Embracing Intensity

291: Reframing ADHD for Black Women with Inger Shaye Colzie

This week on Embracing Intensity, I'm thrilled to finally sit down with the powerful and passionate Inger Shaye Colzie, a therapist and coach working at the intersection of ADHD, identity, and cultural experience. Inger shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after decades of navigating systems and expectations that didn't see her neurodivergence—or the unique challenges that come with being a Black woman with ADHD. Together, we dive into her experiences growing up gifted but overlooked, her path to founding the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance, and how she helps others own their fire and intensity without apology. Inger's insight, humor, and realness make this an episode you won't want to miss. P.S. We're planning to bring Inger back for a guest call in the Embracing Intensity Community during the 2026 speaker season—I'd love your feedback on upcoming topics and guests! About Inger Shaye Colzie Inger is a therapist, ADHD coach, and the founder of the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance. Diagnosed later in life, she now uses her lived experience, clinical knowledge, and coaching tools to support other Black women navigating life, work, and relationships with ADHD. Through her practice and community, she creates spaces for healing, advocacy, and unapologetic self-discovery. In This Episode: The experience of being undiagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood—and what finally led her to seek answers Growing up as an intense, passionate child whose energy was often misunderstood Why culturally relevant care is essential for Black women with ADHD The emotional impact of living with ADHD in a world not built for neurodivergent minds How diagnosis and coaching helped her reframe her identity and harness her gifts Creating the ADHD Black Professionals Alliance as a safe and empowering space Turning down the dial—or turning it up with intention The importance of coaching, community, and embracing your whole self Resources & Links: Inger Shaye Colzie's Website & Coaching Info (link to be added) ADHD Black Professionals Alliance: [Website or community link] Join the Embracing Intensity Community   Whether you're navigating ADHD yourself or supporting others who are, this episode offers compassion, clarity, and community. Inger's story is a reminder that it's never too late to rewrite the narrative—and that when we embrace our fire, we light the way for others. 🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear they are not broken—just unseen.

290: Executive Functioning with Fizzah Zaidi

Episode 290: Executive Functioning with Fizzah Zaidi In this powerful episode of Embracing Intensity, I'm joined by the insightful and compassionate Fizzah Zaidi, a psychotherapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals. We explore the complexities of executive functioning, and how understanding our brain's unique operating system can transform how we show up for ourselves and others. Fizzah brings deep experience from her work with high-achieving neurodivergent clients in the tech, medical, and legal fields. Together, we discuss how neurodivergent brains often struggle not because they're broken, but because they're functioning differently—and those differences can also be sources of strength. About Fizzah Zaidi Fizzah Zaidi is a Chicago-based psychotherapist with a passion for working with neurodivergent adults. Her practice supports many twice-exceptional individuals in high-demand professions, and her work includes educating organizations on how to better support neurodiverse teams. Diagnosed with ADHD just before entering graduate school, she dove deep into understanding the brain and executive functioning through continuing education and real-world application. In This Episode: Why rest isn't always about being still—and how energizing activities can also be restorative. The link between executive dysfunction and rejection sensitivity. How big-picture thinkers can better support task initiation and follow-through. Understanding the role of the prefrontal cortex and limbic system in executive functioning. Why complex tasks might be easier than basic ones for some neurodivergent folks. The importance of personalized strategies over one-size-fits-all "fixes." Using self-regulation instead of self-control to support executive function. Shifting the mindset from "fixing" to understanding your operating system. 🔗 Resources & Links Fizzah Zaidi's Website Join the Embracing Intensity Community Find Workbooks Embracing Intensity Guest Call Library

289: Reclaiming Power Through Art w/ Ilima Considine

In this week's episode, Aurora sits down with Portland-based multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Ilima Considine to explore how neurodivergence, art, music, and personal experience intersect to spark powerful creative expression. Ilima shares her journey through long COVID, chronic illness, and how she channels her intensity into film, empowering others in the process. As Ilima prepares to premiere her second feature-length film, Drug Holiday, she talks about the themes of trauma, addiction, and radicalization—and how they resonate with creative and neurodivergent communities. This conversation dives deep into how one artist transforms challenges into bold storytelling.   🎨 About Ilima Ilima Considine is best known as the frontwoman for the Sexbots and a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans music, visual art, and now film. After a severe bout of long COVID altered her career trajectory, Ilima dove headfirst into filmmaking, combining sound, visuals, and narrative to explore themes that are often hard to talk about—like grooming, neurodivergence, and societal trauma.   ✨ In This Episode: How chronic illness and neurodivergence have shaped Ilima's creative process The story behind Drug Holiday, and how it reflects real-life struggles with trauma and radicalization The overlap between neurodivergent traits and the arts—and how Ilima fosters a safe space for collaborators Embracing intensity as a strength in both personal and professional life Why Portland became a haven for embracing eccentricity and creativity The value of harnessing hyperfocus and obsessive attention to detail Using film to bring light to dark topics in accessible, artistic ways Ilima's philosophy on directing: accommodating individual needs to help artists thrive Her own experiences with burnout, energy management, and the use of stimulants during film production   🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about Ilima's work: www.considine.com Check out her band: The Sexbots on Spotify & YouTube Watch Drug Holiday (Premiering Nov. 14th at Mission Theater, Portland) Join the Embracing Intensity Community: embracingintensity.com   🎬 Whether you're an artist, a neurodivergent creative, or someone navigating chronic health challenges, Ilima's story is a powerful reminder that you can channel your fire into something deeply meaningful—and bring others along with you.

288: Tasting the Gifted Rainbow w/ Kaitlin Smith

In this deeply insightful guest call, we welcome Kaitlin Smith, a PhD candidate in the history of science at Harvard with a secondary focus in African American Studies. Kaitlin brings a powerful lens to the conversation around giftedness, drawing from her academic research, clinical background, and personal experience as a former support provider for gifted and intense Black adults. This episode explores the intersections of giftedness, race, history, science, and social narratives—inviting us to reexamine what we consider “normal” and how systemic forces shape our understanding of intelligence and identity. A Scholarly Look at Diverse Expressions of Giftedness with Kaitlin Smith Join us for an enlightening session with Kaitlin Smith, MSW -- founder of Our Wild Minds -- in which we will explore diverse lived experiences of giftedness that people have in light of differences in social identity (e.g., race, gender, class, and spirituality). Kaitlin will share insights derived from scholarly research and personal experience, shedding light on how social forces and historical developments influence the recognition and experience of gifted traits. Attendees will engage with ideas that illuminate often-overlooked aspects of your intensities and learn strategies that will help you celebrate your (and others’) multitudes. About Kaitlin:  Kaitlin Smith, MSW is a writer, facilitator, and Ph.D Candidate at Harvard in the Department of History of Science where she is developing a dissertation on the history of the field of Black Psychology. Kaitlin is also the former founder of Our Wild Minds which offers online community and in-person experiences for highly creative, intellectually intense, and/or gifted Black adults from all over the world. Kaitlin's research and work with Our Wild Minds is informed by past training and work as a psychotherapist. 🔍 In This Episode: The history of psychological science and its impact on marginalized identities Kaitlin’s personal experience with racism and bias in clinical training How the field of Black psychology emerged in resistance to biased systems Case studies including Oscar Moore and the Larry P v. Riles court case How Donna Haraway’s concept of situated knowledges can inform gifted advocacy The danger of universalizing objectivity in science and education Using historical context to reframe personal experiences of giftedness Opportunities for collective solidarity and support in gifted communities Questions for self-reflection around situated knowledge and identity 📚 Resources: Join the Embracing Intensity Community Kaitlin Smith’s gifted resources Kaitlin’s Substack 💬 Access the Extended Discussion in the Guest Call Library or All-Access Membership! A rich Q&A on the intersection of giftedness, race, and gender, and how these identities interact in systemic settings Reflections on how trauma and neurodivergence shape each other across personal and collective histories Insightful audience comments on the importance of reclaiming educational and psychological language Exploration of “the gifted rainbow” as a metaphor for the complexity and beauty of diverse gifted identities Practical examples of how to create supportive spaces for gifted and twice-exceptional Black individuals Honest conversation about grief, joy, and the non-linear journey of self-discovery as a neurodivergent person Kaitlin’s take on integrating history, embodiment, and radical curiosity into both academic and personal healing

287: The Myth of Work-Life Balance

Is work-life balance real—or just another unrealistic expectation? In this solo episode of Embracing Intensity, I unpack the myth of work-life balance and share my journey toward something more meaningful: harmony. Drawing from my personal life, this episode dives deep into how neurodivergent people navigate work hours, personal time, and the demands of life in a way that feels aligned, not forced. After a summer of restoration and reflection, I’m back working full-time in the school system—and instead of chasing “balance,” I’m creating sustainable rhythms that honor my energy, creativity, and mental health.   About Aurora I’m Aurora Remember Holtzman, host of Embracing Intensity and creator of the Embracing Intensity Community. With years of experience working with gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent folks, I help people stop beating themselves up for not meeting arbitrary standards and start living in alignment with their core values. My goal? To help you use your intensity as a tool for transformation—without burning out.   In This Episode: Why the concept of work-life balance might be doing more harm than good Reframing productivity, especially for different people with unique brain wiring How long hours and unrealistic expectations lead to burnout The power of aligning with your core values instead of external goals How “contaminated time” steals joy from our personal lives Tools like energy audits to help create real work-life harmony Letting go of hustle culture and embracing meaningful work Tips for reclaiming quality time and rest—even with full work hours Why the opposite of life isn’t work—but disconnection 🔗 Resources & Links: 🔥 Join the Embracing Intensity Community 📘 Energy Balance Workbook (Print & Kindle) ✨ Balancing Time & Energy Digital Guide ✨ Balance is a myth. Harmony is the goal. Tap into your own rhythm and reclaim your time, energy, and creativity—on your terms. 🎧 Listen now on EmbracingIntensity.com