All Aboard ADHD

How can understanding ADHD later in life reshape everything you thought you knew about yourself, your struggles, your creativity, and the choices that shaped your past?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Pearl Lowe - designer, author, former musician, and creator of the beloved Faded Glamour interiors books. Known for her distinctive vintage aesthetic and her ability to transform spaces with character and soul, Pearl opens up about an entirely different kind of transformation: receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and finally making sense of a lifetime of intensity, sensitivity, and creative chaos.Pearl shares her journey from growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent child in the 70s and 80s, to navigating the music industry, addiction, motherhood, and years of living at full speed, all without understanding her neurodivergence. Her diagnosis brought clarity, compassion, and a new way of relating to herself, her environment, and her family.Together, Claire and Pearl explore:How Pearl’s ADHD diagnosis in midlife helped her make sense of her childhood, her emotional world, and the overwhelm she experienced navigating school, relationships, and early fameThe impact of growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent girl including the masking, misinterpretation, and lack of understanding that shaped her self-beliefWhy environment played a central role in Pearl’s history of addiction, along with how “changing her playground” became a turning point in her recovery and wellbeingThe deep connection between ADHD and creativity, and how Pearl’s impulsivity, imagination, and sensitivity became the foundation of her design and interiors careerThe challenges she faced as a young person that have now become her greatest strengths as an adult, particularly intuition, emotional depth, and a vivid creative visionWhat moving from London to Somerset, and later back to the city, taught her about nervous system regulation, identity, and finding the right pace of lifeHow understanding her neurodivergence has changed the way she parents, connects with her children, and interprets their emotional needsThe message of hope she wants every parent on the ADHD journey to hear, especially those wishing they could see into their child’s futureThis is a beautifully honest, warm, and inspiring conversation about creativity, chaos, self-understanding, and learning to rewrite your story with kindness.Further resources and linksPearl Lowe’s books: • Faded Glamour in the City: https://amzn.to/4oFiZyp • All That Glitters: https://amzn.to/4pANN3R • Faded Glamour by the Sea: https://amzn.to/4puzNJ0 • Faded Glamour: Inspirational Interiors:  https://amzn.to/43Vt56JLearn more about Pearl: https://pearllowe.co.ukADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.comFollow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHDThe views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their personal experience and professional expertise. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

Why is it so hard for women with ADHD to trust their instincts, and what happens when we finally do?In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Sam Bramwell, an ADHD coach, entrepreneur, and expert in polyvagal theory, who was diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s. Sam supports women navigating late-diagnosed ADHD, and her work centres around helping them rebuild self-trust, overcome shame, and find a more compassionate way of living.In this powerful and deeply relatable conversation, Sam shares her journey from years of masking, burnout, and self-doubt to finally understanding her neurodivergence and rebuilding her life around authenticity rather than fear. Together, Claire and Sam unpack why so many girls and women go undiagnosed, the emotional fallout of that process, and the freedom that comes with finally making sense of yourself and tuning into your nervous system’s needs. Their conversation covers:What polyvagal theory is and how the autonomic nervous system's three states can show up in our day-to-day experienceHow ADHD traits in girls and women often go unnoticed, misinterpreted, or attributed to anxiety, perfectionism, or “high functioning” behaviourThe cumulative impact of years of masking, from people-pleasing to chronic overachievement, and why unmasking can feel both frightening and liberatingThe emotional crash that can often follow diagnosis: grief, anger, relief, and the slow rebuilding of identityHow fear-based decision-making develops and why women with ADHD often learn to distrust themselvesHow relationships and parenting shift when you begin to tune into your nervous system, communicate your needs, set boundaries, and stop pretending to be “being fine.”What self-compassion actually looks like in practice, and the importance of slowing down, resting, and listening to your bodyPractical tools for reconnecting with yourself, including values-based decision-making, nervous system regulation, boundaries, and community supportWhether you’ve recently discovered your ADHD or are still unpacking years of confusion, this episode offers validation, insight, and a path toward rebuilding your life with softness rather than self-criticism.Further resources and linksSam Bramwell Coaching: sambramwellcoaching.comFollow Sam on Instagram: @samjbramwellBuy Sam’s Book - Enough is EnoughAll Aboard ADHD coaching & resources: https://allaboardadhd.comFollow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHDThe views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

Why does rejection feel so much more intense for people with ADHD and what can we do about it?In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Dr Alex Conner, an ADHD coach, scientist, author, and co-host of The ADHD Adults Podcast, to unpack one of the most painful and often misunderstood experiences within ADHD, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD).Dr Conner combines his lived experience as an adult with ADHD, his academic background in neuroscience, and his practical work training ADHD coaches to shed light on why RSD can be so overwhelming and what helps when it hits. He is also co-author of ADHD Unpacked and co-founder of the charity ADHD Adult UK, dedicated to evidence-based education and advocacy.Together, Claire and Alex explore:What rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) really is and why it’s not an official diagnosis, yet feels profoundly real for so many people with ADHDHow emotional dysregulation connects to RSD and why the ADHD brain can amplify feelings of criticism, rejection, or embarrassmentThe debate around whether RSD is biological, learned, or both and what current science suggestsThe connection between RSD, social anxiety, and hypervigilance, and how to tell them apartThe ways RSD shows up differently in adults and children from people-pleasing to withdrawal and how parents can help children build autonomy and resilienceWhy communication, self-awareness, and emotional acceptance are essential in managing rejection sensitivityThe practical strategies that actually help from CBT and ADHD-informed therapy to “making no an option,” reframing, and creating supportive environmentsWhether you experience RSD yourself or see your child struggle with it, this episode offers science-based clarity, compassion, and real-world strategies to help make those moments of rejection feel a little less defining.Further resources and links:ADHD Unpacked by Dr Alex Conner and Professor James Brown: https://amzn.to/482BlUQThe ADHD Adults Podcast hosted by Dr Alex Conner and Professor James Brown: https://theadhdadults.uk/ADHD Adult UK: adhdadult.ukFocus Mag evidence-based magazine for adults with ADHD: focusmag.ukADHD Coaching Academy: https://www.theadhdcoachingacademy.com/ ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: allaboardadhd.comFollow Claire on Instagram & TikTok @allaboardADHDThe views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

What does it really mean to raise a “happy” neurodivergent child and how can parents redefine success when school, systems, and stigma make that feel impossible?In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Jessie Hewitson, multi-talented journalist, author, and mum of two autistic and ADHD children. Jessie is the author of ADHD: How to Raise a Happy ADHD Child - and - Autism: How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child. She is also the Contributing Money Editor at The i Paper, where she writes the weekly column Ask Jessie.Jessie shares her deeply personal journey of parenting two neurodivergent children, leading to discovering her own ADHD and autism diagnosis later in life. Her story is one of honesty, learning, and compassion, as she reflects on the guilt, growth, and constant adaptation that comes with raising children who don’t fit the system’s mold.Together, Claire and Jessie discuss:The challenges of recognising ADHD and autism early on, and how stigma and misinformation can delay diagnosisWhy “late understanding” doesn’t make you a bad parent and the emotional process of unlearning what you thought you knewHow guilt and self-doubt show up for neurodivergent parents, and why compassion and curiosity matter more than perfectionWhat can happen when children experience burnout and can no longer cope in mainstream schoolThe importance of flexible, relationship-based learning and what “low-demand parenting” really looks like in practiceHow Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) parenting can help families de-escalate and reconnect during difficult momentsThe real meaning of raising a “happy” neurodivergent child: helping them understand themselves, recognise their challenges, and give themselves permission to rest and ask for helpWhether you’re at the start of your journey, deep in the chaos, or navigating life after diagnosis, this episode is full of raw honesty, validation, and hope. Jessie’s perspective reminds us that success often looks different, and that the smallest moments of connection can be the biggest signs of progress. Further resources and links:Jessie’s books: ADHD: How to Raise a Happy ADHD Child and Autism: How to Raise a Happy Autistic ChildCheck out Jessie’s article about Screen Time in The Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/screen-time-children-parenting-adhd-autism-b1232099.html Check out Jessie’s weekly Ask Jessie column in The i Paper https://inews.co.uk/author/jessie-hewitsonFollow Jessie on social media: @jessiehewitsonADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.comFollow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHDThe views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

What does it really mean to treat ADHD through a “whole person” lens and how can parents support their children’s brains and bodies, not just their symptoms?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by consultant child psychiatrist Dr Richard Fry who specialises in integrative psychiatry, an approach that brings together physical, psychological, genetic, and environmental factors to understand each child as a whole person.After years working within the NHS, Dr Fry now helps families explore how nutrition, metabolism, genetics, sleep, stress, and lifestyle all contribute to emotional and cognitive health. His work focuses on supporting brain function and wellbeing holistically, while minimising exclusive reliance on medication.Together, Claire and Dr Fry explore what it means to look beyond the ADHD label and uncover the “why” behind a child’s challenges including:What integrative psychiatry is and how it expands on traditional approaches to child mental healthHow nutrition, sleep, and gut health can influence ADHD symptoms and overall brain functionThe role of stress, cortisol, and “nervous system up-regulation” in children’s behaviour and attentionWhy micronutrients such as magnesium and zinc can make a difference for emotional regulation and focusHow genetics act as a “template, not a fate,” shaping how each child responds to nutrients and medicationPractical ways to combine medical and holistic strategies for better long-term outcomesWhy connection, enjoyment, and small daily wins are just as vital as any treatment planWhether your child is newly diagnosed, already on medication, or you’re just beginning to explore a more holistic path, this conversation offers clarity, curiosity, and compassion for parents wanting to support their child’s ADHD in a whole-person way.Further resources and links:Learn more about Dr Richard Fry’s integrative practice: https://drfry.org.uk/The Brain Brilliance Book by Lucinda Miller with foreword by Dr Richard FryADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.comFollow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHDFollow Richard on Instagram @drrichardfryThe views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.