Empowering Exceptional Minds

Is Whole Body Listening outdated?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 neurodiv...

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 househol...

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 bac...

Do you know a bright, capable student who still struggles with reading, attention, or learning—even after passing a school vision screening or getting glasses from the eye doctor? Many families are told their child’s vision is “20/20,” yet something still isn’t clicking in the classroom. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carole Hong from Family Vision Care and Vision Therapy , who brings over 30 y...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , we sit down with Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC — licensed counselor, author, speaker, and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast — for a conversation that every parent and educator of a twice-exceptional child needs to hear. As a 2e adult with giftedness and ADHD herself, Emily brings rare authenticity to her work. She's the author of Raising Twice-Exc...

In this episode, we sit down with Lori Crowley, a California-based counselor specializing in somatic and sensory-informed approaches to mental health. Lori brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience as a neurodivergent parent, making this conversation both deeply insightful and refreshingly relatable. We dive into polyvagal theory — what it actually means, how our nervous...

Graduate school and post-grad life can be both intellectually stimulating and deeply overwhelming. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Becca Güler, EdD, to explore the executive function demands of advanced education — from coursework to thesis and dissertation completion. We unpack procrastination (and why it’s often a nervous system response rather than laziness), perfectionism, avoidance cycle...

There are so many tools out there—and for many parents, educators, and neurodivergent adults, figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. New apps, new devices, new AI tools… it’s a lot. In today’s episode, we slow it down and make assistive technology feel practical, accessible, and kinda human. I’m joined by Joan L. Green, M.A., CCC-SLP , Speech-Language Pathologist, Assistive Technology...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michal (Me-hal) Reznizki , professor at UC Berkeley and scholar of writing, rhetoric, and composition. With over 12 years of experience teaching composition, Michal brings powerful insights into how students learn to write—and how educators can better engage them in the process. We talk about why meaningful writing takes time, what students often underestimate...

What does effective collaboration between parents and schools really look like—and how can families advocate without compromising their child’s self-determination? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , host Maayan Glaser-Koren is joined by Allison Krug, MPH, PCC —epidemiologist, certified professional coach, and founder of TrainMyAIM—to explore how we can move away from rigid labels an...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jana Parker, Licensed Educational Psychologist and founder of Mind by Design, a multidisciplinary private practice in Campbell, California serving children, teens, and young adults. With a background in public education and years in private practice, Jana brings a strengths-based, practical, and deeply human approach to psychoeducational evaluation. Together, we un...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Liz Angoff, a Licensed Educational Psychologist and my go-to expert when parents ask, “How do I explain my child’s diagnosis in a way that feels empowering?” With over 20 years of experience supporting students, families, and educators across public schools, community settings, and private practice, Dr. Angoff brings a rare and deeply compassionate pers...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , we welcome Diana Kennedy, a board-certified educational therapist and founder of MindSpark Learning, for a powerful conversation about supporting neurodiverse children in ways that truly work. Diana holds master’s degrees in Literature and Education and has advanced training in evidence-based approaches including Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell, M...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome John Heringer , founder of Method3 Fitness and a sought-after speaker on health, entrepreneurship, and leadership. With over 20 years in the fitness industry, John has built thriving fitness communities and dedicated his career to helping people believe in themselves and take ownership of their health. Together, we explore the powerful connection between m...

The holiday season can be filled with meaningful moments—and also a lot of transitions. Changes in routine, travel, social expectations, and sensory input can be especially demanding for neurodivergent kids and teens, and for the adults supporting them. In this episode, we’re joined by Maayan, an educational therapist and parent, and Joyce, a special education teacher, executive function coach, an...

Join us on this heartfelt episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, where we dive into the inspiring journey of a 2E Coach, Yekaterina Tsipenyuk O'Neil, a passionate immigrant parent navigating the twists and turns of raising a twice-exceptional child in the US. From the eye-opening moment she discovered her little one's unique blend of extraordinary gifts and challenges, to realizing the tradition...

In this episode, we are honored to welcome Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, a nationally recognized expert in dyslexia whose work has shaped how educators, clinicians, and families understand learning across the lifespan. Dr. Sandman-Hurley brings together something rare and powerful: deep research expertise, extensive clinical practice, and lived experience as a parent and advocate. From early childhood...

In this deeply personal and emotional episode, Maayan honors the life and legacy of her mentor, guide, and honorary mother, Sue Strand — an extraordinary educational therapist who transformed the lives of countless children and families. Sue is the reason Maayan entered the field, the person who believed in her before she believed in herself, and the woman whose compassion shaped generations. Thro...

In this episode, I’m joined by a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Kathryn Satyukov, DNP, PMHNP, from Rising Sun Mental Health, a telehealth practice specializing in compassionate, evidence-based care for teens and young adults. Together, we explore how therapists and prescribers can collaborate to support mental health, ADHD, and the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals. We dive into the po...

You know those meltdown moments—getting out the door, homework battles, screen-time transitions, showers, or family visits—when your child resists, melts down, and you get triggered too. It’s especially tough with neurodivergent kids or clashing family temperaments. Allison Livingston gets it. As a parenting coach and mom of two strong-willed daughters, she’s turned daily chaos into calm connectio...

In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Dotan Galron , co-founder (with Rani Glaser) and CEO of WizTherapy — a platform reimagining how families and professionals connect, collaborate, and thrive while supporting learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and executive-function challenges. Dotan shares his journey from tech startup entrepreneur to mission-driven leader, and how his...

Buckle up for a mind-bending chat with Dr. Gilly Kahn, the psychologist who’s flipping the script on women’s ADHD. In this electric episode, we dive into her game-changing book Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD . Think ADHD is just “can’t sit still”? Think again. Dr. Kahn exposes the hidden emotional rollercoaster—shame spirals, rejection sensiti...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , I’m joined by Neta Shani , founder of Mistake and Friends , to explore the fascinating connection between sensory integration , gut health , and how they impact emotional regulation and attention . Together, we discuss how sensory processing challenges can shape daily experiences for neurodivergent individuals, why the gut-brain connection plays su...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds , we sit down with Dr. Sutton to unpack the complexity of diagnosing ADHD. While many assume that checklists and questionnaires tell the whole story, the reality is far more nuanced. Dr. Sutton shares insights into the clinical process, overlapping conditions, and the importance of understanding each individual’s lived experience beyond the data. Tog...

In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we sit down with Sereana Lee, LCSW , a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma-informed care and anxiety disorders, to explore the complex intersection of OCD, trauma, and school environments . Sereana shares insights from her clinical work supporting children and adolescents, offering practical strategies for creating safe, compassio...