Dyslexia Journey | Real Stories & Strategies for Thriving with Dyslexia

Sonja and Nick
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Is your child struggling with reading? You're not alone. Dyslexia Journey helps parents understand dyslexia, navigate school systems, and support their child's confidence and growth. Hosts Sonja and Nick share practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent just getting a diagnosis, fighting for accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community and connection, this is the podcast that walks beside you. New episodes every two weeks.

  1. Severe Dyslexia Couldn't Stop Him — JT Mestdagh's Story of No Bad Days

    22 APR

    Severe Dyslexia Couldn't Stop Him — JT Mestdagh's Story of No Bad Days

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a child born with severe dyslexia and a life-threatening diagnosis refuses to accept his limits? JT Mestdagh's answer: you climb mountains. JT is the author of No Bad Days and founder of the JT Mestdagh Foundation. Born with VATER/VACTERL syndrome and severe dyslexia, he was told there was much he'd never accomplish — including learning to read. In this episode, JT shares how dyslexia shaped his worldview, what it took to push past labels, and how he now helps kids find their own path forward. If you're a parent or educator looking for hope and real-world perspective on dyslexia, this episode is for you. JT Mestdagh Foundation: jtmestdaghfoundation.org No Bad Days (Simon & Schuster): https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/No-Bad-Days/JT-Mestdagh/9781637632819 PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    37 min
  2. What Is Dyslexia, Really? What the Definitions Leave Out

    8 APR

    What Is Dyslexia, Really? What the Definitions Leave Out

    Send us Fan Mail The dictionary says dyslexia is about reading. We say that's just the beginning. After many years of parenting a child with dyslexia, and over three years of doing this show, we break down what the standard definitions miss, from the strengths no one talks about to how it shapes everyday life. We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    14 min
  3. 40% of Stanford Students Get Disability Accommodations. Here's Why That's Not a Scandal.

    25 MAR

    40% of Stanford Students Get Disability Accommodations. Here's Why That's Not a Scandal.

    Send us Fan Mail A recent Atlantic article revealed that nearly 40% of Stanford undergraduates receive disability accommodations — and the takes have been bad ever since. In this episode, we break down what the outrage gets wrong, why the 40% number actually makes sense, and why the real question isn't 'why so many students?' but 'why is the system designed this way?' Here's the original Atlantic article, "America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem” by Rose Horowitch, published on Dec 2, 2025. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/01/elite-university-student-accommodation/684946/ (non-paywalled version): https://archive.ph/gFRz4  Here are the other two articles we reference: https://reason.com/2025/12/04/why-are-38-percent-of-stanford-students-saying-theyre-disabled/ https://ca.news.yahoo.com/40-stanford-undergrads-receive-disability-155441769.html (non-paywalled version): https://archive.ph/gFRz4  PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    24 min
  4. Can AI Help Your Dyslexic Child Learn to Read? ft. Dr. Coral Hoh

    11 MAR

    Can AI Help Your Dyslexic Child Learn to Read? ft. Dr. Coral Hoh

    Send us Fan Mail Coral PS Hoh, Ph.D., is a clinical linguist with a Ph.D. in Linguistics. For the past 30 years, she has worked with children and adults with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and other language-related disorders. The U.S. and other countries granted her AI patents for the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. She is an author and referee for peer-reviewed journals and the architect of Dysolve® AI (https://dysolve.ai/), the first autonomous AI system for neurodevelopmental disorders. PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    33 min
  5. When Spelling Mistakes are a Good Thing

    25 FEB

    When Spelling Mistakes are a Good Thing

    Send us Fan Mail Listen to Nick's diatribe in defense of "creative" spelling! We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    10 min
  6. How Dyslexia Shaped a Successful Entrepreneur ft. Jeffrey McCain

    11 FEB

    How Dyslexia Shaped a Successful Entrepreneur ft. Jeffrey McCain

    Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to build a successful career with dyslexia? In this episode, entrepreneur Jeffrey McCain shares how dyslexia shaped his thinking, the challenges he faced in school and business, and why he now sees dyslexia as a competitive advantage. Whether your child is struggling with self-confidence or you’re looking for role models to share with them, Jeffrey’s story will inspire your whole family. Find Jeffrey at jeffreylmccain.com. If this episode resonated, please leave a review — it helps other dyslexia parents find us! You can find Jeffrey online at https://www.jeffreylmccain.com/. You can purchase his book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZX35GYD/. PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    44 min
  7. Dyslexic Voices ft. Inventor of the Summerbell Reading Method Hillary Summerbell

    29 JAN

    Dyslexic Voices ft. Inventor of the Summerbell Reading Method Hillary Summerbell

    Send us Fan Mail You can find the Summerbell Reading Method online at https://www.summerbell.com/ PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    41 min
  8. Dyslexia Journey New Year's Intentions

    14 JAN

    Dyslexia Journey New Year's Intentions

    Send us Fan Mail We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com.  Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Is your child struggling with reading? You're not alone. Dyslexia Journey helps parents understand dyslexia, navigate school systems, and support their child's confidence and growth. Hosts Sonja and Nick share practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent just getting a diagnosis, fighting for accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community and connection, this is the podcast that walks beside you. New episodes every two weeks.

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