ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

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] 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] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms]

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/] 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] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms]

How do ADHD, trauma, and addiction intersect, and what strategies can help break this harmful cycle?  In this episode, Tracy Otsuka speaks with Andrea Epting, a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in trauma recovery, addiction, and neurodivergence. As a professional with ADHD and OCD, and a mother to two neurodivergent young adults, Andrea brings both personal insight and professional expertise to the conversation. Andrea delves into the often-overlooked connection between ADHD and addiction, explaining how trauma, emotional dysregulation, and a search for dopamine can create vulnerabilities. She shares her therapeutic approach to recovery, emphasizing the importance of abstinence, community, and replacing unhealthy habits with meaningful alternatives. Andrea also highlights the unique challenges ADHD women face in emotional regulation and how breaking harmful cycles can lead to resilience and healing. This episode provides strategies for navigating the intersections of ADHD, trauma, and recovery. Andrea offers insights into the role of mindfulness, self-compassion, and creating structure in building healthier habits. She also discusses her work through her nonprofit, Heads-Up Guidance Services (HUGS), to make mental health resources more accessible. Resources Website: lightninginabottle.biz [http://lightninginabottle.biz] headsupsavannah.org/ [http://headsupsavannah.org/] Planner [https://www.amazon.com/Plan-Recover-Journal-Recovery-Self-Discovery/dp/B0BS8HJSLM/] Social Media: instagram.com/liab_lightninginabottle [http://instagram.com/liab_lightninginabottle] pinterest.com/liablightninginabottle [http://pinterest.com/liablightninginabottle] youtube.com/@directimpactimpactae [http://youtube.com/@directimpactimpactae]  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] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms]

ADHD brains are creative powerhouses, built for innovation, connection, and resilience.  In this episode, Tracy Otsuka sits down with Izzie Chea—a dynamic entrepreneur, educator, and neurodivergence advocate—whose ADHD diagnosis unlocked a world of possibilities. From building a viral virtual piano studio during the pandemic to creating impactful initiatives like La Neuropicante and the Accountable Otters Club, Izzie shares how she turned challenges into opportunities to uplift herself and others. Izzie opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, the burnout that led to it, and the transformative impact of understanding her brain’s unique wiring. She recounts how growing up in a culturally traditional environment shaped her experiences and how she now advocates for neurodivergent voices, particularly in the Latinx community. As the head of social media and customer experience for the Hiki app and founder of a successful social media agency, Izzie talks about balancing her many passions while prioritizing mental health. She shares practical strategies for managing time and staying productive, including tools like Llama Life and time-boxing techniques. Resoures: https://www.laneuropicante.com [https://www.laneuropicante.com ] https://accotters.com [https://accotters.com] Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@IzzieCheaMusicStudio  [Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@IzzieCheaMusicStudio ] Hiki App [https://www.hikiapp.com/] 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] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms]

ADHD brains are built for brilliance. In this special Thanksgiving episode, Tracy reflects on the unique strengths of ADHD women and how they navigate a chaotic world. Drawing on her experience working with thousands of ADHD women, she explores why their minds excel at creativity, connection, and meaningful work. Tracy talks about the real challenges ADHD women face—overwhelm, juggling too many responsibilities, and feeling misunderstood—and offers practical strategies to create more focus and clarity. She explains how breaking tasks into micro-goals and aligning with your values can make life feel more manageable and purposeful. Through her A-OK system, Tracy has seen how ADHD women can take small steps that lead to big changes. She shares how understanding your brain’s unique wiring can help you stop feeling stuck and start building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. This episode is a reminder of the incredible things ADHD women can achieve when they embrace their strengths. With personal stories and practical insights, Tracy encourages listeners to see their ADHD traits in a new light and use them to create a life that truly works for them. Resources: spyhappy.me/blackfriday [https://spyhappy.me/blackfriday] 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] Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2316437/open_sms]