In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Candera, a fellow ADHDer, autism mom, attorney, and parent coach who helps parents regulate themselves first so they can better support their neurodivergent kids. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply needed—especially if you’ve ever felt like you’re holding everything together while quietly falling apart.

Lisa and I talk about what really happens when parenting a neurodivergent child pushes you to your limits—emotionally, physically, and mentally. We explore why traditional parenting strategies often backfire, how parent regulation changes everything, and what to do when behaviors escalate beyond what feels manageable. If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child and wondering, “Why isn’t this working?”—this episode is for you.

Lisa Candera is a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, and autism mom coach. She helps parents of autistic children regulate themselves first so they can show up for their kids with compassion, clarity, and strength. Her upcoming book explores what it means to be a “solid object” for your child: not fixing, not co-escalating, but standing steady in the storm. She hosts The Autism Mom Podcast (top 2%) and has been featured in numerous top podcasts, like Turn Autism Around and On The Hard Days.

Episode Highlights:

[0:48] – Introducing Lisa Candera and why parent regulation matters more than we think
[2:20] – The moment Lisa realized she was just as dysregulated as her son
[3:22] – Why parent coaching often matters more than child-focused interventions
[5:25] – How traditional parenting approaches can backfire with neurodivergent kids
[6:13] – Lisa’s late ADHD diagnosis and how it reframed her parenting and career
[11:16] – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and taking your child’s behavior personally
[13:34] – When behaviors turn physical and safety becomes the priority
[16:26] – Understanding the “order of operations” during behavioral crises
[22:54] – How to find autism-informed medical and mental health support
[27:22] – Why ABA isn’t always the right fit, especially with OCD and anxiety
[34:44] – Proactive strategies to reduce escalation before fight-or-flight hits
[36:06] – Co-regulation vs. compliance and why “doing less” can help more
[38:22] – Reframing behavior as communication—not disrespect
[44:21] – Regulating yourself as a parent when you’re triggered
[49:41] – The truth Lisa wishes she could tell her past self

Links & Resources

• Lisa’s website: https://theautismmomcoach.com
• Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautismmomcoach/
• Lisa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theautismmomcoach
• The Autism Mom Coach Podcast

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits and 25.5 PAAC CCE’s

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Sam Shay—also known as The Neurodiverse Doc. Sam is autistic, ADHD, and deeply committed to helping neurodiverse adults understand how their brains actually work in a world that wasn’t designed for them.

We dive into a powerful (and sometimes triggering) conversation around autism, ADHD, bullying, and the often-confused overlap between autism and narcissism. We talk about intention versus impact, pattern recognition, coercion, control, masking, and what happens when you finally reframe your entire life through the lens of neurodiversity. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this narcissism… or is this autism?”—this episode will give you language, clarity, and validation.

Dr. Sam Shay, DC, IFMCP, is a functional medicine expert, keynote speaker, and self-described NeuroSpicy comic who helps neurodiverse adults navigate life in a neurotypical world. Diagnosed AuDHD himself, Dr. Sam has dedicated his career to advocacy, education, and support for individuals on the autism and ADHD spectrum.

With over 25 years of experience in nutrition, genetics, and functional lab testing, he created the Neuro-Harmony Model and DNA-Decoded programs—data-driven approaches designed to boost energy, improve mental clarity, and help families create environments where neurodiverse individuals can thrive. Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Sam uses clean, witty, story-driven comedy to bring awareness to neurodiversity. His one-hour special, NeuroSpicy: Love, Life, & Comedy on the Spectrum, blends humor with powerful insight and is a must-watch for anyone seeking understanding through laughter.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Understanding the difference between narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths through their core drives
[1:03] – Welcoming Dr. Sam Shay and why this conversation matters for neurodiverse adults
[3:52] – Sensory overstimulation, bonding over shared neurodiverse experiences, and Vegas misconceptions
[6:24] – Autism vs. narcissism: similar behaviors, radically different intentions
[8:27] – Discovering autism later in life and “backfilling” 38 years of memories
[14:57] – Grief, identity shifts, and recalibrating your nervous system after diagnosis
[18:23] – Bullying, coercion, and why neurodiverse kids are often targeted
[21:09] – Masking vs. adapting: where survival ends and authenticity begins
[26:27] – Pattern recognition as protection and reclaiming personal agency
[35:41] – Finding your tribe and why one safe person can change everything
[37:29] – Sam’s closing wisdom on truth-seeking without losing human connection

Links & Resources

· Website: www.DrSamShay.com

· DNA-Decoded program: www.DrSamShay.com/DNA-Decoded

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsamshay

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.shay.792

· Youtube: www.Youtube.com/tenpointwellness

· Article on Narci

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits and 25.5 PAAC CCE’s

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that comes up all the time with my clients and listeners: vaping and nicotine addiction in adults with ADHD. I’m joined by Dr. Marc Picot—GP, health coach, former vaper, and founder of Vape Escape—who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to this conversation. Together, we unpack why ADHD brains are especially vulnerable to nicotine, how vaping can feel like self-medication, and what’s really happening with dopamine, focus, and emotional regulation behind the scenes.

Dr. Marc also shares practical, compassionate insights for anyone who’s tried to quit (and maybe relapsed more than once), including what withdrawal can look like for ADHDers, how vaping can interfere with ADHD medication, and why shame has no place in the quitting process. Whether you’re thinking about quitting, actively trying, or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with clarity, validation, and hope—without judgment or quick fixes.

Dr. Marc Picot is a vaping cessation expert, GP (family physician), health coach, and former vaper. After becoming addicted to vaping during a period of depression, he turned his personal experience into a passion for helping others quit. He is the founder of Vape Escape, a digital support service for people struggling with vaping addiction, and the author of The Last Puff. Dr. Marc now works with individuals worldwide, combining medical expertise with compassionate, practical guidance to support long-term recovery from nicotine dependence.

Episode Highlights:

[0:36] – Welcoming Dr. Marc Picot and why vaping is such a big issue for adults with ADHD
[1:52] – The brain chemistry connection: dopamine, norepinephrine, and ADHD
[4:58] – Vaping as self-medication and why it “works” in the short term
[7:02] – How nicotine peaks and crashes worsen ADHD symptoms over time
[8:29] – Why vaping can make ADHD medication feel less effective
[11:06] – Dr. Marc’s personal story: depression, withdrawal, and fear of relapse
[12:57] – Different ways to quit: cold turkey vs. gradual nicotine reduction
[18:45] – Cravings, dopamine, and finding healthier pattern interrupts
[22:39] – What the first week without vaping is really like
[26:01] – Relapse, shame, and why most people don’t quit on the first try
[29:37] – Common mistakes when quitting and the power of education
[32:07] – Dr. Marc’s book The Last Puff and who it’s for
[33:59] – Final advice for ADHDers struggling with vaping

Links & Resources

• Vape Escape: https://vapeescape.org.uk
• The Last Puff by Dr. Marc Picot

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches

Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training!

💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching

💥Earn 38 ICF Credits and 25.5 PAAC CCE’s

💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice

💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory

Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches