Adult loneliness in ADHD isn’t about not caring—it’s about how hard connection can actually feel. In this conversation, I sit down with Rebecca Matchett, Jamie Pastrano, and Brittany Moser, the team behind the Synchrony app, to unpack why so many neurodivergent adults feel socially exhausted despite genuinely wanting meaningful relationships.

We explore rejection sensitivity, social anxiety, and the invisible “rules” of interaction that can leave ADHD adults feeling stuck or behind. We also dig into what happens when technology is designed for neurodivergent brains instead of against them—and how that shift could change the way we build friendships, confidence, and community.

Episode Highlights

[0:34] - Why adult loneliness in ADHD isn’t talked about enough

[2:01] - Social exhaustion: wanting connection but feeling overwhelmed

[3:03] - The hidden need for structure in social interactions

[6:36] - Why adult friendships feel harder (and the role of “baggage”)

[8:40] - How rejection sensitivity distorts neutral interactions

[10:23] - Slowing down communication and reducing pressure

[12:27] - The paradox of texting back vs. forgetting to respond

[15:16] - What makes Synchrony different from typical social apps

[18:26] - Inside the AI social coach “Jesse” and how it supports users

[21:05] - Neurodivergent vs. neurotypical communication dynamics

[23:11] - How structure and support reduce social anxiety

[24:23] - The fine line between support and dependence

[29:19] - Social media, dopamine myths, and emotional crashes

[30:45] - Why we replay conversations (hello, rumination)

[34:02] - Are we shifting away from engagement-driven platforms?

[35:59] - What real social progress looks like for ADHD adults

[37:19] - Replacing negative social experiences with positive ones

[38:31] - The bigger mission: building true community and belonging

Links & Resources

Rebecca Matchett – Serial Entrepreneur & Innovator | Co-Founder & COO, Synchrony

Jamie Pastrano, LMSW – Corporate Business & Executive Sales Director (20+ years) & autism parent | Co-Founder & Chief Sales & Business Development, Synchrony

Brittany Moser – Educator & Autism Specialist | Co-Founder, Synchrony

Follow: @joinsynchrony

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