ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator
ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator

ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator

Steve August

Overview
Episodes

Details

You’re an entrepreneur with ADHD. You’ve got big ideas, a fast brain… and a to-do list that’s longer than a CVS receipt. You’re driven—but staying focused, finishing what you start, and scaling your business? That can feel impossible. Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Hosted by Steve August—ADHD coach, founder, and lifelong entrepreneur. Steve ha's built and exited companies, served as CMO of a $100 million business. Late diagnosed with ADHD at age 54, Steve now helps ADHD entrepreneurs get out of overwhelm find their focus and create freedom. This podcast is your go-to resource for building a business that works with your ADHD brain, not against it. We’re talking " brain-first" practical strategies to help you prioritize, start focus and finish, and sustain over time so you can reap the rewards of your brilliance. If you've ever felt like traditional business success advice wasn’t made for how your brain works, this show proves there's a different path. One built not in spite of your brain - but because of it. You’ll hear real stories from founders who are growing businesses without burning out… and we’ll keep it simple, actionable, and ADHD-friendly every step of the way. So if you’re ready to grow your business, feel free, and finally say… ‘Not now, squirrels. We’ve got work to do.’ Hit subscribe. Let’s go!

Recent Episodes

The Loneliness Nobody Talks About - When You’re Neurodivergent
MAR 26, 2026
The Loneliness Nobody Talks About - When You’re Neurodivergent
🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/the-lone-linessnobody-talks-about  ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, shares a personal reflection on the loneliness that can come with being a neurodivergent entrepreneur in a neurotypical world. He explains how masking, isolation, and mental overload can drain energy and create disconnection. Steve highlights the importance of finding supportive communities where you can be yourself, co-regulate, and feel understood. This episode offers a simple reminder that you are not alone and that being around people who share your experience can improve both well-being and focus. Steve explores the feeling of loneliness that many ADHD and neurodivergent individuals experience while living in a neurotypical world. He explains how constantly masking and trying to fit in can be exhausting and lead to isolation. Steve also shares how ADHD brains often withdraw to manage mental overload, which can create a cycle of disconnection. He encourages listeners to seek out supportive communities where they can drop the mask, feel understood, and connect with others who share similar experiences. The focus is on reducing isolation, improving emotional balance, and creating space for better focus and well-being. Key Takeaways: You Are Not Alone: Feeling isolated as a neurodivergent person is common. Drop the Mask: Being yourself around the right people reduces stress. Find Your People: Supportive groups help you feel understood and improve focus. Additional Insights: Masking Takes Energy: Constantly trying to fit in can be mentally draining. Isolation Can Grow: Withdrawing to manage overload can increase loneliness. Co-Regulation Helps: Being around similar minds can improve calm and focus. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Being a neurodivergent individual, living in a neurotypical world can be lonely.” - Steve August “We are always putting on the mask.” - Steve August “You are not alone, and there are places you can go to where people catch you.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he shares a personal reflection on the loneliness many ADHD and neurodivergent entrepreneurs experience. Learn how masking and isolation can drain your energy and make it harder to stay connected. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - The Loneliness of a Neurodivergent World [01:37] - The Cost of Masking [02:54] - The Cycle of Isolation [03:58] - Co-Regulation and Dropping the Mask [04:55] - Finding Your Tribe [05:53] - A Simple Invitation FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/  August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/  Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/  Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035
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6 MIN
The Scattered Week, The Dopamine Desert, and The Inevitable Drift
MAR 19, 2026
The Scattered Week, The Dopamine Desert, and The Inevitable Drift
Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts March 24th. The Focus Formula has helped over 100 ADHD entrepreneurs turn their brilliant chaos into consistent growth and freedom. In 6 weeks, you'll build a weekly system that works with your ADHD brain to help you prioritize what matters, get started with ease, and stay focused through the finish, so you can end each week feeling calmer, capable, and proud of your progress. You’ll get daily co-working sessions, weekly live coaching sessions with me, and a host of other bonuses in a program built specifically to help ADHD brains succeed. The first 10 to apply get a bonus private dashboard build session with me, so if you're interested, apply today. Those spots won’t last long. Get all the details and apply here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, Today he explores three common challenges ADHD entrepreneurs face: the scattered week, the dopamine desert, and the inevitable drift. Steve explains why ADHD often makes execution harder than knowing what to do and shares simple strategies to improve focus, maintain momentum, and build consistent progress. Steve explains three common challenges ADHD entrepreneurs face: the scattered week, the dopamine desert, and the inevitable drift. The scattered week happens when the week begins with strong plans but quickly loses direction as new tasks and distractions appear. The inevitable drift is the tendency for systems and habits to slowly fall apart over time. Steve shares simple strategies like protecting focus, using a two-hour peak work window, and working with others through co-working sessions to maintain steady progress. Key Takeaways: ● The Scattered Week: Plans start strong but quickly lose direction. ● The Dopamine Desert: Tasks without urgency or excitement are hardest to start. ● Protect Your Focus: Reduce distractions to preserve executive function. Additional Insights: Executive Function: ADHD challenges execution more than attention. Interest vs Urgency: These are the two main motivators for ADHD brains. Body Doubling / Co-Working: Working alongside others improves focus, accountability, and momentum for ADHD entrepreneurs. Here are a few quotes from the episode: ● “ADHD is not an attention deficit, it’s an attention surplus.” – Steve August ● “Progress comes from learning to cross the dopamine desert.” – Steve August ● “Compounding works both ways, progress compounds, but so does stagnation.” – Steve August Join Steve August as he explores the three biggest productivity challenges ADHD entrepreneurs face. Learn how the scattered week, the dopamine desert, and the inevitable drift can derail progress, and discover practical strategies to build focus, consistency, and sustainable growth. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Focus Formula - Build a Weekly System for Your ADHD Brain [00:58] - Introducing the Three Problems for ADHD Entrepreneurs [02:58] - The Scattered Week Explained [04:46] - Why Clarity and Priorities Matter [05:38] - The Dopamine Desert [07:28] - The Two-Hour Workday Concept [10:30] - The Inevitable Drift FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/  August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/  Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/  Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035
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12 MIN
Superpower or Liability? The Truth About ADHD and Entrepreneurial Success with John M. Torrens
MAR 12, 2026
Superpower or Liability? The Truth About ADHD and Entrepreneurial Success with John M. Torrens
Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts on March 24th. The Focus Formula has helped over 100 ADHD entrepreneurs turn their brilliant chaos into consistent growth and freedom. In 6 weeks, you'll build a weekly system that works with your ADHD brain to help you prioritize what matters, get started with ease, and stay focused through the finish — so you can end each week feeling calmer, capable, and proud of your progress. You’ll get daily co-working sessions, weekly live coaching sessions with me, and a host of other bonuses in a program built specifically to help ADHD brains succeed. The first 10 to apply get a bonus private dashboard build session with me — so if you're interested, apply today. Those spots won’t last long. Get all the details and apply here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus  --------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast, host Steve August talks with John M. Torrens. He's a three-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, TEDx speaker on ADHD as an entrepreneur's superpower, and author of Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win. He's a Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management and host of The Total Entrepreneur podcast.  Key Takeaways: ADHD & Entrepreneurship: Traits like risk-taking and fast action suit early-stage ventures. Functional vs Dysfunctional: The same trait can help or hinder depending on management. ADHD Type Matters: Hyperactive vs inattentive ADHD affects outcomes differently. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Our brains function really well in chaos. If you need somebody to make sense of chaos, we are your guys.” John M. Torrens “Every trait has an upside and a downside depending on the context.” John M. Torrens “There is somebody out there who likes to do the thing you hate, and they are really good at it.” John M. Torrens Join John M. Torrens as he explains how ADHD traits influence entrepreneurship and business growth, why many people with ADHD start companies, and how founders can manage health, habits, and resilience to build more successful ventures. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:08] - Focus Formula - Build a Weekly System for Your ADHD Brain [02:06] - Introducing John M. Torrens [04:47] - Early ADHD Awareness [07:19] - Thriving in Chaos, Struggling with Scale [09:25] - ADHD: Superpower or Challenge? [12:23] - Hyperactive vs. Inattentive ADHD [15:04] - Managing Consumption & Activity [19:54] - Delegating Executive Function [23:54] - Decision Paralysis vs. Quick Action [29:04] - Where to Find John FOLLOW THE GUEST: LinkedIn Accounts: John M. Torrens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmtorrens/  Syracuse University: https://www.linkedin.com/school/syracuse-university/ Follow The Total Entrepreneur Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetotalentrepreneurpodcast  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1INcJMpftlTHOnYqFoknw5 To learn how ADHD can become an advantage in business, read Dr. John Torrens’ book Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win. Link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV4DJZB8/ Websites:    Syracuse University: https://www.syracuse.edu/  Connections Family Centered Therapies: http://www.connectionstx.com/  FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/  Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/  Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035
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30 MIN
It’s Not Just Squirrels - Two Other ADHD Animals You Should Know About
MAR 5, 2026
It’s Not Just Squirrels - Two Other ADHD Animals You Should Know About
Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts March 24th. The Focus Formula has helped over 100 ADHD entrepreneurs turn their brilliant chaos into consistent growth and freedom. In 6 weeks, you'll build a weekly system that works with your ADHD brain to help you prioritize what matters, get started with ease, and stay focused through the finish — so you can end each week feeling calmer, capable, and proud of your progress. You’ll get daily co-working sessions, weekly live coaching sessions with me, and a host of other bonuses in a program built specifically to help ADHD brains succeed. The first 10 to apply get a bonus private dashboard build session with me — so if you're interested, apply today. Those spots won’t last long. Get all the details and apply here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus —------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, Today he explores two powerful metaphors that describe the emotional patterns many ADHD entrepreneurs face: the bear and the hamster. He explains how the bear represents fear of the future and constant hypervigilance, while the hamster reflects nonstop motion and reactive productivity. Steve shares simple head-based and body-based tools to calm the nervous system, step off the wheel, and build systems that create steady progress instead of burnout. Steve introduces two common patterns that many ADHD entrepreneurs experience: the bear and the hamster. The bear represents fear of the future and the feeling of always being chased by looming consequences. The hamster reflects constant motion and reactive productivity that creates effort without real progress. Steve explains that both patterns can lead to burnout if left unchecked. Key Takeaways: Spot the Bear: Notice fear of the future and constant hypervigilance before it leads to burnout. Step Off the Wheel: Avoid reactive productivity and create space for clear direction. Regulate and Reset: Use simple head-based and body-based tools to calm your system and move forward with steady focus. Additional Insights: Bear and Hamster: Fear-driven vigilance and nonstop reactive motion. Survival Trap: Both patterns drain energy and limit real progress. Regulate and Systemize: Use nervous system tools and clear systems to create steady growth. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Sometimes it feels like I am always being chased by a bear.” - Steve August “We cannot continue to function in that mode of being always chased.” - Steve August “Reactive productivity does not actually move us forward.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explores two powerful metaphors for ADHD entrepreneurs, the bear and the hamster. Learn how fear of the future and nonstop reactive motion can lead to burnout and stalled progress. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Focus Formula - Build a Weekly System for Your ADHD Brain [00:58] - Two ADHD Spirit Animals  [01:57] - The Bear: Driven by Fear  [03:56] - The Hamster: Stuck on the Wheel  [05:53] - Calming the Nervous System  [07:41] - From Reactive to Proactive  [09:43] - Progress Over Perfection  FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/  August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/  Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/  Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035
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11 MIN
Enough With the Productivity Porn: ADHD Brains Need Progress, Not Perfection
FEB 26, 2026
Enough With the Productivity Porn: ADHD Brains Need Progress, Not Perfection
🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/enough-witht-he-productivity-porn-Its-about-progress  ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August , Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, challenges the obsession with productivity and explains why progress is what truly matters for ADHD entrepreneurs. He breaks down the difference between being busy and actually moving toward meaningful goals, and shares how to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one. Steve introduces the idea of finding your magnetic north, narrowing your focus to a weekly timeframe, and committing to decisions long enough to see real results. This episode offers practical guidance for building steady progress and avoiding distractions while growing a business with ADHD. Steve challenges ADHD entrepreneurs to rethink their focus on productivity and shift their attention toward progress. He explains that being busy and getting many tasks done does not always move you closer to your real goals. Instead, he encourages listeners to define their magnetic north by clarifying the impact they want to make and the life they want to build. Steve also suggests narrowing your focus to a weekly timeframe and choosing one key initiative to commit to. The goal is to make clear decisions, ignore distractions, and stay consistent long enough to see meaningful progress in your business. Key Takeaways: Focus on Progress: Being busy is not the same as moving forward. Think Weekly: Narrow your focus to what matters this week. Stick With It: Choose one path and ignore distractions long enough to see results. Additional Insights: Magnetic North Matters: Clear direction is required before real progress can happen. Limit Your Focus: A weekly view helps prevent everything from feeling urgent. Decision Builds Momentum: Choosing one path and staying with it creates steady progress. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Progress is about getting to where you want to go.” - Steve August “If you do not know where you are going, you are never going to get there.” - Steve August “Because I chose it, it was the right choice.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he challenges ADHD entrepreneurs to move beyond productivity and focus on real progress. Learn how defining your magnetic north and narrowing your focus to one week at a time can create clear direction. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Progress Over Productivity [03:09] - Reactive vs. Proactive [05:28] - Finding Your Magnetic North [06:22] - Sequencing Your Path [08:36] - Why Choosing Matters More [11:01] - Measuring What Counts FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/  August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/  Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/  Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035
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12 MIN