What happens when two ADHDers realize there's more to the story?

In this deeply personal and exploratory episode, Eric is joined by his friend and fellow coach, Portia Jackson Preston, for an honest, vulnerable, and unmasked conversation about discovering—later in life—that they’re not just ADHD… they're also autistic.

April is Autism Acceptance Month and there’s no better time to peel back the layers. Eric and Portia share their parallel journeys of exploring what it means to be AuDHD, how autism was hiding in plain sight for both of them, and how late diagnosis is reshaping their self-understanding, their relationships, their parenting, and their work.

Together, they unpack:

• What unmasking looks like—and feels like—especially when it's not a conscious choice

• Why self-diagnosis is valid and often necessary

• How intersecting identities impact recognition and diagnosis

• The grief and growth that come with seeing your past through a new lens

• Why autistic burnout hit both of them so hard (and what they’re doing now to recover)

• And how this shift is impacting their businesses, boundaries, and sense of self

You’ll also hear about how EMDR therapy played a pivotal role in both of their journeys, how the Johari Window concept reframed Eric’s understanding of his blind spots, and how reconnecting with their full, authentic selves has allowed for deeper joy—even in the weirdest places (like dancing at a Phish show with hand flaps in full glory).

This is the kind of conversation that gives others permission to explore, to question, and to be.

👉 Related links & resources:

• Unmasking Autism by Dr. Devon Price

• Unmasking for Life by Dr. Devon Price

• Coaching Groups at ADHD reWired

• Virtual CoWorking with Adult Study Hall

• Portia Jackson Preston on Instagram: @portiasjourney

🎧 Takeaways:

• Unmasking isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process.

• Late diagnosis can be both a relief and a reckoning.

• Self-compassion isn’t optional; it’s a survival tool.

• You don’t have to prove your neurodivergence to anyone.

• It’s okay to change. It’s okay to grieve. And it’s okay to rest.

🎙 Guest Info: Today's guest, Elise Fillmore, is a queer and neurodivergent financial educator, bestselling author, and the founder of QueerdCo Elise focuses on identity-based finance, helping people navigate money through the lens of their lived experiences, challenges, and strengths. She’s also the author of Keeping Finance Personal and the host of the Dopamine Dollars podcast.

💡 Episode Highlights:

• How traditional financial advice often fails neurodivergent people
• Why financial planning should be tailored to your identity, lifestyle, and brain
• Strategies for making money management less overwhelming and more engaging
• The importance of automation and dopamine-driven finance systems
• Why shame and financial struggles are often systemic, not personal failings
• Common financial myths and why some mainstream advice (like Dave Ramsey’s) doesn’t work for ADHDers
• Practical ways to infuse joy into budgeting and create sustainable financial habits
• How to set up "fun money" accounts and make saving more rewarding
• Why financial tools and strategies “expire” for ADHDers – and what to do about it
• The role of external accountability in managing money

📌 Resources & Links:

• Elise Fillmore's Website: www.queerdco.com
• Instagram: @elisefillmore
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellycefulmore
• Book: Keeping Finance Personal – Available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook https://amzn.to/3FxRpCf
• Podcast: Dopamine Dollars – Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:

• DOPA Menu: A list of dopamine-boosting activities to help manage impulsive spending

📢 Support ADHD reWired!

• Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen
• Share this episode with someone who might find it helpful
• Become a Patreon supporter to help us keep creating great content!

🚀 Join ADHD reWired’s Coaching & Accountability Groups!

• Our Spring 2025 Coaching Groups are coming up soon! April 24 - June 19
  • Registration Events: March 27 & April 2
• Learn more & sign up: coachingrewired.com

🖥 Adult Study Hall - ADHD reWired's Virtual Co-working community. www.adultstudyhall.com

• New Zen Tangle and Journal with me sessions on Sundays at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET

🎧 Don’t Miss the Next Episode!
Subscribe & follow so you never miss an episode of ADHD reWired!

In this episode of ADHD reWired, Eric Tivers welcomes Chris Hooten, a LinkedIn Top Facilitation Voice and certified neuro-mindfulness coach. With over 15 years of experience, Chris specializes in helping neurodiverse organizations foster inclusive communication, leadership, and workplace strategies.

Eric begins the episode with a personal update, sharing his ongoing journey of overcoming burnout and a recent formal autism evaluation. He also highlights his interviews on Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Entrepreneur on Fire, as well as the pressing need for advocacy in the face of recent policy changes that threaten diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The core discussion revolves around communication challenges in neurodivergent teams and how traditional workplace structures often fail to accommodate neurodiverse employees. Chris introduces the 4D Model of Neuroinclusive Communication—a framework designed to improve communication by making it more descriptive, deliberate, direct, and diverse. They discuss common workplace miscommunication issues, the pitfalls of platforms like Slack for neurodivergent individuals, and how managers can foster psychological safety.

Chris also explores the systemic barriers that impact neurodivergent and marginalized individuals in professional spaces. They emphasize shifting away from medicalized, deficit-based narratives about neurodiversity and adopting an intersectional, affirming approach that values lived experiences.

Eric and Chris conclude by reflecting on the evolving nature of work, the need for workplace wellness, and how neurodivergent individuals are often the first to recognize unsustainable work environments. Chris shares insights on fostering genuine inclusion rather than performative DEI efforts and provides strategies for improving workplace culture.

🔗 Find Chris Hooten: ChrisHootenConsulting.com | LinkedIn | Instagram

💡 Resources & Announcements:

• Pre-registration is now open for the ADHD reWired Coaching & Accountability Groups. Secure your spot at coachingrewired.com.
• Spring Sessions April 24 - June 19th.
• Join Adult Study Hall for virtual co-working and upcoming Zentangle workshops at adultstudyhall.com.
• Support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/ADHDrewired.

🎧 Listen Now! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast app!

Contact Chris at

https://chrishootenconsulting.com/

ADHD reWired's Coaching and Accountability Groups: www.coachingrewired.com

Adult Study Hall: www.adultstudyhall.com

Eric on the Chasing Life Podcast - https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life/episodes/af3c5cb0-37bb-11ef-8219-ab8d404559ae

Eric on Entrepuner on Fire https://www.eofire.com/podcast/erictivers2/

5 Calls https://5calls.org/