ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

By: Tracy Otsuka
  • Summary

  • Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here : programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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    I have NEVER met an ADHD woman who wasn’t truly brilliant at something! This podcast, with nearly 7 million downloads, is for smart, high-ability ADD/ADHD (diagnosed or suspecting) women who see their symptoms as more positive than negative. If you want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and discover where your brilliance lies, this podcast is for you!
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    ADHD for Smart Ass Women is globally ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent of all podcasts in the world on any subject. It’s streamed in more than 160 countries and is downloaded by more than 150,000 listeners every month. My book of the same name, published by HarperCollins/William Morrow, was recently honored by Amazon Editors as a Top 20 Best Nonfiction Book of 2024.
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    I’m Tracy Otsuka, your host. I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, a lifelong learner, and a certified ADHD coach. I’m on a mission to change the conversation around ADHD because I believe it’s time to focus on the strengths that come with our unique brains. When I was diagnosed eight months after my son, my entire life finally made sense, yet all I read and heard about ADHD focused on what I should struggle with. What I discovered, though, was that my ADHD was responsible for some of my greatest strengths.
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    Another thing we constantly hear is all the success stories about ADHD men, but no one talks about the women. This podcast is here to change that. ADHD women are my people, and I’m here to acknowledge, support, and cheer them on. My experience as an adult living with ADHD, along with my expertise, is regularly sought out by top-tier media, including Bloomberg, Forbes, CBS Mornings, ABC News Live, Inc., Prevention Magazine, Verywell Mind, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast, etc.
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    adhdforsmartwomen.com

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    The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of anything you have seen or heard from Tracy Otsuka, her guests or this podcast.

    © 2025 ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
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Episodes
  • EP. 322: Loud, Intuitive & Learning to Regulate with Chelsea Kunz
    Mar 5 2025

    Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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    Growing up as the youngest of ten kids, Chelsea Kunz learned early how to be loud, funny, and grab attention—which, as it turns out, is pretty on-brand for an ADHD brain. Now an actor, creator, and self-described hot mess mom, Chelsea built an online following as Karen Disapproves, blending comedy and chaos into relatable parenting content. But behind the laughs, she’s been on a deep dive into self-development, spirituality, and purpose, which led her to launch the Soul Slumber Party podcast.


    In this conversation, Chelsea shares her ADHD diagnosis journey, from being the class clown (and occasional teacher’s nightmare) to struggling with focus, working memory, and traditional academics. She opens up about how ADHD showed up in motherhood, why she felt overwhelmed and irritable after having kids, and what finally led her to seek a diagnosis. Tracy and Chelsea also talk about nervous system regulation, how overstimulation can lead to emotional dysregulation, and why finding the right creative outlet can make all the difference for ADHD brains.


    Chelsea also breaks down how she balances big ideas, creative projects, and intuitive decision-making, from social media to screenwriting. If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling too much or struggling to follow through on what matters most, this conversation will leave you laughing, nodding along, and maybe even rethinking how you approach your creativity.



    Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulslumberparty
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soulslumberparty
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soulslumberparty

    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

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    51 mins
  • EP. 321: Unpacking Procrastination, Clutter, and Perfectionism with Dr. Christine Li
    Feb 26 2025

    Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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    Procrastination, clutter, perfectionism—these aren’t just bad habits. For many ADHD women, they’re constant battles that drain energy and create overwhelm.

    Dr. Christine Li, a clinical psychologist and The Procrastination Coach, has spent over 25 years helping people break free from these struggles. A Princeton and Columbia graduate, she has worked extensively with university students, led workshops at top institutions, and built an online platform to help people regain control of their time.

    In this episode, Christine shares her personal experience with procrastination and disorganization—including how she unknowingly struggled with extreme last-minute scrambling for years. She explains why clutter isn’t just about stuff, but about emotional attachments, fear, and decision-making. Tracy and Christine also talk about why ADHD brains are particularly prone to clutter and procrastination, how perfectionism fuels avoidance, and why small, daily actions can completely shift your energy and productivity.

    Christine’s insights go beyond theory—she provides simple, actionable strategies that make productivity feel lighter and more natural. If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of procrastination, clutter, or overwhelm, this conversation will give you the tools (and the mindset shifts) to start moving forward today.


    Resources:

    Website: https://procrastinationcoach.com
    Facebook Group: https://procrastinationcoach.com/facebook
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/procrastinationcoach
    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@procrastinationcoach
    Podcast: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com
    Discover the Secret to Clearing Your Clutter Easily and Quickly 5-Day Challenge: https://procrastinationcoach.lpages.co/challenge-re-energize-your-home-spring-2025-tracy-otsuka


    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • EP. 320: It’s Never Too Late: Reinventing Life with Emily Ransdell
    Feb 19 2025

    Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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    Some people see retirement as slowing down—Emily Ransdell saw it as a chance to finally do what she was meant to do.

    After a career in tech marketing, she walked away at 59 and went all in on her lifelong love of writing. At 60, she enrolled in a Master’s in Creative Writing, and by 67, she had published her first poetry collection, which won the Lewis Award from Concrete Wolf Press. Now, she teaches writing workshops, gives public readings, and continues to build a life centered around creativity.

    But Emily’s story isn’t just about reinvention—it’s about understanding herself in a way she never had before. Diagnosed with ADHD in her early 60s, she finally made sense of the struggles she’d faced for decades: disorganization, perfectionism, and the feeling that she was always working harder than everyone else just to keep up. In this conversation, Emily shares how she managed school and career before her diagnosis, how ADHD affected her creative process, and why getting diagnosed later in life changed everything.

    She also talks about breaking free from the idea that it’s “too late” to start something new. Whether you’re considering a career shift, exploring a creative passion, or just wondering if there’s more out there for you, Emily’s story proves that it’s never too late to start.

    Resources:
    Website: https://emilyransdell.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyransdellpoet/

    Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message

    Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.

    Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/book

    Join Your ADHD Brain is A-OK: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/aok

    Visit our website: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com

    Join our community of ADHD For Smart Ass Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyotsuka

    Join What Do I Do With My Life Masterclass: spyhappy.me/class

    Unlock your best days with Blends: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/blends

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins

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Awesome 1st episode!

Loved this first episode, and interesting to learn about the Hunter gatherer idea. Thank you

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Game changer

Diagnosed at 49, this podcast has been a game changer for me. No more self judgement, just acceptance and love.

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