Join Shane Thrapp of Creating Order From Chaos and Braden Young of Empower ADHD Solutions as we dig into masking—the pressure to perform a version of yourself that isn't really you to hide your ADHD or Autism. We talk about where masking starts (the "be a man" messages, the bootstrap CEO myth), how it shows up in our relationships and kills intimacy, and why we accidentally teach our kids to mask when we do it ourselves.

Learn about the difference between strategic masking and masking out of fear, how to unmask safely with your partner without dropping it all at once, and why naming what's happening ("Dad's brain is having a loud day") teaches your kids more about emotional regulation than "I'm fine" ever will.

Don't miss our conversation on how masking hits boys and girls differently, why emotions like sadness and overwhelm aren't "soft"—they're human, and how to break the cycle so your kids don't spend decades hiding who they are.

You can find Shane Thrapp at www.creatingorderfromchaos.com

You can find Braden Young at www.empoweradhdsolutions.com

Join Shane Thrapp and Braden Young as they interview Brendan Mahan from ADHD Essentials. Brendan, the author of the upcoming book 'Overcoming The Wall of Awful,' shares his experiences of raising 17-year-old twins, the complexities of his childhood, and how they inform his parenting. The conversation covers fatherhood, ADHD strategies, the influence of upbringing, and key insights into maintaining a balanced family life while managing neurodivergence. Don’t miss Brendan's advice on fostering trust, effective communication, and navigating the challenges of OCD. You can find Shane Thrapp at www.creatingorderfromchaos.com

You can find Braden Young at www.empoweradhdsolutions.com

Join Shane Thrapp of Creating Order From Chaos and Braden Young of Empower ADHD Solutions as they break down why the traditional "walk it off" mentality fails neurodivergent kids—and what actual resilience looks like. Through a real story about Braden handling his autistic son's scraped knee at school, they explain the difference between teaching resilience and teaching kids to mask their needs. This episode challenges fathers to show up emotionally, not just provide, and offers concrete strategies for co-regulation that work with neurodivergent brains instead of against them.

You can find Shane Thrapp at www.creatingorderfromchaos.com

You can find Braden Young at www.empoweradhdsolutions.com

00:25 A Personal Story: Handling a School Incident

02:53 The Impact of Traditional Toughness on Neurodivergent Kids

05:35 Understanding Sensory Overload

07:24 The Importance of Co-Regulation

10:00 Breaking the Cycle: Emotional Support from Dads

16:10 Reality Check: Imperfection is Okay

20:35 Challenge for Dads: Breaking the Trauma Cycle

Join Shane Thrapp of Creating Order From Chaos Consulting and Braden Young of Empower ADHD Solutions as they discuss the phenomenon of afterschool restraint collapse. Learn about the challenges faced by both neurotypical and neurodivergent children, the impact on parents, and why co-regulation is essential. Discover practical strategies for managing stress and fostering a supportive family environment. Tune in for expert insights into building routines that accommodate the needs of every family member.

You can find Shane Thrapp at www.creatingorderfromchaos.com You can find Braden Young at www.empoweradhdsolutions.com

00:00 Introduction: The Chaos After Work

01:24 Understanding Afterschool Restraint Collapse

03:40 The Reality for Parents

06:12 What Doesn't Work: Managing Afterschool Restraint Collapse

07:27 Effective Co-Regulation Strategies

10:43 Practical Strategies for Daily Life

15:36 Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle

Join Braden Young of Empower ADHD Solutions as he discusses a recent study from Washington University in St. Louis that reveals surprising findings about the effects of stimulant ADHD medications. The study examines how stimulant ADHD medications affect brain activity differently than previously believed. Key findings include the role of stimulants in enhancing arousal, wakefulness, and reward centers, rather than directly improving attention. The discussion also explores the implications for sleep hygiene and its connection to ADHD symptoms, and Braden talks about the necessity of sufficient sleep for children with ADHD.

Check out the study from Washington University in St. Louis here: https://medicine.washu.edu/news/stimulant-adhd-medications-work-differently-than-thought/

For more information about Braden Young check out his website at: www.empoweradhdsolutions.com For more information about Shane Thrapp check out his website at: www.creatingorderfromchaos.com

Join Shane Thrapp of Creating Order From Chaos Consulting and Braden Young of Empower ADHD Solutions for our first official episode of The DadDHD Podcast. We talk candidly about our personal histories and our fathers, our experiences as fathers with ADHD and autism, our neurodivergent kids, and why we started this podcast. Learn about effective parenting strategies for fathers, advocating for your kids at school and with family, and setting routines that work for neurodivergent children. Don’t miss our tips on using timers for smooth transitions and the importance of co-regulation.

You can find Shane Thrapp at www.creatingorderfromchaos.com, and you can find Braden Young at www.empoweradhdsolutions.com.

00:00 Introduction to The DadDHD Podcast

01:17 Personal Stories of Fatherhood

06:15 Challenges and Strategies in Parenting Neurodivergent Kids

14:47 Advocating for Neurodivergent Kids at School

26:18 Effective Routines and Transitions for Kids

33:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome to The DadDHD Podcast. This is where we start.

We're Shane Thrapp and Braden Young—two certified ADHD life coaches and neurodivergent dads who are tired of parenting advice that assumes everyone has a neurotypical brain. There's a massive gap between research and what actually helps you at 3 AM when your kid won't sleep and your brain won't shut up. We're here to bridge that gap.

In this episode, we introduce ourselves, explain why this podcast exists, and lay out what you can expect. We're talking practical strategies, no misinformation, no "just try harder" BS. Just real help for dads navigating ADHD, autism, and related conditions—whether that's you, your kids, or both.

We break down what each episode will cover: research news, deep dives on parenting strategies and spousal relationships, and interviews with experts who actually know their stuff. Our goal is simple—help you understand yourself better so you can help your kids better, and stop the cycle of misunderstanding and shame.

This is for dads who need resources that don't exist yet. Let's build this together. You can check Shane out at Creating Order From Chaos And you can find Braden at Empower ADHD Solutions!