{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks ","title":"What ADHD Actually Feels Like: Shira Levine on Medication, Focus, and Self-Acceptance – Ep 123","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2616,"description":"What does ADHD actually feel like in your body and mind?Shira Levine was diagnosed in the 1980s — and describes the moment medication helped her feel grounded for the first time.Shira is a Silicon Valley–trained marketing and customer engagement strategist with decades of experience in retention, loyalty, and community-driven growth. Diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager in the 1980s, she brings a rare long-term perspective on neurodiversity, work, creativity, and self-acceptance.Episode Highlights:00:06:30 — What ADHD feels like in the body Shira describes living with ADHD as walking on pavement covered by a thin layer of water — never fully grounded. Medication didn’t “fix” her, but helped her finally feel present and connected to the world.00:17:20 — Productivity, dragons, and scope creep She explains how neurodivergent people often solve problems that aren’t theirs to solve. Learning when to say no became essential to doing meaningful work.00:18:45 — Ruthless prioritization without shame Shira reframes prioritization not as discipline, but as protection against overwhelm. Seeing too much can be a strength — if boundaries exist.00:29:00 — Why she rejects minimalism Minimalism and rigid productivity systems never worked for her ADHD brain. She gives explicit permission to reject trends that create more shame than clarity.00:30:30 — Fidgets, movement, and regulation From shells to paper clips, Shira explains how keeping her hands busy helps her stay present. Regulation, not stillness, is the goal.00:33:00 — Designing tools for real ADHD lives She describes the need for multidimensional timers that match how neurodivergent people actually multitask. ADHD isn’t a failure of focus — it’s a different operating system.00:35:30 — Night routines and protecting sleep Putting her phone on another floor and reading fiction nightly helped Shira become a “gold medal sleeper.” Structure supports rest, not restriction.00:38:00 — A simple mental exercise for racing thoughts...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QZFZQrtBSDhon7MItX8a5mQvkXQ5KKmI2fe6dyhM72o/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}