{"podcast":{"title":"The Hidden 20%","slug":"the-hidden-20-6751677","podcast_index_feed_id":6751677,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/657b32c48f98e20016664592","website_url":"https://shows.acast.com/hidden-20","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/657b32c48f98e20016664592/1727688431246-13a9e78d-6673-4702-95f5-bff12701363d.jpeg","author":"Ben Branson","episode_count":122,"summary":"Help us rewrite the future for every mind. Join the movement and donate at hidden20.org/donate The Hidden 20% is a UK-registered charity, podcast and movement rewriting the future for every mind Founded by autistic/ADHD entrepreneur Ben Branson, we find and share the truth about neurodiversity - catching society up and breaking the cycle of silence, shame and suffering. Through research, stories and science we share the truth - making the hidden visible. Each week, we speak with leading experts and lived experience voices to uncover the true scale and potential of neurodiversity - challenging myths, stereotypes and outdated systems. While others talk awareness, we demand recognition, representation and reform. Every month, more than 100,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to learn, connect and feel seen. With your support, we can reach further, grow louder and keep amplifying the truth. Great minds think differently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hidden-20-6751677"},"episode":{"title":"Behaviour Change Scientist on ADHD & Addiction: Shahroo Izadi","slug":"behaviour-change-scientist-on-adhd-addiction-shahroo-izadi","published_at":"2026-01-07T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hidden-20-6751677/behaviour-change-scientist-on-adhd-addiction-shahroo-izadi","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hidden-20-6751677","url":"https://shows.acast.com/hidden-20/episodes/adhd-addiction-shahroo-izadi","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/657b32c48f98e20016664592/e/6945a62de13e237fdebaf0a9/media.mp3","summary":"In this episode, Ben sits down with bestselling author, psychologist and behaviour change expert Shahroo Izadi for a deep, honest conversation about ADHD, addiction and how habits really form. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Shahroo reflects on how years spent working in addiction services helped her make sense of her own impulsivity, shame cycles and coping strategies - long before she had the language for neurodivergence.  Together, Ben and Shahroo unpack why addiction is often misunderstood, how neurodivergent brains are especially vulnerable in a frictionless modern world, and why behaviour change isn’t about willpower or fixing yourself. This is a compassionate, practical conversation about trust, self-belief and designing habits that work with your brain - not against it. Join us at  hidden20.org/donate . ________ Host: Ben Branson Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné Video Editor: James Scriven Social Media Manager: Charlie Young Music: Jackson Greenberg Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Shahroo Izadi’s ADHD Diagnosis & Personal Journey 08:12 ADHD, Neurodivergence & Addiction: What’s the Link? 11:44 Is Addiction a Disease — or a Coping Strategy? 13:04 Why Willpower Fails: Understanding Habit Formation 16:50 ADHD vs Autism: Impulsivity, Dopamine & Delayed Reward 19:08 ADHD & Addiction: Shahroo’s Framework for Sustainable Change 29:18 Trusting an ADHD Brain After Years of Self-Criticism 33:33 Applying Behavioural Psychology to Living With ADHD 36:15 The ADHD Tax: Shame, Avoidance & Hidden Costs 39:25 External Dependence, Coping Mechanisms & Control 42:03 Shahroo’s 3 Practical Tips for Lasting Behaviour Change 52:13 Ben on Addiction & Recovery: Choice Without Deprivation 58:47 What We Still Get Wro…","meta_description":"In this episode, Ben sits down with bestselling author, psychologist and behaviour change expert Shahroo Izadi for a deep, honest conversation about ADHD,…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":4729,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-hidden-20-6751677/episodes/behaviour-change-scientist-on-adhd-addiction-shahroo-izadi/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hidden-20-6751677/behaviour-change-scientist-on-adhd-addiction-shahroo-izadi.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}