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Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome Ellen Galinsky to discuss her latest book The Breakthrough Years. Ellen is a “research adventurer,” parenting expert, president of the Families and Work Institute, former Fred Rogers Parenting Expert, a civic scientist and author. She talks about how her fundamental core question of “How can we best help kids learn and thrive?” has driven her career. She shares how she prioritizes what kids want to know–that they want us to understand them. She talks about how teens need opportunities for positive risks and how they don’t want the adults in their lives to fix things for them. This leads to a conversation about how to tolerate allowing learners to fix their own mistakes and Ellen shares her Shared Solutions strategy. She also shares what adults often experience with their teenagers and the importance of helping your learner find their passion.   Connect with Ellen: [email protected] Ellen Galinsky: Linkedin   Resources Mentioned:  The Breakthrough Years Vroom Resource Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky   Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET revisit an episode from the early days to talk about highly gifted students. When we think of neurodiversity or learning differences, we often think of students who have challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, etc. However, students with high intellect require a unique learning approach as well. Listen in to hear us discuss the typical challenges highly gifted students face and our ideas for how to overcome them. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET explore one of the most common questions families express when starting educational therapy: the desire for quick results. They discuss why this is such a universal question, what parents are actually asking for, and how professionals can guide families toward a clearer, calmer understanding of the educational therapy process.   Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned:  Ep 109: Learning About Learning with Dr. Rishi Sriram Ep 115: Learning About Learning with Dr Rishi Part 2 (Author Series) Ep 130: The 5 M’s of Talent with Dr. Rishi Sriram (Author Series)

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET break down one of the most persistent myths in school, work, and home life: the idea that multitasking is a skill. The science is clear — the brain cannot actually multitask. What the brain does is rapidly switch between tasks, and that switching is far more costly than most people realize. Rachel and Stephanie discuss what is really happening in the brain when learners try to “do it all,” why multitasking leads to more mistakes and slower progress, and what strategies support executive functioning and stronger learning habits. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned:  Ep 186: All or Nothing Brain (Executive Function Series) Ep 346: All About Body Doubling (Executive Functioning Series)  

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET discuss the role of the educational therapist as a middleman. We dig into the middleman role educational therapists often end up playing — between parents, teachers, clinicians, tutors, and everyone else on a child’s support team. They discuss the benefits and challenges of this role and how to keep boundaries that are in alignment with your values.   Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome Claudia, a former parent from My Ed Therapist, to the podcast. Claudia shares her journey with her daughter, Emma, who is autistic, has ADHD, and has Pathological Demand Avoidance (or “Persistent Demand for Autonomy”). Claudia shares about the impact of these diagnoses on her relationship with Emma and the family. She shares about how Stephanie’s rapport had a tremendous impact on Emma’s ability to be more flexible. She shares about the difficult decision to transition schools and the importance sports had for Emma. They chat about the role of perfectionism, how they approached the college decision, the importance of prioritizing the relationship with your child, and examining Claudia’s role as the parent. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned:  Ep 309: Pathological Demand Avoidance with Diane Gould (Professionals Series)

In this re-air of episode 169 (originally aired August of 2021),  Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET talk with Dr. Sharon Saline, author of What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life. Dr. Saline discusses her goal of improving the connection between parents and learners with ADHD through improving conversation. She walks them through her 5C’s of parenting, which are self-control, compassion, collaboration, consistency, and celebration. They also dive into a conversation about medication. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET are back to chat about commitment overwhelm. Families often say things like “We’re too busy right now” or “Let’s wait until next semester.” But sometimes those words aren’t about scheduling — they’re about commitment overwhelm and that heavy feeling that starting something new, even something helpful, might just be too much to handle. In this episode, Rachel and Steph unpack what commitment overwhelm really is, why it shows up for both learners and families, and how to meet it with empathy and structure instead of pressure.   Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist Other episodes mentioned: Ep 07: Educational Therapy vs Tutoring

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET celebrate 400 episodes of Learn Smarter! In this special milestone episode, they reflect on what they’ve learned over the years—from their learners, their guests, their listeners, and each other. Rachel and Steph share their biggest takeaways about growth, executive functioning, and the parenting journey, and they look back on some of their favorite moments and funniest behind-the-scenes stories. They also take time to thank the Learn Smarter community for showing up week after week to learn, reflect, and grow together. This episode is part celebration, part reflection, and part love letter to everyone who’s been part of the Learn Smarter journey.   Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned: Ep 38: How to set S.M.A.R.T. Goals Ep 201: Executive Functioning Skills Master Class with Dr. Peg Dawson (Executive Functioning Series) Ep 109: Learning About Learning with Dr. Rishi Sriram Ep 115: Learning About Learning with Dr Rishi Part 2 (Author Series) Ep 130: The 5 M’s of Talent with Dr. Rishi Sriram (Author Series)

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome back Dr. Karen Wilson, a pediatric neuropsychologist, founder of ChildNexus, and podcaster of Diverse Thinking, Different Learning. She teaches Rachel and Steph about early indicators that could impact learners. She shares how the early signs are used as information and early signs should be observed in relationship to their peers. She talks about the importance of listening to parent/teacher gut and intuition and they have a quick discussion about the true impact of COVID. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned:  Ep 61: The Assessment Process with Dr. Karen Wilson Ep 325: Neuropsych vs. Psycho Ed Assessments with Dr. Karen Wilson (Local Professionals)  

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET talk about the lost art of boredom and why it’s so essential for developing executive functioning skills. It’s well documented that kids, learners, and adults are really overscheduled and overstructured (and we really do not like and have a problem tolerating being bored). Rachel and Steph explore what boredom actually does for the brain, how it supports creativity, problem-solving, and self-reflection, and why tolerating “nothing to do” is an important life skill. They share practical strategies for helping learners relearn how to rest, think, and just be, even when it feels uncomfortable for parents and learners at first. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET discuss how tricky the decision to start educational therapy when parents receive mixed feedback from the other adults in their learner’s life. They chat about why a lack of consensus can easily emerge and the questions you can ask yourself to help you determine if you should start educational therapy.    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET Dr. Jessica Broitman and Dr. Jack Davis for part 2 of their conversation about Non-verbal Learning Disorders (Developmental Visual Spatial Disorder). They share what to do once you know that your learner has NVLD. They talk about the importance of passion, giving your learner permission to talk about whatever their learner is upset about with you, not pretending that NVLD is easy and taking complete advantage of their verbal strengths. They also share how educational therapists can be supportive in this dynamic.    Dr. Davis: [email protected] Dr. Broitman: Doctorjess.org  NVLD Project  Psychology Today Article Mentioned Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist   Other episodes mentioned: Ep 395: Non-Verbal Learning Disorders Part 1 with Dr. Jessica Broitman and Dr. Jack Davis (Local Professional Series)

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome Dr. Jessica Broitman a psychoanalyst, child psychologist, and researcher and Dr. Jack Davis,  school psychologist and neuropsychologist for this conversation about non-verbal learning disorders. They share the history of NVLD and discuss the process of renaming NVLD to be classified as Developmental Visual Spatial Disorder. They also talk about what NVLD is and the developmental signs of NVLD at ages and stages.  Connect with Dr. Davis: [email protected] Connect with Dr. Broitman: Doctorjess.org  NVLD Project    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast   How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET dive into all the ways learners unintentionally overcomplicate their foundational systems. From color-coding everything to creating elaborate planners they never use, Rachel and Steph unpack how learners often make organization and productivity harder than they need to be. They discuss why this happens and what parents and educators can do to help learners simplify. You’ll hear practical strategies to help learners build systems that are clear, sustainable, and actually work in real life. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast How to connect with us: Join our e-mail list Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website Steph’s My Ed Therapist website  @learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist