Christopher Willard on Mental Health, Education, and Farts (!?)
Release Date: 07/21/2025
2E Or Not 2E: The Nuts and Bolts of Twice-Exceptionality (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Many brilliant young people experience the dichotomy of disability layered on top of their intelligence. It’s called twice-exceptionality, or 2e for short. What are the common misconceptions about twice-exceptional individuals? How do traditional models fall short when identifying the learning disabilities of our brightest kids? And why is early recognition so pivotal? Emily talks with Dr. Danika Maddocks, a psychologist, parent coach, and founder of the Gifted Learning Lab, about the intricacies of twice-exceptionality, in childhood and beyond. This is part of our end-of-year recap, and one...
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Measuring Thinking Rather Than Knowledge with Dr. Jack Naglieri (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
As we wrap up 2025, we are featuring some of our most important conversations, including this conversation about IQ, intelligence, and intelligence assessment. Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jack Naglieri, an emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. Dr. Naglieri is renowned for his work in intelligence testing and the development of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. In this sprawling conversation, Emily and Jack talk about his insights on the evolution and misconceptions surrounding intelligence assessment....
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Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria with Dr. Bill Dodson (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. William Dodson have a conversation about the complexities of ADHD, in which they discuss emotional dysregulation, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), and social anxiety. They talk about how RSD manifests in ADHDers, and how we can distinguish it from social anxiety. They also explore the impact of childhood experiences, the vital role of relationships, and the need for updated diagnostic criteria. This conversation was taken from a two-part series earlier in 2025. TAKEAWAYS Emotional dysregulation is often overlooked in ADHD diagnoses. RSD is a specific...
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Building a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris is joined by Tim Villegas, the Director of Communications at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE) and the founder and host of the Think Inclusive Podcast, to discuss the concept of inclusion in education. The idea is to create inclusive environments for all students, and Tim shares his personal journey toward that goal, and insights on how to create such an environment. They talk about the importance of community, equity, and meaningful contributions in schools, as well as the challenges faced in inclusive classrooms. TAKEAWAYS Inclusion is a powerful...
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Late Diagnosis ADHD: Looking Back for Context, Looking Forward for Clarity
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Carla Ciccone, a Toronto-based writer and author of the book Nowhere Girl, about her experiences with ADHD, identity, and motherhood. Carla talks about dealing with her late diagnosis of ADHD, and the overall impact of societal expectations on women. They talk about the difficulties of navigating life with undiagnosed ADHD, how it increases the challenges of parenting, and the importance of self-awareness and therapy in managing ADHD symptoms. TAKEAWAYS When you realize you've had ADHD all along, allow yourself grief and grace. Therapy can be a...
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The Over-Under on Achievement with Jim Delisle
Neurodiversity Podcast
Cookie-cutter curriculum can be Kryptonite to a gifted kid, and can often spark a decline into a place where underachievement becomes the norm. Dr. Jim Delisle helps us probe the world of underachievement, and suggests ways to help people of various underachiever profiles break their chains. Our hearts are heavy with Jim's recent passing. Jim Delisle was a giant in the field of giftedness and neurodiversity, and one of its fiercest advocates. He was a friend, an important collaborator, and his contributions left an indelible mark on our podcast and the lives of our team. More than that, he...
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Presuming Competence: A Nonspeaking Person Finds His Voice
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Sumit and Viraj Dhanda, a father-son duo who are working to update and rethink norms around communication, intelligence, and inclusion. Viraj is a nonspeaking autistic student who was diagnosed with autism and apraxia as a young child. Viraj and his father, Sumit, talk about their journey navigating the challenges and misconceptions surrounding non-verbal communication, the impact of apraxia, and the importance of presuming competence. Viraj shares his personal experiences through a communication tool, and tells the story of when he and his father discovered his...
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Synesthesia in Cinema: The Making of 'Magnetosphere'
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes filmmaker Nicola Rose, to talk about her film 'Magnetosphere,' a movie about the world of synesthesia. Nicola shares her insights and challenges of portraying neurodivergence in cinema, the difficulty and complexity of independent filmmaking, and the personal journey of understanding her own ADHD diagnosis. They talk about the creative process, the importance of authentic representation, and the universal themes of growing up and self-discovery. TAKEAWAYS Synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon where senses are intertwined, such as seeing sounds or tasting...
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Building Henry's Classroom: An Advocacy Master Class
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris talks with writer Amy Mackin, author of Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, about her experiences navigating the special education system for her son, Henry. They discuss the challenges of accessing appropriate resources, the impact of social isolation, and how community support can make a huge difference. They talk about Amy's transition from public school to homeschooling, and the benefits of a more holistic approach to education that broadens the support group to include family and even medical professionals. TAKEAWAYS Early intervention...
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Adult-Diagnosed ADHD: Grieving What Might Have Been
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergence specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically. Jennifer was diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, and is now an educator, administrator, coach, and grief specialist. They talk about grieving over what might have been, a struggle that often accompanies late-diagnosis. They discuss Jennifer's lived experience with late diagnosis, as well as some common misconceptions about ADHD, especially those faced by women. They also talk about the challenges of identifying ADHD in school settings, particularly for girls and...
info_outlineEmily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist and author, about the complexities of life's major transitions. At this time of year, this is an especially-important conversation, as some students prepare for the shift to college life. They share their own experiences and provide advice on navigating the pressures of newfound independence, the importance of self-care, and the role of systemic support in easing major transitions. Yes, they also talk about farts, so this episode has something for everyone.
TAKEAWAYS
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It's important to understand the mental health challenges that often arise during major life transitions.
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There's a role for social media in destigmatizing mental health issues, but it also spreads misinformation.
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Systemic support is essential in educational institutions, in order to better assist students, especially those from marginalized communities.
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It's important not to over-pathologize normal emotional experiences.
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There was a creative process behind Dr. Willard's children's book, "Feelings Are Like Farts," which uses humor to engage kids in understanding emotions.
Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.
Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts, with a global presence as a speaker in over 40 countries and two TEDx events. He is the author of 20 books on mental health and mindfulness, including Alphabreaths, Growing Up Mindful, Feelings Are Like Farts, and the upcoming College Mental Health 101 (2025).
Dr. Willard's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN.com, and mindful.org. In addition to his clinical and writing work, he teaches at Harvard Medical School, where he continues to shape conversations around mindfulness, emotional well-being, and mental health in education and beyond.
BACKGROUND READING
Chris’s website, Instagram, Facebook, Feelings Are Like Farts
The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.