Math Therapy

Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru
  • 5.0 (118)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

  1. 3D AGO

    Anxious about math? You may be the best person to teach it w/ Heidi Sabnani

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Everyone's finally talking about math anxiety - in students, parents, and anyone that goes into a panic at the mere mention of the word "math".  But one group is often overlooked: math teachers! Many teachers find themselves having to teach math whether they planned to or not, and often without even being trained on the material themselves.  But don't panic!  Today's guest, teaching coach Heidi Sabnani, has a step by step process to turn that math anxiety into a classroom strength.  She joined Vanessa to discuss: Is math anxiety contagious?Consistency - the secret to longterm changeHow to overcome math anxiety at any ageAbout Heidi: (Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) Heidi Sabnani, EdD, has been an educator in math and literacy for over 25 years. She regularly presents at regional and national conferences in the United States and has been invited to speak at conferences in Guatemala and Ecuador. She is the co-host and co-author, with Molly Vokey, of the Math 4 All Show and Math Activators for Reasoning about Fractions, Decimals and Integers. This episode is sponsored by Texas Instruments!  Listen to the episode for instructions to enter to win an "Oh My Math" box featuring: the new TI-84 Evo graphing calculator + 4-yr licensean adorable plushie TI calculator keychain!Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    42 min

  2. MAY 7

    Why smart people still feel out of control (and what to do about it)

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Ever feel like you don't know how to take your own advice?  Like you've learned all the strategies but can't seem to actually use them?  Like no matter how hard you try to get your life in order, it just seems to get more complicated?! Well Vanessa certainly does, and (at the encouragement of her producer) she hopped on the mic and let it all out in one of her most honest and vulnerable episodes yet. With the help of her calculator stuffie and her trademark stream of consciousness outer processing, she talks herself down from a panicked state and explores: what an anxiety spiral looks like and what's actually behind itnegativity bias + confirmation bias = catastrophization!how therapy tools like a gratitude practice can helpwhat this all has to do with math educationIf you can relate, or just want to give Vanessa a pep talk, send us a text!  And share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    31 min

  3. APR 30

    Math is a spiritual practice & here's the proof w/ Edward Doolittle

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) 500 BC: Pythagoras may not have even existed, but a number-worshipping / bean-hating (yet vegetarian?!) cult definitely did. 1600 AD: Johannes Kepler lays the mathematical foundation for Newton's theory of gravity while innovating in both astronomy and astrology (and also inventing the genre of sci-fi in his spare time). April 2026: Vanessa learns these stories and more watching Dr Edward Doolittle deliver a fascinating keynote in Saskatoon and impulsively convinces him to be on Math Therapy!  So they sat down the next day to discuss topics like: how spirituality (in any form) can help us bring our whole selves to mathwhat the whole world can learn from Indigenous understandings of maththe power of storytelling in learningAbout Edward: Dr. Edward Doolittle, (Kanyenkehake [Flint Nation = Mohawk] from Six Nations in southern Ontario) is Associate Professor of Mathematics at First Nations University of Canada, a federated college of the University of Regina.  His interests range from probability (particularly in relation to partial differential operators) to Indigenous mathematics and the educational possibilities afforded by those different views of mathematics. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    48 min

  4. APR 23

    It’s never too late to change your relationship with math

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Ever since we introduced the above link to text the podcast, Vanessa has been obsessed with getting listeners to do so.  And guess what - tons of you have!  So today she reads a bunch of them on a range of topics like: the problem with labels like "gifted"gaining math confidence later in lifeneuroplasticity and thinking processeswho is Sister Beth?! (seriously, we need to send her a book)Also, you can now not only text us but leave us a voicenote!  Just hit the link at the top of this description and we may include your text/voicenote on a future episode. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    28 min

  5. APR 9

    This will change the way you think about calculators w/ Curtis Brown

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) We cover many hot button topics in math education, but today we're taking on the most literal one ... calculators! Why are they so controversial? When are they helpful and when should we use other tools? On today's episode, Vanessa chats with Curtis Brown from Texas Instruments about those questions and more: How students can take ownership of their learningThe relationship between cognitive load and math anxietyHow handheld tools can fuel learning (and focus!)Have you got strong feelings on calculators or know someone who does?  Let us know below and share this episode! Episode links: Connect with TI Calculators on Instagram or FacebookListen to Curtis's podcast Room To GrowAbout Curtis: Curtis Brown is a former high school math and AP Statistics teacher who spent five years with the National Math and Science Initiative as a Statistics Curriculum Coordinator. He’s now the Math Segment Manager at Texas Instruments, where he leads content development and serves as a voice for educators in product design. Curtis is a frequent speaker at math conferences and co‑hosts the education podcast Room to Grow. Outside of work, he enjoys kayak fishing, mountaineering with his sons, and spending time with his family. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    53 min

  6. APR 2

    Why we haven't fixed math education (even though we know how) w/ Steve Leinwand

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) If you listen to this podcast, chances are you believe not only that we can fix math education but that we know how to do it.  So WHY haven't we yet?! Today's guest Steve Leinwand is a true legend in this space, known for his radical honesty and authenticity in fighting for a better system for all.  He joined Vanessa from his vacation (because he can never resist a good rant!) to discuss: accepting people's full selves in math so they don't have to code-switchhow to make PD truly effective for teachers and supervisorshow students can learn from each other as much as from teachersAbout Steve: (Website) Steven Leinwand has been a driving force in math education for nearly 50 years, shaping policy, curriculum, and teaching practices at the highest levels. He's held major leadership roles with organizations like NCTM (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics), and NCSM (National Council for Supervisors of Mathematics). He has advised on national initiatives like the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and worked with organizations like the American Institute for Research, earning multiple national awards along the way. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    36 min

  7. MAR 26

    This will change how you show up as a leader w/ Alison Mello

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Leadership.  Feedback.  Professional Development.  Terms that get thrown around a lot - but what do they actually mean?  More importantly, how do we develop those tools so they actually make a difference in the classroom?! Thankfully, educator Alison Mello is an expert on leadership in math education, and she joined Vanessa to discuss: why PD often fails teachers and what to do about ithow to be a great leader - both for teachers and administratorshow to give and receive effective feedbackAnd as mentioned in the episode, you can still register for Alison's Get Your Workshop On 2026 (early bird pricing ends March 31st so don't wait!) About Alison: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) Alison J. Mello has been in education for 30 years as a classroom teacher, author, national speaker, and math consultant. Alison enjoys developing practical strategies to address issues that districts and teachers face in their schools and classrooms every day. She uses her understanding of leadership, curriculum and best practices to inspire and assist leaders and teachers in elevating and transforming math instruction. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    45 min

  8. MAR 19

    The way you talk about math matters, even if you don’t teach it w/ Kylie Fraser

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Back in 2020, math teacher (with math trauma) Kylie Fraser found herself in Vanessa's Math Therapy session at the Mighty Peace Teachers Convention in Grand Prairie, Alberta and was stunned how much she saw of herself in Vanessa's story. Flash forward to earlier this month when Vanessa returned to Grand Prairie to deliver the keynote, and 30 minutes before hitting the stage they reunited and impulsively decided to record this convo about what Kylie has been up to in her math journey in the last 6 years! They discussed: the math trauma Kylie saw in herself and her students and what she did about ithow language around math influences our self-worthhow to heal from math trauma through shared storiesOn that note - if you know someone that should hear this story, share it! Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, EmailMath Therapy: Text the PodcastMore Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, AmazonAudiobook: Audible, SpotifyMerch store: Shop here

    24 min
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5
out of 5
118 Ratings

About

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Math Therapy
  • Show Website
    Math Therapy

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