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Ever feel like you're working hard but getting nowhere? Maybe the problem isn't your effort. Maybe it's where your brain is starting from.
In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, Stephen Tonti and Aaron Smith sit down with therapist, ADHD advocate, and author 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 to explore why nervous system regulation may be the missing piece in ADHD management. Drawing from her book 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘋𝘏𝘋 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, Jenna explains how living in chronic fight-or-flight can fuel overwhelm, burnout, procrastination, and shame, even when you've tried every planner, app, and productivity hack.
Together, they unpack why so many ADHD adults feel trapped in an exhausting cycle of urgency and crashes, how dysregulation shapes the way we think about ourselves, and why learning to regulate your nervous system can make everyday life feel far more manageable. Jenna also shares her practical three-layer framework for regulation, helping listeners move away from constant survival mode and toward a more sustainable way of living.
✨Highlights✨
✔️ Why ADHD strategies often fail without nervous system regulation
✔️ The connection between chronic overwhelm and fight-or-flight
✔️ How shame, urgency, and guilt keep ADHD brains stuck
✔️ Jenna's three-layer framework for ADHD regulation
✔️ Why "potential" can become an unhelpful trap
✔️ How to recognize dysregulation in everyday life
✔️ Practical ways to interrupt overwhelm before it takes over
✔️ Why regulating your nervous system isn't about becoming more productive, but about building a life that feels calmer and more sustainable
‘𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙. 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦.’ — 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞
💬 What's one small step you can take today to move from "potential" to reality? Let us know below in the comment section. 👇
If you've ever wondered why you know what to do but still struggle to do it, this conversation offers a compassionate and practical perspective that goes beyond productivity tips.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺:
- Hosts: Stephen Tonti, Aaron Smith & Devin Pitts-Rogers
- Producer: David Grabowski
- Editors: Ian Lopez & Luis Paulo de la Fuente
- Sound Mix & Theme Music: David Grabowski
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 Jenna Free:
- Website: adhdwithjennafree.com/
- LinkedIn: Search Jenna Free
- Instagram: adhdwithjennafree/
We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.
If you enjoy the podcast please like, share, and subscribe!
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