Empowering Exceptional Minds

Educational Therapy LLC

Welcome to Empowering Exceptional Minds —the podcast where we dive into real conversations about neurodiversity. We interview parents, individuals, and professionals to explore the challenges, strengths, and unique experiences of diverse learners and thinkers. We discuss ADHD, Executive Functions, dysgraphia, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, written expression, auditory processing, visual processing, learning disabilities, evaluations, assessments, parenting and professional development.

  1. 9h ago

    Fatherhood & Showing Up: A Conversation with Anthony Gracia

    Father's Day may have been a couple of weeks ago, but celebrating the role of fathers shouldn't be limited to just one day. As summer gives families more time together, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on what it means to be present for our children. In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, I sit down with Anthony Gracia for an honest and heartfelt conversation about fatherhood while raising neurodivergent children. We explore the courage it takes to be vulnerable, why mindfulness matters, and how being fully present can strengthen our relationships with our kids—even during the challenging moments. Whether you're a dad, a co-parent, a caregiver, or someone who supports neurodivergent families, this conversation offers encouragement, practical insights, and a reminder that perfection isn't the goal—connection is. Join us as we talk about embracing authenticity, navigating the ups and downs of parenting, and finding joy in the everyday moments that matter most. Listen in, and if this episode resonates with you, share it with a father or family who could use a little encouragement this summer.

    44 min

  2. Jun 23

    Is It ADHD, Autism, or Perimenopause? The Overlooked Connection Every Woman Should Know

    What happens when the symptoms of perimenopause collide with neurodivergence? Many women find themselves struggling with brain fog, overwhelm, forgetfulness, emotional sensitivity, anxiety, sensory challenges, and executive function difficulties—often wondering, "What's happening to me?" In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, host Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with Kara Cruz, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, EMDRIA Certified Therapist™, to explore the often-overlooked intersection of neurodiversity and perimenopause. Together, they discuss how hormonal changes can impact ADHD, autism, executive functioning, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Whether you're navigating perimenopause yourself, supporting a loved one, or working with neurodivergent individuals, this episode provides valuable insights, validation, and practical strategies. In this episode, we discuss: Why ADHD and autistic traits may become more noticeable during perimenopause The impact of hormonal fluctuations on attention, memory, and emotional regulation Brain fog, executive dysfunction, and sensory overwhelm Anxiety, mood changes, and self-compassion during midlife Strategies for managing symptoms and advocating for support The importance of understanding the unique experiences of neurodivergent women About Our Guest: Kara Cruz, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ is a licensed therapist specializing in women's mental health, perinatal mental health, trauma treatment, and neurodivergent-affirming care. She brings a compassionate and evidence-based perspective to helping women navigate major life transitions, including perimenopause and menopause. Please Note: We experienced unexpected technical difficulties during this recording, and the host's audio may sound somewhat muffled at times. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Despite the audio challenges, this conversation is packed with valuable information and insights that we hope you'll find https://www.karacruz.com/ https://www.acog.org/ https://menopause.org/ Books: The Female Brain by Dr. Louann Brizendine M.D. The Galveston Diet by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, M.D. The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause by Tasneem Bhatia, M.D. Mayo Clinic The Menopause Solution by Stephanie S. Faubion, M.D. The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter, M.D. The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond by Dr. Louann Brizendine M.D. What Fresh Hell is This by Heather Corinna You Are Not Broken by Dr. Kelly Casperson, M.D.

    47 min

  3. Jun 16

    Beyond Willpower: ADHD, Food Cravings, and the Hidden Search for Dopamine with Kamy Mousavi

    What if overeating wasn't about laziness or a lack of self-control? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, host, Maayan Glaser-Koren, sits down with Kamy Mousavi, founder of Step Together. Kamy shares his powerful journey from immigrating to Canada to struggling with bullying, body shame, and bulimia—only to discover his relationship with food was rooted in undiagnosed ADHD and unmet emotional needs. Together, we unpack why the ADHD brain turns to food for comfort, stimulation, and regulation, moving past blame to look at the deeper signals behind the behavior. We discuss: The Dopamine Hunt: How impulsivity and emotional dysregulation drive ADHD eating habits. The Shame Cycle: Why strict diets, restriction, and food labeling always backfire. More Than Picky Eating: Recognizing when food patterns are driven by genuine emotional distress, loneliness, or anxiety. Parenting Shifts: Moving away from unintentional traps and toward root-cause healing. Signals vs. Flaws: Why excess weight or screen overuse are communications, not character flaws. If you’ve ever wondered if your child's eating habits are about more than just food, this compassionate conversation will completely shift your perspective. About Our Guest:Kamy Mousavi is the founder of Step Together, an organization dedicated to helping families understand the emotional and neurological factors behind childhood overeating and weight struggles. Learn more: https://steptogether.us/ ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders, bullying, body shame, and suicidal thoughts. Please listen with car

    41 min

  4. Jun 9

    Write Anyway: How to Finish Your Book/Essay When Your Brain Has Other Plans

    What does it take to turn a big idea into a finished book — especially when your brain won't cooperate? This week we're joined by Rochelle Melander Row-SHELL MUH-lander, an ADHD-trained certified professional coach and bestselling author of Level Up: Quests to Master Mindset, Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity and the award-winning children's book Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing. Rochelle helps writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs cut through distraction, beat procrastination, and build a sustainable writing life — whether they're crafting their first book or navigating the twists of the publishing world. She's also the founder of Dream Keepers, a writing workshop that gives young people the tools to find their voice and share their stories. In this conversation, we talk about her journey to becoming a writing and ADHD coach, how she works with kids who hate writing, what her book Mightier Than the Sword can do for classrooms and families, and how she helps adults do the deep, focused work that books — and careers — demand. Learn more at writenowcoach.com. https://a.co/d/05iFOQQZ https://a.co/d/03j7pZxN

    37 min

  5. Jun 2

    Medication Without Fear: A Real Conversation About OCD and ADHD with Dr. Sir Norman Melancon

    For many families, the idea of medication can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even frightening. In this candid and compassionate conversation, Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Sir Norman Melancon to explore the realities of treating OCD and ADHD. Together, they unpack common myths about psychiatric medications, discuss when medication may be helpful, and explain how treatment decisions are made. Dr. Melancon shares his expertise on balancing risks and benefits, addressing parental concerns, and helping children, teens, and adults access the support they need to thrive. Whether you're a parent navigating a new diagnosis, an adult considering treatment, or a professional supporting individuals with OCD and ADHD, this episode offers practical insights, evidence-based information, and reassurance that seeking help is a sign of strength—not weakness. Join us as we work to remove stigma, replace fear with understanding, and empower families to make informed decisions about mental health care. Dr. Sir Norman Melancon Board-Certified Psychiatrist https://www.drsirpsych.com/ https://www.mindmeetsmedicine.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mindmeetsmedicine_pod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

    44 min

  6. May 26

    Beyond the Mask: Understanding Autistic Burnout, Survival, and True Self-Advocacy with Kory Andreas

    What does it actually cost to fit in? In this episode, we sit down with Kory Andreas, LCSW-C — a clinical social worker, autism and neurodivergent specialist, late-diagnosedautistic adult, and founder of Unmasking Retreats — who brings over 20 years of experience in education and clinical practice to a conversation that is long overdue. We talk about what masking is, why autistic individuals do itfrom a very young age, and the invisible toll it takes over a lifetime. Kory helps us understand why a child who looks like they are "doing fine" at school might be quietly exhausted — and what autistic burnout really looks like when it is misread as anxiety or depression.   We also explore self-advocacy in the workplace, how maskingshows up in relationships and families, and what it takes to truly unmask — not just as a concept, but as a lived practice.   Whether you are a parent, educator, clinician, partner, orsomeone who has spent years wondering why the world feels just a little harderfor you than it seems to for everyone else — this episode is for you.   In this episode: What masking is and when it begins The hidden cost of masking across a lifetimeHow autistic burnout differs from general burnout or depressionEarly warning signs parents and educators should knowSelf-advocacy skills and how to build them early Masking in neurodiverse relationships  The Unmasking Retreats experience  Find Kory: https://koryandreas.com/

    48 min

  7. May 19

    Navigating Adult ADHD in the Workplace with Dr. John Severino, PsyD

    Can you be highly successful, deeply creative, and still struggle with the day-to-day demands of executive dysfunction? Absolutely. In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we are joined by the multi-talented Dr. John Severino, PsyD—CFO, compliance consultant, professional percussionist, and founder of MyAdultADHDCoach.com. Dr. Severino bridges the gap between the corporate world and neurodiversity coaching to explain how ADHD shows up in the workplace, from both the employee and employer perspectives. In this episode, we explore: The Late-Stage Diagnosis: The common workplace signs that lead adults to realize they might have ADHD. The Strengths & Struggles: Overlooked ADHD superpowers in business versus the realities of executive function challenges. Practical Strategies: Realistic, day-to-day hacks for managing time, priorities, and overwhelming workloads. The HR Conversation: How to confidently approach managers regarding accommodations without the shame. Corporate Culture: What fast-paced companies (especially in tech) need to do to support and retain neurodivergent talent. Whether you are an employee trying to find your footing, a manager looking to better support your team, or a late-diagnosed adult looking to ditch the shame, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Connect with Dr. Severino: Visit: MyAdultADHDCoach.com Join the community: CatholicADHDCoach on Facebook Coach@myadultadhdcoach.com Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and share this episode with a colleague or friend!

    50 min

  8. May 12

    Flip the Script: Strengths-Based Learning with Sam Young

    What does school look like when it's built around a child's brilliance instead of their gaps? Sam Young, M.Ed. — Founder of Young Scholars Academy, two-time Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, and neurodivergent educator — joins us to talk about what it really takes to educate gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent learners well. Sam shares his personal path into education, the philosophy behind his strengths-based virtual learning community, and what lesson planning looks like when you start with a student's passions and talents instead of their deficits. If you work with, love, or were once a kid who felt like school wasn't designed for you — this one is for you. 🔗 youngscholarsacademy.org Families can use code YSAMAAYAN10 to save 10%

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Empowering Exceptional Minds —the podcast where we dive into real conversations about neurodiversity. We interview parents, individuals, and professionals to explore the challenges, strengths, and unique experiences of diverse learners and thinkers. We discuss ADHD, Executive Functions, dysgraphia, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, written expression, auditory processing, visual processing, learning disabilities, evaluations, assessments, parenting and professional development.

Information

  • Creator
    Educational Therapy LLC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Educational Therapy LLC
  • Show Website
    Empowering Exceptional Minds

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