The Podcast

We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 56 – This Explains So Much: Jami Shapiro & Charna Kinneberg on ADHD, Dyslexia, and Self-Acceptance

What if finally understanding your brain didn’t mean changing who you are—but celebrating how you’re wired?

In this heartfelt episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro chats with Charna Kinneberg, one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and a true pioneer in the move management industry.

Charna opens up about growing up dyslexic and undiagnosed with ADHD—always feeling “different,” being called an underachiever despite a high IQ, and learning to navigate life without ever knowing why some things felt harder. Through Jami’s new book This Explains So Much, Charna saw herself reflected for the first time and found healing, validation, and self-acceptance.

Together, Jami and Charna explore the overlapping experiences of ADHD and dyslexia, the hidden challenges of growing up before anyone talked about neurodiversity, and how both women turned those struggles into strengths. They also dive into the emotional side of clutter, storage, and “right-sizing,” sharing powerful lessons from decades helping seniors and families transition with dignity and grace.

If you’ve ever felt “less than,” struggled to stay organized, or wondered why your brain seems to work differently, this episode will leave you feeling seen, understood, and proud of who you are—exactly as you are.

ADHD and Dyslexia After 50: Finding Freedom in How Your Brain Works

A Conversation with NASMM Founder Charna Kinneberg

What if understanding your brain didn’t mean changing who you are—but finally embracing yourself fully?

In this inspiring episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro sits down with Charna Kinneberg, one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), to talk about life, learning differences, and late-in-life self-discovery.

Charna opens up about growing up undiagnosed with both ADHD and dyslexia, navigating school feeling “less than,” and finally finding validation through Jami’s new book, This Explains So Much. Together, they explore how generations of women have lived with hidden neurodiversity—misunderstood, mislabeled, and yet incredibly resilient.

From Struggling Student to Industry Leader

As one of NASMM’s founders, Charna helped shape the field of senior move management—a profession deeply connected to empathy, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, all strengths often found in ADHD minds.

She shares how dyslexia once made her doubt her intelligence, and how those same pattern-recognition skills later became an asset in business, leadership, and life. Today, Charna embraces her “squirrel brain” as a source of creativity and innovation—proof that neurodivergent thinking can lead to remarkable success.

The ADHD and Dyslexia Connection

Charna and Jami dive into how ADHD and dyslexia often overlap, with shared challenges like:

  • Difficulty focusing and following through on tasks
  • Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
  • Executive function struggles (organization, prioritizing, and time management)
  • The need to mask or “perform” in order to fit in

But they also highlight the unique gifts—intuition, empathy, big-picture thinking, and creative problem-solving—that come with neurodivergent wiring.

Storage, Clutter, and Emotional Attachments

Drawing from decades in senior move management, Charna shares surprising insights about storage and clutter—a $44 billion industry that often reflects emotional overwhelm and deferred decisions. Together, she and Jami discuss how ADHD and aging intersect with letting go, and why decluttering can feel deeply personal.

They remind listeners that clutter isn’t just about “too much stuff”—it’s about identity, memory, and how our brains process attachment and loss.

No More Hiding: Embracing Your Brain at Any Age

When asked if she’d press a button to erase her ADHD, Charna didn’t hesitate: “No. I like how my brain works.”

Her message is simple but powerful—understanding your neurodivergent traits is not about fixing yourself. It’s about forgiving yourself, embracing what makes you different, and realizing you’ve always been enough.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, self-discovering, or supporting someone with ADHD, this episode offers hope, humor, and hard-won wisdom for living authentically at any age.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Charna Kinneberg, one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and a true pioneer in the move management industry

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