Learn Smarter Podcast

Dr. Stacy Haynes joins Rachel & Steph on the podcast to talk about the CPS (Collaborative and Proactive Solutions) model, the Plan B conversation, and how she shares Rachel & Steph’s fundamental belief that kids do well when they can. She talks about shifting the conversation from concerning behaviors to unsolved problems, how empathy plays a role in that shift, and how the Plan B conversa...

Today, Rachel & Steph continue their conversation with Dr. Sally Shaywitz, author of Overcoming Dyslexia . In this episode, Dr. Shaywitz talks about the importance of evidence based interventions versus research based interventions, how parents can improve fluency with their children, why dyslexia is so often missed, and how critical accommodations are. She also gives examples of how dyslexic...

Rachel and Steph welcome the incomparable Dr. Sally Shaywitz, author of Overcoming Dyslexia onto the podcast. She talks about her advocacy work with policymakers, the signs of dyslexia, the Sea of Strengths Model, the Connecticut Longitudinal Study and the Shaywitz Dyslexia Screening. Overcoming Dyslexia Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to connect with us: Joi...

Rachel & Steph dig into why cultivating curiosity transforms writing. They discuss why cultivating curiosity removes expectations and misunderstandings about how to answer a writing prompt, allows learners to move forward with a brain dump, and helps them figure out how to authentically add to their ideas and writing. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to co...

Rachel and Steph welcome (back) Elaine and Diane, the co-founders of ImpactParents.com. Elaine and Diane go into their origin story, explaining the way they have transformed the lives of hundreds of parents across the world who are raising complex children. They talk about the language that Elaine and Diane have given them over the years including the idea of taking aim, “getting curious not furio...

Rachel and Steph dig into why virtual learning isn’t ALL bad and how it’s benefited some learners and been even harder for others. They talk about the lessons of the pandemic and why starting educational therapy NOW is absolutely the right step for families.  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s K...

Rachel & Steph dig into how executive functioning impacts math functioning and ability. They break down executive functioning when it comes to math and talk about frequent challenges of learners who struggle with math because of executive functioning. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to connect with us: Join our FB Group Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp...

Graphic Novelist Raina Telgemeier joins Rachel & Steph on the podcast to talk about her books and stories that are inspiring a new generation of reluctant readers. They deep dive into a shared mutual love of The Babysitters Club , how Raina became associated with that series, how her work has changed over the years and how she got to be a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author . Raina relates to...

Rachel & Steph welcome audiologist Dr. Bea Braun to the podcast. In this episode, Dr. Braun explains how layered and foundational auditory processing is, the way the brain processes auditory information, how it directly impacts learning (reading, writing, and school functioning), and what learners can do about impacted auditory processing. Connect with Dr. Bea Braun https://www.auditoryprocess...

Rachel and Steph dig into twice exceptionality–what it is, what it means, and how to identify it in your world.  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast 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 Other episodes...

Listen in as Rachel and Steph coach listener Rachel on how to support her 12 year old daughter. They discuss her learning profile and coach her to think more broadly about her daughter’s aversions. They dig into comprehension, auditory processing, honoring where her daughter is (her developmental age vs. her chronological age), and expressive language. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.co...

Rachel and Steph continue their conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Donna Henderson. They discuss the validation that families can feel from receiving a diagnosis, a framework for helping families to understand a diagnosis, and an in depth conversation about “context blindness” and context impacts our entire understanding of the world. To listen to the first part of this conversation: Ep 1...

Rachel and Steph welcome clinical psychologist Dr. Donna Henderson to the podcast. Dr. Henderson talks about the autism diagnosis and how it has shifted over the years. She talks about the benefits of diagnosis and when diagnoses can be helpful. She teaches how nuanced autism is, how it presents differently between males and females, and why girls are so often misdiagnosed. Connect with Dr. Hender...

Rachel & Steph discuss the secret to “studying harder”–and the truth may surprise you! They go into what studying harder means, why parents say it, and what effective studying looks like.  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast 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 Ther...

Stomp It Out creator and licensed educational psychologist, Tara Eddy, joins Rachel & Steph today to chat about her new game, Stomp It Out, that is perfect for parents, educators, educational therapists and psychologists. Stomp it Out is designed to promote feeling identification and emotional expression, build emotional vocabulary, perspective taking, body awareness and problem solving. In th...

Rachel & Steph dig into what self-advocacy truly is and how they cultivate it within their learners. They chat about the importance of people and social skills, why it’s important to understand the teacher’s perspective and point of view and how to use this understanding to ask to have their needs met. Learn Smarter Pro Application Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpod...

Julie Skolnick joins the podcast today to talk about her areas of expertise: guiding parents, 2E adults and training teachers. She shares so many gems including the importance of finding verbs, responding not reacting, expectations, the interconnectedness of anxiety and perfectionism, comparing selves to self, and why sometimes good enough is good enough. Rachel & Steph also dig deep with Juli...

Rachel & Steph introduce their Check-in/Check-Out of Work System. With virtual learning, learners have had to be even more diligent with making sure they’re staying “on top” of their workloads. To help them reach their goals, Rachel & Steph created this framework and system to make sure they’re “on it.” Click here to access our Check In/Check Out System freebie! Thinking about joining Lear...

Today, the amazing Elaine Taylor-Klaus joins Rachel and Steph to discuss her new book, The Essential Guide to Parenting Complex Kids  with ADHD, Anxiety, and More: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know to Empower Complicated Kids with Confidence and Calm . In this episode, Rachel and Steph explain how influential Elaine and her collaborator Diane were to their journey and have an engaging convers...

Learn Smarter Pro is back! You asked and we’re saying “yes!” Learn Smarter Pro is our 8 week coaching program for learning specialists and ed therapists in private practice who want to learn from the benefit of our experience. Wondering how we built thriving practices? That’s where we dig in and spill all the tea. Listen in to hear more and learn how to apply! Support us on Patreon: https://www.pa...

Rachel and Steph welcome psychologist Dr. Jeremy Sharp to the pod for a behind the scenes chat between educational therapists and psychologists. They talk about the parenting experience of testing and assessment, why the evaluation process is long and thorough, and how labeling is not such a bad thing. Patreon: In their extended conversation, Rachel & Steph deep dive with Dr. Jeremy Sharp abou...

Rachel & Steph are THRILLED to welcome ADHD expert Dr. Thomas Brown to the podcast today. Dr. Brown teaches all of us how he defines ADHD, shares several stories that help all of us to understand ADHD and how it works and how we all struggle with executive functioning at different moments. He further highlights that ADHD is NOT a struggle of willpower but rather a disorder of motivation. Suppo...

Elizabeth Hamblet joins Rachel & Steph to chat about:  accommodations for college learners the biggest misconceptions about accommodations what learners can do to prepare for college in high school how you get accommodations what the laws are What are typical accommodations  How asking doesn’t always lead to accommodations On Patreon: Elizabeth joins Rachel & Steph for an extende...

Dr. Rishi Sriram joins Rachel & Steph again on the podcast to discuss the 5 M’s of Talent. He digs into the old question of nature vs. nurture and explains what the research is showing in that age-old debate. He also explores his 5 M’s of Talent which are: mindset, myelin, mastery, motivation and mentorship. Mindset by Carol Dweck Connect with Dr. Rishi Sriram 5 M’s of Talent Infographic...

Rachel and Steph welcome Parent Coach Cheryl Hersh. As you’ll hear, Cheryl will share what a parent coach is, what a parent coach isn’t and who would benefit from a parent coach. They also dig into her Ground Rules Playbook for parenting. You’ll hear how Cheryl is so aligned with our mission here on the podcast. And bonus–Cheryl has known Rachel for a long time so you’ll get a little dirt on...