Why I Started the Even The Dog Has ADHD Podcast

What sparked the idea

As a child, I was taken to see my first James Bond movie, Moonraker, at Leicester Square in London. My godfather, who had intended to take me to the ballet but couldn’t due to an accident, made a last-minute switch to the cinema. I vividly remember walking out of the theatre and thinking, “I want to be James Bond when I grow up.”

Alongside Bond, Florence Nightingale was my other icon, and still is. I didn’t join the secret service, though I did consider jobs in Cheltenham after scraping through my degree. I was told all through my childhood and career that I could never be a spy because I was “too loud, too much,” and that narrative stuck with me for years. While I had wonderful colleagues and supportive, outside-the-box bosses who positively shaped my outlook, I often felt crushed by office politics and found myself disassociating towards the end of my corporate life.

Now, I have the freedom to fully embrace my creativity and support others on their own journeys of self-discovery. I share this Bond story because I recently joined Lauren Currie OBE Visibility Bond initiative, which invites us to share a win we’re proud of. In many ways, I’m now living that childhood dream, not as a spy, but as my own kind of Bond: shaken, and yes, a bit stirred. That’s what led me to create the Even The Dog Has ADHD podcast and embrace the power of storytelling.

What I learned

Through the stories shared with me, I learned that the experiences of neurodivergent families are incredibly varied and deeply human. One person shared how they grew up with an undiagnosed mother and advocated for their younger brother to get a diagnosis and support. Another story came from a highly academic family whose child didn’t meet the expected grades for entrance into the private schools they had hoped for. I also heard from someone who, after seeking support for OCD, discovered that ADHD ran through their entire family. One family discussed the challenges of supporting a child with significant additional needs while also raising a child without any, and how this led to a career centred around compassion and education, raising awareness about neurodiversity. There was also the story of someone who had been labelled “nice but not bright” in primary school, yet went on to achieve great academic success and become an entrepreneur. Lastly, I heard from a young couple who embraced each other’s neurodivergent traits, celebrating each other as whole individuals.

How it may help others

With Even The Dog Has ADHD, I hope to offer others the same sense of connection and encouragement that these stories gave me. The podcast shares real-life experiences of living with neurodivergent minds, highlighting the beauty and strength in the midst of challenges.

It’s also a platform for others to share their own experiences. Some people record their stories on the podcast, while others submit them in writing on the website. Everyone has a story, and sharing it can be a healing process, not just for the person telling it, but for those who listen or read it.

Recording the podcast has been a personal journey, too. It’s helped me unmask, see myself more clearly, and embrace my voice. It’s also led me to train as a life coach, working with adults diagnosed later in life and with women navigating their roles, relationships, and faith.

As I continue this work and develop another podcast, Breaking Bread, exploring women’s voices within a faith context, I remain committed to the power of storytelling. Sharing stories, whether through podcasts, blogs, or conversations, can spark understanding, create connection, and remind us all that we’re not alone.

To anyone reading this: your story matters. If you’re ready to share it, I’d love to hear from you, whether as part of the podcast or in another way. Stories have the power to heal and connect. They’ve done that for me, and I hope they can do the same for you.