Learn Smarter Podcast

Today was an exciting interview for Rachel & Steph. Both of them have been using Mr. DeMaio’s youtube videos for years. His videos are engaging, fun, interactive, and MEMORABLE. Today, Rachel & Steph interview Mr. DeMaio about how and why he started his channel and the behind-the-scenes process of making videos. Don’t forget to tune into Patreon to learn more about what his future projects...

Rachel & Steph share one of their favorite strategies: using questions to direct learning. With so many learners out there who avoid reading and writing, this can be an effective tool for increasing engagement through planning, making connections, and clarifying the purpose of any given task. Listen in for their tips! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to co...

Writing is one of the most common concerns for families with elementary-aged learners. Today, Rachel & Steph dig into the many reasons it is so difficult and what parents and educators can do to alleviate the burden. Unjournaling Graphic organizer book for elementary Graphic organizer book for middle and high school Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to conn...

Rachel & Steph celebrate 100 episodes!!! As educational therapists, one of the many things Rachel & Steph teach learners is how to set up their workspaces. Today, they bring that coaching to their audience. They chat about which space to use and why, picking battles and using tech for its greatest good. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to connect with...

Rachel & Steph dig into how they coach parents to explain educational therapy to their kids. Through buy in, metaphors, realistic goals and reasonable expectations, Rachel & Steph share their favorite strategies.  How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast , @kappedther...

Last week, we heard from Jacqui, a mom in Rachel’s practice (Kapp Educational Therapy Group in Beverly Hills, CA) about her journey parenting her daughter. Today, we followed up with Jacqui’s daughter, Mia. You’ll hear from Mia what brought her to educational therapy, her self-esteem and mindset journey, and how she feels about her own progress and growth. How to connect with us: Join our FB Group...

Rachel & Steph welcome Jacqui to the podcast. Jacqui is a parent in Rachel’s practice, Kapp Educational Therapy Group, in Beverly Hills, CA. She talks about what brought her family to educational therapy and the progress her daughter, Mia, has made. Next week, Mia will join us on the podcast to talk about her perspective of the last few years. How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our...

Rachel & Steph hosted their first live webinar on 3/20/2020 to help families respond to self-isolation and schooling at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Today’s podcast is an audio version of Friday’s webinar and in it, you’ll hear Rachel & Steph’s tips for families that will set them on the path toward success. Rachel & Steph dive deep into goal-setting, managing and setting real...

Today, Rachel shares a story about one of her clients and the writing strategy that changed everything for her. Rachel & Steph take the opportunity to catch up with one another and update Smarties on their lives. How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast , @kappedtherapy ,...

For the first time ever, Rachel & Steph welcome fellow educational therapist and Kapp Educational Therapy Group team member, Katie Cadigan, to the podcast. Katie shares a recent training she did for the team and digs into her favorite comprehension strategies and some AMAZING online tools that can be a game changer for many learners.  How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail l...

For the first and only time on the podcast, Rachel & Steph dig into the challenges of having their own educational therapy practice. They chat about the fears, mindset, isolation, lack of business training, and other challenges they have faced in private practice. Also, Rachel & Steph share more about their new group coaching program, Learn Smarter Pro . Learn Smarter Pro is a 6-week group...

For the first time, Rachel & Steph welcome attorney Grace Clark. Grace leads them through a fascinating conversation about what the education laws are, IEP vs. 504 plans, and what parents can expect (from deadlines to interventions to goals to collaboration). She also shares her personal story of parenting a child with learning differences and going through this process as a parent.  How to co...

Educational therapy can be magical in that it allows students to tap into their potential. Often times, the potential parents and teachers see in a learner is a heavy burden and source of conflict in family homes. In today’s episode, Rachel & Steph talk about potential from the perspective of parents, students and educational therapists.  How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-ma...

Penny Williams, the host of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, joins Rachel & Steph on today’s podcast. Penny shares why labeling is a good thing, how to break cycles, not letting ADHD take over your lie and how to define success on your own. She also shares the impact of stress on family life. How labeling informs direction and prevents labeling by misinformation and labeling helps people understand...

Newsflash: there is no such thing as an academic emergency. In this episode, Rachel & Steph share:   what an academic emergency is how parents can respond to an academic emergency strategies for learners to prevent academic emergencies Keeping long-term goals in mind.   How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed...

Minimum Viable Product is an important idea that we are “borrowing” from product businesses. In this episode, Rachel & Steph chat about how MVP impacts both sides of the bell curve, how the 5% Challenge can be adapted and how important being imperfect is.   How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist web...

Picking progress over perfection is an incredibly challenging but an important part of the work educational therapists do. In this episode, Rachel & Steph chat about why we shouldn’t focus on perfection, why and how to focus on progress.  How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarter...

 In this episode, Rachel & Steph share an idea that has transformed the way they do educational therapy. They chat about what a Living Strategies Document is, how to do it, and why it is so important. How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast , @kappedtherapy , @myedtherap...

This is a very special episode that was jointly produced by The Testing Psychologist and Learn Smarter: the Educational Therapy podcast. Tune in to hear Rachel & Steph be interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Sharp discuss all things educational therapy. Dr. Sharp, Rachel & Steph chatted about what educational therapy is, the best ways to support students struggling with executive functioning, how to...

We both wanted to take a minute and thank you for listening to our podcast.  We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.   How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast , @kappedtherapy , @myedtherapist

Seth Perler is an executive functioning and twice exceptional coach. His passion for supporting learners who struggle is obvious and in this episode, he joins Rachel & Steph to chat about the different kinds of twice exceptionalities, executive functioning and the importance of relationships. He highlights the goal of securely attached, independent and successful adults who use their gifts and...

  Rachel & Steph dive into some of their favorite strategies to support slow processors. Tune in to hear their discussion that ranges from talking about a “thinking minute” to previewing to subvocalization and more!   How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast , @kappedther...

: In last week’s episode (episode 82), Rachel and Steph dig into just some of the reasons kids are rigid in their approach. Today, they chat about the skills and strategies they use to support kids who are rigid. They talk about the importance of flexibility, metacognition and growth mindset as well as modeling and rewarding moments of flexibility.   How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join...

Happy Thanksgiving, Smarties! Rachel & Steph dig into one of their most requested topics today–kids who are rigid. They chat about how often this comes up for them in their practices and why some kids are rigid. They chat about the ways rigidity can show up in the day-to-day life of learners and the two important things that are important to remember when working with kids who are rigid....

Today, Annie Mori joins Rachel & Steph to discuss occupational therapy. She talks about when it’s appropriate to make a referral to occupational therapy. She takes them through a conversation about penmanship and the overarching systems at play that can lead to poor penmanship. She digs into the difference between sensory processing & integration and sensory meltdowns & tantrums.   How...