Is ADHD really a neurological disorder — or could gut health, diet, and inflammation play a role?

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, Janine VanStee sits down with functional medicine practitioner Dr. Brad Montagne to explore a different perspective on ADHD, chronic illness, and the gut-brain connection.

Dr. Brad shares insights from nearly four decades of working with people experiencing complex health conditions including Lyme disease, digestive issues, and inflammation-related symptoms. The conversation dives into topics like diet, sugar, gut microbiome health, and how lifestyle choices may influence focus, behavior, and overall well-being.

Together they discuss:

• The connection between gut health and brain function

• Why inflammation may affect focus and behavior

• Diet, sugar, and processed foods

• The gut-brain relationship

• Functional medicine approaches to chronic illness

• Parenting and supporting children with ADHD

• Supplements, fish oil, and nutrition myths

• Epigenetics and lifestyle factors

As always on ADHD Eavesdrop, this is an open conversation — not a script — where you get to be a butterfly on the wall listening in.

If you’re curious about different perspectives on ADHD, health, and how our bodies work, this episode offers plenty to think about.

Dr. Brad Montagne

https://www.instagram.com/healthfullyu/

https://www.facebook.com/healthfullyu

https://healthfullyu.com

Free ADHD coaching consultation with Janine VanStee: https://calendly.com/jvansteeadhdlifecoaching/45-min-consultation

Website: https://jvansteeadhdlifecoaching.net

00:00 Welcome to ADHD Eavesdrop

03:00 ADHD, Diet, and “Toxic Food”

06:00 Why Defining the Problem Matters

09:00 Gut Health and the Brain Connection

12:00 Inflammation, Dopamine, and ADHD

15:00 Sugar, Caffeine, and Kids

18:00 Is ADHD Neurological or Gut-Related?

21:00 Epigenetics and Lifestyle Factors

25:00 Fish Oil, Supplements, and Nutrition

30:30 Advice for Parents of Kids with ADHD

The views expressed in this episode are those of the guest and are for informational purposes only and not medical advice.

In this episode, Janine talks with Randi-lee Bowslaugh about autism, depression, parenting neurodivergent children, and the healing power of creativity and writing.

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, Janine sits down with author and podcaster Randi-lee Bowslaugh to talk about neurodiversity, mental health, and the power of creative expression.

Randi-lee shares her experiences living with autism, depression, and PTSD, while also parenting a neurodivergent child and navigating life as a grandmother. Together, Janine and Randi-lee explore how writing, storytelling, and creativity can support emotional healing, identity development, and connection.

This conversation touches on self-acceptance, resilience, and the importance of finding supportive spaces where neurodivergent people can be fully themselves.

As always, this episode is a real, unscripted conversation — just like listening to two people talk at the next table in a coffee shop.

00:00:00 Introduction and guest welcome

00:02:15 Randi-lee’s story: autism, depression, and PTSD

00:05:10 Parenting neurodivergent children

00:08:40 Becoming a grandmother and life perspective

00:11:30 Writing as emotional expression and healing

00:15:20 The connection between creativity and mental health

00:19:05 Living with multiple diagnoses

00:23:40 Identity, acceptance, and self-understanding

00:27:15 Supporting neurodivergent families

00:31:00 Closing reflections and encouragement

Is ADHD Life Coaching right for you? If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to better understand how your ADHD shows up in your daily life, coaching might help. I offer supportive, practical ADHD Life Coaching focused on real-life strategies, self-awareness, and sustainable change.

You can schedule a free 45-minute consultation to see if coaching is a good fit: https://calendly.com/jvansteeadhdlifecoaching/45-min-consultation

Learn more at: https://jvansteeadhdlifecoaching.net Email: jvansteeadhdlifecoaching@gmail.com

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, mental health, or professional advice. The views shared in this episode reflect personal experiences and conversations, not clinical recommendations. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional.

Short Spotify Description: How stress lives in the body — and how somatics can help you move from overwhelm to resilience. Janine talks with ADHD coach Jen Kreiner about nervous system awareness, burnout, and emotional healing.

In this episode of ADHD Eavesdrop, Janine VanStee talks with ADHD coach Jen Kreiner about the mind-body connection and the role of somatics in emotional regulation, stress, and resilience.

Jen shares how somatic practices help people notice where stress lives in the body, understand nervous system responses like fight, flight, and freeze, and build the ability to move from automatic reactions to intentional responses.

They explore how ADHD, burnout, trauma patterns, and emotional avoidance can show up physically — and how learning to pause, notice, and connect with body sensations can support healing and long-term change.

This conversation is especially helpful for adults with ADHD who experience overwhelm, rumination, or chronic stress and want practical ways to reconnect with themselves.

Key Topics

• Somatics and the mind-body connection
• Nervous system regulation
• Fight, flight, freeze, and rest-and-digest
• ADHD and emotional avoidance
• Burnout and resilience
• Processing unexpressed emotions
• Curiosity and emotional awareness

Guest

Jen Kreiner — Stonesthrowcoaching.com

Disclaimer

ADHD Eavesdrop is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or mental health treatment. ADHD coaching is not therapy, counseling, or medical care. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical or mental health concerns.