Nerding out on Neurodiversity

Dr. Matt Zakreski
  • 5.0 (8)
  • 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. 2d ago

    Ep 63 -- In Which, We Discuss PAGE: the Keystone of Gifted Education!

    Today's episode, we have the immense privilege to be joined by Dr. Elizabeth Schucker and Dr. Tammy McDonald, two critical members of the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education -- or, PAGE! Dr. Elizabeth Schucker, Ed.D., has over 22 years of experience in K–12 education. She began her career as a fourth-grade teacher and now serves as a middle school Gifted Teacher for grades 5-8. She holds a master’s degree in Reading, a Reading Specialist Certificate, and a doctoral degree in Transformational Teaching and Learning from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, supported by the Carnegie Consortium. Passionate about PBL, Dr. Schucker supports students through her pull-out “G1FT3D” enrichment seminar and partners with educators to deepen lesson complexity through differentiated instruction in the general education classroom. As a servant leader, Dr. Schucker is passionate about expanding high-quality gifted education pathways through ongoing universal teacher preparation. She offers professional development focused on strengthening gifted awareness and support for pre-service teachers and recently co-created the inaugural G2: Geared Up for Gifted Summit, a collaborative event hosted at DeSales University in partnership with Lehigh Valley colleges. She regularly presents her work at local, state, and national conferences. Dr. Schucker is honored to serve on the board of the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). She co-manages the social media platform and hosts the Turning the PAGE podcast, which provides professional development through the podcasting medium. Dr. Tammy McDonald is a Gifted Support Specialist and department leader in the Bethlehem Area School District in Bethlehem, PA, where she has taught for 31 years. Her degrees include a B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education from Muhlenberg College, an M.A. in Education from Kutztown University, and a M.S. in Educational Technology from Wilkes University. She also received her PhD in Human Development with an emphasis in Strategic Leadership and Academic Systems from Marywood University. Dr. McDonald holds a K-12 gifted endorsement certificate from Millersville University and a K-12 Principal Certification from Marywood University. Her areas of research interest include, but are not limited to: Gifted students, diversity/equity identification practices, social/emotional learning, and supporting gifted students in the regular education classroom. Dr. McDonald takes the lead in secondary gifted education and believes all students should have the experience of autonomy with choice as well as challenge in their education. She develops and presents professional development for gifted and regular education teachers and leads by example. Throughout our discussion, we discuss all things giftedness -- especially through the teacher's experience. We loved learning more about the 'behind the scenes' of PAGE and what goes on for Pennsylvania! Hearing from Dr. Schucker and Dr. McDonald, we know that this conversation is an important one for anyone who seeks to understand neurodiversity and how it manifests within school cultures. To Liz and Tammy, it was such a pleasure and joy to speak with you both and hear your stories and experiences -- thank you a million times over🦄🥳🦄! -- Make a Difference for Each. Individual. Person. -- Dr. Elizabeth Schucker can be found on LinkedIn and the 'Turning the PAGE' Podcast. Dr. Tammy McDonald can be found on LinkedIn. They can both be reached through the G2:Gifted Education Summit. 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

    59 min

  2. Jun 2

    Ep 62 -- In Which, We Talk Pride 2026, being '3E', and Identity with the Phenomenal Carcyn Ketner!

    Happy Pride, 2026! 🌈🌈🦄🦄 This episode, we have the immense pleasure and privilege to speak with Carcyn Ketner! An overall, across the board phenomenal and multitalented person, Carcyn shares an absolute journey. From parenting a neurodiverse child, shifting careers from special education to art, music, and woodworking, to even life as a whole, Carcyn shares a plethora of wisdom, experience, and positivity. At the same time, Carcyn talks us through his gender journey and what that all means to him -- and how to embrace the ephemerality of masculinity and femininity -- and the changes that he recognizes and explores. Together, we delve into what it's truly like living in this world as a neurodiverse individual and all of the good and bad that comes alongside that. Carcyn guides us through all types of ideas and considerations that, honestly speaking, more people need to grapple with -- especially Americans. Across the board, Carcyn is a radiant light in the world and he exudes this each and every day. Without a doubt, we know that Carcyn's story will resonate with everyone, and hopefully inspire people to think in newfound manners and learn to adjust their understandings with new information and perspectives. Carcyn, we endlessly thank you for sharing your time and journey with us -- and our listeners! You are an absolute joy and the world needs more people like you in it🦄🥳🦄! -- Do It For The Journey -- Carcyn can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and 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

    54 min

  3. May 26

    Ep 61 -- In Which, we Build our Team For Fun with Mike Fogel!

    This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with Mike Fogel! An author, art therapy entrepreneur, and neurodiversity advocate, Mike Fogel is a multidimensional figure in the field. With a focus on spreading kindness, love, and peace, Mike helps students engage with themselves as well as the peers around them. Through founding Camp Pegasus, Mike brings this energy and mentoring in a summer-camp approach -- at this camp, everyone understands neurodiversity. And, how important is that for our kids? Mike also runs The Art of Friendship where he helps kids understand and navigate social skills and situations. Through all of his work, Mike embodies authenticity and how to truly engage kids by showing what it means to love yourself and others. Together, we explore Mike Fogel's experiences, wisdom, and perspectives -- while also discussing all things camp and camp-adjacent. One idea that runs through our entire conversation is Mike's idea of the 'Team for Fun'. This is such a seemingly simple, yet incredibly powerful idea that can truly change one's entire mentality. We know that we want Mike on our Team for Fun -- and it's clear why! Thank you for sharing your time and journey with us and our listeners, Mike!🦄🥳🦄! -- Get On The Team For Fun! -- Mike Fogel can be found on Instagram here, and on Instagram here, and on Facebook, as well as at the websites for Art of Friendship and Camp Pegasus. His book can be found and purchased at The Social-Emotional Guidebook. 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

    58 min

  4. May 19

    Ep 60 -- In Which, we're Joined by Matt Kelly: Professional Geek

    Who else would not only make a historical musical in school, but also remember verses? Only a fellow nerd like Matt Kelly! A multifaceted talent, Matt founded and runs so many podcasts that he started the very network we are a part of -- Geekscape! As a network, Geekscape has been around since 2006, diving deep into the world of movies, games, comics, TV, and all aspects of nerdy pop-culture. There, Matt hosts several podcasts, all with some aspect of Geekiness to them, and has spoken at many conferences and conventions. Together, we dive deep into Matt's life and his experiences growing up as well as how he came to the podcasting world. With endless stories and examples of growing up a little different, our conversation led Matt to see his life in a different manner. While initially skeptical, by the end of our conversation Matt may be viewing himself through a gifted/neurodivergent lens -- or so we hope -- especially after his mouse hunting story. We know that Matt's story, experiences, and journey, will be motivational and eye-opening to all who listen! Thank you for sharing your time with us -- and our listeners! -- Matt it is always such a joy and pleasure speaking with you🦄🥳🦄! -- That's Not How Everybody Works? -- Matt Kelly can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkTree! Geekscape can be found on their website and all podcast streaming services. This episode was recorded live as part of a charity stream for Geekscape. 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

    50 min

  5. May 12

    Ep 59 -- In Which, we Explore Educating Quirky Kids with Jacqui Byrne of FlexSchool!

    This episode, we have the immense privilege to speak with Jacqui Byrne, the founder and CEO of FlexSchool! As the visionary behind FlexSchool, Jacqui designed a place where gifted and twice-exceptional students can thrive. Recognizing that far too many neurodiverse students were being overlooked, misunderstood, or even just ignored, Jacqui took on the challenge of creating a space that not only understands these students, but honors them. The end result? FlexSchool -- a pioneering educational model focused on student ownership of learning while welcoming and embracing neurodiverse students and families. Alongside FlexSchool Jacqui is a clear leader in the educational landscape. She is a speaker and advocate, often presenting to various conferences, school districts, and associations, while emphasizing individual student needs and how one can approach and reframe ineffective thought patterns to the benefit of all neurodiverse learners. Together, we dive deep into what brought Jacqui to this type of work and how parenting neurodiverse children was foundational to FlexSchool's mission. We know that Jacqui's story, wisdom, and experiences will be inspiring and motivational to all who listen! Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with us -- and our listeners! -- Jacqui. It was such a joy and pleasure speaking with you🦄🥳🦄! -- Your. Kids. Are. Hilarious. -- Jacqui Byrne can be found on LinkedIn while FlexSchool can be found on their website, Instagram, and 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

    57 min

  6. May 5

    Ep 58 -- In Which, we Post Up with Dr. Gail Post!

    This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with Dr. Gail Post! A clinical psychologist for over 40 years, Dr. Post has a broad and multifaceted professional background. She operates through psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches, while also understanding the flexibility of supporting the needs of various clients. In this work, Dr. Post became specialized in working with the gifted population -- to the point where she wrote a foundational book on it, The Gifted Parenting Journey! At the same time, Dr. Post is a clinical associate professor at UPenn where she advocates for gifted awareness, understanding, and education. Together, we dive deep into Dr. Gail Post's experiences and wisdom surrounding the gifted and neurodivergent world. At the same time, it's refreshing to hear Dr. Post discuss the real implications of giftedness -- and the act of raising gifted kids. We loved hearing about the nuances of both teaching and raising gifted individuals. We know that Dr. Post's wisdom, experiences, and perspectives will be inspirational and motivational to all who listen! Thank you for sharing your time and journey with us -- and our listeners!🦄🥳🦄! -- Trust Yourself. -- Dr. Gail Post can be found at her website, blog, Substack, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Her book 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

    52 min

  7. Apr 28

    Ep 57 -- In Which, we Learn about Archie Vs. Predator, with Fernando Ruiz!

    This episode, we have the immense privilege to speak with Fernando Ruiz! A legendary comic book artist, Fernando also teaches at the Kubert School -- a specialized school focusing on comic book artistry, among other creative arts. Notably, Fernando has been a prominent artist for the Archie comic series. We loved hearing his story on making Archie Vs. Predator come to life! With how Fernando approaches learning, it is clear that he understands how learning differently can be a positive, even when it may feel like it isn't. Together, we dive into the uniquities of a school like the Kubert School -- especially for neurodiverse learners and artists. At the core of the conversation, Fernando makes it clear that the connections we all make with fictional characters can lead us to our own greatness. What an inspirational person, artist, mentor, and friend -- and what a lasting impact on culture! We also loved hearing about Fernando's perspective on AI, a refreshing one from a respected figure in the industry. We know that Fernando's wisdom and experiences will help any and all aspiring artists -- and all who may struggle with imposter syndrome. Fernando, thank you for sharing your time with us, you are such a joy and pleasure to know and talk with🦄🥳🦄! -- Keep Drawing. -- Fernando Ruiz can be found on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! The Kubert School 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

    1h 2m

  8. Apr 21

    Ep 56 -- In Which, we Discuss Unleashing Education with Cassie Olguin and Outschool!

    This episode, we have the great joy of speaking with Cassie Olguin! She is both a homeschool mom and the multifaceted Partnerships Specialist as well as the Alternative Education Content & Events Manager at Outschool. In these roles, Cassie champions flexible, student-centered education while prioritizing the individual and their interests alongside their needs. As an advocate, Cassie emphasizes understanding and taking broad perspectives and patience when supporting neurodiverse students and parents. Specifically, Cassie's work in alternative education spaces has been shifting the approach to learning and how individual students engage with their own learning. By making partnerships with universities, other schools, and various educational groups, Cassie has been at the forefront of the 'unbundling' of education that is currently taking place. In the end, Cassie pushes for these types of experiences and resources for neurodiverse and/or 2E learners as a response to the traditional model and its shortcomings. Together, we dive into Cassie's experiences and what drives her in this work. Cassie shares about her own learning journey, recognizing that she didn't have the support that would have been beneficial -- especially when it comes to things like time management! We loved discussing these reflections with Cassie and how they impacted various adults as well as students, and how that 'performance anxiety' can be detrimental. We know that Cassie's story, wisdom, and experiences will be motivational to all who listen! Cassie, thank you for sharing your journey with us, it was a pleasure speaking with you🦄🥳🦄! -- Let's Unbundle Education! -- Cassie Olguin can be found on LinkedIn and Instagram. Outschool can be found on their website, Facebook, YouTube, 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

    54 min
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out of 5
8 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!

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