In this week’s episode of The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, we’re exploring the emotional, relational, and creative realities of living with ADHD, both before and after diagnosis.
I'm joined by Sam Pittis and Katie Breathwick, Classic FM broadcasters and hosts of You’re Wrong About ADHD. Sam and Katie share their very different personal journeys with ADHD, showing that everyone experiences ADHD differently. They also discuss how it’s shaped everything from relationships to their professional lives in broadcasting and beyond.
We talk about the power and impact of late diagnosis, the emotional shifts that follow, and how understanding ADHD has helped them create stronger relationship, with others and themselves. They also reflect on the unique ways ADHD shows up in creativity, especially in fast-paced careers like media and music.
Key Takeaways:
- Katie's journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis, from relief and understanding to grief and anger, and how it brought parts of her personality to life.
- Sam’s experience of undiagnosed ADHD, including school struggles, sensory overload, and not fitting typical ADHD stereotypes due to overcompensation.
- How masking and structure delayed Sam’s diagnosis, until routines broke down after becoming a parent.
- The importance of acceptance, awareness, and open conversations after diagnosis.
- How different treatment approaches shaped Katie and Sam’s post-diagnosis experiences in distinct ways.
- Learning to balance stimulation and rest to avoid burnout or emotional dysregulation from boredom by developing personal coping mechanisms.
- The way partners can blend their strengths and skills to support each other through ADHD challenges.
- Why broadcasting is a supportive career for ADHD by offering connection, stimulation, quick thinking, and dopamine boosts.
- The crash that follows hyperfocus or overworking due to intense energy output.
- Noticing signs of ADHD in famous creatives like Mozart, and what that reveals about neurodiversity across history.
Timestamps:
- 01:31 – How Sam and Katie Met
- 04:33 – Katie’s ADHD Diagnosis
- 06:16 – Sam’s ADHD Story
- 10:53 – Reaching Acceptance
- 13:38 – Katie’s Post-Diagnosis Learnings
- 19:42 – A Call for Cultural Change
- 25:36 – ADHD’s Impact on Relationships
- 29:22 – ADHD & Creative Careers
- 39:43 – ADHD in the Workplace
- 42:41 – Neurodiversity in Music
This conversation is a reminder that awareness, acceptance, and the right support can transform how we live, work, and connect, with our partners, our passions, and our own neurodivergent minds.
More Yourself is a compassionate space for late-diagnosed ADHD women to connect, reflect, and come home to who they really are. Sign up here!
Inside the More Yourself Membership, you’ll be able to:
- Connect with like-minded women who understand you
- Learn from guest experts and practical tools
- Receive compassionate prompts & gentle reminders
- Enjoy voice-note encouragement from Kate
- Join flexible meet-ups and mentoring...