This week, Tera Greenwood takes listeners behind two very different stages — the AZA Conference and the Colorado Neurodiverse Chamber of Commerce — to explore what it really means to Lead Differently. From stories of zookeepers, CEOs, and entrepreneurs to reflections on vulnerability and inclusion, this episode dives deep into how neurodiverse leadership is transforming workplaces — and hearts.  

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re exploring the kind of love that steadies us — the friendships that regulate our ADHD brains and remind us we’re not alone. From heart-hat dinners with lifelong friends to working side-by-side with a best friend who celebrates nonlinear thinking, this episode dives deep into how connection shapes our focus, creativity, and sense of calm. Tera shares how adult friendship can become one of the most powerful forms of emotional regulation — the way laughter can quiet anxiety, the way a simple “I get you” can reset a spiraling mind, and the way love doesn’t fix ADHD but gives us a softer place to land. She opens up about the friends who show up even when she goes quiet, the ones who understand that silence isn’t distance but exhaustion, and the rare gift of working with someone who not only knows your brain but loves how it works. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, stretched too thin, or guilty for not staying in touch, this episode is a reminder that real friendship doesn’t need constant communication to thrive — it needs grace, empathy, and presence. Because when we find the people who love us through our chaos, that connection becomes our greatest source of peace. Listen now and take a moment to reach out to someone who grounds you, believes in you, and reminds you that your brain — and your heart — are worth celebrating.

After the “Fiesty” episode, a listener asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks:"What do you do with the weight that comes with owning who you are?" That conversation inspired this week’s episode—Rising Above Labels: Defying Gravity with ADHD. In this deeply personal episode, we’re talking about the emotional gravity that comes with ADHD—how labels, expectations, and self-doubt can quietly pull us down—and what it really means to rise anyway. Join me as I share stories, reflections, and science on how to: Release the weight of old labels and rewrite your own story Understand the emotional “gravity” of ADHD and find your lift  Model self-compassion and strength for ADHD kids Transform shame into curiosity, creativity, and confidence This week’s hat—Defy Gravity—reminds us that flight isn’t about ignoring the weight. It’s about learning how to rise with it. So grab your backpack, take a breath, and let’s climb—one step, one story, one moment of lift at a time.

Weekends: freedom, chaos, or both? In this energized episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unpacking why unstructured time can be so tricky for ADHD brains—and how to turn those 48 hours into something that actually restores us. Tera explores the messy middle between productivity and peace, guilt and rest, and shares how her family learned to build “rhythm over routine.” You’ll hear real-life stories, science-backed insights, and simple weekend resets that boost dopamine, connection, and calm. Whether your weekend looks like a blanket fort, a mountain trail, or a laundry marathon, this one’s for you. Because rest isn’t earned—it’s part of the trail. In This Episode: Why weekends can feel overwhelming for ADHD brains Turning guilt into grace with rhythm, not rigidity The science of movement, novelty, and connection How to reclaim play as self-care Sunday night anxiety and the “Sunday Shift” reset ritual Listen now and learn how to make your weekends work for your ADHD, not against it.  

What happens when women with ADHD get called “bossy,” “too blunt,” “difficult,” or “too much”? In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, host Tera Greenwood flips the script on the word feisty. From family stories to workplace moments, Tera explores how the very traits often criticized in ADHD women—intensity, passion, boldness—are actually strengths. This episode is about reclaiming labels, setting boundaries, and refusing to shrink into someone else’s version of “acceptable.” Tune in to hear how “feisty” becomes a force: unapologetic, empowering, and deeply tied to the ADHD female experience.

What if the ADHD journey could be guided by three simple words: kinder, braver, together? In this week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I’m exploring how these words aren’t just ideals—they’re practical tools for both parenting ADHD kids and living with ADHD as an adult. We’ll talk about: Why kindness (to our kids and ourselves) can shift emotional storms into connection. How bravery shows up in everyday advocacy, at school, at work, and at home. Why togetherness—family co-regulation, community, and shared stories—is the survival tool ADHD families and adults need most. You’ll hear personal stories, real strategies, and reflections that connect the dots across generations and life stages. Whether you’re supporting an ADHD child, navigating your own late diagnosis, or both—this episode will remind you that none of us are meant to carry the backpack alone. Tune in and let’s take the trail kinder, braver, together.

Parenting ADHD means becoming the “rule maker”—but that doesn’t mean playing drill sergeant. In this episode, I explore the messy middle of setting boundaries while leaving space to bend. From the chaos of chore charts that collapsed, to the nights when breaking bedtime rules meant saving connection, this conversation is all about how rules can both anchor and overwhelm ADHD families. We’ll talk about why fewer rules work better, how to phrase them so kids actually hear them, why consequences have to fit in the moment, and when love matters more than holding the line. If you’ve ever wondered how to survive the daily storms without losing yourself in rigidity—or giving up on rules altogether—this one’s for you. Tune in to Backpacking Through ADHD and let’s keep rewriting the map, one boundary and one breakthrough at a time.

If I had one wish, it wouldn’t be for money, success, or even more hours in the day. My one wish is that ADHD was understood by everyone. Not tolerated. Not brushed aside. Truly understood. In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I take the “Make a Wish” hat and use it to explore what life could look like if our kids, partners, colleagues, and communities actually got it. We’ll unpack the myths that keep us stuck, share the heartbreak of being misunderstood, and celebrate the small moments when wishes come true—when someone finally sees us clearly. You’ll hear personal stories from my own ADHD journey and from parenting my son, Grayson, along with reflections on how we can turn wishes into action—whether that’s advocating at school, building neurodiverse-friendly workplaces, or simply listening with more empathy. Because wishing alone won’t change the world. But when we share our wishes, we begin to create the understanding we’ve been longing for. Tune in and ask yourself: What’s your ADHD wish right now?

Words have power, and for ADHD kids, they often carry an even heavier weight. In this week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re leaning into the theme “Forged in Fire,” a phrase that reminds us how strength is shaped in the heat of challenge. When Grayson asked me to buy this hat, I hesitated at first, unsure of its meaning. But once I understood that being forged in fire is about resilience and growth, I knew the moment would come when this hat tied perfectly into our story. This episode explores how ADHD kids interpret words more deeply, why they can take comments harder than intended, and the emotional toll that follows. We’ll talk about the science behind emotional regulation, the role of rejection sensitivity, and the tools that can help our kids pause, reframe, and move forward with strength. Most of all, we’ll walk together through what it looks like to teach resilience, not by pretending words don’t hurt, but by helping our kids rise again after the sting. Join me on the trail as we unpack how to guide our children through the fire of words and into the strength of resilience.

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unzipping something you can’t see in a classroom photo but every ADHD child carries: the invisible backpack. 🎒 Inside that backpack? Anxiety. Social pressures. Masking. Sensory overload. Perfectionism. The things that weigh our kids down, even when no one else notices. I’m not hiking this trail alone. Joining me is my friend and fellow ADHD mom, Sarah Dobek, who brings honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom from her own parenting journey. Together, we talk about what fills that invisible backpack, how to recognize when it’s too heavy, and practical ways parents can help lighten the load. This week’s hat is Perfectly Imperfect — a reminder that our kids aren’t broken. They are perfectly themselves, even when life feels messy. If you’ve ever wondered what your child carries with them into school besides books and homework, this episode is for you.  

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unpacking the real story of back-to-school—the space where carefully crafted plans meet ADHD reality. From messy backpacks and emotional buckets to teacher check-ins and small wins, I share what really happens during the first week of school and why recalibration matters more than perfection. If your first week felt chaotic, you are not alone. This episode is about turning the data of week one into compassion, strategies, and a new map forward. And stay tuned—next week I’ll be joined by my guest, Sarah Dobek, for a powerful conversation that builds on these themes and takes our back-to-school journey even further. We will be talking about the invisible backpack our kids so often wear. 

Back-to-school season is a high-stakes transition for every family, but for ADHD families, it’s layered with invisible pressure, emotional spirals, and deep questions about belonging. In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, I’m sharing a heart-centered guide to navigating the return to school with compassion, clarity, and connection. From the anxiety of new teachers and classroom dynamics to the overwhelm of school supplies and morning routines, this episode covers it all. We’ll explore how to support our kids emotionally, introduce them to their teachers in ways that build understanding, and set up systems that work with, not against, the ADHD brain. And just as importantly, we’ll talk about what it means to lead with love when you’re the one holding it all together. Whether your child is masking, spiraling, or trying too hard to be liked, this is your reminder: they don’t have to earn love. It’s already theirs. And so is yours. Here is a link to helpful resources.  Take a breath. You’ve got this. Let’s get ready—together.

In this week’s solo episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, Tera puts on her new “Social” hat—not to make noise, but to embrace the quiet. Episode 31, titled “ Letting Go of Linear Paths,” is a reflection on the messy, beautiful, nonlinear nature of growth—especially for those of us with ADHD. We’ve been taught that progress should be straight and steady, but ADHD doesn’t work that way. And honestly? Neither does life. Tera shares personal insights, loops of thought, and spirals of reflection that invite listeners to release the pressure to always move forward. Drawing on research, real-life detours, and the concept of internal dialogue as a form of social connection, this episode gives permission to pause. To think. To process. And to trust that even when we don’t feel productive—we’re still growing. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, behind, or unsure of the path ahead. Come wander with us.

Turning 50 has a way of pulling everything into focus, and for me, that meant finally understanding the winding, often misunderstood journey so many ADHD women walk. In this episode, we explore “Lost Girl Syndrome,” a term that describes how ADHD in girls and women is so often missed, masked, and misunderstood. From the report cards that said “she’s bright, but…” to the emotional toll of constantly trying to keep it together, we unpack why so many of us didn’t get diagnosed until adulthood, and what happens once we finally do. I reflect on my own late diagnosis, the hormonal shifts that brought everything to the surface, and insights from our past conversation with Robin Keith on how estrogen and dopamine are deeply connected. Plus, I share how I’m learning to slow down without losing momentum. This episode is a companion to our earlier conversation on identity (Episode 29) and a reminder that the detours weren’t delays, they were the trail all along.      

I used to think that in order to collaborate or connect, I had to dilute parts of myself. That the tangents, the emotional spirals, the ideas that came in bursts—those things had to be hidden or softened. But I’m learning that the right people don’t just tolerate those things—they value them. They don’t need me to edit who I am. They just need me to be honest. When I stop over-preparing and just show up as myself—interruptions, rabbit holes, half-finished thoughts and all—that’s when real connection happens. It’s not mystical or magical. It’s rooted in trust. It’s honest. And it reminds me that identity isn’t something I have to earn or polish. It’s something I get to claim fully, even when I’m still figuring it out. That, to me, is the future of identity after diagnosis. Not hiding who we are. Not minimizing it. But learning to embrace the parts of us that make us different—and building a life that allows those parts to thrive.

In this episode of Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re exploring what it means to live in the gray space between ADHD, anxiety, and identity. If you’ve ever felt misdiagnosed, mislabeled, or just misunderstood, this one’s for you. I share my own story of discovering ADHD later in life and how anxiety shaped so much of my experience before I had the language to understand what was really going on. We’ll talk about masking, the emotional weight of late diagnosis, and the complicated dance between grief and relief. I also reflect on what true belonging looks like, not just in our personal lives but in leadership, work, and friendship. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to fit perfectly into a label to deserve understanding, support, or space to be your full self. Let’s stay curious, stay kind, and keep walking this trail—together.

Ever feel like you’re doing everything and getting nowhere? Like your brain is spinning while your body stands still? This week, we’re unpacking ADHD paralysis, time blindness, and that strange mental traffic jam that leaves us frozen, yet totally overwhelmed. If you’ve been stuck, shaming yourself for not doing more, this episode is your reminder: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what’s really happening, and how to start moving again, gently and on your own terms.

Impulsivity is one of ADHD’s most misunderstood traits—often mistaken for carelessness or recklessness. But what if impulsivity isn’t a flaw? What if it’s a signal, a strength, even a kind of intuition? In this episode, I unpack the difference between impulsivity and instinct, and explore how risk-taking can be a powerful tool for growth when we understand what’s really driving it. I share insights from my own leadership blindspots, parenting moments, and recent research on ADHD and entrepreneurship. This marks the halfway point in my 52-episode journey, and I’m so grateful you’re here. Let’s talk about trust, timing, and the wild courage it takes to follow your gut—especially when the world calls it a mistake.

This week’s episode of Backpacking Through ADHD is inspired by the hat “I’ll Bring the Good Times”, and the unexpected star wearing it: my dog, Lucky. But behind the laughs and cuteness is a much bigger message. Joy isn’t something we earn after we’ve checked all the boxes. For ADHD brains, joy is the fuel, not the reward. In this episode, we’ll explore the science behind dopamine and why stimulation, play, and laughter are essential for regulation. You’ll hear stories and wisdom from the ADHD community, ideas for building joy into your daily life, and reflections on how joy shows up in unexpected places, from dance breaks instead of timeouts to googly eyes on your office mug. Whether you're parenting, adulting, or just trying to make it through the week, this is your reminder that joy is not a luxury. It’s a strategy. Come laugh with me, learn with me, and let’s bring the good times, on purpose.

This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re diving deep into one of the most powerful and challenging concepts in ADHD family life: unconditional love. Inspired by the “Love Freely” hat, this episode explores what it means to show up with love in the moments that test us most. From parenting through meltdowns to forgiving ourselves for the mess, we talk about how ADHD brains crave connection, struggle with shame, and often need love the most when it feels hardest to give. I share personal stories, revisit emotional dysregulation from past episodes, and reflect on how loving our kids—and ourselves—without condition can change everything. I also open up about shifting the podcast release schedule to Saturdays, because sometimes loving freely means giving ourselves permission to move at our own pace. Whether you're an ADHD parent, partner, or someone learning to love your own neurodivergent mind, this episode is for you.