Mind by Design

Ali Meyers, Executive Function Coach and Writing Specialist, is the founder of Launch Learning!  Ali provides EF coaching for students from middle school through college and also specializes in tutoring for writing as well as college essay writing.  Ali is a wealth of information and strategy, using a comprehensive toolbox she has acquired from her training as an educator and social worker, and th...

Is your student struggling with traditional school?   Fusion Academy is a fully accredited private school offering one-to-one instruction and a robust social experience to students grades 6-12.  Listen in to my interview with Aurora Terracina, Director of Outreach, a previous public school teacher who found her niche, continuing to work in education but in a capacity that fills her bucket daily.  ...

Jimmie Brown is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is as real as it gets.  He has been working as a therapist in a school district for 17 years, is a consultant for the community, and has a private practice in Campbell, CA where he helps a range of individuals, children through adults. Jimmie’s therapeutic approach is strength-based and real.  He dives deep, making a true connection with...

What a therapeutic treat!  Jessica O’Connor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who loves working with the littles!  She sees children in her practice as young as 3!  You may not believe that infant mental health or toddler behavior can be helped through counseling, but if you are a parent of one of these kiddos, Jessica may be your panacea! Listen in as Jessica and I talk about her practi...

In this free flow of thought episode I use my morning podcast routine as a representation for self-awareness and metacognition. I talk about how this relates to our kids and their executive function skills, and one of the key things we can do as parents to increase their likelihood of becoming successful adults.  Listen in! Books mentioned:   How to Raise an Adult , Untamed I'm Jana Parker, a...

Viewers, be on the lookout for Parallel Learning!  Diana Heldfond and team are developing the first of its kind collaborative platform in a one-stop shop for all things child-centered support.  It's like she took the inside of my heart and brain and grew it a million fold!     I am thrilled to bring you this interview with Diana, who is in the beginning stages of what I hope is a major problem...

Lexie Burns, where have you been all my life!  I feel like we are long lost kindred spirits!    Listen in as Lexie and I discuss academic and executive function needs and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Lexie supports students currently in distance learning and hybrid models and her team has seen it all!  They have a 100% success rate of supporting students virtually. Find Lexie at :  lexi...

In this interview I talk with Virginie Goldstein, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Tech Connect Reset.  Virginie's passion is coaching parents to improve communication with their teens and promote healthy screen use.  In a world where screens are the norm, how do we teach our kids to use screens in a responsible way rather than ban them from using them for fear they will...

What is the Special Advantage?  Listen in to my interview with special needs expert, Denise Carbon.  Denise specializes in early childhood development, ages 0-5 and with children who have complex medical and special needs.  She has been a resource and specialist in the community for over 20 years and not only helps young children, but their parents as well.  Denise offers coaching for parents who...

Ever wonder if you should have your child assessed for learning or attentional challenges?  Curious about the difference between a psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessment?  Are you a parent who really wants to know what's going on with your child but you're unsure of the process and want answers to questions before you commit?  Take a listen!  I talk all about all of it!     I...

Listen in to my interview with Andie Rich and Danielle Morgan of Thriving Minds Learning Center in Campbell, CA. Thriving Minds offers learning support in reading, writing, and math, to students between 1st and 8th grade.  All services are provided one on one and tailored to meet the needs of the individual child.  Support can also be provided in the private school setting, during the school day....

Diana Psyras is an educational specialist and owner of Learn Mindfully, an academic support center in Campbell, CA.  She holds a Master's Degree in special education from Santa Clara University, is trained in the Linda Mood-Bell Seeing Stars program, and is a forever learner (like me!).   Diana works with children ages 4-16 and specializes in reading interventions for decoding, fluency, compre...

If there is one episode you don't want to miss, it's this one!  Listen in to my interview with Caitlin Hoffman of Academic Coaching Works.  Her education center in Campbell, CA has a new schedule and a menu of service options, from all day in person support for distance learning to virtual coaching.  Our conversation focuses on what students are experiencing, what PARENTS are experiencing...

Listen in to hear from Melissa Mayes, Executive Director for Teen Therapy Center and Family Therapy Center in San Jose, CA.  We discuss critical mental health issues for families and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic, warning signs and when to reach out for help, and how these community resources can provide critical mental health support.  Melissa's calm and compassionate nature is represent...

Listen in to my interview with Something to Say, speech pathology group, in San Jose, CA.   Do you have a youngster who struggles with speech and/or language development?  Are you worried that your child may not be talking as much as he should be for his age, able to understand and use language for communication, or navigate his or her social world through both verbal and nonverbal language?    In...

In the heart of 2020 stress, John Lewis Parker (my dad) gives us some nuggets of goodness. He teaches us to practice mindfulness quickly and easily, through our busy days, when you need it most. Share this episode with someone who needs it.

Listen in to hear from Brittney Weinerth, occupational therapist and owner Almaden Valley Children's Therapy Center, in San Jose, CA.  We discuss why a child might need occupational therapy, what it provides, and how to access support from Brittney and the clinicians at her center.   Occupational therapy is used to support things like fine and gross motor skills, self-regulation skills, social...

Dyslexia = reading problem.  I assess for dyslexia and other learning disabilities in my private practice.  In this episode, listen in to hear from Karen Isaacson, Dyslexia Instructor and Master-Certified Barton Reading and Spelling Tutor.  Karen is located in California but tutors solely online and therefore has clients all over the world!    Karen has been an educator for over 35 years and is pa...

In this episode I talk about how to prepare yourself in your home for distance learning. By following some simple steps you can help both yourself and your children and set your family up for success. Listen in and if you like this episode, please rate and review on your favorite podcast player. As always, I can be reached on Facebook @themindbydesign, or through my website www.themindbydesign.com...

In this episode, Makenzie and I discuss questions like why you would seek out the support of a developmental and behavioral nurse practitioner, how she supports and helps her clients, and some tips and strategies parents can use for themselves and supporting their children. Makenzie works at the Center for Developing Minds in Los Gatos, California. She is supporting clients virtually during the pa...

Contact Margie for a free consultation at margiebrubin@gmail.com. Connect with me at jana@themindbydesign.com, my YouTube channel, and my website, www.themindbydesign.com. If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please reach out! Please like, comment, and review this podcast!

We are in this distance learning thing together! We can complain as much as we want but it’s here and it’s happening. The attitude we bring to the next few months is going to set the tone for our own sanity as well as our kids. They need our support, our positivity, and our in-it-to-win-it mindset. We can do this, together.  As always, please like this episode, comment, and review. Let me know wha...

This is the beginning of EduSwitchboard. I hope you join me on this journey as I bring you tips and tricks for parenting (especially during distance learning) and interviews with community professionals whose passion is to support students and families.