Local author and loyal That’s E customer, Brendan Mahan will be 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
Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS., is the author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful, and host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. He grew up with undiagnosed ADHD, and has spent the last twenty-five years becoming the person he needed in order to help others. Drawing on his experience as a former teacher, principal, and mental health clinician Brendan is an esteemed ADHD and neurodiversity coach, consultant, and speaker. He has coached hundreds of clients with ADHD, autism, and anxiety navigate their most difficult challenges, and accomplish their loftiest goals. Brendan is on the board of the Men’s ADHD Support Group, Director of Professional Resources for Calmer Con: Boston, and a former committee member of the International Conference on ADHD. He has featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Writer’s Digest, LinkedIn, Understood, How to ADHD, VeryWell Mind, and ADDitude.
We welcome players of all experience levels, including beginners! Don’t know how to play? No problem! Our Pokemon judge Jeff will be on site to teach Pokemon to new players. Our friendly Pokemon community will help you on your way to becoming a great player! Please bring a deck to play.
11am-12pm: registration, social time, get your table, card trading
12pm-2pm: Battles every half hour
Kids ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. No drop-offs please.
Please check our website for schedule changes or cancellations before attending: www.ThatsE.com OR check our social media pages:
Join us for Magic the Gathering Commander League on Sundays!
Time: 2:30-6:30pm
Free to Play!
Bring your commander deck and play! Some basic knowledge is required to play, but don’t worry if you’re a beginner. Players are welcoming!
In-person sign-ups only, please. We are taking sign-ups only on the day of the event. If traveling from a distance, please call ahead to make sure there are available spots before arriving.
Want to learn to play Magic? Check out Dicebreaker and Tolarian Community College on YouTube!
Our store is located at 244 Park Ave, Worcester, MA / 508-755-4207
Sign up for our newsletter HERE for updates on new products, store events, sales, and more!
Join us for Friday Night Magic Draft!
Time: 6pm (sharp)-10pm
Unfortunately, we are unable to add late attendees due to restrictions on Wizard’s event software.
$15.00 to play (per person)
Great for beginners! Some knowledge of how to play Magic the Gathering is required.
In-person sign-ups only, please. We are taking sign-ups only on the day of the event. If traveling from a distance, please call ahead to make sure there are available spots before arriving.
Kids ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. No drop-offs please.
Please check our website for schedule changes or cancellations before attending www.ThatsE.com
Join us every Friday starting at 6pm(sharp)-10pm for a night of Magic the Gathering.
Unfortunately, we are unable to add late attendees due to restrictions on Wizard’s event software.
Entry – $5 dollars
Format – Modern and Standard (we will be running both formats. Players may choose which format to play. Please bring a constructed deck for each format. Please make sure your deck is legal for the format you choose. If you are uncertain if your deck us legal, please stop in early to have your deck checked by the event organizer/judge)
Number of Rounds – 4 (depending on attendance, this event could run longer)
This event is for experienced players.
Prizes given out as store credit.
Kids ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. No drop-offs please.
Please check our website for schedule changes or cancellations before attending www.ThatsE.com
We welcome players of all experience levels, including beginners! Don’t know how to play? No problem! Our Pokemon judge Jeff will be on site to teach Pokemon to new players. Our friendly Pokemon community will help you on your way to becoming a great player! Please bring a deck to play.
11am-12pm: registration, social time, get your table, card trading
12pm-2pm: Battles every half hour
Kids ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. No drop-offs please.
Please check our website for schedule changes or cancellations before attending: www.ThatsE.com OR check our social media pages:
Join us for Magic the Gathering Commander League on Sundays!
Time: 2:30-6:30pm
Free to Play!
Bring your commander deck and play! Some basic knowledge is required to play, but don’t worry if you’re a beginner. Players are welcoming!
In-person sign-ups only, please. We are taking sign-ups only on the day of the event. If traveling from a distance, please call ahead to make sure there are available spots before arriving.
Want to learn to play Magic? Check out Dicebreaker and Tolarian Community College on YouTube!
Our store is located at 244 Park Ave, Worcester, MA / 508-755-4207
Sign up for our newsletter HERE for updates on new products, store events, sales, and more!
