The Executive Function Podcast

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  Audience: all ages and contexts

Team, 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  Audience: Students and parents, school context

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 Audience: all ages and contexts

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 Audience: all ages and contexts

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 Audience: Students and parents, school context

"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  Audience: Students and parents, school context

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 Audience: Students and parents, school context

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 Audience: Parents, teachers

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 Audience: all ages and contexts

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 Audience: Students and parents, school context