In this episode of The MADLOVE Your Life Show, Mary Dee sits down with Kristen Carder, leading ADHD educator, coach and host of the top-ranked I Have ADHD Podcast, to unpack what ADHD really looks like in adult life and why so many people have spent years believing they were broken, lazy or "a hot mess" instead of supported.
Together, they explore how ADHD impacts self-trust, relationships, emotional regulation, and daily life, especially for high-functioning adults who appear capable on the outside but feel overwhelmed, ashamed, or exhausted on the inside.
Kristen shares her trauma-informed, shame-free approach to understanding the ADHD brain and rebuilding a life that actually works with it, not against it. You'll hear:
How ADHD often shows up as shame, self-doubt, and chronic overwhelm in adults
Why a diagnosis can bring relief, grief, anger, and validation all at once
The hidden ways ADHD affects friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics
How to separate who you are from the coping strategies you developed to survive
What rebuilding self-trust really looks like beyond mantras and motivation
How emotional regulation becomes the foundation for joy, stability, and connection
If you've tried every planner, productivity system, or self-discipline hack and still feel like something is wrong with you, this conversation will help you understand that you're not broken and that healing starts with compassion, education, and support.
👉 Connect with Kristen Carder
Website: https://ihaveadhd.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristencarder/
🎧 Subscribe to The Mad Love Your Life Show for more conversations that blend psychology, compassion, and real-life tools to help you live with clarity, trust, and joy.
