Therapod Podcast

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Send us Fan Mail In this  episode of the Therapod Podcast, Banu chats with educator and CEO of Edsplorer- Leo Thompson to explore what it truly means to unlock human potential in schools. From the neuroscience of learning and the role of emotional regulation to the challenges of curriculum relevance and exam pressure, this conversation dives deep into how children learn—and why many struggle. Leo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Banu and Aofie highlight the significant and often under-recognized challenges faced by neurodivergent women, particularly those with ADHD, due to the intense impact of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. The core idea is that the already difficult nature of living with ADHD is magnified by the cycle of hormones, which dramatically affects emotional regu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore the world of Talk Therapies and the role they play different settings. We chat with Dr Victoria Page- a psychologist, Emily Murphy- a nurse and psychotherapist and Aofie McCormack- a family therapist to view how talk therapy works in their practices!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Banu and Elisha explore neurodiversity, the challenges within traditional education, and why systemic reform is essential for both students and teachers. They discuss how purpose and genuine interest — the “why” — are powerful motivators for learning, especially for neurodivergent minds, and how behaviors often seen as “problems” are really responses to unmet need...

Send us Fan Mail Happy OT week! In this episode of the Theropod podcast, we welcome Aislinn Pierse, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. Aislinn discusses the nuances of pediatric occupational therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a child's unique context and building strong therapeutic relationships. She explores common reasons for referrals, su...

Send us Fan Mail Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Georgie Coney , a dedicated and fully qualified teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with over two decades of experience. She is passionate about fostering positive learning environments for all children, with a deep understanding of learners with specific learning difficulties. As a qualified diagnostic assessor o...

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we go Beyond Dyslexia with a truly fascinating guest: Nellie Nakhel,  a successful academic who has navigated the halls of higher education while grappling with dyslexia. Our guest shares their candid journey, from the early frustrations of feeling like an outsider in a system that didn't play to their strengths, to the grit it took to persist and find their...

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Send us Fan Mail We’re back with Season 5 of Therapod Podcast ! To open the season, we’re sharing a very special radio interview where our host, Banu Balaji —clinical specialist, occupational therapist, and founder of Therapod—speaks with Fahmeeda Naheed , host of Let’s Integrate on Cork City Community Radio. In this wide-ranging and personal conversation, Banu reflects on her journey as an occupa...

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Therapod Podcast, we dive deep into a heartfelt conversation on the power of compassion, responsiveness, and teaching - CRAFT in the world of autism support. Our guest Jude Ragan — a seasoned educator with decades of experience — shares their journey of teaching. Together with Georgie and Banu, they explore what it truly means to support autistic children in...

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Send us Fan Mail  In this inspiring episode, we speak with Robert James Gabriel, founder of the accessibility tool Helperbird, who shares his personal journey from struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a tech innovator. Robert opens up about the challenges he faced in school, where he was nearly taken out of mainstream education, and the life-changing moment he was finally diagnosed. Ro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Kel Menton, a writer and debut author. Kel shares their journey as a non-binary, neurodivergent person growing up in Ireland, recently receiving an autism diagnosis after years of self-reflection and working in autistic support settings. We discuss the impact of early literary influences like Enid Blyton, Judy Blume, and Jacqueline Wilson, the value...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we hear from Padraig Drake, an occupational therapist who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia later in life. He shares his journey navigating academic challenges, leaving school early, and finding his way back to education and a meaningful career. Padraig discusses how his personal experiences have shaped his approach to supporting others, especially within the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Banu and Georgie chats with Timmy Long, who previously hosted the Long Back Podcast. Timmy opens up about his experiences growing up facing challenges with learning differences and a tough environment. He talks about how understanding himself better later in life helped change his perspective and gave him tools to cope. The conversation explores themes of struggle,...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Banu and Georgie, we sit down with Brian, an outspoken advocate for neurodiversity, who shares his journey from being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at fifteen to navigating the complexities of identity, acceptance, and language within the autistic community. With raw honesty and wit, Brian talks about facing bullying, the challenges of fitting into rigid...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we sit down with Joel Olympio, co-founder of The Focus Co., a startup born from his personal journey with ADHD and neurodivergence. Joel shares how his curiosity, passion for product design, and lived experience adapting to environments not built for brains like his led to both a thriving company and a PhD focused on reclaiming attention for everyone. We explore...

Send us Fan Mail We’re back ! Season 4 of Therapod Podcast is officially here, and this season’s theme is Neurospicy Life ! We’re diving even deeper into the world of neurodiversity, exploring the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals while engaging with professionals who bring valuable insights and expertise. From ADHD and autism to dyslexia and beyond, Therapod Podcast creates a space...