What happens when three ADHD founders try to optimize their way out of their own dopamine-seeking behavior? In this episode, Marie, Sharon, and Jesse start with iPhone automations designed to help them focus—then inevitably spiral into discussions about minimal phones, grayscale screens, monetization strategies, and why we keep building systems we immediately override. From the promise of productivity hacks to the reality of toggling them off minutes later, this conversation explores the beautiful contradiction of ADHD entrepreneurship: we're excellent at creating solutions, just not always at using them. Plus: why referral programs are harder than they should be, and the eternal question of whether to build or buy.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders

Follow us on social media:
• This podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In today's episode, Jesse and Sharon discuss exciting update for Wave Pal and Shelpful, then we present their discussion from Shimmer's ADHD Growth Summit. There so much to learn from this episode!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders

Follow us on social media:
• This podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

Three ADHD entrepreneurs dive into the emotional rollercoaster of building startups, from the euphoria of landing your first unknown customer to the challenge of celebrating wins when you're wired to immediately focus on the next mountain to climb. Jesse shares his breakthrough moment with WavePal, while Sharon prepares for Shelpful's app store launch and Marie gets reinvigorated at a Stripe founder event. The conversation explores why people with ADHD struggle with goal-setting and celebrating milestones, plus practical strategies for time awareness, physical reminders, and creating sustainable habits when your brain works differently.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adhd_founders

Follow us on social media:
• This podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

Jesse, Marie, and Sharon check in on their accountability goals while navigating the realities of building apps with ADHD. The conversation covers everything from App Store submission challenges and user onboarding insights to the mental weight of incomplete tasks. They also explore practical ADHD strategies, discuss when it's okay to accept help from partners, and share what they're learning from early user feedback. .

Follow us on social media:
• This podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

Jesse, Marie, and Sharon share what it really feels like to juggle ADHD, early-stage startups, and the pressure to stay visible online. They talk through the messy middle — app bugs, audience feedback, life interruptions — and the small wins that keep them moving forward.

Follow us on social media:
• this podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Check out Wavepal: wavepal.app
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

Jesse and Sharon sit down with Lydia Swift, Sharon’s co-founder at Shelpful, to talk about starting a company with a decades-long friend, the whirlwind of launching during COVID, and how the ADHD community shaped their product’s direction. Lydia opens up about living in the “squishy middle” of ADHD (relating to nearly every trait without a formal diagnosis) and the hurdles of self-advocacy in the medical system. Together they swap stories about friendship, entrepreneurship, pivots, and building tools that make life a little easier for brains that work differently.

Follow us on social media:
• this podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon dive into the complex relationship between ADHD, sleep, and streak-based motivation. From the highs and crashes of productivity apps to the shame spiral of missed days, they unpack how self-tracking tools like the Oura Ring can both help and harm. They also explore revenge bedtime procrastination, night owl tendencies, and how ADHD often intersects with insomnia and time blindness.

Plus, a real-life look behind the scenes of each host’s business, from community building and monetizing digital products to the emotional highs and lows of founder life. This one’s full of insight, laughter, and the kind of real talk that makes you feel less alone on the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.

Follow us on social media:
• this podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com

In this episode of ADHD Founders, Jesse, Marie, and Sharon unpack how energy-draining conversations, negative feedback, and reactivity can derail an ADHD entrepreneur’s entire day. They explore the difference between venting and vibe-killing, the power of structuring your day around creative flow, and how AI (or even Zapier!) can help you protect your dopamine. Plus: hilarious background setup fails, the ultimate customer sentiment filter, and one surprisingly perfect question for identifying your ideal user. This one’s for every founder who’s ever answered emails in their workout clothes without working out.

Follow us on social media:
• this podcast: @adhd_founders
• Jesse – @adhdjesse
• Marie – @llamalifeco
• Sharon – @shelpful

Subscribe for free to Jesse’s Extra Focus newsletter: extrafocus.com
Check out Llama Life: llamalife.co
Check out Shelpful: shelpful.com