ADHD Is Awesome

A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD

By: Penn Holderness, Kim Holderness, Edward Hallowell - foreword

Narrated by: Penn Holderness, Kim Holderness, Nathan Rosborough, Ann Marie Taepke, Tyrrell Harrell, Lola Holderness

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Read by the authors.

The engaging, uplifting antidote to traditional ADHD books (which, let's be honest, if you have ADHD you'd never read anyway).

You live in a world that wasn't designed for you. A world where you're expected to sit still, stay quiet, and focus. Because of the way your brain is wired, you can feel like you’re failing at life. But you are not failing. You are awesome.

Award-winning content creators Kim and Penn Holderness are on a mission to reboot how we think about the unfortunately named "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder." As always, they are doing it by looking in the mirror, because they don't just study ADHD; they live it.

Penn was in college when he was diagnosed with ADHD, although the signs of having a brain that worked just a little bit differently had been there since he was a kid. Rather than view the diagnosis as a curse or give in to feelings of inadequacy or failure, he took a different approach, one that he wants to share with fellow ADHDers and the people who care about them.

Drawing on their often-hilarious insights and the expertise of doctors, researchers, and specialists; Kim and Penn provide fun, easy-to-digest advice and explanations, including:

• What it's actually like to live with an ADHD brain.
• How to find humor in the pitfalls, sob stories, and unbelievable triumphs (like the time they won The Amazing Race!) that come with ADHD.
• How to tackle the challenges ADHD presents with a positive outlook.
• Targeted tools and techniques to play to your unique strengths.
• Fun extras like ADHD Bingo, an ode to cargo pants, and what the world would look like if ADHDers were in charge.

Take it from Penn: Having ADHD can be scary, but it comes with incredible upsides, including creativity, hyperfocus, and energy. You might even say it's kind of awesome. Whether you have ADHD or want to support someone else in their journey, this is the guide you need to make the life you want.

©2024 Penn Holderness and Kim Holderness (P)2024 Harper Horizon

Eye Opening

While my diagnosis came back only depression acting like ADHD after being evaluated, my Psychiatrist disagrees with the other Dr.'s findings. Before being diagnosed, I came to the realization that I probably did have ADHD and when I told my husband about this crazy epiphany, he was like, "well, duh!" I asked him why he never said anything if he assumed that was the case and he told me he figured I was diagnosed as a child and had just never found anything to help. My mind was blown!

I tend to agree with my Psychiatrist, rather than my diagnosing Psychologist because my depression is under control for the most part now and I still exhibit so many ADHD symptoms.

When I started listening to this book, which I pre-ordered because I adore the Holderness family, I was overwhelmed. The letter that Penn wrote to the non-ADHDers felt like everything I've been feeling for YEARS and have never been able to express properly. Thank you for putting words to my feelings. I will never be able to fully express how much that means to me.

Hearing the Strategies Penn and your son use to get through ADHD life was extremely helpful! Hearing what Kim and other friends and family live, and have a hard time with, regarding the ADHDers in their lives was good to hear, heart warming and heart breaking.

I really hope I can convince my husband to read this as well. I think it will help him see things from my perspective and also realize that I do indeed love him, respect him, and support him, even when it doesn't always seem like that is the case.

Next time I listen to it, which will hopefully be soon, it will be with a notebook and pen for notes, not just while I'm doing chores around the house and driving to and from work. There is so much valuable information in here! Thank you again for a beautiful and inspiring book!

Awesome!

My ADHDer husband and I listened together. I appreciated the insight into his mind and the things that make him different, special, and awesome. I especially appreciated the tips for me as someone who loves him. Great, fun narration. Thanks for writing this book and putting it together in such an accessible way. 😊

great read!!

I really enjoyed this book. I relate so much to Penn and all the things he has acknowledged in this book. Great tips and references in this book. i am going to buy a copy of this book bc I liked it so much.

Love this book but

I bought a physical copy of the book so it isn’t a big deal for me. But, there is no PDF or, at the very least, I can’t find it.

Amazing!

With ADHD it is super hard for me to listen or read through a whole book. I just started counting my audible library and stopped counting at 14 half read books (there’s more, I just gave up on counting).

This book is so good! The banter back and forth between Penn and Kim keeps the ADHD brain engaged and entertaining and wanting more! Not only did I finish this book!! Yay! I finished it in 3 days because I didn’t want to put it down!! So good! I highly recommend this for the ADHDer and their partners to listen together! I’ll be listening again with my non-ADHD husband so he can better understand me!

Mahalo Penn & Kim!! Amazing work!!

Great! Funny! So Helpful!

I’ve been following the Holderness Family for years now. I was super excited to hear about this book as my 14 year old son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I loved listening to this book. Not only was it funny and so fun to hear but it was so helpful to hear about someone else’s experience. I’ve learned so much lately about ADHD and can’t wait for my son to listen to this. I am hoping he will take a lot away from it as this is new to him as well and he’s learning how to navigate his amazing brain. Keep up the great work and thank you for being so open and honest about your lives. I will listen to this book multiple times!

Performance

It's okay, we're all different, but.... the performance is cringe. It's just a little to dorky for me. The information was all great but makes it seem like people with ADHD are just giant dorks. The humor is terribly adolescent and clean. religious humor if you will

this book made me feel seen as both a parent and teacher.

absolutely amazing. this book made me feel seen as both a parent and teacher.

If only I’d had this. Love, Mom

Loved every little bit. The story. The info. The relationship of Kim and Penn. Excellent presentation

A “Whole Family” must read!

I loved this book from the first few lines! Kim, Penn and their whole team did such an incredible job bringing well needed insight, humor and heart to the ADHD conversation. Our family already enjoyed their instagram and YouTube content so buying and reading this book was a no brainer. Our plan is to get a hard copy to have in the house for reference and have both of our boys listen to help us all laugh, cry and discuss the highs and lows of ADHD together. Thanks Holderness Fam for all you do and create for families!