ADHD Realities

Welcome to ADHD Realities , the podcast where ADHD and sexuality collide in the most empowering, brain friendly way possible. Hosted by Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex Therapist, and Psychotherapist Dr. Leann Borneman, this space is all about unmasking, unlearning, and unleashing your full neurodivergent self, in and out of the bedroom. We live in a world built for neurotypicals, and that narrative has been bringing you down for way too long. Here, we challenge those norms, call out the shame they create, and replace them with tools and truths that actually work for your beautifully wired brain. If you’ve ever felt like your ADHD made intimacy, communication, or self-worth harder, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. This podcast gives you the full lens, psychological, relational, and sexual, to finally understand your experiences through the ADHD perspective you should’ve had all along. It’s time to stop people pleasing, start permission giving, and take up space, authentically, awkwardly, and unapologetically.. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy or professional support.

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • YouTube
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • iHeartRadio

Episodes

7 days ago

What if the systems we move through every day like school, work, life, were actually built to support the way our brains work, instead of working against us?
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and neurodiversity advocate Dave Thompson to unpack what real inclusion looks like in the workplace. From childhood diagnosis to system level change, Dave shares how his personal and professional experiences collided into a career focused on redesigning the workforce for neurodivergent success.
We talk about:
The emotional complexity of disclosure at work
Why accommodations aren't just for some people—they benefit everyone
How AI tools like ChatGPT can be liberating or limiting depending on who's steering the ship
And how Gen Z is forcing workplaces to finally catch up
This conversation isn’t just about jobs, it’s about dignity, autonomy, and building environments that actually work. Whether you're an ADHDer navigating the 9 to 5, a manager wanting to do better, or someone just tired of masking, this one’s for you.Website
Rebranding The Brain: Neurodiversity at Work | Dave Thompson | TEDxDanville

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025

Ever felt totally in the mood... until your clean skin, mental fatigue, or the idea of grabbing the lube made your brain shut down? In this intimate solo episode, Dr. Leann Borneman dives deep into the real life overlap of ADHD, executive function shutdown, sensory overload, and the confusing disconnect between wanting sex and being able to access it.
This isn’t about low libido, it’s about bandwidth, task sequencing, overstimulation, and the environmental mismatch so many ADHDers face in the bedroom. With raw honesty, relatable humor, and practical strategies, this episode validates the “WTF is happening to me” moments and helps you reframe them with compassion, clarity, and collaboration.
Whether you're a therapist, a partner, or someone with ADHD trying to make sense of your own intimacy patterns, this one is for you.
ADHD Informed Bedroom Check In

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

If sex has ever felt like a confusing chore, a pressure-filled performance, or just… not designed with your brain in mind, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Leann Borneman sits down with bestselling author and sex therapist Dr. Laurie Mintz (📚 Becoming Cliterate, A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex) for a raw, hilarious, and deeply validating convo about orgasms, desire, and a little on how ADHD + sensory differences can shape our sexual experiences.
We tackle:
The orgasm gap and why it’s not your fault
The myth of "foreplay" and why it’s time to rewrite the script
Vibrators, high-vibration receptors, and the neuroscience of pleasure
ADHD overstimulation, sex paralysis, and the magic of planning without pressure
Responsive vs. spontaneous desire—and how most of us were never taught the difference
Whether you’ve faked it, avoided it, or felt broken for not wanting it—this episode flips the script and reminds you: pleasure should work for your brain, not against it.
👉 Listen in and give yourself permission to reimagine sex on your terms.
More information on Dr. Laurie Mintz:Dr. Laurie Mintz is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Florida teaching Human Sexuality to hundreds of undergraduates yearly. She has published over 60 scholarly works and authored two popular press books: Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It  and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex.  Mintz is a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist in private practice. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, indicating her work has had a positive national influence on the field of psychology. In 2023, she was named one of Forbes “50 over 50” women innovators.Dr. Laurie Mintz Contact:
Instagram
Website

Tuesday May 20, 2025

Why does receiving oral feel like work for so many vulva owners with ADHD? This episode unpacks it all: the sensory chaos, the internal monologue that won’t quit, the vulnerability overload, and the executive dysfunction that makes "just enjoy it" feel like a cruel joke.
I dive deep into:
How gender scripts, shame, and ADHD intersect in the bedroom
Why “let go and enjoy” is NOT trauma-informed advice
What overstimulation, masking, and delayed self-awareness look like during oral
Real talk on orgasm grief, communication challenges, and reclaiming your pleasure
If you’ve ever tapped out mid-oral because your nervous system was screaming louder than your partner’s praise, this one’s for you. You are not broken. Your brain just wasn’t designed for the script you’ve been handed.
Content note: This episode contains honest conversation, humor, and a whole lot of validation, but is not a substitute for therapy. Please work with a qualified professional if you're experiencing distress.

Wednesday May 07, 2025

In honor of National Masturbation Month, we're getting real about how self-pleasure, stimulation, and sensory seeking show up in ADHD brains. This isn’t just about orgasms — it’s about regulation, shame, curiosity, and reclaiming your body on your terms. Whether you’re navigating sensory overload, executive dysfunction, or internalized judgment around pleasure, this short episode breaks down why masturbation can be a form of self-care, not self-indulgence.
We’ll unpack the overlap between stimming and sexual touch, how ADHD impacts self-exploration, and why some of us struggle to even initiate solo time. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, disconnected, or unsure of your pleasure patterns, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not broken.
Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only. While it’s hosted by a licensed mental health provider, it is not a substitute for individualized mental health care. Think of it as a sprinkle of support to add to your backpack of knowledge — something to walk with on your journey of self-understanding and empowerment.
Let’s get curious, not critical.
 

Tuesday May 06, 2025

In this hyperfocused, myth-busting deep dive, I’m joined by ADHD nutrition research expert Annika Angelo and we go all in. From sugar cravings and red dye panic to gluten, binge eating, and why sitting down for a full “balanced meal” might be working against our ADHD brains... this episode is packed with science, laughter, and so much validation. We explore: Why people with ADHD crave sugar (and why it’s not a moral failure) What the research actually says about food dyes, gluten, and dairy The real connection between binge eating and ADHD How nutrition is often set up through a neurotypical lens What an ADHD-friendly plate really looks like (spoiler: it’s not just broccoli and discipline) Whether you're a parent feeling food guilt, an adult ADHDer who lives off snacks and vibes, or just someone confused by all the conflicting advice online, this episode will leave you feeling more informed, less judged, and maybe a little mind-blown. 🧠✨ Because ADHD isn’t a discipline problem. It’s a different brain. And we deserve more fitting narratives! Links for Annika: Website - nutrimindcoaching.com Patreon - patreon.com/nutrimindcoach Podcast [The Nutritional Mental Health Podcast] - https://open.spotify.com/show/1OZgEmTw9WO00Xxz5XUuBN

Tuesday Apr 22, 2025

In this episode, I sit down with somatic sexologist Sarah Silverstein to explore therapeutic yoni massage and its connection to ADHD, trauma, body awareness, and pleasure. We dive into what yoni mapping actually is, how it can support nervous system regulation, and why it may be helpful, especially for my fellow ADHDers looking to reconnect with their bodies. ⚠️ Disclaimer: We discuss G-spot stimulation and internal orgasms. If that’s not part of your experience, you are not broken, everyone’s anatomy and pleasure responses are different. Much of this conversation is based on personal and professional experience and is not supported by empirical review outside of the information on message therapy and the positive effects this has. Please listen with curiosity, compassion, and discernment. If this works for you, amazing. If not, that’s okay too.
✨ Topics include: Yoni massage vs. clinical pelvic work ADHD, sensory overwhelm & intimacy Shame, sensuality & self-awareness How to explore pleasure without pressure
🔗 Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahsilverstein
🌐 Learn more & explore workshops: https://sarasil.com
🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes on ADHD, sexuality, and mental health

Saturday Apr 19, 2025

What happens when you mix neuroscience, lived ADHD experience, and zero tolerance for shame? This episode. I sit down with Dr. Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz (neuroscientist, author, and ADHDer) to unpack the chaos of late diagnosis, burnout, identity grief, motivation struggles, and why self-compassion isn't just nice... it's necessary. We’re talking ADHD cycles, why routines feel impossible, the not so sexy truth about sleep, and how to stop hating yourself for having a human brain. If you're tired of “just try harder” advice then this one’s for you. Contact info for Dr. Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/brain.curiosities/ The ADHD User's Manual: https://www.amazon.com/ADHD-Users-Manual-Understanding-Empowerment/dp/8409668696/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1J3RNTJMXZZ4N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uqoe5Wr8kQfU8krtFg8jvNE3CjtWcd1pEIyKOJZ2Kq1A0SQV7k-IvP84ioI9J4fq6o7y984537VPux4JxEgXeuU4N0mMF-LPKV0cUnZQssWVr4q4qAlPFxXfTe6FG0aEPxqdXYdaSILUtzpvyXwJuOjfniyuXJTXrQFXuq9dKzHEzki4iVcYn81Fz-g_cVCHR_xNSqg2FU4N7gAthQ55qUS74Itfw5WWM0Ew9HMDW2Y.UydnfNGdnbDYWEO9oEaKfgNHXQQGcnMwFPDC2ZY5RYM&dib_tag=se&keywords=adhd+users+manual&qid=1743954684&sprefix=adhd+us%2Caps%2C1279&sr=8-1

Saturday Apr 19, 2025

People pleasing isn't just a personality quirk, it can be a deeply ingrained survival strategy, especially for ADHDers who grew up masking, over apologizing, or craving external validation. In this episode, we dive deep into how ADHD impacts people pleasing in the bedroom, where saying "yes" when we mean "maybe" or "no" happens more often than we realize. You'll gain a stronger ADHD informed lens on your sexual and emotional experiences, learn why your brain might default to over-accommodating, and discover practical, shame free ways to reconnect with your desires. We’re talking scripts, boundary setting tools, and communication shifts that actually work with your ADHD brain, instead of against it. This episode is your permission slip to stop abandoning yourself in intimate moments and start showing up authentically, awkwardly, and powerfully.

Saturday Apr 19, 2025

Desire is a powerful force in our intimate lives, and when you add ADHD into the mix, understanding it becomes even more crucial. In this episode, I sit down with Natassia Miller to dive deep into all things desire from what it is, the common misconceptions, and how hormones influence our experiences. We’ll also discuss the role of communication in navigating intimacy and explore creative ways to make playtime more inviting. Whether you have ADHD or love someone who does, this episode is packed with insights to help you better understand and embrace desire in your relationships. For more information on Natassia: IG: https://www.instagram.com/natassiamiller Website: https://www.wonderlust.co Intimacy Deck (Use code LEANN15): https://www.wonderlust.co/intimacy-card-deck Art of Sexual Desire Masterclass: https://www.wonderlust.co/desire-masterclass

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125