Math Therapy

Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

  1. JAN 15

    Don’t let math define your entire self-worth w/ Shelby Strong

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Whenever Vanessa talks to math educator and coach Shelby Strong, they end up saying "why didn't we record that, it was basically a podcast!"  So today we bring you an actual podcast with Shelby, exploring an absolutely bonkers range of provocative questions like: What’s the danger of defining your self-worth by being good at one thing?When does enthusiasm/passion cross the line into gatekeeping?Why are we vilifying algorithms right now?Why do we shame teachers for just trying their best?Why is systemic change so hard to enact and adapt to?What does rock star Dave Grohl teach us about math?And finally, is a hot dog a sandwich?!If these question spark something in you, let us know below - and share this episode with someone else that needs to hear it! Things mentioned: A Mathematician's Lament by Paul LockhartErdős number (the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" of math)About Shelby: (Website, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn) Shelby Strong (Stronger Math) is a math educator and coach who believes math belongs to everyone. She has presented at school districts, regional organizations, and national conferences, including delivering an IGNITE at NCTM in 2024 called "Professional Development Doesn't Have to Suck". Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email Math Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, Amazon Audiobook: Audible, Spotify Merch store: Shop here

    49 min
  2. 12/04/2025

    Math Therapy's 100th (& most manic) episode!

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Since our humble (and as you'll find out, quite disorganized) start in 2019, Math Therapy has come a long way ... and today we celebrate our 100th episode! Join host Vanessa Vakharia and producer David Kochberg (with a cameo from OG MT producer Sabina Wex) as they reminisce and argue about: The (mostly) true origin story of Math TherapyWhere the “final 2 questions” came fromFave past episodesDream future guestsIf ChatGPT listens to our showWhether you've been listening from the start or just finding this show now, thank you for listening and being part of the change we all want to see in math education. And please please please SHARE this podcast with someone that needs to hear it, and let US know what you want to hear in the next 100 episodes! Past episodes mentioned: What the Blue Jays taught us about math education (Nov 2025)Pi Day in Prison (Seriously) (Mar 2023)“Dude Walls” & the lost women of science w/ Katie Hafner (May 2022)Dancing on the moon w/ Dr. Merritt Moore (Apr 2022)Can math predict the Oscars? w/ Ben Zauzmer (Mar 2022)How math rehabilitated a murderer w/ Christopher Havens (Jun 2021)I’m not a math person, don’t @ me w/ Bex (Jun 2021)Recalculating your destiny w/ Miguel Escobar (Jun 2020)A mathemagical crisis w/ Jonah Babins (Oct 2019)Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email Math Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, Amazon Audiobook: Audible, Spotify Merch store: Shop here

    49 min
  3. 11/27/2025

    How to believe in yourself when nobody else will w/ Taylor Telfer-Thompson

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Today we follow-up last week's episode with unfiltered celeb moms Cat and Nat (listen here) by interviewing Nat's daughter Taylor!  Currently in Grade 11, she's a wealth of hard-earned wisdom, having taken her education into her own hands to overcome a system that literally told her not to bother even trying. This ep is overflowing with real lessons right from a student who's been through it all.  Taylor describes: how being "bad" at math really felt & how she decided to rewrite her narrativesmall supports that made a huge difference, like teachers/tutors talking to her like a real person or literally getting down to her level instead of standing over her in classhow she wished it hadn't taken so long in her educational journey for adults to simply tell her they believed in herTeachers, parents, and students can all learn so much from Taylor's story, so share this ep with someone who needs to hear it and get in touch below to let us know how it resonated with you! About Taylor: (Instagram, TikTok) Taylor Telfer-Thompson is a high school student who has faced significant struggles with math throughout her education, but has never given up.  Her story shows what it looks like to persevere in the face of difficulty, to wrestle with identity, and to keep trying even when math feels impossible. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email Math Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, Amazon Audiobook: Audible, Spotify Merch store: Shop here

    35 min

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

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