you have one "ugh" moment after the next!? On our ADHD journey, we are often faced with many frustrations and feelings of failure...this is WHY celebrating little WINS is so very important on the path toward thriving with ADHD! In this episode, I want you to cozy up and connect with the ones you love to talk about how you too can create tiny targets to shoot for during this big season of holidays, transitions, and a whole new year coming up! What is a cozy target? It's a tiny , kind goal- something small and doable that helps your ADHD brain feel calm, focused and proud. It's that ONE thing that you can pause and say, "good job me!" For example: Helping with a chore without being asked, saying something kind to a siblings, taking a breath and a break when a big feelings strikes, using a memory tool to remember to pack something for school! What is your cozy little target this season? Here is the truth...little wins build big confidence. It tells your brain, "I can do hard things!" Always remember that your big seasons come and go, but your little wins add up to something amazing! Each cozy target you practice and progress at helps your bright brain shine a little brighter! I am so happy you are here to learn and grow with me! We are on this journey together! Please reach out to me @ www.katelynmabry.com or you can directly email me at katelynmabry4@gmail.com to share your ADHD journey with me too! I love all of you and hope to hear from you soon! With love and gratitude, Katelyn Mabry ADHD Life Coach Make sure you also check out our December sponsor, Renee Marie, who is the author of the incredible book and resource, "The Secret Playbook of Life!" This book is chalk full of 50 mini stories that help you build confidence, grit, and social skills - all while having a good laugh along the way and relating to each and every story in some way! Check it out on amazon or at http://mysecretplaybook.shopify.com Music credit: http://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/seize-the-day

Hold UP!? Thankful for a mess!? YEP, I did type that right!! In this episode, we are going to talk about how we can find gratitude, even when life, and/or our brains feel a little messy... Let's be honest, Having ADHD can feel like a living in a world of post-it notes, racing thoughts, and ideas that zip around! We forget things, our attention drifts, and our feelings get super big, really quickly! BUT, guess what? Inside that beautiful mess, there are some pretty incredible gifts too! Let's say a BIG "thank you to our differences! You might notice that your brain works differently from others- maybe you think faster, dream bigger, or feel deeper. That is not something to hide, but rather something to celebrate! Let's pause and practice thanking our support superheros too, who love us exactly as we are! Say, "thank you for believing in me-even when my brain feels messy!" A simple "thank you" will fill their heart and your bucket too! Next, let's say thank you for...second chances! Because when we make mistakes- which I know I do daily- we get to try again...that's how our brain learns and grows BEST! Forgot homework- You can make a plan to remember next time. Get distracted during chores? You can put a momentum maker in place to get back on track. Said something without thinking? Yikes, this one hits home- We can apologize and reconnect, making the relationship stronger! That's something to be thankful for! Finally, let's say it together, "thanks for the mess!" Because inside the mess are moments of blessings. Messy means you're curious Messy means you're growing Messy means you're human with a brain full of color, energy and brilliant ideas! If you lean in, you will always find beauty in the chaos! Like a pile of Fall leaves all different colors and shapes, but together, they make something beautiful! Let's practice gratitude with these prompts: "I'm thankful for my brain, because it helps me __________." "I'm thankful for the chances that I get to _______________." "I'm thankful for the mess, because it reminds me that I'm ______." Practice these daily and watch your mindset and attitude be transformed! Remember to check out our November sponsor, Sara Lewis Hartley, who is a neurodivergent coach, who helps families nuture emotional awareness, self-acceptance, and connection- all while celebrating uniqueness in every child. She is the author of "The Purposefully Me Series"- A social-emotional series of books that speak straight to your kiddos hearts and minds! Sara is also the creator of the incredible ALIGN Parenting Method, which is a powerful 5-step framework that helps find calm in the chaos throught Awareness, Listening & Labeling, Indentifying triggers, Grounding techniques, and Nurture practices. Visit www.saralewishartley.com to start your journey toward mindful, heart-centered parenting today! Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com to connect, ask questions, or check out my other resources!! I would love to hear from you!

Just like the leaves change on the trees change colors in the Fall, we ALL go through changes too! In this cozy and encouraging episode, we explore how change is a normal, healthy, and even powerful part of growing up- especially with a beautiful, brilliant ADHD brain! We will use the beauty and changes of Fall as a reminder that letting go, learning new habits, and growing in new directions are all apart of becoming the best version of you! In this episode, you'll learn... Change doesn't have to be scary- It can be beautiful and exciting! Our thoughts, feelings, and even struggles can shift and grow over time! Just like leaves, we can "let go" of things that don't serve us anymore- like unhealthy thoughts, habits, or worries. Every new season brings a fresh start! This episode will encourage you to embrace change with curiosity and hope! Growth is something to truly celebrate! Check out our November sponsor on your journey of change... Sara Lewis Hartley, who is a neurodivergent coach, who helps families nurture emotional awareness, self-acceptance, and connection- all while celebrating uniqueness in every child. She is the author of "The Purposefully Me Series"- A social-emotional series of books that speak straight to your kiddos hearts and minds! Sara is also the creator of the chaos through awareness, listening & labeling, identifying triggers, grounding techniques, and nurture practices. Visit www.saralewishartley.com to start your journey toward mindful, heart-centered parenting today. I would love to hear from you to! You can check out my website www.katelynmabry.com or email me directly at katelynmabry4@gmail.com to share your ADHD journey with me! Love and appreciate each of you for being here!