Empowering Exceptional Minds

Educational Therapy LLC

Welcome to Empowering Exceptional Minds —the podcast where we dive into real conversations about neurodiversity. We interview parents, individuals, and professionals to explore the challenges, strengths, and unique experiences of diverse learners and thinkers.
We discuss ADHD, Executive Functions, dysgraphia, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, written expression, auditory processing, visual processing, learning disabilities, evaluations, assessments, parenting and professional development.

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30 episodes
weekly
Avg 41 min
English

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S2 · E24
May 19 · 49 min
Navigating Adult ADHD in the Workplace with Dr. John Severino, PsyD
Can you be highly successful, deeply creative, and still struggle with the day-to-day demands of executive dysfunction? Absolutely. In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we are joined by the multi-talented Dr. John Severino, PsyD—CFO, compliance consultant, professional percussionist, and founder of MyAdultADHDCoach.com. Dr. Severino bridges the gap between the corporate world and neurodiversity coaching to explain how ADHD shows up in the workplace, from both the employee and employer perspectives. In this episode, we explore: The Late-Stage Diagnosis: The common workplace signs that lead adults to realize they might have ADHD. The Strengths & Struggles: Overlooked ADHD superpowers in business versus the realities of executive function challenges. Practical Strategies: Realistic, day-to-day hacks for managing time, priorities, and overwhelming workloads. The HR Conversation: How to confidently approach managers regarding accommodations without the shame. Corporate Culture: What fast-paced companies (especially in tech) need to do to support and retain neurodivergent talent. Whether you are an employee trying to find your footing, a manager looking to better support your team, or a late-diagnosed adult looking to ditch the shame, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Connect with Dr. Severino: Visit: MyAdultADHDCoach.com Join the community: CatholicADHDCoach on Facebook Coach@myadultadhdcoach.com Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and share this episode with a colleague or friend!
May 12 · 44 min
Flip the Script: Strengths-Based Learning with Sam Young
What does school look like when it's built around a child's brilliance instead of their gaps? Sam Young, M.Ed. — Founder of Young Scholars Academy, two-time Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, and neurodivergent educator — joins us to talk about what it really takes to educate gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent learners well. Sam shares his personal path into education, the philosophy behind his strengths-based virtual learning community, and what lesson planning looks like when you start with a student's passions and talents instead of their deficits. If you work with, love, or were once a kid who felt like school wasn't designed for you — this one is for you. 🔗 youngscholarsacademy.org Families can use code YSAMAAYAN10 to save 10%
May 6 · 51 min
Must-Ask Questions For IEP and 504 with Melinda Davis-Gillinger
What really happens behind the scenes when a school suggests moving your child from an IEP to a 504 plan?In this candid and empowering episode, Maayan Glaser-Koren hosts Melinda David-Gillinger, an educational advocate. Melinda pulls back the curtain on educational advocacy—sharing her personal journey into this work and what drives her to support families navigating complex school systems. She breaks down what advocates actually do behind the scenes, and why their role is often misunderstood.This episode tackles one of the most confusing (and high-stakes) moments for parents: when a school recommends transitioning from an IEP to a 504. Is it always in the child’s best interest—or sometimes the school’s?You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle language used in meetings, what questions to ask before agreeing to any changes, and which data points you should always request. Melinda also shares how parents can advocate effectively without feeling like they’re in constant conflict—and the one thing she wishes every parent knew before signing anything.https://mgandconsultants.com/
April 29 · 55 min
Social Wounds We Carry Into Adulthood- With Caroline Maguire
If you grew up with ADHD, dyslexia, or any kind of neurodivergence — chances are you also grew up feeling like you were always one step behind socially. Like everyone else had been handed a rulebook you never received. This episode is about what that does to us. And what we can actually do about it. My guest is Caroline Maguire — internationally recognized ADHD coach, social-emotional learning expert, Professional Certified Coach, and author of two books: the award-winning Why Will No One Play with Me? and her new release, Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. She also hosts The ADHD Social Playbook podcast and has trained parents, clinicians, and educators worldwide. Caroline is also neurodivergent herself. She lives with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. This isn't theory for her. It's lived experience — and it shows in every word. WHAT WE COVER: ✦ Why kids with ADHD are disproportionately bullied — and what parents misread about it ✦ Teaching self-advocacy without escalation when impulse control is already hard ✦ Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: what it actually is and why it keeps getting misdiagnosed ✦ The social survival strategies we built at age 10 — and how they quietly run our adult relationships ✦ How unresolved social trauma shapes what neurodivergent adults expect from friendship ✦ Reinventing friendship to work with your brain, not against it ✦ Lifelong companions vs. seasonal friends — and why this reframe changes everything ✦ What to do when a friendship stalls and you can't tell if it's over or just quiet This one goes deep. Have a notebook nearby. Caroline's new book: Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults https://a.co/d/0fCi3A36 🎙️ Her podcast: The ADHD Social Playbook 🌐 carolinemaguire.com
S2 · E21
April 22 · 37 min
"Something's Off" — When to Stop Waiting and Get Your Child Evaluated with Dr. Korb
What does a developmental pediatrician actually do — and how is it different from your child's regular doctor? In this episode, Maayan speaks with Dr. Korb, developmental pediatrician and author of Raising an Organized Child, about early red flags parents often miss, what organization truly means for a developing brain, and when families should stop waiting and seek an evaluation. If your child is struggling and you don't know where to start, Dr. Korb leaves you with one clear, actionable step you can take right now. A must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone supporting kids with learning differences. https://devminds.com/ https://raisinganorganizedchild.com/
S2 · E20
April 15 · 50 min
The Middle School Storm: Brains, Big Feelings, and Emergency Chocolate
Your teen isn't lazy. Their brain is just doing something you can't see — and that's exactly the problem. Carrie Bonnett joins us to break down executive function: the invisible mental machinery behind starting, planning, and following through. When it's not working, homework doesn't get touched, assignments get "forgotten," and everyone ends up frustrated. When you finally understand what's actually going on, everything changes. We get into why task initiation — not the work itself — is where most teens fall apart, and what parents can do to make that hidden struggle visible, concrete, and actually manageable. If your kid can spend four hours on YouTube but can't start a worksheet, this one's for you. Checkout Carrie's website for free goodies https://www.carriebonnett.com/
S2 · E19
April 8 · 46 min
The Hidden Language of School Records—and How to Respond When You Hear ‘No’
If you've ever sat in an IEP meeting and walked out feeling overwhelmed — this episode is for you.So many parents describe the same experience: a room full of professionals using language you don't fully understand, decisions that feel like they've already been made, and a quiet voice inside asking, "Am I doing enough for my kid?"You are not alone. And you deserve someone in your corner.Daphne Jolie is an educational advocate who spent years working inside the school system — as a school psychologist, a due process specialist, and a special education administrator at both LA Unified and Culver City Unified. She knows how these meetings are run from the inside. She also knows how overwhelming and isolating it can feel to be the parent on the other side of the table.In this heartfelt conversation, Daphne shares what she wishes every parent knew — how to read your child's school records, how to respond when the school says no, and how to understand who in the room is truly there to support your child. Most importantly, she reminds us that advocating for your child doesn't require a degree or a legal background. It just requires someone who believes your child deserves more — and that someone is you.Learn more at daphnejolie.com
S2 · E17
April 1 · 39 min
Beyond Whole Body Listening with Elizabeth Sautter SLP
Is Whole Body Listening outdated? What's replacing it — and why does it matter for your child? In this episode, we welcome Elizabeth Sautter, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience, award-winning author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick!, and a mom of two children with additional needs. Elizabeth is passionate about helping families support neurodivergent kids in ways that are affirming, compassionate, and actually work in real life. We explore the evolution from Whole Body Listening to Whole Body Regulation — a shift that's sparking important conversations in schools, therapy rooms, and homes across the country. Elizabeth breaks down what prompted this change, what disability advocates and the neurodiversity community have been saying, and how parents, educators, and therapists can embrace a more strength-based approach without starting from scratch. WE COVER • What is Whole Body Listening and how did it become so popular? • The shift to Whole Body Regulation — what changed and why • Criticisms from disability advocates and the neurodiversity community • How Elizabeth's daily work with kids has evolved • Guidance for educators and therapists making the transition • Key takeaways for parents and professionals RESOURCES MENTIONED • Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! by Elizabeth Sautter • Elizabeth's website: elizabethsautter.com New Workshop coming up with Emily Kircher Morris - The way you support your child or teen’s regulation shapes their confidence, resilience, and ability to handle life’s challenges for years to come. https://learn.elizabethsautter.com/emotional-regulation-and-resilience/ https://elizabethsautter.com/whole-body-listening A coupon or 25% off to join our community for parents of neurodivergent kids and teens. https://learn.elizabethsautter.com/family-offer
S2 · E16
March 26 · 38 min
Wired to Achieve, Built to Burn Out: A Neurodivergent Reality Check
You've built the career. You're raising the family. You're crushing it by every measure — so why does it feel like you're running on fumes? In this episode, Wainwright Yu— technology executive, Stanford-trained leadership coach, and mindfulness teacher — gets real about the hidden energy tax neurodivergent adults pay every single day. From masking in meetings to managing a household of four multi-exceptional kids, Wainwright Yu knows firsthand what it means to spend years pouring from a cup nobody realizes is almost empty. He shares how discovering his own neurodivergence through his children reshaped his understanding of both his greatest strengths and his deepest challenges — and why the path forward isn't about pushing harder, but about spending your energy with intention. If you've ever wondered why "doing it all" leaves you with nothing left, this one's for you. https://www.wainwrightyu.com/about https://www.nchpad.org/resources/spoon-theory-a-new-way-to-think-about-your-daily-energy/
S2 · E16
March 18 · 41 min
A Different Way of Coping: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance With Dr. Klein
In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)—a profile often misunderstood as defiance, avoidance, or oppositional behavior. I’m joined by Dr. Alex Klein to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface. We talk about how PDA is rooted in the nervous system, why everyday demands can feel overwhelming, and how traditional approaches often backfire. Together, we reframe behaviors through a compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming lens and share practical strategies that support autonomy, reduce anxiety, and build connection—at home and in school. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or provider, this conversation will help you better understand and support children who experience the world in this way. It’s not about compliance—it’s about regulation, safety, and trust. https://www.dralexklein.com/ Duncan, Margaret, et al. Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals. Unabridged ed. Knight, Ethan. The PDA Effect: An Autistic Teenager’s Guide to Understanding Demand Avoidance. Paperback ed., 14 May 2025. https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xHvNw70FCc https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pda-parents/id1552127203 https://pdanorthamerica.org/ https://www.declarativelanguage.com/sunday-snippets-of-support/translations

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