Kitchen Table Conversations with Angela Geddes

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela Geddes shares reflections and key takeaways from the 10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD in Seattle. Angela discusses: the nervous system and brain-body connection why behaviour is often misunderstood the impact of shame and misdiagnosis supporting neurodivergent youth and adults through compassionate, brain-base...

When we think about oral health, most of us think about brushing, flossing, and fresh breath. But what if we’ve been missing the bigger picture? In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela Geddes reflects on her early work with the West Elgin Community Health Centre, where she participated in research and community consultations exploring access to dental care and the real-life impact...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela Geddes shares insights from her clinical work supporting veterans, OPP personnel, and individuals and families navigating complex mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges. With a focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), this episode highlights a critical system gap: most individuals affected remain unrecognized and unsupported,...

In this episode, Angela Geddes invites listeners into a gentle, grounding conversation about her latest resource, which highlights what happens when we stop fighting our neurodivergent wiring — and begin to understand it. This episode is especially for people who have grown up feeling “out of step,” misunderstood, or blamed for struggles that are actually rooted in how their brain works - and for...

This episode features a rich, brain-based conversation with Lisa Riegel , a school transformation specialist who uses brain science as a foundation for building culture and practices that align to the way our brain works. This conversation explores how schools and families can better support students by understanding behaviour as the intersection of biology and context . A central theme is the wid...

This episode originally aired as Episode 95 on December 5, 2024. The most wonderful time of the year for some… yet not for others.   In this episode, Angela talks about ways to reduce both the impact of and the incidents of prenatal alcohol/substance exposed pregnancies. She encourages consideration for more broad and informal prevention efforts regarding healthy pregnancies now that we have just...

Soutenir les élèves ayant un TSAF ou des différences neurocognitives : Pourquoi une mise à jour des connaissances est essentielle Cet épisode explore le travail crucial — et souvent invisible — que les éducateur·trices accomplissent pour soutenir des élèves ayant des « cerveaux compliqués et merveilleux ». En Ontario, de nombreux·euses enseignant·es doivent composer avec des profils d’apprentissag...

Supporting Students with FASD and Neurocognitive Differences: Why Updated Knowledge Matters This episode explores the essential, often invisible work educators do to support students with “complicated and beautiful brains.” Many Ontario teachers are navigating complex learning profiles with outdated or incorrect information—especially regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In this episo...

Pour certains, c’est la période la plus merveilleuse de l’année… mais pas pour tout le monde. Dans cet épisode, Angela parle de façons de réduire à la fois l’impact et l’incidence des grossesses exposées à l’alcool ou à d’autres substances. Elle encourage à envisager des efforts de prévention plus larges et informels pour soutenir des grossesses en santé, surtout depuis que nous avons appris que l...

Understanding Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Compassion In this special Deep Dive episode, Angela Geddes explores the key concepts from her updated Not Your Typical Parenting Guide, 2nd Edition. Instead of a traditional audiobook, this conversation-style episode offers a warm, accessible walkthrough of the book’s main ideas for caregivers, educators, and clinicians supporting children a...

Comprendre les troubles neurodéveloppementaux complexes avec compassion Dans cet épisode spécial de Plongée en profondeur, Angela Geddes explore les concepts clés de la version mise à jour de son guide Ceci n’est pas votre guide de la parentalité typique, 2e édition . Plutôt qu’un livre audio traditionnel, Angela propose une conversation chaleureuse et accessible qui accompagne les parents, éducat...

Joignez-vous à nous pour une nouvelle édition de Plongée en profondeur de Kitchen Table Conversations , où, grâce à la technologie et à notre incroyable équipe, nous pouvons offrir un survol audio et un examen approfondi des principaux points d’apprentissage du premier livre d'Angela, Un cerveau compliqué et merveilleux. Cette conversation explore à quoi peuvent ressembler le trouble du spect...

Join us for a new Deep Dive edition of Kitchen Table Conversations , where with the help of technology and our amazing team, we are able to provide an audio overview and a close look at the key learning points within her first book, A Complicated and Beautiful Brain . This conversation explores what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can look like across the...

This year’s CanFASD International Research Conference reinforced what many of us have known for years: To truly support individuals and families, we must acknowledge prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) when discussing trauma and attachment . Researchers Dr. Alan Price and Dr. Raja Mukherjee presented groundbreaking findings confirming that when PAE is ignored, individuals are often misunderstood, and...

October 10th marks World Mental Health Day , a global reminder that mental health is a universal human right . In this special episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela Geddes explores what mental health really means — beyond hashtags and online labels. She discusses how overdiagnosis can sometimes overshadow those living with complex, lifelong conditions and highlights the importance of pre...

Misinformation about a lot of things these days and certainly around FASD is widespread — and it hurts families and communities. In this episode, Angela shares her personal reflections on how outdated language and statistics perpetuate stigma and confusion. She also offers a hopeful path forward, calling for collaboration, evidence-based messaging, and compassion.  She proudly announces that her c...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela shines a light on one of the most overlooked issues in prenatal health: unplanned pregnancies and the invisible window of risk . With over half of pregnancies unplanned, many people are unknowingly exposing developing babies to alcohol, tobacco, or other substances in those critical first weeks. Angela discusses how this early exposure can le...

Breaking the Myths of FASD (and Beyond) In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela tackles one of the biggest misconceptions about pregnancy: that small amounts of alcohol are harmless. She explores the reality that prenatal health begins long before conception—and includes both parents . From the role of fathers’ health and substance use to the link between prenatal exposures and lif...

Why This Summer Was BIG Join Angela Geddes, MSW, RSW, as she kicks off FASD Awareness Month and International FASD Awareness Day (Sept 9) with an inspiring look at the work being done to prevent prenatal alcohol and substance exposure and support those living with the impacts of prenatal alcohol and substance exposure and FASD. This episode highlights: New book releases, resources, and partnership...

In this summer episode, Angela offers compassionate insight for families navigating the season with children, youth, or adults who have complex and beautiful brains. Whether your loved one is dealing with impulsivity, transitions, rigid thinking, or emotional dysregulation, this episode shares practical strategies for structure, regulation, nourishment, nature, and self-care. Plus: Podcast summer...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela takes a deep and compassionate look at the critical—but often ignored—link between prenatal health and mental health across the lifespan. Drawing on research, clinical experience, and personal stories, she unpacks how even low levels of alcohol or substance exposure during pregnancy can impact brain development, increasing the risk for condit...

In this heartfelt episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela shares the excitement of receiving the updated editions of her two books— A Complicated and Beautiful Brain and Not Your Typical Parenting Guide . She reflects on the inspiration behind the books, shares a moving quote from a teen with FASD, and explores the very real challenges faced by caregivers raising children with complex need...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations , Angela reflects on the emotional fallout of Canada’s recent federal election—and the importance of healthy dialogue. Drawing from her mental health background, she unpacks 10 common cognitive distortions (like all-or-nothing thinking and emotional reasoning) and encourages listeners to return to the table with more curiosity and less judgment. This...

This episode challenges recent claims made by RFK Jr. around autism and explores why Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is being left out of the conversation. While autism is valid and deserves attention, the known risk of prenatal alcohol exposure is too often ignored.  Let's shift the focus to prevention and evidence-based care. Resources to Learn More: Science.org | Claiming autism ‘ep...

This year’s FASD International Research Conference was both powerful and deeply human.  Key themes included: The insidious impact of stigma — and how it blocks access to diagnosis and care The importance of naming FASD to open doors, not close them New research on paternal alcohol exposure at the time of conception The call for interdisciplinary support , trauma-informed care, and early interventi...