Real talk for ADHD minds in leadership. No fluff—just bold insights, better tools, and permission to lead your way.
"The biggest thing I’ve learned? Podcasting is a long game."
Today Cathy Rashidian, the creator of Refined Leadership - ADHD Lens share her story of careers podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
I’m Cathy Rashidian—Executive Coach, ADHD specialist, and host of Refined Leadership: ADHD Lens. After two decades in corporate leadership at TELUS and Deloitte Canada, I hit a breaking point. What looked like burnout was actually something deeper: years of masking, over-functioning, and trying to lead in ways that didn’t work for my ADHD brain. That experience pushed me to reinvent not just how I work, but how I lead—and I now help others do the same.
This podcast is for high-achieving professionals with ADHD who are tired of one-size-fits-all advice. I created it because leadership is already hard—and doing it while managing an ADHD brain adds a whole other layer of complexity that most leadership content ignores.
Refined Leadership: ADHD Lens isn’t about hacks or surface-level tips. It’s candid, paradigm-shifting conversations and solo episodes that offer relief, clarity, and real tools for professionals who’ve tried everything and still feel like they’re falling short.
My listeners are emerging leaders, managers, and executives—many in fast-paced industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and media—who are navigating big roles while wrestling with ADHD dynamics behind the scenes. Some are newly diagnosed, others have known for years, but most share a common thread: they’re capable, driven, and quietly exhausted from trying to keep up.
This show is here to flip the script—from proving to aligning, from burnout to rhythm, from default mode to deliberate leadership. Whether they’re commuting, prepping for a tough meeting, or decompressing after a long day, I want listeners to walk away feeling seen—and equipped.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started this podcast because the conversations I was having behind closed doors—in coaching sessions with high-performing professionals—weren’t happening publicly. These were smart, capable leaders with ADHD who were silently struggling, not because they lacked skill, but because the systems around them weren’t built for how their brains actually work. And most of the leadership podcasts out there? They just didn’t speak to that reality.
I’m a longtime podcast listener myself. I love the intimacy of audio—it feels like sitting across from someone in a real conversation. That’s the energy I wanted to create. No fluff, no gimmicks. Just honest talk about the stuff professionals with ADHD think about but rarely say out loud—like masking, burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressure to “just be more consistent.”
My goal from day one was simple: create a space where high performers with ADHD could hear the truth, feel less alone, and learn how to lead in a way that’s actually sustainable. Not performative. Not rigid. Something that aligns with their values, energy, and actual lived experience.
Over time, the podcast became more than just a platform—it became a container for clarity. A place to plant the seeds of new thinking, new choices, and new leadership models. And honestly, it’s still one of my favorite ways to connect with my audience. The feedback I get is often, “I didn’t even know I needed to hear that.” That’s how I know I’m on the right track.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Like most ADHD entrepreneurs, I didn’t exactly “find” the time—I made the time when the message felt too important to keep on the back burner.
At the time I launched the podcast, I was running a full-time executive coaching business and mentoring other ADHD coaches. But I kept hearing the same thing from clients and peers: “You need to say this out loud. People need to hear this.” So I treated the podcast like an extension of my coaching—part thought leadership, part service, part advocacy.
Episodes come out in seasons rather than weekly drops. That’s intentional. It gives me time to go deep, be strategic, and avoid the content treadmill that often burns creators out (especially those of us with ADHD). Most solo episodes take a few hours to script, record, and prep for editing. Interview episodes take longer, but they’re worth the extra effort for the depth of insight they bring.
As for funding—yes, I self-fund everything. I use podcast hosting tools, freelance editors when needed, and repurpose episodes for LinkedIn or YouTube. The investment isn’t massive, but the return in terms of reach, connection, and resonance is huge. The podcast builds trust before people ever book a discovery call with me. It’s a long game—but one that aligns with how I want to show up: honest, generous, and clear.
Bottom line: I don’t create on a rigid schedule. I create when there’s something worth saying—and I’ve built my business in a way that allows for that rhythm.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Podcasting has been a game-changer for my business and impact. It builds trust before someone ever books a call with me. Many clients say, “I found you through the podcast—and I felt like you got me.”
I haven’t taken sponsorship yet. I self-fund and use it as a way to serve my niche: high-performing professionals with ADHD. It’s a focused audience, not massive in numbers, but highly engaged—and that’s what matters to me.
Beyond business, the podcast has expanded my network, sharpened my thinking, and created space for honest conversations that even I needed to hear.
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
I keep my process simple and ADHD-friendly.
I record using a Rode mic and Zoom, then clean up the audio in Descript. I either edit it myself or hand it off to a freelance editor when I’m busy. The goal is clarity, not perfection.
Guest interviews happen on Zoom. I keep it conversational—no overproduced scripts. I choose guests who bring depth, not just credentials. Many come from my coaching network or are leaders I genuinely admire and want to learn from.
For solo episodes, I map out a few bullet points or story beats, then speak from the heart. If it doesn’t feel real or useful, I don’t hit publish.
The process is lean on purpose—it lets me stay consistent without burning out.
► How do you market your show?
Most of my listeners come through Apple Podcasts and Spotify, often after seeing my content on LinkedIn or hearing me speak at events. I don’t rely on ads—I rely on resonance. When people hear something that feels real and useful, they share it.
LinkedIn is my strongest marketing channel. That’s where my audience already is: high-performing professionals in fast-paced industries. I also use email to share new episodes with my list and sometimes repurpose episodes into short YouTube clips or newsletters.
I focus more on connection than conversion. If an episode hits the right nerve, it travels.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Start messy. Perfection will kill your momentum. You don’t need fancy gear or a huge launch plan—just something worth saying and a clear voice to say it with.
The biggest thing I’ve learned? Podcasting is a long game. You won’t see instant results, and that’s okay. The people who need it will find it—if you keep showing up with honesty and value.
Also: create a process that works with your brain, not against it. Especially if you’re neurodivergent, consistency doesn’t have to mean weekly. It can mean intentional.
In terms of resources, I’ve learned more by doing than by reading. But Descript for editing and Podpage for a quick website are helpful tools. And honestly? Listening to shows that don’t sound like yours can give you the best creative edge.
Your podcast doesn’t have to sound like everyone else’s. It just has to sound like you.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can learn more about me and my work at www.readysetchoose.com.
Podcast: Refined Leadership: ADHD Lens – available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms
Website: www.readysetchoose.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cathyrashidian
YouTube: @cathyrashidian
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