In this episode of Mad About Money, I sit down with the brilliant Nicola Noél - hypnotherapist, Specialist Mental Health Nurse and founder of Brainworks Therapy - to talk about the intersection of neurodivergence, anxiety, and money. We get real about why so many traditional money tools like budgeting apps and spreadsheets just don’t work when your brain is wired differently.

Nicola shares her powerful story of growing up in poverty, navigating mental health challenges, and building a shame-free, sustainable relationship with money. We explore how financial trauma shows up in neurodivergent communities, and what it actually takes to feel safe with your finances again.

If you’ve ever felt like you're “bad with money” or find yourself avoiding your bank account out of fear, this conversation is a validating, judgment-free space. Nicola’s approach is all about compassion, empowerment, and strategies that actually work for your brain.

In this episode:

• Why budgeting often fails ADHD brains
• How money dysregulation is tied to trauma
• The emotional weight of financial shame
• Nicola’s journey from financial fear to empowered coaching
• Tools that work for neurodivergent folks (and what to avoid)

Follow Nicola Noél:
Instagram – @brainworkstherapy

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

If you’ve ever stared at a sales page (or a restaurant menu) and walked away empty-handed because it was too much - you already know the #1 sales mistake most business owners make.

In this solo episode, I share a totally unfiltered breakdown of why confused people don’t buy, how that’s played out in my own business, and what I’m doing about it.

Spoiler alter: less is more.

I get into:

• Why offering too many things kills conversions
• How to turn “you get body doubling sessions” into “you get sh*t done”
• What actually makes people buy (it’s not features)
• The 5-offer structure I’m building my entire business around
• A behind-the-scenes look at what makes my membership, Invisible to Influential, a total no-brainer for growth-focused entrepreneurs

This isn’t theory - it’s me unpacking what’s actually working in my business and why clear, emotional, benefit-led messaging beats benefits-and-bullet-points every damn time.

If you want more clients, less confusion, and way more clarity in your sales strategy, you're gonna love this!

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Paul Culshaw - a marketing expert who’s not just been in the game for 25 years, but has actually lived the ups and downs of navigating money, marketing, and mindset as a business owner.

We talk about everything from being made redundant five times (yep, five!) to learning how to actually charge what your work is worth - even when you’re someone who just loves helping people.

If you’ve ever lowballed your prices, procrastinated on putting yourself out there, or felt a little ick about selling… this episode is your gentle slap of truth.

We also go deep on:

• Why being broke in your 20s teaches you more than a business degree ever could
• What it actually means to have a healthy money mindset (without the guru fluff)
• The behind-the-scenes of pricing as a coach or course creator
• How AI can support your marketing (without sounding like ChatGPT wrote your posts)
• And why accessibility, neurodivergence, and course structure matter more than the perfect funnel

This one’s packed with stories, real talk, and a few “ohhh that’s why no one’s buying” moments. Whether you’re new to business or knee-deep in a pricing spiral, I think you’ll see yourself in this one.

“Redundant 5 times. Still showed up.”

“No one’s paying? It’s not the price

“This is why clients say no”

Connect with Paul:

Instagram: @coachpaulculshaw

Website: paulculshaw.com

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

Welcome to Mad About Business!

You might know me from Mad About Money, but this is a whole new vibe. In this solo series, I'm speaking directly to you - no guests, no fluff - just real talk about running a business when your brain doesn't always follow the rules.

I'm Maddy Alexander Grout: ADHD business coach, neurodiversity specialist, and visibility strategist for entrepreneurs who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mould.

Whether you’re dealing with executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, or just feel like you’re winging it - this new podcast is for you.

In this first episode, I’m sharing:

• Why Mad About Business had to happen (hint: it’s not just about content)
• The surprising way I grew my 6-figure business after my last one crashed
• How I sell without DMing a soul - and why that matters for neurodivergent entrepreneurs
• What to expect from this show, from spicy biz tips to blunt advice you didn’t know you needed

If you’re tired of being told to “just be consistent” and you’re ready for a business that actually works for your brain, hit subscribe and let’s grow together.

Follow me on Instagram @maddytalksmoney and TikTok @madaboutmoneyofficial.

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, I chat with the absolutely incredible Amy Butterworth - or as she’s known online, Long COVID Rockstar.

Amy lives with long COVID, and what she shares about rest, identity, and the invisible cost of simply existing in a capitalist world? It hit me hard.

We talk about what it’s like to live in a society that tells you your worth is tied to how much you can produce - and what happens when your body says no more.

Amy gets honest about disability, burnout, ego vs. grace, and the internal work it takes to stop apologising for existing.

Together, we explore:

💥 Why hustle culture is inherently ableist
🧠 How chronic illness forces you to reframe identity
💤 The shame of needing rest (and why that needs to go)
🛑 Why “pushing through” is dangerous - not brave
📣 How to show up for your community when you can barely sit up
🌈 Designing inclusive spaces for everyone, not just some
🎯 Why we’re ditching SMART goals and going full FARC instead

This episode isn’t just about disability. It’s about worth. About making space for yourself in a system that wasn’t built for you, and unlearning the lie that rest makes you lazy.

Amy’s wisdom, honesty, and wit blew me away. I know you’re going to fall in love with her too.

🔗 Connect with Amy:

📸 Instagram: @longcovidrockstar
🎥 TikTok: @longcovidrockstar (she's lurking — for now)

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

If you’ve ever looked at your bank balance and thought “What the actual f*ck just happened?” - this episode’s for you.

This week I sat down with ADHD coach Ben Cook to unpack why so many neurodivergent people feel “shit with money” - and what’s actually underneath that shame spiral.

From people-pleasing purchases to impulse spending as emotional regulation, we get into the real stories behind the ADHD tax (and no, it’s not just water bottles and Roblox).

We also chat about:

• The identity crisis of a late diagnosis (and how it rewrites your past)
• Why so many ADHDers burn out in ‘cutthroat’ careers like sales and recruitment
• How emotional dysregulation drives addictive spending
• Teaching kids about money without passing on the shame
• Why self-diagnosis and awareness can be just as powerful as a formal label
• And yes… I give Ben a loving nudge about finally showing up on TikTok

This one’s full of raw honesty, laughs, and practical takeaways for anyone navigating money, mindset, or visibility with a spicy brain.

Connect with Ben Cook:

Website: goodtothinkdifferently.com

Instagram: @thisisbencook

LinkedIn: Ben Cook, ICF, ACCPH

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

This episode is so much more than a money chat.

I sat down with the incredible Washington Ali - coach, speaker, stage host, all-round legend - to talk about how he went from hating money to helping people find peace and profit in their lives and businesses. We got deep. Like, spicy brain, trauma healing, “what even is money” kind of deep.

Washington shares the messy, powerful journey from dropping out of college and burning out, to stepping into purpose, creating inclusive spaces, and showing up fully as himself.

We chat about:

• Why money isn’t the villain (even when it feels like it)
• Growing up around wealth when you don’t have any
• ADHD, spicy brain stuff, and why diagnosis is complicated
• Building community when social media feels unsafe
• How your values should be part of how you show up

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with money, or wondered how to be more you in business, I think you’ll love this one.

Connect with Washington:

Washingtons' Website: Become Alive

LinkedIn

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠

What if your desire to do good is the very thing keeping you broke?

In this episode of Mad About Money, Maddy sits down with the brilliant, rebellious, multi-hyphenate Jenn - a performing artist, activist, and creator of the International Day of Consent - to unpack the quiet, emotional toll of undercharging when you’re purpose-led and values-first.

Together, they dive deep into:

• Why so many ethical, neurodivergent, and heart-led humans feel guilty about making money
• The connection between capitalism, pricing shame, and internalised “good person” conditioning
• Rewriting money mindset without selling out (or burning out)
• How consent, business, and activism are more connected than you think
• The truth about financial inclusivity, and why charging less doesn’t always help the people you think it does

It’s raw, hilarious, full of swearing and solidarity, and packed with unfiltered honesty about money, identity, neurodivergence, and the power of showing up as your full self.

✨ Plus: the story behind Jenn’s drag queen alter ego Misty Valentine, what “fuck normal” really means, and why you absolutely can rebel against capitalism while running a business.

Links & mentions

• Follow Jenn Wilson and explore Irregular Ink: irregular.org.uk
• Learn more about the International Day of Consent: idoconsent.org
• Catch Jenn at Visible Fest: Visible Fest

----------------------

Visit Maddy's ⁠⁠⁠Stan Store⁠⁠⁠

Follow Maddy on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠