Hit Podcasters Take Their Extraordinary Story on Tour to Unite and Celebrate Those with Adult ADHD
With half a million downloads in less than a year, the duo behind the ADHD As Females podcast embark on a UK-wide tour and invite audiences to be ‘unapologetically too much’
Laura Mears-Reynolds and Dawn Marie-Farmer, both 39, started a podcast in May 2022 charting their individual journeys to ADHD diagnosis. Less than 12 months later and with over half a million downloads, the pair are set to embark on their UK-wide tour Too Much later this month.
The 15 date tour featuring special guests, comes at the request of the thousands of listeners to their podcast ADHD As Females (ADHD AF) which has been a source of support and solidarity for those affected by adult ADHD and is in the top 1% of Spotify’s most followed podcasts.
Having been called “too much” their entire lives prior to diagnosis, and never really understanding how to be “less”, the pair are now unleashing their real selves!
“So many ADHDers feel alone in their struggles and don’t have friends that they believe to be neurodivergent,” said Laura Mears-Reynolds, who was diagnosed aged 39 after a four year wait, “We know from personal experience how important it is to connect with other people like you, people who are going through similar things helps you feel less alone. Peer-to-peer support is invaluable, no matter what stage of diagnosis you are at.
“We want to take the community that has built around the podcast and give people the chance to experience that in real life. By coming to see us live people can connect with others in their area or town, form new friendships and be ‘too much’ together!”
It was a chance meeting in real life that brought Laura Mears-Reynolds and Dawn Marie-Farmer together, when they independently moved to the same street in Aberdeen in 2020.
The two neighbours began to chat during a post-lockdown BBQ, and realised they were both in the process of seeking an ADHD diagnosis.
“The serendipity of that alongside discovering the enormous impact the undiagnosed neurodevelopmental condition had on both of our lives, and the horrifying number of mis- and undiagnosed ADHDers compelled us to take action,” explains Dawn Marie-Farmer, who was diagnosed in December 2022 after an 18 month wait.
“There are a lot of ADHD podcasts out there, but there wasn’t anything that reflected our experiences, so we decided to give it a go. It’s us, navigating almost in real time, our own ADHD, coming to terms with what it means for our lives and hearing from special guests who share their own perspective and experiences.
“Our purpose is to help all those suffering like we were, and we hope to influence change and raise awareness too.”
The Too Much tour kicks off on 26 April in Perth, Scotland and is inclusive to everyone over the age of 18, all genders are welcome and no formal diagnosis is needed. Special guests from ADHD influencers, campaigners and activists will join Laura and Dawn at each location.
“This tour is not just for podcast listeners, or for people that have or suspect they have ADHD,” say the co-hosts, “It’s for anyone and everyone to understand the symptoms, differences and experiences of ADHD - what it feels like, what it looks like. Often people with ADHD will bring along their friends and family, because the show can help articulate the feelings they sometimes can’t.
“It will be emotional, we’ll share how ADHD can be like a wrecking ball swinging in and smashing up different areas of someone’s life, but we’ll also be supporting each other and having a good time!”
The ADHD AF Too Much tour starts in Perth on 26 April and finishes in Norwich on 12 May 2023.
Dates and tickets are on the ADHD AF website: https://www.adhdasfemales.com/tour
