Ep 189: Building Executive Function With Mindfulness And Self-Compassion

Homework shouldn’t feel like a bear attack, yet for many ADHD families, everyday tasks trigger fight, flight, or freeze. We invited ADHD coach and mindfulness facilitator Corie Wightlin to help us turn those explosive moments into opportunities for calm, connection, and growth. Corie blends neuroscience, executive function know-how, and lived experience to show how a simple “pause” can redirect the entire evening—and how a practical “fast-forward” thought experiment helps parents choose the next right move without the guilt spiral.

We dig into what actually works when brains are overwhelmed: sensory resets like cold touch, fresh air, or a 60-second song; visible, tactile pause signals; and nonverbal cues that defuse rather than escalate. Then we move from crisis to design. Instead of one-size-fits-all checklists, Corie walks through micro-step sticky notes placed where action happens, pre-staging friction points the night before, and turning time into a friendly cue with Alexa timers or playlists. You’ll hear how a small shift—like keeping shoes with the laid-out clothes in the living room—can shave minutes off the morning and unlock a child’s sense of competence.

Because novelty fades, we build “falter plans” that anticipate boredom and change, keeping systems fresh without starting from scratch. We also talk directly to moms who see themselves in their kids’ profiles: late-diagnosed ADHD, rejection sensitivity, and the exhaustion that comes from running on adrenaline and perfectionism. Corie offers a self-compassion framework and boundary-setting scripts that lower cognitive load, protect bandwidth, and model healthy regulation at home.

If you’re craving fewer meltdowns, smoother mornings, and more moments where your child genuinely believes “I can do this,” this conversation offers tools you can try tonight. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a gentler plan, and leave a review to let us know which strategy made the biggest difference for your family.

For more on Corie's work click here.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

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To review the podcast click here.