The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show: Recent Episodes

Matthew Head

Exploring themes around dyslexia. Each episode takes a theme and looks into how being dyslexic assist or affects a person in that situation. From dyslexia correction programs to being a lawyer and dyslexic, here is the place to find out what its like. For hacks, tip and tricks for dyslexics by dyslexics head over to the Dyslexia Life Hacks website.

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Have you ever been on a ‘digital detox’? Do you think you could do it? Would you know what to do?

Well, in this episode of the podcast, Host Matthew Head is joined by Neil Jones, a coach from Lincoln, UK.

Neil has had a varied career over his life and has spent some of that living abroad in Switzerland.

Throughout Neil’s career, Neil has become specialised in Mental Health, and more so Mental Fitness, describing mental fitness as something you do with intention so that you don’t have to treat the symptoms of mental health by preventing them occurring in the first place.

More recently, Neil has started coaching people in Digital Detox helping people to break away from a dopamine fueled connection to our smart devices.

Neil tells us about the time he was diagnosed with dyslexia (though it wasn’t called that back then!) and at the time was told to keep it secret so as not to get bullied about it. Though that didn’t stop the bullying! To cope with the vigorous bullying, Neil found an outlet through Judo and learning about Japanese culture, which introduced him into the concept, and life long love, for meditation.

Neil is a Psychologist and a Chartered HR professional with extensive experience of industry and commerce. Currently assisting companies serious about Mental Health to make the right changes to improve the mental health of their staff as well as boost the bottom line.

If you want to know more Mental Health/Mental Fitness, or a Digital Detox, this is the episode for you!

Neil's - LinkedIn

Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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“I’ve been helped and supported so much through my life, I want to give and help as much as I can to give back.”

We’re going to share with you a story of a person who is so incredibly willing to want to help others with so much drive, enthusiasm, empathy and passion it is infectious.

This story is about Akua.

Akua is a Senior EUC Engineer at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and whilst she is a very accomplished Engineer, this is just one of the many things that Akua does and is involved in inside and outside of her professional work!

It was through researching methods of support for neurodiverse people in her organisation when she recognised some of the common dyslexia and ADHD traits in herself. The more she read about Dyslexia and ADHD, she decided to be tested to discover she does in fact have dyslexia and ADHD!

Now she shares her story with as many people as possible to help others find support for themselves.

Outside her primary role at LSEG, Akua is a keen Diversity & Inclusion advocate, LSEG WIN Network Head of External Partnerships, WIN Tech Network Community Lead, UK Accessibility Lead, Mental Health Champion and UK Coordinator for the outreach programmes/fundraising activities at LSEG. As a STEM ambassador, she is passionate about raising the profile of Women in STEM.

And if all that wasn't enough, Akua is also a Non-Executive Director, Neurodiversity advocate, Cajigo Technology Mentor, charity ambassador, fundraiser and a keen sports volunteer for Netball England and British Athletics.

This is an absolutely amazing story that you do not want to miss!

Key Topics:

  • STEM
  • Neurodiversity Advocate
  • Engineering and IT
  • Volunteering,
  • Neurodiverse friendly theatre.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Meet Roxanne Varzi, an Anthropologist, Artist, writer, Professor, filmmaker, playwright, and this episode's guest on the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show!

Roxanne's interest in anthropology started when she wanted to study something that would pay and still allow her to enjoy her passion for writing. What she found was that she had this huge passion for people and what made people tick.

Now a professor in Anthropology, Roxanne shares her passion with her students.

Alongside being a full time Anthropologist, Roxanne also writes and publishes books with her Armchair Anthropology series Whodunit books.

Discovering Roxanne has dyslexia after her son was diagnosed, Roxanne shares with us that her dyslexia strength is visual thinking. Roxanne says that the more she leans into her strength by using visuals to present her research, it means that she can thrive because of her dyslexia.

Roxanne is incredibly passionate about lots of different topics and she shares how her way of wanting to do things, like writing a book series or making films doesn't fit into ‘normal’ and so her mantra is ‘to do things in your own way’ a lessons we can all take away from this episode.

Key Topics:

  • Anthology
  • Doing things your own way
  • Dyslexia running families
  • Books and book writing

Roxanne's

  • Website
  • LinkedIn

Death in a Nutshell: An Anthropology Whodunnit: An Anthropology Whodunit: ONE (Armchair Anthropologist)

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of the podcast, we’re talking again about Assistive Technology, this time about mind mapping and how it can help people with dyslexia organise and make sense of all the ideas flowing through their heads.

People with dyslexia typically have lots of great ideas and can sometimes link seemingly unconnected topics or themes to one another. The challenge that we face is getting those ideas down in a coherent way which makes sense.

Mind mapping those ideas can help get those thoughts down on paper and visualise how they link up so that you can then organise them into written text or a presentation.

A couple decades ago, developments in assistive technology meant that mind mapping could be undertaken on a PC. In its infant stages of development, it was great to help get things down quickly electronically, but it didn’t go much further! Today, with the power of AI (Artificial technology) there are no limits to how mind mapping can help get those ideas from head to paper!

In this episode, our host Matthew Head is joined by Chris Collier, an Assistive Technology and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) Advisor and Director of Assistive Technology at OpenGenius

It wasn’t until Chris started his career as an English Secondary School Teacher in South Africa when he first started to learn about Dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions. Chris became familiar with DSA and assistive technology for his students. From here, Chris grew his expertise in DSA and assistive technology and became a freelance advisor.

Chris is now Director of Assistive Technology at OpenGenius, the world’s leading experts in the application of Mind Mapping via there product Ayoa in real-world situations, where he got up close and personal with the power of mind mapping technology and AI, and the many applications it has in school/education and in the workplace for everyone.

Key Topics:

  • What is Mind Mapping,
  • How Mind Mapping can help people with Dyslexia,
  • How to take mind maps to develop presentations, programmes, and even reports!

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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If you’re a person with dyslexia and had assistive technology you will have had at some point a scan pen. In this episode we meet the Founder and CEO of Scanning pens and Empowering Technology Group, Jack Churchill OBE.

Jack’s story is not unlike most people’s stories who have dyslexia. During the school years, Jack felt that dyslexia was holding him back from keeping up with his peers. It was a relief when, at 14 Years Old, Jack got assessed and diagnosed with Dyslexia so that he could access all the support to level the playing field so that he could start to flourish.

After losing his first job during the dot.com bubble burst in the late 1990’s, Jack and his university friend Toby started what became the Scanning Pen business.

After first discovering a basic version of a text to audio pen, Jack instantly saw the benefits of this technology for people with Dyslexia. Today, after a lot of hard work, the technology has developed and there are many varieties of Scanning Pens including pens which have been approved to be used in exams in the UK.

Scanning Pens is only a game changer for many people in the UK but it is exported across the world. In 2023, Jack and his business partner were presented with an OBE or ‘services to international trade, and to the dyslexia, and special educational needs and disabilities community’.

In this episode you get to hear how Scanning Pens started, how they’ve developed over the years, the variety of pens which are available, and what the future looks like for Assistive Tech.
Key Topics:

  • Struggling with dyslexia at school
  • Finding support when diagnosed
  • The beginnings of the Scanning Pen
  • The Development of Scanning Pens and
  • The future for Scanning Pens

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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There’s no Money in the NHS for Adult ADHD!

These are the words which our guest, Sarah Templeton, heard for NHS GPs time and time again before having to go private to prove that she did in fact have ADHD!

That diagnosis of ADHD then kicked off the diagnosis of other conditions for Sarah, such as Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Central Processing Disorder! And all this in her 50’s!

Looking back, Sarah shares with us that the turning point in her life was when the un-diagnosed ADHD and Dyscalculia changed the course of her education throughout her teenage years. Not having had accommodations for ADHD and Dyscalculia she failed her 12+ exam and missed the opportunity to go to Grammar School and spent her teenage years in a Secondary State School which could not support her gifts.

Decades later, Sarah was shocked to find that the school system has not improved in screening children for these conditions which otherwise could change the course of their lives.

Diven to make sure that others do not have to go through her experience, Sarah is a recognised specialist in neurodiversity awareness and a passionate advocate for screening for ADHD in the criminal justice system.

Today, Sarah has over 9 years of experience in counselling, education, and community support. Sarah is the founder of ADHD LIBERTY - Charity, a non-profit organisation that provides free and confidential screening for ADHD and related conditions to adolescents and adults involved in the justice system.

To add to all her amazing work in this field, Sarah has authored three best-selling books on parenting and teaching ADHD kids, and a frequent keynote speaker, court and media expert, and campaigner on neurodiversity issues.

Working closely with the police, prisons, probation, youth offending services, and other agencies, Sarah ensures that each offender has their conditions identified and the correct support put in place to enable them to engage fully in education and employment. I believe that screening for ADHD can reduce reoffending, improve mental health, and unlock the potential of neurodiverse individuals.

ADHD LIBERTY
Key Topics:

  • Finding out Sarah has ADHD and other neurodiversity in her 50’s
  • Impact on non-diagnosis in her childhood,
  • Screening for ADHD and other neurodiversities in the CJS.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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This story starts when I turned 18 years old, it was 2002, I was riding a Honda - CB400 Super 4, mid-length hair, at College doing Automotive Engineering, and Dyslexia was not something I talked about.

At this point in my life career advisors would push university on you. But I WAS DONE! I poured everything I had into my College course.

And this is where I took my life in a Direction I didn't think I would (or could).

I started working as a mechanic servicing Trucks for Volo and as time ticked by I lost interest and I wanted more for myself.

I saw an amazing job opportunity to test engines to destruction, essentially BLOWING engines up! But the employer wanted an Engineering Degree. So that's what I did, but not before Imposter Syndrome hit. Feeling not capable and not in the right place.

But I managed to complete the degree as a mature student and pursue my dream career, starting on a graduate scheme at age 30.

But one thing that has stuck around since that start of this story is Dyslexia. It's not something I had talked about until I was well in to my 30's but I had never let it hold me back. I gave it all I had with all the grit and determination I could muster.

In this episode, I share my story of my life with Dyslexia, going to college and university, and pursuing my dream career.

Key Topics:

  • Motorbikes,
  • Going to college,
  • Going to University as a mature Student
  • Discovering my dream career

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What's the BIGGEST misconception about Dyslexia?

People with Dyslexia can’t learn to read or write.

Well in this episode of the Podcast, we hear from Kait Feriante from Chicago to share with us why she is on a mission to help everyone struggling with literacy realise their potential and grow confidence to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Growing up in Albania and travelling the world with her parents, Kait was exposed to a wide variety of different educational models from country to country. From this experience, she found that there are many routes to learning.

Kait shares that she believes everyone thinks differently therefore everyone’s education, especially those who are neurodiverse, should have a tailored education to meet their way of learning.

Kait shares that each teacher needs a big educational tool box to enable them to select the right tools to fit the situation of the student. Even in Dyslexia, there is no ‘one- size fits all’!

Through her experience as a teacher and tutor, she witnessed firsthand the discrepancy between different socio-economic backgrounds. She saw that the better access you have to resources, the more support you will have and the more likely the student is to succeed.

Not content with the inequality, Kait founded Redwood Literacy, with her partner, to see the evidence-based reading intervention they had seen change the course of many of their student’s lives become more widely available to any student who needed it, regardless of age, geographical location, or socio-economic background.

At Redwood, they do this by using a 50/50 model, whereby 50% of their services fund the opportunity for 50% of Redwood’s students to receive services for free.

As of January 2021, Redwood is serving 290 students, with 160 of them having access to our services for free.

Key Topics:

  • Learning to read and write with dyslexia.
  • Tailoring education to each person's individual needs,
  • Routes to Learning,
  • Challenges with access to quality support dependant on socio-economic background.

Find Kait at.

  • Redwood Literacy
  • Kait's LinkedIn

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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When Emily Gee became that student at school who was left behind and forgotten, it was hard to see where she fitted into the world. Always having that sense at school that something wasn’t quite right when struggling with common challenges of dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. Emily always found comfort and confidence in the performing arts.

Being a talented performer, Emliy found her place in the world, and whilst she would always struggle with the challenges which come from dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia, performing not only brings her joy, but is also the area where she excels the most in.

Surrounded by the right support and encouragement from some great teachers and her parents, Emily learnt to lean into her strengths in performing arts, share her talent with everyone, and not to overthink and dwell on what she found a challenge.

The traditional school system would commonly ask students to stand up and read chapters of books and write on the blackboard (old school interactive white boards for those who didn’t go to school in the 1980s). But never do teachers ask students to stand up in front of the class and sing. In Emily’s experience, she had teachers which would celebrate her talents by welcoming her to sing at the front of class as opposed to reading.

These early days of building confidence in your strengths as opposed to focusing on weaknesses are incredibly formative for most people with dyslexia. For Emily, with the support and encouragement she received, she studied performing arts at university and is now pursuing a career in that field.

From Emily’s experience, support for dyslexia was plentiful. Most teachers are fully aware of the challenges people with dyslexia face, and how to support them. However, this was not (and still is not) the case for dyscalculia.

Very little is known about dyscalculia, how to identify it at school, and to support people with dyscalculia. It is the reason and through Emily’s experience that she is an ambassador for the Dyscalculia Network.

Emily is now on a mission to share her experience and help others get the support for dyscalculia that they need as early as possible.

If you are a parent with a child who has early signs of either dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia, this episode is for you.

  • https://dyscalculianetwork.com/dyscalculia-ambassador-emily-gee/
  • https://dyscalculianetwork.com/

Key Topics:

  • Surviving school with Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia.
  • Leaning into her strengths through encouragement.
  • Sharing experience to spread awareness.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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When a life changing moment spawned a desire to understand herself more and figure out why she struggled with spelling and reading, our guest in this episode, Usha Patel, put aside all her years of training and experience as an Architect, and retrained as a Neurocognitive Therapist.

After setting up her own therapy practice in London in 2008, Usha has helped countless children and parents with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD. Because everyone is different and each brain works differently, Usha introduces unique and bespoke solutions for each child.

In Usha’s therapy sessions, she discovers how each child learns through the process of play. Using play as an ice breaker and a way to connect with children on their level, Usha gains their trust and finds a much deeper understanding of how their brain works.

One method which is not widely used in the UK but has found much success with Usha is the Infinity walk Method. Developed in the 1980s by clinical psychologist Deborah Sunbeck. Infinity Walk is a therapeutic method for progressively developing coordination. It strives to improve the sensorimotor functioning of those who practise it.

If you are a parent of a child with Dyslexia or ADHD, this episode is for you!

Find Usha At:

  • Website
  • Case Studies

Key Topics:

  • What is Neurocognitive Therapy,
  • How Neurocognitive Therapy could help you or your child,
  • The Infinity Walk method,
  • Reading techniques, and
  • Dyslexic challenges in the workplace.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What is it like working in the government? What is it like working in the front bench of the government? What is it like leading a major government department through a deadly pandemic? What is it like doing all that, with Dyslexia?

Well, that was the job of the well known and proud dyslexic, Matt Hancock.

Most people in the UK will know Matt Hancock as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and he became a very familiar face during the COVID -19 pandemic.

What most people may not know is that Matt Hancock is a very proud dyslexic person.

In this episode of the podcast, Matt tells us about how his dyslexic strengths helped him to reach a senior level in government, in particular, Big Picture thinking, and Communication.

Now as a backbencher in government, Matt remains a big advocate for the dyslexic community and ensures that their needs are being heard by the very top, through the introduction of the “Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill” to parliament.

In this episode you will hear what led to Matt receiving a late diagnosis of dyslexia at the age of 18, while studying at Oxford University and the help that he then experienced which in turn, has supported him throughout his life.

Recorded in person at The Dyslexia Show 2024 on 15th March 2024.

Find Matt at:

  • Website
  • Accessible Learning Foundation

Key Topics:

  • What is it like working in UK Politics as someone with dyslexia?
  • UK Government
  • COVID -19
  • The Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill
  • The formation of the Accessible Learning Foundation

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Do you find that, because of your dyslexia, you are interested in loads of different things which seemingly don't go together!? Our host is an Automotive Engineer turned Dyslexic Podcaster, not an obvious link.

Well, this is the theme of this podcast.

This is a truly amazing life story of navigating dyslexia, travelling around Europe, writing, teaching and Eating Psychology Coaching!

In this episode we meet an amazing person, Kathy Elkind! Kathy has lived a full and exciting life all while navigating the challenges of dyslexia.

I think you can agree that, on the face of it, writing a book, planning for a 3 month expedition around Europe, training to be a coach and coaching people in Eating Psychology, and teaching don’t all naturally link together. But when you throw a Dyslexic mind into that mix. Suddenly it starts to make sense.

Kathy's story demonstrates how many dyslexic people are multi-interests people. Not only that, when we find something we’re passionate about we go ALL IN!

However, people with dyslexia can often feel guilty for having multiple interests which don't seem to marry together. When you listen to this episode you will feel inspired and empowered to keep up with all of your interests.

Kathy’s Book “To Walk it is to See it”

Key Topics:

  • What is an Eating Psychology Coach?
  • Teacher’s approach to Dyslexia through the decades,
  • Taking an Adult Gap Year to go Travelling,
  • How to support children with dyslexia or suspected dyslexia,
  • Writing a book,
  • Discovering ways to feel positive about your dyslexia!

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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When Nathan was diagnosed with dyslexia at 35, he couldn’t believe that this is what he had battelling with all through school and university and then in the workplace. And then finally with the diagnosis of dyslexia was able to access the support needed to thrive in work.

Later, Nathan set-up as a coach to help others with neurodiveristies like dyslexia and ADHD so that they too can thrive in the workplace.

In this episode of the podcast, Nathan shares with Matthew Head his journey with Dyslexia and gives insights of techniques he uses with his coaching clients to help them find solutions on their own.

Nathan is a coach, trainer and facilitator who has been focusing on 'neurodiversity in the workplace' since 2015. Nathan supports teams and individuals to help them amplify their strengths and manage the things they find difficult.

Nathan has worked across the technology, engineering, commercial and non-profit sectors in leadership roles.

In addition to Nathan's experience in the workplace, he also has personal experience within the family of neurodiversity, shaping his innovative approach to supporting individuals and teams to be their most effective.

Nathan is accredited with the British Dyslexia Association as a workplace needs assessor, in addition to holding qualifications in coaching from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the international coaching federation (ICF).

Key Topics:

  • Coaching,
  • Finding you have Dyslexia later in life,
  • Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism.

Find Nathan at:

  • LinkedIn
  • Website

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.

(BDA Guidance on Dyscalculia)

In this episode of the podcast, Matt Head speaks with the founder of the Dyslexia Show, Arran Smith ahead of the 2024 event which brings Dyscalculia into the show to help raise awareness and help people find the support they need in this area of neurodiversity not often discussed. March 3rd 2024 is Dyscalculia Awareness Day so it makes sense to raise awareness about it on this podcast this week.

The Dyslexia Show, the foremost exhibition in the UK devoted to dyslexia and neurodiversity, aims primarily to empower and provide understanding to those affected by dyslexia and neurodiversity. It endeavours to cultivate a more profound insight into the diverse ways in which education, parents, the workplace, and individuals themselves can extend support and awareness.

Arran shared with us how the Dyslexia Show Started and how it’s growing and the aspirations of the Dyslexia Show in years to come.

This is Arran’s third appearance on the podcast. If you want to listen to more from Arran then you can listen to Episode 17 and 45!

Key Topics:

  • Dyslexia Show
  • Dyscalculia Show

Find Arran, Dyslexia Show and Dyscalculia Show at

  • Arran's LinkedIn
  • Dyslexia Show
  • Dyscalculia Show

Keywords:

  • Dyslexia, Dyslexic, Dyslexia Show, Dyscalculia

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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It's a topic not often talked about, the pressure fathers feel to be both successful at work or as an entrepreneur AND be a great dad.

For fathers, it can often feel like you get pulled in opposite directions by others but also by themselves to want to be a great dad and a successful career.

Historically, fathers have been the bread winners whose role it is to financially support their family by bringing in a secure income to protect the family. Today it is also common that fathers should (and want to) be more involved at home with the children.

This can often be a conflict between the two and often feel like as you succeed in one area you start to fail in the other.

In this week's episode, our host, Matthew Head is joined by entrepreneur and coach Lee Eldridge who specialises in coach Dads who wants to balance work and being a Dad better.

Lee discovered he was Dyslexic at University in his 20’s and today he believes that his unique dyslexic strengths makes him the effective coach he is today.

Lee wants to help dads that struggle to focus and have a lack of energy to be able to engage with their children and become better leaders!

Key Topics:

  • Discovering have dyslexia in your 20’s,
  • Being a natural coach because of dyslexic strengths,
  • Sports coaching,
  • Being a dad whilst juggling having a successful career.

Find Lee at:

  • Thriving Business Dad
  • YouTube Channel
  • LinkedIn

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Back in the 1990’s dyslexia was not seen in the same way it is today!

A lot has changed in the past 30 years (outside dial up internet, mobile phones, wide screen TVs, DVD’s, and interesting haircuts) the way dyslexia is seen in schools and workplace has changed significantly.

But there is still more to do!

This episode’s guest Donna Stevenson tells us how, today companies want to learn more about dyslexia and other neurodiversities and even appoint more into roles within their organisation. Donna tells us that this wasn’t quite the case in the 90’s when she started working with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) after a short career break from teaching.

Donna Stevenson started her career as a Nursery Nurse and a Primary School teacher, where she developed a passion for supporting those learners with dyslexia. At this time, the training for teachers to all children with ‘specific learning difficulties’, which included dyslexia, was crammed into an afternoon. Feeling like it wasn’t enough and wanting to do more, Donna decided to pursue her passion to help people with dyslexia.

Over the years at the BDA she worked with children and adults with dyslexia; working within education and workplaces to raise awareness and champion the Dyslexia Friendly approach.

Her passion in the latter part of her career is now supporting adults in the workplace through delivering training and as a Workplace Needs Assessor. She has recently joined the Success With Dyslexia (SWD) team as Head of Training and Assessment, utilising her years of experience to create a global service.

In this episode Donna tells us how sharing lived experience is invaluable to better understanding dyslexia and educating people on how to succeed with dyslexia. Donna pulls for my own lived experience with her father having had dyslexia.

Key Topics:

  • Seeing children with dyslexia as a ‘write off’ and wanting to do more to help people with dyslexia learn.
  • Pursuing a passion to help dyslexic people at school and in the workplace.
  • How dyslexia was seen in the 90s, but there is still more to do!

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode, we step beyond dyslexia and dive into the psychology of humans and how we’re born with characteristics and how experiences shape how we approach life.

You will remember that we spoke with Lee Povey in episode 58 as Lee discussed with host Matthew Head; Men's Mental Health, Dyslexia, Athletics, and the Journey to Self-Acceptance. In this episode, we discuss coaching and human psychology and how that shapes who we are and how we respond to situations.

When you layer dyslexia over human psychology, it is easy to see how experiences in younger life affects how adults with dyslexia perform in the workplace.

Lee’s background is in Sports and specifically cycling, but his life experiences and battle with his own mental health has grown Lee to a phenomenal coach for athletes and business leaders.

In this episode Lee explains how these past experiences and our learnt responses to them, is what is affecting our ability to success and often what Lee does with his clients is identify what is holding them back and show them how to take notice of the emotions, take a step back to evaluate the situation, and grow from a renewed perspective.

Lee tells us that, before you can help others you need to help yourself and understand yourself. For people with dyslexia, this is particularly important, as dyslexia is so unique and different for everyone from distinct challenges, to amazing strengths. And understanding our own dyslexia strengths and challenges is the first step to succeeding with and because of dyslexia!

If you want to understand yourself better and what you can do to be successful by changing your mindset, this is the episode you need to hear!

Key Topics:

  • Coaching
  • Human Psychology
  • Understanding yourself more
  • How to peel back the layers of past experience to understand your response to situations,
  • How to notice your emotions, and adjust your response to deal with the context of the situation and not just the content.

Find Lee at:

  • Lee's pervious episode
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Technology which helps many dyslexic people throughout the world started life in a place you might not expect!

In this episode we meet the CEO and founder of texthelp whose aim is to help everyone to understand and be understood!

texthelp creates assistive technologies software to help people with dyslexia in many computer applications.

A life of assistive technology started out with Martin writing code to help his father communicate after suffering a stroke leaving him unable to talk.

Today Martin, winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 award, is committed to helping dyslexic people in their workplace and helping employers support their dyslexic colleagues. What has happened is that this assistive technology is not just helpful for dyslexic people to level the playing field, but also helps other, more neurotypical, colleagues become more productive.

With the advancements of assistive technology, the typical dyslexic challenges will not hold back dyslexic people in using their dyslexic strengths!

Key Topics:

  • Strokes.
  • Computer software.
  • Assistive Technology.
  • Supporting dyslexic people in the workplace.

Find Martin at:

  • texthelp website
  • texthelp LinkedIn

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Last Episode of 2023!

To finish off this incredible year full of amazing insights from equally amazing guests, we’re changing from our usual format for a one-off episode with our host Matthew Head answering some of your burning questions!

Join Matthew for a coffee (tea or other hot beverages also allowed) to discuss Matthew’s thoughts in an unscripted Q&A session!

Hear Matthew’s thoughts on hiring and retaining dyslexic people in the workplace, what dyslexic strengths Matthew has and uses in his work as a Engineer, what are employer’s most undervalued dyslexic strengths, and many more!

If you have enjoyed listening to Dyslexia Life Hacks throughout 2023, why not drop us a message on social media or our website and tells what episode you enjoyed most!

We hope you have enjoyed another year of dyslexia life hacks and we hope you have a great break over Christmas and New Year. We look forward to bringing you even more insights, perspectives, and dyslexia hacks in 2024!

Key Topics:

  • Hiring and retaining dyslexic people in the workplace
  • Common Dyslexia strengths,
  • Hacks for improving your efficiency on work,
  • Common undervalued dyslexic strengths

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Have you ever found yourself masking your dyslexia so much that you stop being You!?

In this episode we catch up with past guest on the show, Kirsty Heap, as we find out how Kirsty has got on leaving her corporate job and going full time self-employed, and what's that like for someone who is Dyslexic!

Kirsty shares that, in her corporate job which she worked in for years and reached a very senior level, she never felt like she was able to be herself and found that the constant masking and hiding the real Kirsty was exhausting!

Kirsty‘s move to self-employment made sense where she could be her real self and be happier at work than ever before!

In this episode you can discover helpful hacks if going it on your own is something you want to do but are worried your dyslexia will hold you back.

Key Topics:

  • Masking who you really are to fit in,
  • Finding yourself, and happiness in being yourself, and
  • Making the jump into self-employment!

Find Kirsty at

  • LinkedIn
  • Website

Kirsty's was first on the show in episode 27.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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1,500!

That’s the number of micro-traumas neurodivergent people experience just at primary school age (5yrs - 12yrs). This includes things like saying; “you’re not trying”, “you’re lazy”, “you don’t work hard. You need to work harder!”. When we hear words like this what is actually being heard is “you’re not good enough” “you’re not worthy”, “you’re not enough”. It’s an attack on your personhood.

In this episode, our host Matt Head is joined by Devon Lowndes, Co-founder and Director of ‘Self Agency’ as they discuss the importance of finding belongingness and the impact of micro-traumas and how to navigate these challenges.

Devon has Dyslexia and ADHD and therefore has first hand experience of these micro-traumas that many neurodivergent people experience in a life-time. Devon tells us that these micro-traumas don’t leave physical scars, but we do hold them within our bodies which has a far reaching impact in all areas of our lives, be it at home, at work, or in education!

In this episode, Devon tells us how she found belongingness and how important this is to thrive with dyslexia. Because, when you’re expelling energy to masking, assimilating or pretending, you can focus that energy for your own success! Devon, like many other neurodivergent people, know what it’s like not to feel like you fit in anywhere and how much you crave feeling like you belong.

Self Agency was set-up to shine a light on neurodiversity and give everyone the tools to understand the challenges and enable organisations to evolve their cultures. Devon believes that, people with dyslexia, dyscalculic, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, OCD, Tourette syndrome, mental health illnesses and acquired neurodiversity (such as trauma) have a wealth of strengths to bring to our society, and it’s time that they were recognised and valued.

Key Topics:

  • Not feeling like you fit in,
  • Finally finding belongingness,
  • feeling like you can be 100% yourself,
  • what are micro-traumas, and
  • how to navigate these challenges

Find Devon at-

  • LinkedIn
  • Self Agency

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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At school, Matt Bird was placed in remedial English classes and left school education believing he was stupid. It wasn't until he was in his 20's when his mum suggested he may be dyslexic and should get tested. This was the first time Matt had even heard of the word 'Dyslexia' but the description started to make sense of the challenges he had faced when he was at school.

Since leaving school, with a little nudge from his friends, he started his book writing career and he has now authored 20 books, has won a book of the year prize and writes for publications such as The Times newspaper.

Wanting to share with people how he writes books and help them to achieve others' dream of writing a book, Matt now coaches 100+ people a year to become authors and publishes 50+ books a year. Matt believes that if he can write a book, then so can everyone!

Matt Bird is Founder CEO of 'PublishU' enabling over 100 people a year to write, publish and launch their books to a global audience.

As part of his giving back he is Founder of the global foundation NAYBA helping thousands of churches worldwide to better love their neighbours.

In this episode, Matt Bird discusses with our Host Matthew Head about what growing up was like, and how it all changed when he found he had dyslexia.

In this episode Matt will share some of what he does to write a book which might help you too!

Key Topics:

  • Growing up believing you are 'Stupid'
  • Finding you have Dyslexia in your 20's
  • Writing the first book with a little nudge from friends,
  • Helping 100's of people write their own book!

Find Matt;

  • https://www.publishu.com/
  • https://www.publishu.com/free

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Of course, we all know the common challenges of dyslexia in reading and writing, but few know how people with dyslexia can improve their reading and writing skills, and even excel neurotypical people in these two areas.

Few know more about helping dyslexic people in this area than our guest for this episode Russell Van Brocklen.

Russell is the founder of Dyslexia Classes, an ed-tech startup focused on teaching-learning different students (especially students with Dyslexia) how best to overcome challenges with Reading, Writing, and Comprehension skills.

With a background in Neurological Communications and from own experience with his own Dyslexia, Russell has developed a unique system for teaching writing that not only significantly improves the writing skills of highly motivated students with dyslexia, but also builds their reading and organisational skills and their confidence for long-term success.

In this episode, our host Matthew Head explores the benefits of using AI to help bridge the gap between the skills of people with Dyslexia and their challenges. With AI now popping up everywhere it is difficult to see how the future jobs are going to sway more towards the skills which people with dyslexia excel most in.

Key Topics:

  • Understand what dyslexia is helps to identify ways to educate people to improve their reading and writing skills,
  • Ways to improve reading and writing, and
  • How to use AI to level the playing field.

Fined Russel at:

  • Dyslexic Classes (affiliate link)
  • Ebook

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Training in a competitive sport in any arena requires dedication, commitment, sacrifice and a lot of hard work. To reach the peak of your sport to compete in the olympics is an achievement not obtained by many. It is hard enough for anyone from most backgrounds to achieve. When a neurodiversity is thrown into the mix, it makes that achievement all the more impressive. No other success story compares to this episode’s guest, Olympic Rower for Team GB Caragh McMurtry.

Starting out rowing from a young age, Caragh explains to our host Matthew Head, how sport for her was a way of communicating her world to others.

Knowing that something was quite fitting from a young age, Caragh tells us how the immediate reaction was to be misdiagnosed and treated for Bipolar Disorder and various other mental health condition ignoring or missing the signs of Autism. The side effects from the medication worsened her ability to perform at the level she wanted so that she could succeed in internal rowing competitions.

It wasn’t until 2019, 5 years after being misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, that Caragh was finally diagnosed with High-functioning Autism and got the support she needed! “It gave me permission to be different and now I’m happier than I’ve ever been!”

After retiring from professional rowing after the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics Caragh set out to as her mission to make sure that no one goes through what she did and to help other people with neurodiversity through sport.

“I founded Neurodiverse Sport CIC in response to the current lack of understanding and support available for neurodivergent athletes, and intend it to be a platform for support, education, and advocacy. “It is my belief that no athlete should feel misunderstood, isolated or unable to reach their full potential because they do not conform to neurotypical standards of behaviour and communication.”

This is an incredible story which everyone needs to hear!

Neurodiverse Sport

Key Topics:

  • Being misdiagnosed with Bipolar for Autism,
  • Being treated for mental health and ignoring signs of neurodiversity,
  • Training for the olympics
  • Learning about Autism and getting the correct diagnosis,
  • Building a charity to support those with a neurodiversity through sport ‘neurodiverse sport’.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Starting her primary education in Ghana in west africa, this episode’s guest Elizabeth Takyi was penalised in the class room for poor spelling and ready by the use of the cane. This traumatic experience with education gave Elizabeth the feeling that ‘this is just the way it is. I must be stupid’.

Moving to the UK for secondary education, Elizabeth became more disassociated with education and would regularly be ‘naughty’ and bunk off school.

It wasn’t until leaving an abusive relationship and, in trying to prove everyone and herself wrong that she was in fact not stupid and could be just as successful as everyone, Elizabeth started a University course in HR. After completely failing the 1st year Elizabeth discovered that she had Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Not knowing what this meant she struggled to know where to turn before the time of ‘Google’.

It wasn’t until the support from college who supplied Elizabeth with assistive technology when Elizabeth started sore passing all of the subsequent years at university.

With this new found confidence Elizabeth started ‘Aspire2 Inspire’ providing support to business owners with dyslexia and helping others in the same way that Elizabeth was supported.

She now works in her dream job being an ambassador for neurobox where she continues to spread dyslexia and intersectionality awareness.

Doing all this and being a single mother of three is tough and inspiring.

Key Topics:

  • Childhood trauma from being caned for not being able to read or write,
  • Leaving an abusive relationship and aspiring to prove you’re not stupid!
  • Finding out that you have dyslexia, getting the right support, then flying,
  • Setting up support for business owners with dyslexia,
  • Being unemployed and trying to find a job whilst disclosing you have dyslexia, and
  • Finding the place where you belong!

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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One really under appreciated dyslexic strength is the ability to absorb information quickly and explain complex topics in a way that is engaging and easy to understand!

It is the very specific dyslexia skill set which propelled our guest in this episode, Stephen Martin, to become a highly successful entrepreneur.

Growing up in New Zealand, where the school system did not recognise dyslexia, Stephen's dyslexia wasn't picked up until his family moved to Saudi Arabia and continued his education in a British school.

In this fascinating conversation with our host Matthew Head, Stephen tells us how he leveraged his ability to absorb information quickly and be able to teach it to others in the form of an engaging narrative, turning complex topics into an easy to understand format which started his entrepreneur journey.

Stephen also acknowledges the people in his life who have supported him. His biggest supporter being his mum who, upon finding out Stephen had dyslexia, became an overnight expert in dyslexia to make sure Stephen got all the support he would need in life.

Stephen not only has his own marketing business, but also runs a dyslexia online community with its own podcast, Truth About Dyslexia. By Stephen's own admission, he needs just a little too much to do to feel comfortable and motivated which he believes he owes to his dyslexia and ADHD!

This is a great episode not to be missed!

Key Topics:

  • Absorbing information quickly,
  • Leveraging narrative reasoning,
  • Life as an entrepreneur, and
  • Being just a little bit too busy to feel comfortable and stay motivated,

Links to Stephen work -

  • Truth About Dyslexia - https://truthaboutdyslexia.com/
  • Truth About Dyslexia Podcast - https://truthaboutdyslexia.com/adult-dyslexia-podcast/
  • Virtual Innovation- https://virtualinnovation.co.nz/irtual
  • Truth About Dyslexia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6eO96kabO3y66aUeaEKbIg
  • Truth About Dyslexia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthaboutdyslexia/
  • Truth About Dyslexia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetruthaboutdyslexia/
  • Truth About Dyslexia Quiz: https://form.jotform.co/80858341883871

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Ever wondered how dyslexia is seen in different cultures and other countries? Do all countries assess dyslexia in the same way?

Well.. in this episode, our guest, Dr Martin Bloomfiled reveals the answer to these questions, and it's not what you might think!

Martin breaks the mould of what many might consider ‘dyslexic’. Like most children with dyslexia, Martin was branded ‘lazy’ and ‘class clown’ by his teachers. Now, having achieved a Doctorate in Philosophy, and being an active advocate for people with dyslexia, no one can say Martin is ‘lazy’! Martin is the person to speak to when you want to know what dyslexia across the world and in different cultures is like!

In this fascinating conversation with our host Matthew, Martin discusses a broad range of topics, from what school life was like, finding out at 30 you have dyslexia, navigating dyslexia with varying different strategies, different types of dyslexia, and what it’s like to achieve a Doctorate with dyslexia.

Being an active advocate for people with Dyslexia, Martin tells us about all of his work development resources for people with dyslexia, particularly creating a world map of all the dyslexic specialist schools on Google Earth!

This is a great episode not to be missed!

Key Topics:

  • Achieving a Doctorate,
  • Finding you have dyslexia later in life,
  • Different ways other countries/cultures assess and see Dyslexia, and
  • Finding new strategies to navigate the challenges of dyslexia,

Links to Martins work:

  • Dyslexia Compass - https://dyslexiacompass.eu/
  • Dyslexia Bytes YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DyslexiaBytes
  • Dyslexia Bytes Website - https://dyslexiabytes.org/
  • Dyslexia Maps - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1PiCs2_O4LOnJw7eBqLZivmiZLwB1AJVb≪=3.236577596599851%2C44.899282970601405&z=2
  • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-bloomfield-dyslexia-bytes/

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Sometimes, providing support to people with dyslexia can be indirect.

What does this mean…?

Well, in this episode Matthew is joined by Mark Woodward from neurobox as he explains why the trend today is to support, coach and train those middle managers of organisations to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and understanding of what leading people with neurodiversity, such as dyslexia, looks like.

When leading people with a neurodiversity, such as dyslexia, it is more than just understanding the legal requirements of an organisation, it’s about learning what support people with neurodiversity need and how to provide that support. Specifically, people with dyslexia think and work in different ways from those who are ‘neurotypical’ such as approaching problems from a novel or unique perspectives which are not obvious to others.

Supportive leaders and managers go much further than just getting the best out of their neurodiverse team members. Leaders and managers who show understanding and willingness to learn more, make people with a neurodiversity like dyslexia feel supported, like they don’t have to hide away their challenges, and removes a lot of pressure. Furthermore, leaders and managers who remain curious remove a lot of pressure from themselves, demonstrating that you can work through challenges and seek the most out of the dyslexic strengths together.

Mark is a coach working with individuals, organisations, and managers to provide coaching and training to better support people with neurodiversities such as dyslexia.

After a lifetime of working with neurodiversity, and more than 13 years of supporting others with neurodiversity - and disabilities - mark has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting not just people but also teams, managers, and organisations. From helping design and deploy neurodiversity, disability and wider ED&I policies, through to working with individual managers and employees.

Spending time with many dyslexic people, Mark found that he also possessed many of the similar traits of dyslexia and often wonders and considers being formally diagnosed. Through the shared set of traits, Mark has found passion in working with neurodiverse people and specifically people with dyslexia which drives his commitment to supporting people.

Visit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markswoodward/

Website: https://neurobox.co.uk/

Key Topics:

  • Learning about dyslexia and other neurodiversities ,
  • Coaching,
  • Working with organisations to design ED&I policies, and
  • Working with leaders and managers to learn about neurodiversity.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Having coached many of the fastest athletes to ever sit on a bike, our guest today Lee Povey built a reputation of being the best track cycling coach in the world.

Imagine finding out at 50 years old you have dyslexia! Well, that is exactly what happened to Lee

In this episode Lee shares his amazing story of how, growing up, he always excelled in areas such as Maths and Science but struggled to articulate that into written words.

Having always suspected that there was something underlying to this, Lee undertook tests after tests online all pointing to dyslexia.

Finally, Lee had the answer to this missing piece from his whole life and suddenly a lot of the challenges Lee had been faced with in life made sense.

It’s no surprise that Lee found sports and athletics as an outlet from an early age and later rose to high heights in sprint cycling competing in velodromes.

In this episode, Lee tells us how his big picture thinking and empathy enabled Lee to support fellow cyclists in their development and was always seen as the person everyone can rely upon for support. This is what ultimately led Lee into Sports Coaching and then eventually Life Coaching really leading into the strengths that came with his dyslexia.

However, this was also what led to his downfall. After suffering from a very serious velodrome accident Lee discovered that, being the dependable support for everyone else, Lee didn’t know how to ask for help for himself and how to accept help.

This accident led Lee to discover more about himself and ultimately find ways of showing when he needs more support and learning to accept help. Lee has now set-up support networks for men in similar scenarios to help one-another in talking about mental health.

Like many people with dyslexia, Lee had learnt on his own self coping strategies to navigate the challenges with dyslexia he didn’t know he had. This grit and determination that came from self-dependency meant that it brought Lee great success and also great challenges.

Lee is the guy you call in to transform growing companies into market leaders and world-beaters!

Find Lee at

www.linkedin.com/in/leepovey

www.mypcoaching.org

www.instagram.com/leepovey

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Topics:

  • Find you have dyslexia later in life,
  • Finding coping strategies to navigate dyslexic challenges,
  • Cycling
  • Learning to ask for, and accept, help.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to the latest episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show! In this episode Matt engages in a discussion with Edward Sabbagh the walk through journey through Edward's life in Brooklyn, his struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia, and turning it around to graduate college a year early.

Edward takes us through his formative years in Brooklyn. Starting off in a Jewish school without knowing about his dyslexia, he shares the immense challenges he faced, leading to a pivotal decision to transition to a special education school.

Edward shares his struggles with feelings of inadequacy, especially when compared to his seemingly more talented siblings. However, the revelation of his own unique strengths became a turning point in his life.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unparalleled challenges to students worldwide, and Edward's college experience was no exception. Discovering the obstacles he encountered during remote learning and the sheer determination that enabled him to complete his college education a year ahead of schedule, this period also saw him successfully balancing a part-time job.

As a recent graduate, Edward now works in the management for a dental practice.

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode, host Matt sits down with Steve Parke, the founder of ParkeCore personal training. Parkecore aims to provide support and accountability for everyone's fitness goals, believing that accessibility is key. Join Matt and Steve as they dive into Steve's personal journey, discussing his upbringing, experiences with teasing, and the impact of dyslexia on his life.

Steve reflects on his upbringing in Leicester as a child of parents from the Windrush generation. He bravely shares the experiences of being teased during his school days, targeted for his skin colour, weight, and dyslexia. These challenges, though difficult to bear, shaped his determination to stand up against bullies and defend his beliefs.

A pivotal moment in Steve's life came during one transformative summer when he decided to change his body. This experience ignited a lifelong interest in training and fitness, eventually leading him to become part of the Leicester Tigers youth team. Steve also highlights how his dyslexia enhanced his understanding of the human body and anatomy, particularly when he immersed himself in a subject he deeply loved.

Drawing from his experience in sales-focused roles after his education, Steve gained valuable insights into non-verbal communication. He seamlessly transferred these skills into his personal training practice, enabling him to connect with clients on a deeper level.

Matt and Steve engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the intersection of dyslexia and fitness. Steve shares how his unique life skills, honed through personal experiences, shape his training style and empower his clients. Steve sheds light on the incorporation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) into his training sessions. Through these techniques, Steve empowers his clients to overcome mental barriers, cultivate a positive mindset, and achieve their fitness goals.

Stay tuned until the end of the episode, where Steve reveals a practical nutrition tip specifically tailored for individuals with dyslexia. Discover how simple adjustments can make a significant impact on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to another episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show. In this edition, host Matt engages in a fascinating conversation with Jo Rees, founder of Another Way Round Dyslexia Support. With a 22-year career as a primary school teacher and extensive experience as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Jo now dedicates her efforts to providing support for parents and adults. Tune in as she shares her personal journey, including the revelation of her own dyslexia, and discover how she balances her roles as a mother, educator, and dyslexia advocate. Plus, keep an ear out for Jo's unexpected viral success on TikTok, where she combines dyslexia awareness with some unexpected dance moves!

In this episode, Matt and Jo delve into various aspects of Jo's life, offering insights and reflections along the way. They discuss Jo's experience as a teacher while being unaware of her own dyslexia, and how she overcame challenges in planning through strategic measures. Jo candidly opens up about the impact of dyslexia on her postnatal depression and the journey of self-discovery that followed. With three children to raise, Jo talks about finding a balance between motherhood and her teaching career, and the career changes she made to accommodate her family's needs while providing dyslexia support.

Jo also shares the intricacies of her son's journey with dyslexia, including the strategies they employed to help him stay focused and find his own path. The episode touches upon the unique challenges faced in supporting her two daughters' education compared to her son's experience. Furthermore, Jo discusses the establishment of her own business, Another Way Round Dyslexia Support, and the unexpected rise to fame on TikTok, where she combines educational content with a dash of entertainment.

As the episode draws to a close, stay tuned for a special segment where Jo shares additional insights and reflections, recorded after having time to ponder the questions raised during the podcast.-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to another episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show. In this episode, Matt sits down with Richard Purcell, the founder of CareScribe, a renowned assistive technology company based in the UK. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of CareScribe's innovative products, Caption.ed and Talk Type, designed to empower dyslexic individuals in their studies and professional pursuits.

In this episode, Matt engages in an enlightening conversation with Richard Purcell, the founder of CareScribe. Richard shares his personal experiences as a dyslexic medical student and the journey that led him to establish CareScribe, an assistive technology company at the forefront of accessibility solutions.

Matt and Richard explore Richard's academic pursuits as a medical student and how he harnessed his visual skills to understand complex medical concepts. They discuss the challenges he faced with medical terminology during his university years and the subsequent development of Medincle, Richard's initial assistive technology creation in collaboration with a fellow student.

The conversation then delves into Richard's experiences as a junior doctor and the pivotal moments that inspired him to establish CareScribe. Richard provides valuable insights into the company's mission and the transformative impact of their products, Caption.ed and Talk Type. These AI-powered note-taking software and dictation software respectively empower dyslexic learners, enabling them to overcome challenges and excel in academic and professional settings. Matt and Richard also explore user experiences, highlighting the usability and effectiveness of CareScribe's innovative tools. They discuss the company's future goals and aspirations, aiming to create a more inclusive and accessible world.

About CareScribe:
CareScribe, a leading UK-based assistive technology company founded in 2020, is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities. Their groundbreaking products, Caption.ed and Talk Type, level the playing field for dyslexic learners and foster independence in educational and professional environments. Endorsed by prestigious Russell Group universities and utilized by FTSE 100 companies, CareScribe's commitment to accessibility has earned them accolades within the industry.

Tune in to this episode as Matt and Richard shed light on the remarkable advancements in assistive technology offered by CareScribe and discover how these innovations can transform the lives of dyslexic learners.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to Episode 53 of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show! In this episode, our host Matt engages in an enlightening conversation with Paul Daniels Jr., the founder of Peripheral Thinkers. Paul is a seasoned advisor to Fortune 500 companies and boasts an impressive track record of generating significant revenue throughout his career.

Paul shares his personal story, starting from his school days in Texas and his transition into studying business at university. Despite initially pursuing advertising, he found himself working as a design manager and eventually started his own business at the age of 25, despite having limited prior business knowledge. As his business flourished, Paul began interacting with individuals who aspired to success, prompting him to shift his focus towards corporate America, leveraging his talent for recognizing patterns. To enhance his career prospects, he took the initiative to learn engineering and programming, acquiring valuable skills along the way. Paul provides insights into his journey, from participating in a training programme to eventually serving on the boards of various companies.

At the age of 40, Paul discovered he was dyslexic and recognized the unique abilities that allowed him to excel in connecting ideas and developing innovative strategies. He shares how these talents propelled his career while acknowledging the challenges he faced. Understanding that 10% of the population possesses similar hidden skills that enable them to navigate challenges and foster innovation, Paul created a training course called Peripheral Thinkers. During the podcast, he offers a glimpse into the course, showcasing the transformative power of this type of thinking through an early example.

Join us for this insightful conversation as we delve into Paul Daniels Jr.'s inspiring journey, his strategies for success, and his dedication to empowering others through Peripheral Thinkers. Tune in to discover how you can tap into your untapped potential and revolutionise your problem-solving approach.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to another episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show! In today's conversation, Matt sits down with Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski, founder of Thinking Light Coach. Danielle is not only an Associate Director Project Manager Vaccine at GSK but also a proud co-founder of the GSK Neurodiversity network.

Join Matt and Danielle as they delve into her personal journey, discussing the challenges she faced during her degree studies and how managing dyslexia at the time influenced her choice of study. They explore the early stages of Danielle's career and the perseverance it took for her to secure a position at GSK. An interesting anecdote arises when Danielle recounts an encounter with a colleague who unintentionally "outed" her dyslexia while reading her handwritten notes. From there, Danielle candidly shares her experience of working multiple jobs and the eventual burnout that ensued. Together, they uncover the valuable lessons she learned and how she continues to navigate her mind and preserve her brain energy to prevent further burnout.

Listen in as Danielle reveals her process of self-discovery within her job, identifying her strengths and finding a role that suits her unique style. The conversation also delves into the establishment of the new diversity network at GSK, highlighting the importance of fostering inclusivity within the workplace. Furthermore, Danielle discusses the challenges and rewards of setting up her coaching business while juggling a full-time job.

Tune in to this enlightening episode as Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski shares her empowering story of resilience, growth, and the pursuit of a fulfilling career while embracing neurodiversity within the GSK organisation.

Key Topics:
- Danielle's personal struggle during her degree studies and the impact of dyslexia management on her chosen field
- The hurdles Danielle faced and her determined journey to secure a job at GSK
- An unintended revelation of dyslexia by a colleague and the subsequent lessons learned
- Navigating multiple jobs and the importance of maintaining mental well-being
- Discovering strengths and finding a job that aligns with individual work style
- The significance of the GSK Neurodiversity network and its impact on fostering diversity and inclusion
- Establishing a coaching business alongside a full-time job and the challenges involved

Join us in this inspiring episode with Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski as she shares her empowering story of resilience, growth, and the pursuit of a fulfilling career while embracing neurodiversity at GSK. Gain valuable insights and practical advice for individuals living with dyslexia and anyone seeking to create an inclusive workplace environment.

Danielle's

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  • Instagram

  • Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt talks to Dr. Brock Eide, co-author of the book, The Dyslexic Advantage, about the unique brain structures and strengths associated with dyslexia.

Matt introduces Dr. Brock Eide, a neuro-learning expert, and co-author of The Dyslexic Advantage. They discuss Dr. Eide's background in medicine and his interest in dyslexia.

Dr. Eide shares his first experience with dyslexia and how it affected his family. He talks about his children's experiences and how it sparked his interest in dyslexia research.

Dr. Eide talks about how he and his wife Fernette wrote The Dyslexic Advantage and the response they received. They discuss the paradigm shift in the way dyslexia is viewed and the strengths associated with it.

Dr. Eide talks about the updated edition of the book and the new research that supports the dyslexic advantage. He discusses the unique brain structures and organization of people with dyslexia and the special talents and skills that come with it.

Matt and Dr. Eide wrap up the episode by discussing the importance of understanding dyslexia and its strengths. They encourage listeners to learn more about dyslexia and to embrace the dyslexic advantage.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to episode 50 of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show!

In this special episode, host Matt is joined by his old friend Richard Elliott Kirk, who appeared on the first two episodes of the podcast. As they catch up, they discuss how the podcast has grown since its launch in July 2021 and some of the highlights from previous episodes.

Matt and Richard reminisce about their friendship that has lasted over 25 years, including Matt's role as one of the best men at Richard's wedding. They also share the genesis of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show and how it has evolved since the first two episodes that Richard was on.

Listeners can expect to hear interesting highlights from previous episodes, such as Matt's love of motor racing and his interview with racing driver Ben Hurst. Matt and Richard also recommend two very different episodes to new listeners to showcase the breadth of the podcast.

The discussion takes a deeper dive into Matt's experience of dyslexia and how his understanding of it has evolved since launching the podcast. They share some life hacks and tips for public speaking, as they recall Matt's talk at two Dyslexia Shows.

For long-term listeners, Matt and Richard reflect on the three rapid-fire questions that Matt asks every guest on the podcast and some of the most interesting answers they've heard.

Join Matt and Richard as they celebrate this special milestone episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show and look forward to what's to come.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Introduction: Welcome back to the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show! In this episode, Matt is joined by civil engineer and podcast host Michael Fisher. Michael shares his journey of discovering he was dyslexic at six years old and struggling to receive the right support. We discuss the challenges of finding the right support and fitting in with peers while dealing with dyslexia.

Michael's Dyslexia Journey: Michael talks about his experience of being taken out of his current school and put into a specialist school to receive the support he needed. We discuss how dyslexia support is often stigmatized and the challenges that come with carrying specialist equipment in classrooms. Michael shares his passion for reading and his daily routine to ensure he can consume books efficiently.

Dyslexia in Engineering: As fellow engineers, Matthew and Michael discuss what it's like to be dyslexic in their profession and how dyslexia helps them. Michael goes into great detail about how his dyslexia has informed his work as a civil engineer and now in a management role. We discuss how embracing our differences can lead to better outcomes and how dyslexia has given Michael a unique perspective on problem-solving.

Leadership and Passion: Michael is passionate about great leadership and shares his experience of learning how to apply good leadership skills. We discuss how dyslexia thinking can tie into leadership and how Michael applies his skills as a leader. Michael discovered his joy in editing podcasts and started his own business, Fisher Audio Cast, which focuses on podcast production, marketing, and growth.

Conclusion: This episode covers a lot of ground on Michael's dyslexia journey, reading habits, and passion for leadership and podcasting. Don't forget to follow the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to stay updated on future episodes. Thank you for listening.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Welcome to The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show with host Matthew Head. In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr. Chris Arnold, founder of Dyversity Lab, a global network of people who naturally think differently. Dr. Arnold shares his dyslexia story and how his experiences have shaped his career in advertising and leadership style. He discusses the challenges he faced in school and how his dyslexia has influenced the way he thinks and approaches problem-solving.

Chris delves into the topic of dyslexia in the workplace. He shares insights into the unique challenges and opportunities that dyslexics face and how dyslexia can be an asset in certain industries, including advertising. He shares stories from his successful career at Saatchi and Saatchi, where he worked as a director and leveraged his dyslexic thinking to create innovative campaigns.

He then introduces the concept of being a 2d thinker vs 3D thinker and explains how dyslexics can leverage their unique cognitive abilities to excel in certain areas. He also shares information about the "Think Like a Dyslexic" programme, which is designed to help individuals and companies tap into the strengths of dyslexic thinking

Finally, Dr. Arnold hints at his upcoming flip book, which promises to provide even more valuable insights into the advertising experience. He invites listeners to check out the Dyversity Lab website for more information and resources.

Thank you for tuning in to The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show with host Matt and guest Dr. Chris Arnold of Dyversity Lab on Dyslexia, Advertising, and Diverse Thinking. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode.

Proudly sponsored by neurobox (formerly Dyslexia Box). Working together with organisations and employees neurobox builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking too Arun Iyer, a specialist occupational health advisor. Arun works for Health Partners Group and has extensive experience working with people with dyslexia. He's here to discuss how occupational health assessments can help people with dyslexia in the workplace.

Background:
Arun shares his background and how he became an occupational health advisor. He also talks about his experience working with people with dyslexia and the challenges they may face in the workplace.

Occupational Health Assessments:
Arun explains what occupational health assessments are and who can benefit from them. He discusses how they differ from medical assessments and the role of the occupational health advisor in conducting the assessment.

Helping People with Dyslexia:
Arun explains how occupational health assessments can identify workplace adjustments that can benefit people with dyslexia. He discusses the different types of workplace adjustments that can be made and how these assessments can help employers understand their legal responsibilities in accommodating people with dyslexia.

What to Expect:
Arun walks us through what a typical occupational health assessment involves. He discusses the different types of assessments that may be conducted depending on the person's needs and situation. He also talks about how to prepare for an occupational health assessment and what to bring to the appointment.

Conclusion:
Arun summarizes the key points of the conversation and encourages people with dyslexia to consider getting an occupational health assessment to help them in the workplace. He reminds employers of their legal responsibilities to accommodate employees with dyslexia and emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about dyslexia in the workplace and promoting inclusivity.

Outro:
Thank you for listening to The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show. We hope you found today's episode informative and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us on social media or through our website. Don't forget to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode!
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Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Alanah Herron who is a talent acquisition specialist for Car Trawler.

During this podcast Matt and Alanah talk at length about the Irish education system in and what it’s like to be educated in that country.

They talk about her career in HR starting at H&M, where they didn’t use email. Then to working for Ralph Lauren, and now at Car Trawler. Alanah went through quite a lot of career growth as well as her personal growth with her feelings about being dyslexic.

Now she works in recruitment, the conversation goes into how the recruitment process works, but could be changed to be more inclusive for people who are Neurodiverse.

Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of the Dyslexia Life Hacks show matt is talking to Arron Smith. He is the founder of the Dyslexia Show and a dyslexic entrepreneur.

Aaron has previously been on the podcast, and you can find out more about his backstory and the setting up of the Dyslexia Showing in episode 17.

The dyslexia show is a live event happening in the NEC in Birmingham on the 24th and 25th of March 2023. There is a range of exhibitors and speakers, split across various sections including education, parent, workplace and individual. There is a keynote theatre and an innovation theatre. Matt is the compere for the innovation theatre as well as speaking at the show on the Saturday.

In this podcast, we take a look at what is happening in the 2023 Dyslexia Show and look back on the 2022 show. Getting Aaron’s personal insight in what it is like to now run one show and the learning he is taking forwards into the 2023 show. They take a deep dive into the background planning behind putting on a show like this and what there is to look forward to add the show for anybody planning to visit. Remember to book your tickets if you are interested in coming to the show before they sell out.

Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Carol and Alana Blumenstein from KidsRead2Kids.

KidsRead2Kids offers audiobooks, as well as other study resources which are read aloud by teenage children. This is to provide role models for young children when it comes to reading there is also video content along with the audio. They have won a parents choice award.

Carol is the mum to 5 neurodiverse children ranging in age from 17 to 25. She spent most of her early life unaware that she was dyslexic, but this didn’t stop her getting a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Now she works in consulting.

Alana has ADHD and used to have selective mutism when she was at school. She is also the scribe of the family. I very often help her siblings with getting their ideas on her page. She says that they are always coming out with a new story and she helps them with this.

Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Ekua Cant. She is a career coach and author of Be Your No.1 Cheerleader.

In this podcast they talk about Ekua dyslexia and dyscalculia and its effect during her education. She had a career with the civil service where she had to learn how to write in a different way to watch, used to which she took on as a challenge as she enjoys long words however, her grammar is not her strong suit. She Started as a Personal Assistant, and left as a Senior IT and Digital Transformation Project Manager

Like many dyslexics Ekua can generate lots of different ideas but sometimes that can make it hard to focus on just one thing. Hear, how a small robot may have not been the best plan for a drinks business.

Now she works as a career coach specialising in underrepresented talent, and provides one-to-one coaching for senior women from diverse backgrounds.

Selected Links

  • Ekua’s

    • LinkedIn
    • Website
    • Book - Your No.1 Cheerleader
  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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The podcast getting to know the people behind the word dyslexia.
Are you limiting your potential because you feel you can not achieve as much because your dyslexic?
Do you care for someone who has dyslexia and would like to understand it better?
Famous dyslexics like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson can feel intimidating when along way for when working day to day with dyslexia, that is where the host Matt found himself. Having worked manual job in his 20s, as he let his self perception limit him. He took to the step in his mid 20 to get a degree and now works as a professional engineer. He set up this podcast, so other people would not have to go down the same route he did.
On a 2 weekly basis Matt takes a deep dive with a person who is dyslexic or linked to the dyslexia world. To understand there personal stories, how they see life, achieve things and struggles they have had to go through.
This is to inspire other people and build a better understand of what its like to be a dyslexic person and what its archive in high lever careers. Like Law, engineering, acting, build assistive technologies and race car driving.
Subscribe and join the journey.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show Matt is Talking to John Rinaldo, he is an author and works in sales.

He had always wanted to write a book but felt that his dyslexia got in the way, this is also reflected in his career starting in a manual job before injury changed his life and he went to university and has never looked back.

Hear in the podcast how John worked it through university and got to grips with his dyslexia. How is after isolation due to Covid-19 he found that having some alone time help him work through things and put this into a book, where he is donating some of the proceeds to Children with Dyslexia (https://www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org/about/). Now he has published his second book, charting his recovery from a serious bike accident.

Books

  • Surviving COVID-19: Being Alone Was the Best COVID-19 Medicine
  • The Bike Accident: Working Through the Low Valleys of Blessings

  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Armelle McGeachie, founder of Girls with Dyslexia.

During this podcast you will find out that Armelle had a feeling that she was dyslexic from a very young age, but did get a diagnosis until age 21. Interestingly, she had already been employing lots of dyslexic, friendly tactics that she had found through self-discovery during her time at school, particularly during her GCSEs. But having the official diagnosis allowed her to get the appropriate coaching, making her final year of university a lot easier.

When she started in the world of work, she kept her dyslexia to herself, this has presented challenges during her career and Armelle and Matt go into some peoples negative stereotyping of dyslexics. Later when She became more comfortable with her dyslexia, she became Diversity and Inclusion Board Member - Neurodiversity Subcommittee Leader for the company she worked for, this drove her to embrace her dyslexia, and start to understand the benefits of community when neurodiverse.

Armelle set up Girls with Dyslexia, where she shares her lived in experience, great tips and tactics to help not just women and girls with dyslexia, but anybody who needs some support. She is very talented in the use of infographics to convey useful information.

Selected Links

  • Armelle’s LinkedIn
  • Girls with Dyslexia on;

    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show Matt welcomes Alex Onalaja, he is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker. He has been featured in Forbes and been voted on of the top 50 influential black voices in tech by Tech Nation.

In this podcast they talk about Alex’s education in Nigeria and how as a dyslexic he struggled in school, this was made more painful as he watched his younger brother thrive. His time at university once he had moved to the UK and how as a keen young person he wanted to get into the world of work and was excited to join a company. However, he had many rejections from all the jobs he was applying for and faced prejudices in the recruitment process. This led him into depression, Alex started documenting his return from dark days and has now turned it into a book LOST, NOW FOUND - The Secret to Unlocking Your Hidden Potential in 30 Days.

Now he is an entrepreneur working in tech and has been featured in major publications. He now is turning his focus to coaching others.

  • Alex’s
    • Website
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Book - Lost, Now Found - The Secret To Unlocking Your Hidden Potential In 30 Days

  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

    • Neurodiversity and disability audit
    • Neurodiversity training for managers
    • Disability awareness training
    • Workplace assessments
    • Workplace strategy coaching
    • Assistive technology
    • Technical support and customer care
  • Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this Episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Natalie Brooks, the founder of Dyslexia in Adults, which has the mission to increase the conversation around dyslexia in adults. Part of this includes The Hive, which is an online membership program that includes monthly masterclasses, tips, and advice, and as access to a community. Natalie has over 60,000 followers on TikTok and has a big Instagram following too.

In this podcast, Matt and Natalie talk about her background at school and comparing the attitudes of different education institutions to her dyslexia, her career in politics, and then her move into sales. Natalie has some interesting and funny stories of how she came across dyslexic barriers at work. She particularly struggled with her self-perception of dyslexia and you will hear in this episode how often “I can’t because I’m dyslexic” has become a barrier to her. Ultimately, somebody else’s negative attitude towards her, gave her the drive she needed to create Dyslexia in Adults.

  • Dyslexia In Adults
  • The Hive
  • Dyslexia at Work Playbook
  • Dyslexia In Adults on, Instagram, TikTok

  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

  • Neurodiversity and disability audit

  • Neurodiversity training for managers
  • Disability awareness training
  • Workplace assessments
  • Workplace strategy coaching
  • Assistive technology
  • Technical support and customer care

Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show Matt is talking to Jacquelyn Davies, she is the Founder, CEO and Mum-In-Chief of Clever Noodle.

Clever Noodle creates tabletop games to help children to read. Their first game Kangaroo Cravings is currently on a Kickstarter campaign which ends on 30th November 2022.

During this podcast Matt and Jacquelyn talk about her career in politics, how her passion for education grew, and why she decided to leave her politics and law career to pursue a successor in education. During her career in education, she found her passion in helping children who are struggling when it comes to learning to read. Jacquelyn details her beliefs in the errors in the American education system, when it comes to learning how to read.

When her son came along, she discovered he was dyslexic. Her and her husband moved him around various schools before finding one that would help him in the way he needs. During Covid lockdown restrictions, she discovered how to game the learning process. During this episode Jacquelyn goes to detail how Kangaroo Cravings can assist children, parents, and teachers alike in bringing their children’s reading up to grade level.

· Clever Noodle

· Contact Clever Noodle – hello@clevernoodle.com

· Kickstarter campaign for Kangaroo Cravings ends 30th November 2022-
Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

  • Neurodiversity and disability audit
  • Neurodiversity training for managers
  • Disability awareness training
  • Workplace assessments
  • Workplace strategy coaching
  • Assistive technology
  • Technical support and customer care

Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

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In this episode of a The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Lisa Heleniak the founder of The ZOOM Genie. The provides co-hosting, support and coordinate online virtual events, leaving the host to focus on their course or presentation.

Lisa, as most dyslexics struggled at school, but found that her abilities in sport and other creative subjects, helped her to have a positive experience through education, although as you will hear during this episode, her boarding school peers have taken a very different routes through life.

During this podcast, you were here Lisa’s story from having tutors at school, working as a PA, through to setting up your own business. Lisa also enlightens the listener on the contrast between her and her Neurotypical daughters, especially as they find things easy, but then can’t understand how Lisa is able to do another things.

Lisa's LinkedIn

Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
Support includes:

  • Neurodiversity and disability audit
  • Neurodiversity training for managers
  • Disability awareness training
  • Workplace assessments
  • Workplace strategy coaching
  • Assistive technology
  • Technical support and customer care

Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Andy Barden. He is the founder of Think Unconventionall that provides inclusive social media social media management, training, video editing and coaching. There is also a clothing brand unconventionall apparel and he presents The Unconventionall podcast where Matt was on episode 8.

Andy’s business is inspired by his autistic son Jacob. During this podcast Andy tells of his experience of how he and his wife had to work through getting Jacob assessed for autism and their life raising him. Andy learned a lot about thinking differently during this time and now uses this in his own business providing social media content and other solutions all with unconventional thinking.

  • Andy's LinkedIn
  • Think Unconventionall
  • The Unconventional Podcast
  • Matt Episode on The Unconventionall Podcast - Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts

  • Proudly sponsored by Dyslexia BoxDyslexia Box empowers those with neurodiversity and disabilities in the workplace by creating awareness, removing barriers and improving wellbeing. Along with the Government’s Access to Work scheme, they work with companies and their employees to understand and access adjustments needed to allow employees to thrive.
    Support includes:

  • Neurodiversity and disability audit

  • Neurodiversity training for managers
  • Disability awareness training
  • Workplace assessments
  • Workplace strategy coaching
  • Assistive technology
  • Technical support and customer care

Find out more, or get in touch with the Dyslexia Box team.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Joseph Pack who manages his ADHD drug free. The founder of many companies and now the editor of the drug free ADHD newsletter and has recently started being the host of the War On Attention podcast.

Joseph, realise he had ADHD until a major life event happened in his 20s, and he realised that he been self-medicating his symptoms of ADHD. This was the catalyst that lead him to going on a journey researching the latest thinking behind how to manage ADHD without the use of drugs. He shares many of these techniques during this podcast. From ice baths to caffeine consumption, Meditation to alcohol there is something for everyone.    

Joseph's; LinkedIn, Newsletter, War on Attention Podcast

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talk to Toni Horn, she is the founder of Think Differently Coaching which provides workplace coaching for the neurodiverse.

She grew up in a neurodiverse house hold as a dyslexic herself and alongside her brother who is autistic. In this podcast Matt talk to Toni about growing up in a house hold with a neurodiverse sibling and how their life panned out, how she found her way into banking before working her way up trough the to a senior position and talking on the role of UK Neurodiversity Support Lead. There are some interesting insights into how to run meetings, training courses or away days with dyslexic people attending. 

Post her banking career Toni has now set up her own coaching business using her experience at Barclays to help guild and mentor dyslexics in the workplace.

·       Think Differently Coaching

·       Toni’s LinkedIn

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show been named as one on the top 6 dyslexia podcasts, https://blog.feedspot.com/dyslexia_podcasts/?feed_id=5297863#h5297863

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Dr. Helen Ross who is a Special Educational Needs specialist and Dyslexia expert. She has founded Helen's Place where she delivers support for businesses, schools and families through research projects, professional development, and one-on-one tutoring. Alongside this she is a trustee for the British Dyslexia Association and Wilshire Dyslexia Association. She has also published and been featured in peer-reviewed papers and guest publications.  

After staring her working life and an engineer but very quickly released that it was not the profession for her, she then transitioned into working in schools being a teacher and part of SENCO. Around all this she managed to find time to studying a PHD and publishing papers. 

Helen has overcome some of the prejudices about dyslexia, depression, and anxiety to achieve what she has, new help and assess other people for dyslexia, a truly inspiring story. 

·        Helens Place

·        Helens Twitter

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Philip Burgin who is ClaroRead Product Specialist at Claro Software. He has had a varied life and career, starting as a brick later before heading back into the education. There are some fun stories about the early days of home computing and how the DSA were providing the new technology to people that need it. Phil really takes his time to get to know the individuals that he is training and coke up with various methods for them to get the most out of there equipment and education. 

If you would like to understand how Claro develop their software, please listen to episode 10 with their Product Manager Stuart Marsden. 

  • Claro Software
  • Text Help

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In this episode of the dyslexia life hacks show Matt is talk to Rossie Stone, founder of Dekko Comics. They are educational comics the are aimed at 8 to 12 year olds, as you will hear in the podcast, Rossie inputs his Beano inspired style and humour lead stories that makes the comics and engaging read.

Rossie was struggling with his school work during his early years and into his Scottish Highers, until one day with nothing to lose he used it love for art, illustration, and comic books, he put the whole subject down into a comic strip and to his surprise and delight got an A for that subject.

During the podcast Matt and Rossie chart his struggles at school, through to setting up Dekko and how he makes the comics not only educational but engaging too.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks show is part 2 of a 2-part series with NoticeAbility. 

In part 1 Matt spoke to Bodhi Bragonier who is a teenager and the inspiration behind NoticeAbility, and currently serves as there International Youth Ambassador. 

Now in Part 2 Matt talks to Dean Bragonier the Founder & Executive Dyslexic, they talk about his younger life in the american school system and the differences they may or may not be from Bodhi’s experience. 

Dean saw something in Bodhi when he came up with his idea of pocket change as a 6 year old and this sparked an idea in Dean’s head, hear how he took this idea to MIT and other educational institutions and uses entrepreneurship among other skill to empower dyslexics. 

We cover what it is like to living in a house hold of full of dyslexics, it can be a crazy place.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks show is part 1 of a 2-part series with NoticeAbility. In part 1 Matt is talking to Bodhi Bragonier who is a teenager and the inspiration behind NoticeAbility, he currently serves as there International Youth Ambassador.  

Hear how he came up with a business idea at 7 years old that with the help of his Dad Dean created a business plan, this help grow his self-esteem and Dean took this idea to start the company more on that in the next episode with Dean.

Matt and Bodhi talk about him being embarrassed in the class and how the lesions from his dyslexic mum and dad help he get through this. They found that finding his strengths helped him through the harder times at school. He now is going round the world with NoticeAbility speaking about and promoting the advantages of being dyslexic. 

We also talk about the what its like to be home schooled while travelling and does it help him as a dyslexic.

Stay tuned for part 2 where we talk to Dean Bragonier.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks show Matt is talking to Maggie Souter and Sally Ashcroft who run Handy Spelling, a company which produces ingenious stationery to help children with dyslexia. There products include, pencils and rulers which help you remember tricky spellings and write the date. Tattoos and stickers to help you remember left/ right and b/d reversals. Bookmarks to explain homophones/ verbs/ adjectives/ nouns/ adverbs.

In this podcast we talk about how as mothers’ mothers of dyslexic boys, in Maggie’s 3 dyslexic children, and have seen first-hand how self-esteem can be affected by difficulties with writing and spelling, this led them to develop Handy Spelling so other child could have some support right there in their pencil case. We cover both there backgrounds and how they found the school system when their children were going through it and how that feed into the creation of heady spelling. We talk at length about the process and thinking behind it and how kids can use it and then transition away from using handy spelling as the age.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is a talking to Kirsty Heap who specialises in coaching dyslexic leaders. 

In this podcast we talk about Kirsty’s time as school where she had supportive parents that got her the help she needed. Thought to the beginning of her working life where she came to a point in her career where she realised, she needs a master’s degree to progress further. She had to balance having young children and a job with her studies. 

Kirsty now has set up her own coaching using the lessons she had learned from her time working in HR. She focuses on bring the best out of dyslexic people in leadership rolls, we talk at length about her methods.

Kirsty's website 

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Phillip Ruddock who is the founder of Our Dyslexic Connection. His day job is working as an english teacher at Middlesbrough College where he applies his lessons learned during his own dyslexic experiences to help people who have failed their GSCE's to get the grades they need. In this podcast Phill talks openly and deeply about the experiences some of these teenagers are having and the negative thoughts they have in regards to their dyslexia and self-image and his own experiences with shame and low self-esteem. Some of these stories hit close to home for Matt and you will hear his voice wobble at points during the conversation. 

Matt and Phill also talk also about self-image and shame that can be brought on from being a dyslexic person. Phill found out he was dyslexic at the same time as embracing his sexuality and he draws parallels between both experiences. There is a lot of talk about personal growth and self-perception in this podcast. 

  • Our Dyslexic Connection
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking to Kate Gladstone who has developed a program and published a book to help people with reading and writing in cursive.

In this podcast you will hear Kates story of struggling to read at school and the horrible thing she was told when she voiced her struggles, including being told to copy lettering of a board and then being told she did it wrong as she a copied the type font perfectly.   

This leads her research the history and origins of modern American cursive writing, using this knowledge she gained a full understanding and used the knowledge to be able to teach anyone from any age how to read and write in cursive. There is much more to her story listen in and find out more.

Selected Links

  • Kate’s –
    • Website
    • Book - Read Cursive Fast
    • Article with samples of handwriting - Handwriting and the Autism Spectrum

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talking Jason Flinter. Since 1996 he has been working on building brands. Jason has self-diagnosed with dyslexia; you will hear during this podcast how he finds out more and more about what dyslexia and how is life and career has been positively shaped by it and we look into how things were different for his much younger sister.

Despite only having good grades in his art subjects, Jason got accepted onto university and studied graphic design. Having graduated in the 80s he found computers interesting and was ahead of the curve with learning how to do design on a computer. We talk at length of how important branding years and it is not what people initially think. Jason has a great love for wordplay that he uses when creating Brand taglines and he is also a keen songwriter and really enjoys the puzzles of how to make words into play with each other.

Also find out how being an African drum teacher helped Jason grows career.

The Flint

Jason's Book - From Bland To Brand: Ten essential blocks to build

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talk to Eric Cheung who current works as the 

Relationship & Partnership Officer for the British Dyslexia Association. He has had a varied life after find out he was dyslexic at university, he went on to set up his own event and marketing business while studying the final years of his degree before going to moving into a roll as an events coordinator. It was in the employed roll he started to struggle and after reaching out to his supervisors he got reassessed and found the strategies he was using at university were not serving him well at work, post this he got coached in new strategies that help him far better in the workplace.

In this podcast we talk about Eric’s experience on working in Singapore and Hong Kong. You will hear how attitudes towards dyslexia change for different countries and cultures and the keep people he met that help him as a dyslexic person trying to navigate the workplace in different countries.

This podcast is Eric’s personal stories and opinions; he is not talking on behalf of the British Dyslexia Association.For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In the episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt is talks to Cassandra Rollett-May who runs Rollett Ed, that provides one to one support for 6- to 13-year-olds in maths and literacy. Cassandra had a dream to be a teacher from a young age, having set her sights on this goal she had to take a longer route through the education system before qualifying as a school teacher. In the podcast we talk about her time as a teacher and some of the challenges she faces being a teacher and dyslexic. Working as a SENCO teacher and her thoughts on the benefits of being a dyslexic in the that position. 

In this podcast we talk about her education business what her process and techniques she uses. Sometimes the parents need as much guidance and support as the children.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show we talk to Ian Sudlow-Mckay, he works as site librarian for the University of Chester. 

He has always had a strong interest in history but he was told by a career advisor when at school, that he should go get a trade job. Ian managed to gain the confidence to obtain not just one degree but 3 master degrees including on from the University of St Andrews.

In this podcast you will hear how Ian found his love of history and ignored that careers advisor. He went to a school that has classes set up to help dyslexic people and how he managed to move up to the higher set-in school by doing extra work in his summer holidays. How he works as a librarian, in the world of books he can use his dyslexic talents, being a librarian may not be what you think it is. 

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show we talk to Emma Downer, who is the founder of DIY with Emma which provides DIY hacks, how-tos and follow along projects across social media, with regular video uploads too TikTok and YouTube.

Emma has long had the entrepreneurial spirit when as a child she decided her pocket money was not enough and starting cleaning cars for her neighbours. This carried through to the start of her career running her own textile business before moving into working for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) working as a project manager, before her social media brand started to take off. 

During this podcast we talk about her unique way of find out she was dyslexic and what it is like to study and MBA while working full time. Emma has some great experience and insights in leading people and how inclusion show be in a team. 

We talk about how she built up her DIY with Emma brand and that prod moment when as a dyslexic person you discover that people what you to write articles for them.    

Find DIY with Emma on; 

  • TikToc
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show we are talking to Deborah Leveroy PHD, who is neurodiversity and inclusion lead at Dyslexia Box.

Deborah has worked as an actor performing in both London and Edenborough Fringes. As she continued with her acting career, she devolved an interest in how dyslexia can affect actors, this led her to take a PHD where her thesis called Enabling Performance: Dyslexia and Acting Practice.

In this podcast you will her hear the challenges that dyslexic actors can face, an insight into some of Deborah’s coaching technics that are part of Acting with Dyslexia. What she learned when studying dyslexics as part of her PHD and the tools she uses to help her with writing a thesis.

She now works as Neurodiversity and Inclusion Lead for Dyslexia Box, where she develops workplace adjustments strategies for the neurodiverse and has applied some of the lesions she has learned from acting to the roll.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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It this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, I talk to Rachel Morgen-Trimmer, she is a Neurodiversity consultant providing training through her company Sparkle Class. She is autistic and has ADHD, Rachel has won a Rose Award for her poster on Autism. 

In this podcast we talk about the relationship between dyslexia (Matt) and hyperlexia (Rachel) and how people with different neurodiversity’s can combine their strengths when working together. This can be a benefit to organisations and highlight how great building diverse team can be.

We also talk about how Rachel come to find out she is autistic in her early 30’s and what it is like to get accessed as an adult. She also spoke for the first time about the mistakes she made when it comes to understand dyslexia, and how she learnt to be less judgemental and more inclusive. We take a dive into what it is like to be autistic and the world of someone with ADHD.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks show we talk to Arran Smith who is the founder of Dyslexia Show, this is a live event happening in the Birmingham NEC with the Inaugural event happening on the 25th to 26th March 2022. This event had many exhibiters and speakers on all thing’s dyslexia including Matt who is speaking on the Saturday at 3pm.

As well as understanding the idea and drive behind the Dyslexia Show. We also talk about in this podcast, Arran’s background, and his work with the British Dyslexia Association, as a youth volunteer through to now be a non-executive director. He got made redundant and this changed his life and moved him into entrepreneurship. He has set up many companies all with the aim of helping the neurodiverse these include learning platforms, being a dyslexia consultant to Microsoft and being a governor at his daughter’s school. he calls himself the dyslexia entrepreneur.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, we are talking to Kelly Monday, who works for Microsoft and has recently been promoted to Consumer Channel Sales Director (at the time of recording she was the Global Account Manager for WPP). She discovered she was dyslexic at 19 years old during the early stages of university studies, this allowed her to get the right support during her studies. Kelly then took a graduate position at IBM and tried out many roles in different parts of the company before moving into sales post her graduate training, where she progressed her career before moving to Microsoft. At Microsoft, alongside her role, Kelly is a mental health ambassador and has run the Thinking Differently about Dyslexia boot camps, aimed at helping children with Dyslexia feel proud of their Dyslexic thinking, skills and learn how to use the Microsoft Learning tools.

In this podcast, you hear how Kelly used tools to help her through her studies, some of the tools that Microsoft has to assist dyslexics, how having the right people to mentor and talk too help her embrace her dyslexia and how she now does the same for other dyslexic’s.   

This podcast is Kelly’s personal stories and opinions; she is not talking on behalf of Microsoft.For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show we talk to Wes Baker. He has had a diverse career, starting off as a biomedical scientist were he found could put his dyslexic talents to good use, in particular pattern recognition when looking at test results. He realised that he wanted a new challenge and moved in the NHS graduate scheme and retrained as an accountant, gaining his chartership. He now hold a strategic director position where he get to combine the skills as a scientist and accountant. 

We talk about the challenges he faced within different jobs telling people about his dyslexia, How being dyslexic has given him advantages as a scientist, being able to spot trends as an accountant and now leading strategy for NHS Merseyside.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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This is a bonus episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, in this podcast is the audio of an webinar on Dyslexia in Engineering that Matt did along with the IET Derby/Notts local network, which is part of the IET East Midlands network. IET stands for The Institution of Engineering and Technology which is one of the professional engineering institutions in the UK a person who is a Chartered Engineer will be a member if the IET or similar institutions.

In this webinar Matthew chats about his own experience of dyslexia, setting up Dyslexia Life Hacks to help fellow dyslexics and how dyslexic people can be an asset to any engineering team. The webinar starts with a talk from Matt and at 28 minutes 55 seconds the Q&A section starts.

The video from the webinar is on YouTube, you can watch it here.

  • The British Dyslexia Association
  • The Gift of Dyslexia - Article, podcast

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, we are talking about reading pens with Lauran Jeffery Area Sales Manager for OrCam.

OrCam have been developing reading cameras for the blind and visual impaired since 2010, there latest product the OrCam Read provides a portable reading pen that dyslexics can use to help with reading problems.

In this podcast, we talk about how OrCam moved into the dyslexia market, the operation of OrCam Read and best practices for use. How different do the blind and visually impaired use the device compared to a dyslexic? What is the benefit of using it over a smart phone?

Lauran shares her experiences with dyslexics, what she has learned so much since OrCam have entered the dyslexia support market.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, we talk to Ben Hurst who is a racing driver. He has raced for Aston Martin Academy and BMW. Like fellow racing drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jackie Stewart, dyslexia assists him when racing. Having only started racing at 16 he a quickly started winning and has rose through the ranks, hear how dyslexic visitations skills helps him learn the car and set it up. We also talk about how these skills help Ben be a better driver coach and the business side of being a driver. 

Born is Canada, Ben found out he was dyslexic at a young age and got the support he needed throughout is schooling. When he moved to the UK he was able to balance studying for a degree and his racing. He is a great example of how getting good support early can really help a dyslexic person.

Even if you are not a motor racing fan there is still a lot of great takeaways in this podcast, from racing at night in the rain to running a business there is something for everyone.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt talks to Nicola James the founder of Lexxic. She started it in 2007 and it has grown to over 50 employees. They provide psychologists that assist organisations in making environments that neurodiversity can thrive. 

In this podcast Nicola shares how she found out she was dyslexic in her last year at university. This lead to a big change for her as having access to the right support turned studying and writing things down, from a arduous task into something she enjoyed. Before this she was aware that she could always talk about a subject and it was the writing it down that she struggled with. 

Post university she work in HR before deciding to do something she loved, that in her words "ended up being a business", we cover what Lexxic does and how they can help dyslexic's at work from both the individual and team perspective. Nicola provides so fascinating insights into psychology, dyslexia and getting the right tools in place.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In the episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show we take a deep dive into dyscalculia with Marni Spicer, co-founder of dyscalculia.me and Table Fables. Dyscalculia can be thought of as dyslexia with maths. As you will hear throughout this podcast there are many similarities with dyslexia. Marni explains the difficulties dyscalculics can face and how her and her business partner Rebecca have developed Table Fables to teach children maths. 

They are on a missions to remove maths anxiety for all for good. As with dyslexics, give dyscalculics the right tools they can learn maths and even thrive. There is also a positive side to having dyscalculia and Marni believes that a dyscalculic may find the next big maths innovation. 

Marni is not dyscalculic but there business partner is, using her background in graphic design to create Table Fables and her experience as a life coach to build dyscalculia.me. She goes into detail on how negative experiences with maths in childhood can affect a persons confidence as an adult and how she can coach them to have better relationship with maths and a better life.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, we talk to Stuart Marsden product manager at Claro Software. After finishing his PHD, he worked for the NHS designing assistive equipment, this experience would become inviable when he later moved to Claro. Stuart who is not dyslexic is able to apply his epithetic design approach to provide technology that fulfils his mission to level the playing field for all.

In this podcast we talk about Stuart’s path from his PHD to working with the neurodiverse, his philosophy on dyslexia, how Claro developed writing helper and the design process. Both Matt and Stuart are engineers; they take a deep drive in to all areas of design.

Stuart has interesting insights on dyslexia and working with dyslexic people and draws fascinating parallels with his work for the NHS.   

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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In the episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, Matt talks to Delwyn McKenzie from Accent Music School in West Melton, New Zealand. She comes from a musical family being the youngest of five and both her parents play instruments. They taught her how to play a variety of interments from a very young age. Struggling with sight-reading she excelled in the practical playing and along with her husband has written musicals. She found out she was dyslexic at 45 when her daughter was being assed.

Having three children and two being dyslexic she has experience the different learning styles of these three. Along with this, she has put her lesions learned in teaching music to device her own piano course. She talks about how being dyslexic helps her see teaching music in a different way.

Delwyn has kindly offered listeners of the show free lessons from her online course. Head over to;

https://accentmusicschool.teachable.com/p/headstart-piano-book11

Use the coupon code; 5NOTESFREEFor more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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"When your dyslexic and you got to keep the flow, it was so tiring. Physically I was exhausted, because I has stay on the focus, I had work so hard to try and read the sentence."

The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show welcomes on Alison Edgar MBE, twice voted one of UK's top 10 business advisers and author of two best selling books. She has come along way form leaving school and taking a job in a hotel reception, she soon found that she could turn her hand to all aspects of running a hotel. This lead to a career in sales, where she overachieved and rose high in the corporate world. It was during a visit to one of her clients, they discovered she has dyslexia. 

As it will come apparent throughout the podcast, Alison is a master of cultivating her straights. They become so strong that any weakness she may have are overwhelmed, she also surrounds herself with grate people who allow her to shine. 

Ever wondered what it like to record you own audiobook as a dyslexic? Listen in to find out.

Find Alison on; LinkedIn, Twitter and her website

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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""When I came to the UK at 14, I went around with my grandma visiting peoples houses. There's always a picture of someone in there cap and gown. ""

Having struggled through school and her early working life, Keisha Swaby wanted to full fill her dream of getting a degree. It was during her degree, when she was getting some of her work prof read she discovered she is dyslexic and dyspraxic. This certainly has not stopped her. She has fulfilled her ambition to have a degree and is now studying for her masters. 

Around this, she is a radio DJ for Radio Diamond, runs a website, talks on dyslexia in the black community, advocates for Jamaica dyslexia association and Jamaica inspired. If this was not enough she has found time to work on a book! 

Matt and Keisha chart her journey from moving to the UK, struggling at school and finding out she was dyslexic and dyspraxic later on in life. They compere notes on going to university as a mature student's and Keisha shares what it is like living with dyspraxia.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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"Dyslexia is not a visual condition, but your much more likely to have visual problems."

Bhavin Shah is a Behavioural Optometrist who specialises in understanding the visual problems faced by dyslexics. Although dyslexia isn't a visual condition, dyslexics often have difficulties with visual stress,  visual tracking, words moving over the page etc.. 

In this episode he goes into detail on what is happening with the visual system, why it could be the eyes moving that makes reading difficult, not the brain jumbling the word order. How rock climbing to be very helpful for improving the visual system. We also go into what the difference is between a behavioural optometrist and a high street optometrist, how Bhavin transitioned from a high street optometrist and what its like to have an assessment with him.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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"On my first driving lesson and I was turning a corner, BANG a cyclist hits me. My instructor you need to be aware that the car pillar is a blind spot. That has always been with me"

Jock Boyle left school with no qualifications and label as slow. Having spent most of his adult life as a lorry driver his brain worked away in the background, if there was a problem Jock would think up a solution while he was out driving. One of these is a new type of lens that can improve road safety by reducing vehicle blind spots. He now has patents in his name and running a business to bring his invention to market.

Join Matt has he speaks to Jock about how being dyslexic helps him invent, the struggles of bring an invention to market and his learning experience along the way.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia please visit  Dyslexia Life Hacks

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“I'm never going to read this I'm dyslexic! I told him I'm dyslexic, he said but you can read and write, and you’re doing the job you're doing.”

Dyslexic barrister Sam Forsyth has succeeded in the world of law where words and language are important, had to read her final university law degree course work out to the senior staff as they could not read, her hand writing. She did not find out she was dyslexic until her daughter was stamaneted dyslexic, she provides her insight to this has assisted her in and out of the court room. How it can be an advantage as a barrister to be dyslexic and how unfortunately representing people who have found themselves on the wrong side of the legal system.

A must listen for any aspiring lawyer.

For hacks tips and tricks for dyslexic's by dyslexics please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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"I remember getting quite emotional, watching you be able to do things, not only you didn’t do before, but had resigned yourself to fact you wouldn’t be able to do" 

Following on from last week’s episode Matt interviews his partner Rebecca was trained to assist him with the Davis Dyslexia Correction program.  They talk about her experiences with dyslexia people at school, university, in the court room working as a barrister and being in a relationship with a dyslexic. This is a wide-ranging talk where they take a dive into how Matt has changed from before and after the program, helping dyslexic people she represents in law and should you tell the court if you are dyslexic?

For hacks tips and tricks for dyslexic's by dyslexics please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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"I’m trying to think, is there a voice going on in my head?"

In this episode, Matt and Richard take a deep dive into the book The Gift of Dyslexia and Matt's experience with Davis Dyslexia Correction program.
Richard being a non dyslexic provides a curios voice as he works to understand how a dyslexic person thinks and process information, compering such things such as how they both read differently, process problems and spell words.
Matt has benefited a lot from this book and the program and provides insights into how his thinking has changed.

For hacks tips and tricks for dyslexic's by dyslexics please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.

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" Sometimes you have to remember, I'm the one running this meeting"

In the first episode, old school friends Matthew and Richard explore Matthew's  dyslexia and how it impacted him in school, university, and as a blue and white collar worker. Get the benefit of a few of Life Hacks along the way.

Matthew has was stalemated with dyslexia at 6 years old, after getting through the education system he was completely burnt out with it all and when on to be an HGV mechanic for 8 years. As time when past he wanted more from his career and took the step to go to university and get an engineering degree. He now works full time as an automotive design engineer. He provides his insight's on how is handled as a blue collar  worker and the contrast with being a office worker.   

Please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks for more hacks tips and trick to help with dyslexia.