Best Attentional Variability Podcasts (2025)

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Is ADHD overdiagnosed? 31:14

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1d ago31:14

31:14

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Are ADHD, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders overdiagnosed? Is it all in our heads? Is self-diagnosis legit? Isabelle and David take some common stigmas and misperceptions to task and explore how labels and identities can help or hurt, how policing stigma when you're not a member of t…

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MUCH NEEDED REPLAY: Were you a kid with ADHD in the 90's? 29:42

1M ago29:42

29:42

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Let's revisit a bunch of neurodivergent folx reminiscing about what it was like growing up (and being diagnosed with) ADHD in the 90's. Featuring some real gems about accommodations for reading, what hyperfocus can feel like, and stuff about Richard Dreyfuss. ---- Isabelle & David welcome Isabel…

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Do you trust that others (especially those in power) will help you? 17:34

2M ago17:34

17:34

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! So with news articles and headlines about how folks with ADHD need to get off their meds or go outside or be 'cured', there's something of a big misunderstanding and gaps in perspectives on ADHD and what it actually means. Including our shared values as a real ADHD culture, especially around how…

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Do folks with ADHD 'stim' (and what is it)? 29:27

3M ago29:27

29:27

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David talk 'stimming'-AKA "Self-stimulating behavior": what is this word, where does it come from, and what does it mean to 'stim'? Perhaps spoken of more in the autism community, stimming applies to ADHD also, and can connect to not just how we use sensory inputs as ballasts or bal…

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Can you be super empathic and autistic? (um...YES) - Neuropsychs Explored Part IV 18:50

4M ago18:50

18:50

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle finishes sharing her neuropsych results, including recommendations for ADHD and autism (HINT: unmask! WHAT?) From the categorization of ADHD like a storm warning system (Mild/moderate/severe) to how job interviews might be the one place to mask (and how David does his interviews), David…

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Do we really need labels like ADHD and AuDHD? - Neuropsychs Explored Part III 21:45

5M ago21:45

21:45

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David continue to explore how an official ADHD or autism or AuDHD diagnosis might be a useful bridge to belong to a community. But what about the people who see these labels as pathologizing, including famous ADHD researchers like Dr. Russell Barkely? David and Isabelle explore some…

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How can you trust the world when the world doesn't get you? - Neuropsychs Explored Part II 22:37

5M ago22:37

22:37

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! David and Isabelle go into greater depth about neuropsychological assessments--both back in the day and now-for kids, and for adults--and Isabelle's AHA moment about self-disclosing her AuDHD self. From the odd history of the intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD (did you know …

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What is a neuropsych anyway? What is AuDHD? - Neuropsychs Explored Part I 27:55

5M ago27:55

27:55

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle shares the results of her neuropsych with David: she is AuDHD! As a grown human learning she has AuDHD (ADHD + Autism Spectrum Disorder), what does it mean to 'get a neuropsych?' What even IS a neuropsych? Who gets one and why? How does high-masking autism look like for Isabelle? Bustin…

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Loneliness and Changes to How We Mask - with Marcus Soutra, For the Good Consulting 16:03

6M ago16:03

16:03

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David welcome back Marcus Soutra, co-founder of Eye to Eye and founder of For the Good Consulting, and explore the nature of authenticity, "coolness" and the meaning of masking with nation-wide advocacy expert and fellow ADHD and LD-er. How did being "cool" go from being rich and un…

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From "toughen up" to "the trauma ends with me" - with guest, Marcus Soutra (For the Good Consulting) 28:18

6M ago28:18

28:18

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David welcome back Marcus Soutra, co-founder of Eye to Eye and founder of For the Good Consulting, and ask an interesting question of this nation-wide advocacy expert and fellow ADHD and LD-er: how has life in schools changed for neurodivergent kids, especially now that some of us a…

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Why is the transition to sleep so extra hard? 35:08

6M ago35:08

35:08

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David continue to talk with David’s brother’s friend, Aaron, and dig deep into why winding down and going to sleep is the hardest transition of all: because you're staring into a black hole of no dopamine for hours! And also, a lot of traditional sleep hygiene tricks may not work. F…

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Are folks with ADHD natural promoters? 28:36

7M ago28:36

28:36

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David continue to talk with David’s brother’s friend, Aaron, and contemplate why folks with ADHD can be so enthusiastic and excited about interests, people, etc. Is it because we are like puppies who are starved for reinforcement (dopamine)? Or does it come from living a life on the…

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What happens when you be more of the person you want to be? 30:45

8M ago30:45

30:45

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Isabelle and David welcome David’s brother’s friend, Aaron, who, as a recently diagnosed ADHDer, brings up the idea of if ADHD is a superpower, it's like the super suit in “Greatest American Hero:” a suit given with a manual that got lost on the first day of use. What happens when you find your …

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Does ADHD Make You Overly Optimistic? 29:00

8M ago29:00

29:00

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Does ADHD make you an overly optimistic puppy dog? Or the sprinkle of trickster magic in someone else's day? And is there really a "better" way to be, optimistic or pessimistic? From David being a prophetic hot dog vendor at Wrigley Field, to trickster archetypes, to the differences between vuln…

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Holiday Prep Series - ADHD, meet time off perfectionism 35:58

8M ago35:58

35:58

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! How do you make your time off the most efficiently relaxing? Or unlock a peak game night or other family time experience? And why are we so hell bent on intensity of experience, versus frequency? David and Isabelle straddle talk of perfectionism, their own relationships to building time-off expe…

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Holiday Prep Series - ADHD, meet gift giving! 28:04

9M ago28:04

28:04

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Just in time for the mounting stress at the end of the year, here’s an ADHD-friendly gift-giving guide! David and Isabelle have ideas, accommodations, and acceptance around giving and receiving gifts with neurodivergent folx. How hard it is to buy things for folx who impulsively purchase all (ch…

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Holiday Prep Series - ADHD, meet holiday travel! 30:26

9M ago30:26

30:26

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! How do you survive holiday travel with ADHD? What about traveling with children, particularly small children? And what happens when you find yourself rushing, leaving things until the last minute, and forgetting your charger once again? David and Isabelle swap stories and share specific tips to …

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Holiday Prep Series: ADHD, meet family (get-togethers) 37:31

9M ago37:31

37:31

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! How do you survive family dinners? Sitting at a table until everyone is done? Overstimulation? Sticky conversations and setting boundaries? David and Isabelle talk concrete tips for getting through family dinners, and even enjoying them—and the truth behind ear worm songs’ lyrics that may pop yo…

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Holiday Prep Series: ADHD, meet more food...and real Thanksgiving wins 26:45

9M ago26:45

26:45

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! What do you do when people are openly judging your food sensitivities (or the food sensitivities of your kid)? What's the difference between a soft and hot response to commentary? Why do we go to town over certain foods we love and then have such particular things we dislike and how much the Tha…

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Holiday Prep Series: ADHD, meet food! 34:07

10M ago34:07

34:07

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! This week we're revisiting what happens when you show up at a holiday meal and immediately realize with a sinking feeling- "Not again…I can't eat anything here…" From honoring the cook's efforts while not betraying your own needs, to recognizing the joys of chewing on pens and ice, join David an…

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Is it ADHD culture or just ADHD trauma? 30:15

10M ago30:15

30:15

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Is there a way to switch gears even when you're running late, overhwhelmed, and already past crispy? Isabelle and David explore how changing gears, especially during a transition--whether it's starting a conversation, leaving the house, beginning a work task--is up to us and how hard and real th…

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Paul Howard - The Universe’s Profound Interconnectedness 16:18

10M ago16:18

16:18

In this discussion, filmmaker Paul Howard delves into the Profound Interconnectedness of the Universe and the connection between science and spirituality through the life and ideas of David Bohm, a pioneering quantum physicist. Paul recounts his serendipitous introduction to Bohm's work and how his philosophy bridges the gap between the physical sc…

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Why do we burn ourselves out? 27:00

11M ago27:00

27:00

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Why do we push ourselves so hard, hyperfocus, are ready to do 80 things at once, then crash and run out of steam before we ever move the needle? How much does this boom/bust cycle harm us, our relationships, and our wellbeing? David and Isabelle discuss how, as neurodivergent folx, we can't see …

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Understanding the Nature of Consciousness - Vervaeke, Swami Sarvapriyananda & Woollacott 23:24

11M ago23:24

23:24

In this episode, Swami Sarvapriyananda, neuroscientist Prof. Marjorie Woollacott, and cognitive scientist Prof. John Verveke explore the nature of consciousness. Moderated by Scott Snibbe, the discussion explores the fundamental questions surrounding consciousness: What is it? What does it do? Swami Sarvapriyananda offers insights from Advaita Veda…

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Does 'back to school' season hit you hard, too? 30:06

11M ago30:06

30:06

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Ep075: Does back to school season hit you hard, too? Why is it so hard and triggering and exhausting to go back to school (even if you’re not a student or have a student in your life right now)? And what is this idea, “pervasive demand avoidance” (or a persistent drive to autonomy) and how can i…

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Summer Starter Series: When can hyperfocus be your friend? 36:26

12M ago36:26

36:26

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! What happens when the rewards for doing something don't show up until way later? Or if it's harder to tell you're making progress on something, like saving money, applying for jobs, buying a house? David and Isabelle are joined by Isabelle's husband, Bobby, who also has ADHD, swapping stories ab…

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Paul Howard - The Deep Connection Between Science and Spirituality 20:22

12M ago20:22

20:22

In this discussion, filmmaker Paul Howard delves into the connection between science and spirituality through the life and ideas of David Bohm, a pioneering quantum physicist. Paul recounts his serendipitous introduction to Bohm's work and how his philosophy bridges the gap between the physical sciences and deeper spiritual insights. The discussion…

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Juan Santoyo - Meditation's Role in Improving Lives 12:18

12M ago12:18

12:18

Researcher and contemplative practitioner Juan Santoyo explores meditation's role in improving lives. This insightful talk delves into how meditation extends beyond brain changes to enhance psychological well-being. Juan discusses the clinical relevance of meditation, its benefits, and the importance of personalised approaches. Learn about the inte…

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Summer Starter Series: Can you turn anxiety into excitement? 28:10

1y ago28:10

28:10

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Why are some of us anxious and some of us excited (or a combo platter of both)? And is it possible to turn anxiety, or anger, or shame spirals, into something else? David and Isabelle swap stories, talk transgenerational trauma, and get curious about how we are socialized to mask and behave...an…

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Paul Howard - Exploring Bohm’s Hidden Variables Theory 9:58

1y ago9:58

9:58

In this insightful discussion, filmmaker Paul Howard explores David Bohm's Hidden Variables Theory and how it challenges conventional quantum mechanics interpretations, such as the Copenhagen Interpretation and Many Worlds Hypothesis. Paul Howard breaks down the double-slit experiment, wave function collapse, and David Bohm's belief in a single wav…

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Summer Starter Series: Why are decisions/transitions so easy/hard? 23:21

1y ago23:21

23:21

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Why do some of us minimize and reduce the number of choices while others seek excitement and novelty? Why do some of us need everything listed out while others need to just try something blindly? The secret? Different types of ADHD and different ways our ADHD shows up in different environments! …

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Summer Starter Series: How do we find our worth in a world that doesn’t value us? 30:57

1y ago30:57

30:57

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! David and Isabelle navigated the treacherous landscape of surviving and being the lucky ones; are we trash? Are we seahorses? From defeating the enemy that is loose glitter, to brain regions resembling animals, to why it hurts when we beat up on ourselves, tackling the pain and looking at oursel…

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Geshe Tenzin Namdak - Developing Mental Clarity Through Mindfulness Meditation 17:30

1y ago17:30

17:30

Join Buddhist Scholar Geshe Tenzin Namdak as he delves into developing mental clarity through mindfulness meditation. In this discussion, Geshe Namdak explains how mental factors such as mindfulness and alertness play a crucial role in achieving concentration and clarity. He elaborates on Buddhist meditation techniques and the importance of mental …

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Summer Starter Series: Why does feedback hurt so much? 23:41

1y ago23:41

23:41

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Does feedback sting extra hard? David introduces the concept of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), where you interpret feedback or questions or redirections as being very harsh and personal, and then really take it to heart—even if that’s not really what is being communicated to you--and how t…

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Vanessa Zuisei Goddard - Mind Training to Transform Your Thoughts with Meditation 16:13

1y ago16:13

16:13

Join Zen teacher Vanessa Zuisei Goddard as she explores effective mind-training techniques inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings. This video delves into the metaphor of the mind as a garden, emphasising the importance of choosing which seeds (thoughts and actions) to nurture and which to let dry up. Learn practical methods to cultivate positive t…

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Dr. Ekaterina Denkova - Why Attention is Crucial for Memory and Mindfulness 12:03

1y ago12:03

12:03

Neuroscience Researcher Dr. Ekaterina Denkova discusses why attention is crucial for memory and mindfulness. Attention is the cornerstone of all cognitive activities, impacting our memory and mindfulness practices. Ekaterina explains how paying attention is essential for remembering and how our minds often wander, leading to distractions. She share…

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Summer Starter Series: ADHD & Relationships 32:20

1y ago32:20

32:20

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Ever wonder if it’d be easier to be partnered with someone who also has ADHD (or, someone who is neurotypical)? How can you coexist no matter what the combo platter of neurodivergence? Robin, David’s neurotypical partner, and Bobby, Isabelle’s neurodivergent partner, join a relationship round ta…

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Exploring Buddhist Philosophy - Q&A with Scott Snibbe 18:16

1y ago18:16

18:16

Join Scott Snibbe in a thought-provoking Q&A session as he explores Buddhist philosophy, Consciousness & AI. In this conversation, Scott takes us on both an intellectual and experiential journey, exploring the intersections between mindfulness, technology, and consciousness. Through the lens of Buddhist philosophy, Scott addresses questions on the …

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Summer Starter Series: All About ADHD - Part III 22:49

1y ago22:49

22:49

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Everything you ever wanted to know about ADHD...continues! WOOHOO! Go back and check out Parts I & III, or start here to learn more about dopamine, how to differentiate someone with ADHD v. someone who is neurotypical, why folx with ADHD run late, and what the impacts are on school (sadly, so fa…

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Dr Ekaterina Denkova - Mental Health Strategies for Adaptive Thinking 11:52

1y ago11:52

11:52

Neuroscience Researcher Dr Ekaterina Denkova discusses effective mental health strategies for adaptive thinking. By exploring mental time travel and mindfulness, she reveals how our memories influence our future and the significance of staying present. She delves into the benefits and potential pitfalls of remembering and ruminating, demonstrating …

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Summer Starter Series: All About ADHD - Part II 21:50

1y ago21:50

21:50

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Everything you ever wanted to know about ADHD...continues! WOOHOO! Go back and check out Part I, or start here to learn more about what's happening in the brain, how to use environments to cue ourselves, how debate and manufactured fights can be ways to help you focus, and more! The things that …

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Juan Santoyo - Exploring the Embodied Mind through Cognitive Science and Meditation 8:31

1y ago8:31

8:31

Juan Santoyo explores the concept of the embodied mind in cognitive science and its profound connection to meditation practices. Drawing on the influential work of pioneers like Ben Thompson, Eleanor Roshan, and Francisco Varela, Juan discusses how the brain and mind are not isolated entities but are deeply intertwined with the body and environment…

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Summer Starter Series: All About ADHD - Part I 26:47

1+ y ago26:47

26:47

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Everything you ever wanted to know about ADHD. Seriously. From what's happening in the brain, to how it's experienced day to day--the things that are easy, hard, and all the myths and misperceptions that exist about what is really not a deficit, but rather an abundance and variety of, attention.…

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The good, bad and stereotypes of being homeschooled with ADHD? Part II 25:51

1+ y ago25:51

25:51

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! David and Isabelle welcome Ren, a fellow therapist with ADHD, who digs into what was rough and unique about being homeschooled as a neurodivergent person. From the spaghettification-like transition to college, to the stereotypes of homeschooling as being for white Jesus-Jumper-wearing Christians…

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Scott Snibbe - Exploring Human Consciousness Through Science and Spirituality 15:37

1+ y ago15:37

15:37

Join Scott Snibbe, a renowned speaker and the founder of a Skeptics Path to Enlightenment, as he dives into exploring human consciousness through science and spirituality. In this enlightening session, Scott reflects on his early fascination with consciousness sparked by philosophical works and his subsequent discovery of Buddhist perspectives. He …

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What is is like to have ADHD and be homeschooled? Part I 30:42

1+ y ago30:42

30:42

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! David and Isabelle are delighted to be joined by their colleague, Ren, a fellow therapist who describes their journey to understanding their neurodivergence. From to what it was like growing up the eldest of six kids and being homeschooled until college, to how different it is to cope with our n…

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Scott Snibbe - Understanding the Mental Factors 24:33

1+ y ago24:33

24:33

Scott Snibbe discusses "Understanding The Mental Factors" within Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism. This video delves into the five present mental factors that accompany every moment of consciousness, offering a deep dive into how these elements influence our perception, emotions, and actions. By understanding contact, perception, feeling, attention, a…

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How to be a better group project member...to yourself? 30:37

1+ y ago30:37

30:37

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! In this hodgepodge of truth bombs, David and Isabelle cover a bit about how menopause and hormonal changes make it less rewarding to help others, how to assume your partner is doing more than you and turn tedious tasks into bigger wins, and how much we still need positive reinforcement as adults…

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How to stop when you don't wanna? 24:01

1+ y ago24:01

24:01

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! How do you teach yourself (and/or children) how to stop, especially when you want to keep going/overcommitting/hyperfocusing? Like videogames, sugar, saying yes to everyone and being—anything addictive—how do you actually stop? David and Isabelle explore the difference between maximizing your ti…

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A slow clap for voice assistants? 17:53

1+ y ago17:53

17:53

Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! Why is it that I have 1000 planners/calendars/whiteboards and still forget stuff all the time? It’s not you, it’s them: they don’t ask you to attend to them, they are passive things that don’t ask you to attend to them. David and Isabelle dig into why voice assistants (like Amazon’s Alexa, Googl…