ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Some kids can’t sit still in class. Others stare out the window, lost in their thoughts. Then there are kids like Rebecca Barrera, who ask a million questions, try their hardest, and still get told they’re not learning fast enough. When Rebecca was five, a teacher dismissed her as an academic lost cause—her mother refused to accept that. Rebecca was diagnosed with ADHD early, but school was still an uphill battle. Standardized tests, rigid expectations, and a system that didn’t understand how her brain worked made things harder. But with a mother who fought for her, Rebecca figured out how to work with her brain instead of against it. She went on to earn a nursing degree and build a career that keeps her engaged, moving, and connecting with people in a way that makes sense for her. In this conversation, Rebecca shares what it was like growing up with ADHD, how early medication rewired her approach to learning, and why she still has to be intentional about managing her symptoms at work. She also talks about the fast-paced nature of nursing, the emotional weight of the job, and the daily strategies that help her focus. If you’ve ever struggled in traditional settings, you’ll probably see a bit of yourself in her story. Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becsb1229/ [https://www.instagram.com/becsb1229/ ] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbarrera1229 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbarrera1229] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms] Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/heytracyotsuka], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyotsuka/], Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdforsmartwomen/], or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/]. Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book] Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok] Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/] Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka] Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class [https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/master-class-registration] Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends]

Set Intentions, Not Resolutions and Making 2025 Your Best Year Yet January feels like a fresh start, but for many ADHD brains, resolutions quickly lose their spark. In this solo episode, Tracy Otsuka takes a deep dive into why the beginning of the year feels so energizing and how to harness that momentum all year long. She introduces the concept of temporal landmarks—natural reset points like New Year’s, birthdays, or even Mondays—that help our ADHD brains reframe goals and create clarity. Tracy shares her own journey with setting intentions over resolutions, explaining how defining a single word of the year has transformed her mindset and productivity. She walks listeners through the process of finding their North Star—a guiding intention that simplifies decisions and keeps them aligned with their true goals. From overcoming perfectionism to embracing micro-actions, she offers practical strategies to maintain focus and build momentum without falling into the cycle of self-criticism. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help ADHD minds thrive, including daily rituals, micro-goals, and simple strategies to reset and stay on track throughout 2025. Tracy also shares her own word of the year and how it will shape her goals. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by resolutions, this episode will show you a better way to approach the new year—with clarity, confidence, and a plan that actually works. Resources: * A-OK [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok-everyday]: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok-everyday [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok-everyday] For other resources: * Bracelets, rings and necklaces: adhdforsmartwomen.com/epi-314 [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/epi-314]   Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms] Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/heytracyotsuka], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyotsuka/], Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdforsmartwomen/], or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/]. Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book] Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok] Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/] Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka] Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class [https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/master-class-registration] Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends]

Your voice is more than what you say—it’s who you are. Dana Lewis, a communication and vocal coach, is on a mission to amplify the voices of neurodivergent women. As the founder of Undeniable Voice, she brings two decades of expertise in vocal pedagogy, nervous system awareness, and trauma-informed coaching to help ADHD women reconnect with their authentic voices. Dana shares her personal ADHD story, from masking as a child to rediscovering her quirks as a source of strength in adulthood. These formative experiences inspired Dana’s journey of self-acceptance, where she discovered how singing and voice work can not only regulate the nervous system but also boost confidence and foster emotional clarity. Dana recounts pivotal moments in her youth that shaped her journey. In grade school, a teacher’s harsh criticism of her learning style left a lasting mark on her confidence. In high school, rumors about her having a learning disability fueled her determination to mask and overcompensate, striving for perfection to prove her capabilities. These challenges ultimately guided Dana toward finding her voice, building resilience, and igniting her passion for helping others do the same. Her later discovery of singing as a tool to reconnect with suppressed emotions solidified her commitment to empowering others to embrace their voices and identities. She now sees voice work not just as a tool for communication but as a pathway to healing and self-expression. Through her Bold and Brilliant program, born from this desire to help others reclaim their voices, Dana empowers ADHD women to build resilience, express their truths, and embrace their unique identities with pride. Resources: * Website: https://www.undeniablevoice.com/ [https://www.undeniablevoice.com/ ] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danalewis-undeniablevoice [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danalewis-undeniablevoice/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undeniable_voice/  [https://www.instagram.com/undeniable_voice/ ] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms] Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/heytracyotsuka], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyotsuka/], Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdforsmartwomen/], or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/]. Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book] Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok] Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/] Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka] Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class [https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/master-class-registration] Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends]

ADHD brains and money: What if your challenges could become your greatest strength?  In this episode of ADHD with Smart Ass Women, Tracy is joined by Catherine Morgan, a Certified Financial Coach and Trauma of Money Expert, about the emotional side of money and how ADHD shapes financial habits. Catherine, the founder of The Money Panel® and author of the bestseller It’s Not About the Money, shares her own ADHD story and how it reshaped her understanding of impulsive spending, budgeting struggles, and financial shame. Catherine breaks down why traditional budgeting doesn’t work for many ADHD brains and offers practical tips like automating finances, focusing on what truly matters, and simplifying money tasks into smaller, achievable steps. Her insights are not just about managing money but about transforming how we see it—as a tool for creating freedom and resilience, rather than a source of stress. This episode goes beyond the numbers to explore how trauma and neurodivergence influence our relationship with money. Catherine’s compassionate and relatable approach offers actionable strategies to help listeners build healthier habits and see their financial challenges as opportunities for growth. Resources: * Website: https://catherinemorgan.com/ [https://catherinemorgan.com/]  * Instagram: https://instagram.com/catherinemorganmoney [https://instagram.com/catherinemorganmoney]  * LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms] Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/heytracyotsuka], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyotsuka/], Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdforsmartwomen/], or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/]. Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book] Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok] Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/] Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka] Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class [https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/master-class-registration] Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends]

Let’s talk about your crowning glory—your hair—and how it can help you embrace your authentic self. Gina Marie Rodriguez, a self-described "nerdy/sciency hairstylist," is on a mission to help clients love their natural curls and waves. As the owner of The Cultivated Curl in Fair Oaks, CA, Gina’s work blends natural hair movement, gray hair acceptance, and neurodivergence advocacy, creating a space where authenticity is celebrated. In this episode, Gina shares her personal ADHD journey, from childhood masking to embracing her neurodivergent traits as an adult. She opens up about how ADHD has fueled her passion for learning and teaching, driving her to innovate within the salon industry. By creating a pre-appointment educational course, Gina is empowering clients to better care for their hair and embrace their individuality. Gina also dives into the challenges of masking, breaking societal expectations, and finding community in spaces that honor neurodiversity. Her story is a testament to the power of leaning into your quirks, whether that’s in hair care, creativity, or daily life. If you’ve ever felt the need to shrink yourself to fit in, this episode will remind you that there’s beauty in being exactly who you are. Resources: * Website: https://www.cultivatedcurl.com/ [https://www.cultivatedcurl.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gina_thecultivatedcurl/ [https://www.instagram.com/gina_thecultivatedcurl/] * Facebook: facebook.com/TheCultivatedCurl/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheCultivatedCurl/] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms] Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tracyotsuka/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/heytracyotsuka], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyotsuka/], Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdforsmartwomen/], or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/]. Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book] Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok] Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/] Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka] Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class [https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/master-class-registration] Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends [https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends]