Full PreFrontal: Exposing the Mysteries of Executive Function

Send us a textNo one has been spared from the strong impulse to put things off for later. You might find yourself cleaning out the refrigerator when you should really be working on your taxes.  Dilly-dallying and lallygagging are a few ways one’s aversion for impending tasks manifests itself. In the Netflix series, The Kominsky Method, Alan Arkin’s character loses his wife of nearly 50 years to cancer and at the funeral, his daughter who never visits her ailing mother during her illness shows up. The upset father asks why and to which she replies, “Because I was busy”.  When pressed further, the daughter blurts out, “Because I didn’t think she’ll die.” In this case, the daughter’s procrastination went too far.On this episode, our guest, Tim Pychyl, Ph.D., professor of psychology, award-winning teacher, successful author, and prolific podcaster, will talk about why we procrastinate. Since the hallmark of executive dysfunction is inefficiency, poor task management, and lack of goal achievement, this conversation will add a critical perspective to methods of supporting individuals with Executive Function.About Tim Pychyl, Ph.D.Dr. Tim Pychyl is the Director of the Centre for Initiatives in Education and Associate Professor of Psychology at Carleton University, Ottawa. Tim has developed an international reputation for his research on procrastination. In addition to journal articles summarizing his research with his students, Tim has co-edited two books, the most recent of which is Procrastination, Health and Well-Being (2016, Elsevier). He is also author of Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change (2013, Tarcher/Penguin). You can learn more about his research and access his Psychology Today blog or his iProcrastinate podcast at procrastination.ca.Tim’s research is complemented by his passion for teaching for which he has won numerous awards including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, Ontario Confederation of University Associations Teaching Award and University Medal for Distinguished Teaching. Tim has been an invited speaker across the country working with professors in universities and colleges to enhance teaching and learning.Websiteprocrastination.caBooksProcrastination, Health and Well-BeingSolving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for ChangeAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show

Send us a textWhen talking about his sad mess of a childhood, author Augustine Boroughs’ fantasy of normalcy resembled to that of "fabric-softener, tuna-salad-on-white, PTA-meeting normal". In his autobiography, Running with Scissors, Boroughs writes about his guardian conjuring a mental health excuse by giving him the directive to pop pills, drink liquor and fake his own suicide so that he could get out of going school. As a reader you can’t help but think in what ways these childhood experiences shaped Boroughs’ life views. Being prepared to respond to life’s events as you know best and to bounce back from personal, social, and societal adversity is the hallmark of resilience.Our guest, Dr. Robert Brooks, returns with his brilliant insights to help us make the connections between resiliency, self-discipline, and parenting and how the we must place great importance on the idea of goodness of fit!About Robert Brooks, Ph.D.Dr. Robert Brooks is a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School (part-time) and former Director of the Department of Psychology at McLean Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital.  He has lectured nationally and internationally and written extensively about such themes as motivation, resilience, school and work climate, parenting and family relationships, and balancing our personal and professional lives.  He is the author or co-author of 17 books including “Raising Resilient Children,” “The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life,” “Handbook of Resilience in Children,” and “Children’s Classroom Behavior: Creating Sustainable, Resilient Classrooms.”Websitehttp://www.drrobertbrooks.com/BooksThe Happiness Advantage by Shawn AchorDrive by Daniel PinkPositivity by Barbara FredricksonRethinking Positive Thinking by Gabriele OettingenAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show

Send us a textRoberto Benigni’s critically acclaimed role in the movie Life is Beautiful, which earned him an Oscar, poignantly illustrates what a caring, charismatic adult does to shield a young boy from the horrors of captivity in a concentration camp as they were thrown into the atrocities of war. With his resilient ways, Guido Orefice, the father in this movie, interacts reassuringly with his son and helps him gain a sense of control over his life in the midst of chaos. The question then arises: Are all adults inherently equipped to cast a positive influence on a child? When polled, American adults always indicate their genuine concern for the budding American youth; however, children of misfortune are often stamped from the beginning with heavy odds weighing against their wholesome development. Researchers agree that the consistent factor that tips the scale in a child’s favor is a caring and influential adult.On this episode, psychologist and prolific author, Dr. Robert Brooks, whose expertise includes resiliency, motivation, and parenting, talks about the role of a charismatic adult in developing well-adjusted children.About Robert Brooks, Ph.D.Dr. Robert Brooks is a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School (part-time) and former Director of the Department of Psychology at McLean Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital.  He has lectured nationally and internationally and written extensively about such themes as motivation, resilience, school and work climate, parenting and family relationships, and balancing our personal and professional lives.  He is the author or co-author of 17 books including “Raising Resilient Children,” “The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life,” “Handbook of Resilience in Children,” and “Children’s Classroom Behavior: Creating Sustainable, Resilient Classrooms.”Websitehttp://www.drrobertbrooks.com/BooksThe Happiness Advantage by Shawn AchorDrive by Daniel PinkPositivity by Barbara FredricksonRethinking Positive Thinking by Gabriele OettingenAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show

Send us a textAs a youngster growing up in 70s, if I had struggled to retain facts, or to learn a second (more like third) language or did not grasp advance math or failed to finish the exam on time, I would have been lectured or yelled at. In that era, I would been reprehended for not trying hard enough or for not caring enough about my learning. Thankfully, the development in neuroscience and the deeper understanding of psychology of learning has opened our eyes to the possibilities that student’s learning difficulties may not stem from his/her stubbornness nor is it an indication of poor character. In the 21st century, if a child has a persistent cold, the parents will take him/her to the doctor without hesitation. But a struggling learners’ difficulties often lead to confusion and inconsistent cultural recommendations because the parents are often unsure as to what learning challenges are serious enough to require formal action.On this episode, Dr. Judy Wolman returns to discuss why barriers in learning require specific steps, the benefit of formal evaluation, and how proper investigation clears the way for selecting the right environment for the child to thrive.About Judy WolmanJudy Draisin Wolman is a psychologist in Sandy Springs, Georgia, specializing in psychoeducational evaluations, family therapy regarding child-related issues, and psychotherapy for children and adolescents.She received her Ph.D. in Developmental School Psychology at Georgia State University in December of 1984.  Prior to that, she received a Masters in Learning Disabilities in 1976, and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Maryland in 1974.Dr. Wolman has been practicing in the Sandy Springs area for almost thirty years.  She was previously with the Dekalb County School System for ten years as a school psychologist, as part of a preschool assessment team, and as a Learning Disabilities Resource Room teacher.  Dr. Wolman speaks to many school and community groups on topics such as behavior management of preschool and elementary age children, living happily with pre-adolescents, building self-esteem, identifying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders and Learning Disabilities, and other topics related to successful parenting.She is an actively involved member of many professional associations, including the American Psychological Association, the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, the Georgia Psychological Association, and the Learning Disabilities Association.Dr. Wolman is married and has two children, who have made it through the child and adolescent stages she addresses in her practice and lectures.  She is now a proud grandmother, as well.Websitehttp://judywolmanphd.com/MaterialsDan Hughes PACE ModelAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show

Send us a textNo one is free form worrying about their children and their success. From sippy cups, nap times, and play dates, parents move on to worrying about lost papers, missing homework, too much cell-phone use, or not getting a part in a school play. Normal mishaps aside, a struggling child can cause even greater worry. Email exchanges like this one are not uncommon. “Johnny seems to work tremendously hard in school, but he is struggling to get his work done efficiently. I am concerned that he’s falling behind, and his effort is not reflected in his test performance. Johnny also seems to struggle in socializing with his peers and he doesn’t seem to have any friends. I think Johnny needs help.”At the start of each year, teachers anxiously wait to see what their classes are going to look like and within few weeks the chips begin to fall as they may as the students who are likely to need more individual attention and specific help begin to emerge with their struggles; sometimes subtly and sometimes vividly. Teachers share their concerns with the parents and then the parents begin to worry as they try and make sense of these observations. Parents, teachers, LD specialists, SLPs, and school psychologists begin to begin to put the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together as they sort, assess, and find ways to label these issues to correctly guide their learning journey. What is needed is a clarity that informs the decision about the next step. On this episode, Dr. Judy Wolman, an education psychologist, will discuss the process of evaluating the relationship between the brain and behavior and how that impacts education.About Judy WolmanJudy Draisin Wolman is a psychologist in Sandy Springs, Georgia, specializing in psychoeducational evaluations, family therapy regarding child-related issues, and psychotherapy for children and adolescents.She received her Ph.D. in Developmental School Psychology at Georgia State University in December of 1984.  Prior to that, she received a Masters in Learning Disabilities in 1976, and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Maryland in 1974.Dr. Wolman has been practicing in the Sandy Springs area for almost thirty years.  She was previously with the Dekalb County School System for ten years as a school psychologist, as part of a preschool assessment team, and as a Learning Disabilities Resource Room teacher.  Dr. Wolman speaks to many school and community groups on topics such as behavior management of preschool and elementary age children, living happily with pre-adolescents, building self-esteem, identifying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders and Learning Disabilities, and other topics related to successful parenting.She is an actively involved member of many professional associations, including the American Psychological Association, the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, the Georgia Psychological Association, and the Learning Disabilities Association.Dr. Wolman is married and has two children, who have made it through the child and adolescent stages she addresses in her practice and lectures.  She is now a proud grandmother, as well.Websitehttp://judywolmanphd.com/MaterialsDan Hughes PACE ModelAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of Support the show

Send us a textSutter Keely is a smart, goofy, sensitive, troubled, unserious, and lost teenager who doesn't have the best Executive Function skills. Sutter is the main character in the movie ‘The Spectacular Now’ whose life choices are not that off the mark for a teenager but do certainly stand out from his sweet, focused, ambitious, and future-centered ex-girlfriend or the studious, hard-working, curious, engaged, and caring new girlfriend. This movie beautifully captures the angst of a young man who hasn't yet discovered the purpose of learning, the value of good habits, nor has he tamed the wild emotions such as anger, loneliness, and sadness that rule his decision making. But all in all, this movie helps us understand how to look for the composite portrait of a young life trying to make it. The movie invites us to become gardeners as we think of the grand beauty and power that lays dormant within a bud that blossoms into a spectacular flower.On this episode, my guest MaryAnn Brittingham, the author of Respectful Discipline, Motivating the Unmotivated, Dealing with Difficult Parents and the co-author of Transformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically and Emotionally will discuss how to be the gardeners.About MaryAnn BrittinghamMaryAnn Brittingham MS, has a Master’s Degree in Family Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree with a dual certification in both Special and General Education. She’s the author of Respectful Discipline, Motivating the Unmotivated, Dealing with Difficult Parents and the co-author of Transformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically and Emotionally.Throughout her 35 years in education, she’s worked as a special education teacher, adjunct instructor at the graduate level, teacher consultant, and has provided counseling services to children and families.MaryAnn, a behavior consultant and well-known international speaker focuses on social and emotional skill development, effective classroom management and discipline, self-regulation and mindfulness practices. MaryAnn is wholeheartedly committed to helping teachers reflect on and transform their own behavior in order to better serve their students. This passion was the springboard that led her to create her own international business, Brittingham Professional Development Seminars, to provide training that offers hope and inspiration to create a safe compassionate learning environment.Websitehttp://www.mbrittingham.com/BooksTransformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically, & EmotionallyRespectful DisciplineMotivating the UnmotivatedDealing with Difficult ParentsAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning currSupport the show

Send us a textA child opens a fun little children’s book and comes across two words ‘trogglehumper’ and ‘frothbuggling’. He’s immediately drawn in. You can hear him wonder, “what’s that?” What a way to capture a kid's interest and tickle their imagination! Celebrated children’s author, Roald Dahl, had knack of doing that. He once said, “If you want to remember what it’s like to live in a child’s world, you’ve got to get down on your hands and knees and live like that for a week.” Roald Dahl recognized that inspired kids take their curiosity into every corner of their learning world.It’s great to want inspired and motivated kids in the classroom but what if that’s not the case? Is it the educator’s responsibility to motivate students? What role do the teachers play in engaging the children? This episode, our podcast guest, MaryAnn Brittingham, the author of Respectful Discipline, Motivating the Unmotivated, Dealing with Difficult Parents and the co-author of Transformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically and Emotionally will share some great ideas to transform the learning experience.About MaryAnn BrittinghamMaryAnn Brittingham MS, has a Master’s Degree in Family Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree with a dual certification in both Special and General Education. She’s the author of Respectful Discipline, Motivating the Unmotivated, Dealing with Difficult Parents and the co-author of Transformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically and Emotionally.Throughout her 35 years in education, she’s worked as a special education teacher, adjunct instructor at the graduate level, teacher consultant, and has provided counseling services to children and families.MaryAnn, a behavior consultant and well-known international speaker focuses on social and emotional skill development, effective classroom management and discipline, self-regulation and mindfulness practices. MaryAnn is wholeheartedly committed to helping teachers reflect on and transform their own behavior in order to better serve their students. This passion was the springboard that led her to create her own international business, Brittingham Professional Development Seminars, to provide training that offers hope and inspiration to create a safe compassionate learning environment.Websitehttp://www.mbrittingham.com/BooksTransformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Academically, & EmotionallyRespectful DisciplineMotivating the UnmotivatedDealing with Difficult ParentsAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through thSupport the show

Dr. Nancy Rappaport, expert in child behavior and psychology, discusses effective strategies for dealing with challenging behavior in children. Topics include recognizing signs of depression in teenagers, understanding the impact of smartphones on parenting, and addressing challenging behaviors in students through understanding root causes.

Send us a textRecently, during a baptism ceremony, an 89-year old French priest lost his cool and slapped a 2-year old toddler in the face, who wouldn't stop crying. The whole incident was caught on camera and went viral as one can imagine. The priest later said. “It was something between a caress and a little slap. I was trying to calm him down, I didn’t really know what to do.” Somewhere, the switch in the priest’s brain flipped where he felt compelled to react with anger towards a baby, which he certainly knew was wrong. Nothing about this story feels good but it poignantly illustrates the challenge in gifting children with nurturing care as they struggle with their own emotions.What’s most evident in a person is their behavior and not their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or even their true potential. Teaching children whose behaviors do not exude eagerness, commitment, or love for learning can be problematic for teachers and students alike. On this episode, the associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and celebrated co-author of the book, the Behavior Code, Dr. Nancy Rappaport will discuss the challenge that, if not careful, by zooming in too much on their behaviors we could potentially sideline the child’s struggle and get distracted by the challenge they pose.About Nancy Rappaport, MDDr. Rappaport received the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Sidney Berman Award for the School-Based Study and Treatment of Learning Disorders and Mental Illness in 2012. She also received Cambridge Health Alliance’s Art of Healing Award in 2013 – an award given to one who “transcends boundaries, joyfully embraces humanity, and profoundly inspires the healing of body and spirit.” Rappaport is the author of the memoir In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explores the Mystery of Her Mother’s Suicide (Basic Books, September 2009), winner of the Boston Authors Club’s 2010 Julia Ward Howe Prize. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly called the book “Fearless … a stunning narrative of perspective, profound sadness and unrelenting hope.” She is also the author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students (Harvard Education Press, April 2012), written with behavioral analyst Jessica Minahan.Websitewww.nancyrappaport.comBooksThe  Behavior Code : A practical guide to understanding the most challenging students In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explores the Mystery of Her Mother’s SuicideAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show

Send us a textFor a west Philadelphia high school dropout, Troy Carter has had an incredibly impressive career where as a talent scout, manager, and producer he has launched artists like Lady Gaga to fame. However, his creative entrepreneurship transcended industry silos as he has become first of his kind to be an angel investor in more that 100 Silicon Valley startups including Spotify. But as a child, Troy was so tiny that he would always be in the front and center in all school pictures while class giants would tower over him in the back. While kids were busy teasing him for his small stature, Troy’s 5th grade teacher Ms. Moore always addressed him as “big guy” making him feel like he was 6’5”. When asked about the confidence he brings to the boardroom as he sits among market-savvy and highly educated folks with mile-long credentials, Carter fondly gives all the credit his favorite teacher who made him feel not only that he belonged, but that he was special.On this episode, Dr. Kathy Perez, a Professor Emerita at Saint Mary’s College of California, returns to talk about what it means to invest in every child and what the key ingredient is to empowering children to be their best. Dr. Perez’s personal love for children and teaching is quite inspirational.About Dr. Kathy PerezDr. Kathy Perez, an international consultant, teacher, administrator and author has worked with students from preschoolers to university graduates. Dr. Kathy is currently a Professor Emerita at Saint Mary’s College of California. She has extensive teaching experience as a general and special educator, literacy/ESL coach, district administrator, site principal, and curriculum/staff development coordinator.Her innovative and interactive workshops are loaded with teacher-tested materials and activities teachers can use immediately and share with others. Kathy provides a lively and informative day of hands-on and minds-on learning.Dr. Kathy has worked extensively with teachers, administrators and parents throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Qatar, Brazil, Colombia, Caribbean, Africa, China, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.Dr. Perez is the recipient of an International Rotary Fellowship and has been selected for The Reading Hall of Fame due to her commitment and passion for literacy and learning around the planet.BooksMore Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy InstructionThe New Inclusion: Differentiated Strategies to Engage ALL Students200+ Proven Strategies for Teaching Reading, Grades K-8; – Support the Needs of Struggling ReadersAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empoSupport the show