What if the biggest thing standing between you and getting started isn't laziness, but an emotional barrier?
In this episode of the Attention Different Podcast, Stephen Tonti and Aaron Smith sit down with ADHD coach, speaker, and author ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง to unpack one of the most relatable ADHD concepts ever created: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐๐ณ๐๐น. Brendan explains why starting tasks can feel impossible, how repeated setbacks build emotional resistance, and what you can actually do to move forward without relying on shame, guilt, or panic.
The conversation also explores Brendan's late ADHD diagnosis, the emotional impact of repeated failure, anxiety, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and why validating emotions is often the first step toward real change. If you've struggled with procrastination, overwhelm, or feeling stuck, this episode offers practical insights that can help you understand your ADHD brain with more compassion and confidence.ย
โจHighlightsโจ
โ๏ธWhat the "Wall of Awful" really is and why it affects ADHD brains
โ๏ธHow emotions create invisible barriers to getting started
โ๏ธThe difference between procrastination and emotional work
โ๏ธ5 ways people try to overcome the Wall of Awful (and which ones actually work)
โ๏ธWhy self-compassion is more effective than self-criticism
โ๏ธHow validating emotions helps regulate the brain
โ๏ธPractical strategies for moving through overwhelm and building momentum
โ๐ผ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐๐๐.โ โ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง
If you're living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to better understand why getting started can feel so difficult, this episode gives you practical tools, compassionate insights, and powerful mindset shifts that can help you move forward.
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๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ:
- 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
๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ Brendan Mahan:
- Website: https://brendanmahan.com/
- LinkedIn: Search Brendan Mahan
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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.
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