Specific learning disability characterized by troubles with reading
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WBZ's Jordan Rich says this 10-year-old is going to change the world, despite having dyslexia. Get all the news you need by listening to WBZ - Boston's News Radio! We're here for you, 24/7. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Audrey Young, elected to the Texas State Board of Education in 2020, joins Texas Talks for an in-depth conversation about the real state of special education in Texas. Drawing from 31 years in public schools as a speech therapist, reading specialist, administrator, and executive director, Dr. Young clarifies how dyslexia policy is being reshaped, why the statewide special-education population has risen to 20%, and how House Bill 568 is changing funding models across districts.We dig into the challenges facing rural and urban schools, the growing role of advocates, the impact of education savings accounts, and why Texas still struggles with uneven services for students with disabilities. Dr. Young also explains her vision for expanding gifted-education support and why leadership experience in special education matters now more than ever.For parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone trying to understand how Texas is rebuilding its special-education system, this episode provides a candid and informed roadmap for where the state is heading. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks
Anne Montgomery went from being one of the first female TV sports casters at ESPN to a long time sports official, Title I teacher, foster mum to five, and award-winning author. In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, we dive into the messy, funny, painful, and beautiful reality of second chances and reinvention. We talk about what it was really like for a woman on SportsCenter in the 80s and 90s, working as the only female official on football fields and baseball diamonds, living between Phoenix and St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, and how losing her TV career led her into classrooms, foster care, and novels about war, cults, and trauma. We also get personal about my own journey: court, bankruptcy, community service, head injury rehab work, and how both of us discovered meaning through helping other people when our original plans fell apart. If you're into stories of resilience, women in sports media, teaching, foster care, and the creative life, this one's for you. What we cover in this conversation: – Life in St Croix and Phoenix – Breaking into sports broadcasting when women “didn't do that” – ESPN, ageism, and being told she was “too old” for TV – Forty years as a sports official in football and baseball – Being the only woman on the field and in the newsroom – Punctuality, discipline, and why being late really is disrespectful – Hitting rock bottom after TV and facing depression – The Vietnam veteran umpire who changed how she saw her life – Teaching in a Title I school and discovering real hardship – Becoming a foster mum to five former students – Dyslexia, learning to read late, and still becoming an author – Writing about World War II, religious cults, and trauma – How to handle criticism, bad reviews, and online comments – Second chances, stubborn pride, and finding purpose in unexpected work About Anne Montgomery Anne Montgomery is a former ESPN SportsCenter anchor, long-time sports official (football, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, basketball), retired high school teacher, foster mum, and author of multiple novels including historical fiction and contemporary stories inspired by real events. Find Anne here: Website: https://annemontgomerywriter.com/
The conversation delves into the intricate relationship between dyslexia and ADHD, exploring how these conditions can intersect and complicate learning experiences. Stephen Martin shares insights on the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia, particularly when ADHD is also present, emphasizing the need for understanding and tailored solutions.TakeawaysIf you're struggling a lot with dyslexia, you might have ADHD.ADHD can complicate the experience of dyslexia.Understanding the connection between dyslexia and ADHD is crucial.Dyslexia presents unique challenges that require specific strategies.Support systems are essential for individuals with dyslexia and ADHD.Awareness of these conditions can lead to better educational outcomes.Tailored solutions can help manage the difficulties of dyslexia.The intersection of dyslexia and ADHD is often overlooked.Cognitive challenges can vary significantly among individuals.Empathy and understanding are key in addressing these learning difficulties.Dyslexia, ADHD, learning difficulties, education, cognitive challenges,adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
When life doesn't go as planned, God still writes a beautiful story. Today I'm joined by Kari A. Baker, former financial services executive, now author, speaker, and founder of KIND Families (“Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences”). Kari shares how her son's autism diagnosis became the doorway to faith, purpose, and a new calling to champion neurodiverse families. You'll hear practical encouragement, spiritual insight, and a powerful reframe from “fixing” to loving the strengths God placed within our children.We cover:Kari's pivot from a 30-year financial career to founding KIND Families and writing Finding KIND (with a foreword by her son, Brady).Moving from isolation and overwhelm to faith, community, and purpose.Why “invisible” neurological differences (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, OCD, and more) require fresh understanding and dignity.Practical first steps if you're newly navigating a diagnosis: find community, pursue truth, and anchor your hope in God.Connect with Kari:Website: kindfamilies.com • kariabaker.comSocial: @kariabaker on IG, FB, and LinkedInBook: Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose while Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological DifferencesWork with Donna:If you're craving clarity, peace, and a next step, schedule a Wisdom Consultation with me:https://www.ivibrantliving.com/appointment-with-me-2/
Sent us text! We would love to hear from you!Everyone loves the feeling of comfort. But remaining in one's comfort zone too long has a downside. Never daring to step outside of it may limit possibilities and opportunities you will not have access to any other way than to challenge yourself. Taking a more difficult path may be uncomfortable at first, but rewarding in the long run.Stress and fatigue, if not kept in check can degrade you body and spirit. In order to combat this pattern, pay attention to what you put in your mouth and how you treat your body. Regular exercise is a key to almost any type of rejuvenation plan. If you couple that with a time restricted eating, commonly known as intermittent fasting, you will give your body needed internal rest so that it's free from processing food all of the time.Good news is all around us. As an update to a story we covered earlier, the successful discovery of hidden sperm through the use of Artificial Intelligence has resulted in a successful pregnancy for a couple once thought to be infertile by doctors at the Columbia University Fertility Center. Dyslexia is usually associated with a negative outcome, but a young girl in England recently diagnosed with this affliction received more in-depth testing, that revealed she is actually a genius. Consider that the founder of the Virgin Brand, Sir Richard Branson is also dyslexic, a characteristic he attributes to his success in the business world.Meet a wingman who came to the aid of a severely injured comrade and helped give him overcome depression and lighting the spark needed for him to reclaim his Mojo. The result was successful rehabilitation from a devastating injury and other successes in life.
Why I read up to 15 books at a time … Follow me on goodreads if you like:https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/51352848-naois-o-reilly
Tom will be filming his new stand-up special in Milwaukee at The Riverside Theater on November 14th & 15th! Tickets are still available in Milwaukee for the November 14th show. Go get your tickets now at https://tomsegura.com/tour . SPONSORS: -Take advantage of Ridge's Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/CAVE #Ridgepod -Get $10 Off @BRUNT with code CAVE at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/CAVE #BRUNTpod -Give the gift of smooth this holiday season with the Performance Package 5.0 Ultra. Get 15% off + free shipping at https://Manscaped.com with code BEARS. -Order a bottle of Por Osos and some killer merch online https://drinkporosos.com This week, Bert sits down with the one and only Mel Robbins for a brutally honest, hilarious, and surprisingly deep conversation about anxiety, cheating, parenting, and learning how to “let them.” From wild college confessions to Mel breaking down her Let Them Theory in real time, this episode is half therapy, half comedy, and all chaos. They cover everything — why Bert can't stop overexplaining to strangers (and accidentally tried to kiss Nicole Kidman), how ADHD and anxiety shaped both of their lives, and why it's so hard to stop caring what everyone thinks. Mel opens up about her own journey through debt, dysfunction, and discovery — and Bert realizes maybe, just maybe, he doesn't have to fix everyone to be happy. If you've ever felt like you're juggling guilt, stress, and trying to please everyone — this episode will hit home and crack you up at the same time. 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 314 https://tomsegura.com/tour https://www.bertbertbert.com/tour https://store.ymhstudios.com Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:46 - What's Your Drink? 00:03:50 - College Chaos & Cheating Confessions 00:13:47 - Nobody Wants To F**k Up Their Life 00:23:12 - FOMO, Stoicism, & The Let Them Theory 00:34:42 - Why We Need to Disappoint People 00:47:55 - Family Guilt & The Dinner Dilemma 00:55:08 - An Awkward Nicole Kidman Kiss & Approval Addiction 01:01:39 - ADHD, Dyslexia, & The Volcano Inside 01:10:44 - What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 01:20:01 - Bert Gets Real 01:31:05 - Wired To Change 01:36:25 - Opportunity Of A Lifetime 01:45:51 - Let Them (And Let Yourself) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Dr. Jillian Lampert shares her extensive experience in the field of eating disorders, discussing the complexities of neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD and autism. The conversation explores the neurobiology behind eating disorders, the importance of understanding the brain-body connection, and the significance of seeking help. Dr. Lampert emphasizes that eating disorders are not merely behavioral issues but are deeply rooted in brain function and emotional responses. The episode also highlights the importance of recognizing red flags, developing coping mechanisms, and understanding the impact of societal messages on our relationship with food.TakeawaysEating disorders can manifest as both under-eating and overeating.Neurobiology plays a crucial role in understanding eating disorders.Picky eating can be a sign of an eating disorder, especially in children.Willpower is not the solution to eating disorders; it's about brain function.The brain-body connection is vital in managing eating habits.Establishing a routine can help regulate eating patterns.Red flags for eating disorders include impulsivity and dissatisfaction with body image.Seeking help is essential for recovery from eating disorders.Coping mechanisms and support systems are crucial for managing eating behaviors.Food can act as a drug, triggering emotional responses and cravings.Dyslexia, ADHD, autism, eating disorders, neurodivergent, mental health, nutrition, recovery, support, awareness, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.DR. Jillian Lampert: PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, Vice President of Strategy and Public AffairsCompany Website:https://emilyprogram.com/about-us/leadership-team/jillian-lampert/Jillian L's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-lampert-2a735651/Company LI - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-emily-program/_______________________________Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
"Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." -Corinthians 6:19-20 Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care. On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown about the importance of understanding the Autonomic Nervous System and how trauma and prenatal exposure to substances impact its function. Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 505 wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Dr Jerrod Brown Bio: Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master's degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master's degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat
So many of us grew up believing myths about dyslexia—like thinking it meant kids saw letters backwards, or that they would eventually “catch up” if we just gave them time. But those myths don't just confuse teachers… they keep students from getting the support they desperately need.In this episode, I sit down with resource teacher and dyslexia advocate Melanie Brethour to unpack the most common dyslexia myths—debunked with research and real classroom experience. Melanie shares her journey as both a teacher and a mom, the guilt she felt realizing she had unknowingly reinforced ineffective practices, and the small shifts that changed everything for her students.Whether you've been teaching for 5 years or 25, this conversation will help you separate fact from fiction so you can support struggling readers with confidence.In this episode, you'll learn:Why “backwards letters” are not the hallmark of dyslexia.The biggest misconceptions still circulating in schools.Practical ways to spot early signs of dyslexia in your classroom.Simple shifts to move beyond myths and into effective support.Show LinksMelanie's Instagram / LinkedInJoin Malia on Instagram.Become a Science of Reading Formula member!Rate, Review, and FollowIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!
Send us a textWill Petty has had an amazing journey, from working in special effects for TV and Film to now running an incredible family run lanscaping company, designing and building inspirational gardens.Will's story is incredible and we really hope that you enjoy hearing it and find it as inspirational as we do.Check out Will's Company: https://www.jwlandscapes.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacqandwillslandscapes/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacqwillslandscapesThe Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us!Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
Are you a content creator or podcaster worried that you're unintentionally excluding a portion of your audience? The pain point is simple: if your message isn't built for podcast accessibility, you're missing out on vital audience engagement, especially from listeners with dyslexia and other learning concerns. In this episode of Podcasting Unlocked, we sit down with leading researcher Russell Van Brocklen to discuss the actionable strategies you can implement right now. Learn how to refine your content strategy to be more specific, improve clarity, and ensure your powerful message lands with every single listener. This week, episode 242 of Podcasting Unlocked is all about essential podcast accessibility for listeners with dyslexia!Russell Van Brocklen aims to empower parents, tutors, and teachers to improve the comprehension, writing, and organizational skills of struggling dyslexic students. Drawing on extensive research and personal experience, he developed a unique system that dramatically enhances these abilities, leading to increased confidence and opportunities for long-term success.In this episode of Podcasting Unlocked, Russell Van Brocklen is sharing the importance of specificity to retain your audience's attention and actionable steps you can take right now to make your podcast more entertaining to people with dyslexia.Russell and I also chat about the following: Prioritize Specific Content: Stop being vague! The more specific and simple your language, the better you support listeners with dyslexia and drastically improve audience engagement for everyone.Refine Your Listener Avatar: When building your ideal listener profile, include potential challenges like learning concerns and short attention spans to tailor your podcast content more effectively.Boost Auditory Clarity: Focus on your articulation and word structure. These elements of verbal delivery are crucial for listeners with dyslexia who rely on strong auditory cues for processing information.Accessibility is a Productivity Hack: Designing your content with podcast accessibility in mind forces you to be clearer, more intentional, and ultimately more efficient in your overall content creation.Accessibility is not an extra step; it is the foundation of a powerful content strategy. When you design for the people who need clarity the most, you improve the listening experience for everyone. Your challenge this week: Take your next episode title or description and rewrite it to be 10x more specific and simple.Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on turning your podcast listeners into leads and to hear even more about the points outlined above. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don't forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about Podcasting Unlocked at https://galatimedia.com/podcasting-unlocked/ CONNECT WITH RUSSELL VAN BROCKLEN:https://dyslexiaclasses.com/LinkedInFacebookCONNECT WITH ALESIA GALATI:InstagramLinkedInWork with Galati Media! Work with Alesia 1:1Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
In this episode of the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, host Diana Winkler interviews Pastor Mark Sowersby, who shares his powerful testimony of overcoming childhood abuse and finding forgiveness and healing through faith. Mark recounts his early life filled with abuse, meeting Jesus at 16, and wrestling with his identity as a victim. Through the love of his church community and personal determination, he not only found freedom but also pursued education and ministry. He also speaks about reconnecting with his birth father and how the loss of his mother catalyzed the launch of his ministry, 'Forgiving the Nightmare'. The episode serves as an inspiring account of transformation, resilience, and the power of unconditional God's love. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 Welcome to the Podcast 01:25 Introducing Pastor Mark Sowersby 01:40 Technical Difficulties and Apologies 02:17 Pastor Mark's Testimony 05:49 Childhood and Abuse 07:10 Finding Faith and Forgiveness 18:06 Weight Loss Journey and Healing 23:08 Dyslexia and Education Struggles 24:42 Writing a Book and Ministry 28:14 Reading the Bible: Audio vs. Written 28:27 A Life-Changing Christmas Story 29:20 Overcoming Illiteracy with Help 30:14 A Love Story Blossoms 30:56 College Journey and Divine Guidance 32:49 Answering the Call to Ministry 33:13 Struggles with Self-Worth 35:15 Finding Confidence in God 35:56 Weight Loss and Self-Love 40:01 Victim to Victor: A Personal Transformation 45:00 Reuniting with Birth Father 48:20 Launching Forgiving the Nightmare Ministry 54:40 Final Thoughts and Prayer website: www.forgivingthenightmare.com email: mark@forgivingthenightmare.com Bio: Reverend Mark Sowersby has been married to his wonderful wife Jennifer for 17 years and is the father of four children. Mark has been an ordained minister with Assembly of God for over 25 years and is currently the Pastor of Christian Assembly of Schuyler in beautiful upstate New York. Pastor Mark holds a BA in theology from Zion Bible College/Northpoint Bible College. In 2019 Pastor Mark went through a time of great healing. He began speaking about the experiences of his past and God's grace and the transformational work of forgiveness in his life. He now speaks about his story through his ministry, Forgiving The Nightmare. When he isn't serving his congregation and his community through ministry, teaching, and support, you can find him on all the trails and lakes in Upstate New York, spending time with his family. Website: https://dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/ Transcript: [00:00:00] Special thanks to 7 5 3 Academy for sponsoring this episode. No matter where you are in your fitness and health journey, they've got you covered. They specialize in helping you exceed your health and fitness goals, whether that is losing body fat, gaining muscle, or nutritional coaching to match your fitness levels. They do it all with a written guarantee for results so you don't waste time and money on a program that doesn't exceed your goals. There are martial arts programs. Specialize in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. They take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Sign up for your free class now. It's 7 5 3 academy.com. Find the link in the show notes. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic violence advocate, [00:01:00] Diana Winkler. She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Welcome back. You made it well. I have a great guest for you today. I told you about him last week. Pastor Mark Sowersby and he has knocked this interview out of the park, and we had an amazing time. We did not have an amazing time with the Zoom platform. I could not hear him, but he could hear me, and it was a half an hour of back and forth trying to get it to work. So I wound up having to record this episode on our phones with the earbuds. So I don't normally do [00:02:00] that. I usually have my $300 studio microphone. So if it doesn't sound as good, I apologize. But this content is so great that I think you'll forgive me, but I'll try to do some, post-production, to make it sound better. So without further ado. Here is Pastor Mark. Yeah. Nice. Nice to meet you. Yes, nice to meet you also. And I saw your wife there too, so, and I think you saw my husband's beard anyway. Yes. And my wife is the strength and the brains of this operation around us. I'm blessed. I'm a blessed man there. Amen. Thank you. Yes. So we got the, um, the technical, uh, demons outta the way. Well, I appreciate that. We tried two computers and my Apple phone. And I have to tell you, I am a novice at computers at best, so Yeah, me too. So we're kindred spirits for sure. Amen. Amen. And I read your testimony about your [00:03:00] website and your faith and your podcast and everything. What a beautiful testimony you have. Oh, thank you so much. So you, you're in Arizona, is that correct? Yes. Wow. Wow. Well, I have to tell you of one of my bucket lists because I'm a northeast guy. I'm a New England, New York. We have snow. It's freezing. They're saying we could have a possible blizzard tomorrow. Uh, I love that. Go to the Grand Canyon. That's my, on my bucket list. My, my family. Hear me speak about that all the time. I've never seen it. But I long to, let me tell you, it's more breathtaking than you can imagine. The pictures don't do it justice. I've been there many, many times, of course. And yes, you should come as soon as you're allowed to travel. I would be over here. Yeah. There's so much more to see. We long to go. We really want to see it. You know, if somebody said, you really see the significance when you look at that great canyon and you see how [00:04:00] small you are, it humbles you and reminds you of what a great big God we serve. So, you know, we just, uh, amen. Thank you for hearing my story and my testimony, and it's an honor to be here with you and celebrate the victories that we have in Christ. Amen, brother. We're gonna get to know you a bit here for my listeners. So why don't you tell the, listeners a little bit about yourself. My name is Mark Sowerby. I'm a husband, a father, a friend. I'm a sports fan. I eat too much. I talk too much, but I'm a pastor and a servant of Jesus Christ. I was looking at all your pictures and stuff, and I saw your progression of your weight loss. That is so amazing. Thank you. Thank you. And my weight loss journey is really just a symptom. Or result of the greater healing that's taken place in my life. Uh, I'm very proud of it. It's something [00:05:00] I have to work hard for and be very disciplined in. So yes, there's a work towards it, but really it's the sub to the main plot. The main plot is what Jesus did in my heart to help me forgive and help me heal the abuses and the pains. And as that began to fill my life, this weight loss journey with the discipline and that burning good habits and exercising, and I'm up to running, uh, six miles a day on the treadmill. So, wow. Six miles. Yeah. So well, remember, we're not in Arizona heat, so it's not hot, well, I have a treadmill. That's usually what I exercise on. I have an exercise room, I don't run unless somebody's chasing me or the laxative has started working. Those are good reasons to run. so let's start at the beginning. So what was your childhood like? Well, unfortunately I have a story of brokenness, pain, and sorrow. I was born from an affair. Uh, so my [00:06:00] father never really had a relationship with him. I am assuming that as soon as he, uh, got the news, he, he left. So I was raised by my mom. I have two siblings that my mom had from a prior marriage. So the three of us kind of lived together at my grandmother's house, and that's what I knew. That was what life was. I was seven years old. A young man came into our family, and that young man eventually married my mom 20 years, her younger, and when he came into our home, he brought abuse and pain. He brought death and destruction. He brought lies and poison. And as any abuser, those abusers have touched many people. And as not only did he abuse my mom in a and. With just vulgarness and pain, but he also abused me and with sexual abuse and physical abuse and emotional abuse. And it was just a very difficult time in my life. So from seven to 14, that's kind of the world I knew. Not only did he abuse my body, not only did he steal from [00:07:00] me, my dignity, my value. Not only did he try to control me, but he also sold me for other men to abuse me. Mm-hmm. Other men to take my body. He stabbed me and beat me and burnt me. And at 16, I was invited to church, I ran into a youth group. And, uh, there's a whole story in that. But let me tell you, I ran into youth group and I ran into Jesus. Jesus was Amen loving. Amen. Jesus's loving arms. He wrapped him around me and started me on the journey, journey of forgiveness. And it's been a journey up. I just turned 50. We just lost my mom earlier this year. Wow. They say a flu. Some say COVID, but we lost her earlier this year and it was really kind of a season for me to walk through some even deeper, deeper healing. We have a lot in common. 'cause I just lost my brother this week. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for your loss. Yeah. So we both have losses today. Yes. Yes. I'm so [00:08:00] sorry for your loss. You as well. Thank you. Your mother was a believer? She was at the end of her life. As we say, the 11th hour of Thief on the cross remember me. Mm-hmm. My mom did have one of those kind of conversions. Unfortunately, she never, the last few years of her life, she came to understand Jesus, but she never forgave herself or forgave. Her pain. She lived with the regrets and the shames and the guilt of her pains. She knew the love of Christ, and I believe that when she closed her eyes on this earth, she opened her eyes there because of what Christ did for her. But she carried this burden of shame and guilt and hurt. But I forgave her, not because I'm special, not because I'm better. I forgave her because Christ forgave me. And in that journey of learning with to forgive people say to me, how could you forgive such a great thing? I just forgave what was in front of me. That's it. Step by step, precept by precept. That's how I forgave. I [00:09:00] couldn't think about the whole journey all at it was too hard. What's in front of you? Well, we'll definitely get into, your process of forgiveness. Would it be okay to, circle back to your stepfather coming into your life? Now it sounded like it was a very violent to way he treated you. Did he do any grooming of you to start the abuse or was it violent right away? I believe there was grooming, again, being so young and, uh, being so, uh, naive. I probably didn't recognize it, but I'm sure there was grooming you know, there was this natural longing. From a child without a father to find a father figure. Mm-hmm. Um, being so young, not understanding the process of that, and any person that would gimme attention, I would run to them to try to find somebody who would govern me or lead me or [00:10:00] guide me or accept me. So I'm sure there was some manipulation in that, as I became more groomed or broken or became more pliable, if you would, because of my young immaturity. He began to have more of his way on it, just so you know. And I always refer to him as my mother's husband. Never as my stepfather? Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Oh, no, you didn't offend. No, I have forgiven him. I think in forgiveness, it's okay to have, uh, some boundaries. Sure. I think that, to have some healthy boundaries, I've forgiven him. I've put him in the hands of God, and I pray the grace of God will meet him and his pain and his sorrow, and only God can reach him. Uh, but again, there's some healthy boundaries around my life and my families. So what was your relationship with God when you were going through all this abuse? We grew up in a very religious home. I was a New England Protestant, so most of New England are [00:11:00] Irish Catholic, Italian Catholic, Polish Catholic, French Catholic. But I was the rare Protestant. And I remember saying to my grandfather one day, I asked him, I said I, well, let me back up and say, I always knew what I wasn't. I knew I wasn't a Catholic, but I didn't know what I was. So, grandpa used to tell us we weren't Catholic. He announced that pretty clearly. But one day I asked him, I said, then if we're not Catholic, what religion are we? And all he said was, go ask your mother. So, you know, we didn't really grow up in any kind of. Formal faith-based community, uh, you know, sometimes went to Christmas Eve service, you know, those kind of what we call Sea Easter and Christmas. The CE. The CE crowd. That's right. But it really wasn't, a church was not a part of my life. We knew God was there, be good and you go to heaven, be nice to people, you go to heaven. But there really wasn't a faith-based situation. I'll be honest with you, uh, the [00:12:00] only religion I got, or the only faith I got was the one album that was played in our home. It's not a Christian album, it was Jesus Christ Superstar. I'm a kid of the seventies. Yes, I'm very familiar with that. Yeah. And but God's name is so powerful now as a Bible college graduate, as a pastor, I could see all the holes of the theology in that and how it was really written, dragged down the gospel. They say Jesus Christ, and as a child, that name is so powerful. So, I mean, I didn't know anything. So here I was, I, I remember seven years old with a big headset on sitting in front of the speakers and listening to Jesus Christ Superstar. And, and now I realize what a mockery it was. But then just the name has power. Yeah, there was no resurrection in that movie. No, no, no. You know, when you have Mary Magdalene sing to, to him and say, you're just a man, [00:13:00] only a man. I mean, it's such a mockery. But again, at eight years old, 10 years old, I thank God that all truth belongs to God. Amen. And his name is so, amen, powerful. Amen. That every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And as that name, Jesus was smoking, it pierced my darkness. Now, I didn't know about crying out. I didn't know about prayer, but God was preparing me for such a time. And at 16 the lifeguard at the apartment complex invited me to church. She was a pretty girl, and I didn't wanna say no. Uh, she invited she invited me and picked me up with her boyfriend. Oops. We went, yeah, we went to church that night and there began my journey into meeting Christ, knowing his mercy and grace into my faith walk and it's been a journey ever since. So is that when you, met the Lord for real [00:14:00] and got saved? Exactly, I was 16 years old. It was the early part of the summer and I went to that youth group and everybody told me that. To throw away my rock and roll music and to cut my hair and take my earring out. And everybody wanted to hug me and I didn't wanna be hugged by anybody. It's an evangelical Pentecostal church. And I was like, I don't, yeah. But come to find out, the youth pastor lived in the same apartment complex I did. I had a ride to church anytime it was open. So, later on that summer, mid-August, I remember a man inviting me, a young man from the youth group. It was raining. He was giving me a ride home. We got into his car and he asked me right there, uh, mark, do you wanna ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? And we prayed right there the sinner's prayer. And I recognized the grace of God and the mercy of God and the Spirit of God. And at 16 years old, I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord. And I thank him that he was calling me at such a time. So, and then I [00:15:00] had to grow up. Wow. And then I had to grow. I was still 16 with a messed up background and, still was spilling life all over myself. But that church loved me. They hugged me and kicked me in the can at the same time. Now were you out of your mom's house? Away from your abuser? Well. When the abuse first became, and I don't wanna say public, but when it became outside of the family when I meant the first person I confessed it to or, or shared it with, was my uncle. And I think that people have to remember my abuse happened from 19 7 7 to 1984. And the awareness and the advocacy that's out there today wasn't there then. And things like this happen behind closed doors. And I think culturally, not everybody, but culturally in most families said, we keep that stuff behind closed doors. We don't share it. We handle it as families. I told my uncle at [00:16:00] 14 years old. He was the first person I confessed to, and I ended up living with my uncle for about a year. He became my defender. So from about 14 to about 15 and a half, I lived with my uncle, and about 15 and a half I moved back with my mom. And yes, her husband was still there. But he, uh, he was very sickly at this time. So, he wasn't able to hurt me physically anymore. And I was strong enough to not allow anybody to hurt me anymore. So Now you said the word confess. Well, you didn't do anything wrong. Thank you. I, yeah, I just meant, I told. You shared your story, your abuse, uh, your victimization. So yeah. You don't have to apologize for anything. Amen. Thank you. That's right. It was probably a poor choice of words. I was just reading. I announced to my uncle, or I, I shared out, I took it out. I took it outta that simple family unit that I would tell my mom, [00:17:00] my mom having so much hurt and pain in her life, didn't know how to handle that. And just would say, well, he promises not to do it again. And he promised not to do it. And of course, so in a lot of ways I felt like my mom was a victim. And, and. Even though I've had to learn to forgive my mom because of what she allowed to happen, but in some ways, not that I justify it, but I've begun to understand it. Because she was abused by her first husband who broke her heart because, uh, just pain who had many affairs on her, and she was so broken down, so hurting and she did not understand love. I think she, um, interpreted love in a very, uh, trying to think of the word here you know, an enabling way. My mom was more of an enabler and I think she interpreted her love in enabling. So she enabled people. I mean, it sounds like [00:18:00] codependency. Was that the word you're looking for? Yes. Okay. Yeah. Thanks. So you struggled with your weight for years. Was that a symptom of your. Abuse your childhood? I, I think it was, you know, I'm, I'm not a psychologist or, a social worker. I'm a preacher, but you know, I think what I was trying to find in food was comfort, friendship. It always accepted me, uh, it comforted me when I was having a bad day and it rewarded me when I was having a good one. But like any drug, if you would, it lies to you. And it says, Hey, is everything will be okay. Just have a little bit more, have a little bit more, and, it just is. So for me, food became my drug of choice. Mm-hmm. Uh, it became where I found comfort, found peace, found acceptance. I punished myself with it. Boy, I'm no good. I'm going to eat ice cream. Oh, I'm having a great day. I'm gonna eat [00:19:00] ice cream. So, you know, it was one of those things. Uh, what I tell people is that I wish I could say to you that, that God has taken away all the hurt, all the pain, all the sorrow. It's still there in my life. It's still a familiar. Familiar pain that continues to call to me. But what God did is he became bigger. He became bigger than the pain. He became bigger than the shame. He became bigger than the hurt. So is it still there? Sure. And the flesh wants to run to it. And the psyche wants to run to it because I know it, it's comfortable. I, I know my role there. I, I understand what my protection and my manipulation that I can find there. But God became bigger. God became bigger. You know, I was telling a friend today, and I climbed a mountain after I lost about 50 pounds. I climbed a mountain. And it was about a half a mile long. And to me it was Everest. It was the biggest mountain in the world. And it took me hours [00:20:00] to go up and I had blisters on my feet and bruises on my toe. I was very proud that I climbed it. But after I lost about a hundred pounds, I climbed the biggest mountain in the state of New York called Mount Marcy. And what was the difference between those two mountains? One was bigger and I think that's the same thing. What happened to me is that even though that sometimes the enemy wants to try to bring me back to those familiar pains, those familiar insecurities, those familiar foes, God became bigger. His word, his spirit his love all became bigger. And I have to hold onto that and I have to claim, not claim it, but I have to run into it. You know, I have to run into that every day. So. Oh, you would love the mountains here. We have so many mountains to climb. So yeah. If you come to Phoenix, then we'll have to go hiking together. Yes. I wanna see that Grand Canyon. I wanna come to Phoenix. I am a New Englander, but it's cold [00:21:00] all the time here. But I hear that you guys leave for the summer and go back in the winter. We leave for the winter to warm places because it's so hot in Phoenix in the summer. Yeah. We're not snowbirds. We are here all year. Now we get to 110 every year. That's, that's normal. It gets to 120 here every summer. But this year it was 55 days of 110 degrees. Wow. Which, um, that killed all my plants and, uh, two of my trees, so Wow. Yeah, it's 70 degrees outside now, but in the summertime it's brutal. Wow. Don't come in the summer. Come in the winter. Okay. I, um, I did get to do a mission chip for Juarez, Mexico, which is obviously south of you guys and a little east, but at the same time, I got a touch of hot weather and I have done a lot of missions trips to Central America and the Caribbean, but they do have a different climate because of the sea and the water. So it's not that dry heat. [00:22:00] It's, definitely that, more moist, heat. Yeah, I think you'll do fine. Like I said, I looked forward to it. We were just in Israel in, November November, 2019, and it was 85 degrees. In Jerusalem and I roasted, I had such a hard time because the elevation was different and the humidity from the from the sea. Yeah. I don't know if you've been to Israel, I have not. Another, another bucket list, yeah yes, definitely recommend that for sure. Thank you. My wife and I, we love to travel. You know, we, we have four children, so right now our kids are in the ages of 15 to seven, so we are right in the midst of it. You know, we're, we're mom and dad, taxi and, and we homeschool. So my wife is going a hundred miles an hour all the time. Pastor wife. Homeschool mom and she's taking care of [00:23:00] me. So, I mean, this is, God bless her. If there's a hero in this story, it's my wife. Your wife's a homeschooler. Um, you had said in your story that you had dyslexia growing up. What was that like? Well, you know, I think that I still have it. Uh, God hasn't, hasn't healed me from it. So what happens is, is I tell people when the way I was raised, I survived my childhood. I wasn't raised, you know, I didn't have parents that, that looked out for me. I didn't have somebody who wanted to govern my experiences or, or was an advocate for me. So I, I really just kind of survived my childhood and one of the casualties of that. Was my education. Uh, it was the early seventies, so I think there was a lot going on with sight reading and some different kind of philosophies of teaching. So here I was in a broken home with a learning disability. I [00:24:00] was being bullied at school because the way I felt about myself and, you know, so yeah, reading has always been a chore for me. It still is a chore today. But again, the lord, he helps and he, he brings me through and he gave me a brilliant wife. Uh, she is a, a teacher by education. And my children love to read. My son will walk into walls. He reads books this thick. I mean, and I remember holding him the moment he was born, praying, Lord, give him just a heart for reading. And he does. I mean, my son 15 says, dad, can we go to the library? Love the library. Oh, he, yeah, we're friends with the librarian. Uh, if they need somebody to help him out, move books and they call him. But yes, reading has always been a chore and I, believe it or not, I'm in the midst of writing a book. Oh, I was just gonna ask that if you had a book out or not. We are just started to speak to a publisher, it's self-publishing company. Uh, so we're definitely in [00:25:00] conversations. We have written, just kind of let it pour out of me. It's been there for 50 years, so just kind of. And, uh, now we've kind of put it in front of people who really know what they're doing. I tell everybody, I wrote it my ways, I handed it to my wife and she interpreted it and made it legible. And, uh, we have some local friends who have done some basic editing, so they're kind of editing for us, and now we're sending it to the publisher who knows how to edit in a professional way. So, so, you know, the Lord told me years ago that this testimony would be written down. I remember I chuckled when he told me that because I said, Lord, I can barely read or write. And I remember saying to the Lord, Lord, if you want this written down, what am I gonna call it? He said, you'll call it Forgiving the Nightmare. So that's why the name of the ministry, the name of the book, the name of the website is called Forgiving the Nightmare. I think everybody uh, regardless of [00:26:00] how one came, you know, yours and I came in by probably hands of other people's, but sometimes nightmares come in by all different ways. Loss, regrets pains, hurts. And we all have to kind of say, Lord, how do we go through that? And I know as Christians, we want it instant, you know, we wanna stand on the word, we wanna claim it, we wanna save. Lord, give it to me. But I think sometimes we have to, uh, go through the process. I think of Jacob and how he wrestled with God, or he wrestled with the angel and they wrestled all night long. And, and God, the angel touched his hip and then he said, what do you want? And Jacob said, I want a new. And he became Israel, the promise. Mm-hmm. So he left deceiver, as you know, and he became Israel promise. And I think sometimes in that journey of forgiveness as much as Christians and people, we want it and we want it so true and so earnestly, [00:27:00] but sometimes we have to wrestle. We have to wrestle with the past. We have to wrestle with ourselves, we have to wrestle with the fears, and wrestling doesn't make us bad, doesn't make us sinners, doesn't mean God has left us. I think God's working with us, the process as a pastor, I've seen so many people who are unwilling to go through the process. And they get stuck. They get stuck in the cycle, in the the hurts and the pains of life. Just kind of build up on them. And I know God wants to set 'em free, but again, it, you have to learn to die to self crucify the old man, you know, tame the tongue. And it's hard. It's hard, especially when everything in the, especially when everything in the world tells you you're okay to have that. It's okay for you to hate. It's okay for you to be angry. It's okay for you to, when God says, for us to let him go first, let Him lead us. And God is, if we forgive those who trespass against us, he'll be faithful and just to forgive us. [00:28:00] And that scripture boy haunted me for a long time because I said, Lord, I'm not ready to begin. I'm sorry I'm preaching. No, you're awesome. I'm enjoying this. Um, I'm curious how you read your Bible. Do you use an audio bible or do you, um, do use an actual written Bible? Well, I do read Bible. I like the ESV, I like the NIV, I like those verses. I do read it. I do listen to audio at times. What happened was, is about 20, I was in my early twenties and a woman at church asked me to read the Christmas story out of Luke in front of the youth group. Now, when I say youth group, we had about a hundred youth in our youth group, maybe even 150. It was a large youth group and she was the kind of woman who would not take no for an answer. You know, the church lady? Yeah. I think every church has one of those. Yeah. And you know, I tried to give her every excuse in the [00:29:00] book, I lost my glasses. I was too embarrassed to say that I couldn't read. So I got up in front of the youth group and I read out of Luke chapter two and I. Stumbled over my words and I read slowly and I read broken up. And people were very kind to me that day. The youth pastor and the youth group, they were not cruel. And after service, that woman came back to me and said that she homeschooled her children and she would like to homeschool me if I'd want to. Now I was, I was a grownup. I was 23 and I went back to her house and there I sat with her 6-year-old, five-year old as she was teaching her 5-year-old, 6-year-old how to read. She was also teaching me phonics. I never learned phonics. I tell everybody, when I learned TION and Sean and not ion, it changed my life. Unbeknownst to me that church lady had an older daughter [00:30:00] and that older daughter watched me. Watch me struggle over my words, watch me go to the house and sit with her five-year-old sister and learn ae IOU and learn the rules of bowels and phonics. Well, years later, that older daughter would become my wife. Oh. Oh. So, yep. So, you know, she told me that she fell in love with me and she watched me there. And so that, that's a little bit of our love story. But yeah, she watched me from afar and, and now today we have four kids together and she still helps me read. So I do read. I a much stronger reader than I ever was. Uh mm-hmm. So I, I can read a much better than I could then. Well, I certainly can see looking back that you had so many people in your corner to that God sent to help you, and what a blessing. Now, did you go to college? I did. I [00:31:00] graduated from what's now called North Point Bible College. At the time, it was called Zion Bible College. It was in Barrington, Rhode Island. It was a very focused school for ministry only. Uh, so I did go there. I didn't wanna go there. I'm a New Englander. I knew about the school. It was in my backyard. I wanted to go to Southeastern to Florida. I wanted to go to pennsylvania and go to Valley Forge. Uh, those doors were not open to me. I remember saying, the Lord, I'm done. Lord, I've tried. Everybody's rejecting me because of my education. And he said, go to Zion. I went in and I met with the Dean of students. In that meeting, the dean of students said to me, mark, do you have a call? I said, yes, I believe I do have a call. He got up from his desk and he went to a big picture window, a woman who was walking in front of his picture window, and he tapped onto the window and he called this woman in. As she came [00:32:00] into his office, he introduced me to a woman named Jan Kruger. He let me know that Jan was led by God to go to school, to go to Zion the week earlier than me to start a learning center. And Jan and I became our first student in the learning center and we worked hard. The first year, most of my, classes were uncredited 'cause I had to learn how to be a student. I didn't know what a syllabi was. I didn't know how to take tests. Uh, we sat in that learning center. I cried, I complained. She was a mom. She hugged me sometimes and she told me to. To suck it up sometimes. And, uh, that was the best advice I could get. So yeah, i'm a proud graduate of Zion Bible College, and I'm ordained with the Assembly of God. So when did you get called into the ministry? Well, pretty much after, it was about my 17th year, 16 years old, I got saved and 17 years old, I was [00:33:00] at a Youth convention, and I pretty much felt like the Lord called me then. Now, I ran from that call for a long time because of my insecurities, my fears, my inabilities. See, when I walked into the room, I always felt like I was junk. Like I was dirt. Like I could offer nobody, nothing. And I was, no, you know, I, that's how I felt about myself. So who would let me be that pastor? What do I have to offer? I could barely read. Look what happened to me. So. For many years I wrestled with it and about 24, 25 years old, I had a brand new truck, little S 10 pickup truck. They called it Bernie because it was purple. I was listening to Petra, remember a Petra? I love Petra. And I was, I was listening to Petra from the seventies not the nineties. Petra and I remember I was listening to Petra and the Holy Spirit filled with the cab of that car and that truck I had to [00:34:00] pull over. I was on old post road. I'll never forget tears coming down my face. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, mark, choose this day whom you'll serve. I've called you and I will equip you. And I said, God, I want you. That's when the journey of. Colleges, and I wish I could tell you it was all roses and cherries after that. It wasn't, you know, there's still a lot of growing up and a lot of overcoming, and a lot of dying to self. And, and there still is. But yeah, that's how I got called and I went to that school and they loved me. They were honest to me. You sound like you had a lot , in coming with Moses with his speech impediment. He was, exiled to be a goat and a sheep herder. They're not gonna listen to me, Lord. You know? Did you feel like that? Oh, sure. I sure did. Like I said, I, for most of my life, I felt like what can I offer? So what I did is I put a facade on myself or I, I lived up to the role that I [00:35:00] thought people wanted from me, or a role to, to find acceptance or protection. So, if I had to be the clown, I was the clown. If I had to be the fool, I was the fool. If I had to be the weak, I was the weak because I felt those things about me. Recently in this weight loss journey and this giving, God has given me confidence. And I say that with much humility because I know it's not my confidence, it's confidence in him. But I've never had confidence before. I feel like a carpenter with a new tool. I feel like, you know, a businessman with a new suit that I've never had confidence before. Now again, it's not confidence in what I have. Because I'm still weak, but it's a confidence going, my Abba father makes a way for me. My Abba father heals me and, and goes before me. So it's, it's a kind of a new season for me to be confident and say, you know what? I can live a healthy life. People ask me why I lost the weight. [00:36:00] And I remember I was reading the scripture, and you're probably familiar with it, is when the Pharisee comes to the Lord or it says to him, Lord, how does one enter the kingdom of heaven? And the Lord says, well, what is written? He says, Lord, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength, and with all your spirit, and love your neighbor as yourself. I've read that a million times. I've preached on it. I've studied it. One day I was reading it, he said, Lord, I know you love me, mark, but you don't love your neighbor, and you don't love yourself, so you can't love your neighbor. And I realized because I didn't love myself, I wasn't taking care of myself. I love my children. I love my wife. I wanna take care of 'em. They don't need me. I wife can, but I want to. I wanna do things for, I wanna take care of 'em. I wanna help 'em be better and stronger and smarter and wiser, and love the Lord. And I realized I didn't love myself. So the weight loss journey, forgiving the nightmare, forgiving my mom, forgiving the abusers, forgiving those [00:37:00] who betrayed me as a child, helped me begin to love myself again. No visions of grander. I'm still a just a normal guy saved by grace. Uh, I still put my big foot in my mouth, my wife can come in and tell you all the stories, but, uh, but you know, I started to love myself and. It sounds like, you found your self worth in the Lord Jesus because Jesus sees you as his child. You are a child of God, and that's where your worth is. So it sounds like your healing journey brought you to that place. Yeah. It's not self-confidence like the world says it is. It's how God sees you. You're precious and you're loved. Amen. And you're valuable. He died for you. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You're gonna get me going now. Hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah. I want others to [00:38:00] experience this. You know, I, my whole ministry, I've been surrounded by hurting people and hurting churches. I've worked with people that have had major traumas in their life. Not that I ever sought it. I can't. I think the Lord just led me to it. And as I've worked with people, people say that I've been able to bring comfort. I'm easy to talk to. I thought, well, okay, Lord. And I want people to find that freedom that I have. I understand being shackled to pain in the past. I understand allowing those things to form the way you think about and believe about yourself, and never truly being set free. Waking up with that numbing feeling of brokenness all the time. All the time, just constantly. But God truly set me free. He set me free. And because he set me free, I'm nobody special. And being a pastor, I see so many people that have a [00:39:00] form of this and they don't. They haven't gone through it. So they're still living with a confession in Christ, but still the hurts of the past. Blame them. I don't, I'm not putting fingers, I'm not taking the log out on my own eye before I take the twig from their eye. But I'm saying the freedom that God has for his people. Uh, and again, do we still stumble? Yeah. Do we still need refining? Sure. Are we still the clay? And he's still the potter of court, but there's a freedom that we find as a pastor. I've just met so many people who will say, pastor, I'm killed. I'm delivered. And you realize it's, it's only an inch deep. It's, you know, as soon as they get tested, as soon as they get, get bothered, it just spills out. It pulls out of them in, in a defense or in, in a rejection or in a way they, they have a self view of the world or of themselves. Now God's consent is free. God can set [00:40:00] us free. So, what's the difference between being a victim and being victorious? Hallelujah. Well, in my humble opinion, a victim is somebody who always sees themselves broken, sees themselves in a way that, that that allows them to stay in their victimhood. For a long time, my victimhood became my identity. I remember one day when the Lord brought me to the altar and he said those words to me. He said, mark, I want you to give this up. And I literally said, in an audible voice, Lord, if I'm not a victim, then what am I? Because all I knew was the, the role of being a victim. Oh, my victimhood was good. I could manipulate with it. I could win every argument with it. Oh, when I was 16 years old, my mom, who was a single mom with not much money she bought me a car. I had a phone in my room. I had cable on my own [00:41:00] tv. She made me breakfast in bed. Why she owed that to me. Why? Because I was a victim. And I got to see how I could win every argument at school. I could put my head down and I could lift up my head and go, well, who here else was molested? I was, and no one would say anything. And the Lord rebuked me at that and said, said, yeah, that's what victims do. At least that's what I did. He said, I wanna make you victorious. And I remember him saying, me saying to the Lord, if I'm not a victim, what am I? And he said, you're victorious in me. I had to learn what it meant to be victorious. Amen. I had to learn to let that facade go. Let that personality go, let that old man die and let the new man of Christ rise up inside him. That is awesome. I just love that. I've never heard anybody describe it like that. Now, I prefer the, word survivor instead of victim. But I think you took [00:42:00] it up another notch. We are, victorious in the Lord. Well, my victimhood, you know, as much as I was a victim, but I used it for my own gain. Mm-hmm. Which made me just as not guilty of what happened to me, but made me not a healthy place. It put me in a Right. But it's all I knew, you know, I could manipulate, I could win the argument. Right. I was the guy. Who else here was stabbed and burnt and abused? I could show you my scars where they stabbed me. I could show you the burn marks. I was prostituted for other men to abuse me. Boy, you know, I could really win the, the argument. But that was wrong. Yeah, it was wrong. It was wrong to put that on my mother, it's wrong to put that on my family. It was wrong to put that on others. And the Lord had to rebuke me and, uh, wow. And he did, because he loves, he rebukes the ones he loves, so he rebuked you. I just so appreciate your raw [00:43:00] and honest, telling of your story. Because, you've heard stories where they just put the fluff or they put the stuff that's gonna, bring up the ratings or whatever. But you really, kept it real. And I think you're a great pastor because people see that you're a real person. You're not some fake up there that can't relate to your congregation's problems, do you feel that way? Oh, definitely. You know, my congregation, as you know, like we talked earlier, I wrestle with dyslexia and every once in a while I'll stumble over a word while I'm reading the Bible and in front of my congregation. And, and that really bothered me for a long time. My Lord, I'm a pastor. How can I not read this and now. When I stumble over a word, my congregation yells it up to me. So I'll be on the platform. And you know what? They'll see me stumbling and you know, they'll yell it up to me and it's just a term of endearment. [00:44:00] It's not been one of rejection or shame, and I say, you know what? I'm doing that just to make sure you're in the Bible. That's what I tell 'em. But I'll be reading the scripture and, and my dyslexia kick in, or, or the word will be all scrambled. And, and they're the kind voices. Oh, pastor, that's, that means this. And, and it's kind of a nice direction. I tell people the church I pastor is a real church with real people serving a real God. Wow. So, wow. Fancy fluff. Church don't come to us because, you know, we're real and we cry together, we do life together. We step on each other's toes. We don't always agree, but we always love God. That is so awesome. Pastor of Christian is Alia Scott. That's right. I didn't announce your church name. I wanted to ask you to tell another story about. You said that you met your birth father at one point. What happened during that reunion Union? [00:45:00] Well, I was 45 years old and I wanted to reach, I wanted to know, I tell people my birth father and I met at the right place in life. I think if I would've met him younger, I would've still been angry. Rejected Kyle, but I was 45. I was the father of four. I've made my own mistakes, my own problems. I learned to mature a little bit. To be really frank, my father's wife passed on, so he was more ready to meet me. So his wife that he had the affair on to si me, if you would, she passed. So he was more open to meet me and uh, I just didn't meet him, but the whole family met him together. We met in a restaurant, we met in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the family came in and the kids instantly. Started to call him grandpa. I thought, I don't know if I'm okay with that. And he never rejected it. So the last few years of [00:46:00] life, we just lost him. I, I had him for about four years. It wasn't warm and fuzzy, daddy and son, but it was something, we had a relationship. We'd talk about sports, we'd talk about life. He was a snowbird from Massachusetts to Florida and he just kind of let me know. So I'm very thankful for the four years I had. Again, it wasn't, Hey buddy, I'm proud of you kind of moment, but I got to find out a little bit about. Who my dad was and who some of my relatives are on my father's side. I got to learn about some of the health conditions of, of my father. And you know, he said he was pretty, he made it to 84. He liked to drink and he liked ladies, I like Jesus, I like one lady, Wow. That's an incredible story. I tell people it was the right time. Again, if I would've met him at 25, I would've been angry. I would've said, you know, why did you abandon me? 45 was a good time because. You know what, by that [00:47:00] time I, I stepped in enough life of my own to, to not, to be slow to judge, oh, God does have the perfect timing. I haven't spoken much about my story at all on here, but my husband and I talk about, boy, I wish that we had met, long time ago, you know, and skipped all the pain because we were both victims of abuse from our previous spouses. I'm sorry. And, um, but we thought about it and we thought we were different people. If we met at that time, I don't think I would've been interested in you and you wouldn't have been interested in me. And, I think that God brought us together this time of our life. No, we've been married 11 years. Congratulations. Thank you. So, God brought us together at our time of life because that was the perfect time and Sure. We're best friends. We never even have had a real fight. We didn't disagree, of course, but now you should write a book [00:48:00] about that. Okay. I mean, we disagree and, um, get on each other's nerves, but the Lord has just, you're normal. Just blessed us. Yeah, we're definitely normal. Um, especially during pandemic. It's like you learn about your spouse when you're stuck with them 24 7. Right? That's true. That's true. Yeah, we had to make some adjustments. Amen. And, um, we still love each other, and that it's great when you're talking about times of life, you know, for such a time as this, and I think for me, the Lord spoke to me years ago about forgiving the nightmare ministry. He actually spoke to me when I was in college about this. I didn't know it was gonna, uh, blossom or what it was gonna look like, but he spoke to me years ago about writing it down and it was always inside me. And I kept, my wife knew about it. We would always think, how's the, what's the Lord gonna do with this? Is it distant inside me to guide me through life? Is it more for others? Is it, Lord, how's it, how's it [00:49:00] gonna? Blossom if you would manifest. And we lost my mom and I have to tell you that, not immediately, but pretty quick. After losing my mom, I felt like this ministry could just launch. And it has launched. God has brought, brought a web designer into our life. He's brought some, um, producers into our life to help me tell the story. We're talking with a, an editor and a publisher. All this has happened fairly quickly. And I think, Lord, why now? And I think, to be honest with you, and this is just my opinion, I, I don't know if I have chapter and verse to back this up, but my mom was so embarrassed. She was so full of shame because of my upbringing every time for the last 20 years of my life, every time me and my mom were alone together, she would just apologize. And I don't just mean say, sorry. She would grovel and I would say, mom, I forgive you. I forgive you, [00:50:00] Marky. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. And if my mom knew that I was speaking to podcasts or writing a book, she would've been so, so embarrassed. So she may, it would've just troubled her so much. So I think outta the grace of God, and again, don't have chapter and verse, but I think upon her passing released me to be able to share this story, to be able to bring others into it, to just think God was being merciful to my mom on her journey. And again, it was almost pretty instant after her, uh, her own passing that I remember being on the treadmill one morning and the Lord just kind of. Just impressing upon me by giving the nightmare. Remember those words? I spoke to you. This is where it's gonna take place. And since then, we've made a couple videos, uh, we've launched a website. I'm talking to wonderful people like yourself and just trying to get the [00:51:00] story out of forgiving the Nightmare and trying to say to people whatever that nightmare was. Was it physical and sexual abuse like mine? Was it a tragedy in your life? Is it regrets? Is it fears? Is it the loss of a child or a loved one? Whatever that pain is that your nightmare. I want you to know that God can help you forgive it and overcome it and break the shackles so we don't have to be the man or the person. The hurt tried to make us. We no longer have to be Jacob. We can become Israel. Your mom would be so proud of you. And I think that, thank you. If, the Lord's probably told her, you know, the good things that have come out of a terrible situation, she said she had, you said she had some shame. Oh. I think if she was looking down at you now that, that shame would be gone. [00:52:00] That shame is no longer there. Look how God's using my son, my, my wonderful son to spread the gospel and to help people. And so Well, thank you. I'm so thankful for you, brother. Thank you for saying those words, sister. It's very kind of you. I used to say to my mom, even up to her last days, I would say, mom, who's your favorite? And she would say, I love you all, all the same. And I'd say, mom, stop lying to my siblings. I'm the youngest of three. My older brother and my older sister never made me feel like a step or a half brother. Uh, we just kind of always lived in the same house. We got real family problems and just life, but they've never left, never met me, felt, never let me feel like I was less than even to today. So I'm very thankful. My oldest sister, who is, a second mom to me, my oldest sister, she is my second mom and I'm thankful for her. So. Wow. Well, we [00:53:00] just had just a great time tonight. When your book comes out, please contact me. I would love to have you on the show again, to promote your book because obviously you, your story is so powerful and we wanna get it out to as many people as we can. So, tell the folks how to connect with you. Well, the best way to connect with me is@forgivingthenightmare.com. Forgiving the nightmare.com. Forgiving the nightmare.com is the best way to connect with me. If you go there, you'll find a email, it's called mark@forgivingthenightmare.com. That comes directly to me, right on my phone. So that's the best way to connect with me. Also you can go to our Facebook page called, forgiving the Nightmare. For giving Nightmare Facebook page. I try to put up pictures and little devotions there and stories there. So that's the two. Best way through Facebook, after Giving the Nightmare, after giving the Nightmare do [00:54:00] com, those are the best ways to connect with me. And I hope to get so Arizona someday. You have an open invitation. Wow. I'll be a tour guide for you. I know that Arizona like the back of my hand. Wow. Wow. Now my children could hear you in the background, so they're gonna be pretty excited about that invitation. There's so much stuff for, for their Edge group as well. So, we will hook you guys up. So thanks for being patient with the tech stuff and I'm glad we pushed through and didn't let the devil get the victory tonight. We found a way to get you on here. That's right. May I pray for you as we close. Oh yes, please. Thank you. Father God, we just come to you tonight and we thank you again for your son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we thank you for the sacrifice that he gave to us upon the cross, Lord. And we pay the price we could not pray, Lord. And we thank you for the gift of life [00:55:00] and life more abundant. Lord, we thank you for the promises. It says in this life there will be many troubles, but fear not because you are with us always. And Lord, tonight I pray for my sister. Father, I thank you that you're using her Lord. To spread the gospel to share, hope to be a light and a dark place. But Father, now, I pray that you come beside her father as she's shared that she's lost her brother this week, Lord. And I pray you comfort her. Lord, you said you had to go so the comforter could come. I pray, the comfort of the Holy Spirit will come beside my sister and be with her and her family as they grieve their loved one, their family member, their friend, Lord. So Lord I pray peace upon my sister. I pray Lord that you use her, continue to bless her. I thank you for the testimony of her and her husband, 11 years that you've brought together for such a time as this. I pray, Lord God, that they grow closer to you so they can grow closer to each other. And Lord, we thank you tonight [00:56:00] that Lord, we're no longer Jacob. You've made us Israel Father, no longer do we have to be shaped by our past, but now we can hold on to the promises. Lord, no longer does, we have to be shackled by somebody else's abuse, and we can be set free by your word. So, Lord, I pray that you fill us. You lead us, and may we be the light and may we be the salt, and may we lift up your name. We pray for a unity across our nation. We pray for a healing across our land, and we pray, Lord, for a revival of your salvation to come to our our country again, in Jesus name, amen. Thank you so much, brother. God bless, sister. Thank you. Take care yourself. Bye now. Bye. Thank you for listening to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast. If this episode has been helpful to you, please hit the subscribe button and tell a friend. You could connect with us at [00:57:00] DSW Ministries dot org where you'll find our blog, along with our Facebook, Twitter, and our YouTube channel links. Hope to see you next week.
Send us a textDrs. Brock and Fernette Eide are the authors of the bestselling book, "The Dyslexic Advantage": https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593472233/You can watch their new movie, also called "The Dyslexic Advantage" here: https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/You can find their dyslexia screener here: https://neurolearning.com/Dyslexia Journey has conversations and explorations to help you support the dyslexic child in your life. Content includes approaches, tips, and interviews with a range of guests from psychologists to educators to people with dyslexia. Increase your understanding and connection with your child as you help them embrace their uniqueness and thrive on this challenging journey!Send us your questions, comments, and guest suggestions to parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.comAlso check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney
As a child, riding, tinkering/repairing bicycles were just a few hobbies Mike enjoyed. But the woodworking project is beneficial for so many reasons. Yes it's fun but it truly helps children and adults with distracted minds become more grounded and able to focus. Children collaborate and help one another, improve their math skills, use their hands, learn to measure and cut wood and so much more. But it was Mike's mother, Linda, who really concentrated on helping Mike with his OCD/ADHD. He says, "she was very instrumental in trying to keep me active. It was very hard for her to see this disruptive behavior in her own child." Mike agrees that he was dealing with Impulse control negative attention issues.Education was very important to Linda. She completed her PHD when Mike was a teen. She was determined to help Mike figure out what interested him, what his strengths and attributes were and decided to concentrate on those gifts. Linda's grandfather had been a Rabbi in Ukraine. Her father died when she was in high school and mother had dyslexia and had never learned to read or write, so all of her past, played a major role in her passion for a solid education. She was determined to help her son overcome his educational challenges.Linda got married at 19. In order to become a lab technician, she got her Batchelor's degree in Science and Medical Technology. "To show how important education was to her, she went back to school got her Masters Degree and then in her 40's got a PHD in "Immigration History." Mike explains, "growing up Jewish in Minnesota, was very rare. It was very interesting to see these immigration patterns that she lived through and seeing similar patterns repeating again today. Later on LInda started a historical society to study Jewish Immigration in the Upper Midwest.Knowing her son's interests helped Linda come up with the idea for Mike to help her when she was cataloging information from those of her Jewish community who had passed away. Family members had donated diaries and personal information. These tasks were very detail oriented and she knew that was one of her son's many strengths. He created a useful database.Contact Information for Maplewoodshop:Email address:mike@maplewoodshop.comFacebook -@MaplewoodshopNJhttps://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodshopNJ/LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/maplewoodshop/Instagram -@maplewoodshophttps://www.instagram.com/maplewoodshop/?hl=enTwitter-@MaplewoodshopNJhttps://twitter.com/MaplewoodshopNJThreads -@maplewoodshophttps://www.threads.net/@maplewoodshopYoutube -@maplewoodshop727https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPIu2juABNjm_2ZoMjrx4wTiktok -@maplewoodshophttps://www.tiktok.com/@maplewoodshophttps://www.maplewoodshop.com/ "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo's “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it's clear why it's a 2023 People's Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers' actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".Check out the SHLTMM Podcast website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantilloLink to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Or Find SHLTMM Website here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother
Send us a textEpisode 147Hey No BS Besties
Former Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel join Lisa Dent to talk about dyslexia and highlights his own struggles. They also talk about Brent's charitable foundation, The Brent Sopel Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people with dyslexia.
Former Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel join Lisa Dent to talk about dyslexia and highlights his own struggles. They also talk about Brent's charitable foundation, The Brent Sopel Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people with dyslexia.
Join us for the first episode of our Design Leadership in the Boardroom series, where we speak with executive leaders across architecture, product, AI, branding and psychology to unpack the strategies, practices and frameworks that help them succeed at the highest level.This time we're joined by neurodiversity coach Emma Wee to learn how to create environments where neurodivergent talent thrives, and how to lead authentically with your own neurodivergent identity.From ADHD and Autism to Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, Emma shares practical, humane tactics leaders can use today to help every brain do its best work.What you'll learn how to:► Navigate ADHD at work► Leverage dyslexia strengths► Dismantle autism myths► Build inclusive teams► Implement meeting hygiene► Handle tricky momentsLearn about our Design Leaders programme: https://fla.wiki/43brqJMTimecodes:00:00:00 – Intro & why neurodiversity matters in creative leadership00:01:06 – Meet Emma Wee, Neurodiversity Coach00:03:50 – Emma's journey: from theatre design to Neurodiversity coaching00:06:22 – Masking explained (code-switching, cost, and relief in naming it)00:16:19 – ADHD 101: attention selection, hyperfocus arcs, RSD, boom-and-bust00:21:28 – Finishing & focus: define “done,” emotional tags, pick tasks by brain-state00:31:25 – Dyslexia strengths & tools: pattern spotting, dictation, read-aloud, color contrast00:40:32 – Autism realities: sensory seesaw, clarity over small talk, change vs. variables00:45:11 – Leading Neurodiverse teams: briefs, check-ins, inclusive defaults, “Manual of Me”01:00:12 – Disclosure & safety: when to share (or not), alternatives to get support01:06:11 – Rapid-fire coaching: brainstorms, missed deadlines, interruptions, feedback clashes01:15:40 – Closing & big question: one change Emma would make in the worldEmma Wee — Neurodiversity Coach working with organisations from Universal Music Group to the UK FCDO, EY and PwC, helping teams adapt working practices for neurodivergent professionals. Emma is faculty member at Executive programme for Design Leaders.
The SDR Show (Sex, Drugs, & Rock-n-Roll Show) w/Ralph Sutton & Big Jay Oakerson
Todd Glass joins Ralph Sutton and Aaron Berg and they discuss Todd Glass' recent weight loss, growing up in Philly and finding his dream home, stealing candy from a teacher as a child and starting comedy in high school while dealing with dyslexia, opening for Arethra Franklin and Patti LaBelle, embracing change, his show Todd Glass: The Event Of A Lifetime, Todd Glass' first concert, first drug and first sexual experience and so much more!(Air Date: October 25th, 2025)Support our sponsors!YoKratom.com - Check out Yo Kratom (the home of the $60 kilo) for all your kratom needs!To advertise your product or service on GaS Digital podcasts please go to TheADSide.com and click on "Advertisers" for more information!You can watch The SDR Show LIVE for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday at 9pm ET at GaSDigitalNetwork.com/LIVEOnce you're there you can sign up at GaSDigitalNetwork.com with promo code: SDR for discount on your subscription which will give you access to every SDR show ever recorded! On top of that you'll also have the same access to ALL the shows that GaS Digital Network has to offer!Follow the whole show on social media!Todd GlassInstagram: https://instagram.com/TheToddGlassShowWebsite: ToddGlass.comRalph SuttonTwitter: https://twitter.com/iamralphsuttonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamralphsutton/Aaron BergTwitter: https://twitter.com/aaronbergcomedyInstagram: https://instagram.com/aaronbergcomedyShannon LeeTwitter: https://twitter.com/IMShannonLeeInstagram: https://instagram.com/ShannonLee6982The SDR ShowTwitter: https://twitter.com/theSDRshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The conversation delves into the significance of genetic testing, particularly in relation to conditions like ADHD and ASD. It highlights the broad spectrum of symptoms and issues that can arise, emphasizing the importance of awareness and understanding of these genetic factors.TakeawaysUnless you've done a test, you probably wouldn't know.Signs of ADHD and ASD include memory and learning disabilities.Digestive problems can be linked to genetic issues.Autoimmune issues may arise from genetic factors.Anxiety and depression are common in affected individuals.The impact on the mind can be massive.Genetic testing can reveal hidden conditions.Awareness of these conditions is crucial for parents.Research shows a broad range of related symptoms.Understanding genetics can lead to better management strategies.Genetic testing, ADHD, ASD, autism, memory disabilities, learning disabilities, digestive problems, autoimmune issues, anxiety, depression, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
In this deeply personal episode of Literacy Talks, host Donell Pons sits down with her son Bridger for a heartfelt conversation about growing up—and parenting—through the lens of dyslexia. From early signs and school struggles to moments of breakthrough and discovery, their dialogue offers a rare, honest look at how learning differences affect families, relationships, and self-perception.Bridger shares what it was like to navigate a world that didn't seem built for how his brain works, how storytelling became both a refuge and a strength, and why the right kind of support can make all the difference. Together, they explore the emotional complexity of being misunderstood, the power of resilience, and what it truly means to be seen.This episode invites listeners to look beyond labels—and to listen more closely to stories that often go unheard.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.
In this episode, Stephen Martin discusses the challenges of rediscovering creativity after a dyslexia diagnosis, particularly for adults. He emphasizes that creativity is not limited to traditional artistic expressions but includes problem-solving, connecting people, and finding flow in various activities. Stephen encourages listeners to recognize their unique creative strengths and build confidence in expressing them.TakeawaysMany adults are diagnosed with dyslexia later in life.Creativity is often misunderstood as only artistic talent.Dyslexics can excel in problem-solving and connecting people.Confidence plays a significant role in expressing creativity.Creativity can be found in various forms, not just art.Finding flow can enhance creative expression.Problem-solving is a key aspect of creativity.Connecting people is a valuable skill for dyslexics.Self-awareness can help unlock creative potential.Practice communication to improve confidence in creativity.Dyslexia, creativity, problem solving, connecting people, flow state, confidence, diagnosis, neurodivergent, self-awareness, personal growth, ADHD, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
Let's review. A couple of months ago, I recorded an online interview for a dyslexia summit. I also put together and recorded a short video presentation. These were both to be shown at a dyslexia summit. I was to then attend the online summit for a live question-and-answer session. On the day of the summit, I emailed to see what time I needed to be online. It was at this point that I was told that I had been disinvited. And my disinvitation had occurred without so much as a disinviting word. It was a gentle but wordless disinvitations.Can you imagine such a thing?The stated reason for my wordless disinvitation was that the writing tone used on some of my digital platforms “is fairly abrasive when speaking about those in other camps in the reading world”. In a previous excerpt, I examined how the abrasiveness of one's writing tone is determined largely by the cognitive framework held by the reader. I also said that the wordless disinvitation I received was a form of silencing. And any abrasiveness in my writing tone pales in comparison with the continued abrasion endured by teachers and professors as well as the constant attacks on Lucy Calkins, Ken Goodman, and Marie Clay.In this excerpt, we'll examine reading camps.
Rising from Burnout: Reclaiming Your Energy and Purpose w/ Pamela CassFrom Invisible to Invincible — Turning Adversity into a Catalyst for Confidence and Performance. Pamela knows what it feels like to be unseen. Performance coach, speaker, Author of "The Quiet GiftPamela Cass — From Invisible to InvincibleCo-Host of Reignite Resilience | Co-Author of The Quiet Gift | Professional Coach | Speaker | Realtor | Instructor | Cancer Survivor | Dyslexia AdvocateIntroduction (for Hosts to Read)Today's guest is a true voice of resilience and reinvention. Pamela Cass is the co-host of the popular podcast Reignite Resilience and co-author of The Quiet Gift, a powerful new book about self-worth, healing, and finding your voice after feeling unseen.She's a professional coach, speaker, realtor, and instructor who helps leaders and entrepreneurs rediscover purpose and performance through self-awareness and authenticity.A cancer survivor and lifelong learner living with dyslexia, Pamela's story is one of courage, perspective, and the power of starting over. After walking away from an executive role during burnout, she rebuilt her life and business from the ground up—dedicated to helping others feel seen, heard, and valued.Please welcome, Pamela Cass.Links:https://pamelacass.com/https://www.instagram.com/pam.cass70/Tags:Abundance,Burnout Prevention,Dyslexia,grit,Growth Mindset,Mindset,Neurodiversity,Performance Coach,Resilient Survivor,Self-worth,Live Video Podcast Inteview,Podcast,PodmatchSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page
Are you living through the BIGGEST change in dyslexia identification in decades? For years, parents have fought exhausting battles just to get their child evaluated, but new state legislation is finally shifting that burden from your shoulders to the schools. Today, I break down the universal dyslexia screening laws sweeping the nation, from California to Texas and reveal what you need to know. But here's the reality check: implementation is messy, and not all screening laws are created equal. You need to know what you need to do to ensure your child isn't screened without receiving the follow-up intervention they deserve. You'll learn the three most important questions to ask your school right now and how to use those screening results as powerful evidence for the support your struggling reader needs, along with a whole lot more - so let's get started. Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia! My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered. Topics Covered: Why schools are facing new legislation requirements for student evaluations and support right now [1:37] The ways in which screening is not the same as an evaluation or a diagnosis [2:18] A closer look at what screening entails under the new guidelines and mandates [2:33] How these changes represent a significant shift in responsibility for identifying student needs [2:47] The reasons that identification matters so much for long-term student success and intervention [3:50] How implementation can vary drastically across states and districts, leading to inconsistent results [4:11] What you need to do now to comply with the new policies and successfully support your students [5:20] Key Takeaways: The new universal screening laws represent a game-changing shift in burden and responsibility from parents to schools. Early intervention is both crucial and time-sensitive. Despite over 40 states having some form of legislation, the strength of the laws and their implementation vary dramatically and local implementation requires parental oversight. Links & Resources Mentioned: DIBELS 8th Edition Materials Acadience Learning When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you: Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers! Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid. Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read. Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to jennie@literacyuntangled.com or a DM on Instagram. I want to support parents with dyslexic children and get this content in the hands of those who need it most. Click the share button and send away! Thank you. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your favorite podcast platform. Connect: - Visit my website - Sign up for my newsletter - Follow me on Instagram - Join me on Facebook
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we're joined by the incredible Kari Kurto. She's the National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, and honestly, just an all-around amazing human. Her passion and energy for this work is palpable. You're going to love hearing about The Reading League's Compass resource tool — it's packed with resources for all kinds of different stakeholders. So, sit back and enjoy this conversation with our friend and colleague, Kari Kurto. Want more? Join The Reading League California chapter to find out more about state-specific events, literacy-related legislation, and continue to build your knowledge with other like-minded educators. To learn more about LACOE's upcoming professional learning opportunities and resources, visit LACOE's Reading/Language Arts page for direct links.
TEATIME WITH MISS LIZ — October 23 | 7 PM ESTSurprise Guest Emilio Hughes Martinez TITLE:Behind the Lens: Storytelling with Purpose and Passion TOPIC:Exploring how storytelling through film transforms pain into purpose — and how creativity can turn personal challenges, like dyslexia, into artistic strength and human connection. TAGLINE:“Every frame tells a truth. Every story told with heart becomes a legacy of change.” – Miss Liz DESCRIPTION:Teatime with Miss Liz, we step behind the lens with E. Hughes Martinez — a writer, director, and producer whose story proves that resilience can rewrite the script.Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, Hugh faced dyslexia as a child — but instead of letting it silence him, he turned it into his greatest strength. Through film, he found his voice — and has since worked on major productions including Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Blackbird, and The Bricklayer, as well as award-winning shorts The Method and The 4th Branch. Join Miss Liz and Hugh for a cinematic Teatime that uncovers the purpose behind the passion, the courage it takes to lead with vision, and the power of every story told with truth to heal, inspire, and connect humanity. INTRODUCTIONGood evening and welcome, everyone, to another heartfelt Teatime with Miss Liz — where we serve stories of transformation, healing, and purpose one cup at a time. Tonight, I invite you to sit back and pour into a conversation that moves beyond the screen — a story of seeing life differently, frame by frame.My special guest, E. Hughes Martinez, has turned what many call a challenge into his creative superpower. From his roots in Santa Cruz to producing and directing films that touch hearts across the globe, he embodies what it means to live with resilience and vision. So grab your favourite cup, breathe in the aroma of possibility, and join me as we step behind the lens with Hugh — where art meets soul, and purpose meets passion. Welcome to Teatime, Hugh — it's an honour to share this space of truth and storytelling with you. CLOSING SUMMARYIt will be a beautiful journey shared in the evening. Grateful for him taking the time, E. Hughes Martinez, to show us that creativity isn't about perfection — it's about courage, persistence, and purpose. Your story reminds us that even when the world doesn't read our words the same way, we can still write our legacy in light. To all who tuned in — remember that the obstacles you face might be the tools that shape your greatest masterpiece. Keep believing, keep creating, and keep pouring your own cups of change — one story, one truth, one act of purpose at a time. Every story matters. Every cup poured plants a seed of change. 50-Word Mini Bio:E. Hughes Martinez is an award-winning writer, director, and producer from Santa Cruz, CA. Overcoming dyslexia, he discovered storytelling as his superpower, creating films like The 4th Branch and contributing to productions including Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. His work bridges creativity and purpose, inspiring audiences through heartfelt cinematic storytelling.#TeatimeWithMissLiz #EHughesMartinez #BehindTheLens #StorytellingWithPurpose #CreativeVision #FilmmakingJourney #DyslexiaToDirector #PurposeDrivenArt #CinematicHealing #FilmAndSoul #SeedsOfChange #EveryStoryMatters #MissLizsTEE #TranscendEmbraceEnvision #LiveShow #PodcastConversation #CinematicStories #ResilientCreatives #StorytellingThroughFilm #EmpoweredByArt #HealingThroughCreativity #FilmWithHeart #ArtThatHeals #InspireCreateServe #BehindTheScenesMagic #MissLizTeatime #GoldenHeartConversations #PurposeInMotion #CreativeCourage #FilmmakersJourney #DirectorsOfChange #InclusiveStorytelling #MindfulMedia #VisionWithHeart #LegacyOfLight #BreakingBarriers #HumanityInFilm #VoiceThroughVision #OneCupOneJourney #MissLizTee #CreativeHealing #FilmIsConnection #FromPainToPurpose #StoryMatters #ResilienceInArt #EmpathyOnScreen #HeartOfStorytelling #FilmThatTransforms #CinematicPurpose
In part one of the 500th episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker reflect on the history and growth of the Arts of Language podcast. They share lighthearted stories about podcast listening habits and discuss how far the podcast has come since its early days. The conversation turns to memorable episodes, such as interviews with Andrew’s son about the hidden strengths of dyslexia, guest appearances from Dr. Leonard Sax and Dr. Carol Swain, and discussions of books like How to Think like Shakespeare. Go to Part 2. (available 10/23/25) Go to Part 3. (available 10/24/25) Referenced Materials Episode 54: What Are We Really Doing Here? Part 1 Episode 197: While Andrew's Away – Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa, Part 1 Episode R07: Why Gender Matters – An Interview with Dr. Leonard Sax Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1 Episode 382: Announcing IEW’s Partnership with Hillsdale College! Episode 481: Writing across the Curriculum with Dr. O’Toole Amber O’Neal Johnston Heidi St. John MomStrong 365 A Daily Devotional to Encourage and Empower Everyday Moms The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie Episode R05: Are You a Part of a "Read-Aloud Family"? A Conversation with Sarah Mackenzie Episode 435: Becoming Homeschoolers with Monica Swanson Episode 282: A Visit with Dr. Carol Swain† Episode 264: The Benefits of Mastery Education Episode 299: The Profound Power of Poetry Episode 283: A Bookish Discussion, Part 1 Episode 272: The Different Stages of Learning Episode 273: Culture, Curriculum, and Care, Part 1 Episode 281: Talking about the Intangibles Episode 296: Impacting English Language Learners with Structure and Style Episode 288: Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Part 1 Episode 293: Process versus Product Episode 294: Writing across the Curriculum Episode 269: The Mighty Pen – Teaching Students to Change the World through Language Episode 311: Optimizing Instruction for Boys and Girls Episode 306: Speaking of Spelling Episode 305: Homeschool 101, An Interview with Sam Sorbo Episode 447: Alternative Learning with Jennifer Mauser Episode 478: What’s in Your Audible Account? Soul School by Amber O’Neal Johnston Twelve Days of Christmas Giving Episode 261: When Technology in Education Makes Sense Transcript of Podcast Episode 500 Part 1 If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
The Windward Institute invites all new and returning READ listeners for a five-part Fall 2025 series, What We all Can Learn about Reading, Together. This series brings together 20 guests including researchers and educators. We'll dive into reading research, practice, and lived experience. This series is for everyone, whether you're just starting to learn about reading education or you've been immersed in it for years. This episode brings the research on reading development into the classroom as we examine effective reading instruction. You will learn aboutevidence-based reading instruction through an integrated lens with Young Suk-Kim, EdD, Professor at UC Irvine. a deeper dive into multicomponent instruction with Maryanne Wolf, EdD, Professor-in-Residence and Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA.the implications for interventions for children who continue to have difficulty learning to read with Stephanie Al Otaiba, PhD, Patsy and Ray Caldwell Centennial Chair in Teaching & Learning and Professor at Southern Methodist Universityapproaches to empower multilingual and bidialectal learners with Young Suk-Kim, EdD, and Jasmine Rogers, EdD, researcher and professional development expert at DC Reading Clinic.Thank you for joining our special READ Podcast series: What We All Can Learn About Reading, Together. You can also tune into this series at The Windward Institute's YouTube page.We invite you to share your top bookmarks from this episode by connecting with us on Instagram @thewindwardinstitute, or Facebook. Subscribe to READ's newsletter for access to monthly episodes: SubscribeUntil next time READers!
Send us a textDyslexia Journey has conversations and explorations to help you support the dyslexic child in your life. Content includes approaches, tips, and interviews with a range of guests from psychologists to educators to people with dyslexia. Increase your understanding and connection with your child as you help them embrace their uniqueness and thrive on this challenging journey!Send us your questions, comments, and guest suggestions to parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.comAlso check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney
This week, Brooke sits down with author and mama Lynn Greenberg to talk about her family's journey with dyslexia and ADHD. Lynn shares how finally getting a diagnosis changed everything—for her son and for her as a mom—and what she's learned about trusting your gut, finding the right support, and helping your child thrive in their own way.
Ronda Spalding, one of our LSEM teachers, talks about diagnosing and the definition of dyslexia. Tested for dyslexia when she was nine, Ronda heard a lot of “you can'ts” and turned them into “you cans”. Ronda wanted to offer that opportunity to her students. In this episode Ronda talks about the various types of dyslexia and her passion in helping her students and their unique needs.
This week in Together in Literacy we continue our discussion on supporting older students with dyslexia. Last episode we talked about the why, and now we want to talk about the how. We explore practical, research-based strategies that help middle and high school students move from struggle to success, including explicit decoding routines, morphology instruction, and scaffolded writing supports. We talk about the importance of assessing students closely, breaking learning into manageable steps, and building conceptual understanding to foster confidence and independence. Resources mentioned in this episode: readworks.org (for finding short non-fiction articles) keystoliteracy.com (for two-column note-taking method) Season 5 Episode 2: Honoring the Emotional Landscape of Older Students with Dyslexia (part 1 of this discussion) Season 3 Episode 7: The Importance of Scaffolding in Decoding If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated! We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast! Have a question you'd like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at support@togetherinliteracy.com! If you'd like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest. For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. Let us know what you want to hear this season! Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
This week we are joined by Jilberto Soto! Jilberto is a first-generation Mexican American comedian who produces and runs two standout comedy shows: Purple Park Comedy, which spotlights rising POC and female comics, and Mariposas Comedy, an all-queer showcase. Jilberto is also the host of I Hope This Ages Well, a podcast where he interviews fascinating seniors in NYC, and co-hosts Together We're Straight with Liz Glazer. He has opened for Ralph Barbosa and has been featured at the New York Comedy Festival (2022-2024), Netflix Is a Joke Fest, and Limestone Comedy Festival in 2024. He was also a finalist in the NYC Queer Comedy Festival.In this episode, Jilberto shares his journey of self-discovery, cultural identity, and the challenges of moving to New York during the pandemic. The discussion touches on the importance of therapy, family support, and the impact of media representation on personal identity. Jilberto also opens up about his experiences with dyslexia, coming out to his family, and how comedy serves as a platform for cultural commentary. The conversation highlights the complexities of navigating life as a member of the LGBTQ community while embracing one's heritage and identity. Recommendations From This Episode: Alone Being A Goof At Camp with Julia Lindon - Season 3, Episode 32The Spinach KingFollow Jilberto: @jilbertosFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpodPlease rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, Stephen Martin delves into the complexities of dopamine, particularly its effects on individuals with dyslexia and ADHD. He shares personal experiences with addiction and the challenges of managing dopamine levels in a world filled with instant gratification. Stephen discusses the importance of understanding dopamine's role in our lives and offers practical strategies for improving dopamine resilience, including medication, supplementation, and reducing phone usage.TakeawaysDopamine significantly impacts our lives, especially for those with ADHD and dyslexia.Many individuals with dyslexia may also have ADHD, affecting their dopamine levels.The modern world creates an environment that encourages dopamine-seeking behaviors.Social media and instant gratification can lead to dopamine spikes that are harmful.Hyperfocus in ADHD can be explained by the dopamine response to engaging activities.Managing dopamine levels is crucial for mental health and productivity.Medication like Vivants can help balance dopamine levels for those with ADHD.Supplementation with L-teracine can support dopamine production.Implementing phone fasts can help reduce dependency on instant dopamine hits.It's important to recognize that struggles with dopamine are common and manageable.Dopamine, ADHD, dyslexia, addiction, hyperfocus, mental health, neurodivergent, social media, supplements, resilience, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
The abrasiveness of a writing tone is determined largely by the cognitive framework held by the reader. A cognitive framework is the mentally constructed structures that guide individuals in interpreting the world. It becomes the lens through which the world is viewed. Much like a theory, a cognitive framework is used to explain facts and understand phenomena. Some see my writing as abrasive and ill-informed. Others see my writing as non-abrasive and insightful. Regardless, to silence, dismiss, or disinvite somebody based on their perceived tone … is … well, it's the Science of Reading.
The Windward Institute invites all new and returning READ listeners for a five-part Fall 2025 series, What We all Can Learn about Reading, Together. This series brings together 20 guests including researchers and educators. We'll dive into reading research, practice, and lived experience. This series is for everyone, whether you're just starting to learn about reading education or you've been immersed in it for years. This episode explains the research on universal screening for risks of reading difficulties. As states around the country continue to introduce universal literacy screening programs in schools, you will learn about the evidence supporting the rationale and benefits through a public health lens. In this episode, you will learn abouta definition of universal literacy screening and its benefits on student outcomes with Jay Russell, EdD, Associate Director of the Haskins Global Literacy Hub at Yale University.the characteristics of effective literacy screeners with Marilu Gorno-Tempini, MD, PhD, Director of the Language Neurobiology laboratory of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and the UCSF Dyslexia Center.the role of screening and progress monitoring within coherent assessment and data systems with Jamie Williamson, EdS, Head of School at The Windward School and Executive Director of The Windward Institute.the research on screening for emergent bilingual students learning to read in English with Laura Rhinehart, PhD, Assistant Researcher at the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA.implications for translating screening policy into practice with Carlin Conner, PhD, Senior Research Scientist at Virginia Literacy Partnerships at UVA.Thank you for joining our special READ Podcast series: What We All Can Learn About Reading, Together. You can also tune into this series at The Windward Institute's YouTube page.We invite you to share your top bookmarks from this episode by connecting with us on Instagram @thewindwardinstitute, or Facebook. Subscribe to READ's newsletter for access to monthly episodes: SubscribeUntil next time READers!
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, host Darius Namdaran and new co-host Jo Lee welcome Craig Steele, a computer scientist with a unique background in theater studies. Craig shares his extensive experience in education and technology, particularly focusing on non-formal education and assistive technology for the past 15 years. The discussion delves into the intersection of dyslexia and AI, exploring how AI tools can be utilized to support learners with dyslexia. Craig also discusses his upcoming participation in the Dyslexia Scotland education conference and his Churchill Fellowship project aimed at learning international AI practices. This episode provides valuable insights into the practical applications of AI in education, the ethical considerations, and the future of assessment in the age of AI.Link for Craig:Website and newsletter: https://digitalskillseducation.com/#getintouchBooks: https://cyberskillslive.com/books/email: craig@digitalskillseducation.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@digitalskillseducationThis podcast is sponsored by: Dyslexia productivity coaching?: http://dyslexiaproductivitycoaching.com/ Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ Bulletmap Academy: https://bulletmapacademy.comHow to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/courses Interested in being a guest? Email us at info@bulletmapacademy.com
Ava N. Simmons, also known as Ava The S.T.E.M. Princess®, is a 12-year-old S.T.E.M. Ambassador, Entrepreneur, Toy Designer, Author, and the creator of educational toy brand Team Genius Squad. Diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in 2021, Ava used S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurial activities to help overcome her academic challenges and build her confidence. To share her learning journey and encourage others, Ava creates engaging S.T.E.M.-based educational videos, authors S.T.E.M. books, conducts peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. activities in the community, and develops S.T.E.M. toys for children ages 5-13, including children who are neurodivergent or in underserved areas. She has conducted thousands of peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. experiments with children in the community, over 700,000 households have viewed her educational videos, she has authored 3 books, and developed 15 branded S.T.E.M. Educational Toys. Additionally, she is the Host of the PBS Kids Channel Show from PBS North Carolina called Mini Fab Science Lab, and her STEM-STEAM kits are featured in the Scholastic Catalog. During this episode, you will hear Ava talk about: ● Her experience in school as a student with dyslexia and dysgraphia ● How she got interested in S.T.E.M. at a young age ● How Team Genius Squad helps make S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. more accessible to kids everywhere ● Where she gets ideas for her experiment kits ● The origin of her PBS Kids Channel show, Mini Fab Science Lab Learn more about Ava: Team Genius Squad store Mini Fab Science Lab (PBS Kids show) Team Genius Squad on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube Team Genius Squad in the Scholastic Dollars 2025-2026 Catalog on page 33: (M) STEM Genius Lemon Light Experiment Kit with Interactive Experience Item No: 794043 Kits and Virtual Session with Ava Item No: 793745 4-Pack of Kits Only Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
In this podcast, Stephen Martin shares five controversial views on dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of focusing on solutions rather than labels, the need for improved testing systems, the impact of food on neurodivergent individuals, and the broader understanding of dyslexia beyond just reading and writing. He also discusses the difference between using dyslexia as an excuse versus an explanation for one's actions.TakeawaysIt's important to know your neurodivergent challenges.Labels can help but shouldn't define us.We need a better testing system for neurodivergent conditions.Food systems significantly impact neurodivergent individuals.Dyslexia encompasses more than just reading and writing.Using dyslexia as an excuse hinders personal growth.Understanding dyslexia can lead to better self-awareness.Environmental factors play a role in neurodivergent challenges.The food industry often prioritizes profit over health.Dyslexia can be a strength in problem-solving.Dyslexia, neurodivergent, labels, solutions, testing systems, food impact, comprehension, responsibility, excuses, explanations, ADHD, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderhttps://addednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
In this special episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin speaks with author and advocate Jonathan Kemp about his powerful new memoir and his upcoming seven-month Mental Health Walk across the UK and Ireland. Jonathan shares how five decades of lived experience with depression, bipolar disorder, addiction recovery, and dyslexia shaped his story — and why he redefined “wealth” as knowledge and connection. His new book, releasing October 10, 2025, offers both his personal journey and practical wisdom for anyone navigating mental health and neurodiversity. We also explore his bold plan to walk from the Shetland Islands down through Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, retracing his great-grandmother's suffragist march of 1913. With all proceeds going to mental health charities, Jonathan's mission is simple yet profound: to spark honest conversations and remind us that hope and help are always possible.Learn more at www.jonathankemp.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” -Isaiah 51:11 Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care. On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Dr. Jerrod Brown about attachment from a neuroscience lens. Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master's degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master's degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 501 wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon RePlanted Conference Filled Retreat
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, yet it's still widely misunderstood. Tim Odegard, PhD, talks about how dyslexia is diagnosed and defined; his own experience growing up with dyslexia; how kids at risk can be identified early; what interventions work best; how reading difficulties can affect mental health; and why talking about the “gifts” of dyslexia can be problematic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this special dyslexia-focused Essentials episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert pulls from past episodes to summarize everything you need to know about dyslexia, from experts Emily Lutrick, Ed.D.; Nadine Gaab, Ph.D.; Tim Odegard, Ph.D.; Sally Shaywitz, M.D.; and Francisco Usero-González, Ph.D. You'll also hear first-hand accounts from young people about their personal experiences with dyslexia, reading, and the education system. Even if you have little prior knowledge of dyslexia, you'll walk away from this episode with a foundational understanding of the condition, including what it is, what causes it, how to identify it, the importance of early screening, how it is a continuum, methods for intervention, and more.Show notes:ResourcesAccess free high-quality resources at our brand new professional learning page: http://amplify.com/science-of-reading/professional-learning Listen to these additional full-length episodes about dyslexia:Diagnosing dyslexia in multilingual learners, with Francisco Usero-GonzálezGrowing up with dyslexia, with Kareem Weaver, Margaret Malaika Weaver, and Elijah ValenciaDyslexia: Where we started; where we're going, with Sally ShaywitzDebunking the "gift" of dyslexia, with Tim OdegardA conversation about growing up with dyslexia, with Hadyn FlemingDyslexia and developmental trajectories, with Nadine GaabThe facts and myths of dyslexia, with Emily LutrickJoin our community Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/scienceofreadingEpisode Timestamps*00:27 Introduction to SoR: Essentials01:02 Susan's personal connection with dyslexia02:53 Accounts from young people on their experience of dyslexia05:09 Defining dyslexia with Dr. Emily Lutrick06:53 Dyslexia as a reading disability with Dr. Nadine Gaab07:39 Three key characteristics of people with dyslexia with Dr. Tim Odegard09:42 Longitudinal study with Dr. Sally Shaywitz11:54 The causes of dyslexia13:09 Early identification and effective intervention15:22 Discrepancy model/Waiting to fail model16:35 How early is too early to screen for dyslexia18:37 How to know when a student is at risk for dyslexia21:54 Identifying risk factors in older students22:54 Decoding nonsense words24:27 The power of naming a struggle25:28 The importance of having a cohesive system in place26:43 Screening students in their home language with Dr. Francisco Paco Usero Gonzalez29:45 Dyslexia as a continuum33:41 Final thoughts from young people on dyslexia36:12 Preview of upcoming episode
The Windward Institute invites all new and returning READ listeners for a five-part Fall 2025 series, What We all Can Learn about Reading, Together. This series brings together 20 guests including researchers and educators. We'll dive into reading research, practice, and lived experience. This series is for everyone, whether you're just starting to learn about reading education or you've been immersed in it for years. This episode explores why some children struggle to read and dives into diagnosed disabilities including dyslexia and developmental language disorder. You will learn about factors that can contribute to reading difficulty through a whole child lens with Cynthia U. Norris, PhD, a researcher at Florida State University.the role of language in reading development and variability with Kate Cain, PhD, professor at Lancaster University.the characteristics of dyslexia and developmental language disorder (DLD) with Tim Odegard, PhD, Murfree Chair of Excellence in Dyslexic Studies andProfessor of Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and Norma Hancock, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SAiL Literacy Lab at MGH Institute.ways to understand reading difficulties in readers learning to read in English with Laura Rhinehart, PhD, Assistant Researcher at the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA.Thank you for joining our special READ Podcast series: What We All Can Learn About Reading, Together. You can also listen to this series at The Windward Institute's YouTube page.We invite you to share your top bookmarks from this episode by connecting with us on Instagram @thewindwardinstitute, or Facebook. Subscribe to READ's newsletter for access to monthly episodes: SubscribeUntil next time READers!
This week on Together in Literacy we're starting off Dyslexia Awareness Month by discussing the needs of a demographic that can get left behind – older students with dyslexia in middle school, high school, and beyond. We talk about the social emotional side of working with older students who can struggle with internalized shame, frustration with services, or lack of trust in educators and the tools they use. Resources mentioned in this episode: Season 2 Episode 4: How to Effectively Work with Older Students with Dyslexia Season 2 Episode 5: Word Attack Strategies for Older Students with Dyslexia Season 2 Episode 9: The Power in Saying Dyslexia Season 4 Episode 9: What Matters When Working with Older Dyslexic Students Kyle Redford opinion article in Education Week: “Unidentified Dyslexia Takes Heavy Toll” We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast! If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated! Have a question you'd like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at support@togetherinliteracy.com! If you'd like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest. For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. Let us know what you want to hear this season! Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
Today's Flash Back Friday episode is from #732 that originally aired on Apr. 22, 2024. Jerry Rosengarten is a Brooklyn-born serial entrepreneur whose greatest skill is the extraordinary ability to perceive form and structure and opportunity from within disorder, including developing products to deal with dyslexia, reimagining real estate, and investing early and heavily in solar energy. Jerry's first big win came in the 1970s with the Leisure Suit, which became a cultural fashion phenomenon that stoked his confidence and staked his growing desire to build land mark New York projects like the Lofts and the The Bowery Hotel. Today, Jerry owns one of the largest private solar farms in the Northeast, located on Long Island's eastern tip, and his creative passions are focused on environmental stewardship and active advocacy for those suffering from learning disabilities. Highlights: 5:25 - Starting the famous Leisure Suit / Lessons Learned 12:22 - Finding a Creative Space (property) 20:22 - Making The Worst location in NY Successful 26:23 - Growing Up with Dyslexia / Seeing Things Differently 34:26 - The Importance of a Supportive Spouse Quote: "I jump on the train and take it to the end. Each-train are concepts are designs." Connect with Gerald: jumponthetrain.com Recommended Resources: Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club! If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team. Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com. Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast.
Send us a textHow do we treat our physical health versus our mental health? Former London Metropolitan Police officer Jonathan Kemp spent 12 years in law enforcement while battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder, depression, and dyslexia—yet refused to seek professional help until his late 30s."I was determined to fix myself on my own," Kemp reveals in this powerful conversation. "I saw it as an insult to go and see a doctor. It was a weakness or admission of defeat." This mindset, particularly prevalent among first responders and those in high-pressure careers, kept him struggling silently for decades before finally seeking the treatment that transformed his life.Kemp articulates the profound disconnect in how we approach different aspects of our wellbeing: "If you had a chronic knee problem, you'd go and see a knee specialist. It defies logic that we're happy to see a professional for the rest of our body, but when it comes to the brain, we have this almost inbuilt default that you should figure it out yourself." This insight cuts to the heart of why many resist mental health support despite overwhelming suffering.The conversation explores how structured environments like policing can sometimes mask mental health challenges, while shift work can exacerbate them by disrupting sleep patterns—what Kemp identifies as his "#1 foundation" for mental health stability. He shares practical advice for supporting struggling colleagues and navigating recovery resources when confidentiality concerns arise, especially in professions where stigma remains powerful.Now an advocate and author, Kemp discusses his upcoming book "Finding Peace of Mind" (releasing on World Mental Health Day) and his ambitious seven-month awareness walk across the British Isles beginning January 2026. Through both initiatives, he's transforming his decades of struggle into resources that might help others find support sooner.Visit Jonathan at the following links: https://www.viscountrochdale.com/https://www.facebook.com/jonathankemplondonhttps://www.instagram.com/Jonathankemplondonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankemplondonYou can order his book at Amazon: www.amazon.com/jonathankempFreed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast