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. 19h ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Aug 11

    Ep 72 -- In Which, we Talk TEFOS with Seth Perler!

    This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with the magnificent Seth Perler! A celebrated executive function expert, Seth went from teaching in the classroom to now helping and supporting students and families understanding how to navigate executive functioning challenges. Due to his own story -- which we dive into together -- Seth acts as an EF coach for neurodivergent individuals. At the same time, Seth teaches parents and educators how to use his innovative and non-traditional approaches to help their kids and their EF struggles. Seth's work is groundbreaking and we are so thankful that he is such an outspoken advocate and leader in the field! Together, we discuss Seth's journey to becoming this 'executive functioning nerd/expert'. He guides us through his experiences with EF struggles, emphasizing the impact that this had on him and his learning journey. At the same time, we discuss Seth's work creating and running TEFOS -- or, The Executive Function Online Summit! TEFOS is an annual, free virtual event Seth hosts that emphasizes the importance of understanding executive function challenges. We love that this is an accessible avenue that anyone can take to not only learn about executive functioning struggles, but also find guidance and inspiration as well. Seth, thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and perspectives with us. You're leading the journey to a more supportive world for neurodivesity! 🦄🥳🦄 -- People Are Doing Amazing Work! -- Seth Perler can be found on LinkedIn, YouTube, and his Website! More information about TEFOS can be found here! 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. Aug 4

    Ep 71 -- In Which, Dr. Orla Dunne Teaches us about Trèitheach in Ireland!

    This episode, we have the immense pleasure of speaking with Dr. Orla Dunne! At Dublin City University, Orla is an Assistant Professor of Inclusive and Special Education. She is also the co-chair of Ireland's first postgraduate program in gifted education! At the same time, Orla is an active researcher focusing on gifted education, social-emotional wellbeing, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. With the complexities surrounding giftedness -- and the overlap with LGBTQ+ identities -- Orla's work is groundbreaking and inspirational! We are so thankful that Orla is a strong voice and advocate for diversity and inclusivity! Together, we address the realities of living as part of a marginalized group in the current world. Orla guides us through her experiences and perspective on how marginalized students -- LGBTQ+ or otherwise -- are handled in an educational landscape. At the same time, Orla emphasizes the impact that even one person being there to listen and see the student as an individual can have. We know that the students gravitate towards and find the helpers -- sometimes it just takes kindness. So, we can all continue to actively choose kindness to be there for our students. Thank you for sharing your time and vulnerabilities with us, Orla. You're changing the world each and every day! 🦄🥳🦄 We also may learn about a Dirty Dancing lift! -- It. Starts. With. Being. Kind. -- Dr. Orla Dunne can be found on LinkedIn! 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. Jul 28

    Ep 70 -- In Which, we Join Marc Feinberg's Dream Team for Dream Teens!

    This episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Marc Feinberg! Professionally, Marc is a performance expert, personal advisor, author, speaker, facilitator, and certified biblical counselor. In all of these interconnected roles, Marc aims to help leaders -- and all people -- unlock purpose, power, and their highest potential. In these roles, Marc works to help people who may have already found forms of success recognize that they can find even more success through intentional work towards clarity, discipline, and leadership. With the nuances and complexities that surrounding the neurodivergent population, we are so appreciative that Marc Feinberg is an enthusiastic advocate for personal growth and introspection! Together, we dive deep into what learning, life, and adversity looks and feels like. Marc guides us through his work with all types of leaders while simultaneously addressing how he inspires each individual to explore what they genuinely need to continue growing and improving themselves. We loved Marc's positivity, story, and thoughts on the world of spirituality -- from a religious and irreligious lens. This is such an important perspective and understanding; wisdom can come from anywhere! We know that Marc Feinberg's story and perspective will inspire everyone to consider what the world could look like -- for everyone! Thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and curiosity with us and our listeners!🦄🥳🦄 -- Character Is Built By Adversity -- Marc Feinberg can be found on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and his website. The Dream Teen 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

  8. Jul 21

    Ep 69 -- In Which, Ringmaster Dr. Edward Amend Guides us Through the Carnival of Giftedness!

    This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with Dr. Edward Amend! A licensed psychologist in both Kentucky and Ohio, Dr. Amend specializes in social, emotional, and educational needs of gifted individuals. At the same time, Dr. Amend gives a variety of presentations on topics related to the general needs of gifted individuals. Dr. Amend is also the founder of The Amend Group -- a team providing consulting and psychological services for the gifted and neurodiverse population. With the nuances surrounding this population, we are so thankful that Dr. Amend has such a strong and influential presence in Kentucky! Together, we dive deep into what neurodiversity and giftedness show up like and what struggles are faced. We loved his perspective on the pressure of grades and how they impact each student's overall learning -- rather than focusing on the product, let's focus on the process. Dr. Amend guides us through his life's journey, which has led to many stories and bits of wisdom, and reflections on learning, joy, and excitement. We also learn that Dr. Amend had a long history in carnival work! He also shares a secret family recipe for cotton candy and what makes it so special 🥳 We know that Dr. Amend's story and perspective will inspire everyone towards a more positive world. Thank you for sharing your time and wisdom with us and our listeners!🦄🥳🦄 -- It's. About. The. Process. -- Dr. Edward Amend and The Amend Group can be found on their website, Facebook, and Twitter (X). 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

See All (77)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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!

Information