Motherhood Unmasked & Unfiltered

Episode 8: That's another ADHD tax

ADHD Tax: The Hidden Cost No One Talks About
Ever bought something…lost it…then bought it again?
Or filled your fridge with “healthy food”only to throw it all out a week later?
Welcome to ADHD tax.
In this episode, Alisha and Rhiannon unpack the very real (and often expensive) ways ADHD shows up in everyday life — from impulse spending and forgotten bills to unused subscriptions, wasted groceries, and hobby graveyards.
It’s funny.It’s painfully relatable.And it’s probably costing you more than you realise.
💡 What We Talk About
What ADHD tax actually is (and why most people don’t realise they’re paying it)
Buying things twice because you lost them
Letting bills go unpaid → then paying fees or fines
Wasting money on groceries you don’t cook
Ordering takeaway when food is already at home
Subscriptions you forgot to cancel
The “I’ll be this person” hobby purchases
Storage units, offices, and unused spaces
Delivery convenience vs saving money
Why autopay is both a saviour and a trap
The cost of needing convenience to function
Decision fatigue and avoidance behaviours
🔑 Key Takeaways
ADHD tax isn’t about being “bad with money” — it’s about how your brain works.
You often spend more to compensate for executive function challenges.
Convenience (like delivery or pre-made food) isn’t laziness — it’s a support strategy.
Avoidance (like not opening mail) can lead to bigger financial consequences.
Subscriptions and systems only work if they match your behaviour — not your intentions.
Awareness helps reduce shame… even if it doesn’t fix everything.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
Women with ADHD (diagnosed or questioning)
Mums feeling overwhelmed by life admin
Anyone who impulse buys or forgets to cancel things
Women trying to “get organised” but struggling
People constantly starting systems… and abandoning them
💬 A Message From This Episode
You’re not lazy.You’re not careless.You’re not “bad with money.”
You’ve just been trying to survive in a systemthat wasn’t designed for your brain.
And sometimes…that comes with a price tag.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow for more real, unfiltered conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
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ADHD in women
Real mum life
Emotional regulation
Overwhelm & identity
Systems that actually work

Episode 7: Enrichment time in my enclosure

ADHD in Real Life: The Chaos, The Humour & The Truth
This episode is not polished.It’s not structured.And honestly… that’s exactly the point.
Because this is what ADHD actually looks like in real life.
From losing essential podcast equipment minutes before recording, to impulse Kmart shopping, overstimulation at family events, rage-driving home for a disappointing soft serve, and late-night dopamine spending spirals… this episode is a raw, funny, and very real glimpse into the everyday chaos of neurodivergent mum life.
Alisha and Rhiannon unpack what happens after overstimulation hits — the coping mechanisms, the habits, the “ADHD tax,” and the ways their brains try to regulate (whether that’s helpful… or not).
They also dive into:
Why eating can feel like “too many steps”
How decision fatigue shows up in parenting
The reality of masking at social events
The difference between accountability vs rebellion
And the constant search for systems that will finally “fix everything”
This episode is messy, relatable, and packed with those “oh my god, I do that too” moments.
💡 What We Talk About
Losing things you just bought (ADHD tax in action)
Impulse spending and dopamine chasing
Overstimulation after social events
“Enrichment time in my enclosure” (aka recovery mode)
Emotional spirals over small things (like ice cream…)
Masking and social exhaustion
Parenting while overstimulated
Why eating feels overwhelming or gets forgotten
Simple “survival food” strategies
The all-or-nothing trap with routines
Public accountability vs PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
Exercise motivation struggles
The obsession with “fixing” life through systems, gadgets & hacks
Trying to build habits that actually work with ADHD
🔑 Key Takeaways
ADHD doesn’t just show up in big ways — it’s in the tiny, everyday moments.
Overstimulation often leads to coping behaviours like spending, overplanning, or avoidance.
“Simple tasks” (like eating or cooking) can feel disproportionately hard.
There is no perfect system — only what works for you in this season.
Awareness doesn’t always change behaviour… but it does create compassion.
You’re not broken — your brain just works differently.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
Mums with ADHD
Women who feel constantly overstimulated
Anyone who impulse shops then regrets it
Women who forget to eat… then crash later
People who feel like life is “chaotic but functional”
Anyone tired of trying to be organised and failing
💬 A Message From This Episode
You’re not the only one doing life like this.
The chaos.The overwhelm.The random bursts of motivation.The “I’ll fix my whole life tomorrow” energy.
It’s not just you.
And maybe…you don’t need fixing as much as you think.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for more real, unfiltered motherhood conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
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Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
ADHD & neurodivergence in women
Late diagnosis
Emotional regulation
Mum life without the filter
Identity, overwhelm & self-trust

Espisode 6: A Unicorn in a world made for horses

In Hindsight: The ADHD Signs We Missed Growing Up
Looking back now… it all makes so much more sense.
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon reflect on the signs of ADHD and neurodivergence that were completely missed growing up — especially as girls.
From constantly rearranging bedrooms and hyperfixating on new ideas, to being labelled “chatty,” daydreaming in class, and leaving everything until the last minute… this episode is a deep dive into the patterns that were always there — just never recognised for what they were.
They talk about the reality of growing up neurodivergent in a time where ADHD was only really associated with “naughty little boys,” and how so many women were overlooked, misunderstood, or forced to mask just to fit in.
This episode is part reflection, part validation — especially if you’ve ever looked back at your childhood and thought:
“How did no one pick this up?”
What We Talk About in This Episode
The ADHD traits that were missed in girls
Why so many women are diagnosed later in life
Constantly rearranging rooms and needing change
Hyperfixation, impulse buying and dopamine chasing
Having a million hobbies (and unfinished projects)
Procrastination and last-minute productivity
Being “chatty” vs being disruptive
Daydreaming, doodling and struggling with traditional learning
Creativity vs the pressure to follow a “proper path”
Perfectionism and fear of not being good enough
Masking, people pleasing and trying to fit in
Identity struggles and not knowing “who you are”
Rejection sensitivity and fear of feedback
Emotional intensity and empathy
Losing things, forgetting things, and mental overload
Parenting neurodivergent children (and reparenting yourself)
Key Takeaways
ADHD in girls often presents very differently — and is easily missed.
Many women grow up masking, people pleasing, and trying to fit into expectations that don’t suit them.
Hyperfixation, impulsive decisions, and constant change are often driven by dopamine needs.
Procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s often how the brain creates urgency to function.
Rejection sensitivity can impact friendships, work, and confidence deeply.
Many of the things you were criticised for growing up… were actually traits of how your brain works.
Understanding this now allows you to show yourself (and your child) more compassion.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women questioning if they might have ADHD
Late-diagnosed ADHD women
Neurodivergent mums
Women reflecting on their childhood experiences
Anyone who felt “different” growing up but couldn’t explain why
Parents noticing similar traits in their children
A Message From This Episode
You weren’t lazy.You weren’t too much.You weren’t disorganised, dramatic, or difficult.
You were navigating a world that didn’t understand your brain.
And now?
You get to understand it for yourself. ✨
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for more relatable content, clips and conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
Subscribe & Follow the Podcast
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:
ADHD in women
Autism in women
Late diagnosis
Neurodivergent motherhood
Emotional regulation
Masking and burnout
Identity, confidence and self-trust
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 5: I just thought I was dramatic

ADHD, Autism & Overstimulation: Why Everything Feels Like Too Much
Why do some days feel completely manageable… and others feel like everything is just too much?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon go deeper into what it actually feels like to live with a neurodivergent brain — from emotional intensity and sensory overwhelm, to decision fatigue, task paralysis, and the invisible load of trying to function in a world that doesn’t quite fit.
They unpack the reality of ADHD and autism in women, including the constant mental noise, the need for clear direction, and why even simple tasks can feel impossible without structure. From needing step-by-step instructions to struggling with transitions, this episode highlights the parts of neurodivergence that often go unseen.
This episode also explores sensory overwhelm and overstimulation, and how things like noise, temperature, clothing, interruptions, and emotional demands can build up to the point where everything feels unbearable — often leading to irritability, shutdown, or feeling like you’re “not yourself.”
You’ll also hear the contrast that so many neurodivergent women experience — being highly capable, organised, and thoughtful in some areas, while struggling with everyday tasks like emails, bills, and follow-through in others.
This is a real, honest conversation about what it feels like to live inside a brain that is constantly processing, analysing, feeling, and juggling… and why that can be both a strength and a challenge.
What We Talk About in This Episode
Emotional intensity and deep empathy
Pattern recognition and being highly observant
ADHD and autism traits in everyday life
Sensory overwhelm and overstimulation
Irritability and emotional dysregulation
Why simple tasks feel overwhelming
Needing clear instructions and structure
Task initiation and executive dysfunction
Decision fatigue and “too many steps”
Being both highly organised and highly chaotic
Emails, admin and avoidance
Transitions and in-between time struggles
Why interruptions feel so hard
Parenting while neurodivergent
Managing your own needs while supporting your child
Key Takeaways
Many neurodivergent women experience deep empathy and emotional intensity, which can be both a strength and a challenge.
Sensory overwhelm isn’t “being dramatic” — it’s your brain processing too much input at once.
Executive dysfunction means even simple tasks can feel impossible without clear steps or structure.
You can be highly organised in some areas of life and completely overwhelmed in others — both can exist at the same time.
Avoidance (like ignoring emails or tasks) is often a response to overwhelm, not laziness.
Understanding how your brain works helps you create systems that actually support you — instead of constantly feeling like you’re failing.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women with ADHD
Women who think they might be neurodivergent
Late diagnosed ADHD or autistic women
Neurodivergent mums
Women who feel overwhelmed by everyday life
Women who struggle with executive dysfunction or task initiation
Women who feel like they are constantly juggling everything
Mothers navigating their own needs alongside their child’s needs
A Message From This Episode
If you’ve ever felt like everything is “just too much” — even when nothing looks that big on the outside — you’re not imagining it.
Your brain is processing more.Feeling more.Holding more.
And that doesn’t make you weak.
It makes you neuro-sparkly. ✨
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and conversations about:
ADHD in women, autism in women, late diagnosis and neurodivergent motherhood
Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
Subscribe & Follow the Podcast
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:
ADHD in women
Autism in women
AuDHD
Late diagnosis
Neurodivergent motherhood
Executive dysfunction
Emotional regulation
Sensory overwhelm
Masking and burnout
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 4: There's nothing wrong with Rhiannon

ADHD, Autism & Late Diagnosis: When One Diagnosis Leads to Another
What happens when an ADHD diagnosis isn’t the full picture?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Rhiannon shares what happened after being diagnosed with ADHD — when medication, self-awareness, and deeper reflection started to reveal something more: autism.
This is an honest conversation about what it’s like to navigate multiple neurodivergent diagnoses as an adult, including the confusion, the validation, and the emotional impact of realising that your brain works differently in more ways than you first thought.
Rhiannon takes us through her autism diagnosis process, what the assessment actually involves, and the moment she received confirmation — despite already “knowing.” She also shares how years of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or gaslit made that moment both validating and overwhelming.
This episode also explores the overlap between ADHD and autism (AuDHD), including shared traits like sensory sensitivities, executive dysfunction, emotional regulation challenges, and hyperfocus — and why it can be so hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your ADHD diagnosis explains everything — or if there might be more to your experience — this episode will resonate.
What We Talk About in This Episode
What happens after an ADHD diagnosis
Realising there may be more than just ADHD
The process of getting an autism diagnosis as an adult
Differences between psychiatrists and psychologists in diagnosis
Masking and why autism is often missed in women
Being dismissed or gaslit by professionals and others
Sensory sensitivities (sleep, touch, environment)
Stimming and self-soothing behaviours
The emotional impact of receiving a second diagnosis
Grief vs validation in late diagnosis
ADHD vs autism vs AuDHD
Hyperfocus vs special interests
How neurodivergent brains show love, care and support differently
Key Takeaways
Many women receive an ADHD diagnosis first, only to later realise they may also be autistic (AuDHD).
Autism in women often looks very different from stereotypes, which is why it is frequently missed or dismissed.
Diagnosis can be both validating and confronting — bringing clarity, but also grief for years spent struggling without answers.
Sensory needs, stimming, and routines are not “quirks” — they are important ways neurodivergent individuals regulate themselves.
There is significant overlap between ADHD and autism, and many people experience both (AuDHD).
Understanding your brain allows you to support yourself better and build a life that works for you.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women with ADHD
Women who think they might also be autistic
Late diagnosed ADHD or autistic women
Neurodivergent mums
Women exploring AuDHD (ADHD + autism)
Women who feel like ADHD doesn’t fully explain their experience
Women who have been dismissed, misunderstood or misdiagnosed
Women wanting to better understand their brain
A Message From This Episode
If something in this episode resonates, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.
It might just mean you’re starting to understand yourself.
You are not “too much.”You are not “too sensitive.”You are not broken.
You might just be neuro-sparkly — in more ways than you realised.
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and conversations about:
ADHD in women, autism in women, late diagnosis and neurodivergent motherhood
Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
Subscribe & Follow the Podcast
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:
ADHD in women
Autism in women
AuDHD (ADHD + autism)
Late diagnosis
Neurodivergent motherhood
Executive dysfunction
Emotional regulation
Sensory overwhelm
Masking and burnout
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 3: Fuck off Bruno

ADHD in Women: Alisha's Diagnosis Story, Late Diagnosis & Why Everything Finally Made Sense
What happens when you start to realise that the way your brain works might not be the way everyone else’s does?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha shares her ADHD diagnosis story — how she first started recognising the signs, what made her look into it, and why so many ADHD traits in women are missed for years.
For a long time, ADHD was seen as something that affected “naughty boys,” which meant many women grew up thinking they were disorganised, emotional, messy, overwhelmed, or just not very good at life — instead of realising their brain simply worked differently.
This episode explores what ADHD can actually look like in girls and women, why so many women are diagnosed later in life, and how getting a diagnosis can be confronting — but also incredibly freeing.
Because once you understand your brain, you can start to build a life that works for you instead of constantly trying to force yourself into a life that doesn’t.
What We Talk About in This Episode
Alisha’s ADHD diagnosis story
ADHD in girls vs ADHD in boys
Why ADHD is often missed in women
Masking and coping strategies
The corporate world and why it didn’t fit
Feeling like you’re failing at things other people find easy
The relief and grief that can come with diagnosis
Letting go of things you think you “should” be good at
Learning to work with your brain instead of against it
Showing yourself more compassion once you understand your brain
Key Takeaways
Many women grow up thinking something is wrong with them, when actually their brain just works differently.
ADHD in women often looks like overwhelm, emotional sensitivity, disorganisation, masking, and burnout — not the stereotype people expect.
A diagnosis can be confronting, but it can also help you understand yourself and be kinder to yourself.
Once you understand how your brain works, you can start to “life hack” your brain and improve your quality of life.
You don’t have to do things the way everyone else does — you can find ways that work for you and your life.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women who think they might have ADHD
Women who were diagnosed with ADHD later in life
Women who feel overwhelmed by everyday life
Women who feel like they are “failing” at things that seem easy for everyone else
Neurodivergent mums
Women who feel like the corporate world or traditional work environments didn’t fit them
Women who are trying to understand their brain and how to make life easier
A Message From This Episode
If something you hear in this episode resonates with you, it might just mean you’ve found your people.
You’re not broken.You’re not lazy.You’re not failing.
You might just have a different kind of brain — and once you understand it, everything can start to make a lot more sense.
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and discussions about:
ADHD in women, autism in women, late diagnosis and neurodivergent motherhood
Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
Subscribe & Follow the Podcast
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:
ADHD in women
Autism in women
Late diagnosis
Neurodivergent motherhood
Executive dysfunction
Emotional regulation
Sensory overwhelm
Masking and burnout
New episodes released weekly.

Episode 2: More side quests than Snoop Dog at the Olympics

More Side Quests Than Snoop Dogg at the Olympics | ADHD, Autism & Late Diagnosis in Women
What happens when you finally get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult… and then realise that might not be the whole story?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon talk about what happened after Rhiannon was diagnosed with ADHD, started medication, and began to understand her brain for the first time — and how that led to a second diagnosis: autism.
They talk about the things they thought were personality flaws — being messy, over-explaining, struggling to start tasks, hyper-focusing on the wrong things, sensory sensitivities — and how many of these were actually signs of neurodivergence, not personal failure.
This episode explores what it feels like to be late diagnosed with ADHD, how medication can change how your brain works, and why understanding your brain can allow you to be kinder to yourself and build a life that actually works for you instead of constantly trying to fit into what you think you “should” be doing.
You’ll also hear why ADHD medication without a plan can send you on “side quests” — where you become extremely productive, just not on the thing you were meant to be doing.
This is an honest conversation about ADHD in women, autism in women, sensory issues, executive dysfunction, hyperfocus, masking, and learning to work with your brain instead of against it.
What We Talk About in This Episode
Late diagnosis of ADHD in women
Starting ADHD medication and what changed
Why medication can make autism traits more noticeable
ADHD masking and autism masking
Sensory sensitivities (sleep, clothing, hair, environment)
Executive dysfunction and task paralysis
Hyperfocus and productivity (on the wrong things)
Over-explaining and communication habits
Forgetting basic needs like eating or going to the toilet
Learning to “life hack” your brain
Being kinder to yourself after diagnosis
Letting go of things you think you “should” be doing
Redefining what being a “good mum” actually means
Key Takeaways
Many women grow up thinking they are lazy, messy, dramatic, disorganised or “too much” — when they are actually neurodivergent.
ADHD medication can help focus, but you still need a plan or you’ll go on productivity side quests.
Sensory issues are not “being difficult” — they are real neurological needs.
Executive dysfunction is not laziness — it’s difficulty starting tasks even when you want to do them.
Understanding your brain allows you to build systems and life hacks that improve your quality of life.
You don’t have to do things the way everyone else does — you can find ways that work for your brain and your life.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women with ADHD
Women who think they might have ADHD
Late diagnosed ADHD women
Women with AuDHD (ADHD and autism)
Neurodivergent mums
Women who struggle with executive dysfunction
Women who feel overwhelmed by the mental load of motherhood
Women who feel like they are always busy but never finishing the right things
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and discussions about ADHD in women and neurodivergent motherhood:
Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
Subscribe & Follow the Podcast
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:
ADHD in women
Autism in women
Late diagnosis
Neurodivergent motherhood
Executive dysfunction
Emotional regulation
Sensory overwhelm
Masking and burnout
New episodes released weekly.

Episode 1: Brave enough, dumb enough

Episode 1: Welcome to the Chaos — ADHD, Late Diagnosis & Neurodivergent Motherhood
 
Why do so many women only discover they have ADHD after becoming mothers?
 
In the first episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, hosts Rhiannon (Sydney) and Alisha (Melbourne) introduce themselves and share why they started this podcast for neurodivergent mums.
 
Both women were late diagnosed with ADHD, and like many women, motherhood was the moment everything changed. The coping strategies, masking, and systems that once helped them function suddenly stopped working under the pressure of parenting, emotional labour, and the invisible mental load that comes with raising children.
 
This podcast was created for mothers who feel like their brains never switch off, who struggle with overwhelm, emotional intensity, time blindness, and the constant feeling that everyone else seems to be coping better.
 
In this episode, Rhiannon and Alisha open the conversation about what it really feels like to parent with a neurodivergent brain. Expect humour, honesty, relatable stories, and the reassurance that if your brain feels different, you are far from alone.
 
If you are a mum with ADHD, think you might be neurodivergent, or simply feel like your mind is constantly juggling twelve tabs at once, this podcast is for you.
 
What We Talk About in This Episode
• Why ADHD in women is often missed until adulthood
• Why so many women discover they are neurodivergent after becoming mothers
• Masking, coping strategies and the pressure to appear “together”
• The invisible mental load of motherhood
• Emotional intensity, overwhelm and executive dysfunction
• What it means to be a late diagnosed ADHD mum
• Why conversations about neurodivergent motherhood matter
 
Who This Podcast Is For
 
This podcast is for:
Mothers with ADHD
Women who suspect they may be neurodivergent
Late diagnosed ADHD women
Mums struggling with the mental load of parenting
Women navigating overwhelm, emotional regulation and executive dysfunction
Anyone who has ever wondered why motherhood feels harder than expected
 
About the Hosts
Rhiannon is based in Sydney and Alisha in Melbourne. Both are mums who discovered later in life that their brains work differently.
 
Together they created Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered to talk openly about ADHD, neurodivergence, parenting, and the messy reality of motherhood — without pretending everything is perfectly under control.
 
This podcast is honest, funny, relatable, and created for mothers who have spent years feeling like they are the only ones struggling.
 
Follow & Connect
Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, discussions and upcoming episodes.
 
Instagram - @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
 
Subscribe - If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss future conversations about:
ADHD in women
Neurodivergent motherhood
Mental load
Emotional regulation
Late diagnosis
Parenting with ADHD.
 
New episodes released weekly.