Sharing ideas from his new book, Overcoming the Wall of Awful: Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway) (September 2026, Balance). Brendan will share his groundbreaking Wall of Awful™ model, which describes how our emotions can form a barrier preventing us from doing the things we want to do, and how to get past it. He will explore this model through a neurodiversity-informed lens.
A Q&A and signing will follow the presentation.
About Overcoming the Wall of Awful:
We’ve all had that feeling when we need to do something as simple as cleaning the kitchen or sending an email but just…can’t. Past failures and negative emotions—shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, anger, and disappointment—can build up, isolating us and keeping us from achieving our goals. But we’re not aimless or lazy. Our brains are working against us! We have purpose; we just need guidance.
This is that guide. Just like bricks, negative emotions and experiences can build up, creating what feels like an impenetrable wall between us and our goals. Educator and ADHD expert Brendan Mahan calls this the Wall of Awful—and he’s lived it. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Mahan has made it his life’s work to help people overcome their own Walls of Awful and accomplish their biggest, boldest ambitions. Now, in Overcoming the Wall of Awful, Brendan shares his comprehensive model and practical strategies to help anyone with executive function issues do just that.
The book explores:
how anxiety shuts down the executive function of the brain, making everything harder
why smashing through the Wall can hurt more than it helps
ways to manage your emotions so you can put a door in your Wall
how to climb your Wall of Awful and take back control!
Recognition for Overcoming the Wall of Awful
- Publisher's Weekly - Fall 2026 Preview: Self Help Pick
- Bookshop(dot)org - Notable New Release for September 2026
- #1 Amazon Best-Seller - Attention Deficit Disorders