Executive Function for All | A Podcast by Untapped Learning

Why is it that student-athletes can show incredible discipline in sports, but struggle to stay organized or focused in school? In this episode, Brandon talks with John Gassner, ADHD coach and academic strategist with Order Out of Chaos. A former Division I swimmer and ESPN sports marketing exec, John brings both personal experience and professional insight into the unique challenges student-athlet...

When kids struggle with executive function, procrastination and anxiety often collide—creating a frustrating loop that impacts the whole family. In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Danielle Svingos, Associate Director of the Berkeley Clinic, longtime clinician, and parent of neurodiverse young adults, to explore the deep connection between executive function challenges, anxiety, and avoi...

What does it take to go from struggling to read in elementary school to earning an MBA? In this inspiring episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Gabe Corradino, a former student athlete who grew up with dyslexia and executive function challenges. Gabe shares his journey of resilience—from reading at a first-grade level in fifth grade to finding success in both athletics and academics. He talks cand...

Parenting an anxious or resistant child can feel like walking a tightrope between supporting them and fighting daily battles over homework, phones, and responsibilities. In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Bryna Cunningham, clinical social worker, school counselor, and private practice therapist, to talk about the connection between executive function deficits and anxiety—and what parent...

Why is the transition to adulthood so hard for young people today? In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Roxanne Turner, Founder and CEO of RBT Coaching, Certified ADHD Professional, and Board Certified Coach, to unpack the realities of “adulting” and how families can better support independence. Roxanne shares why developmental lags make launching more complex for students with ADHD, and...

What does it really take to help students grow through struggle instead of being defeated by it? In this episode, Brandon sits down with Aaron Ragon, a leader with decades of experience in counseling, mental health, and student support. Aaron is a Partner of Student Support Services for Cherry Creek School District, oversees 192 counselors in Douglas County, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at t...

Therapist Bridget Weigel joins the podcast to explore the emotional roots of executive function, especially in families where both parents and kids face similar challenges. Through a trauma-informed, somatic lens, Bridget shares how slowing down, building routines, and regulating emotions can disrupt the cycle of guilt and reactive parenting. She explains why mindfulness doesn’t have to mean medit...

Therapist Clayton Norman, also known as the skateboard therapist, returns to share strategies for managing anxiety, building mindfulness, and supporting executive function in high-stress moments. In this conversation, he explains why students resist slowing down, how boredom is often misunderstood, and what it really takes to sit with discomfort instead of avoiding it. From better sleep routines t...

What does it really mean to be “gifted”? And why do so many bright, creative students still struggle in school? In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Meghan Bonde, TEDx speaker, founder of Intensity Hub, and coach for neurodivergent leaders, to unpack the complexities of giftedness, twice exceptionality (2e), and the five intensities that shape how students learn and live. Meghan shares ho...

Applying to college is overwhelming, even more so for students with executive function challenges. In this episode, Untapped Learning Founder Brandon Slade sits down with Alyse Levine, one of the country’s top college counseling experts and the Founder & CEO of Premium Prep. Alyse brings insights from years of experience in elite admissions (including The Dalton School and Washington Universit...

Why do smart, capable students and adults say or do things they regret, procrastinate even when they want to succeed, or constantly chase distractions? It’s not about discipline. It’s brain science. In this conversation, Brandon Slade and neuroimmunology student Natalie Wilcox break down what impulsivity really is, especially in ADHD brains, and why it's not a character flaw—it's a dopamine and ex...

Dr. Kristin Powell, Ph. D., ABPP-CN, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals across the lifespan make sense of their brains—and their behavior. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Powell challenges common myths about impulsivity, executive function, and ADHD. Dive deep into: Why bright kids often struggle with impulsivity and boredom. How...

What if remote coaching could help your child build stronger executive function skills? In this conversation, Untapped Learning Founder and CIO Brandon Slade interviews Colin Andrews, the architect of our 6–to 12th-grade remote executive function coaching program. They explore how students struggling with time management, procrastination, and impulsivity can stay engaged, even when support happens...

Why do students wait until the last minute? Why is starting a math worksheet harder than running a mile? Pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Zach Sussman joins us to unpack the real reasons behind procrastination—especially in students with ADHD. From time blindness to anxiety, he reframes task initiation as a neurological process, not a character flaw. Dr. Sussman is a Colorado state licensed, APPCN-...

When we were growing up, no one taught us what executive function even meant, let alone how deeply it would shape our confidence, our school experience, and our relationships. This episode dives deep into the everyday challenges of impulsivity, task initiation, procrastination, and anxiety, all through the lens of ADHD and executive functioning. We’re honored to be joined by two incredible experts...

What if the key to balancing sports, academics, and a social life wasn’t talent, but process? Carlo Kemp, a former Michigan football player and NFL athlete, shares how mastering his learning style, time management, and attention strategies helped him thrive in one of the most demanding environments possible. In this interview, Carlo breaks down how identifying his strengths as a visual learner cha...

Adam Max, founder of Max College Advising, joins us to break down one of the most overwhelming phases of a student’s journey: the college admissions process. With a background in admissions at Emory and 20 years in strategic marketing, Adam offers a uniquely human, strength-based approach to choosing and applying to college. This episode is full of practical tools for managing time, staying organi...

We know the end of the school year is intense for you and your student. That’s why we brought back Clayton Norman, a trusted mental health therapist (who works with both adolescents and professional skateboarders), for an exclusive conversation on anxiety, procrastination, and what truly helps students succeed. In this sit-down, Clayton and Brandon discuss how procrastination often stems from emot...

Taylor White Moffitt is a 30-year psychotherapist turned embodiment coach—and in this episode, she delivers a masterclass in nervous system regulation, mindful parenting, and executive function. We talk ADHD, anxiety, multitasking, and the everyday stressors that send kids and adults into dysregulation. Taylor explains how movement, mindfulness, and sensory-based rituals aren’t just self-care—they...

In this interview, Mariano Kemp — a former All-State running back and standout student- shares how he balanced rigorous academics, elite athletics, and a full social life in both high school and college. Mariano opens up about the reality behind the highlight reel: missed assignments, overwhelming pressure, and the defining mindset shift that helped him stay grounded and focused. From weekly plann...

The college admissions process can feel overwhelming—especially for families navigating executive function challenges or supporting student-athletes. Haley St. Vincent brings 20+ years of admissions expertise to this episode, breaking down how to build a realistic college list, avoid the "name brand" school trap, and empower students to take ownership of the process. From managing costs to fosteri...

Stephanie Hempen has coached at the highest levels of youth and collegiate soccer—but what sets her apart is how she reaches athletes who think differently. In this conversation, Stephanie shares powerful strategies for developing executive function skills through sports. From freezing play to build working memory, to scaffolding instructions in ways that meet athletes where they are, Stephanie’s...

Raising or teaching a twice-exceptional (2e) student can feel like solving a puzzle where the pieces don’t always fit. One moment, they’re showcasing incredible creativity and intelligence—building robots, composing music, or solving complex math problems in their heads. The next, they’re missing assignments, struggling with organization, or having emotional meltdowns over seemingly small things....

Trent Noonan didn’t just survive one of the toughest engineering schools in the country—he thrived as both a student and an athlete. In this episode of the Executive Function Hour, Trent sits down with Brandon Slade to share the real-life strategies that helped him navigate football, lacrosse, and a master's in civil engineering at Colorado School of Mines. They cover the power of structured routi...

ADHD isn’t just about attention—it’s about executive function, brain structure, and how we navigate life. In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Chris Gioielli breaks down the neurological origins of ADHD, the impact of executive function deficits, and the latest research on interventions that actually work. We discuss the role of stimulant medication, executive function coaching, and whether ADHD...