ADHD-ish: Embracing Neurodivergence Without the Labels

A New Approach to Neurodivergence

This journey is about moving beyond rigid labels, embracing neurodivergent traits, and helping people with big ideas and busy brains thrive, regardless of diagnosis.

In this blog post, I am thrilled to share a journey that's been years in the making. For those who've been my ride-or-dies since the launch of the Driven Woman Entrepreneur and this blog, the written version of the podcast, you know it's been four long years. What started amid the chaos of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a top-rated show that has truly changed lives, including my own. 

The Birth of a Journey

Back in January of this year, I recorded a podcast episode hinting at the need for a rebrand but that rebrand didn’t occur until September. "But Diann, what took so long?" The truth is, change is challenging. For those who follow the podcast religiously, you might have caught the breadcrumbs I left ten episodes ago in Episode # 217 titled “ADHD or ADHD-ish?”  But if you missed it, don’t worry.  I’ll share the entire story in this blog post. 

The Need for Evolution

In Episode # 217, I opened up about why the podcast and blog needed to grow beyond its original scope. It had been exclusively directed towards female entrepreneurs for a long time, but it was time for a change. I realized that what truly ignites my passion is helping people with big ideas and busy brains accomplish their most important work. Regardless of gender and whether they’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, self-diagnosed, or none of the above, my mission is to help incredible minds thrive.

Falling Out of Love with Labels

Over time, I found myself falling out of love with rigid labels, even though the show’s new name, ADHD-ish, still carries one. This label is intentionally "squishy," as I like to call it. It leaves room for interpretation and embraces the diverse spectrum of neurodivergence. However, I understand that changing lanes can be triggering or upsetting for some. So believe me when I say, I never want to offend anyone living with the daily challenges of ADHD. My aim is the exact opposite: inclusion, support, and recognition.  I don’t take the stance that ADHD is a superpower, but I also don’t say it is always a disability.  There is so much diversity within the spectrum of ADHD presentation that the only thing I can say with certainty is that it is a difference, and each person’s experience of living with ADHD or ADHD-ish traits is unique and valuable.  

Broadening the Lens

I regularly received messages from listeners who loved the podcast and readers who loved the blog but didn’t identify as female.  I also heard from followers who said they had not been officially diagnosed and didn’t intend to but found the content valuable.  This feedback was my wake-up call. 

I needed to broaden the lens and drop the gender-exclusive focus. There are plenty of other platforms targeting female entrepreneurs with these traits. My podcast needed to evolve to reach a broader audience. We are in the age of identity — be it cultural, gender, sexual orientation, or neurodivergence. You don't need a test or certification to identify as neurodivergent.  If you know who you are and how you are, that is what matters. 

Celebrating Neurodivergent Minds

What has become vitally important to me is celebrating people who think, feel, and act differently. I want to applaud these traits, support them, and help individuals leverage their unique brains to thrive. Whether you've worked in corporate settings, academia, or nonprofits, you know the world is built for neurotypical people. This environment can be challenging for those who aren't wired that way, often leading to feelings of failure despite having some of the best ideas in the room. 

Creating a Welcoming Space

Neurodivergent minds often find traditional workplaces inhospitable and are thus driven towards self-employment. These incredibly bright and creative individuals are freelancers, gig workers, small business owners, side hustlers, and serial entrepreneurs. I’m here to create a welcoming space for these people. 

Educating others on how to make the most of their unique traits and tendencies is a mission close to my heart. Many have been misunderstood by professionals — psychiatrists, therapists, even coaches. The number of people who receive incorrect diagnoses after jumping through numerous hoops breaks my heart.  I can’t tell you how many people I diagnosed with ADHD in my psychotherapy practice who came to me with inaccurate diagnoses.  Learning that they actually had ADHD was life-changing and incredibly affirming.  

Practical Business Wisdom

ADHD-ish will also delve into the practical aspects of bridging passion and profit. I’m over the starving artist and struggling small business owner narratives. Passion and a decent living can coexist, but this requires a deep understanding of your unique brain and its needs. You need to know your bandwidth, client management capacity, and whether you should work solo or build a team. It’s less about empire-building and more about what kind of business aligns best with your needs and brain.

Open for Feedback

I want this newly rebranded podcast and blog to be a shared space where your feedback shapes the content. Yes, you'll hear about my evolution and what I want to discuss, but I also want to know what you want to hear. What guests spark your interest? What solo topics should I cover? I’m excited about incorporating minisodes, short episodes packed with valuable insights for those moments when you only have five or ten minutes to spare.

Your Participation Matters

To my faithful listeners and readers, whether you’ve been with me for the last four years or are new to my content your input is invaluable. There's a link at the bottom of this blog post where you can let me know your thoughts. Even if you're upset about the changes, I’m ready to hear from you too. Creating content can be a lonely journey, and I thrive on feedback. Won’t you share yours? And if you love it already, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I can't wait to bring you incredible content, amazing guests, and valuable insights in our new ADHD-ish chapter. Your support and feedback make all the difference.

Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram @coachdiannwingert or send me an email at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you'd like to hear the full episode on the ADHD-ish Podcast, you can do that here.