Nerding out on Neurodiversity

Dr. Matt Zakreski
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

This podcast is hosted by myself, Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and speaker, alongside our co-host and producer Jake Noonan, an educational coach and humanities teacher. We are here to leverage our personal and professional experiences as neurodivergent specialists to inform and entertain the world around us. And, since we can’t do that on our own, we’ve collected an incredible group of professionals from all walks of life who use their time and talent to support the neurodivergent community. When we know more, we do better, and the goal of the #NooN podcast is to provide our listeners with as much information as possible to make your lives better. Because, as Dr. Matt always says, we can’t always make your lives EASY, but we can make them EASIER – and that is just as important! If you’re neurodivergent, someone who loves a neurodivergent person, or works with neurodivergent people, then Nerding out on Neurodiversity is the show for you. Come on this journey with us! We’ll laugh, cry, learn, and make obscure nerdy pop culture references, we’ll have fun – we promise!

  1. 2h ago

    Ep 80 -- In Which, We Remember that Time When My Mom Died with The Gateway Gals!

    This episode, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Anna Wieland and Emily Hollett -- a duo better known as The Gateway Gals! Anna is a gifted educator and author; she focuses on writing curriculum and presenting at state and national conferences. Similarly, Emily is a gifted educator working to design and teach innovative lessons and units for this population. Together, they encourage all students to reach their highest potential while getting authentic feedback from students on what does and does not work. We love that Anna and Emily are out there pushing for better education for all gifted students! Together, Anna and Emily go beyond the classroom through The Gateway Gals! They co-created the organization, aiming to equip, empower, and encourage educators and all involved in education to best support their gifted population. This comes as resources, curriculum support, speaking, teaching-teachers, and more! And, what's even better, they co-present as avenues of advocacy and support for gifted education. We love the understanding and professional perspective that The Gateway Gals bring to the world of gifted education! Anna and Emily, thank you for sharing your experiences and guidance with us and our listeners! You are both making such changes in how gifted students are understood and that is so important!🦄🥳🦄 -- Where Are You At In Your Learning Journey? -- The Gateway Gals can be found on their website, Facebook, and Instagram! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 29

    Ep 79 -- In Which, We Join the Jake Collective and the JED Foundation to Discuss Saving Lives!

    This episode, we speak with a wonderful group of representatives from the Jake Collective! As an organization, the Jake Collective was -- sadly -- founded from loss and tragedy. Jacob Schreiber (2005-2024) was a brilliant, kind, and talented student at Brown University when, in the summer of 2024, he died by suicide -- (taken directly from their website). The Jake Collective is a multi-pronged initiative that supports the health and wellbeing of neurodivergent young people whose complexities can also generate great risk; in all of their efforts and influence, the Jake Collective honors the life, heart, and brilliance of Jake Schreiber. In this, his life and legacy continues to make a positive different in the world, and we are so grateful to share their story with our community. Melissa, as the CEO, leads the Jake Collective across all functions. Originally from the healthcare realm, her journey to the Jake Collective comes as being a lifelong friend of the Schreiber Family, having known and loved Jake Schreiber since the day he was born. Her daughter, Greta Filippone, is an official student at Brown! She comes to the Jake Collective as a dear friend of Jake Schrieber's, representing what ADHD authentically shows up like. Alongside the Filippone's, Amanda Morin is a neurodiversity advocate and educator who works alongside the JED Foundation in partnering with the Jake Collective. Together, they are strong advocates for breaking down the barriers in discussing suicide as a topic -- and, for encouraging everyone to find comfort and confidence in approaching conversations and discussions around suicide, mental health, and neurodivergent struggles. Thank you, Melissa, Greta, and Amanda -- as well as Lori and Zach Schreiber, Jake's parents -- for your advocacy and work within the Jake Collective. We deeply appreciated our time with you and we know that our listeners will, too.🦄🥳🦄 -- Don't Stop Talking About Everything -- The Jake Collective can be found on their website, and LinkedIn. The JED Foundation can be found at their website. Amanda Morin can be found on their website. Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 22

    Ep 78 -- In Which, We Discover ADHD is Not in Your Butt with Charlie Davis!

    This episode, we have the incredibly joy of speaking with Charlie Davis! His bio hails Charlie as a one of a kind actor, singer, comedian, and overall stellar dude -- and we could not agree more with that last part! We can 100% confirm that Charlie Davis is an overall stellar dude. A fellow ADHDer, Charlie embodies the best parts of being ADHD -- notably, through the incredible way he approaches stage performance and life as a whole. His career has led Charlie to host and perform a one-man Forrest Gump live show. When we first heard about this, we knew we had to talk with Charlie and we are so thankful that we did! We are so grateful that there's someone like Charlie Davis in the stage performance world, making sure to hold space, understanding, and empathy for neurodivergent individuals. Together, Charlie guides us through his life's journey and how he came to his Forrest Gump idea. The clips we've seen (and a whole video can be found below!) are phenomenal -- and we love the creative manner in which Charlie approaches the performance itself. He also discusses a lot of educational and growing struggles as a result of his ADHD, notably how those around him treated him and viewed him, and how this all impacted him as well. We love the perspective that Charlie brings to the world of education and neurodiversity! At the same time, we also do learn that ADHD is actually not in the butt -- believe it or not. Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom with us, Charlie! You are such an inspiration to all who know you and we love GUMP almost as much as you love cheese!🦄🥳🦄 -- Find Ways to be Happy. -- Charlie Davis can be found on his website, and Instagram! His performance, called GUMP, can be found on YouTube! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 15

    Ep 77 -- In Which, we Get the Haps with College Apps with Dr. Eric Endlich!

    This episode, we have the great privilege speaking with Dr. Eric Endlich! Eric is a clinical psychologist as well as an educational consultant with a passion for supporting neurodivergent students. Throughout his work, Eric has been endlessly advocating for and supporting this population, knowing how wonderful they are! He has a number of books that have inspired and influenced the world of educational psychology (which can be found via links below). Dr. Eric Endlich is also the founder of Top College Consultants, a resource to help students -- especially those with learning differences and/or any neurodiversity -- navigate college and grad school submissions. We are so grateful that Eric is there as an advocate and support for neurodivergent students going through this transition period! Together, Dr. Eric Endlich guides us through the realities that the upcoming generations face regarding college applications. We love the work he and Top College Consultants are doing to change how students and families view the entire college application process. We particularly appreciate how he considers the college essay, knowing that students and families tend to approach it from a very specific lens -- and how Dr. Eric Endlich reframes this perspective to best support the student. It's refreshing to hear this viewpoint, especially knowing that most students end up actually finding a new enjoyment for writing! We also dive into the meaning and purpose of accommodations, and how everything surrounding them changes from high school to college. Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom with us, Eric! You are such an inspiration to parents, students, and education as a whole!🦄🥳🦄 -- There Are So. Many. Paths! -- Dr. Eric Endlich, and all of his links are listed here: Eric Endlich, Ph.D., CEP | LinkedIn Top College Consultants - YouTube Instagram Facebook Parents of College Bound Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD and ASD | Facebook College Programs for Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Disabilities | College Consultants Autism/Neurodiversity/Disability Scholarships, Internships and More | College Consultants Getting Into College Is the Easy Part | College Consultants Older Autistic Adults: In Their Own Words: The Lost Generation: Wake PhD, Wilma, Endlich, Eric, Lagos, Robert S.: 9781942197515: Amazon.com: Books Disability Accommodations in College: What Families Need to Know Time to Grow: Post-Grad and Gap Year Programs for Neurodivergent Students Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 8

    Ep 76 -- In Which, We Go Full-Tilt with Debbie Reber!

    🌈🌈Surprise! 🌈🌈 🥳🦄Debbie Reber and Tilt Parenting created a page for you! This link will give you access to all their free resources in the Differently Wired Family Hub! 🦄🥳 This episode, we have the incredible joy of speaking with Debbie Reber, the Founder & CEO of Tilt Parenting! Debbie is a parenting activist, author, podcast host, and speaker. Throughout all of her work, she advocates and educates for understanding neurodivergent individuals and support needs. Her book, Differently Wired: A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope, which has been groundbreaking for anyone who wants to understand neurodiverse individuals. Differently Wired is also widely recommended and utilized by parents, professionals, and therapist across the world! She centers her approach by empowering families in creating inclusive and supportive systems for their neurodivergent child. We love that there's a leader like Debbie Reber there to advocate for and support parents! Together, we dive into what Tilt Parenting is all about! For those who don't know, Tilt Parenting is an educational resource and community focused on supporting parents of neurodiverse kids. At the same time, Debbie guides us through her story, what brought her to supporting this population, and how she worked to start a revolution in education. Debbie also brings a multifaceted perspective to her work, aiming to support the in the moment connections between parents and their kids. You cannot force your kid to do something they don't want to do! Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom with us, Debbie! You are such an inspiration to parents everywhere and you are leading the way towards a more understanding future for neurodivergent individuals -- and their families!🦄🥳🦄 -- Change The Systems and Society -- Debbie Reber can be found on her website, Facebook, Substack, Twitter(X), and LinkedIn. You can find her book here: Differently Wired: A Parent's Guide. Tilt Parenting can be found on their Website, Podcast, YouTube, Instagram, Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 1

    Ep 75 -- In Which, We Talk to Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes. Or, Dr. Matt's First 'Boss'!

    This episode is a special one! Today, we have Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes -- or, as we know her as, Dr. Matt's first boss! Dr. Mendes is the Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology at Yale University. There, she also founded and runs the Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology Lab where she works with various researchers to study embodiment. In essence, they study how the mind influences the body, and how bodily changes influence thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Her research questions sit at the intersection of social, personality, and biological psychology -- somewhere neurodiversity is endlessly present! We love that Dr. Mendes is such a present and outspoken advocate, doing on-the-ground research and work to change, in the end, the whole world! Together, we discuss Dr. Mendes' story and journey leading her to her work and research. She explains and explores how the body, mind, and emotions are interwoven -- and how that tends to go misunderstood in society. At the same time, we discuss Dr. Mendes' career as a dancer and how that influences her perspectives today! We love that Dr. Mendes is bringing a unique and passionate perspective to the world of neurodiversity. Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes, thank you for sharing your story, wisdom, and perspectives with us. You're leading the academic world towards building a more supportive and inclusive world for neurodiversity -- and more! 🦄🥳🦄 -- Serendipity for All! -- Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes can be found on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter(X), and her Website! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Aug 25

    EP 74 -- In Which, We're Learning With Dr. Emily King Again!

    This is a special episode: we have Dr. Emily King returning to hang out with us a second time! Today, Dr. Emily shares the exciting news that her new book, The Neurodivergent Learner, is officially out today! Throughout our discussion, Dr. Emily gives us a view behind the book -- the stories, how they came to be, and the process of creating it. With each element, Dr. Emily shares the wisdom, understanding, and perspective behind it. We know that all who hear Dr. Emily's experience will learn so, so much! We love that Dr. Emily King was our first return guest! She continues to make immense, positive changes in this world. Dr. Emily, thank you for sharing your time and perspectives with us -- and the news of your book! You are such a joy!🦄🥳🦄 -- Experience. The. Process. -- Dr. Emily King can be found on her website, Instagram, and SubStack! Her newest book, The Neurodivergent Learner is now out everywhere! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Aug 18

    Ep 73 -- In Which, We-Can, with Kevin McShan!

    This episode, we have the immense privilege of speaking with Kevin McShan! Professionally, Kevin's expertise is as an engaging and captivating speaker, disability advocate, and multimedia journalist. At the same time, Kevin works to bring awareness and understanding for disabled -- neurodivergent or otherwise -- individuals in the workplace. Kevin comes to companies and organizations with data and research that proves hiring people with disabilities boosts all positive elements of the working environment! Kevin's work is influential to all who hear his story and we are deeply appreciative for his perspective and advocacy. Together, we discuss Kevin's experiences across many facets of his life's journey. Kevin shares what living with cerebral palsy, as a student, a professional, and a person is through a lens of authenticity. We also explore how the workplace has both supported and failed him -- and how to understand that. We love that Kevin is endlessly outspoken about disability advocacy and how much of a difference he has already made across the country -- not to mention the world! Kevin, thank you for sharing your time, experiences, and perspectives with us. You're such a guiding light for everyone and it was an honor to be with you!🦄🥳🦄 -- Possibilities. And. Potential. -- Kevin McShan can be found on his Website,  LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook! Kevin also hosts the podcast, Let's Have this Conversation! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About

This podcast is hosted by myself, Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and speaker, alongside our co-host and producer Jake Noonan, an educational coach and humanities teacher. We are here to leverage our personal and professional experiences as neurodivergent specialists to inform and entertain the world around us. And, since we can’t do that on our own, we’ve collected an incredible group of professionals from all walks of life who use their time and talent to support the neurodivergent community. When we know more, we do better, and the goal of the #NooN podcast is to provide our listeners with as much information as possible to make your lives better. Because, as Dr. Matt always says, we can’t always make your lives EASY, but we can make them EASIER – and that is just as important! If you’re neurodivergent, someone who loves a neurodivergent person, or works with neurodivergent people, then Nerding out on Neurodiversity is the show for you. Come on this journey with us! We’ll laugh, cry, learn, and make obscure nerdy pop culture references, we’ll have fun – we promise!

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