Hormones, ADHD, and Perimenopause: Brain Fog, PMS/PMDD, and Practical Support with Dr. Fionnuala Barton

Have you ever found yourself relentlessly pushing for perfection and performance, only to end up exhausted, sick, or feeling disconnected from what actually matters? When we are ambitious and driven, it’s easy to fall into the trap of "push culture" — mistaking scattered busyness for meaningful success. Many women, especially those balancing career, family, and high expectations, try to hold it all together until their bodies give them an unmistakable signal to stop. In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Best — award-winning keynote speaker, therapist, coach, founder of the Human Connection Company, and bestselling author of Big Impact Without Burnout. Together, we unpack how to move away from performative productivity and step into grounded, intentional choices that allow you to achieve big impact without sacrificing your well-being. In this episode, we cover:

Have you ever wondered if your increasing brain fog, emotional swings, or memory struggles are down to ADHD, perimenopause, or both? When sex hormones fluctuate in midlife, the impact on neurodivergent brains can feel like a sudden, overwhelming loss of control. Yet, because of a lack of female-focused research and short appointment times, women are frequently passed between specialists without anyone connecting the dots between their brain health, hormones, and mental well-being. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Helen Wall — NHS GP partner, BMS-registered menopause specialist, BBC Breakfast resident doctor, and bestselling author of Menopause and ADHD. Together, we unpack the neurobiology behind estrogen and brain chemical messengers, how to advocate for yourself at the GP, and why treating midlife neurodivergence requires a compassionate, personalized approach. In this episode, we cover:

What happens when the version of motherhood you thought you’d be brilliant at… completely breaks you? In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, I’m joined by Cat Sims – aka Not So Smug Now on Instagram – for a very honest conversation about ADHD, motherhood struggles, perfectionism, postnatal depression, addiction and sobriety – and the power of knowing you’re not the only one. Cat shares how becoming a mother collided with a lifetime of achievement and perfectionist expectations. When motherhood didn’t look or feel the way she thought it would, she was left feeling like she was failing at the one thing women are so often told should come naturally to them. She talks openly about her experience of undiagnosed postnatal depression, suicidal thoughts, and how what had once been a “party girl” lifestyle escalated into alcoholism and addiction - and what the turning point was into now being five years sober. We talk about what recovery has taught Cat about shame, vulnerability and connection – and why sharing the messy parts of our stories can help other women realise they’re not alone. We also get into ADHD, rejection sensitivity (RSD), perimenopause and the exhausting pressure to hold everything together. Cat shares how criticism can feel intensely painful, why isolation can become a way of protecting ourselves from rejection, and what she’s learned about doing the opposite: reaching out, being rigorously honest and asking for help even when every part of you wants to hide. We explore:

Do you ever find yourself putting off the dentist—or feeling secretly ashamed about how hard it can be to stick to basic dental care? When you have ADHD, a busy brain, or you're navigating life stress, grief, or burnout, keeping up with personal hygiene and self-care routines like brushing or flossing can feel almost impossible. The executive functioning load of booking appointments, remembering routines, and facing the fear of being "told off" creates a huge barrier to looking after our teeth. In this solo episode, I get vulnerable about my own recent struggles with dental hygiene following a period of personal grief, sharing practical ways to reduce friction, eliminate shame, and prioritize your health without judgment. In this episode we explore:

When two ADHD experts get together to talk about neurodivergence, we can skip the basics and go so much deeper. In this episode, I'm joined by Kate Moryoussef — ADHD coach, EFT practitioner, author of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, and host of the ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast — to explore what it really takes to navigate life as a late-identified neurodivergent woman. We dive into the complex reality of managing your capacity, navigating perimenopause alongside ADHD, unlearning lifelong perfectionism, and why true well-being goes far beyond quick social media hacks. Kate shares openly about her own lived experience, the reality of post-event energy crashes, and how she builds a supportive ecosystem to burn bright without burning out. In this episode, we cover: