In this episode of Divergent Paths, Dr. Regina McMenemy and co-host Russ Catanach explore the all-too-relatable phenomena of DOOM piles and task saturation—when your physical and mental clutter team up to ambush your productivity and sanity. From unopened mail to emotional overload, this conversation blends humor, insight, and compassion for chaotic brains trying to survive modern life. If you've ever hidden a mess in a box just to make it "go away" or felt like your brain was made of oatmeal after a big project, this one's for you.
They unpack how executive dysfunction plays into everyday overwhelm, strategies to break the shame cycle, and the power of playful productivity rituals (yes, Duolingo counts). Whether you're neurodivergent or just overworked, this episode validates your exhaustion and offers practical tools to get unstuck—one doom pile at a time.
About The Hosts:
Dr. Regina McMenomy is a writer, educator, and self-professed digital hoarder with a deep commitment to unpacking the complexities of neurodivergent life. With a PhD in hand (but not the medical kind), she brings compassion, lived experience, and a sharp wit to conversations about executive dysfunction, ADHD, burnout, and creative recovery.
Russ Catanach is a media pro, digital archivist of everything since 1994, and a long-time advocate for navigating mental clutter with humor and honesty. Equal parts practical and perceptive, Russ helps bridge theory with the lived chaos of doing-all-the-things, often while fighting his inbox and clinging to his boogie board (not the beach kind).
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