Making the Grade Podcast

Christine and Georgia
  • 5.0 (13)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Making the Grade is a podcast about executive function—how we manage time, energy, emotions, and goals in real life. Hosted by former educators turned executive function coaches, we explore the brain-based skills that drive success both personally and professionally. Each episode features real stories from entrepreneurs, overwhelmed professionals, parents, and experts in executive function. We dive into the habits, challenges, and strategies that help people build (or rebuild) motivation, focus, organization, and emotional regulation. Why do so many of us feel stuck, even when we’re trying our best? What does success really look like—and how do we get there on our own terms? The pressures of modern life are real, but so are the solutions. Making the Grade offers honest conversations, practical tools, and a reminder that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself every day. Subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear! https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function

  1. 3D AGO

    From Overwhelmed to Organized: Building Better Habits with Abel Castaneda

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia sits down with Abel Castaneda, owner of APEX Advantage Bookkeeping, who brings over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Based in Nebraska, Abel shares his journey from working in corporate finance to building his own bookkeeping business, driven by his passion for helping others understand and take control of their finances. This episode is part of Season 4, where MTG Frameworks highlight clients who transform through 1:1 coaching. Each guest shares how executive function systems, goal-setting, and mindset have helped them grow personally and professionally. Abel talks about the realities of running a business, balancing client work, productivity, and personal habits while continuing to grow. He shares how working with MTG Frameworks helped him reduce distractions, improve focus, and create systems that support both his business and daily life. Throughout the conversation, Abel emphasizes the importance of relationships, listening, and simplifying complex financial topics so business owners can feel confident and supported. He also shares practical habits that have helped him stay productive and avoid burnout. We talk about: Building better habits to reduce overwhelm and stay focusedThe impact of screen time and simple ways to stay more productiveWhy relationships and listening are key in business growthHow executive function systems support consistency and clarityThe value of simplifying finances for business ownersSmall daily habits that improve workflow and reduce stressWhether you’re a business owner, high-performing professional, or someone looking to improve your productivity and organization, this episode offers practical insights on habits, mindset, and creating systems that actually work. Guest Spotlight Abel Castaneda | Owner, APEX Advantage Bookkeeping A bookkeeping professional with 20+ years in the financial industry, Abel helps business owners stay organized, understand their numbers, and grow with confidence through simple, clear financial systems and support. Website: apexadvantage.pro Instagram: apex_advantagebookkeepingllc Find us Here! 🌐 Website | makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ 📸 Instagram | @massteacherprep & @mtgframeworks                                               🎧 Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    33 min

  2. MAR 18

    Season 4 Episode 49: Real Estate, Discipline, and Long-Term Success

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Making the Grade Podcast, Christine and Georgia sit down with Maryanne Betso, a Certified Global Luxury Specialist with over 24 years of experience in real estate. Based in Connecticut, Maryanne shares her journey from corporate finance to becoming a successful real estate professional while raising three young children and building a long-term career in a highly competitive industry. This episode is part of Season 4, where we highlight clients, we’ve worked with through MTG Frameworks coaching. Each guest shares how executive function systems, structure, and mindset have helped them grow personally and professionally. Maryanne talks about the realities of working in real estate balancing constant client demands, managing uncertainty, and staying productive in a field where success depends on long-term effort and organization. She shares how working with MTG Frameworks helped her refine her systems, stay accountable, and continue leveling up after decades in the business. Throughout the conversation, Maryanne also shares practical habits and lessons she’s learned from over two decades in real estate, including the importance of listening, staying adaptable, and finding systems that work for you. We talk about: The realities of working in real estate and why it requires long-term discipline How executive function systems help entrepreneurs stay organized and consistent Why accountability and structure matter when you work for yourself The importance of listening and problem-solving in client-focused careers What small personal habits (like taking calls on walks or writing quick notes) support productivity Whether you work in real estate, run your own business, or are simply looking for ways to stay more organized and productive, this episode offers practical insights on mindset, systems, and building sustainable success over time Guest Spotlight Maryanne Betso | Certified Global Luxury Specialist  Real Estate Professional with 24+ years of experience serving clients across Connecticut. Maryanne specializes in helping clients navigate complex real estate decisions with expertise, organization, and personalized service. Website: maryannebetso.com Instagram: mare_real_estate Find us Here! Website | makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ Socials | @massteacherprep & @mtgframeworks                                                         Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    38 min

  3. FEB 18

    Season 4 Episode 48: Plan Smarter, Stress Less with Will Young - Executive Function Strategies

    Send us Fan Mail In Season 4, Episode 48 of the Making the Grade Podcast, Christine sits down with Will, a financial planning and wealth management professional who helps individuals and families  approach retirement with clarity and confidence. Will began working with MTG Frameworks through executive function coaching and has since extended the support to a team member, integrating EF systems more fully into his business. Will shares how he simplifies complex financial decisions, minimizes tax stress, and helps clients align their money with what actually matters to them. Drawing from behavioral finance, Stoicism, neuroscience, and his training as a superforecaster, Will explains how mindset, emotional regulation, and executive function plays a huge role in long-term financial success. They talk about: How executive function impacts financial decision-making Reducing financial anxiety through clarity and systems Why behavior matters just as much as numbers in wealth planning Using foresight and discipline to navigate uncertainty Aligning money with personal values and long-term goals Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing financial stress, or trying to make smarter long-term decisions, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on money, mindset, and planning for the future. Guest Spotlight:  Will | Financial Planning & Wealth Management Professional  Focused on retirement planning, tax efficiency, and values-based financial strategies Instagram: unstoppawill Find us Here! 🌐 Website | makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ 📸 Instagram |  @mtgframeworks                                                                                                         🎵Tik Tok l @mtgframeworks                                                                                                            🎧 Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    34 min

  4. JAN 28

    Season 4 Premiere: Behind the Scenes of Luxury Travel Planning & Executive Function

    Send us Fan Mail In the Season 4 premiere of the Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia sits down with Catherine, a luxury travel advisor specializing in honeymoons, destination weddings, and thoughtfully designed leisure travel. Catherine shares how she transitioned from mental health therapy into luxury travel, what really happens behind the scenes of travel planning, and why executive function skills like organization, flexibility, and emotional regulation are essential in high-demand, client-facing businesses. In this episode, we talk about: Why travel planning takes 40+ hours for the average personHow executive function impacts entrepreneurs and service providersAvoiding burnout while managing constant task-switchingSystems and brain hacks that actually workThe truth about working with a travel advisorHow Katherine flew around the world 3.6 times in one yearWhether you’re a business owner, planner, overthinker, or someone dreaming of stress-free travel, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-life strategies you can apply immediately. Guest Spotlight: Catherine | Luxury Travel Advisor  Specializing in honeymoons, destination weddings & custom leisure travel  Instagram: @buns_onthe_run Website: Catherine Whitehouse | Wanderlust Jetsetter Find out more about Making the Grade here Learn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function Find us Here!  🌐 Website | makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ 📸 Instagram | @massteacherprep & @executivefunctionfix 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    40 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Rewiring Routines, Expanding Impact: Executive Function in Real Life & Season 3 Finale

    Send us Fan Mail Rewiring Routines, Expanding Impact: Executive Function in Real Life & Season 3 Finale  As MTG wraps up Season 3 of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine reflect on just how much has grown, shifted, and expanded over the past year as they enter their 4th season of the show. This season explored practical executive function skills including time management, motivation, emotional regulation, planning, and follow-through. One core takeaway emerged again and again: most challenges aren’t about doing more - they’re about how we manage our energy, systems, and brains. Big ideas from Season 3: 🧠 Understand your brain: Executive function awareness changes how people approach work and life.🔄 Simple systems matter: The most effective strategies are often unglamorous - but sustainable.⚖️ Balance is built: Support, flexibility, and self-awareness are essential in every season.Season 3 also marked major growth for The Making the Grade Project, including the launch of the Hack Your Brain course and the completion of the team’s first executive function coaching cohort, with more planned for 2026 across multiple industries. What’s next: 🚀 Expanded with 9 new partnerships & renewals👥 A new instructor supporting children and teens🎧 Client stories coming to the podcast in 2026On a personal note, Georgia welcomed a new baby and took maternity leave, while Christine traveled internationally for the first time since becoming a parent - all while making progress on their reading goals ✨ With a growing community - now 3,685 new subscribers across social and email - the MTG team is deeply grateful to every listener, learner, client, and partner who made this season possible. Find out more about Making the Grade here Learn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/ Follow Making the Grade! Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#home Instagram | Making the Grade IG Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    44 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    Unleashing Curiosity in Classrooms with Olivia Odileke

    Send us Fan Mail S3 EP 45 | Season 3 Episode 45: Unleashing Curiosity in Classrooms with Olivia Odileke How do you spark curiosity, inspire engagement, and create those unforgettable “aha!” moments in learning? On this episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Olivia Odileke, CEO of Kampus Insights, curiosity coach, professional development designer, and author of Unleashing Curiosity: Empowering Fearless Educators to Engage and Inspire. Olivia believes that wonder is the secret sauce to joyful, meaningful learning. She’s trained over 20,000 educators and created more than 100 micro-inquiry tasks—all to help teachers bring curiosity to life in their classrooms. Olivia shares: ✨ How curiosity can transform classrooms and professional learning experiences 🧠 Her insights on executive function skills in practice, including: Task Initiation – the hardest first step for kids and adults alike Flexible Thinking (“MacGyver Mindset”) – making magic out of unexpected moments Emotional Control – using curiosity to de-escalate and re-engage Prioritization & Planning – leading with inquiry instead of instruction  💡 How she built her business and designed Spark Day PD, a curiosity-driven professional learning experience that brings joy, imagination, and impact to schools  🌴 Fun facts about Olivia: living on three islands, moving to a new country with four kids, and turning leaps of faith into a thriving businessWhether you’re an educator, school leader, or lifelong learner, this episode is full of actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and a reminder of the power of curiosity in every classroom. Learn more about Olivia and her work: Book: Unleashing Curiosity: Empowering Fearless Educators to Engage and InspireSpark Day PD: www.kampusinsights.comInstagram: @fearless.educator Connect with Making the Grade: Learn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/ Website: makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast Instagram: @executivefunctionfix Apple Podcasts: Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and leave a rating!) Support the show

    24 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    The Executive Function Guide to Teaching Multilingual Students: Trauma, Communication, and Brain-Based Learning

    Send us Fan Mail S3 EP 44 | Season 3 Episode 44:  The Executive Function Guide to Teaching Multilingual Students: Trauma, Communication, and Brain-Based Learning  What does it really take to reach, teach, and connect with English Language Learners and their families? On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Andrea Bitner - EL Teacher, Author, Professor, and PD Partner - who has dedicated 25 years to helping educators and multilingual learners build bridges through communication, confidence, and compassion. From her early days as a high school ELA teacher to her current role teaching English Learners in Philadelphia, Andrea has taught every grade level and worn many hats: Title I Reading Specialist, Teacher Mentor, College Professor, and National Presenter. She now travels the country partnering with schools and universities to help educators strengthen their skills in teaching, reaching, collaborating, and confidently communicating with English Learners and their families. Andrea shares:  ✨ The challenges and solutions to effectively connecting with multilingual students and families  💬 The hidden traumas that many EL students face, and how educators can recognize and support them  🧠 How English learners acquire language and the neuroscience behind the process of becoming bilingual She also opens up about her book, Take Me Home, the true story of 11 of her former EL students who share what it’s really like to learn English and adapt to life in America. Drawing from her own experiences - including traveling to El Salvador and learning what it feels like to be a language learner herself - Andrea offers powerful insights for any educator striving to create classrooms where every student belongs. 🔗 Learn more about Andrea’s work: www.andreabitnerbooks.com Connect with Andrea: LinkedIn: @AndreaBitner | Instagram: @andreabitnerbooks Find out more about Making the Grade here Learn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/ Follow Making the Grade!  🌐 Website | makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ 📸 Instagram | @makingthegradeproject 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    30 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Why Multilingual Learners Struggle with Executive Function: A Conversation with Dr. Dana Goodier

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ S3 EP 43 | Season 3 Episode 43: Why Multilingual Learners Struggle with Executive Function: A Conversation with Dr. Dana Goodier In this episode of Making the Grade, hosts Christine and Georgia sit down with Dr. Dana Goodier, an accomplished educator, author, and podcast host with over 25 years of experience in the field. Dr. Goodier has taught World Languages and English, served as an administrator at both the middle and elementary levels, and completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) in 2020. She is passionate about equipping educators with strategies to minimize off-task behavior and increase time on task, helping classrooms run more efficiently and with greater engagement. Currently serving as the President of the Colorado Congress for Language Teachers (CCFLT), Dr. Goodier also contributes regularly to the Teach Better Team and is the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators (2022). She hosts the popular “Out of the Trenches” podcast, where educators share stories of resilience and growth in the ever-changing landscape of education. In this conversation, Dr. Goodier joins Christine & Georgia to explore:  🧠 Resilience in Education — what it truly means to persist through the challenges educators face today.  🌍 Supporting Multilingual Learners — why so many students struggle to exit ELD (English Language Development) programs and what schools can do differently.  💡 Instructional Practices that Empower — actionable ways to build inclusive classrooms and boost engagement for all learners. Follow Dr. Goodier on Facebook, X (Twitter), and BlueSky: @danagoodier   Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and YouTube: @outoftrenchespc  Visit her website: www.danagoodier.com Find out more about Making the Grade here Learn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/ Follow Making the Grade! Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#home Instagram | Making the Grade IG Apple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!) Support the show

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Making the Grade is a podcast about executive function—how we manage time, energy, emotions, and goals in real life. Hosted by former educators turned executive function coaches, we explore the brain-based skills that drive success both personally and professionally. Each episode features real stories from entrepreneurs, overwhelmed professionals, parents, and experts in executive function. We dive into the habits, challenges, and strategies that help people build (or rebuild) motivation, focus, organization, and emotional regulation. Why do so many of us feel stuck, even when we’re trying our best? What does success really look like—and how do we get there on our own terms? The pressures of modern life are real, but so are the solutions. Making the Grade offers honest conversations, practical tools, and a reminder that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself every day. Subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear! https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function

Information

  • Creator
    Christine and Georgia
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Making the Grade Podcast
  • Show Website
    Making the Grade Podcast

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