Cultivating Excellence Podcast

Nicola Rose is the writer and director of the beautiful new movie, Magnetosphere, about a 13 year old girl discovering her neurodivergence. Magnetosphere (which I'm naming the best middle school girl slumber party watch or "how do I make neurodiversity come alive for my students?" movie of the year) is available for streaming many places, including Amazon Prime https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Magnetosphere/0MZX0SOLUZELZH8XZZRWMSBV8V"Nicola's IMBD profile is here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7384184/The Rotten Tomatoes critics review of Magnetosphere (certified fresh!) https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/magnetosphereThe book that inspired many aspects of the movie is Synesthesia by Dr. Richard Cytowic. An easier read is VS Ramachandran's The Telltale Brain, which has a fascinating chapter devoted to synesthesia.

In this engaging discussion, Barry Davis, Head of the McLean School of Maryland, and Cathy Patterson, Director of Enrollment, explore the power of a strengths-based education for bright students with learning differences. They highlight the importance of small class sizes and strong teacher-student relationships that foster confidence. The guests discuss evidence-based literacy approaches and mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety. Enrichment in arts and sports, along with a supportive school culture, are emphasized as key factors in unlocking student potential.

Claire's Website https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/Follow Claire's blog: A library of over 130 articles that address the range of challenging behaviors—relevant to kids birth to 10 years. https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/mainblogLCD Newsletter: Free bi-monthly email that includes my most current blog and links to additional resources. This is the best way to keep abreast of Claire's content. https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/lcd-membershipClaire's Upcoming Book: Big Reactors: Practical Strategies for Supporting Highly Sensitive Children (available for preorder; pub date- 10/2/2025) and her first book: Why Is My Child In Charge? A Roadmap to End Power Struggles and Increase Cooperation.Follow Claire on Instagram for tips and encouragement! https://www.instagram.com/lernerchilddevelopment/?hl=en

Explore the urgency behind private school admissions and the importance of testing timelines. Learn about different testing options and how to choose the right one for your child. Dr. Resnik discusses the distinction between school-administered tests and those given by psychologists. Discover essential tips for creating a supportive test environment and the ethics of test preparation. She also emphasizes the need for clarity on school-specific test requirements and reassures families about opportunities that can arise even after initial admissions decisions.

Lee Norwood, founder of Annapolis College Consulting, shares his wealth of college admissions expertise. He myth-busts common misconceptions like the importance of authenticity in major declarations. Lee emphasizes rigor over GPA gaming and the necessity of compelling storytelling in essays. He advocates for genuine extracurricular involvement rather than chasing trends. Discussing the Varsity Blues scandal, he highlights its negative effects. Finally, he advises on the risks of applying to too many schools and the importance of aligning college choices with long-term goals.

● Website: https://www.launchpadforlife.org/● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janesingleton/● Instagram: @launchpadforlife● TikTok: @launchpadforlife

Jeff Selingo's website, https://jeffselingo.com/, is full of resources for parents and professionals alike https://jeffselingo.com/resources as well as a page to sign up for his Next newsletter https://jeffselingo.com/next-newsletterBe sure to get a copy of Jeff's new book, Dream School: Finding the College that's Right for You https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668056208/?bestFormat=true&k=dream%20school%20jeff%20selingo&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_17_de&crid=16TQ9SC9PY55D&sprefix=dream%20school%20jeffAnd I highly recommend his 2020 best seller, Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissionshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z43V2RY/?bestFormat=true&k=who%20gets%20in%20and%20why%20a%20year%20inside%20college%20admissions&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_16_de&crid=1826NP62BTFVB&sprefix=who%20gets%20in%20and%20

Iuri's website is chock full of videos, podcasts, advice, and positive wisdom for your whole family https://www.iuritmelo.comBoth parents and educators can sign up for School Pulse, a phone based mental health intervention for teens that combines clinical expertise with cool tech https://schoolpulse.com/Iuri's books--Mind Over Gray Matter: Training the Mind to Heal the Brain and Know Thy Selfie: Tips, Tricks and Tools for an Awesome Life (for teens)Iuri and I also discussed the powerful ideas of Dr. John and Julie Gottman. The Gottmans were pioneers in studying relationships, and what specifically makes them positive or negative. Check out their parenting website https://www.gottman.com/parenting/We also mentioned a fabulous book called The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a must read for every post pandemic parent!

In this lively discussion, Sawyer Chisholm, a Mathematics major at the University of Chicago, shares his post-pandemic college application journey, influenced by his father's academic legacy. Harry Resnick, a freshman at Wesleyan University, describes his experience navigating an open curriculum, emphasizing personal fit over rankings. Together, they reflect on the emotional challenges of college admissions, adaptability during remote learning, and the importance of resilience amidst rejections—all while highlighting the significance of authentic connections in choosing the right school.

Beth Felsen's information and resources are at Spectrum Transition Coaching https://spectrumtransitioncoaching.com/ Her course, College 101 and other online courses can be found here https://spectrumtransitioncoaching.com/courses/ A treasure trove of resources for families https://spectrumtransitioncoaching.com/the-ultimate-guide-for-parents-of-autistic-high-school-students/The book you heard me mention is called A Spectrum of Solutions For Clients with Autism by Rachel Bedard and Lorna Hecker (Eds.) Another great source of information is thinkcollege.net and the K and W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Colleges-Students-Learning-Differences/dp/0525567895