"At first, I overshared everything online in the name of authenticity—until I realized real vulnerability also means protecting parts of yourself."
1. How would you describe yourself to someone who’s never seen your content?
I create content about ADHD and Autism, focusing on how they impact relationships, intimacy, and communication. I also occasionally go on quirky rants about Shakespeare and other hyperfixations, tying them back to my life and experiences.
2. What inspired you to start sharing your ADHD journey online?
Honestly, the truthful answer is: spite. I was diagnosed with ADHD the day before my 30th birthday. As I began learning more about my brain and how it functions, I noticed major connections between ADHD and things like relationships and intimacy—topics that weren’t being talked about enough. So I decided to start the conversation myself, building my audience and brand a little bit at a time.
3. Has your relationship with your neurodivergence changed over time?
Definitely. Being diagnosed late in life meant I dealt with a lot of resentment and anger—questions like, "How did everyone miss this?" and "How could they not have known?" As I learned more about my brain and figured out how to build systems that actually work for me, I also had to learn to let go of that anger.
Now, I focus on building the best life I can in the present. It's been slow going, with a lot of therapy, but I'm getting there. I've also started recognizing when I might be using ADHD as an excuse. For me, it's easy to think, "Well, I have ADHD and it’s hard," when putting off a task. And yes, things are hard—but it’s often even harder to come back and force myself to do something later. So, I’ve been working on being more honest with myself: Am I struggling because of executive dysfunction, or because of executive "I just don't feel like it"?
4. How do you decide what to share publicly and what to keep private?
I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. When I first started making content, I overshared—honestly, way too much. It got weird not just for me, but also for my partners. In my rush to be “authentic” and “vulnerable,” I ended up doing some real harm by making so much of my life public.
Now, I’m much more intentional. I always ask for consent before sharing anything that involves someone else. I also keep intimate details private and talk more generally about my own experiences.
5. What’s one thing people need to unlearn about love or relationships?
The idea that sex is supposed to be this magical, instantaneous thing—where both partners are immediately aroused, in the right headspace, and magically orgasm at the same time. That’s what movies show us, but it’s rarely the reality.
Many people need time—sometimes ten, twenty, even thirty minutes—for their bodies and brains to align. When you’re neurodivergent, you often have to navigate sensory sensitivities and find ways to experience pleasure that work for you.
Sex and intimacy shouldn’t be something you just “get through.” They deserve patience, creativity, and real care.
6. What’s a common ADHD myth you often find yourself correcting?
That ADHD isn’t real. That it’s just laziness. That it’s drug-seeking behavior. That ADHD meds are basically meth. The stigma is everywhere, and unfortunately, I get a weird amount of hate online about it. It’s exhausting, but it's also why continuing to talk about it matters so much.
7. What do you wish more creators understood about real inclusivity?
You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. Real inclusivity sometimes requires hard, honest conversations and navigating conflict.
Many people prioritize comfort and ease over community, and will simply ghost when things get tough. But conflict resolution and working through discomfort are crucial to maintaining truly inclusive spaces.
If you’re always surrounded by people who agree with you and never offer constructive feedback, it’s unlikely your space is as inclusive as you think it is.
8. Has any piece of feedback from a follower really stayed with you?
Maybe this is a non-answer, but honestly, I have entire boxes in my office filled with letters from people saying my content changed their lives—their relationships with their kids, their marriages, even how they see themselves.
When I started making videos, I was just a goofy nerd on the internet. I didn’t expect to have this kind of impact. But now that I do, what sticks with me the most is the sense of responsibility I feel toward my community.
I didn’t set out to become someone people look up to—but now that I am, I take it really seriously in how I act, educate, and carry myself.
9. Okay, fun one to end with: if your brain had a theme song that played every time you entered a room, what would it be—and why?
The Golden Girls theme—but specifically the Golden Girls Gospel Remix (full version).
Honestly, it already plays in my head about 17 times a day, so it would probably be easier if everyone else got to hear it too. Plus, it’s an absolute bop.
Note: Cate Osborn’s first book, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, co-authored with Erik Gude and Rennie Dyball, is slated for release in March 2026 and is already available for pre-order.
Bio:
Cate Osborn is a content creator, speaker, and upcoming author whose work focuses on ADHD, Autism, relationships, intimacy, and communication. With her candid, insightful approach, Cate shares her personal experiences navigating neurodivergence, helping thousands better understand themselves and their loved ones. She is known for blending education with humor—often sprinkling in passionate rants about Shakespeare and her other hyperfocuses. Cate’s debut book, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, is set to release in March 2026 and is already available for pre-order. Through her platform, Cate continues to foster community, challenge stigma, and advocate for real, uncomfortable conversations that lead to genuine inclusivity.
Interviewed by: Niyati Gupta
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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