Executive Function for All | A Podcast by Untapped Learning

Untapped Learning
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Struggling with organization, time management, or focus? Welcome to "Executive Function Skills for All," the podcast dedicated to helping you master executive function skills and achieve your goals. Whether you're a student aiming for better grades, an adult juggling life's demands, a teenager seeking improved focus, or a student-athlete balancing academics and sports, this podcast is for you. We explore practical strategies for improving planning, organization, time management, emotional regulation, and more. Dealing with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism spectrum challenges, or just want to improve without a formal diagnosis? Join us each week as we combine research insights with real-life examples to help you boost productivity, conquer procrastination, and establish strong habits and routines. Featuring expert interviews and inspiring stories, we're here to guide you on your journey to better executive function. Subscribe now and start unlocking your full potential!

  1. 2d ago

    Why High-Achieving Students Struggle in College | David Rabiner, Ph.D.

    Why do some highly successful students begin struggling as soon as they reach college? David Rabiner, Ph.D., a recently retired Duke University professor, psychologist, and former director of Duke’s Academic Advising Center, joins Brandon Slade to explain why academic success in high school does not always translate into college readiness. They discuss what happens when students lose the structure and accountability built into high school, why high achievers may resist seeking academic support, and how ADHD can affect time management, task initiation, motivation, and long-term planning. David also shares how parents can gradually pull back before college, allowing students to practice independence while the stakes are still relatively low. The conversation also explores why procrastination is not simply laziness or a lack of willpower—and how consistent external accountability can help students follow through on the goals they already have. David Rabiner is Research Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. His work has focused extensively on ADHD, attention difficulties, academic performance, and improving the quality of care children with ADHD receive. Learn about David’s free ADHD Monitoring System and subscribe to his Attention Research Update: helpforadd.com. The system helps families gather regular teacher feedback and monitor how effectively a child’s ADHD treatment is working at school. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - Why High-Achieving Students Struggle in College 06:14 - Helping College Students Manage Their Time 09:14 - Preparing High School Students for Independence 12:00 - Low-Stakes Ways Parents Can Pull Back 15:44 - ADHD and High Achievement 17:33 - Executive Function Challenges Beyond Time Management 20:07 - Why Procrastination Is More Than Willpower 23:15 - David Rabiner’s Free ADHD Monitoring Tool 26:46 - Conclusion #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #CollegeReadiness #HighAchievingStudents #DukeUniversity

    Why High-Achieving Students Struggle in College | David Rabiner, Ph.D.

  2. Aug 26

    The Balance Between Transitions, Expectations, and Executive Function | David Baker

    Why can a bright, capable child manage well for years and then suddenly struggle in middle school, high school, or college? Executive function challenges rarely appear out of nowhere. As academic demands increase and outside structure decreases, weaknesses in planning, organization, task initiation, time management, working memory, and emotional regulation can become much more visible. In this episode of Executive Function for All, Brandon Slade speaks with Dr. David Baker, a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of Baker Neuropsychology and Learning Center. Dr. Baker explains why school transitions can reveal executive function challenges that were previously difficult to see and how parents can support independence without taking over. They also discuss: • Why bright kids can have uneven skill development • How ADHD can affect brain development • How frustration and unstructured play build self-regulation • What college students need when external structure falls away • How parents can model healthy responses to stress • What families should know about neuropsychological evaluations At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build practical executive function skills through personalized coaching focused on planning, organization, task initiation, time management, and long-term independence. Learn more about Dr. Baker: https://bakernlc.com/ Want to learn more about how we support students? 🌐 https://untappedlearning.com/ 📥 https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 https://instagram.com/untappedlearning #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #ADHDParenting #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #StudentSupport Chapters: 0:37 – Do Executive Function Challenges Appear Out of Nowhere? 3:18 – Building Executive Function in Elementary School 4:34 – Screens, Emotional Regulation, and Executive Function 6:20 – Building Executive Function in Middle and High School 8:41 – The “Should” Mentality: Intelligence vs. Executive Function 10:12 – ADHD Brain Development: Is It Years Behind? 13:11 – Supporting Executive Function in College 14:14 – Why Overscheduling Hurts College Readiness 18:59 – The Neuroscience of Unstructured Play 22:06 - IS ADHD Hereditary? 22:55 – Advice for Overwhelmed Parents 24:31 – Teens Watch How Parents Handle Stress 26:39 – Scaffolding Executive Function at Home 27:45 – Why “Clean Your Room” Is Too Vague 30:53 – What to Know Before a Neuropsychological Evaluation 34:28 – Connect With Dr. David Baker

    The Balance Between Transitions, Expectations, and Executive Function | David Baker

  3. Jul 22

    How to Start Your College Journey | Jack DuFauchard

    Starting college is a journey like no other; however, it’s often difficult to figure out what that “first step” is going to be, especially for some kids with executive function challenges. Through self-awareness, active learning, prioritization, and organizing a schedule, students can overcome these challenges and achieve ambitious goals. In this podcast, Jack DuFauchard, an incoming student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, goes into greater detail about the struggles upon entering college, and how saying yes to too many things can lead to a procrastination trap. Together, we go into greater detail about the idea of essentialism, organizational systems, and the importance of balancing a schedule, even with all the freedom the university provides to the students. At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them get ahead of the curve by teaching them developmental skills to plan forward, rather than catching up. Teaching the students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents focus on being there for their children. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com. 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #College #StudentSupport

    How to Start Your College Journey | Jack DuFauchard

  4. Jul 8

    How Parents Can Support Teens with ADHD Without Constant Conflict | Gabe Casher, Ph.D.

    When discussing homework, why does it suddenly become a fight between students and parents? When discussing a child’s success, it can be anxiety-inducing for both the child and the parent. For parents, it’s much more difficult to identify/resonate with their children when there isn't any proof to back up a child’s progress, while for children, it's difficult when parents get too involved. It creates a cycle of fear, shame, and anxiety through a family's relationship. In today’s podcast, Dr. Gabe Casher, Founder of Panorama Psychology, dives deeper into the relationship between a child with Executive Dysfunction and parents and how a lack of clear results or communication can lead to distancing between parents and students. Together, we discuss ADHD, executive functioning, emotional regulation, parenting strategies, teen mental health, and how families can break cycles of conflict. Learn why strengthening your relationship with your child often produces better long-term benefits than focusing directly on results. At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them learn and developing the skills necessary to succeed. Teaching the students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents to focus on parenting. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com. 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning Learn more about Gabe Casher and Panorama Psychology here: (https://www.panoramapsychology.com/) #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #Family #StudentSupport

    How Parents Can Support Teens with ADHD Without Constant Conflict | Gabe Casher, Ph.D.

  5. Jun 24

    Keeping a good relationship with a child with executive function challenges | Cindy Goldrich

    In the earliest stages of school, a lot of changes happen, especially towards a student’s learning, their development, and even their relationship with their family. In this engaging work, Cindy Goldrich, founder of PTS Coaching and ADHD/Executive Function Parent Coach, provides a deeper insight into how students and parents can communicate what needs to be done, without sacrificing effective communication. At Untapped Learning, we align heavily with helping students and figuring out methods that help them learn and prioritize their daily tasks while being able to fully understand what results they want to accomplish. If you are a parent of a student who struggles with ADHD or executive dysfunction, this episode is worth a listen. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning Learn more about Cindy Goldrich and PTS Coaching here: (https://ptscoaching.com)

    Keeping a good relationship with a child with executive function challenges | Cindy Goldrich

  6. Jun 12

    How to Advocate for Your Student’s Learning | Jessica Diamond

    Advocating for students is already difficult for many parents, even more so when the student in question has ADHD, Dyslexia, or executive functioning struggles. However, there are processes to help not only advocate, but to keep a good relationship between parents and the students. In this podcast, Jessica Diamond, a professional Special Education Advocate, demonstrates an emphasis on the importance of advocacy. In the podcast, we explain how to properly advocate for your student at school using tools such as 504 plans, while also ensuring not to sacrifice that personal communication with your student. At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build systems that create long-term independence and success. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com (http://untappedlearning.com). 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning Learn more: www.untappedlearning.com (http://www.untappedlearning.com) Learn more about Jessica Diamond here: (https://www.advocatingforsolutions.com) #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #504Plan #StudentSupport

    How to Advocate for Your Student’s Learning | Jessica Diamond

  7. Jun 3 ·  Bonus

    Executive Function Coaches on ADHD, Homework Support & Student Accountability

    ADHD, executive function challenges, procrastination, missing assignments, and academic overwhelm can make school frustrating for both students and parents. In this conversation, Nathan sits down with Untapped Learning Homework Center Coordinator and executive function coach Devin Saunders to break down how our Homework Center helps neurodivergent students build accountability, organization, emotional regulation, and long-term academic confidence through mentorship and executive function coaching rather than traditional tutoring alone. Nathan and Devin discuss why intelligent students often struggle academically, how relationship-based coaching helps students stay engaged, what a Homework Center session actually looks like, how AI can be used responsibly to support learning, and how strong communication between coaches and families helps reduce stress at home. At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build systems that create long-term independence and success. Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com. 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning Learn more: www.untappedlearning.com #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #HomeworkHelp #StudentSupport

    Executive Function Coaches on ADHD, Homework Support & Student Accountability

  8. May 27

    College Recruiting for Student Athletes with ADHD | Katie Anderson

    In this episode, we sat down with Katie Anderson, a former Duke soccer player and college advisor who specializes in helping student athletes and families navigate both college admissions and athletic recruiting. Katie breaks down what parents need to understand before the process becomes stressful: why talent alone is not enough, how students can stay organized when communicating with coaches, what role parents should play without taking over, and why the right college fit matters more than chasing the biggest name. We also discuss how ADHD can impact recruiting, when and why disclosure may matter, and how families can help student athletes build the systems they will need long before they step on campus. If you are a parent of a high school athlete, this conversation is a practical guide to helping your student move through recruiting with more clarity, ownership, and confidence. Learn more about Katie’s work: https://www.thestudentathleteadvisors.com/ http://www.collegefitoc.com/about.html Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com. 🌐 Website: https://untappedlearning.com 📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/ 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

    College Recruiting for Student Athletes with ADHD | Katie Anderson
See All (86)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Struggling with organization, time management, or focus? Welcome to "Executive Function Skills for All," the podcast dedicated to helping you master executive function skills and achieve your goals. Whether you're a student aiming for better grades, an adult juggling life's demands, a teenager seeking improved focus, or a student-athlete balancing academics and sports, this podcast is for you. We explore practical strategies for improving planning, organization, time management, emotional regulation, and more. Dealing with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism spectrum challenges, or just want to improve without a formal diagnosis? Join us each week as we combine research insights with real-life examples to help you boost productivity, conquer procrastination, and establish strong habits and routines. Featuring expert interviews and inspiring stories, we're here to guide you on your journey to better executive function. Subscribe now and start unlocking your full potential!

Information

You Might Also Like