Empowering Exceptional Minds

Did you know that many "behavioral issues" in children aren't behavioral at all—they’re sensory? Following up on our last conversation with Aaron about sensory integration, we’re taking a deeper dive into the specifics of how our nervous systems process the world around us. In this episode, host Maayan sits down with Lisa Danahy , founder of Create Calm , featured Hay House author, a...

Why might a student press incredibly hard on their pencil, bump into things, avoid sports, or completely fall apart after holding it together all day at school? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , Maayan sits down with occupational therapist Aaron DeNardo , founder of Laughing Giraffe Therapy, for a fascinating conversation about the connection between the brain, body, sensory proces...

What happens when a life-altering diagnosis arrives at 48 — not in childhood, but in the middle of adulthood, after decades of unexplained struggle? In this episode, we sit down with Robert Caldwell, journalist, science fiction author, and self-advocate on Alabama's Interagency Autism Coordinating Council, to talk about what it means to finally understand yourself later in life. Robert shares...

Words get stuck. Letters flip. The hand can't keep pace with the mind. For millions of people, dysgraphia turns something as simple as writing into a daily battle — one that's often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as laziness or carelessness. In this episode, we sit down with Kelli Fetter , owner of Handwriting Solution , to dig into what dysgraphia really is, how it shows up in...

IEPs can feel overwhelming—especially when you're hearing terms like IDEA, FAPE, LRE, push-in, pull-out, and service minutes. In Part 3 of our IEP & 504 series, I’m joined by Kara Orlando , founder of Kind Mind Executive Function Coaching and former school psychologist. We break down what these terms actually mean, how services can be delivered, and what parents should understand when advo...

In the newest episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , we’re talking about parental burnout —especially the kind that can happen when you’re constantly advocating, coordinating, worrying, problem-solving, and supporting a neurodivergent child. I’m joined by Roopa Belur , clinical director, therapist, and founder of Belur Neurodiversity Consulting and Coaching. With more than 23 years of experienc...

Is gaming really the problem—or is it telling us something important about what a child needs? In this episode, we move beyond the “screens are good vs. bad” debate and look at gaming through a developmental and regulation-focused lens. Games can provide connection, creativity, mastery, immediate feedback, and a sense of competence—especially for kids who may struggle to find those experiences els...

The night-before-school-starts anxiety is real — and if you're raising a neurodivergent kid, so is the pressure to get it "right." In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we sit down with a mom and educational therapist Jasleen Kaur Monga to break down how to ease the back-to-school transition without the meltdowns (yours or theirs).We cover:Why the shift back to school hits...

Traveling by airplane can be exciting, but for many neurodivergent children and teens, it can also feel overwhelming. New environments, crowds, changes in routine, loud noises, unfamiliar smells, and sensory input can place significant demands on the nervous system. In today's episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , we explore how to make air travel safer, more comfortable, and more predicta...

What happens when our children push every button we have—and still need us to show up with love, connection, and compassion? In this powerful episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , host Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with Dave Herz, Co-Founder of Wonder: A Confident Living Company, to discuss trauma, neurodivergence, school refusal, and the critical role of the family system in supporting childr...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , I’m joined by Lisa McGlothlin, MS, RD , to explore Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) —an eating disorder that goes far beyond typical picky eating. Lisa brings years of experience helping children, teens, and families navigate ARFID with compassion and evidence-based care. Together, we discuss how sensory differences, anxiety, and n...

Dyslexia isn't just a reading challenge — it touches every part of a child's emotional world. In this episode, we sit down with Sara Cuen, founder of Journey 2 Learning, a special education professional and mom of two children with dyslexia, to explore where her professional expertise and personal experience intersect. We dig into the biggest myths about dyslexia, why regulation is such an...

Father's Day may have been a couple of weeks ago, but celebrating the role of fathers shouldn't be limited to just one day. As summer gives families more time together, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on what it means to be present for our children. In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , I sit down with Anthony Gracia for an honest and heartfelt conversation about fa...

What happens when the symptoms of perimenopause collide with neurodivergence? Many women find themselves struggling with brain fog, overwhelm, forgetfulness, emotional sensitivity, anxiety, sensory challenges, and executive function difficulties—often wondering, "What's happening to me?" In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, host Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with Kara Cru...

What if overeating wasn't about laziness or a lack of self-control? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , host, Maayan Glaser-Koren, sits down with Kamy Mousavi, founder of Step Together. Kamy shares his powerful journey from immigrating to Canada to struggling with bullying, body shame, and bulimia—only to discover his relationship with food was rooted in undiagnosed ADHD and unme...

What does it take to turn a big idea into a finished book — especially when your brain won't cooperate? This week we're joined by Rochelle Melander Row-SHELL MUH-lander, an ADHD-trained certified professional coach and bestselling author of Level Up: Quests to Master Mindset, Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity and the award-winning children's book Mightier Than the Swor...

For many families, the idea of medication can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even frightening. In this candid and compassionate conversation, Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Sir Norman Melancon to explore the realities of treating OCD and ADHD. Together, they unpack common myths about psychiatric medications, discuss when medication may be helpful, and explain how treatment...

What does it actually cost to fit in? In this episode, we sit down with Kory Andreas, LCSW-C — a clinical social worker, autism and neurodivergent specialist, late-diagnosedautistic adult, and founder of Unmasking Retreats — who brings over 20 years of experience in education and clinical practice to a conversation that is long overdue. We talk about what masking is, why autistic individuals do it...

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 neuro...

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 philoso...

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 b...

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 exp...

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 chi...

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 f...

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 i...