The Executive Function Podcast

Team, If you or your loved one is someone who feels everything at level 11, you're not alone, and this episode is for you! The cross over between having executive function needs and having high sensory or emotional sensitivities is huge--and an area we need to talk about more often. Dr. Judith Orloff, author of The Empath's Survival Guide (and more!), walks us through perspectives and strategies that make high sensitivity an asset, not a deficit! You'll love her insights and warmth!All my love, Sarah Learn more about Judith: Judith Orloff, MD is a New York Times bestselling author whose books include The Genius of Empathy,The Empath’s Survival Guide, and Thriving as an Empath, which presents daily self-care tools for sensitive people. Her children’s book The Highly Sensitive Rabbit is about a caring rabbit who learns to embrace her gifts of sensitivity. A UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty member, she blends the pearls of conventional medicine with cutting-edge knowledge of intuition, empathy, and energy. Dr. Orloff specializes in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice and online internationally. Her work has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, and USA Today. Dr. Orloff has spoken at Google-LA and TEDx. More at www.drjudithorloff.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/DrJudithOrloff/X - https://x.com/JudithOrloffMDIG - https://www.instagram.com/judith.orloff.mdLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-orloff-9a681a5/Connect with me!My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com.

Hey Team! Whether we realize it or not, we spend a lot of our communication in negotiations: asking for what we need, helping family members do chores or homework, simply working with other humans, we're negotiating a lot. But, as it turns out, we're not so great at negotiating, as it's about more than just "communicating better." Co-author of "Never Settle," John Richardson, shares memorable and easy ways to more effectively get what we want and need, while preserving relationships and feeling regulated. I learned a lot from John, and our time together was fun, even with sometimes very heavy topics. I think you'll enjoy picking his brain with me! All my love,SarahNever Settle is on sale now! More about John: John Richardson teaches negotiation MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and previously at Harvard Law, and was an associate at the Harvard Negotiation Project. He was coauthor with Roger Fisher and Alan Sharp of Getting It Done and Negotiation Analysis with Howard Raiffa and David Metcalfe. He is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.Richardson's path to negotiation began with family tragedy. His father lost his older brother Syd—a pilot killed over Germany in WWII—which devastated his dad for life. Decades later at Harvard Law, John met Roger Fisher, co-author of Getting to Yes, who had flown weather missions in that same war. Fisher's plane inadvertently helped the Enola Gay drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima while schoolchildren were still outside—a burden Fisher carried forever. It drove his life's mission: save the world from war through better negotiation. That same mission now applies to the daily "wars" in our relationships—the conflicts that damage marriages, fracture families, and leave everyone feeling unheard.Connect with me!My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com.

Hey Team, I remember reading a sentence that changed my brain forever: childhood is the only time we're expected to be good at everything. Think about it. As an adult, you likely engineer your life (at least work life) to avoid things that are more difficult or boring. Don't like chem? Don't become a chemist! But in childhood, we ask students to be competent in every subject and skill. This is a big demand. Add executive dysfunction to the mix, and it's a wonder our kids and teens keep pushing to attend school! Executive function needs can manifest as apathy and disengagement (It's safer to break up with school before school breaks up with us, right?)Students are absent from school at the highest rates in history. And instead of blaming them or assuming they "don't care," we can start to think and act differently. Dr Dennis shows us how on this week's show! All my love, team!Sarah Connect with me!My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. About Our Guest: Dr. Dennis Lefevre has spent more than 30 years helping young people succeed in school, at home, and in the community.With extensive experience as a General Education Teacher, a Special Education Teacher, an Educational Therapist, a School & Educational Psychologist, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a School- and District-level Administrator, Dr. Dennis has had the opportunity to work in a variety of public, non-public, and private school settings with thousands of preschool, elementary, and secondary students – many facing serious academic, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges.This comprehensive background has made Dr. Dennis uniquely qualified to provide effective supports to struggling children and adolescents, as well as practical, yet compassionate guidance for their parents and teachers.

Hi, Team!We're backwards this week, but not in the "hidden message when you play the track backwards" way. Dr Blaise Aguirre, a guest from episode 63, interviews me! After reading my book, Growing Executive Function, the doctor and author of many impactful books explores what he found interesting in my writing. I'm excited to share this side of my life with you, team! And many thanks to Dr Aguirre for his lovely interview!All my love,Sarah PS If you want your very own copy of my book, Growing Executive Function, you can find it here. And, if you'd like to learn more about Dr Aguirre's work, including his many books, check this out.

Hello my team, Stress, am I right? It's ever-present, sometimes overwhelming, and something we just can't avoid...but what if we're framing it wrong? This week's guest, Amy Leneker, tells us about her three step framework for functioning differently with stress. She's not here to gaslight us or tell us that stressors are no biggie; instead, she offers accessible ideas to test out in real life. Having executive function struggles is a valid, stressful experience. I loved having Amy's perspective on how to both honor what you go through and manage the stress in new ways. After you listen, do a new and good check in with your loved ones! All my love,Sarah About Amy:Amy Leneker is an optimistic, joy-seeking, recovering workaholic. She's also a leadership consultant who has helped over 100,000 leaders and teams – including those at Fortune 100 companies – lead with less stress and more joy. Her soul goal? To help one billion people do the same. With over 25 years of leadership experience – including a decade in the C-suite – Amy understands the soul-crushing toll of burnout because she's lived it. Twice. After surviving her own brush with burnout, Amy became determined to help others succeed without sacrificing their joy, their health, or their weekends. A first-generation college student, Amy earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full-time and later raising a family. She has studied leadership at Yale, neuroscience at the NeuroLeadership Institute, and stress resilience at Harvard Medical School.In her upcoming book, Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy (Wiley // March 24, 2026), Amy shares a refreshing and science-backed roadmap to break free from burnout. Her signature “Un-Stressing Method” - See, Sort, Solve, Celebrate - is designed to help leaders and teams finally break the cycle of exhaustion, overwhelm, and self-doubt.PS : My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #stress, #burnout, #ExecutiveFunciton, #adhd, #autism, #neurodivergent, #Work, #Joy, #relax, #leaders, #managers, #leadership

Team, Have you ever tried to think clearly with super loud, distracting sounds going on? That's a good analogy for using executive function when your anxiety is high. It's just plain harder. Our guest this week, Kristen Stuppy, is a pediatrician and ADHD advocate. She shares simple tips for managing anxiety in ways that are brain-friendly and doable. I really enjoyed my time with Kristen, and I think you will, too. All my love, Sarah PS I just wrote a Psychology Today piece about emotional regulation and executive function. From the show: Goblin Tools TEACH Me ADHD Find Kristen at: LinkedInBlog More about Kristen: Kristen Stuppy, MD is a pediatrician with more than 25 years of experience caring for families in Overland Park, Kansas. Her personal journey with ADHD, both as a parent and through her own late diagnosis, fuels her commitment to educating and empowering kids, teens, and parents with practical, compassionate support.Since 2012, Kristen has volunteered with ADHDKC, the Kansas City Metro chapter of CHADD, serving in many roles but especially enjoying her work with ADHDKCTeen. During the pandemic, she launched monthly virtual sessions to help teens understand their ADHD and build real‑life skills.In 2023, she began leading Dr. Nerissa Bauer’s creative, detective‑themed TEACH Me ADHD classes, guiding kids and parents through fun, interactive lessons on managing ADHD.Her experience with both of these online programs inspired her to develop teen‑focused workshops on ADHD, emotional regulation, and executive function, using an engaging, activity‑based format. Kristen’s mission is simple and unwavering: reduce stigma and make ADHD support accessible to all. Whether she’s teaching, writing, collaborating with professionals, or caring for patients, she strives to help every child, teen, and parent feel seen, understood, and supported as they learn to thrive with ADHD.

Team, Sometimes I pretend I'm psychic and guess what students are thinking, experiencing, and struggling with based on the time of year. I wish these moments came from ESP, but they come from knowing the predictable patterns of the year. Our energies and the demands on us ebb and flow, and many of the patterns of the context can be predicted. But, what do we do when the situation demands more of us than our current capacities feel able to do? This week, we learn with fellow coach Carrie Bonnett, who shares her gentle perspective and strategies for getting through the midterm slumps and work life overwhelm. Carrie's strategies help students, parents, and humans of all ages as we navigate this thing called life. All my love,SarahLearn more about Carrie: On her websiteAnd, Free resource:  Task Initiation Toolkit. PS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #ExecutiveFunction, #ADHD, #Coaching, #burnout, #students, #parenting, #autism, #neurodivergent

Hey, team!Your executive function relies on being well-rested and getting good sleep. Our brains do their clean up and solidify new learning when we're asleep, and being too tired can mean we struggle with emotional regulation and attention, both of which will impact our executive function!To make it more complicated, it takes some executive function to manage sleep routines and bedtimes. And here's the rub: sleep problems are very common for neurodivergent brains. On this episode, the amazing Dr Melisa Moore shares success stories, humor, and research-backed tips to help with sleep. Melisa's book, The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids, is out now! Check out the links below. More about wonderful Melisa Moore: https://www.drmelisamoore.com/https://www.instagram.com/drmelisamoorehttps://www.drmelisamoore.com/bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-USo9Oyv0E&t=1sPS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #ExecutiveFunction, #Sleep, #Neurodivergent, #Neurodiverse, #autism, #ADHD, #parenting, #exhaustion

Team, Our brains are, like, kind of a big deal. Since they don't come with owner's manuals, we may need a little help keeping them healthy and functioning well. That's where Dr Fotuhi comes in . He's spent decades learning about the brain, helping others change their brain health and, in turn, their lives. In this episode, we dive into easy(ish) ways to adjust your habits for a healthier brain. I hope you love it!All my love,Sarah PS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. Meet Dr. Majid Fotuhi , who earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in 1992 and his Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School in 1997. Currently, he serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University, while also teaching at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Dr. Fotuhi has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance at any age. His groundbreaking “Brain Fitness Program” combines a comprehensive baseline “Brain Portfolio” assessment with 12 bi-weekly brain training sessions. This program targets lifestyle optimization and cognitive stimulation to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health. Dr. Fotuhi’s program has delivered measurable success for patients dealing with memory loss due to aging, concussions, and ADHD, as documented in several peer-reviewed journals. He is also the author of three books, including the highly acclaimed Boost Your Brain: The New Art and Science Behind Enhanced Brain Performance. https://drfotuhi.com/ https://drfotuhi.com/pre-order/ Get The Invincible Brain here

Hello my team! I can't wait for you to hear from Debbie Reber! She lives and breathes strategies for parenting neurodivergent kids, based on her life and her experience supporting families for decades. She is brave, smart, and hopeful, sharing her stories and hard-won perspectives. I loved hearing her talk about the milestones we fret about, giving us permission to honor all of the paces of development. Let me know what you think! All my love,Sarah Connect with Debbie: Tilt Parenting: https://tiltparenting.comDifferently Wired Club: https://tiltparenting.com/clubFacebook: https://facebook.com/tiltparentingInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/tiltparentingYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fulltiltparenting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahreber/Author website: https://www.debbiereber.comMore about Debbie: Debbie Reber, MA, is a parenting activist, author of Differently Wired, and founder of Tilt Parenting, a top resource for families raising neurodivergent kids. Through her Full-Tilt Parenting podcast (9M+ downloads), bestselling books, and speaking, Debbie champions a strengths-based, inclusive approach to parenting. A three-time TEDx speaker and certified Positive Discipline trainer, her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on NewsNation. Debbie lives in the Netherlands with her husband and two cats, while her neurodivergent young adult attends university in Scotland.PS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠ or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #adhd, #neurodivergent, #neurodivergence, #tdah, #parenting, #add, #autism, #autismo, #2e, #gifted, #parent, #TiltParenting, #ExecutiveFunction

Hello, Team!If you'd only known then what you know now, right? Dave Delaney, creator of the Wise Squirrels Podcast, knows the sentiment well. When he was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, he realized how much his patterns of strengths and struggles made sense. And, he realized, becoming aware of his brain also meant matching up strategies to help him thrive. On the show, he shares about his journey to discover the executive function strategies that work for him, as well as some encouragement for when you have challenging moments. You'll love Dave's positive spirit and insights!All my love to you, listeners,Sarah Connect with Dave: Wise SquirrelsDave's WebsiteThe Wise Squirrels Nest Dave's Substack PS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #adhd, #ExecutiveFunction, #adultADHD, #tdah, #LateDiagnosis, #add

Hey, Team!Hope. It's a delicate friend. During our darkest times, it can feel so tiny and fragile. And when you're working on building executive function, hope is what carries you through testing out and adjusting strategies until you find the right fit. Dr Julia Garcia joins us this week to teach us the Five Habits of Hope. My favorite hope-building strategy is to add "maybe" to my thoughts. "Maybe" this is getting better..."maybe" my strategy will work out. It doesn't feel too "toxic positivity" to me. Let us know what resonates with you! All my love,SarahPS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. About Dr Julia:Dr. Julia Garcia is a psychologist, author, and renowned speaker dedicated to empowering people through the science of mental health. For nearly two decades, she has worked with educators, students, business leaders, and individuals facing life’s toughest moments—helping them break through fear, doubt, and hopelessness to build lasting habits of healing and hope.Dr. Garcia weaves her real, lived experiences with behavioral science to create practical, transformative strategies for lasting change. Whether through her TEDx presentations, her interactive workshops, or her book The 5 Habits of Hope, Dr. Garcia’s mission remains the same: to prove that hope isn’t just something you feel—it’s something you practice, one habit at a time.She additionally hosts a live-audience talk-show style podcast, The Journey with Dr. J, which blends conversation and poetry.Website:https://www.drjuliagarcia.com/Social Media Links:https://www.instagram.com/drjuliagarcia/https://www.youtube.com/@DrJuliaGarciahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliagarcia/

Hey, Team!Most of the time, we tend to avoid what we fear, and this works okay...until it doesn't. Kris Jennings, author and change leader, teaches us how to both manage and grow from fear. Having struggles with executive function can mean feeling stressed by and possibly fearful of heavy cognitive tasks or life transitions. On the flipside, when fear takes over our brains, it can be hard to use our executive function! Fear is an important consideration when we're growing executive function.Living with PTSD, Kris knows fear well and has developed tools and perspectives to use her fear as fuel for growth and living a meaningful life. On the show, Kris shares practical ways to befriend your fear as well as her executive function hacks for writing. I think you'll love our conversation! Let me know what you think. All my love,SarahFind Kris:WebsiteBuy "Inspired By Fear" About Kris:I help change agents and leaders learn how to make organizational change faster and easier by growing their influence.I pursue my passions for health and creativity by exploring new places several times a year. My recent trips include swimming the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia with my oldest son, making encaustic art in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, yoga in the jungle of Costa Rica, and beautiful southern France with my husband. Wherever we go, we eat well! (Food is art + love.) Writing will always be a core part of how I share my expertise. Read about making change easier in my book, subscribe to receive articles, or connect on social media.Join me in making change in our world more positive for humans. 🧡Mentioned in the show: Box breath videoCalm Strips Connect with Sarah!My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #executiveFunction, #change, #fear, #leader, #adhd, #neurodivergent, #inspiration, #neurodiversity

Team,Autism is on the news, tv, and social media a lot, and much of the conversation is aimed at helping people understand autism. Sol Smith helps fill in a missing piece: helping autistic people understand themselves. We talk on the show all the time about how executive dysfunction and being neurodivergent are not a character flaws, but people often feel as if they are. Sol's conversation on the show and his book, The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery, help untangle and identify the self-perceptions that are untrue and unhelpful, replacing them with self-acceptance and tools that actually work. There are some funny moments that you might find very relatable, too!All my love, Sarah PS My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training organizations and educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! Improved student behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school, organization, or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. Connect with Sol: TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@bettersol  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprofessorsol Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solsmith  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@professor_sol  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364  Sol Smith is the author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery and of the manager of the Neurospicy Community, which is the largest support network for autistics and ADHDers in the world.  A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and living with ADHD. He spent more than two decades as a college professor before shifting his professional focus to coaching other autistic and ADHD people to gain autonomy in their lives. Sol’s speaking skills have earned him a following of hundreds of thousands on TikTok and led to educational seminars about neurodiversity with corporations around the world. He lives in Southern California with his wife and four children and you can find him online at http://www.ProfessorSol.com.Here’s a link to his book on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/dO0dUh6 #autism, #ExecutiveFunction, #AdultAutism, #AuDHD, #college, #NeuroSpicy, #Neurodiversity

Hey Team! Dr. Ari Tuckman is a real-life hero to me. His latest book, The ADHD Productivity Manual, is like a pep talk meets a strategy session. He gets ADHD, and he gets human brains. You'll love this episode, where we talk perspectives and tools to make life smoother. All my love to you,SarahAri Tuckman's ⁠website⁠ and to ⁠order his books⁠Learn about the CHADD/ International ADHD conference hereConnect with me!My book is out, in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. More about Ari: I love doing therapy, presenting, writing, and volunteering. And I’m really lucky to have such great people to do it with—my clients who do the hard work, the friends I present with, the podcast hosts who create fascinating conversations, and the fellow volunteers who help organize one of the biggest ADHD conferences of the year. It’s important work that’s easy to motivate for.I say that ADHD doesn’t create new problems; it just exacerbates the universal ones. We all sometimes get distracted, procrastinate, misplace our keys, feel misunderstood, and doubt ourselves. Targeted strategies can make all the difference, whether about managing your time or navigating a difficult negotiation with your partner. And also, none of us need to be perfect in order to live a meaningful life and feel good about ourselves, so we also work on being OK with the parts of ourself or our situation that won’t change.A brave life means being willing to take risks (but only wise ones) and also having the courage to accept the imperfections in ourselves and others. --Ari Tuckman#ADHD, #executivefunction, #autism, #productivity, #timemanagement, #therapy, #CHADD, #ADD

Hi team,You might call it an "ADHD" or "Executive Dysfunction tax." The very real experience of executive function challenges costing money is frustrating. Late fees, forgotten payments, impulse buys...these might even be topics you don't want to approach because they're overwhelming and possibly shameful. That's where   registered investment advisor, wealth manager, and thought leader Elizabeth Husserl comes in. We talk about the tough stuff, the money stuff, and give you new perspectives and tools. Her book, The Power of Enough: Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Money, is full of resources, stories, and gentle support, to help you heal your approach to money and celebrate the areas in life where you have SO much wealth. All my love to you, team,Sarah More about Elizabeth: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.husserl/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhusserl/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethhusserlVisit her online at http://www.elizabethhusserl.com.Get her book here or at your favorite book store.Connect with me!My book is out, in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. More about the amazing Elizabeth:Elizabeth Husserl is a registered investment advisor representative, financial advisor, and cofounder of Peak360 Wealth Management, a boutique wealth planning firm. She holds a BS in economics from Tulane University and an MA in East-West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she has also taught as an adjunct professor. Her experience spans nonprofit work throughout the Americas, and she is a highly sought-after speaker, having led workshops at major tech companies, including Airbnb, Unity, and Google. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.#executivefunction #wealth #financialadvising #autism #adhd #autismo #neurodivergent #parenting #wealth

Hi, Team!You know when you feel overwhelmed or lost and you have (or want) that one friend who can hear you and help you sort things out? That's Debra Levy. In our conversation, we explore self-advocacy, adult ADHD, and why our minds might be like messy closets. (Real talk: we definitely have some chaotic spaces in our household and sometimes in our brains around here, and I'm eager to test out new ideas!) Debra shares some of her favorite strategies and client wins. I left our conversation with new perspectives, analogies, and most importantly, hope! All my love,Sarah From the show: Debra's original episode with us was #49 on Spotify and AppleJAN Job Accommodation Network: askjan.org Find Debra at: www.alifethatfits.comdebralevy@alifethatfits.com732-688-3060https://twitter.com/alifethatfitshttps://www.instagram.com/alifethatfitscoaching/https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraslevy/https://www.facebook.com/alifethatfitscoaching/Connect with me! My book is out, in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at Solution Tree or on Amazon.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, reach out: Sarah at sarahkesty.com.

Hey Team! By now you've probably come to realize that being different isn't wrong, and that's certainly true for our students! Sometimes the traditional school model is out of synch with what our students need,--a challenge we meet with accommodations, learning plans, and sometimes changing schools. Today on the show, we'll hear from one model of schooling, Fusion Academy. Administrator Samantha Lettin explores her strengths and struggles as a leader and celebrates the different ways students can learn. Sending you all my love,Sarah Audience: everyone, particularly parents of neurodivergent kids

Team,Meet my new friend, Allison Robertson, who you may know her from The Accountant 2 . What you might not know is that Allison's journey is one to celebrate and learn from. Allison reminds us that what you see on the outside, in this moment--a successful actor, filmmaker, singer, and model-- may reflect years of messy growth and self-discovery. I know that her perspectives and strategies will help each of you! Allison's short film, Love Transparent, is linked below :) All my love to you, team,SarahThe film: https://youtu.be/YJUEDL4VZSAInterview with director: https://youtu.be/aw4OV7Ft1a4About Allison: IMBD Audience: all ages and brains :)

Team, When I met Steve at the TACA convention, I realized that Love on the Spectrum captured his awesomeness well--but not in its entirety. Steve is thoughtful, upbeat, and, well, full of Love! On our show, Steve and explore the experience of being different, how we can look to artists for examples of being true to their "weird" selves, and our shared distain for competition. (Yes, I lose the ball in pickleball because I'm watching other players' faces.) Get ready to fill your heart with Steve's message to all of us! All my love,SarahTACA: The Autism Community in Action. Learn more hereNetflix's Love on the Spectrum (Steve is featured in seasons one and two)

Team,Elaine Hall is a force of nature, whose story will inspire you! On the show, Elaine talks about her experiences with her son, Neil, and the creation of the Miracle Project, an inclusive theater program for autistic youth and young adults. You may know her from Love on the Spectrum, Autism the Musical, or through her books (did I mention how amazing she is?) She shares the executive function tricks that help her brain! And with so many wins and creative projects, clearly her strategies work!In the show, we talk about an upcoming event for The Mircale Project. Click here to get tickets to "Out of My Head" May 9 and 10, 2025. All my love (and see you at the show!)SarahMore about Elaine: Founder of The Miracle Project, an inclusive theater and film program; star of HBO’s Emmy Winning film Autism: The Musical, Elaine Hall is internationally recognized for using the arts to enhance quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, and is one of Hollywood’s first Access Coordinators.  Elaine has co- written and produced over 30 original musicals featuring neurodivergent, disabled and non-disabledactors; Her methods documented in her text book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism, are now evidence-based and the book has been used as a text book at Brown University, USC, UCLA among others. Featured in The New York Times, WSJ, Boston Globe, on CNN, CBS, OWN, NPR among others, Elaine has worked as advisor, script consultant, content developer, on-set coach, and/or casting consultant for Netflix, Shondaland, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Sony Pictures including appearing in the Netflix hit, Love on the Spectrum and Jason Katim’s As We See It.  Elaine consulted on the film EZRA, starring a twelve-year-old autistic boy along with Robert De Nero and on . She has spoken at the United Nations several times and is a keynote speaker across the globe. Elaine has received numerous awards most recently being inducted into the inaugural Kindness Hall of Fame.Co-founder of the Hollywood advocacy group, 1IN4, she was the Access Coordinator at the BARBIE Premiere.   Elaine identifies as neurodivergent herself, and has an adult autistic son who communicates with AAC. Together they are committed to changing the media’s representation of disability - moving from ‘inclusion’ to ‘belonging.’  They are both featured in Scott Steindorff’s new film, Understanding Autism. Elaine recently worked with Yorgos Lanthimus on his new film Bugonia.Elaine’s memoir, Now I See the Moon, an official selection by the United Nations, is in development for a limited TV series.   Elaine offers consultation, keynote speaking, and coaching for individuals; workshops, and seminars. www.Elaine-hall.com#ElaineHall, #autism, #neurodivergent, #adhd, #executivefunction, #LoveontheSpectrum, #AsWeSeeIt

Team,My new friend Jami Shapiro had me at the title of her podcast, "Grandma Has ADHD." And, while it's funny and memorable, it's also an important perspective to consider: how do we address executive function needs, as seniors or those who love and support them? How do we ensure seniors are included in the neurodiversity conversations? Jami shares her story and some great strategies that help all of us. All my love to you!SarahJami's podcast: /https://grandmahasadhd.com/About Jami: Jami Shapiro, the Founder of Silver Linings Transitions, was inspired to build the company after facing a cancer diagnosis in her early 30s. After starting Silver Linings Transitions, Jami’s fifteen-year marriage ended and she saw personally how difficult it is for women to re-enter the workforce (whether or not it’s a result of divorce after taking time off to raise children), especially in a meaningful way. Her company allows her to combine her passion for helping helping women balancing home and work, develop the skills and confidence necessary to compete in today’s job market while also helping clients who need extra nurturing and compassion during tough times.More ways to get support: ICD:Institute for Challenging DisorganizationNASSMM:National Association of Senior & Specialty Move ManagersNAPONational Association of Productivity and Organizing

Hey team! There are so many options for college, and many are designed to support bright students with executive dysfunction! Listen to my conversation with college consultant, Jordan Burstein, as we talk about his non-linear path to success! He takes what he's learned and helps others find their way! Even if you're not prepping for college for yourself or your teen, this episode is full of hope and a great model for what's possible when you keep seeking the right tools and spaces for your brain! All my love,Sarah #executive function, #ADHD, #neurodivergent, #collegeLearn more about Jordan: Jordan Burstein serves high school students with learning differences. His goal is to help students who may need intervention find success in the student’s current school or find a more appropriate fit for the struggling learner. Jordan has a BA in Psychology and has personal experience dealing with learning disabilities, ADHD and previously struggling in school. Jordan brings a vast understanding into a situation where students may feel alone and marginalized. Previous to joining the practice, Jordan worked as a Mental Health Specialist. He has also worked as an academic mentor for college students at risk. This includes students with learning differences, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. As a mentor, Jordan led students to become more organized in both academia and thrive in a social setting.Jordan resides in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and dog. He attended Deerfield High School, Landmark College and Roosevelt University. He is a member of CHADD and the Learning Disability Association of America. Jordan completed the Summer Institute for independent educational consultants through IECA, the only accrediting organization for independent consultants. He has, and continues to visit many colleges and post-secondary programs for students with learning differences, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. These visits provided Jordan an understanding of the programs and allows him to find the best fit for your student.

Team, This was a tough episode to title! Dr Aguirre and I talk about tricky things like self-hatred but also keep a bright light on hope. He shares many examples and analogies that will make you feel seen and heard, possibly taking away some of the internal friction you feel in facing the complexities of life. Dr. Aguirre's new book, " I Hate Myself: Overcome Self-Hatred and Realize Why You’re Wrong About You " is a game-changer, and I hope it offers you tools and perspectives to challenge your thinking and create new love for yourself!Our conversation explores why challenges with executive function can cause negative feeling about yourself and what to do with them. I think you'll love it! All my love,Sarah About Dr Aguirre: Blaise Aguirre, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is a trainer in, and specializes in, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as well as other treatments such as mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for borderline personality disorder and associated conditions. He is the founding medical director of 3East continuum of care, an array of programs for teens that uses DBT to target self-endangering behaviors as well as the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits.Dr. Aguirre has been a staff psychiatrist at McLean Hospital since 2000 and is nationally and internationally recognized for his extensive work in the treatment of mood and personality disorders in adolescents. He lectures regularly throughout the world. Dr. Aguirre is the author or co-author of many books, including Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents, Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder, Coping With BPD, and Fighting Back.

Hey, Team!Our guest, theater director Jocelyn Greene has good news for all of us: PLAY can develop executive function! Jocelyn has great strategies on how to make play part of your every day, encouraging flexible thinking, problem-solving, and promoting self-regulation. You will love these uplifting ideas! All my love,Sarah More about Jocelyn:Jocelyn Greene is the founder and executive director of Child’s Play NY, an award-winning theater education company based in New York. She partners with dozens of schools to connect social-emotional learning (SEL) with academics through residencies and professional development. Jocelyn founded Child’s Play NY in 2009, drawing from her work as a student (MFA, NYU graduate acting; BA, Wesleyan University), an actor (The Public Theater, LA Shakespeare Festival), and a teacher (Will Power to Youth, Oddfellows Playhouse, Epic Theater) to develop the rigorous curriculum and imagination-based games that ignite the program today.  She is a contributor with Mt. Sinai Parenting and writes about the intersection between theater and child development at Child's Play in Action. Jocelyn lives in Brooklyn, NY with her actor husband and naturalist kid!Connect with Jocelyn:Childsplayny.comchildsplayinaction.com@childsplaynewyork - IGJocelyn Greene on Linked In

Hey team, JD Barker is an incredibly talented and prolific author who has uncovered great strengths in his autism. We talk about self-perception, strategies for writing (and managing many projects at once), and the hope for ALL of us who struggle with executive function. You don't want to miss it!All my love,SarahMore about JD:J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international best selling American Author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. Connect with JD: InstagramFacebookTikTokWebsite

Hey Team! Join us to explore the experience of children (and adults) with ADHD, with author Fabian Grolimund. His book, Charlie Are You Daydreaming Again?, gently teaches children strategies for managing attention and shares the very relatable experiences of Charlotte, or Charlie. The warmth and hope of this episode will fill your bucket, I promise! All my love, Sarah To order Charlie Are You Daydreaming Again? About our guest: Fabian Grolimund is a Swiss psychologist, author, ADHD expert and, together with Stefanie Rietzler, heads the Academy for Learning Coaching in Zurich. His book “Charlie, are you deadreaming again?” uses the form of an exciting novel to teach children how to concentrate better and why daydreaming is also valuable.

Hey Team, Eating consistently and healthy-ish, cooking meals, remembering to bring lunch and snacks…it all takes executive function. Nearly every one of the amazing humans I work with struggles in some way with eating. My friend and Dietitian-Nutritionist Dana Monsees shares perspectives and strategies for making eating easier and more consistent. You’re not alone if feeding yourself is harder than you want it to be. Let’s team up and explore ideas! All my love,Sarah About Dana: Dana Monsees is a Dietitian-Nutritionist (MS, CNS, LDN) and Body Image Coach who specializes in helping women with gut issues and burnout from a HAES, non-diet approach. Her philosophy combines neutral nutrition, weight-inclusive care, and her training in integrative and functional nutrition to help women heal their relationship with food and their bodies as a root cause of chronic health conditions. Dana hosts the Whole-Hearted Eating podcast and has been running her recipe + nutrition blog, Real Food with Dana, since 2014.Connect with Dana:Instagram @danamonsees_cns Podcast: Whole-Hearted Eating Website: www.realfoodwithdana.com Work with Dana: https://www.realfoodwithdana.com/nutrition-counseling/ Book a Free Discovery Session: https://p.bttr.to/36VNOay

Hey Team, Whether you love or hate math, this episode with author and educator Ben Orlin is for you! We talk about problem solving, the purpose and process for getting stuck, and how to support yourself when faced with challenges. You will love Ben's humor and outlook! All my love to you, team,SarahGet Ben's Book Additional article links: What It Feels Like to Be Bad at Math, The Math Ceiling: Where’s Your Cognitive Breaking Point?, The State of Being StuckMore about our guest: Ben Orlin is a math teacher who can't draw. His books include Math with Bad Drawings (2018), Change is the Only Constant (2019), Math Games with Bad Drawings (2022), and most recently, Math for English Majors (Sept 2024). His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Popular Science, Slate, Vox, and The Los Angeles Times; he himself has appeared in the lines to ice cream stores everywhere. BBC star and leading mathematician Hannah Fry once described him as "terribly bad at drawing" before kindly adding “he’s also fantastically clever and charming.”Join us at Brain Tools School

Hey team! You know how sometimes it takes about 1000 steps before you actually start on the intended task? That's work to do work! On this week's show, learn how to recognize and reduce work to do work. It will be a game changer! Pep talk at 15:52 All my love, Sarah Read my Psychology Today articles! Join us in Brain Tools School

Team,You know that excited feeling you get when you get new tools or make a new plan that you hope will make things all easy? Yeah, I do, too. And then, sometimes that excitement goes away and we kind of lose steam for doing the plan? Join me today to learn how to plan for and overcome the challenges that stop us from using strategies. You're sure to find something that really helps! All my love,SarahHey Human Pep Talk at 14:06 <3Want to join Brain Tools School? We'd love to have you!

Team, 1 in 4 college students has a disability! This episode teachers you how to maximize success as a student with a physical or learning challenge. Guest Elizabeth C Hamblet has done the leg work and knows how to empower young adults to thrive on campus! All my love, Sarah Learn more about Elizabeth! Buy her book here. Use code RLEGEN20 for 20% off! Learn more about Brain Tools School's Life After High School coaching community!

Hi, Team! Join us to explore the process of planning and paying for college--there are some surprises and lots of hope in this episode! As with any process, getting ready to manage college tuition involves a lot of executive function, and my guest, college funding specialist Brad Baldridge and I share concrete ways to lower stress--and possibly even lower the cost! All my love, Sarah Join us at Brain Tools School! Visit Brad's website, Taming the High Cost of College, and find him on Facebook More about Brad: Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Specialist who has helped thousands of families plan and save for college with smart and proven strategies to save time, money and stress. As a financial expert, blogger and host of the Taming the High Cost of College podcast, Brad has been sharing his college planning insights with clients, subscribers and listeners for nearly 20 years. He teaches parents the best ways to save and pay for college, including how to find the right school, maximize financial aid and scholarships, avoid student loan debt, and make your children’s college dreams come true without wiping out your finances or retirement. Since 1998, Brad has become one of the nation’s leading college planning and college financial experts. He offers life-changing advice through his private practice, his online platforms, and at numerous workshops, seminars and events each year.

Hi team! Executive function is tricky enough, and some of us accidentally make it harder by doing (or not doing) things that challenge our brains in unnecessary ways. This week, let's uncover some easy wins so you're not accidentally making life more challenging! Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens summer 2024! Here's the link to secure your invitation! There are many things that make EF extra tricky. Things to consider this week: Hydration. One study showed that dehydrated participants made 12% more mistakes on a test of cognitive flexibility (which is an EF) and re-hydrating brought EF skills back to their baseline levels. Location. Try to find a match of energy levels, the right amount and type of noise, activity and visual stimuli, closeness or distance from others, and the specialness of a space.  Attend to your bodies: think about movement, fuel, breaks, comfort...and remember that sitting and staring is an indication that you're stuck. Social Conflict or needs: Emotional pain=physical pain as far as our brains are concerned. Make peace with the person OR about the conflict (write a letter, schedule time to think about it again, ask for help) Keeping distractions around: consider removing the things that steal your brain, when you really need to focus. Not asking for help: remember to know your personal signs of “stuck,” keep a list of where/who can help you, and plan for help for the harder things. You got this! Let me know how these help! All my love, Sarah  Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the ⁠link ⁠to secure your invitation!

Join my friends Kim and Amy, of Talk Yoga, in learning and laughing together. We'll explore how tools for self-regulation, play, and language can boost anyone's executive function and performance. For more on Talk Yoga: https://www.talkyogaslp.com/ And on Instagram Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the ⁠link ⁠to secure your invitation! To have Sarah train your school staff or workplace on all things executive function, reach out! Sarahkesty.com or [email protected]. Thanks!

Time management might be one of the most requested executive function areas I support, and yet it still is misunderstood! Join me today to hear strategies for adults and kids who are working on better using--and planning--their time. No 5 am club required! We're celebrating brain-friendly ways to feel more efficient with your efforts! New: Hey Human pep talk (for all ages) is at 16:30. Updates: I'm scheduling my school and workplace trainings for the year, and I would love to support you! Reach out to [email protected] or go to Sarahkesty.com to learn more! Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens summer 2024! Here's the ⁠link ⁠to secure your invitation!

How many of us have told ourselves (or heard from others), "You need to get organized?" Yet the HOW piece is still confusing! What "organized" means to different people varies widely, and there's the big challenge of maintaining any system you create! (Because, hello? It's FUN to get going with all of the new tools and gadgets, but continuing after the newness fades? Ehh...) Our guest, Debra Levy, offers easy and brain-friendly ways to get and stay organized, including how to think about managing time as part of your system. This episode is great for grownups and kids alike! The Rocks, Pebbles, Sand Video About Debra: Debra Levy, is a Certified Life, ADHD, and Productivity Coach, and is the owner of A Life That Fits, LLC. She is dedicated to helping her clients make time and space for what matters most in their lives. Debra begins by working with her clients to clarify what is important to them, what will make them feel happy and fulfilled, and determining what guidance and support is required to create the life they want. She focuses on areas that are a struggle for many of her clients (whether ADHD or neuro-typical) including time management, hyper- focusing, distractions, the setting of goals and priorities, and establishing healthy boundaries. Together, she and her clients work on gaining insight into what is holding them back. She helps them to become more aware of their own natural abilities, modalities, and tendencies, make room for their big-picture goals, and implement step-by-step solutions to help them get from where they are, to where they want to be. Debra is here to partner with her clients on a thought-provoking and productive journey to envision “A Life That Fits” their values and dreams and provide the motivation and accountability to maximize their potential. www.alifethatfits.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/debraslevy/  https://twitter.com/alifethatfits  https://www.instagram.com/alifethatfitscoaching/  https://www.facebook.com/alifethatfitscoaching/ Audience: all ages and contexts Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the ⁠link ⁠to secure your invitation!

Team, Our kids can seem glued to their phones and display what looks like physical pain when their technology is taken away. Are they addicted? Is it problematic use? This episode explores tech's hold on our brains, how to discuss it with your teens and tweens, and what we can all do to call upon technology companies to do better by our kids. Guest Gaia Bernstein will inspire and empower you! More about Gaia on her website Order Gaia's new book, Unwired Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens summer 2024! Here's the ⁠⁠link ⁠⁠to secure your invitation! All my love, Audience: all ages and contexts Sarah

Team, Today on the show we "go there," we talk about teen suicide with A Brighter Day Charity founder Elliot Kallen. We explore some of the signs and ways to approach suicide, with many tools for kids and parents. It's a tough and important conversation, and we invite you to join us! Find A Brighter Day online Teen survival guide Charity golf event 2023: All my love, Sarah Audience: all ages and contexts More links to this important work: https://abrighterday.info/https://www.facebook.com/uniteforabrighterday/https://www.instagram.com/abrighterdaycharity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotkallen/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCix1ywbqDiVW2VvKhMFMlw

Hey team!  Listen in to our webinar about building routines to make life easier! We will explore:  Student hack #1: teachers love routines Student hack #2: routines to save you time  Student hack #3: routines to save you brain space Workshop time: Plan some up level and very brain-friendly routines to get started right away! Join future webinars: sign up here Resources available here.  Audience: Students and parents, school context Brain Tools School opens summer 2024, with our Life After High School program. To get on the VIP list, click here.

Team, Listen in on a very geeky conversation with my colleague and friend, Brandon Tessers. Brandon's company, Effective Artistry, provides support to humans with unique brains and does so with a science-based, compassionate, and innovative approach! You can find Brandon here and on Instagram at @ef_artistry.   Audience: all ages and contexts Brain Tools School opens summer 2024, with our Life After High School program. To get on the VIP list, click ⁠here⁠.

Team! We've got an accommodations and assistive technology expert, Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell, who will share some super helpful insights for identifying and using accommodations for learning! Even if your child is not yet college-aged, you'll want to hear Crystal Rose's ideas and perspectives!  Mentioned in the show:  BeeLine Reader Voice Typing (Here's my how-to Doc) Natural Reader CaptiVoice All my love, Sarah Audience: all ages and contexts

Having a brain with executive function needs is tricky; it also connects us with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement. The perspective shifts associated with DEI-- inclusion and celebration of differences--benefit all of us.  Author and speaker Deanna Singh shares her actionable and positive strategies for talking with your kids and teens about DEI. She takes away the political and negative emotions to get down to the essence of why these conversations and strategies matter. For all of us with different brains, having a welcoming space in which we can shine (and use our strategies) is huge!  I know you'll love this uplifting and smart conversation!  All my love, Sarah About Deanna:    Deanna Singh is a business consultant, speaker, and podcaster who is internationally recognized for her work in leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Deanna helps her clients create more equitable and inclusive work environments and engage more authentically within their internal and external communities. A gifted communicator, she is a champion for marginalized communities through her work.  Her podcast, Uplifting Impact with a focus on looking at the intersection of Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, focuses on solutions and is directed at people who want to break the status quo.  Singh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University, a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. Actions Speak Louder book  Uplifting Impact Podcast I am a Girl of Color children's book  I am a Boy of Color children's book Selah's Bridge children's book   Audience: all ages and contexts

Sleep. It can feel so wonderful and at times, so unattainable, especially for our teens. Yet we intuitively know--and science proves--sleep matters immensely as a brain vitamin for growing and using executive function. So, how do we get our teens (and ourselves) more sleep? Experts and authors Julie Wright and Heather Turgeon share their best tips on today's show. You'll learn so many easy-to-implement strategies from their book, Generation Sleepless, including: what causes less sleep, how we can get our kids/teens on board, and how you can pass responsibility to your child.  Learn more about their work. Grab a copy of Generation Sleepless.  All my love,  Sarah Audience: all ages and contexts

Team, You listen to this podcast because your life is impacted by executive function needs. And, while many of our examples are for studenting, we also know that executive function needs show up...everywhere! Even on vacations!  On today's show, we talk with author and travel expert Dawn Barclay, whose book, Traveling Different, will empower you to travel stress-free this summer! Her hope is to "open up the world" for families, and the tips she shares here (and in her book) will do just that!  Preorder the book: http://www.travelingdifferent.com  About our guest: Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started as an agent with her parents’ firms, Barclay Travel Ltd and Barclay International Group Short-Term Apartment Rentals, and then branched out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. She is a mother of two and resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley. Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse Publication Date: August 15, 2022 • ISBN: 978-1-5381-6866-0 • $32.00, Hardback • 344 pages Audience: Students and parents, school context, college, high school

Sometimes the right help at the right time makes all the difference! On today's show, Mel, a parent to an amazing college student, shares her journey of understanding and supporting her son! Mel shares how a deeper understanding led to her giving her son encouragement and space to change. Her son went from some failing grades and frustrating moments (including driving and safety) to an empowered young man with straight As and a transfer acceptance to his dream college! Let her story inspire you to embrace what's possible! All my love, Sarah  Join our college prep group here Learn more Audience: Students and parents, school context, college, high school

Hi Team!   On today's show, you'll hear from a college student, Zach, who shares how small-but-powerful strategies and perspective changes made all the difference for his college experience! He dives into some important insights for anyone who's struggling in an area of life which they think "should" be easier and gets down to some great tips about how to make schedules work for you (whatever schedule format you choose to try!)  Zach's progress and ever-growing toolbox of strategies are kudos to his dedication and hard work in coaching! And, it's possible for anyone with executive function struggles to grow in this way, too! If you or your child are struggling with "studenting," join our Launch to College Group! Our 8 weeks of live coaching and activities will have you ready to independently rock college, trade, or tech school--prepared with perspectives and tools to handle any life-ing that comes your way! Our group starts June 9th, 2022...so grab your spot and get ready for an action-packed brain adventure! (All ages of high school and up are welcome! The skills will help with independence, whether in college or not yet)  Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/  and join: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio All my love, Sarah Audience: Students and parents, school context, college, high school

Hi Team! If college, trade school, or tech school is around the corner for your teen, you're probably beginning to list the to-do's and what if's! I hear you there! Lots of the families I coach are peeking their heads out of the "just get to graduation" space, to take a look at the "get ready for college" section of the journey.  On today's show, you'll hear from the brilliant and uplifting, Alec, who recently graduated with a BA in psychology. His tips and perspectives can help you begin to shift your thinking about college- or independent living-prep for your teen or young adult. (And...if your child isn't yet graduating, you'll still want to tune in to hear some of Alec's thoughts on balance, emotional regulation, and ways families can communicate! He shares so many easy-to-use strategies!) And, if this kind of help is exactly what you're looking for right now, you've got to join our summer launch to college group. Imagine ending the summer feeling 100% confident in your teen's ability to handle independent life! That's what we're doing in our group! Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/ and sign up: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio All my love to you, Sarah Audience: Students and parents, school context, college, high school

Nearly 50% of college Freshman with ADHD (or other executive function challenges) fail at least one class, if not the whole semester. Only 40% go on to graduate. Preparing your high school junior or senior with college-ready strategies is the best way to beat the stats and empower future success! (Plus, save that tuition, too!) On today's quick show, you'll hear just some of the skills we're developing in our college prep summer group and why this is the best way to spend your summer! Now's your chance to do something fun and meaningful with your time together over the next few weeks! Join our Launch to College and Executive Function group for guided progress toward college readiness. You know, all those skills you said you'd deal with after graduation? Learning how to do laundry, manage money, keep a schedule, wake up on their own, eat healthfully...those skills? The time is NOW! Imagine your teen feeling 100% ready for college and adulting! That's what we're doing in our summer group! With proven strategies and neurodiverse-friendly brain hacks, your child will be empowered to handle all of the demands of college. Listen now and sign up here.  All my love and see you in the group,  Sarah Audience: Students and parents, school context, college, high school

Team,  Executive Function needs are invisible, and our kids are often able to cope well enough that schools don't see the true struggle. So, how do we, as parents and educators, advocate so that our kids are supported and understood?  My friend and fellow executive function expert, Seth Perler, and I are teaming up for a 3-part series on Advocacy! Listen to part 1 here, where we talk about the need for and possible impact of accommodations for executive function!  And, check out Seth's work on his website and The Executive Function Online Summit, which will happen in just a few months!  My Launch to College Group for high school and transfer students and families starts soon! Click here to sign up so your child is college-ready by the end of the summer (and you can rest assured the tuition is safely invested because your child has tools to avoid failing out!)  All our love, Sarah and Seth  Audience: all ages and contexts