The Executive Function Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sarah Kesty
Helpful, fun, and effective strategies to support kids' executive function! Learn how to coach your child to manage attention, organize, and plan! Inspiration for families with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities and more!
Hi team!
Executive function is tricky enough, and some of us accidentally make it harder by doing (or not doing) things that challenge our brains in unnecessary ways. This week, let's uncover some easy wins so you're not accidentally making life more challenging!
Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the link to secure your invitation!
There are many things that make EF extra tricky. Things to consider this week:
Hydration. One study showed that dehydrated participants made 12% more mistakes on a test of cognitive flexibility (which is an EF) and re-hydrating brought EF skills back to their baseline levels.
Location. Try to find a match of energy levels, the right amount and type of noise, activity and visual stimuli, closeness or distance from others, and the specialness of a space.
Attend to your bodies: think about movement, fuel, breaks, comfort...and remember that sitting and staring is an indication that you're stuck.
Social Conflict or needs: Emotional pain=physical pain as far as our brains are concerned. Make peace with the person OR about the conflict (write a letter, schedule time to think about it again, ask for help)
Keeping distractions around: consider removing the things that steal your brain, when you really need to focus.
Not asking for help: remember to know your personal signs of “stuck,” keep a list of where/who can help you, and plan for help for the harder things.
You got this! Let me know how these help!
All my love,
Sarah
Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the link to secure your invitation!
Join my friends Kim and Amy, of Talk Yoga, in learning and laughing together. We'll explore how tools for self-regulation, play, and language can boost anyone's executive function and performance.
For more on Talk Yoga: https://www.talkyogaslp.com/
And on Instagram
To have Sarah train your school staff or workplace on all things executive function, reach out! Sarahkesty.com or sarah@sarahkesty.com. Thanks!
Time management might be one of the most requested executive function areas I support, and yet it still is misunderstood! Join me today to hear strategies for adults and kids who are working on better using--and planning--their time. No 5 am club required! We're celebrating brain-friendly ways to feel more efficient with your efforts!
New: Hey Human pep talk (for all ages) is at 16:30.
Updates: I'm scheduling my school and workplace trainings for the year, and I would love to support you! Reach out to sarah@sarahkesty.com or go to Sarahkesty.com to learn more!
If you're feeling a little wonky or exhausted, this is the quick audio love note, pep talk, perspective shakeup for you! On the show, I share a short keynote I recently gave before a charity walk, in which I celebrate the opportunity of adversity. And before you say "nope," because I understand why you might (hello...it's not always helpful to find the silver lining in all moments; sometimes it's okay to just feel bad about a challenge), this isn't that kind of pep talk. My words will allow your brain peace and perspective as you--and your children--navigate the tricky moments of having a human brain.
Sending you so much love, Sarah
PS If this is the kind of message your school, group, or workplace needs to hear, reach out! I customize trainings and keynotes to meet your group's needs and specialize in growing groups' awareness and support of neurodiverse and differently-abled humans! Previous trainings include Cepheid, The Humane Society, Minnesota Department of Education, Sacramento County Department of Education...and more! I love this work and would be honored to support your group, too!
How many of us have told ourselves (or heard from others), "You need to get organized?" Yet the HOW piece is still confusing! What "organized" means to different people varies widely, and there's the big challenge of maintaining any system you create! (Because, hello? It's FUN to get going with all of the new tools and gadgets, but continuing after the newness fades? Ehh...) Our guest, Debra Levy, offers easy and brain-friendly ways to get and stay organized, including how to think about managing time as part of your system. This episode is great for grownups and kids alike!
The Rocks, Pebbles, Sand Video
About Debra: Debra Levy, is a Certified Life, ADHD, and Productivity Coach, and is the owner of A Life
That Fits, LLC. She is dedicated to helping her clients make time and space for what matters most in
their lives. Debra begins by working with her clients to clarify what is important to them, what will
make them feel happy and fulfilled, and determining what guidance and support is
required to create the life they want. She focuses on areas that are a struggle for many
of her clients (whether ADHD or neuro-typical) including time management, hyper-
focusing, distractions, the setting of goals and priorities, and establishing healthy
boundaries.
Together, she and her clients work on gaining insight into what is holding them back.
She helps them to become more aware of their own natural abilities, modalities, and
tendencies, make room for their big-picture goals, and implement step-by-step
solutions to help them get from where they are, to where they want to be.
Debra is here to partner with her clients on a thought-provoking and productive journey
to envision “A Life That Fits” their values and dreams and provide the motivation and
accountability to maximize their potential.
www.alifethatfits.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraslevy/
https://twitter.com/alifethatfits
https://www.instagram.com/alifethatfitscoaching/
https://www.facebook.com/alifethatfitscoaching/
Team,
Our kids can seem glued to their phones and display what looks like physical pain when their technology is taken away. Are they addicted? Is it problematic use? This episode explores tech's hold on our brains, how to discuss it with your teens and tweens, and what we can all do to call upon technology companies to do better by our kids. Guest Gaia Bernstein will inspire and empower you!
More about Gaia on her website
Order Gaia's new book, Unwired
All my love,
Sarah
Team,
Today on the show we "go there," we talk about teen suicide with A Brighter Day Charity founder Elliot Kallen. We explore some of the signs and ways to approach suicide, with many tools for kids and parents. It's a tough and important conversation, and we invite you to join us!
Find A Brighter Day online
Teen survival guide
Charity golf event 2023:
All my love,
Sarah
Hey team!
Listen in to our webinar about building routines to make life easier! We will explore:
Student hack #1: teachers love routines
Student hack #2: routines to save you time
Student hack #3: routines to save you brain space
Workshop time: Plan some up level and very brain-friendly routines to get started right away!
Join future webinars: bit.ly/jointeamkesty
Team,
Listen in on a very geeky conversation with my colleague and friend, Brandon Tessers. Brandon's company, Effective Artistry, provides support to humans with unique brains and does so with a science-based, compassionate, and innovative approach! You can find Brandon here and on InstaGram at ef_artistry.
Hey team!
Off the bat: meds are tricky, and this episode will not push medications. What you will learn from hearing from Dr. Walt Karniski is some honest perspective and stories of other parents' journeys in exploring ADHD medications for their children. Walt personalizes the struggles and challenges perceptions as he reflects on his 40 years as a developmental pediatrician. I hadn't personally considered that what we call "Side effects" may actually be the "come down" from medications. There's lots to think about when deciding if ADHD medications are right for your family and your child. Join us in exploring on today's show.
All my love,
Sarah
Team! We've got an accommodations and assistive technology expert, Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell, who will share some super helpful insights for identifying and using accommodations for learning! Even if your child is not yet college-aged, you'll want to hear Crystal Rose's ideas and perspectives!
Mentioned in the show:
BeeLine Reader
Voice Typing (Here's my how-to Doc)
Natural Reader
CaptiVoice
All my love,
Sarah
Having a brain with executive function needs is tricky; it also connects us with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement. The perspective shifts associated with DEI-- inclusion and celebration of differences--benefit all of us.
Author and speaker Deanna Singh shares her actionable and positive strategies for talking with your kids and teens about DEI. She takes away the political and negative emotions to get down to the essence of why these conversations and strategies matter. For all of us with different brains, having a welcoming space in which we can shine (and use our strategies) is huge!
I know you'll love this uplifting and smart conversation!
All my love,
Sarah
About Deanna:
Deanna Singh is a business consultant, speaker, and podcaster who is internationally recognized for her work in leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Deanna helps her clients create more equitable and inclusive work environments and engage more authentically within their internal and external communities. A gifted communicator, she is a champion for marginalized communities through her work. Her podcast, Uplifting Impact with a focus on looking at the intersection of Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, focuses on solutions and is directed at people who want to break the status quo. Singh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University, a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Actions Speak Louder book
Uplifting Impact Podcast
I am a Girl of Color children's book
I am a Boy of Color children's book
Selah's Bridge children's book
Sleep. It can feel so wonderful and at times, so unattainable, especially for our teens. Yet we intuitively know--and science proves--sleep matters immensely as a brain vitamin for growing and using executive function. So, how do we get our teens (and ourselves) more sleep? Experts and authors Julie Wright and Heather Turgeon share their best tips on today's show. You'll learn so many easy-to-implement strategies from their book, Generation Sleepless, including: what causes less sleep, how we can get our kids/teens on board, and how you can pass responsibility to your child.
Learn more about their work.
Grab a copy of Generation Sleepless.
All my love,
Sarah
Team, You listen to this podcast because your life is impacted by executive function needs. And, while many of our examples are for studenting, we also know that executive function needs show up...everywhere! Even on vacations!
On today's show, we talk with author and travel expert Dawn Barclay, whose book, Traveling Different, will empower you to travel stress-free this summer! Her hope is to "open up the world" for families, and the tips she shares here (and in her book) will do just that!
Preorder the book: http://www.travelingdifferent.com
About our guest: Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started as an agent with her parents’ firms, Barclay Travel Ltd and Barclay International Group Short-Term Apartment Rentals, and then branched out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. She is a mother of two and resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley.
Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse
Publication Date: August 15, 2022 • ISBN: 978-1-5381-6866-0 • $32.00, Hardback • 344 pages
Sometimes the right help at the right time makes all the difference! On today's show, Mel, a parent to an amazing college student, shares her journey of understanding and supporting her son! Mel shares how a deeper understanding led to her giving her son encouragement and space to change. Her son went from some failing grades and frustrating moments (including driving and safety) to an empowered young man with straight As and a transfer acceptance to his dream college! Let her story inspire you to embrace what's possible! All my love, Sarah
Join our college prep group here
Learn more
Hi Team!
On today's show, you'll hear from a college student, Zach, who shares how small-but-powerful strategies and perspective changes made all the difference for his college experience! He dives into some important insights for anyone who's struggling in an area of life which they think "should" be easier and gets down to some great tips about how to make schedules work for you (whatever schedule format you choose to try!)
Zach's progress and ever-growing toolbox of strategies are kudos to his dedication and hard work in coaching! And, it's possible for anyone with executive function struggles to grow in this way, too! If you or your child are struggling with "studenting," join our Launch to College Group! Our 8 weeks of live coaching and activities will have you ready to independently rock college, trade, or tech school--prepared with perspectives and tools to handle any life-ing that comes your way! Our group starts June 9th, 2022...so grab your spot and get ready for an action-packed brain adventure! (All ages of high school and up are welcome! The skills will help with independence, whether in college or not yet)
Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/ and join: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio
All my love,
Sarah
Hi Team! If college, trade school, or tech school is around the corner for your teen, you're probably beginning to list the to-do's and what if's! I hear you there! Lots of the families I coach are peeking their heads out of the "just get to graduation" space, to take a look at the "get ready for college" section of the journey.
On today's show, you'll hear from the brilliant and uplifting, Alec, who recently graduated with a BA in psychology. His tips and perspectives can help you begin to shift your thinking about college- or independent living-prep for your teen or young adult. (And...if your child isn't yet graduating, you'll still want to tune in to hear some of Alec's thoughts on balance, emotional regulation, and ways families can communicate! He shares so many easy-to-use strategies!)
And, if this kind of help is exactly what you're looking for right now, you've got to join our summer launch to college group. Imagine ending the summer feeling 100% confident in your teen's ability to handle independent life! That's what we're doing in our group! Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/ and sign up: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio
All my love to you,
Sarah
Nearly 50% of college Freshman with ADHD (or other executive function challenges) fail at least one class, if not the whole semester. Only 40% go on to graduate. Preparing your high school junior or senior with college-ready strategies is the best way to beat the stats and empower future success! (Plus, save that tuition, too!)
On today's quick show, you'll hear just some of the skills we're developing in our college prep summer group and why this is the best way to spend your summer! Now's your chance to do something fun and meaningful with your time together over the next few weeks!
Join our Launch to College and Executive Function group for guided progress toward college readiness. You know, all those skills you said you'd deal with after graduation? Learning how to do laundry, manage money, keep a schedule, wake up on their own, eat healthfully...those skills? The time is NOW!
Imagine your teen feeling 100% ready for college and adulting! That's what we're doing in our summer group! With proven strategies and neurodiverse-friendly brain hacks, your child will be empowered to handle all of the demands of college. Listen now and sign up here.
All my love and see you in the group,
Sarah
Team,
Executive Function needs are invisible, and our kids are often able to cope well enough that schools don't see the true struggle. So, how do we, as parents and educators, advocate so that our kids are supported and understood?
My friend and fellow executive function expert, Seth Perler, and I are teaming up for a 3-part series on Advocacy! Listen to part 1 here, where we talk about the need for and possible impact of accommodations for executive function!
And, check out Seth's work on his website and The Executive Function Online Summit, which will happen in just a few months!
My Launch to College Group for high school and transfer students and families starts soon! Click here to sign up so your child is college-ready by the end of the summer (and you can rest assured the tuition is safely invested because your child has tools to avoid failing out!)
All our love,
Sarah and Seth
What do you use to regulate your energy? Maybe you fidget with your clothes or jewelry or get up and move? Michael Malkin and Luce Fuller from Calm Strips developed a super cool way to manage your energy, and they share the Calm Strips story, their own executive function strategies, and a lot of laughs on this week's show!
Learn more about Calm Strips or watch them on Shark Tank.
All my love, Sarah
Navigating the Special Ed World is tough! On the IEP OMG Show, I share insider tips on how to secure and maintain the best supports for your child with special needs. These bite-sized shows will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to rock any SST, 504, or IEP. (PS this show is still for you if you don’t yet know what those are!)
Let me guide you through what is often confusing and overwhelming. Team up with me on IEP OMG!
Making goals can be exhilarating! Keeping the momentum, however, is not as much fun. It takes real work and the right mix of baseline strategies. In this episode, we uncover the two non-negotiables that need to be in place in order to create lasting change, and we explore practical ways to get them! (It's not extra work, but, instead, small changes to what you already do!)
Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 11:45
sarahkesty.com
IEPOMG.com
All my love, Sarah
Team,
You'll love hearing from Jeff Snyder, an autistic adult who speaks nationally in support of neurodiversity. Jeff shares his personal strategies and an incredible story about how he realized he had autism! In the show, Jeff also shares and recommends others in the neurodiverse community, including: Jeff Snyder's Going the Distance Blog and Speaking; Equally Fit; Uniquely Human.
Thanks for listening and all my love,
Sarah
Hey Kid,
Did you know that I can predict your grades, your energy, and your schedule based on the month? And no, I'm not psychic! School terms follow a pattern, and those patterns of demands, interest, and energy levels can be predicted--and supported with strategies! When you listen, let the feelings simmer for a bit: you're not alone, and there's lots of hope! Because for every challenge (predicted or not), there's a strategy to support your brain and get you through!
All my love, you school rollercoaster rider, you!
Sarah
Team,
This week we get to hear from the brilliant Emily Kircher-Morris who specializes in supporting kids with Twice Exceptional brains---meaning they are highly intelligent and also needing support with executive function! Sound familiar? She shares some great strategies and perspectives with us, all the while letting her love for our innovative kids shine! You will love her insights and her personal story (she challenged her teacher about the utility of rewriting spelling words after she'd mastered them! Sounds familiar again, right?)
You can find Emily's Neurodiversity Podcast here, and order her book, "Teaching Twice Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom" here.
In the show, we talk about the Book, Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn (none of these are affiliate links; just sharing great info).
All my love,
Sarah
No one would be cool with shaming someone who had a visible disability, yet the assuming, blaming, and shaming is loaded onto people with executive function challenges. Jump on this ride as we explore how to rethink our approach to invisible struggles. This week's pep talk is one of my BEST, and it starts at 13:25.
All my love, Sarah
sarahkesty.com/groups
Are the kids (and schools) alright? Things stink in schools everywhere. But, maybe they only stink differently? And, of course, we can strategize the school struggles! In this episode, we'll explore why studenting (and teaching) is so darn hard right now by taking an empathy walk. We'll think about all of the changing executive function demands on all of us right now, and you'll learn the 2 best strategies for helping your student, no matter what they are struggling with. There's hope. There's humor. And a ton of strategies for you to try now! Pep talk for kids is at 20:30.
All my love,
Sarah
Team, Meet Wonder Woman II, Getrude Matshe. This international speaker uses loads of executive function to stay organized, collaborative, effective, and inspired. She's helping the world and our community with her message of hope and triumph. Learn how she manages worldwide events, speaks globally, and runs a publishing business, all in the name of raising funds for others!
Mentioned in today's show are: HerStory Circle
Donate to send a child to school ($15 a year!)
Getrude's Story
My interview on the Power of Education
Back to school blues, anxiety, and excitement are very real (for our kids and for us!) How do you approach preparing when you're not even sure what to expect? How do you explain to a new teacher (or several) what your kid needs, how they learn best, and where is that copy of the IEP or 504 anyway? Listen, we hear you. This episode has quick and effective ways to prepare yourself and your kid for the return to physical school!
And, if you're looking for the BEST resource to get ready for the year, with a deeper understanding of your child, join me, Seth Perler, and other experts at The Executive Function Online Summit August 20-22, 2021. It's FREE to register, and it just might change your life!
All my love, Sarah
Let's make your home executive function-friendly! If your brain just kind of organizes itself, it may be tricky to understand the types of supports your child needs for their executive function growth. Conversely, if your brain is naturally disorganized, you may know what to do but have difficulty doing it. Either way, there's a strategy for that struggle too, my Tribe! Seth Perler is our honored guest on the show today, where we dive into his top recommendations for making your home executive function-friendly.
Want more of this awesomeness? Join us at the Executive Function Online Summit August 2021!
Sign up for The Executive Function Online Summit (Tefos) Free weekend event! August 20th-22nd, 2021. bit.ly/tefos21
Seth on YouTube
Seth's website
P.S. Thank you to all who reached out while the show was on an unplanned break. My health took me by surprise, but it's getting better every day. Thanks for the love! I won't leave you hanging again. In fact, I'm strategizing to make future episodes as a just-in-case we hit health bumps in the road again. You are amazing, Tribe! All my love to you!
Lacking motivation to finish the school? Maybe not! Let's massage your perspective a bit with exploring why you and your child may be feeling low "motivation" these days---and what to do about it! There's a strategy for every struggle! All my love, Sarah
Hi Tribe,
Working hard on improving your missing skills can be, well, hard work. But, what if we added a twist of fun? Learn with me and our guest, Amy Baez, from Playapy! She shares some tips on how to make therapy feel less burdensome and more engaging! Find more about Amy at playapy.com or her YouTube Channel! She has some great resources and themed games for developing executive function skills, too! All my love, Sarah
Tribe, I want you to meet and learn from my friend Darius Namdaran. He's brilliant, and his simple-but-profound method of brain organizing will empower you today! Hear his thoughts on dyslexia, executive dysfunction, and a brilliant kid whose brilliance was allllmost overlooked, for poor handwriting! Darius has his own podcast, Dyslexia Explored, and a program called Bullet Map Academy. He's also offering our tribe a free session with him, just to share the love! I'm still learning with Darius, and we have some exciting collaborations in the works! In the meantime, enjoy a listen to the calm brilliance of a man driven to make a difference for neuro-diverse humans! All my love, Sarah
PS Go to bulletmapacademy.com/beginner for an example! And, email Darius@bulletmapacademy.com for your session!
Turn that frown upside down! Fix your attitude! Stop crying! We do a lot to prompt our kids to feel better, and it makes sense: we don't want our loved ones to hurt. But, could it be that when we try to "fix" what we think of as negative emotions, we make them more intense and long-lasting? This Pep Talk is for any kid who's had a rough day, week, or school experience. It's for parents and teachers who feel like they are never good enough. It's a pep talk for humans, and it starts with this truth: Kid, You're Gonna Fail!! All my love, Sarah
Hey Tribe,
Kids are frustratingly human all the time. They do the thing you said not to do not two seconds after you told them not to do it. Oh, these tiny humans. Today's show will teach you how to embrace a "Detective Perspective" so that you can approach patterns and problems with a problem-solving lens, making yelling a tool you just don't need any more. The paradox of being perfect and super-flawed can really get you thinking, so jump in this epsiode with us! Pep talk is at 11:38. All my love to you, Sarah
PS Remember to share the show! It's helping so many families! Who do you know who could use some executive function love?
Have you ever read something, only to realize your focus had floated away? Or, have you lost your spot when switching lines of text? This week we talk to Nick Lum, founder of BeeLine Reader, an assistive technology designed to make reading easier. It is proven to help alleviate some of the mental tasks of reading, improving comprehension, and extending focus (when our brains use less juice on just reading, we are free to think about what we are reading!) Nick will tell us how BeeLine came to be, why he quit his day job for it, and how he uses executive function to manage his business. Learn more about BeeLine with the links below. All my love, Sarah
BeeLine Reader website
BeeLine Reader on iOS
BeeLine Reader on Chrome
BeeLine Reader for PDF
Insight Browser Beta (will be launching in January 2021 with BeeLine capability)
If you had a dollar for every time someone told you or your child to "just study" or "study harder," you'd be rich, right? But, what does that even mean? And how can you study harder if you never learned how to study anyway? This episode has study tips AND how to coach your child to actually USE them, now, to improve their grades on last-minute work and final exams. Disclaimer: grades are not who your child is. While this episode explores ways to improve grades, take grades in general as one measure of the 1,000 things your kid is and does. Grades matter a lot and grades don't matter at all. Intrigued? Jump in the episode! (Pep talk for your amazing kid is at 16:19)
All my love, Sarah
Tribe,
This interview will rock your brain! Geralyn is an Occupational Therapist, writer, and mom who challenges the medical and educational systems to do better for everyone. You will love her story and unique perspective. She writes on Medium and is the founder of the Down Syndrome Action Plan. Listen to show to find out why Geralyn says, "we have to leave space for our kids to reach their full potentials" and why she passionately proclaims, "your genes are not your destiny." All my love, Sarah
Hey Tribe,
If you're feeling weird going into this Pandemic-Clouded Holiday Season, you are not alone. Flexible thinking is an executive function that is in high demand right now, and the holidays are going to call upon it loads. Plus, you might be managing disappointment, anxiety, and social pressures...all while staying safe from a mostly invisible (but so very real) health threat. Not to worry, though, this episode teaches you how to flew that brain's flexible thinking and mine your expectations for the real gold---what you seek to feel this year! We strategize the Thanksgiving struggle today, together! Pep talk is at 12:25.
P.S. Sorry in advance: I sing on this episode.
All my love,
Sarah
Tribe, take a break and have some fun with this week's interview! Dr. Kirsten Milliken is the author of the book PlayDHD, which teaches us the science behind using PLAY to support our brains! She will explain, using science and experience, why fun is necessary, especially today, and how taking time to play can help you be more successful! She also talks about her awesome new project, WorldofADHD.com, which celebrates the art, lives, and creativity of people with ADHD! Links mentioned in the show are in the blog at: sarahkesty.com/blog/episode37. All my love to you, Tribe! Sarah
Tribe,
I was honored to hear from a listener who wanted to share his story after making it through the school system as a kid with ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder). Floyd shares what he found worked, what only worked a little, and how to frame your thinking about your own ADHD brain. His tips will resonate with you! (And, spoiler alert: He made it. He works and is going to school to become an advocate for justice! Floyd's story will give you hope!)
PS A learning moment for me: I sent Floyd some questions to think about before we talked on the show. Then, I went a little out of order when we recorded. Please forgive his pauses or "ums." Those are my fault, for going out of order. It was just too much great information to not post his thoughts!
All my love,
Sarah
Tribe, try-o-meters are not a thing. We cannot assume we know how hard others, especially our kids, are trying. I challenge you to replace your assumptions with only one: Kids do their best. Please listen and share. (This episode is in response to some emails my students and clients received from teachers this week, including, "You need to actually try," and "I won't help you anymore unless you do your part." We can't afford to lose our kids by assuming they aren't trying.) Listen in for some strategies and an empathetic walk in kids' shoes right now. Pep talk at 19:00 (but the whole episode is like a perspective pep talk this week!) All my love, Sarah
Tribe, This episode may go against the grain a bit. We all are fighting so hard right now. Fighting to stay safe. Fighting to stay positive. Fighting to stay on top of whatever "school" may look like. We are trying to be in action all the time because we think action is the solution to stress. Today's episode won't ask you to stop acting, but it will empower you to make FUN part of your plan and activities. It is FUN that will keep our brains healthy and able to access strategies and learning. It is FUN that will regulate our brain chemicals to get us into a more productive, happy space. Fun is not a waste of time, and it doesn't have to be separate from what you're doing right now. All my love (and some fun) to you, Sarah
One of the most common concerns I’ve heard from our Tribe is that of keeping our kids organized and on track for distance learning or hybrid models. This concern touches deep into layers of Executive Function, and I’m going to share some great hacks today. Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:10. All my love! Sarah
Tribe, today you'll hear from Ashley Daugherty, who created a planner with embedded executive function supports! I'm so excited for her planner and its potential impact on kids' lives. Check out her website for more information and to order: https://www.studentplannerplus.com/ All my love, Sarah
It's official: no matter how you "school" this fall, you will be overwhelmed at some point. Today's show teaches you how to re-frame overwhelm (for instant relief) and how to deal with the overwhelm that sneaks up and takes over our brains. Tons of strategies for kids and their grown ups in this show! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:45. All my love, Sarah
Hey Tribe, This might be one of my favorite hacks. If you can track your energy levels and then match them with high- and low- demand activities, you and your child will save SO much time and effort fighting against your brains! Using this strategy has helped me get more done, in less time, and I feel less frustrated with myself. (Yes, even coaches need strategies!) Let me know how it goes for you, especially as you prep for distance learning or blended learning (or really even just homework times). All my love, Sarah
What can you do to prepare when you don't know what you're preparing for? In this week's show, we uncover the strategy of dump-and-ask (which probably needs to be renamed) to process anxieties about the unknown. We talk about what to ask teachers so you can mentally prepare and start thinking of strategies to support your and your child's success this fall. We got this! Join our tribe on email by going to Sarahkesty.com/toptips. Hey Kid pep talk is at 17 mins. All my love, Sarah
Whether or not your child will return to a physical classroom, they will need a system to maintain their school-related belongings and space at home. Without the demands of school right now, you have a great opportunity to think about, test out, and create a space and systems to maintain it. This episode teaches you how to: make a special "workspace" for free or very cheap, get your kid to buy in to organizing, and how to organize the digital space. Pep Talk is at 15:54. All my love, Sarah
You love your kids, but if they're going to be at home THIS much, they've got to stop bugging you while you work, right? This episode teaches you how to get your kids ready NOW for when they become extra demanding when schools starts again. Teaching and practicing routines before you need them will help ensure a much more peaceful school-at-home experience for everyone. P.S. add Skittles or M&Ms to your shopping cart online...you're gonna need them (and for great reason!) All my love, Sarah P.P.S. If you want some deeper help, sign ups are open for Executive Function Coaching this fall. Sarahkesty.com/coaching has more info!
Disappointment is a pandemic's middle name. Today I want to teach you how to use disappointment as a way to develop self-regulation and flexible thinking in yourself and your kids. The thought framework is available at sarahkesty.com/blog/episode26. All my love to you, Sarah
We’re going to talk about some of our executive functions and their implications for fighting racism. When we intentionally grow our abilities to think critically and act according to our actual values, we can make significant steps against racism. Flexible thinking and emotional regulation are two skill sets we can hone to help us address and unhinge racism. Hey Kid pep talk is at 17:00. All my love and please be kind to one another, Sarah
Have you ever wondered where students who can't yet function in regular public school settings go? Who helps them? What makes those programs a better fit for their needs? Listen, I'm not going to pretend that all programs for students with "extreme" needs are quality. It's just not true. But, there are some that are top notch and have amazing people leading them! This episode interviews one of these amazing people, Mike Laharty. In our talk, we explore:
A "School to World" transition philosophy Why SEL and Executive Function skills being taught and practiced early could end the need for "extreme behavior programs" What Mike would do if he had a time machine (and which skills he would make sure his students had)
Even if your child is not presenting what we'd call "extreme needs," you'll love hearing Mike talk with simplicity and love about the true purpose of education. Our conversation felt like a hug and was certainly validating that there is hope for ALL students, even those who are blowing out of public school right now. Let me know what you think! I'll share the love with Mike! Sarah
"Brain stealers" are designed to capture your attention and keep it. Things like video games, apps, and platforms can hijack our kids' brains and create a struggle at home. Instead of fighting against brain stealers (you will lose!), you can own their power by allowing them at certain times. This episode is just as much for adults as kids! Jump in and strategize this week's struggle! All my love, Sarah
If I've grown over the 16 years I've been teaching, much of it is due to seeds planted by an inspiring, authentic, and upbeat expert named Patty Schetter. This interview with Patty explores her perspectives on supporting kids with executive function needs, what she's found to help them thrive, and a funny fail she will always remember. Links for more information on Patty's books and her work with CAPTAIN autism will be at sarahkesty.com/blog/episode20. All my love, Sarah
Is helping your child with Distance Learning making you feel like you're back in school? You're not alone. The amount of work varies school to school, teacher to teacher. Then there's the technology frustations. Links don't work. PDFs don't load. And what was this about finding assignments in one place, doign the work in another, and then turning it in in yet another spot onlne? This week's podcast has your back, with tried-and-true strategies to organize workload and make a plan for success. We got this, together! All my love, Sarah
Now that we are quite literally with our loved ones 24/7, the small annoyances we used to be able to ignore might just be too much to handle. On this week's show, we discover strategies to actually solve "annoying" or "bad" behaviors, rather than just putting them on pause. You'll learn what the behavior hole is and why just demanding that your kid (or partner) "stop it!" might be pushing them into the hole.
Can't wait to strategize the struggle with you! All my love, Sarah
Special guest episode: Two Education Technology experts on the best apps and supports for distance learning! Kristin Oropeza and Karyn Fillhart share strategies for teachers and students across all grade levels and abilities. All resources are linked at my blog: sarahkesty.com/blog/episode16. All my love, Sarah
Tribe, Times are weird. We are home schooling kids during the Covid19 shelter in place. This episode helps parents understand how to set realistic expectations for themselves and their kids as distance learning gets off to an inevitability bumpy start. Learn how to support your child's learning needs and avoid some of the traps of being at home, with less structure. Hey Kid pep talk addresses a lot of the anxieties and reminds kids that we can strategize this struggle too (16:12). All my love, Sarah
We decide all day: what to eat, what to listen to (like your favorite podcast here). But how do we teach someone the process of making a decision? I've got a great hack for you this week. Hey Kid is at 20:56. All my love, Sarah
When we ask kids to be good at pretty much everything (all academic areas, plus PE, plus social-emotional skills) without considering where they start or what challenges they face, we push them into one of two roads: 1) the frustrated and helpless, maybe take a chance and ask for help (and risk being seen as "dumb" by others road or 2) the act like I don't care and maybe even bad enough to get kicked out of this class because I hate it anyway road. Not great options. But, when we help kids embrace strategizing the struggle, we can present them with a third road: 3) the this is hard but I'm going to try some strategies because everyone needs help and new approaches sometimes road. Listen in to learn how to get your child or class to see and travel this third road. Hey kid pep talk is at 12:58. All my love to my EF tribe, Sarah
Getting started on anything is tougher than we might think...The amount of brain processes that are involved in taking any first step will astound you. And, luckily, we can strategize to support many of them! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:28. And PS my mouth said "deficit" when my brain meant "detriment," advanced apologies to my grammar peeps! All my love, Sarah
If your kid seems genuinely baffled by the results of their actions...this episode is for you! Kids with EF needs often feel like life happens to them, and they need support to see that they indeed have more power than they think! Today I teach you how to "close the feedback loop," helping kids see that their choices create consequences (positive and negative!) This is a beefy episode, worth a few listens. Your challenge this week is to start pointing out what your child does right, specifically connecting their choice to the positive results they created, in the moment. You'll start to see an empowered shift in your child or student! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 11:55. All my love, Sarah
We’re talking about attention. Not the kind that comes naturally or you want to give freely, but the kind we ask kids to pay. Today I’m going to teach you quick strategies to improve your child’s attention and improve your understanding of your child’s brain! This episode celebrates our bright and misunderstood kids' success stories! Hey Kid pep talk is at 17:40. All my love, Sarah
Which planner is best for my child with executive function needs? Digital or paper? Or, is it better to make one on our own? Where do you start? This episode explores all of these questions and more! Learn what is essential, optional, and customizable for a planner for students middle school through college! Downloadable planner pages to try out are at sarahkesty.com/episode7. All my love, Sarah
New year, new semester...they often mean a fresh start. But, using the same methods to get the "fresh start" just won't work. Learn how to monitor and improve your reactions when your child or student "misbehaves," how to use reflective listening to get great reflections from your child, and how to use in-the-moment feedback to support your child's resolutions or goals. New Year, here we come! For a list of the questions and talking points in this episode, visit SarahKesty.com. Pep talk is at 20:30. All my love and Happy New Year! Sarah
We tell our kids to "study" for tests...but we hardly tell them how. It could be because we don't actually know either! This episode shares the top strategies for studying anything, at any grade level. It also tells you what not to do (i.e. cram all night or reread the text) so that your efforts aren't going against your brain. Science taught me these tips. I tested them with my students. Now I'm sharing them with you! Pep talk is at 15:45 and will share the strategies in student-friendly language. We got this, my wonderful tribe! All my love, Sarah
The semester's almost over, and you're likely feeling the pressure. It's important to know where to put your last-minute energy to get the most from your efforts. Listen this week to learn top strategies for grade saving now and next semester. These methods work from middle school through college! Grades are not who your child is, but they do matter for their future. Hey kid Pep Talk is at 14:30. Our challenge this week is to just get through, and there are some great graphics (to use as visual prompts on your phone background etc) at facebook.com/executivefunctionpodcast. Sending all my love to you! Sarah
Do you worry that you help your kid too much? Maybe you stress that they'll never be independent but then still find yourself bailing them out in the 11th hour? Knowing how much and what type of help to give is tricky! This episode gets you out of old patterns and into new ways to help your child when you Strategize the Struggle! Hey Kid! Pep talk is at 18:30 Visuals of the questions to ask are at: sarahkesty.com/episode3. Thanks for listening! If you haven't already, please rate and review our show! It really does help! All my love, Sarah
This episode asks you to challenge your assumption that the "behaviors" that drive you crazy are choices, not missing skills. Our kid pep talk will reveal three teacher secrets that every kid needs to remember! And our example story may sound just like a kid you know and love!
This week's challenge is available at sarahkesty.com/episode2 (a reflection to start wondering if it's behavior or a missing skill). In this episode, you will hear: 1:06 Meet Aubrie--a brilliant student who lacks executive function; 7:30 2 important differences about Aubrie's success; 9:03 Why smart kids fail; 11:00 Are you making an assumption that inhibits growth and peace?; 11:10 Oh Should!; 15:20 A reflection for a healthier dynamic; 20:00 Pep talk!
I can't wait to hear what you think! Let me know on social or at sarah @ sarahkesty.com. Have a great week and all my love,
Sarah
Our first podcast will get you thinking, reflecting, and laughing! Learn what executive function is and why it's been the missing piece to your child's school, social, and home puzzles. This week's challenge is available at sarahkesty.com/episode1 (a think sheet to help you reframe the way you see your student's struggles!) In this episode, you will hear: 0:57 The Podcast Structure 3:30 An example of a day with Executive Function challenges 6:39 What is Executive Function 12:12 A powerful thought switch 12:40 Week 1 challenge (reflection sheet available here) 15:48 Hey Kid Pep Talk Talk with you next week and sending all my love, Sarah
Is your child or student so smart but failing at school? Are you struggling with issues like organization, planning, and self-management? Listen to the executive function podcast, where you'll grow to understand your child as well as learn some ready-to-use tricks for success! Together, we will strategize the struggle! The Executive Function Podcast is coming soon, wherever you listen!