465 | Creating Order from Chaos: An AuDHD Story with Shane Thrapp

This week, Eric is joined by Dr. Diana Mercado-Marmarosh, also known as Dr. D, a family-medicine physician, clinic medical director, and chief medical officer.  Dr. D is also the founder of OverAchieve Life Coaching.  Prior to discovering coaching, Diana typically had 200 charts open and a “graveyard” of unfinished projects.   Now, she’s on a mission to empower healthcare professionals to create simple systems that support their zone-of-genius and reclaim their freedom of time as her clients learn to leave work at work.  She is happily married with two children and enjoys travel, painting, Zumba, yoga nidra meditation, and exploring different cultures!  In this episode, you’ll hear Eric and Dr. Diana talk about her struggles through medical school, the pressures she experienced, and what led to her ADHD diagnosis.  Then, you’ll hear discussions on the importance of self-care, how we can advocate for ourselves and how we communicate, and putting ourselves first.   Find more from Dr. Diana Mercado-Marmarosh at   Other Questions/Topics Answered in this Episode: [00:03:59] “You need to stop putting your clients and patients first!”  What does Dr. Diana mean?  [00:05:14]  Dr. Diana talks about living in self-neglect. [00:09:00]  Eric and Dr. Diana discuss the statistics of life-expectancy for those of us with ADHD.  [00:10:08]  Dr. Diana shares her ADHD story.  [00:11:59]  How did Dr. Diana get through medical school before her ADHD diagnosis?  [00:14:37]  Dr. Diana shares the catalyst that led to her diagnosis and how her cultural background and upbringing implanted the ideas to “just work hard” and “do whatever it takes.”  [00:22:16]  Dr. Diana shares more about the pressure of being the first person in her family to pursue further education.  [00:23.29]  How does Dr. Diana set up her environment for the most success?  What has coaching taught her?  [00:26.19]  How does Dr. Diana communicate with her patients?  [00:28:12]  Eric and Dr. Diana discuss their thoughts about ADHD as a gift.  [00:31:50]  Eric and Dr. Diana talk about boundaries and how she has conversations around her own boundaries.   [00:35:36]  “Boundaries from a place of love and a place of compassion.”  [00:39:35] “How do we leave work at work?” [00:45:12] What does Dr. Diana recommend patients say to their doctors if they encounter a physician that doesn’t believe in ADHD, believes that ADHD is something that is ‘grown-out-of’, etc.?  [00:48:31] Dr. Diana shares her definition of success and shares some words of wisdom for listeners. Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens  

Join the ADHD reWired Team every second Tuesday of the month for our monthly Live Q&A!   In this episode, you’ll hear how the members on the ADHD reWired team manage and engage with social media.  You’ll also hear about some tools and systems to create a library of responses, and help a listener hone in on what they are passionate about.  Then, the ADHD reWired team shares tips on pausing before reacting, what the empathy gap is, what happens between pausing and stimulus, and the value of mindfulness meditation.  Some of the Questions & Topics in this Episode: How do you manage social media and stay engaged?  I’m trying to develop a library of scripts for responding to common things because I struggle with articulating myself, leading to procrastination.  What tools can I use to create scripts? What advice would you give somebody who’s trying to figure out what to do with their life?  “Between stimulus and response, there is a space.”  Is that really true for persons with ADHD? The emotional reaction happens so fast and full, and then it seems there is no recovery. How do we create a space that might not be there?  How do you get over the Wall of Awful about the Wall of Awful?  I have spent so much time on productivity apps.  I heard one of you uses Notion, do you have any suggestions on how you use it?  Resources & Honorable Mentions: Tool: Tool: Article:  Article: Article: Article: Book:  by Rosalie Maggio  Ebook: Video: – HowToADHD and Brendan Mahan (Wall of Awful) Video: – HowToADHD and Brendan Mahan (Wall of Awful) Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens  

What is OCD, really? It’s far more than the stereotypes of handwashing, tapping, or lining up your pens just right. On today’s episode, Eric is joined by Natalia Aíza — a therapist, parent, writer, and co-founder of Kairos Wellness Collective — who specializes in supporting individuals and families navigating OCD and anxiety. Together, they explore how OCD can show up in less obvious ways, especially for those with ADHD. You’ll hear: ✅ Why OCD is often missed or misdiagnosed in ADHD brains ✅ How intense nostalgia, perfectionism, and social media checking can all be forms of OCD ✅ The difference between typical anxiety and OCD ✅ Why intrusive thoughts don’t define you ✅ How exposure response prevention (ERP) and medication can help ✅ Eric’s own reflections on healing unexpected layers through EMDR and discovering his autism If you’ve ever felt stuck in mental loops, struggled with perfectionism, or wondered whether your patterns might be more than “just” ADHD, this episode is for you. Learn more about Natalia Aiza and Kairos Wellness Collective: 👉 Instagram: 👉 Kairos Wellness Collective: 👉 Email: Ready to take the next step with your ADHD? Don’t miss our second 2nd chance Registration Event for the summer ADHD reWired Coaching & Accountability Groups on Thrusday, July 10.  Visit to learn more and secure your spot.

In today’s episode, Eric is joined by Edward Savio!  Edward is a dad, has ADHD, wrote a musical, and grew up in Connecticut; after Howard University, Edward moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting, where he became a 10-year overnight success!  Savio’s first novel, Idiots in the Machine, was picked up by Sony Pictures from the academy award-winning producers of Forest Gump. After more deals with Sony, Disney, and others, Edward shifted his focus  writing novels so he could spend more time with his family.  He wrote his first three novels in the home overlooking San Francisco Bay, where Danielle Steel wrote her first two breakout novels.  He also once nearly drove Val Kilmer off a cliff!   Learn more about Edward at his website: EdwardSavio.com 🌟 Go to adhdrewired.com/Patreon where you can get an uninterrupted listening experience of this show!  You’ll also catch the full content of today’s episode and Eric and Edward’s extended discussion when you become a Patron at $5 a month or more!  You can even join Eric every 4th Tuesday of the month for a Patron-only monthly coaching call at $25 a month!  Questions/Topics:  [00:01:32] Introducing Edward Mentioned here: Book – Idiots in the Machine   [00:02:50] How Edward became successful and a writer and managing ADHD  [00:04:45] Routine, resistance, novelty, and plateauing [00:06:03] How to revisit a project that’s been put away for a while  [00:09:10] Misunderstandings in writing and why inflection matters [00:10:50] Struggles with transitions  [00:14:09] Getting help and taking action  [00:15:04] Edward shares some of his writing process and mitigating distractions  [00:21:23] Systems, built-in overhead, and a question about calendars  [00:25:37] Planning for and putting fun stuff on your calendar, and guilt when not engaging with goal-directed behavior  [00:29:04] “Do you know how many people said they wished they worked more?” and a creative person’s struggle  [00:31:04] “I want to make sure […] my writing does not overtake my ability to interact with people.” – Edward  [00:33:00] Goals, good ideas, and basketball in the office  [00:37:43] Tips for when your brain is faster than you can write and organizing thoughts  [00:41:51] When you don’t want to write, do this.  [00:42:52] What else has Edward been up to?  Mentioned here: Book – The Velvet Sledgehammer [00:47:11] Closing thoughts & where to find more from Edward  Resources & Honorable Mentions: ADHD reWired: Episode 497: Succeed in College with Hannah Choi Book: The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware 🌟 Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! 🌟 Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired’s award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!

Join the ADHD reWired Team every second Tuesday of the month for our monthly Live Q&A!  Get this episode uninterrupted by ads when you become a Patron at $5.00 a month or more by going to adhdrewired.com/Patreon!  Questions/Topics: [00:01:06] Welcome & introductions  [00:02:03] A listener, who was diagnosed with ADHD within the week of the recording of this episode, asks the panelists about taking stimulant medication.   [00:08:51] “When you are trying to be open with your job or others about your ADHD, how would you handle your response?”  [00:19:29] Another listener who was also recently diagnosed with ADHD asks, “What is your advice?  How do you work with a leader at work who is very linear and very neurotypical when your best comes out when you’re not?” [00:28:00] “I have autism.  Is it true that ADHD drugs tend to not work for autistic patients?  Do we have any possible reasons why, if it’s true?”  [00:34:05] A listener, who has treatment-resistant depression, is unable to take ADHD medication, and has been experiencing fatigue, asks the panelist if fatigue is an ADHD symptom.   [00:41:29] A listener asks the panelists to recap the good sides of ADHD.   🌟 Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! 🌟 Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired’s award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!

🎧 Special Announcement: Alumni Voices + Your Chance to Join ADHD reWired In this special announcement episode of ADHD reWired, Eric shares something a little different: a powerful 10-minute audio montage of alumni from our most recent coaching group — voices from ADHDers just like you who finished the program not long ago. You’ll hear, in their own words, why they joined, what they were struggling with, and what changed for them over 8 weeks of coaching, accountability, and connection. From burnout and overwhelm to self-doubt and shame, these stories highlight the real transformations that can happen with the right support. 👉 Our second-chance registration event is Thursday, June 26th at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern! ✅ Pre-registration is due by Wednesday, June 25th at least 24 hours before the event. 📝 Session details: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern July 24th through September 18th 💥 Ready to join us? Here’s your next step: 1️⃣ Go to 2️⃣ If you’re not already on our interest list, click the button to join 3️⃣ Check your email and confirm your address so you don’t miss anything When you join the interest list, you’ll also get: A free time tracker we use in group A letter you can share with your employer about the program 🎧 Even if joining this season isn’t possible for you, we hope these alumni stories remind you: 👉 You’re not alone. 👉 You can do hard things — and you don’t have to do them the hardest way possible.