The Self-Regulation Revolution: Mastering Executive Function
Release Date: 08/15/2025
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...
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Parenting Through the Chaos and Finding Peace (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
aising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book “Calm the Chaos,” and we’ll try to help quell your fear of the emotional...
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Beyond the Lesson Plan: Vulnerability Builds Bridges
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Tom Rademacher, an award-winning educator and author, to explore the nuances of creating affirming educational environments. They discuss the importance of vulnerability in teaching, the impact of neurodivergence on learning, and how personal experiences shape educational philosophies. Tom shares thoughts about his book series "Bucket and Friends," which teaches the power of embracing one's uniqueness and the role of agency and optimism in education. TAKEAWAYS There are always opportunities to improve a supportive learning environment. Expressing...
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The Pressure and Peril of Perfectionism
Neurodiversity Podcast
On this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with licensed mental health counselor Leon Garber, host of the Seize the Moment podcast, about the complexities of perfectionism. They explore the many layers, its ties to neurodivergence, and its impact on mental health. Leon shares what he knows about the different forms of perfectionism, including self-imposed, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism, and they discuss how these can manifest in various domains of life. They also examine the role of environmental factors and personal motivations in shaping perfectionistic tendencies....
info_outlineEmily Kircher-Morris sits down with Sarah Kesty, an executive function coach and host of the Executive Function podcast, to talk about challenges and strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals with executive function and emotional regulation. They discuss offloading working memory, and ideas to help create an executive function-friendly environment at home and in the classroom. Sarah shares her three-phase coaching model and they talk about the importance of self-regulation in both academic and home settings. You'll learn how these approaches can transform the learning experience for students, and provide hope for educators and parents alike.
TAKEAWAYS
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Emotional regulation is key for learning.
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Offload working memory for better focus.
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Create executive function-friendly environments.
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Self-regulation benefits all students.
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Coaching involves exploration and strategy.
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Normalize experimentation for effective learning.
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Sarah Kesty is an executive function, autism, and ADHD coach dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals develop practical strategies to thrive. She is the host of The Executive Function Podcast and the creator of Brain Tools School, a coaching and learning program that supports high schoolers, college students, adults, and fellow coaches in strengthening executive function skills for everyday life.
A four-time Teacher of the Year, Sarah is known for translating research into actionable strategies. She writes and presents for international audiences and outlets such as Psychology Today, KQED, and Edutopia. Her upcoming book for educators, Growing Executive Function, will be published by Solution Tree in August 2025. Based in San Diego, Sarah is also a local trail guide and passionate gardener, committed to building a more brain-friendly and inclusive world.
BACKGROUND READING
Sarah on Psychology Today, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Edutopia, The Executive Function podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.