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In this week's episode of the podcast, the conversation focused on the critical role of home environment and systems in supporting executive function—especially for neurodivergent families. It's not about Pinterest-perfect organization, but about designing spaces and routines that work with your brain, not against it. Key Takeaways Design Over Discipline: Many executive function challenges are solved through smart environment design, not just motivation or checklists. Moving decisions from the brain into the environment can reduce overwhelm and increase independence. Zones Make Life Easier: Creating dedicated zones—like reading nooks, creative spaces, launch zones near exits, and recharge corners—helps reduce cognitive load and makes daily transitions smoother. Visible, Forgiving Systems Win: The discussion explored the power of visual cues (checklists, labels, color coding) over constant verbal reminders. Systems should be simple, obvious, and evolve as your family's needs change. Links and Resources from Today's Episode Thank you to our sponsors: CTC Math – Flexible, affordable math for the whole family! The Learner's Lab – Online community for families homeschooling outside-the-box learners! The Lab: An Online Community for Families Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kiddos The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family The Anxiety Toolkit Sensory Strategy Toolkit | Quick Regulation Activities for Home Affirmation Cards for Anxious Kids Why Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead Homeschool Planning For Kids: Helping Your Child Get Organized Organizing Your Homeschool in a Tiny House Executive Function Struggles in Homeschooling: Why Smart Kids Can't Find Their Shoes (and What to Do About It) How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function Understanding Executive Function Skills in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins Strengthen Executive Function Skills The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills 7 Executive Functioning Activities for Small Children RLL #84: Exploring Education and Executive Function with Seth PerlerThe Unmeasured Executive Functioning Issue RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question RLL LIVE | Improving Executive Functions Helping Kids Who Resist: Low-Demand Homeschooling for Autonomy and Skill-Building Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish Line Why Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead
Running an elementary school in rural British Columbia hasn't stopped this Ruckus Maker from building an indoor worm farm, growing hydroponic lettuce, and taking a self-funded year off to reset — proof that a principal's personality is not a distraction from the job. Dan Watt is a Mastermind Coach inside the Ruckus Maker community and a recurring co-host of the Ruckuscast, known for turning "pay yourself first" into a leadership philosophy that's kept him energized four years into the role. Joining him is Mitch Weathers, CEO and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom, whose work on entry plans and executive functioning has become required reading for school leaders trying to build systems that actually stick. Find them both at betterleadersbetterschools.com. Principal burnout doesn't start with too many emails — it starts the moment you decide the job requires you to leave your actual personality at the door. This episode is an Adorable Red Hats reunion where two veteran school leaders make the case that worm farms, hydroponics, and paying yourself first aren't distractions from leadership — they're the thing that makes it sustainable.
The Personal Brain Trainer Podcast: Embodying Executive Functions
In this episode of the Executive Function Braintrainer Podcast, host Darius Namdaran and Dr. Erica Warren explore how AI is beginning to transform executive functioning by reducing cognitive overload and helping people manage everyday tasks more effectively. They discuss the difference between AI chatbots and AI agents, and share practical examples of how these tools can support students, professionals, and anyone struggling with distraction, procrastination, or digital clutter. The episode highlights the growing potential of AI to act as a trusted digital co-worker, offering greater focus, organization, and peace of mind.Links:Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/ Claude cowork: https://claude.com/product/cowork Chat GPT: https://chatgpt.com/ Open Claw: https://openclaw.ai/ EF Student Coaching with Erica:https://learningtolearn.biz/EF Adult Coaching with Erica:https://dropintoyourbestself.com/coachingExecutive Function Products and Tools: https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-skills-trainingivvi notes: https://ivvi.appExecutive Functioning Coaching Course: https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/teaching-EF-and-study-strategiesExecutive Functioning Resources: https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-skills-trainingExecutive Functioning Assessments: https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&q=EFCAInner Voice: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/inner-voice-appBrought to you by:https://ivvi.apphttps://goodsensorylearning.comhttps://learningspecialistcourses.comhttps://goodsensorylearning.com/products/executive-functioning-coaching-assessment
What if excessive gaming isn't the problem...What if it's the symptom?Mark Talaga, founder of the Center for Identity Potential and host of the Hopelessly Gifted podcast, joins EEG pioneer Jay Gunkelman, who has interpreted more than 500,000 brain scans, Dr. Mari Swingle, author of i-Minds: How Cell Phones, Computers, Gaming, and Social Media Are Changing Our Brains, Our Behavior, and the Evolution of Our Species, and host Pete Jansons for a fascinating discussion about giftedness, twice-exceptionality (2e), executive function, anxiety, parenting, education, and why so many bright kids struggle in traditional systems.Drawing from his own journey from the video game industry to becoming a therapist specializing in gifted and neurodivergent individuals, Mark explains why gaming is often a symptom of deeper developmental challenges rather than the root cause itself."If you really want to resolve gaming, don't make it the focus of what you're trying to solve."
Dr. Alissa Ellis is a clinical neuropsychologist, researcher, and the founder and director of Ellis Effect Psychological Group, a practice dedicated to evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mood, anxiety, and attention difficulties. As the creator of the thinkSMART® program, she developed the first transdiagnostic group intervention for teens and their parents specifically designed to strengthen executive functioning skills. This innovative, research-based program helps families build practical strategies for organization, time management, planning, and goal setting—skills that support academic success and emotional well-being across diagnoses. A true scientist-practitioner, she bridges cutting-edge research and clinical innovation to create groundbreaking interventions that empower youth and families toward lasting change. #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #executivefunction #communication #routines #education #attentiondisorders #anxiety #organization #timemanagement #goalsetting www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast
Your brilliant kid can't get out the door in the morning, falls apart over homework, and goes from fine to completely overwhelmed in seconds. You want to help them out, but it feels like you've tried everything and nothing sticks. In this episode of Parenting with Impact, Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster break down what's actually happening in your child's brain, and why executive function, emotional regulation, and motivation are the three most important things every parent of a neurodiverse kid needs to understand. This is part one of a four-episode series built on the framework ImpactParents has been teaching with their Sanity School® program for 15 years. If you're tired of jumping from strategy to strategy without meaningful progress, this episode gives you a powerful place to start. Hit follow so you don't miss what's coming next.What to expect in this episode:Why "activating the brain" is the foundation for everything else you'll do as a parent of a complex or neurodiverse kid—and what it actually means day-to-dayThe real reason your brilliant child struggles to organize, plan, or follow through (it has nothing to do with how smart they are, it just requires a completely different part of the brain)What executive function looks like in daily life, and how Dr. Thomas E. Brown's six-area model helps you pinpoint exactly where your child needs supportWhy your child probably isn't really going from "zero to a hundred"—and what's actually happening in their nervous system before the meltdownWhy your child isn't unmotivated — they're differently wired, and understanding that changes everything about how you show up for themDownload free guide: Top 12 Tips To Help Your Complex Kids Connect with ImpactParents: InstagramFacebookLinkedInSubstack
Okay, okay...maybe that title is a bit dramatic. But seriously: rescheduling your day sounds simple enough until you're actually in it. In this episode, I'm breaking down why a “hijacked day” (sick kid, unexpected meetings, constant interruptions) doesn't just create a scheduling problem -- it can send our executive functioning skills into overload. Using Dawson & Guare's Executive Functioning Skills framework, you'll learn what's actually happening in your brain when plans change and why it can feel so hard, especially if you have ADHD. This isn't about excuses. It's about understanding the real problem so that you can get to real solutions. In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why rescheduling is more than “moving things around”The executive functioning skills being used all at once (and where the breakdowns tend to happen)The power of the pause: creating space between trigger and reactionWhy emotional regulation is the gateway to better decision-makingHow working memory + time constraints + interruptions create the perfect stormCognitive flexibility: getting out of all-or-nothing thinking when the plan changes Mentioned In This Episode:Dawson, P., Guare, R., & Guare, C. (2024). Smart but scattered: The revolutionary “executive skills” approach to helping kids reach their potential (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press. Ep. 157: Scheduling Curveballs (Without the Mom Guilt)Episodes Coming Soon:AI tools I'm using to reduce the mental loadWhy email wording/tone becomes its own executive function rabbit hole To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join Work-Life Balance for Speech Pathologists on Facebook for more tips and tricks!Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.
Nearly every child on your caseload is at greater risk for executive function challenges. What do you do about it? In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 powerhouse strategies I use every single day to build executive function directly into speech and language therapy. No extra sessions, no separate goals — just smarter treatment that changes lives. You'll learn: The Problem, Plan, Action, Check process that teaches children to identify a problem, make a plan, take action, and finish the job How multi-step, task-oriented movement activities build working memory, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility. Why first, next, then, lastly, and because are billion-dollar words for verbal working memory and emotional regulation How to move children from scaffolded scripts to spontaneous complex sentences How complex speech targets in paragraph form improve speech, language, and executive function all at once Ready to put these strategies to work in your next session? Join the SIS Membership at www.kellyvess.com/sis and receive powerful speech and language treatment targets aimed at improving executive function plus ready-to-use activities delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Join today at www.kellyvess.com/sis
“Accommodation” is a loaded word. On one hand, we want to provide reasonable accommodations in K-12 so kids can access their education.But determining what is “reasonable” accommodation or modification can be messy.Both parents and educators can unintentionally “overaccommodate” in the moment without realizing it, which over time can impede a child's ability to work through daily challenges and solve problems on their own. This can be in the context of adding too many “cookie-cutter” accommodations on a 504 Plan or IEP, or it can be unofficial accommodations in the way we interact with kids. My colleagues who work on college campuses are seeing the impact of this “overhelping” in K-12. And it's not just kids with neurodevelopmental disorders. It's the neurotypical kids too. That's why I invited my colleague, Jill Fahy, back to De Facto Leaders to talk about the state of college readiness, the upstream impacts of what's happening in K-12 on success both during and after college. Jill Fahy, Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences, serves as the Director of STEP, a transitional education program for EIU students with autism. STEP programming supports the development of executive functions, social communication, self-appraisal, and self-regulatory skills to facilitate students' management of their academic and university living demands. Ms. Fahy specializes in the assessment of executive dysfunction, particularly as it is associated with concomitant disorders of language, cognition, or social/pragmatics. She is a widely-known lecturer in the area of executive functions, speaking nationally and internationally on aspects of evaluation and treatment of executive dysfunction, and the role of language in executive functions. Ms. Fahy is co-author of The Source for Development of Executive Functions, 2nd edition, and various articles on self-talk and executive functions. Ms. Fahy teaches graduate courses in Aphasia/Right Hemisphere Dysfunction, Cognitive-Communication and Executive Function Disorders, and Medical Grand Rounds. She previously taught undergraduate courses in Neurology and Advanced Clinical Practicum and Diagnostics. Prior to teaching at EIU, Ms. Fahy worked for several years as a medical SLP providing services for patients with acquired neurological deficits resulting from stroke and TBI, including those in acute care, inpatient and day rehabilitation, and home health. In this conversation, we discuss:✅ The difference between accommodations and modifications, what “overhelping” looks like, and why it impedes development of important metacognitive skills.✅ The state of college student mental health, and how it relates to the opportunities students have to practice self-regulation and experiencing failure.✅ Skills many college students are lacking, including managing due dates, extended writing assignments, study skills, working through conflict, and managing their daily life.✅ How and when to start fading supports, and how to recognize if you've been “overaccommodating” for a studentYou can connect with Jill at jkfahy@eiu.edu or on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-fahy-250478b/Learn more about the Students with Autism Transitional Education Program (STEP) Program at Eastern Illinois University here: https://www.eiu.edu/step/Be sure to listen to my first interview with Jill on De Facto Leaders here: Executive Functioning for College Students: Beyond Checklists and Planners (with Jill Fahy)Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-122-executive-functioning-for-college-students-beyond-checklists-and-planners-with-jill-fahy/You can also listen to my commentary on her first interview in this episode: Balancing Language, Academic Content Areas, and Executive Functioning (featuring Jill Fahy)Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-232-balancing-language-academic-content-areas-and-executive-functioning-featuring-jill-fahy/In this episode, I mentioned Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives speech pathologists a scalable framework for building language skills needed to thrive in school, social situations, and daily life. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapyI also mentioned School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers design scalable executive functioning interventions to ensure students get the scaffolding they need across the school day. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with JT Mestdagh about his extraordinary journey of living with complex medical challenges and dyslexia. He shares how early health struggles shaped his life, how his learning differences were hidden for years, and how he eventually discovered his strengths. The conversation explores resilience, faith, community, and practical tools such as mind mapping and dyslexic-friendly fonts that support visual thinkers. JT also reflects on overcoming adversity through adventure, demonstrating how challenges can become a path to growth and achievement.This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/Links: Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexiaJT's website: jtmestdaghfoundation.org Unteathered: https://a.co/d/0gq4OvVS No Bad Days: https://a.co/d/02L9PLOn JT's Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/JT__Mestdagh Tattum Reading Program: https://www.tattumreading.com/ Linda Mood Bell: https://lindamoodbell.com/ Hooked On Phonics: https://www.hookedonphonics.com/ Dragon Dictation: https://dragon.nuance.com/en-us/dragon Dyslexic Font: https://dyslexiefont.com/en/ Executive Function podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/executive-function-brain-trainer-podcast/id1588400094 What is Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioningWhat is Working Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.ukInterested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app
If you think executive function challenges only affect your ADHD and autism clients, this episode will change how you see your entire caseload. In this episode, we break down the latest 2025 research, revealing that executive function difficulties are far more widespread than previously recognized, including in populations SLPs have historically underestimated. You'll learn: Adele Diamond's 3-part framework for understanding executive function (attention and inhibitory control, verbal working memory, and cognitive flexibility) Why do children with developmental language disorder almost universally show verbal working memory deficits across all ages and native languages The surprising finding that even children with mild articulation errors, like distorted R's and S's, show statistically significant executive function risk New 2025 data linking stuttering to verbal and visual working memory difficulties How Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles can help you build one powerful, inclusive activity that targets executive function across your whole caseload The bottom line: We need to stop treating a mouth and start treating the whole child. Next week: Part 2 covers what the research says actually works to improve executive function and how to bring it into your sessions starting Monday. References: Afshar, M., Zarifian, T., Khorrami Banaraki, A., & Noroozi, M. (2022). Executive functions in Persian-speaking preschool children with speech sound disorders and comparison with their typically developing peers. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 11(4), 702–712. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2021.1937169 Kakuta, K., et al. (2025). Executive function in preschool children who stutter: A behavioral assessment study. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 16159. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00981-9 Lee, D., Boulton, K. A., Sun, C., Phillips, N. L., Munro, M., Kumfor, F., Demetriou, E. A., & Guastella, A. J. (2024). Attention and executive delays in early childhood: A meta-analysis of neurodevelopmental conditions. Molecular Psychiatry. Advance online publication. Niu, T., Wang, S., Ma, J., Zeng, X., & Xue, R. (2024). Executive functions in children with developmental language disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, Article 1390987. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1390987 Keywords: executive function, speech language pathology, developmental language disorder, speech sound disorders, apraxia of speech, stuttering, verbal working memory, UDL, SLP caseload, 2025 research
"Executive function" gets thrown around constantly in ADHD conversations — but rarely explained. In this episode, DrB breaks down exactly what executive function is, walks through every core skill (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, planning, task initiation, emotional regulation, and time management), and delivers the most important reframe in ADHD education: these are skills, not fixed traits. They can be learned, built, and integrated for life.Key Points Covered• Executive function explained plainly: your brain's management system• The 7 core executive function skills and what they look like in ADHD adults• Why "executive function disorder" is a misleading framing• The difference between a deficit and a skill gap• A preview of pre-skills — the foundation that makes everything else possibleLinks MentionedRegister for the June 23 Masterclass for free with optional VIP upgrade: https://itwasneveryoumasterclass.com/ Learn about GSD: https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/gsdprogram Learn about the Gifted Underachiever: https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/blog?tag=gifted+underachiever
How to stop procrastinating starts with knowing that procrastination isn't a character flaw. It's a signal pointing toward misalignment, fear, or lack of support. It's hard to find or sustain solutions when you're beating yourself up. In this episode you'll learn practical, compassionate ways to get curious about what and why you're avoiding doing something, recalibrate to what actually matters, and create small, supported steps forward. If you're tired of motivating through shame and ready to take action in a way that works, this episode is for you.Some of what I explore in this episode includes:How procrastination, avoidance, “shoulds,” shame, and time management pressures fit togetherHow to tell if you're procrastinating from fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, or true misalignmentPractical tools for overcoming procrastination: breaking tasks down, using deadlines, accountability, and body doublingHow to work with your real energy and neurodivergent brain using curiosity, values, and self-compassion Download the Procrastination Support Checklist!Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me!Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/MindsetUnlimited RELATED MINDSET UNLIMITED EPISODES:What's Killing My MotivationIt's Simple So Why Am I Not Doing It Coaching What To Do When You've Fallen Behind Unlocking Your Leadership Energy CONNECT WITH VALERIE:Schedule an exploration callAsk Valerie (anonymous form)Sign up for Valerie's newsletterApply to be coached on the podcast This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander CoachingProud member of the Feminist Podcasters CollectiveSend us Fan MailSupport the show
For women navigating midlife - and anyone dealing with burnout, overwhelm, or that nagging sense that your brain just isn't firing the way it used to — this episode is for you. Host Marianne Wisenthal sits down with Erin Wong, certified executive function coach and founder of Thriving Minds at Work, to unpack why focus, productivity, and energy can suddenly feel out of reach. Erin breaks down what the invisible mental load is really costing us, why traditional productivity advice so often stops working, and shares her own burnout story along with practical strategies for reducing cognitive overload. If you've ever wondered why everything feels so much harder than it used to, this conversation will help you understand why and what you can do about it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lisa Woodruff is the founder and CEO of Organize 365 and host of the Organize 365 podcast (24M+ downloads). A former teacher with a PhD in applied psychology, she's the author of six books, including her newest release, Escaping Quicksand. Key Discussion Themes Why cleaning up isn't the same as organizing — and what "Swiss cheese organizing" quietly costs you The declutter → organize → productivity cycle, and why analog comes before digital Perfectionism vs. excellence, grace, and the internal shifts behind staying organized Self-funding a PhD to research whether organizing systems improve executive function Listener Takeaway Organization is a learnable skill, and the most durable changes are internal. Aim for excellence instead of perfection, focus on the spaces that stay organized, and just start. Guest Website organize365.com Connect with Lisa Instagram: instagram.com/organize365 Book (Escaping Quicksand): escapingquicksand.com
Why do unfinished to-dos keep you stressed, even when doing them would only take a few minutes?Whether it's scheduling an appointment, signing up for a class, returning an item, or sending an email you've been avoiding, unfinished tasks can create mental clutter and drain your energy. These "open loops" follow you around, taking up valuable brain space and making it harder to feel calm and in control.In this episode, you'll learn:Why unfinished tasks create so much stress and overwhelmHow ADHD brains are especially vulnerable to open loopsThe role perfectionism plays in keeping tasks unfinishedHow to use my GEMS system to start closing the loop on lingering to-do list itemsIf you've been struggling with procrastination, mental load, ADHD overwhelm, or a never-ending to-do list, this episode will help you take small, practical steps toward getting things done without creating more stress.Ready to stop scrambling? Book your complimentary Chaos to Calm session.Free Resources:
Many entrepreneurs believe their biggest challenge is strategy.But what if the real challenge is focus?In this episode of Casa De Confidence, Julie DeLucca-Collins sits down with ADHD strategist, coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Unconventional Organisation, Skye Waterson.Diagnosed with ADHD while pursuing her PhD, Skye shares how she transformed her personal struggles with focus, overwhelm, time blindness, and burnout into a thriving business helping ADHD entrepreneurs and executives scale sustainably.Together, Julie and Skye explore how ADHD impacts business growth, why traditional productivity advice often fails neurodivergent entrepreneurs, and how systems, structure, and self-awareness can help entrepreneurs create consistent revenue without sacrificing their well-being.Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you may have it, or simply find yourself overwhelmed, distracted, and struggling to prioritize, this conversation offers practical strategies and hope.In This Episode:What ADHD looks like in high-achieving entrepreneursHow Skye discovered her ADHD during her PhD programThe concept of time blindness and why it impacts productivityWhy traditional planning systems often fail ADHD entrepreneursThe connection between dopamine and focusHow to identify the 20% of activities driving 80% of resultsBuilding systems that work with your brainScaling a business without burning outManaging teams and creating structure as an ADHD entrepreneurLessons learned from leaving academia to build a successful businessConnect with Skye:Website: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/?hl=enLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-waterson-026286204Free Offer:The 2-Minute Focus Formula https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/the-adhd-focus-filterI want to hear your thoughts about the show and this episode. Text us here...Support the showCasa De Confidence is a podcast for women navigating midlife reinvention, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. Hosted by Julie DeLucca-Collins, the show explores confidence, sustainable business success, visibility, authority building, and aligned growth for women entrepreneurs ready to lead boldly and live intentionally. Through real conversations and practical insights, listeners gain clarity, strengthen confidence, and develop strategies to expand their impact, voice, and opportunities.Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.For more about me and what I do, check out my website.If you're looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you'd be a good fit for one of my coaching programs.Follow Julie DeLucca-Collins on Instagram at @julie_deluccacollins
In this episode of Mind the Kids, the podcast from the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH), host Dr. Clara Faria — academic clinical fellow in child psychiatry — is joined by Professor Lauren Kenworthy, Division Chief, Neuropsychology Director, Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders Pediatric Neuropsychologist, at the Children's National Hospital, based in Washington DC.Professor Kenworthy shares findings from her landmark study, 'Executive Function Challenges Persist into Young Adulthood and Predict Mental Health Outcomes in Autism', published in JCPP — ACAMH's flagship peer-reviewed journal. Drawing on over 300 autistic individuals and more than 900 observations spanning ages 2 to 25, this is one of the most comprehensive longitudinal investigations into executive function trajectories and mental health outcomes in autism to date.The episode unpacks what executive functions are — the brain-based cognitive abilities governing flexibility, working memory, and impulse control — and why they matter so profoundly for the mental health of autistic young people. With approximately 70% of autistic children and 63% of autistic adults experiencing mental health challenges at any given time, Professor Kenworthy explains why understanding the relationship between executive dysfunction and depression and anxiety in autism is not just academically important, but urgent.Among the most striking findings: executive function challenges — particularly cognitive inflexibility — remain clinically elevated from early childhood all the way through young adulthood, persisting even in young people who have had access to clinical support. Anxiety symptoms worsen significantly for autistic girls, with measurable divergence from their male peers emerging around age 12 — a finding with major implications for autism diagnosis, gender differences in autism, and targeted mental health intervention.Professor Kenworthy also shares her work developing Unstuck and On Target, a school-based executive function intervention designed to be delivered by educators — not just clinicians — addressing the urgent need for scalable, real-world, evidence-based autism support in schools. The conversation covers participatory research, the 12-year evidence-to-implementation gap, the limits of existing interventions including ABA, and why autistic voices must be central to the future of autism research and intervention design.Essential listening for clinicians, researchers, educators, and anyone with a stake in autism mental health, early intervention, and neurodevelopmental research.Read the paper 'Executive function challenges persist into young adulthood and predict mental health outcomes in autism' https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70149Lauren Kenworthy, Lauren Baczewski, Alan H. Gerber, Cara E. Pugliese, A. Chelsea Armour, Kelsey D. Csumitta, Gabrielle E. Reimann, Caroline Candy, Gregory L. Wallace, Matthew S. FritzFirst published: 11 April 2026Get a free CPD/CME certificate for listening to this podcast by registering for a FREE ACAMH Learn account at https://bit.ly/4fF4BBWVisit https://www.acamh.orgFacebook and LinkedIn search / ACAMHInstagram https://www.instagram.com/assoc.camhBluesky https://bsky.app/profile/acamh.bsky.socialX https://x.com/acamh
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with dyslexia specialist tutor and consultant Glynda Cullen about a parent's long journey raising two daughters with dyslexia and ADHD, including the guilt and emotional impact of late diagnoses. Glynda shares early signs in nursery and primary school, her daughter's growing anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance, and how limited teacher training and systemic pressures affected support, with accommodations only appearing at GCSEs. The conversation explores current SEND changes in England, inclusion expectations, and how tools like ivvi Notes can scaffold executive function in classrooms. Glynda describes her daughter's path after school, finding confidence and “her tribe” through training protection dogs and building a dog training business, highlighting the importance of cultivating strengths beyond academics.This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/Links: ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexiaGlynda's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glynda1270 Website: www.guidingstardyslexia.co.uk Tutor: www.SENsationalTutors.co.ukDo you want to pilot ivvi at your school?: https://www.ivvi.app/pilot-waiting-list Jennie Guise- DARA: https://dysguise.com/dara/ Executive Function podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/executive-function-brain-trainer-podcast/id1588400094 What is Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioningWhat is Working Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.ukInterested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app
Parenting Anxious Teens | Parenting Teens, Managing Teen Anxiety, Parenting Strategies
Hi Parents! Why do some teens stay focused and push through challenges while others seem completely unmotivated? In this episode, I sit down with executive functioning coach, teacher, and championship-winning athletic coach Tom Mandile to explore what is really going on when teens struggle with motivation, focus, and follow-through. With more than 20 years of experience working with students, athletes, and families, Tom shares how the same mental systems that help athletes perform under pressure can also help teens succeed in school, relationships, and everyday life. We talk about why what looks like a motivation problem is often actually a systems problem, and how developing executive functioning skills like time management, impulse control, and goal alignment can dramatically improve a teen's ability to stay focused and build confidence. In this conversation, you'll learn why structure often works better than willpower, how parents can support teens after setbacks, and simple strategies families can use to help teens build resilience, discipline, and independence. If you've ever wondered how to motivate your teen or help them stay focused when life feels overwhelming, this episode offers practical insights and tools you can start using right away.
Why do kids struggle so much with time management — and why does it often turn into stress, meltdowns, and constant reminders for moms?In this episode, Lori sits down with Mindy Hudon, a speech-language pathologist with more than 30 years of experience helping children with communication and executive function challenges. Mindy is the co-owner of Achieve Speech & Language Services, the creator of the Bee A Time Keeper® clock, and the award-winning author of Kodi's Adventures: How I Learned to Defeat the Time Snatcher.Together, they discuss: Why many children are “time blind” How executive function impacts planning, transitions, and routines Why kids may not actually be ignoring you How visual tools can reduce anxiety and help children self-manage The connection between ADHD and time management struggles Practical ways moms can teach kids independence without constant nagging Simple strategies to make mornings, transitions, and routines easier If you've ever felt frustrated trying to get everyone out the door on time, this episode will help you better understand what's really happening — and give you practical tools you can start using right away.
In the latest episode of Executive Function, Brett sits down with Graham Moreno, Head of GTM at Parallel Web Systems. Before Parallel, Graham scaled Windsurf's GTM organization from three sellers to seventy-five in under a year, served as President through the Cognition acquisition, and earlier built and led enterprise sales teams at Grafana Labs and MongoDB. In this conversation, he unpacks why the AI-era backlash against structured enterprise sales misreads the data, how to design a process that raises the floor for ordinary reps without capping the ceiling for stars, and why selling to AI-native customers compresses an eight-week cycle into five business days. In today's episode, we discuss: Why in-person enterprise rollouts still beat product-led motions Building a robust sales process that still leaves room for unscripted moments Why the three highest-leverage early sales hires aren't sellers at all The case for outsized commission accelerators for star sellers — and the kind of person they attract Why most AI companies are skipping the in-person sales work that enterprise customers actually want References: Ahead: https://www.ahead.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com Attio: https://www.attio.com Augment Code: https://www.augmentcode.com/ Cognition: https://cognition.ai Cursor: https://cursor.com Dani McCabe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mccabe/ Datadog: https://www.datadoghq.com GitHub Copilot: https://github.com/features/copilot HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com Jeremy Powers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypowers/ JPMorgan: https://www.jpmorgan.com Matt McClernan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmcclernan/ MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com Nicole Rettinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rettinger-23b20465/ Notion: https://www.notion.com OpenAI: https://openai.com Parag Agrawal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paragagr/ Parallel: https://parallel.ai Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com University of Chicago: https://www.uchicago.edu Windsurf: https://windsurf.com Where to find Graham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahammoreno/ Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Has the sales playbook changed in the AI era? 02:13 Why "showing up" beats letting the marketplace decide 06:50 Why great salespeople sell to engineers and executives in one motion 11:37 Selling to AI-native buyers who grew up on ChatGPT 13:49 Same seller, different tempo: 8 weeks vs. 8 business days 15:57 How AI-native buyers handle build vs. buy decisions 17:48 The rep who taught a champion's son guitar over Zoom 19:03 Raising the floor without capping the ceiling 22:09 Why too much process narrows the kind of seller you attract 25:46 The three pillars of GTM excellence 31:00 Building peers who are 80% aligned, not 100% 38:03 Whether AI is changing what good enablement looks like 41:35 Selling against direct and implied competitors at once 42:45 Instrumenting the funnel from stage zero to close 45:57 Why post-sales should always roll up to the revenue leader 48:19 The case for outsized commissions 52:02 The 96 hours of panic before Cognition acquired Windsurf 53:04 How far out should a GTM leader be planning? 57:53 What a normal week looks like in hypergrowth
This week, we're diving into a challenge many homeschooling families face—especially those parenting gifted, twice-exceptional, or otherwise neurodivergent kids: boredom. If you've ever heard, "I'm bored!" and wondered how to respond, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you beat boredom without resorting to endless busy work. Key Takeaways Novelty doesn't require elaborate setups. Simple tweaks—like changing writing tools, switching locations, or adding a movement element—can wake up the brain. Choice and autonomy matter. Let your child decide between two options or how they'll demonstrate what they've learned. Find the "just right" challenge. Work that's too easy leads to boredom; too hard brings overwhelm. Learn how to dial up (or down) the challenge for each unique learner. Links and Resources from Today's Episode Thank you to our sponsors: CTC Math – Flexible, affordable math for the whole family! The Learner's Lab – Online community for families homeschooling outside-the-box learners! The Lab: An Online Community for Families Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kiddos The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family The Anxiety Toolkit Sensory Strategy Toolkit | Quick Regulation Activities for Home Affirmation Cards for Anxious Kids Executive Function Struggles in Homeschooling: Why Smart Kids Can't Find Their Shoes (and What to Do About It) How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function Understanding Executive Function Skills in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins Strengthen Executive Function Skills The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills 7 Executive Functioning Activities for Small Children RLL #84: Exploring Education and Executive Function with Seth PerlerThe Unmeasured Executive Functioning Issue RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question RLL LIVE | Improving Executive Functions Helping Kids Who Resist: Low-Demand Homeschooling for Autonomy and Skill-Building Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish Line Why Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead
Connect:Organized Binder Website Mitch's LinkedinMitch's EmailSarah's WebsiteSarah's LinkedInResources from Today's ShowHow to buy US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartOutside of the US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start
In this episode, we dive deeper into the topic of motivating our kids, especially when traditional schoolwork leads to resistance or meltdowns. Building on last week's discussion about motivation versus executive dysfunction, this week's episode explores the power of project-based and interest-led learning—especially for neurodivergent kids. From transforming a love of Minecraft or Pokémon into meaningful educational experiences, to finding the right balance between leveraging special interests and avoiding burnout, we unpack practical strategies to engage children in their education. Find out why interests are often the doorway to deep learning, discover the four-step project pathway framework, and gain confidence to embrace creative, child-focused educational approaches—while addressing common parental concerns about gaps, screens, and specialization. Whether you're homeschooling or simply looking to inspire lifelong learning in your child, this episode is packed with encouragement and actionable tips to help every learner thrive. Key Takeaways Harness Special Interests: Use your child's passions—like Minecraft, Pokémon, or theater—as the starting point for deeper learning and engagement. Build Sideways, Not Away: Expand on what excites your child by connecting related skills and subjects, rather than forcing a hard turn to traditional academics. Project Power: Anchor learning in real-life projects, from creating Minecraft cities to designing bug field guides, making skills and knowledge truly stick. Honor Depth and Autonomy: Let your child dive deep into what they love and give them a say in how they learn; this fosters motivation, connection, and persistence. Gaps Are OK: Every learning path has gaps—focus on teaching kids how to find answers, build confidence, and adapt to an ever-changing world. Links and Resources from Today's Episode Thank you to our sponsors: CTC Math – Flexible, affordable math for the whole family! The Learner's Lab – Online community for families homeschooling outside-the-box learners! The Lab: An Online Community for Families Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kiddos The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family The Anxiety Toolkit Sensory Strategy Toolkit | Quick Regulation Activities for Home Affirmation Cards for Anxious Kids Executive Function Struggles in Homeschooling: Why Smart Kids Can't Find Their Shoes (and What to Do About It) How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function Understanding Executive Function Skills in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins Strengthen Executive Function Skills The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills 7 Executive Functioning Activities for Small Children RLL #84: Exploring Education and Executive Function with Seth PerlerThe Unmeasured Executive Functioning Issue RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question RLL LIVE | Improving Executive Functions Helping Kids Who Resist: Low-Demand Homeschooling for Autonomy and Skill-Building Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish LineWhy Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead
In this latest episode of Executive Function, Brett sits down with Praveer Melwani, CFO at Figma. Praveer joined Figma in 2017 as the company's first business operations and finance hire—when the team was around 30 people and not yet charging for the product—and stepped into the CFO seat in 2022, helping to lead the company's IPO in 2025. In today's conversation, Praveer breaks down the step functions that took him from IC to CFO, why Figma started acting like a public company three years before IPO, and how AI is rewriting capital allocation and the CFO job itself. In today's episode, we discuss: What separates a world-class finance leader from a traffic-cop CFO How Praveer went from Figma's first biz ops hire to CFO of a public company in nine years Why Figma started acting like a public company three years before its IPO What Praveer has learned working alongside Dylan Field for nine years Why Figma intentionally cut its 90% gross margin to invest in AI References: Adobe: https://www.adobe.com Brendan Mulligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmulligan Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com Dylan Field: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanfield/ Fidelity: https://www.fidelity.com Figma: https://www.figma.com GIC: https://www.gic.com.sg NerdWallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com Shaunt Voskanian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntvoskanian/ Where to find Praveer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveer-melwani Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:13 From banking to Dropbox to Figma 04:14 The phase shift when Figma's COO left 05:36 Hiring leaders in functions you don't understand 07:18 Selling the exec team on AI consumption pricing 09:48 Using Claude Code to learn new things as CFO 11:36 Building an internal board of peer CFOs 13:52 Inside Figma's CFO job description 16:38 What separates good CFOs from world-class CFOs 18:42 Capital allocation and risk in a post-ChatGPT world 21:45 Why Praveer wants to take more bets 24:32 How AI is materially changing the CFO role 25:36 The nine-year working relationship with Dylan Field 29:12 How deeply in the details should a CFO be? 31:47 What Dropbox taught Praveer about building strong teams 33:24 Praveer's first-principles test for hiring VPs 38:47 Why Figma acted like a public company in 2022
You cannot teach executive function by controlling a child harder. Executive function is not just about planners, homework, and getting organized. It is about self-awareness, self-regulation, and being able to take the next step toward a goal, even when something feels hard. In this episode, I talk with Sean McCormick, founder of Executive Function Specialists, about what actually helps kids build executive function skills. We unpack why avoidance is often a sign that something feels too hard, why motivation works better when it connects to a child's own goals, and why adults need to stop trying to control kids and start getting more curious about what is getting in the way. Sean shares practical ways to break big goals into doable steps, explains why support should be done with kids instead of for them, and makes a strong case for modeling executive function in our own lives too. Key Takeaways Executive function is bigger than school skills. It includes planning, organization, self-awareness, time awareness, inhibition, emotional regulation, and the ability to evaluate priorities and move toward a future goal. Emotional regulation is part of executive function. Kids cannot plan, prioritize, or get started well when they are overwhelmed and not aware of what they are feeling. Avoidance usually tells us something important. When a child keeps avoiding homework or a task, it often means the task feels too hard, too big, too unclear, or too emotionally loaded. Real growth happens at the point of performance. Executive function skills are built in the moment a child is facing the actual challenge, not only through lessons about skills in the abstract. Kids need the next right step, not the whole staircase. A big goal becomes more manageable when adults help break it down into a challenge that feels just doable enough. Motivation works better when it belongs to the child. Kids are more likely to engage when they can connect daily tasks to something they want for themselves, not just something adults want from them. Adults have to notice the nonverbal signs. Body language, shutdown, avoidance, and tone often tell us more than a child's words about when something feels too hard. Support works best when it is done with a child, not for them. Co-regulating, helping them get started, and gradually releasing responsibility builds skill without taking away agency. Failure is not the end of the process. Failure gives feedback. Natural consequences can help kids learn, especially when an adult helps them reflect and recover instead of shaming them. Adults need to model executive function too. Kids learn from how we manage our own energy, limits, priorities, and stress. Burned-out adults cannot effectively teach sustainable regulation. About Sean McCormick Sean McCormick is a former public school special education teacher and the founder of Executive Function Specialists, an online coaching company that supports students with ADHD and autism in building executive function skills. He also founded the Executive Function Coaching Academy to train educators and professionals in executive function coaching, and co-founded UpSkill Specialists to support neurodivergent adults. Sean is passionate about helping students and families understand the practical skills that make everyday life more manageable and meaningful. About Your Host, Gabriele Nicolet I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home. Complicated Kids Resources & Links
Do you ever wonder why your child, who can spend hours building or creating something they love, just can't seem to get started on a simple task? Does it seem like they're just not motivated—even though you know they do care? This week's episode of the podcast dives deep into one of the most misunderstood challenges in homeschooling neurodivergent kids: motivation vs. executive dysfunction. Key Takeaways Motivation isn't a character trait—it depends on fragile conditions, especially in neurodivergent kids. Kids aren't refusing tasks out of laziness; they're often stuck somewhere along the executive function path. Scaffold your child's success: break tasks down, work alongside them, and focus on small wins. Motivation grows from success, autonomy, and a regulated nervous system—not from pressure or shame. Links and Resources from Today's Episode Thank you to our sponsors: CTC Math – Flexible, affordable math for the whole family! Curiosity Post – A Snail Mail Club for kids – Real mail; Real life! The Learner's Lab – Online community for families homeschooling gifted/2e & neurodivergent kiddos! The Lab: An Online Community for Families Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kiddos The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family The Anxiety Toolkit Sensory Strategy Toolkit | Quick Regulation Activities for Home Affirmation Cards for Anxious Kids Executive Function Struggles in Homeschooling: Why Smart Kids Can't Find Their Shoes (and What to Do About It) How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function Understanding Executive Function Skills in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins Strengthen Executive Function Skills The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills 7 Executive Functioning Activities for Small Children RLL #84: Exploring Education and Executive Function with Seth PerlerThe Unmeasured Executive Functioning Issue RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question RLL LIVE | Improving Executive Functions Helping Kids Who Resist: Low-Demand Homeschooling for Autonomy and Skill-Building Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish LineWhy Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead
If eating feels chaotic, unpredictable, or hard to keep up with, especially with ADHD, there are real reasons for that. This episode breaks down why eating can feel all over the place, not because you are doing something wrong, but because your brain is being asked to manage a process that depends heavily on executive functioning, timing, and regulation across the entire day. In this solo episode, Dr. Marianne explores the connection between ADHD, binge eating disorder, and bulimia, including how impulsivity, dopamine, and executive function challenges shape eating patterns in ways that are often misunderstood. You will hear why eating may feel easy to delay and then suddenly urgent, why follow-through can feel inconsistent, and why this pattern is not about willpower. ADHD and Eating Disorders: Why Eating Feels So Chaotic Eating regularly requires more than hunger. It depends on time awareness, task initiation, decision-making, and the ability to shift attention. ADHD directly affects these processes, which means eating can feel disorganized, delayed, or unpredictable. This episode explains why chaotic eating patterns often reflect executive function challenges, not a lack of effort or care. Impulsivity, Dopamine, and Binge Eating Impulsivity in ADHD is not just about acting quickly. It reflects differences in how the brain pauses and redirects. When binge urges show up, they can feel immediate and intense. At the same time, dopamine differences in ADHD can make food a fast and effective way to shift focus, regulate emotions, or create relief. This episode explores how these systems interact and why food can become a powerful regulator. Executive Function Challenges and Follow-Through With Eating Executive function challenges can make it harder to plan, prepare, and initiate eating, even when you want to. You might forget to eat, delay eating, or feel overwhelmed by decisions. This episode breaks down how these patterns develop and why eating consistency is not just about intention, but about access to executive functioning in real time. Restriction, Glucose, and Intensified ADHD Traits When eating gets delayed or inconsistent, even unintentionally, glucose levels can drop. This affects the brain's ability to regulate attention, impulses, and emotions. Lower glucose can intensify ADHD traits, making it even harder to initiate eating or pause during urges. This episode explains how this cycle develops and why it can feel so hard to interrupt. Why This Is Not About Willpower Chaotic eating patterns are often framed as a lack of discipline, but this episode reframes them through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. When your brain is under-fueled and your executive functioning is stretched, it makes sense that eating feels harder to manage. Understanding this can reduce shame and open up more supportive approaches. Related Episodes Midlife Bulimia Recovery: Coping With the Internal Chaos on Apple and Spotify. Eating Disorders & ADHD: Neurodivergent-Affirming Recovery With Taylor Ashley, RP @taylorashleytherapy on Apple and Spotify. ADHD & Bulimia: Dopamine, Impulsivity, & the Hidden Link to Binge Eating With Kirsten Book, PMHNP-BC on Apple and Spotify. Work With Dr. Marianne If you are navigating ADHD, binge eating, bulimia, or eating patterns that feel chaotic and hard to predict, you do not have to figure this out alone. Dr. Marianne works with many clients with ADHD in both therapy and coaching, helping them understand their brain, reduce shame, and build ways of eating that are actually doable in real life. You can learn more about working with Dr. Marianne via her website, drmariannemiller.com.
In the latest episode of Executive Function, Brett is joined by Diya Jolly, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Xero. Before Xero, Diya was CPT at Okta and led YouTube's advertising monetization products at Google. In this conversation, she unpacks her three-bucket framework for delegating decisions, why the most important part of a CPO's role is to drive team-wide ambition, and why the best executives need to spend half their time thinking, not doing. In today's episode, we discuss: Why a CPO's number one job is raising their team's ambition, not shipping features How to demand the best from your team without creating a fear-based culture Why organizational politics is actually an incentives problem How Diya is “militant” with her calendar to carve out dedicated thinking time Why you should avoid chasing titles in your career - and what to chase instead References: Google: https://www.google.com Melio: https://meliopayments.com Okta: https://www.okta.com Sukhinder Singh Cassidy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukhinders/ Xero: https://www.xero.com Where to find Diya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diyajolly Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: 00:12 How an excellent CPO makes an impact on the business 02:01 How the CPO role shifts under founders vs hired CEOs 03:38 Influencing a founder without going deferential 07:37 How adding value to customers is always a net positive 08:45 Why roadmaps need more risk in the AI era 12:30 How to shelter innovation teams from the existing system 15:12 What's different about being a great CPO in 2026 17:34 How AI has changed the concept of an app 18:28 It's essential for CPOs to fly at a low altitude 20:34 How misaligned incentives cause organizational politics 25:13 Being demanding without creating a fear-based culture 28:10 Why raising ambition is a CPO's number one job 31:39 The boss who taught Diya to keep raising the bar 32:43 The hardest part of being a CPO 35:28 The three buckets Diya uses to delegate 36:30 How Diya protects deep-work time on her calendar 42:45 Xero's game-changing early bet on AI insights 44:58 How far into the future should CPOs plan for? 47:14 What it takes to be an excellent C-suite member 48:53 Why ambitious PMs should chase impact, not titles 50:28 The four bottlenecks that stall career growth
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Dr. Tara Williams, a chemistry professor in California and former Sussex PhD graduate, about how executive function often drives difficulties when students transition from high school to university. Williams describes the social and practical upheaval of moving away from home, the need to self-advocate for accommodations, and how unstructured time, shifting deadlines, and planning demands can overwhelm neurodiverse students. They define executive functioning as planning, organization, and time management, discuss accommodations such as extra exam time, quiet rooms, note takers, and flexible grading for spelling-heavy subjects, and emphasize early preparation, body doubling, reading and note-taking habits, and building supportive relationships with faculty and campus services. Williams also shares her consulting work, forthcoming book, and contact details.This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/ Links: Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexiaDr Tara Social Media Links:Website: https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-williams-phd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iccedservices#Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_innovative_consultantsDr Tara Notable Guest Interviews: Parenting Teens: Advice Redefined for Today's Complex World: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/136-college-transition-hacks-for-parents-of/id1720826175?i=1000743905277Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/helping-students-learn-executive-functioning-skills/id1307157016?i=1000682986383 Executive Function podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/executive-function-brain-trainer-podcast/id1588400094 Previous Episode with Janet Scott: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/71-ebola-and-coronavirus-doctor-discusses-her/id1387645599?i=1000478151331 Previous Episode with Kerry Pace: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/80-dyspraxia-nursing-and-online-tutoring-with-kerry-pace/id1387645599?i=1000488468841 Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioningWorking Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.ukInterested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app
Dr. Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers, co-authors of “Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start” discuss the increased need of support in working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility in K-3 students, and the unique considerations and strategies needed for the primary population.
Parenting Anxious Teens | Parenting Teens, Managing Teen Anxiety, Parenting Strategies
Hi Parents! In this episode, I'm joined by Carrie Bonnett, a veteran teacher and Executive Function coach who works with students and families around the country using a brain-first, no-shame approach. Carrie brings decades of experience supporting kids, parents, and educators, and she's passionate about helping teens thrive by understanding how their brains actually work. During our conversation, we dig into what executive function really means and why it plays such a significant role in anxiety and procrastination for teens. We talk about why so many anxious teens struggle to get started even when they care deeply about school and responsibilities, and how anxiety can interfere with planning, organization, and task initiation. Carrie helps reframe procrastination as a brain-based challenge rather than a character flaw and shares practical ways parents can reduce overwhelm, support motivation, and move away from constant reminders and power struggles. We also explore why traditional tools like to-do lists don't always work for teens and how parents can shift their approach to better match their child's brain. This episode is especially helpful for parents who feel stuck in nightly homework battles or worry about their teen's independence and confidence.
If you have ADHD and struggle with bulimia or binge eating, it may not be about willpower at all. It may be about dopamine, impulsivity, and a nervous system that has been trying to regulate itself the only way it knows how. In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with psychiatric nurse practitioner Kirsten Book to unpack the often-missed connection between ADHD and eating disorders. We move beyond surface-level explanations and into what is actually happening in the brain, including how dopamine dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, and emotional intensity can drive patterns of bingeing, restricting, and purging. ADHD and Bulimia: The Dopamine Connection Kirsten shares her lived experience of recovering from bulimia and being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. She describes how starting ADHD treatment shifted everything. Instead of feeling constantly out of control, she experienced something many people with ADHD and eating disorders rarely feel, which is a pause. A moment to decide what to do next. That shift in impulsivity and regulation can be a turning point in recovery. We break down how ADHD affects dopamine regulation and why the brain begins to seek out stimulation through food. Binge eating, restriction, and purging can all increase dopamine in the short term, which reinforces these patterns even when they create long-term distress. Why ADHD Gets Missed in Eating Disorders Many people, especially girls and women, are never screened for ADHD. Instead, they are diagnosed with anxiety or depression. This episode explores how untreated ADHD can show up as emotional dysregulation, difficulty focusing, chaotic eating patterns, and a constant sense of being overwhelmed. Kirsten explains why comprehensive screening matters and how identifying ADHD can completely change the direction of treatment. When ADHD is addressed directly, many people experience a reduction in binge eating urges and a greater sense of stability with food. Executive Function, Impulsivity, and Eating Patterns ADHD affects the brain's executive functioning, including planning, organization, and follow-through. This makes consistent eating much harder than it looks from the outside. Skipped meals, irregular eating, and impulsive food choices are not random. They are connected to how the brain manages energy, attention, and motivation. We also talk about interoception and why people with ADHD may feel disconnected from hunger and fullness cues. This disconnection can lead to both undereating and overeating, creating cycles that feel confusing and hard to interrupt. The Role of Dopamine in Binge Eating and Restriction This episode offers a clear explanation of how different eating disorder behaviors interact with dopamine. Binge eating and highly palatable foods can create a surge in dopamine, reinforcing cravings and compulsive eating. Restriction can also increase dopamine in a different way, which helps explain why it can feel rewarding even when it is harmful. Over time, these patterns can change how the brain responds to reward, making it harder to feel regulated without them. Understanding this helps reduce shame and opens the door to more effective, targeted support. ADHD Treatment and Eating Disorder Recovery We talk through how psychiatric medications can support both ADHD and eating disorder recovery. This includes the role of stimulants, SSRIs, and other medications in improving impulse control, emotional regulation, and the ability to follow through with consistent eating. Kirsten also addresses common concerns about medication, especially for parents. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions, understanding risks and benefits, and approaching treatment with openness rather than fear. Medication is not the only tool, but for many people, it creates the stability needed to fully engage in recovery. This Is Not About Willpower If your eating feels chaotic, impulsive, or out of control, there may be more going on beneath the surface. ADHD changes how the brain processes reward, attention, and regulation. When that is not understood, eating disorder behaviors can become a way to cope. You deserve support that looks at the full picture, including your brain, your nervous system, and the ways you have learned to get through the day. Connect With Kirsten Book, PMHNP-BC Kirsten Book is a dual-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults navigating eating disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. You can learn more about her work and concierge psychiatric services at her website. She is licensed in California, Illinois, Arizona, and Washington. She is also active on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The best way to reach her directly is via email at Apple & Spotify “Stuck” Isn't Lazy: Inertia in ADHD, Autism, & Eating Disorder Recovery With Stacie Fanelli, LCSW on Apple & Spotify. Autism & Eating Challenges: Understanding Sensory Needs, Routines, & Safety on Apple & Spotify. Eating Disorders & ADHD: Neurodivergent-Affirming Recovery With Taylor Ashley, RP @taylorashleytherapy on Apple & Spotify. Work With Dr. Marianne If you are looking for eating disorder support that integrates neurodivergent-affirming care, I offer therapy and coaching for ARFID, binge eating disorder, anorexia, and bulimia. I work with clients across California and Washington, D.C., as well as offer coaching more broadly in the U.S. and worldwide. My approach focuses on sensory needs, nervous system regulation, executive functioning, and building sustainable eating patterns that actually work for your life. You can visit my website drmariannemiller.com to learn more about working with me and explore current offerings, including therapy, coaching, and self-paced programs. Share This Episode on Bulimia and ADHD If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and follow the podcast so you do not miss upcoming episodes on ADHD, ARFID, binge eating, and neurodivergent-affirming recovery.
AI Literacy, Resilience, Executive Function and Counterweights - FAAF 257In this 257th episode, I share my reflections from April 13-18th, 2026. Check out the WHOLE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST I put together with all the listens mentioned below:>>> https://bit.ly/E257FreshAirAtFivePlaylist
In this latest episode of Executive Function, Brett sits down with Christopher Payne, who spent a decade as President and COO at DoorDash, helping scale the company from roughly 70 employees to the dominant food delivery platform in the US. Before DoorDash, Christopher held senior operating roles at Amazon and eBay, where he led a sweeping overhaul of marketplace search. In this conversation, he unpacks what it actually takes to run an atoms-based business versus a software company, shares his "plate spinning" framework for allocating executive attention across a complex org, and makes the case for top-down goal setting over the bottom-up alternative. In today's episode, we discuss: How prior industry experience can be a liability when you're trying to reinvent the market How executives can practically focus their attention to stay close to product details What charisma actually looks like in executives—and why it's a staple trait to have The business case for setting ambitious goals top-down, not bottom-up References: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/ Cheesecake Factory: https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/ Cursor: https://cursor.com/ Dartmouth College: https://home.dartmouth.edu/ David Risher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdavidrisher DoorDash: https://www.doordash.com/ eBay: https://www.ebay.com/ Granola: https://www.granola.ai/ Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/ Jason Kilar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkilar Jeff Bezos: https://x.com/JeffBezos Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/ Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/ Tinder: https://tinder.com/ Tony Xu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xutony Travis Kalanick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviskalanick Uber: https://www.uber.com/ University of Oregon: https://www.uoregon.edu/ Wharton School: https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/ Where to find Christopher Payne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherpayne Twitter/X: https://x.com/chrispa Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Why atoms businesses challenge bits executives 02:35 Hiring executives with a builder mentality 06:52 Great executives never outgrow the details 08:05 How ciabatta bread revealed a core DoorDash issue 10:48 How executives can scale their own impact 14:22 One-size-fits-all management is a myth 19:01 Enduring business lessons from Jeff Bezos 20:56 “I was fired from Tinder after six months” 25:38 Why specializing too early is a leadership trap 27:41 Are competitive cultures essential for success? 31:00 Lessons from Amazon's hypergrowth 35:20 Why having industry experience can be a liability 38:46 Companies spend too much time on job interviews 40:19 The skills executives need for hypergrowth 43:34 Why AI will likely flatten organizations 45:20 Teaching COO 101: What it takes to be world-class 50:55 Why bottom-up goal setting kills ambition 55:29 How charismatic leaders help teams in tough times 58:23 The number-one sign of high-functioning executive teams 1:02:02 How first-time COOs can increase their chance of success
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, host Darius Namdaran speaks with returning guest Natalie Brooks about putting adult dyslexia into mainstream conversation and her journey from school diagnosis to workplace struggles that led her to create Dyslexia in Adults. Natalie describes being dismissed by HR, building a large online following, completing 750 hours of executive function coaching, and securing a Bloomsbury book deal after a viral video about a “big backpack” as an adult dyslexia trait. They explore dyslexia as a processing difference linked to executive functions such as working memory, planning, and organization, and discuss why “try harder” often fails. Natalie outlines her book Dyslexia Unlocked; confidence, practical strategies, and strengths, rejecting the “superpower” narrative, and they share approaches involving techniques, tools, and team support, plus how she streamlined her business and wrote the book on an 18-month timeline.This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/Links: Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexiaNatalie's Previous Episode 146: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/146-dyslexia-expectations-in-school-and-in-the/id1387645599?i=1000656492970 Dyslexia Scotland: https://dyslexiascotland.org.uk/ Moira Thomson episode 75: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/75-five-decades-of-dyslexia-provision-devlopment-in/id1387645599?i=1000484851030 Dyslexia in Adults Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexia_in_adults/ Dyslexia in Adults Free Guide: https://dyslexiainadults.myflodesk.com/phailhpl45 Website: https://www.dyslexiainadults.co/ Natalie viral video with Darius: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4pp7dwMwT4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Here are all the links for the Dyslexia Unlocked book: https://linktr.ee/dyslexiainadults Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioningWorking Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.ukInterested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app
Why does homework and school in general turn into a battle in so many homes?In this insightful conversation, Dr. Matthew Housson breaks down what's really going on when kids struggle with homework—and why it's often not a discipline issue at all. Instead, many challenges come down to executive function skills—things like planning, focus, emotional regulation, and the ability to start and finish tasks.We talk about how brain development impacts motivation, why some kids struggle to shift into “low dopamine” tasks like homework, and what parents can do to support their child without taking over.If you've ever felt frustrated, confused, or even discouraged trying to help your child succeed academically, this episode will give you clarity, practical tools, and encouragement—you're not alone, and there is a better way forward. In this episode we talk about: When behavior is developmentally normal vs. when to seek help The key signs of depression in teens (including irritability) Why a full profile is often more helpful than a diagnosis Practical tools to make homework time smoother Executive function skills are learned and developed over time You can't rush development—but you can support it Connect with Dr. Matthew Housson: Website: Home - The Housson Center Facebook: The Housson Center Instagram: The Housson Center (@thehoussoncenter) Links Mentioned: Resources from The Housson Center (books & websites) Definitions of different childhood challenges (parent resource) Related Episodes: How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88} School Choice Series: Public School Options with Emily Fenlaw:: [Ep 561] Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs :: Karis Murray [Ep 237] Featured Sponsors: Hiya: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA (not available on regular website). Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. In The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share more than 40 years of lived experience raising a son with profound disabilities. With honesty and faith, they speak to the strain on marriage, the weight of finances, the sting of unkind comments, and the grief of a journey you didn't choose, but also the joy you didn't expect. If you're walking this road—or love someone who is—this book offers steady encouragement for the long journey ahead. To learn more about The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, visit moodypublishers.com or find it wherever books are sold. Branch Basics: And here's the good news — Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! And for anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code DMA.
Ever wonder why you can write a complex report, manage a team, and handle a crisis, but can't seem to respond to a simple text that's been sitting there for 11 days? In this episode, we dig into why the ADHD brain gets stuck on simple tasks and a fun, practical framework you can use to get unstuck.What you'll learn:Why "easy" tasks are often the hardest ones to startA 5-part acronym that makes your brain actually want to do the thingHow to create your own urgency when a real deadline doesn't existReal examples of how to apply this — from dreaded phone calls to blank-page paralysisIf you've ever felt frustrated that you can do hard things but freeze on the simple ones, this episode will help you stop fighting your brain and start working with it instead.Want to find out if coaching is right for you? Book your complimentary Chaos to Calm session. Free Resources:
In the latest episode of Executive Function, Brett sits down with Katie Burke, who recently became COO of Harvey after joining as Chief People Officer. Before Harvey, Katie spent 11 years in HR leadership at HubSpot, where she built one of tech's most distinctive cultures. In this conversation, she unpacks her marketing-minded approach to HR, why she hired deliberately from hospitality rather than corporate backgrounds, and why developing culture should be a strategic priority for any organization. In today's episode, we discuss: Why HR leaders should think like marketers The 2.5-year cultural hangover after a layoff The protein vs. sugar rule for employee feedback What it means to be the executive team's own HR business partner What the Chief People Officer owes the board and what they don't References: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com Anique Drumright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anique-drumright-53978a1a/ Brian Halligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianhalligan/ Carmel Galvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmelgalvin/ eBay: https://www.ebay.com Gabe Pereyra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabepereyra Harvey: https://www.harvey.ai HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com Jacqui Canney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquicanney Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com Lorrie Norrington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrienorrington/ Maggie Landers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiecohenlanders/ Rippling: https://www.rippling.com ServiceNow: https://www.servicenow.com Winston Weinberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winston-weinberg/ Where to find Katie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-burke-965767a/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/katieburkie Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Why HR begins with thinking like a marketer 01:58 “Don't ask for a seat at the table. Build the table.” 02:29 Radical transparency after Hubspot's IPO 05:14 How HubSpot's people function drove strategy 07:01 The trickiest part of the Chief People Officer role 10:00 Be the Michael Jordan of your exec team 12:14 Why people leaders need to create “graceful exits” 16:49 The inevitable two-year layoff hangover 23:31 The workplace shouldn't be Disneyland 26:05 “Our job is not to make you happy every day” 34:28 Being a Chief People Officer isn't for the faint of heart 35:04 How “Berry-Gate” taught HubSpot to manage feedback 40:51 Chief People Officers should be demanding, by design 42:01 Why “frequent flyers” are a new-hire red flag 44:54 Unpacking the role of the VP of People 49:94 Which company decisions fall to the Chief People Officer? 49:11 The most common challenges of scaling a company 51:39 The differences between HubSpot and Harvey 53:17 How AI is changing the people function 1:04:28 Why Katie shares her own performance reviews 1:06:22 How to manage a disagreement with the CEO
Here's something nobody tells you about aging with ADHD: the part that feels like decline might not be decline at all. It might be retirement. Or perimenopause. Or just the fact that the external structure that quietly managed your symptoms for thirty years finally disappeared — and nobody warned you it was doing that much work. The question isn't whether your brain is changing. It is. The question is whether you understand why, and what the research actually says about where it leads.Dr. Brandy Callahan is a clinical neuropsychologist, Canada Research Chair in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology, and the founder of the LiBra Lab — the Lifespan Brain Health Lab at the University of Calgary. Her research sits at the intersection most researchers haven't bothered to explore: what happens to the ADHD brain across decades, and specifically, what connects ADHD to elevated dementia risk. What she's finding — about allostatic burden, about the gap between how people perform in a lab versus how they function in a grocery store on a Sunday afternoon, about what a lifetime of navigating a neurotypical world may actually cost the brain biologically — is the conversation this series has been building toward. There is hard news in here. There is also, genuinely, a lot of hope.Guest SpotlightDr. Brandy Callahan, PhD, RPsych is a clinical neuropsychologist, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Calgary, and a Canada Research Chair in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology. She is the founder and principal investigator of the LiBra Lab — the Lifespan Brain Health Lab — which focuses specifically on ADHD in women and in older adulthood, and she came to ADHD research not through personal experience but through a memory clinic, where she kept meeting older adults being evaluated for dementia who turned out to have lived their whole lives with undiagnosed ADHD. Her current research is investigating what may drive elevated dementia risk in adults with ADHD — including allostatic burden, cerebral small vessel disease, and the biological cost of decades of chronic stress. She is also currently running ADHD Her, an online study about girls and women with ADHD across the lifespan, open to participants from age 8 to 87. Learn more at libralab.ca, and find the ADHD Her study by searching "ADHD Her" online.Links & NotesLiBra LabADHD Her Study (online, open to participants ages 8-87LiBra Lab participant registry (RADAR)Support the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (05:56) - What does a research neuropsychologist actually do? (08:34) - How does EF Age? (15:01) - Charting the Decades (22:22) - The Shame Cycle... Missing in the Lab (23:39) - Alostatic Burden (37:06) - So... where's the hope? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
→ What are executive functions, and why do they matter?→ What are the differences between core and higher order executive functions?→ How can we tweak the physical and acoustic environment of our classrooms to support all learners?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today's Teachers on Fire are Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers, authors of Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start.Mitch Weathers is an educator, author, and nationally and internationally recognized expert on executive functioning in the classroom, known for translating brain science into practical strategies that work in real schools. His work centers on strengthening students' skills in organization, task initiation, self-regulation, and follow-through through intentional systems that support learning without increasing teachers' workloads. Through his writing, speaking, and consulting, he challenges educators to reconsider why students struggle and equips them with a shared language and concrete tools to unlock student potential.Sarah Oberle is an educator, writer, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centers on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle are veteran educators and authors2:37 - What are executive functions?4:29 - Why executive functions matter in primary grades6:59 - Designing tier one environments that support all learners10:10 - Confusing behaviors with executive functions14:13 - Core vs higher order executive functions16:45 - How to reduce cognitive load and improve working memory20:51 - Two ways to reduce cognitive load in the primary classroom25:22 - How to tweak the physical and acoustic learning environments31:15 - Why starting the whole class together makes a difference36:07 - How Sarah uses voice recorders in her first grade classroom38:45 - A first step to take for the overwhelmed educator45:38 - How and where to connect with Mitch and Sarah onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.
In this episode of The Balancing Act, we welcome back Mitch Weathers and chat with Sarah Oberle about their new book, Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom, diving into the critical role executive functioning plays in young learners. We keep things light and relatable while unpacking how skills like focus, self-regulation, and impulse control develop—and why kids aren't misbehaving, they're still learning how to learn. The conversation blends practical classroom strategies with real-life moments, showing how small changes in routines and environment can make a big difference. We also explore how to recognize when students may need extra support without jumping to conclusions. It's a fun but meaningful discussion that leaves educators and parents with simple, actionable ways to better support kids from the start. Check out the new release from Mitch and Sarah. Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start Looking for Mitch's first book? See the link below! Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto insurance that brings exclusive educator savings and exceptional customer care to New Jersey and Pennsylvania educational employees. Select Episodes from Season 3 sponsored by: For more information about NJSchoolJobs.com check out their website for up-to-date job postings for teaching, admin, support staff and coaching opportunities. Interested in Giving Lesson Launchpad a try? Don't forget to use our code “Balance” for $5 off a yearly subscription. Lesson Launchpad - Plan. Present. Automate. www.lessonlaunchpad.com We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don't forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment! Follow Facebook - podbalact JoeandJamie Instagram - @podthebalancingact TikTok - @thebalancingactpodcast Twitter - @podbalact Youtube Channel - The Balancing Act - YouTube Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the reason so many young students struggle in the classroom has nothing to do with behavior, laziness, or defiance, and everything to do with emerging executive functions that have simply not been taught yet? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back two familiar faces, executive functioning expert Mitch Weathers and primary educator and researcher Sarah Oberle, to celebrate the release of their brand new co-authored book Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start. Mitch and Sarah share the story behind the book, including how Sarah tracked Mitch down through a contact form after realizing his first book, which covered grades three through twelve, left primary teachers without the tools they desperately needed for the youngest learners in the building. Together they explain why working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility look completely different in a five, six, or seven year old, and why what looks like defiance or inattention in a primary classroom is almost always a child whose executive functions are still in the very early stages of development. The conversation is packed with practical, immediately usable strategies embedded in routines teachers are already using, from how to orient student attention before instruction, to rethinking classroom displays that quietly drain cognitive bandwidth, to the power of being so granular and specific in directions that ambiguity is removed entirely. Mitch and Sarah also speak directly to school leaders about what to look for when walking into classrooms where this work is taking root, and why investing in executive function development at the primary level is the most powerful tier one intervention a school can make. About Mitch Weathers: Mitch Weathers became an exceptional educator because he once struggled as a student. Throughout his academic journey, Mitch rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. It took him seven years to graduate from college—a reflection not of ability, but of disconnection. He often experienced education as something happening around him, not something he was actively part of. That sense of isolation fueled his desire to create a different kind of learning experience. When Mitch became a teacher, he brought with him a deep empathy for students who felt unseen or overwhelmed. He quickly realized that before we can effectively teach content, we must first build the foundation for learning. That foundation is structure, consistency, and support. To meet this need, Mitch created Organized Binder—a simple, research-backed system that empowers teachers to explicitly teach executive functioning skills without sacrificing instructional time. By establishing predictable learning routines, teachers foster safer, more inclusive classrooms where students gain confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Mitch's mission is to equip educators with the tools to help every student succeed—not just academically, but personally. Follow Mitch Weathers: Website:www.organizedbinder.comTwitter:https://twitter.com/organizedbinderInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/organizedbinder/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/organizedbinderLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchweathers/Vimeo OB showcase:https://vimeo.com/showcase/8775721 About Sarah Oberle Sarah Oberle is an educator, writer, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centers on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions. Beyond the classroom, Sarah designs and facilitates evidence-informed professional learning for teachers and school leaders, both in person and virtually. She works with national and international organizations to ensure professional learning is research-informed, practical, and responsive to the realities of teaching. Her work focuses on attention, memory, and executive functions, with an emphasis on pedagogy rather than programs. Follow Sarah Oberle Website:sarahoberle.comTwitter (X): S_OberleLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/drsarahoberle https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Functions-Every-Classroom-Self-Regulation/dp/B0G3PX72N5?pd_rd_w=2sLa3&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=RC6BBND1GXYF9N93EEDQ&pd_rd_wg=b01fx&pd_rd_r=c0701dfa-8805-4112-b35a-3899b52fe858&pd_rd_i=B0G3PX72N5&psc=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=e366c22231736e593748df76e59f10b1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders — Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD? Contact Brad Waid to book Joshua Stamper for your next event on Improving Student Behavior, Impacting School Mental Health, or Creating healthy habits. Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper: Contact:https://joshstamper.com/contact/Twitter:www.twitter.com/Joshua__StamperInstagram:www.instagram.com/joshua__stamperLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamperFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcastSubscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2 -- Aspire to Lead Won the FireBird Award! I'm happy to announce that my book, “Aspire to Lead”, won the 2022 Leadership Book Award from Speak Up Talk Radio! It is a great honor to get this kind of recognition and I really appreciate all your support! The book is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175 Review the Podcast I want to give a huge shout out to those who have taken the time to provide a review on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform. It truly means the world to me that you would take the 30- 90 seconds to share how the podcast has positively impacted you or why other educators should check out the show. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, The Aspire Podcast gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Teach Better Podcast Network This podcast is a part of the Teach Better Podcast Network. 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Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Hard. This word may be deciding how your brain approaches a new habit or behavior. You have probably said it a hundred times that something is just too hard. What if the word itself is the thing standing in your way? Instead, swap ‘this is hard' for ‘this is a challenge'. Is that any better? Jenn breaks down the surprising brain science behind the words we use every day and why some words send us straight into avoidance mode before we even get started. Could one simple word-sway actually rewire your brain and make change feel possible? The answer might surprise you. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ RESOURCES:Become a Happy Healthy Hub MemberJenn's Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With A Side Of Fries MerchA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramGoing Against the TextbookKEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Habit Formation, Behavior Change, Language Reframing, Brain Chemistry, Neuroscience, Healthy Habits, Mindset Shift, Dopamine, Amygdala, Prefrontal Cortex, Neuroplasticity, Stress Response, Mental Fatigue, Motivation, Avoidance Behavior, Fight Or Flight, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Executive Function, Self Control, Problem Solving, Delayed Gratification, Neural Pathways, Brain Function, Emotional Regulation, Coping Mechanisms, Food Habits, Movement Habits, Gym Motivation, Health Coaching, Lifestyle Change, Wellness Mindset, Growth Mindset, Anterior Mid Cingulate Cortex, Glutamate, Stress Reduction, Habit Stacking, Behavior Psychology, Word Choice, Cognitive Reframing, Health And Wellness, How To Reframe Hard Tasks For Better Habits, Using Language To Change Brain Chemistry For Health
Many children with ADHD know exactly what they're supposed to do but still struggle to do it. That frustrating gap between knowing and doing is one of the most misunderstood parts of ADHD, and it can leave parents feeling confused, exhausted, and questioning their child's behavior. In this episode, Dana Kay sits down with ADHD parenting expert and coach Cindy Goldrich to unpack what's really happening in the ADHD brain when children don't follow through on simple requests. Cindy explains why ADHD is not a problem of knowledge, but a challenge with executive function, and how factors like working memory, hyperfocus, processing speed, and transitions can all impact a child's ability to act. Throughout the conversation, Cindy shares practical strategies that help parents move away from constant reminders and power struggles and instead support their child's developing executive function skills. She encourages parents to shift from seeing behavior as defiance to recognizing the underlying skills that may still be developing. When parents understand the brain behind the behavior, it creates space for more patience, better communication, and stronger connection with their child. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Free Gift: First Chapter + Parenting Resources- https://ptscoaching.com/soaring PTS Coaching Website - https://ptscoaching.com Cindy Goldrich Substack - https://adhdparentandteacherexpert.substack.com
The most effective way to support your child's executive function development may be to strengthen your own skills first. Tamar Kahane, Psy.D., explains how ADHD affects executive functioning and shares a practical framework for modeling executive function skills. Resources: Executive Function Training Free Download: Could You Have an Executive Function Disorder? Read: What Is Executive Function? 7 Deficits Tied to ADHD Read: You Can't Train Away ADHD Executive Dysfunction Read: Your Executive Functions Are Weak. Here's Why. Access the video and slides for podcast episode #599 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/parent-child-executive-function-training/ This episode is sponsored by the podcast Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson. Search for "Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson" in your podcast app or find links to listen at https://lnk.to/hyperfocusPS!adhdexperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.
In this episode, first grade teacher Sarah Oberle and Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers discuss their new book, Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. They explain how core executive functions—working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—develop between ages 4-8 and can't be trained like skills. Instead, teachers should design environments that preserve students' limited cognitive capacity for learning.Links:US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartOutside of the US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartLinkedIN:Sarah OberleMitch WeathersWebsites:https://sarahoberle.com/https://organizedbinder.com/ Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
In today's episode, we have the pleasure to interview Michael McLeod, author of The Executive Function Playbook: Building Independence in Kids with ADHDMichael is the founder of GrowNOW ADHD, a Philadelphia-based organization that provides coaching and training for children, teens, and parents navigating ADHD and executive function challenges. Through years of work as a speech-language pathologist and executive function specialist, Michael developed the GrowNOW Internal Skills Model, a framework focused on building the internal skills kids need to develop independence, resilience, and long-term success.In this episode, you'll learn why ADHD is widely misunderstood, why executive function skills are actually the greatest predictor of success in life, and how modern technology and screen exposure may be making the challenges facing today's kids even harder. We also talk about what parents can do to help their children develop self-regulation, motivation, and independence in a world full of distractions.Enjoy this incredible conversation with Michael McLeodTo Learn More about Michael McLeod and buy his book visit: The Book:https://a.co/d/0e7nvfKOWebsite/Socials:https://www.grownowadhd.com/https://www.instagram.com/grownowadhd/