If the word “routine” makes you cringe but you still want your mornings to feel better, this episode is for you. I’m diving into how to create ADHD-friendly morning rhythms that actually fit your life. Whether you love mornings, dread them, or are just trying to get out the door with less chaos, we’re talking about real-world strategies that make mornings work for you.

• Why most routines don’t stick (and how to make yours different)
• 
  
• How to create a morning routine that works for you
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• How to shift your routine to something that feels better
• 
  
• How to build flexible morning rhythms that fit your busy life
• 
  
• My “menu method” to give your mornings structure and choice

If this episode hits home and you want more hands-on support, I’m leading a live workshop on June 25th inside my coaching membership, Stuck to Started. We’ll be creating custom, realistic routines with a blend of structure and flexibility.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started to attend the June 25th Workshop: “Creating Morning & Evening Routines that Fit Your Real Life”
• 
  
• Free training: Creating a Formula to Overcome Procrastination and Get Unstuck

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Mentioned in this episode:

Build Routines That Actually Work for Your Brain

If your morning routine falls apart after three days, it’s not you—it’s the system. Learn how to create ADHD-friendly rhythms inside the Stuck to Started coaching membership, launching June 25. https://www.executivefunctioningfirst.com/membership

Stuck to Started

If you love winding conversations, you’re going to love this chat with Meg Duke. We talk about navigating business, burnout, and the art of doing things differently. It’s full of honest reflections, practical strategies, and a shared appreciation for doing things your way—even if that means letting go of hustle culture and embracing imperfect action.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The difference between therapy & coaching for ADHD– the benefits of therapy & coaching for ADHD & how to find the right support for you
• Letting go of productivity guilt – Why rest is essential for creative minds and how embracing your natural rhythms can actually help you get more done.
• Creating systems that work for your brain – How trial-and-error, playful experimentation, and curiosity can lead to sustainable routines.
• The connection between burnout and executive function challenges – What burnout really looks like for ADHDers and how to recognize the warning signs early.
• Navigating the emotional side of task initiation – Why starting is often the hardest part, and how mindset shifts and tiny steps can break the paralysis.
• Permission to do things differently – How rejecting hustle culture, embracing your own pace, and leaning into your strengths can be the key to consistency.

About the guest Meg Duke:

Meg Duke, LCSW-S, ADHD-CCSP, LCDC (she/her), is a compassionate mental health professional specializing in neurodivergence and perinatal mental health. As the owner of Amplify Wellness Mental Health & Coaching, she provides tailored support to enhance focus, balance, and overall well-being through mindfulness, humor, and a nonjudgmental approach. Meg also hosts The Perinatal Podcast, exploring ADHD, mental wellness, and personal growth, and leads workshops on the intersection of ADHD and perinatal experiences. Outside of her work, she enjoys crafting, sewing, rock climbing, and karaoke while fostering inclusivity and authenticity in all she does.

Connect with Meg Duke:

• The free Navigating ADHD Mini Workbook: https://subscribepage.io/ADHDMiniWorkbook
• The Perinatal Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perinatal-podcast/id1590957531
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplifywellnesswithmeg/
• Website: https://megdukelcsw.com/

About the host Sarah Lovell:

Sarah is an executive function and ADHD coach who helps college students, professionals, and perfectionists get unstuck and take action in a way that works with their brains—not against them. With 11 years of experience and a background in social work, she combines practical tools with compassionate support so her clients can stop burning out, start making progress, and feel good doing it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee,

In this episode I chat with Viven Renee Benben, founder of Excalibur Coaching. We go deep on task switching, system fatigue, communication challenges, and how to work with your brain instead of against it. Whether you’re team “train brain” or “car brain,” you’ll leave this episode with new metaphors, real-life strategies, and a whole lot of self-compassion.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why communication challenges can be tied to executive functioning
• Why task switching is so hard & strategies to help you task switch
• Why your systems “expire” what to do if systems that used to work for you aren’t working anymore
• Our favorite brain metaphors to help you understand your own brain wiring
• Why “eating the frog” isn’t for everyone & strategies to help you start tasks that work for your brain

About the guest Viven Renee Benben:

Vivien is the founder of Excalibur Coaching which is currently partnered with a major Fortune 500 tech company and provides neurodiversity coaching to their employees. Vivien's coaching specialties focus on career, life, and communication for adults with ADHD, Autism, Learning disabilities. With a degree in anthropology, and a certificate in ADHD life coaching, Vivien helps her clients learn, grow and thrive. Outside of coaching, Vivien enjoys time with her Irish Setter mix, singing karaoke, and exploring new crafts for her hobby graveyard.

Connect with Vivien:

Excalibur Coaching: https://excaliburcoaching.com/

About the host Sarah Lovell:

Sarah is an executive function and ADHD coach who helps college students, professionals, and perfectionists get unstuck and take action in a way that works with their brains—not against them. With 11 years of experience and a background in social work, she combines practical tools with compassionate support so her clients can stop burning out, start making progress, and feel good doing it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no burnout, no shame. Book your free 45-minute discovery call at executivefunctioningfirst.com/coaching before they fill up!

Coaching

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend and special guest, Rita Sweeney, an Ayurvedic health counselor. In this episode, Rita shares how Ayurveda helped her heal chronic health issues, and how it can support your energy, focus, and daily rhythms.

We talk about what Ayurveda actually is, how it’s way more intuitive (and realistic!) than you might think, and how to integrate simple, sensory-supportive practices into your day—without overhauling your life.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• What Ayurveda is and how it differs from Western approaches to wellness
• How your digestion (yes, even mental digestion) impacts energy and focus
• Simple Ayurvedic daily habits that support focus
• How to use sensory care to feel more grounded and less scattered
• Why small shifts in self-care can lead to big long-term change

About the guest Rita Sweeney:

Rita Sweeney is a certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Ayurvedic teacher, and reiki practitioner. She offers 1:1 wellness counseling, community-focused workshops, and bi-annual seasonal cleanses to support clients to improve digestion, optimize energy levels, and find mental clarity. Rita uses this time-tested system of medicine to help clients draw connections between symptoms, understand their mind-body from different perspectives, and feel empowered with practical tools to support nourishment. Rita is currently in an apprenticeship to continue her studies in herbalism and women's health, with the goal of supporting her clients more deeply in balancing menstrual cycles and optimizing fertility.

Connect with Rita:

Website: https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/

Instagram: @rita.rhythmic.living.ayurveda

Blog Post about Doshas: https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/blog/understanding-ayurvedic-basics-the-three-doshas

About the host Sarah Lovell:

Sarah is an executive function and ADHD coach who helps college students, professionals, and perfectionists get unstuck and take action in a way that works with their brains—not against them. With 11 years of experience and a background in social work, she combines practical tools with compassionate support so her clients can stop burning out, start making progress, and feel good doing it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no...

Do you have personal finance goals, but you’re not sure where to start? Does the idea of creating a budget feel overwhelming? Managing finances requires all of your executive function skills & special expertise, so we have a neurodivergent money coach joining us on the podcast today!

I had so much fun talking with Stephanie Berman - she makes budgeting less intimidating, normalizes impulse spending, and shares realistic strategies you can start using today to feel more confident managing your money.

About the guest Stephanie Berman:

Stephanie is a money coach who equips fellow neurodivergents with skills needed to achieve financial freedom. She specializes in budgeting basics and leading clients from overwhelm to “Oh! I get it!” She draws wisdom from lessons learned the hard way, her journey from minimum wage to debt free living, and her financial coach master training. Recently diagnosed with ADHD & autism, she understands the neurodivergent tendencies toward overwhelm & impulsive buying. Since she began her coaching career in 2018, her clients have paid off over a half million dollars in debt.

• ADHD-friendly budgeting strategies that actually work
• How to manage money without shame or overwhelm
• Simple ways to track spending
• Tools and tips for reducing impulse buying
• How to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle
• Why traditional budgets fail—and what to do instead
• How to use YNAB (You Need a Budget) for neurodivergent brains
• How to get Step-by-step support for building realistic money habits

Connect with Stephanie Berman:

• Website & Free 7 Day ADHD Money Transformation Challenge: https://www.bermanbudgeting.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bermanbudgeting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourneurodivergentmoneycoach/

About the host Sarah Lovell:

Sarah is an executive function and ADHD coach who helps college students, professionals, and perfectionists get unstuck and take action in a way that works with their brains—not against them. With 11 years of experience and a background in social work, she combines practical tools with compassionate support so her clients can stop burning out, start making progress, and feel good doing it.

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started
• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no burnout, no shame. Book your free 45-minute discovery call at executivefunctioningfirst.com/coaching before they fill up!

Do you have something you want to do, but you just can't start? In this episode, I share my own personal story of being stuck and the exact step-by-step formula I use (and teach clients!) to take action in a way that feels good. This episode will help you understand what’s really getting in the way (it may not be what you think)—and how to gently shift your mindset and choose tools that actually work for your brain.

Want even more support getting unstuck?

🎧Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast

Includes 5 short episodes + email support with tools, summaries, and checklists so you can take action and get unstuck

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between procrastination and stuckness
• How self-talk can sabotage your ability to get started
• Why perfectionism and “someday goals” keep us paralyzed
• A simple shift to turn a vague goal into an action plan

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no burnout, no shame. Book your free 45-minute discovery call at executivefunctioningfirst.com/coaching before they fill up!

Coaching

Does it feel like it's impossible to do anything “extra” because your day is so jam packed? In this episode, we’re talking about how tiny, intentional choices can create more ease in your daily life. From quick mindset shifts to simple habits, you’ll learn how to set future you up for success—without adding more stress to your plate.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How small decisions can reduce future stress
• The power of the Two-Second Rule and how to use it
• Why protecting your time isn’t selfish—it’s necessary (and simple ways to start protecting your time)
• How to start making small changes today that will pay off later

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started
• Read the blog version here: https://www.executivefunctioningfirst.com/podcast/027

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no burnout, no shame. Book your free 45-minute discovery call at executivefunctioningfirst.com/coaching before they fill up!

Coaching

If your never-ending to-do list is stressing you out, it might be time for a new approach. Instead of constantly adding to a list that never seems to get shorter, what if you had a system that actually worked for your brain? In this episode, I’m sharing a fresh way to track everything you need to do—without the overwhelm.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ Why traditional to-do lists don’t always work (especially for ADHD brains)

✅ A new system to keep track of everything without feeling scattered

✅ How to work with your energy

✅ The power of visual organization and flexible planning

✅ Simple tweaks that make getting started on tasks easier

Want support creating your own Bucket/Menu System? Join Stuck to Started and attend the “How to Keep Track of Everything on your Plate” Workshop on April 23rd

Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Free training: Creating a Formula to Overcome Procrastination and Get Unstuck
• Join the ADHD Coaching Membership: Stuck to Started
• Read the blog version here: https://www.executivefunctioningfirst.com/podcast/026

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Mentioned in this episode:

A Few Coaching Spots Just Opened – Grab Yours Now

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, now’s the time to shift. I’ve got limited one-on-one coaching spots open to help you build routines that work with your brain — no burnout, no shame. Book your free 45-minute discovery call at executivefunctioningfirst.com/coaching before they fill up!

Coaching