Category: Neurodivergence
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“If you’re immersed in the real world and everything is done in a way to satisfy your curiosity, you will eventually learn about all the stuff that you need to learn about.” – David
In this episode, I speak with David, a data scientist, podcaster, and educator—about his education journey from Hungary to the UK, and software developer to what he calls a “data generalist”. We talk about the subjects he excelled in at school, why the words “Industrial Revolution” brings back nightmares for him, and why he compares…
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“Play is connection.” – Renée
In this episode, I speak with Renée, a learning specialist and educator—about her earliest memories of teaching herself how to read before 4 to receiving various interventions in schools for … yup, reading. We talk about the family members and school teachers and staff who helped to identify the help she needed to find academic…
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“Every single thing in our world is related to science. If we reframe it that way, then there’s a place for everyone.” – Andrea
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Andrea Love, an immunologist, microbiologist, and science communicator, about her early interests in science and scientific literacy. We talk about how she became interested in science, what her parents and teachers did to encourage her to continue pursuing her curiosities, and why she is passionate about encouraging children…
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“We need to work on changing people’s mindset around what education is. Around how children learn.” – Fran
In this episode, I speak with Fran, a writer, unschooler, and consent-based education advocate about her education journey, which began in Italy. We talk about how her early interests in humanities and dream of becoming a writer led to her pursuing a career in journalism before she became a mother who decided to give unschooling…
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Connection, project based learning, and an understanding of how our brains work
In this episode, I speak with Megan—a special education teacher and advocate for the disability community—about her memories of testing gifted at an early age, and her discovery of what giftedness means when she went through her special education credentialing program, over a decade later. We talk about the structural issues with our heavily standardized…
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Self-awareness, empathy, and the autonomy to choose our own labels
In this episode, I speak with Alondra—a social worker, author, consultant, and mom—about her earliest memories of feeling different from her peers. We talk about her journey towards receiving an autism diagnosis, her expert opinions on what autism is and isn’t, as well as her thoughts on both the challenges, drawbacks and benefits of self-diagnosis.…
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How might we shift education from measuring student performance to fostering an internal locus of control?
In this episode, I speak with Michiko—a mom, wife, and cultural chameleon—about her education journey spanning multiple countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States. We talk about her earliest memories growing up in a home filled with caring family members, and how her varied schooling experiences influenced her self view. We…