Focus Forward: An Executive Function Podcast

Today, I am so excited to share this conversation I had with Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg. If you are a parent, a caregiver, an educator, a coach, a therapist, a human who interacts with children, young and old, this episode is for you. We all have something to learn from Dr. Ginsburg’s insightful and engaging interpretation of these decades of research on what works in parenting. Dr. Ginsburg practices adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, a founding director of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, the Director of Health Services at Covenant House Pennsylvania, an agency that serves Philadelphia’s youth enduring homelessness and a father of two young adults. This vast experience and deep passion for supporting children of all ages and their families, in my opinion, makes him the perfect lighthouse for us as we navigate the sometimes murky or stormy waters of raising our own children and supporting the children of others around us.You’ll hear Dr. Ginsburg and I speak highly of Ellen Galinsky who was a guest on Focus Forward and who wrote the highly acclaimed books Mind in the Making and The Breakthrough Years, all about EF skills in children and adolescents. If you’re interested in learning more about Ellen’s work, check out the show notes and Focus Forward episode #40, which coincidentally dropped exactly a year ago this week. Ellen will be joining me again in a few weeks to talk more about Executive Function skills with early childhood development researcher, Megan McClelland. In the meantime, thank you for listening! Show Notes: Learn More About 1:1 Coaching https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-worksLearn More About Dr. Ginsburghttps://www.fosteringresilience.comCenter for Parent and Teen Communicationhttps://parentandteen.com/Ellen Galinsky’s bookshttps://ellengalinsky.com/

As a person with ADHD or Executive Function challenges it can often feel like society - you know, people at work, in our homes, anyone we encounter during our day, expects you to think, work, and communicate the same way as everyone else. It can be exhausting and can often require that you advocate for yourself and your needs more than you would like! And the first step of advocacy is figuring out what exactly it even is that you need! In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Llewellyn Snider and Brianna Morton, ADHD coaches and co-hosts of The Hypercast ADHD Podcast.Together, we explored the power of self-acceptance because, as they say, it is truly the foundation for building strong and effective self-advocacy skills. We discussed the challenges of setting boundaries, navigating dynamics at work and in our personal lives, and learning to communicate our needs—without guilt or apology. We talked about the importance of having people around you who GET YOU. And, most importantly, we’ll talk about embracing our differences rather than masking them, because, as Brianna shared, you’re not a weird horse—you’re a perfectly normal zebra.Show notes: Learn More About Our Guests:Hypercast: An ADHD Podcastwww.hypercastpod.comMelissa Llewellyn Snyderhttps://www.likemindcoaching.com/Brianna Mortonhttps://www.understandingadhd.ca/More about Self-Advocacy: Read & ListenEp. 39: Speaking Up: How to Empower Our Kids to Advocate for Themselves (ft. Dr. Nerissa Bauer)https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/podcast?wchannelid=y1lzulxlcs&wmediaid=j5rz3vnbkpFrom Failing to Thriving: ADHD Strategies Every College Student Needshttps://hypercastpod.buzzsprout.com/2328723/episodes/16524660-from-failing-to-thriving-adhd-strategies-every-college-student-needsTalking to Teachers: Building Self-Advocacy in College Students - Beyond BookSmart Bloghttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/talking-to-teachers-building-self-advocacy-in-college-studentsSelf-Advocacy Can Improve Your Lifehttps://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/self-advocacy-can-improve-your-life/

In this discussion, Dr. Emily Gordon, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in eating disorders, sheds light on the complex relationship between eating habits and emotional well-being. She discusses how eating disorders disrupt brain function and executive skills like impulse control and decision-making. Dr. Gordon shares insights on recognizing early warning signs and the significance of parental awareness. Moreover, she emphasizes the detrimental effects of diet culture on self-esteem and the critical need for open dialogue and supportive environments for adolescents.

In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. John Randolph - a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, brain health consultant, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. He’s the past president of both the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the New Hampshire Psychological Association, and his research focuses on cognitive health, executive functioning, and resilience. He’s also the author of The Brain Health Book: Using the Power of Neuroscience to Improve Your Life.In our conversation, Dr. Randolph breaks down the CAPE model—a simple and powerful way to think about and take care of our brain health. We talked about cognitive strategies, activity engagement, preventing cognitive problems, and education about our brains. And, how small, consistent actions can make a big difference in our long-term brain health. We also discuss the impact of sleep, exercise, and social connections, which was validating for me as this is what I always like to ask my clients about. Dr. Randolph also shares a little about the research he’s doing with people with multiple sclerosis to figure out how to improve cognitive resilience. Our brains are fascinating, so listen today to learn how we can extend and enrich our lives by taking care of them!Show NotesLearn More About Dr. John Randolphhttps://www.randolphnp.com/about-dr-john-randolphThe Brain Health Book: Using the Power of Neuroscience to Improve Your Lifehttps://wwnorton.com/books/978039371287212 ways to keep your brain younghttps://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-youngBuild Better Work Habits: How Your Brain Changes with Practicehttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/build-better-work-habits-how-your-brain-changes-with-practiceThe Quiz My Colleague Used With Her Clienthttps://www.viacharacter.org/account/registerLearn More About 1:1 Coachinghttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-worksLearn More about BrainTracks Teacher Professional Developmentwww.braintracks.comGet in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com

In this week’s episode, we’re talking all about routines. If you’ve ever tried to make a lasting change in your life, then you know how hard sustaining new habits can actually be. However, there are proven strategies that you can use to solidify habits into routines. In this short episode, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite practical strategies for building and sustaining routines.Thorugh the science of behavior change, you’ll discover new ways to build healthier habits through small changes that snowball into bigger transformations over time. Most importantly, my hope is that you find some practical approaches to build routines that work for you (even when life changes or gets stressful!) Have thoughts or questions? Feel free to send me an email at podcast@beyondbooksmart.comI hope you enjoy listening! Here are the show notes for today’s episode: Show notes:Ep 12: How to Maintain Progress Through Times of Changehttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/podcast?wchannelid=y1lzulxlcs&wmediaid=p9nb11s6hxEp 57: Decluttering Your Life: How to Make Space for What Matters (ft. Tidy Dad, Tyler Moore)https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/podcast?wchannelid=y1lzulxlcs&wmediaid=pcr8a1lkgbAtomic Habitswww.jamesclear.com/books11 Personal Hygiene Tips for People With ADHDhttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/11-personal-hygiene-tips-for-people-with-adhdTime for Bed! Why Sleep is Essential for Executive Functioninghttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/time-for-bed-why-sleep-is-essential-for-executive-functioningOn-Demand Webinar on Building Healthy Routineshttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/building-healthy-routines-webinar-on-demand-recordingTips from Calm.comhttps://www.calm.com/blog/daily-routineGet in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com

Today, I’m joined by the one and only Tyler Moore, AKA “Tidy Dad.” Tyler is a New York City Public School teacher, a husband, and a father of three. He creates content based on his own experience with tidying that he hopes will help others find joy and order in what he calls, “the beautiful mess of life”. Tyler came on to Focus Forward to share his new book, Tidy Up Your Life, which was just released this month! The book is a deep dive into the connection between physical and mental clutter and how our ability to organize, prioritize, and adapt can shape the way we live. Tyler and I also explored how embracing uncertainty and the “messy middle” of change, pivoting when necessary, and experimenting with routines can lead to powerful shifts in both mindset and priorities. He also explained the thinking behind his step-by-step approach to maintaining our homes —starting with organizing, followed by tidying, and then cleaning. In his book, he expands his ideas on this by offering cleaning and tidying options that are thoughtful, simple, and accessible for each area of the house.Tyler was fun to talk with and I hope you enjoy our conversation and learn a lot from him! Here are the show notes from today’s episode: Learn More About TylerWebsitewww.thetidydad.comInstagramwww.instagram.com/tidydadTidy Up Your Lifehttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751698/tidy-up-your-life-by-tyler-moore/From the Beyond BookSmart BlogGetting Organized: Minimizing Clutter In 4 Easy Steps - Beyond BookSmart Bloghttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/getting-organized-minimizing-clutter-in-4-easy-stepsGaining Calm by Organizing: How to Clear Your Space & Mindhttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/meditation-in-organization-how-to-clear-your-space-mind7 Tips for Organizing With ADHD: How to Organize Betterhttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/7-tips-for-organizing-with-adhd-how-to-organize-betterGet in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com

Happy holidays, everyone! It’s such a special time of year and I’m grateful to all of you for choosing to spend some of it with us here at Focus Forward! Don’t forget to check out Beyond BookSmart’s New Year’s discount on our new monthly coaching subscription, which offers 2 of our 45-minute one to one coaching sessions per month for a more accessible price of $252. You have the choice to add more sessions if you need additional support. You can find more information in the show notes or by going to our website, beyondbooksmart.com. Still have questions? Shoot me an email at podcast@beyondbooksmart.com and I can help you out!Parenting, much like coaching, is a journey full of questions, challenges, and opportunities for growth—both for our children and ourselves. How do we guide without pushing, encourage independence while offering support, and foster resilience in a world full of pressures? Ooof, it’s a lot of work. Today, I’m joined by Neal Elliott, a parent and veteran coach at Beyond BookSmart who has been coaching since our company’s inception in 2006, and whose wisdom has shaped countless lives. I asked Neal to join me to share three stories about coaching. The stories he chose highlight the importance of trust, relevance in learning, and meaningful parent-child relationships. You’ll hear about a student who improved his algebra skills by connecting math to Minecraft, a long-term client who rebuilt confidence through trust, and a special in-person coaching moment from our pre-virtual coaching days.Neal’s stories inspired our conversation and led us to talk about building trust, encouraging progress (even the smallest steps), and reframing failure as a vital learning opportunity. Whether you’re navigating the teen years or guiding a younger child, I hope Neal’s stories and wisdom will inspire reflection and offer some support for the road ahead. And be sure to check the show notes for Neal’s curated collection of books and other resources he wants to share with Focus Forward listeners. Neal knows what he’s talking about and he’s created a treasure trove, people! Show Notes: Neal Elliott’s Resource Listhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/14vTPW7F2IrCF8CDwKp8xTEXMSt5NsR0xiPG5i6boDxE/edit?usp=drive_linkLearn more about Beyond BookSmart’s 1:1 Coaching Programhttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-worksSee our current coaching subscription prices (discounted through January 5, 2025!)https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/contact-us

Something I love about executive function skills is that when you host a podcast all about them, you will literally never run out of topics because EF skills impact every aspect of our lives. In today’s episode, we’re talking about romantic relationships and executive functioning. I’m joined by Dr. David Helfand, a licensed psychologist specializing in neurofeedback and couples therapy. Dr. H, as he goes by with his patients, shared how executive functioning impacts relationships, particularly for couples navigating the impact of stress, trauma, and neurodivergence. I was so happy to also be joined by my podcast team—Sean Potts, our editor and producer, and Justice Abbott, our creative visionary. We got to dig deep into how to make our relationships healthier by improving our communication, emotional regulation, and intimacy. Whether you're looking to strengthen your relationship or support a partner with executive function challenges, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward together. Just a note if you’re listening with children around - we briefly and non-graphically mention sex, as this often an important aspect of romantic relationships. Some of the questions we covered today were submitted by our listeners. If you want to be part of the conversation, be sure to sign up for our subscriber newsletter and follow Beyond BookSmart on our social media channels.Episode 55 - Dr. David Helfand - couples and EFLearn More About Dr. David Helfandhttps://www.lifewisevt.com/david-helfand-psyd/https://marriagequest.org/dr-david-helfand-psyd/https://marriagequest.org/marriage-retreat/Further ReadingWhy You Should Stop Rescuing Your Partner (and what to do instead)https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/why-you-should-stop-rescuing-your-partner-and-what-to-do-insteadRelationships & How ADHD and Executive Function can impact themhttps://sethperler.com/%F0%9F%A7%A0-relationships-how-adhd-and-executive-function-can-impact-them/The Impact of ADHD on Marriagehttps://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/adhd.10.3.9.20553?journalCode=adhdEffects of adult ADHD on intimate partnershipshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10522158.2023.2165585Get in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s so important for families navigating the ups and downs of childhood and parenting: behavioral and Executive Function challenges in kids.I had the pleasure of inviting back to Focus Forward the wonderful Dr. Nerissa Bauer, a developmental pediatrician with a wealth of knowledge and compassion for helping families thrive. Nerissa has been a great partner with us at Beyond BookSmart and I’m so happy to be able to share her wisdom with you all again. Listen today to hear us explore the messages behind children’s behaviors, the connection between emotional regulation and executive function, and how parents and caregivers can approach challenges with curiosity, collaboration, and love. Dr. Bauer shared invaluable insights, from understanding the “why” behind behaviors to the power of the pause and how we can model self-regulation for ourselves and for our kids. Be sure to check the show notes after you listen to learn more about Nerissa’s work.Learn More About Dr. Nerissa BauerYouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@NerissaBauerMDLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nerissa-bauer-md-mph-faap-4b692967/Let’s Talk Kids’ Healthhttps://www.letstalkkidshealth.org/Teach Me ADHD Virtual Courses for Parents and Kidshttps://www.letstalkkidshealth.org/virtual-coursesEp 39: Speaking Up: How to Empower Our Kids to Advocate for Themselves (ft. Dr. Nerissa Bauer)https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/podcast?wchannelid=y1lzulxlcs&wmediaid=j5rz3vnbkpEmotional Regulation ResourcesEmotional Regulation as a Kid Can Be Challenging: These 7 Activities May Helphttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/7-activities-to-help-your-child-with-emotional-regulationHow Beyond BookSmart Supports Students with Emotional Regulation Challengeshttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-we-help/stress-managementEmotional Regulation and Executive Function Skills: A Powerful Linkhttps://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/emotional-regulation-and-executive-function-skills-a-powerful-linkHow Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - The Child Mind Institutehttps://childmind.org/article/can-help-kids-self-regulation/Co-regulation: Helping children and teens navigate big emotions - Harvard Health Publishinghttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/co-regulation-helping-children-and-teens-navigate-big-emotions-202404033030Get in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com

Ah, I’m so excited about this one! In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the one and only Kendra Adachi - popular author, podcast host, and creator of “The Lazy Genius” approach. Kendra offers a refreshing perspective on using and trusting our executive function strengths and supporting ourselves where we face challenges. Her method encourages us to be "geniuses" about what matters while allowing ourselves to let go of what doesn’t. Throughout our conversation, we dive into Kendra's new book, "The Plan," which brings a compassionate twist to time management. We also explore the impact of small, intentional changes, trusting ourselves, and how to push back against pressure to “always do more.” Kendra also breaks down her five-step Lazy Genius Method for tackling big projects: prioritizing, essentializing, organizing, personalizing, and systemizing. Kendra’s insights remind us that we can find real contentment by honoring what truly serves us, trusting our instincts, and embracing the season we’re in. I hope you enjoy listening and walk away feeling as inspired as I did! Show notes: Learn More About Kendra Adachi and The Lazy Genius: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/The Plan - a book all about compassionate time management: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/theplanKendra on Instagram: @thelazygeniusLearn more about Beyond BookSmart: https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/Get in Touchpodcast@beyondbooksmart.comInstagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoachingwww.beyondbooksmart.com