Best Understood.org Podcasts (2024)

1
ADHD and the art of friendship 33:50

5h ago33:50

33:50

Juggling everything that ADHD throws at us can make us struggle in our friendships. Trouble with executive function affects our ability to communicate and remember things. And the shame that comes with ADHD can lead to us hiding our challenges and pretending to be someone we’re not. In this episode, host Cate Osborn welcomes a good friend of hers, …

1
The Before We Get Started (rebroadcast) 11:58

3h ago11:58

11:58

Hey team, I’ve recently been thinking about task initiation a lot, but while working on the first draft of this episode, I realized that there were a few ideas that were important to explore first. So in this episode, we’re going to be exploring some ideas of executive dysfunction, but then we’re also going to be getting into stuff surrounding our …

1
272: What Does Anger Tell Us?, with Dr. Lori Desautels 27:41

3d ago27:41

27:41

Do you often find yourself misinterpreting anger in your neurodivergent child, escalating situations unintentionally? Join me and Dr. Lori Desautels as we dive deep into understanding anger and what it truly signifies. Dr. Desautels, an expert in applied educational neuroscience, explains that anger often stems from a dysregulated nervous system, f…

1
Career tips and starting a business with ADHD. Plus ADHD and PTSD (Phoebe Gavin’s story) 32:28

8d ago32:28

32:28

Leadership and career coach Phoebe Gavin was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Phoebe’s mom was her number one advocate. She never made Phoebe feel like there was something wrong with her, and that’s followed her to this day. Now, she works with clients to empower them in the same way. Phoebe takes us through serving in the military, to fashion s…

1
Decluttering and Self-Discovery w/Star Hansen (rebroadcast) 34:14

5d ago34:14

34:14

This week I’m talking with Star Hansen, a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO©) and Clutter Whisperer on a mission to help you banish your personal Clutter Monster. Her methodology focuses on helping you take control of your stuff and create a life you’re truly proud of. Star looks at the deeper meaning of your stuff to help you figure out why yo…

1
Stopping summer slide (from “The Opportunity Gap” podcast) 20:46

13d ago20:46

20:46

You may have heard of “summer slide.” It refers to the learning loss that can happen during summer break from school. On this bonus episode of In It, we’re sharing a conversation on how to handle the summer break from another Understood podcast, The Opportunity Gap. Host Julian Saavedra talks with special education teacher Kate García about how fol…

1
Managing expectations in relationships with ADHD 34:50

11d ago34:50

34:50

It can be a struggle to balance chores in a relationship. When one or more people in the relationship have ADHD, there’s even more room for miscommunication. It’s important to be on the same page about expectations, or you may end up with resentment, and more fights than you’d like to. KC Davis wrote the book How to Keep House While Drowning, and h…

1
Automating ADHD: Chris Cameron's Tech Tools for Everyday Ease 38:48

12d ago38:48

38:48

Hey Team! In today's episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the transformative power of automation with Chris Cameron, a workflow efficiency consultant specializing in helping neurodivergent individuals harness the benefits of AI and automated tools. Chris shares his personal journey with ADHD and how technology has played a pivotal role in managin…

1
271: ADHD and Dads: Creating the Fatherhood You Crave, Larry Hagner 49:23

17d ago49:23

49:23

Struggling to connect with your child who has ADHD can be incredibly challenging, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. In this insightful episode of Beautifully Complex (first aired 2020), I’m joined by Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge podcast and father of four boys, to explore how dads can create the fatherhood they crave. Larry div…

1
“ADHD for Smart Ass Women” host Tracy Otsuka! 28:19

22d ago28:19

28:19

As women, it can feel like we have to do it all, yet not be “too much.” Add ADHD stigma and shame on top, and it can feel impossible. Good thing we have Tracy Otsuka to remind us that no one has ever made a difference by being “too little.” Tracy is an ADHD coach, the host of the ADHD for Smart Ass Women podcast, and author of the book with the sam…

1
Building Systems When You Are Consistently Inconsistent 16:29

21d ago16:29

16:29

Hey team! I’ve been working on this episode for quite a while now and was kind of worried it would never be finished, but I managed to salvage what was useful and polish it up quite a bit. Today, we're discussing long-standing goals and how we can create systems that help us achieve them. I’m really interested in exploring this topic at length, so …

1
Let’s talk podcasts: Suggestions for kids with learning and thinking differences 11:41

27d ago11:41

11:41

In this episode of In It, Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek suggest podcasts that are ideal for kids with learning and thinking differences. These shows are also great for any kid. To find a transcript for this episode, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org. Their suggestions incl…

1
270: 3 Steps to Empower Confidence in Your Teen, with Kristi Simons 31:17

24d ago31:17

31:17

Feeling like your teen or young adult is struggling to find their confidence and navigate the ups and downs of life? In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I sit down with teen life coach, Kristi Simons, to provide strategies to empower confidence in your teen. Kristi delves into the importance of allowing your teen to experience their own emotion…

1
The influence of ADHD on social skills 39:22

26d ago39:22

39:22

Social skills can be challenging for people with ADHD. Whether it’s trouble with executive function or anxiety from past situations, socializing can come with a lot of emotions. It can also be really confusing and bring up questions like Why does it seem so much easier for everyone else? Why can’t I hold onto friendships? What do I even like to do?…

1
ADHD on Purpose 13:08

28d ago13:08

13:08

Hey team! I had a listener write in recently asking about finding purpose and how they just feel like their life is a bit of a mess. They don’t know what they want to do and they feel like everyone else has it together. So in today’s episode we’re going to be exploring these ideas, while at the same time questioning if these are even the right ques…

1
IEPs: Getting emotional at IEP meetings 14:57

1M ago14:57

14:57

IEP meetings can get very emotional. It can be hard to sit in a room full of teachers and talk about your child’s needs. Sometimes, these meetings can feel overwhelming, like everyone just wants to discuss what’s wrong with your child. However, if your child has an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, you’ll need to attend an IEP meeting at le…

1
269: Reclaiming Community: Climate, Parenting, and Social Connections, with Bill Weir 33:15

1M ago33:15

33:15

We’ve all but outright rejected the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” in American culture. We’re more fragmented and lonely than ever. Yet, there’s clear evidence that community and connection are key to happiness. It certainly takes a community to raise a happy and resilient child, even if “community” looks different in modern life…

1
Toxic productivity, remembering to remember, and rejection sensitivity (Jesse Anderson’s story) 29:01

1M ago29:01

29:01

Jesse Anderson wishes he’d had an ADHD manual when he was first diagnosed as an adult, so he wrote one. Before he was diagnosed, he never considered having ADHD himself. After his wife encouraged him to look into it more, his trouble with remembering to do things, time management, and anger started to take a different shape in his mind. Today, Jess…

1
Introducing Sorry, I Missed This: The Everything Guide to ADHD and Relationships with Cate Osborn 0:54

1M ago0:54

0:54

It can be hard to navigate relationships when you have ADHD. Here’s a podcast that can help! Welcome to Sorry, I Missed This: The Everything Guide to ADHD and Relationships with Cate Osborn. Your host Cate has ADHD, a background in sex education, and a whole lot of questions like “How do I know what I want out of a relationship? How do I remember m…

1
You Might Also Like: ADHD Aha! from Understood.org 18:28

1M ago18:28

18:28

Hey Team! This episode we’re doing something a little bit different, I’m going to be sharing an episode from another podcast that I think you’ll enjoy. It’s called ADHD Aha!, hosted by Laura Key. It features candid stories from people who share the moment when it clicked—their ADHD Aha moment—when everything started to make sense—that they, or some…

1
Talking about neurodivergence and gender identity 25:29

1M ago25:29

25:29

Many people who learn and think differently are also on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. This can be a lot for kids—and their families—to navigate. In this episode of In It, Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Kade Friedman. Kade is the Director of Education for PINE, the Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education. Kade identifies as non-binar…

1
IEPs: For younger kids and older kids 14:41

1M ago14:41

14:41

If you’re the parent of a young child, you may be wondering how special education can support kids during recess. If you have a teenager, you may be focused on getting ready for college or a career. And if your child is in middle school, I have one word for you: puberty. Special education can provide services and supports from birth through high sc…

1
268: What to Do When Importance Doesn’t Create Motivation, with Penny Williams 19:45

1M ago19:45

19:45

In this episode of Beautifully Complex, we’re examining a topic that really hits close to home for many of us — what to do when importance doesn’t create motivation, especially for our neurodivergent kids. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get our kids started and keep them going on tasks that matter, but don’t necessarily excite them. …

1
ADHD hacks with William Curb 16:59

1M ago16:59

16:59

When William Curb learned he had ADHD (and wasn’t just lazy), he felt empowered to build coping skills. Now, he hosts the Hacking Your ADHD podcast where he talks about ADHD supports, workarounds, and more. In this bonus episode, host Laura Key and William talk about ADHD and emotions and his favorite ADHD hacks. Related resources William’s podcast…

1
Getting Started With Your ADHD Management (Rebroadcast) 18:41

1M ago18:41

18:41

One of the questions that I’ve been getting a bit more frequently recently is just trying to understand where to get started with ADHD - and I think this is a question that a lot of us have because there is just so much out there on ADHD and it’s hard to know where even to begin thinking about what you might want to be doing. In today’s episode, we…

1
IEPs: English language learners and IEPs 13:35

2M ago13:35

13:35

Many kids in the U.S. are learning English as an additional language. For some, it may be their second, third, or fourth language. Their English skills can vary widely, too. Some kids may speak conversational English and need to learn academic words, like “add” and “subtract.” And others may be learning a lot of words in English and in their home l…

1
267: The Myth of Laziness, with Adam Price, Ph.D. 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

Today, I'm so excited to be talking with Dr. Adam Price, a nationally known clinical psychologist and best-selling author with over 30 years of experience working with kids and adults. He's the author of "He's Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself" and "The He's Not Lazy Guide to Better Grades and a Great Life." In this episode, we’re…

1
An ADHD coach on being a defiant teen, ADHD overwhelm, and self-care (Caren Magill’s story) 28:36

2M ago28:36

28:36

ADHD coach and creator Caren Magill was diagnosed with ADHD in 2020, during the pandemic. Caren gets real about her experience as a teen girl with undiagnosed ADHD: dropping out of high school, smoking, having poor self-care, and being a “messy kid.” She also shares how she manages her ADHD through fitness, sleep, and meditation. Caren is also the …

1
ADHD and Pregnancy with Dusty Chipura 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

Hey team! In today’s episode we’re joined by Dusty Chipura, a passionate advocate and ADHD Coach, to explore the nuanced world of ADHD and pregnancy. With her personal and professional experience we will be looking into the challenges and questions that often come up with this subject. There is a huge gap in what we know about ADHD and pregnancy an…

1
IEPs: Resolving IEP disputes 14:06

2M ago14:06

14:06

You and the school may not always agree on every detail in your child’s IEP. If you’re having trouble working things out, it’s good to know your options for resolving a dispute. On this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will go through your dispute resolution options and how to handle common disagreements. She’ll also share infor…

1
An expert’s guide to summer screen time 32:03

2M ago32:03

32:03

Breaks from school are prime time for screen time. But how much screen time is too much? And what can we do about it? Is screen time ever a good thing? In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Dr. Devorah Heitner. Devorah is the author of two books: Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World a…

1
266: A Summertime Plan that Can Work for Everyone, with Penny Williams 23:46

2M ago23:46

23:46

In this episode of Beautifully Complex, we’re focusing on making summertime rewarding and manageable for neurodiverse families. I’ll guide you through a summer plan that encompasses structured activities, personal growth, and meaningful connections. This episode is packed with strategies starting with how to create an adaptable visual plan using to…

1
Finding Your Groove with Joshua Greene 28:58

2M ago28:58

28:58

Hey Team! Accountability is one of the best ways to help you work through those things on your to do list that you just don’t want to do. But finding accountability isn’t always easy. In my conversation today, I’m talking with Joshua Greene, co-founder of the co-working app Groove. In our conversation today we’ll be talking of course about how Groo…

1
IEPs: How IEPs can help with behavior challenges 12:07

2M ago12:07

12:07

Does your child have trouble following the teacher’s rules? Are you getting a lot of calls from the principal? An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, can do a lot of things to help with behavioral challenges in school. But as you explore getting an IEP and putting it into action, things can get confusing. Along the way, you might run into won…

1
265: Strategies for Young Autistic Learners, with Tara Phillips, SLP 36:24

2M ago36:24

36:24

In this episode, I’m joined by Tara Phillips, speech language pathologist and founder of Autism Little Learners. She shares some transformative tools and techniques which have significantly benefited her students, such as the use of visual supports and predictable routines. Together, Tara and I explore the importance of positive connections and a s…

1
Pushing boundaries, breaking norms, and the ADHD brain (Casey McQuiston’s story) 31:04

2M ago31:04

31:04

Casey McQuiston, best-selling author of Red, White and Royal Blue, grew up in a neurodivergent family and was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Still, they had trouble coping, and in high school, English teachers gave them an intervention for “not trying hard enough.” Casey is the author of multiple books in the queer romance genre. Casey chats w…

1
How to Perform a Weekly Review (Rebroadcast) 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

Hey team, this week we’re talking about our weeks and how we can get more out of them with a weekly review. The idea behind a weekly review is to look back on how things went and use that to help us figure out how we want our next week to go. In this episode, we’re going to go over the benefits of performing a weekly review, look at some of the way…

1
Social media and parenting: How much is too much? 17:03

2M ago17:03

17:03

Many parents usually try to avoid sharing too much information about their kids on social media. But many parents also want to share cute pictures, funny stories, or their kids’ accomplishments. And online communities can be great places to share stories or trade parenting tips. It can be tricky to tell where to draw the line — how much is too much…

1
IEPs: Setting IEP goals 14:01

2M ago14:01

14:01

Setting IEP goals can feel tricky. They should be attainable, but not too hard or too easy — it’s a bit like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. However, setting these goals is a big part of developing your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Program. In this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey breaks down how IEP teams set annual…

1
264: Handling Behavior Struggles with Dignity, with Wendy Snyder 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

This time on Beautifully Complex, I'm exploring behavior struggles and conscious discipline with my guest, Wendy Snyder, a positive parenting educator and family life coach. We discuss how understanding behaviors as communication changes our perspective, helping us view challenges as signals of need and teaching opportunities. Join us as we dive in…

1
A personal conversation about being a mom (and woman) with ADHD 35:53

2M ago35:53

35:53

What makes being a mom with ADHD so hard? Navigating executive functions and emotional labor, for one. And feeling burned out when burnout isn’t an option — because there’s always something else that needs your very limited attention! Talking about it with someone who just “gets it” is such a relief. In this episode, Laura talks to her friend and c…

1
Sleep Tools - Part 1 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

Hey team! After last week’s episode on toolkits I got a request to do another episode like it but specifically on sleep tools. Now before I jump in on the episode I want to talk for a minute about why I typically haven’t been doing so many episodes on specific tools. What it comes down to is that often the specific tools aren’t what’s important - w…

1
IEPs: How to prepare for IEP meetings 14:23

3M ago14:23

14:23

So you have an IEP meeting coming up, or you’d like to prepare for future ones. This is an important time to ask questions and advocate for what you think is best for your child. These meetings can be stressful and high-pressure for families. But knowing what to expect in the meeting and how to get ready can put you at ease. On this episode of Unde…

1
263: Understood Explains IEPs from Understood.org 16:00

2M ago16:00

16:00

The terms IEP and 504 plan may come up a lot when you’re looking into special education for your child. These school supports do some of the same things, but one can provide more services and the other is easier to get. And it’s important to know the differences in order to get your child the support they need. On this episode of Beautifully Comple…

1
The pain of struggling with basic tasks: ADHD in the pandemic (Ellyce Fulmore's story) 27:58

3M ago27:58

27:58

Ellyce Fulmore had structures in place her whole life that kept her ADHD hidden. When the pandemic hit, those structures disappeared. Doing basic daily tasks — things like cooking and running errands — got really hard. Then she went down a research rabbit hole on ADHD in women and asked for an ADHD evaluation. Before the pandemic, Ellyce had been s…

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