The Executive Function Podcast
Episodes
Sustainable Stress Strategies with Amy Leneker, Ep 83
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hello my team, Stress, am I right? It's ever-present, sometimes overwhelming, and something we just can't avoid...but what if we're framin...
Anxiety and Executive Function: Brain-friendly strategies with Kristen Stuppy, Ep 82
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Have you ever tried to think clearly with super loud, distracting sounds going on? That's a good analogy for using executive function when y...
Getting Through the Slumps of Life, with EF Coach Carrie Bonnett, Ep 81
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Sometimes I pretend I'm psychic and guess what students are thinking, experiencing, and struggling with based on the time of year. I wish these ...
Good Sleep for Neurodivergent Brains, with Dr Melisa Moore Ep 80
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, team!Your executive function relies on being well-rested and getting good sleep. Our brains do their clean up and solidify new learning when we&#...
Brain Health and Executive Function with Dr Majid Fotuhi Ep 79
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Our brains are, like, kind of a big deal. Since they don't come with owner's manuals, we may need a little help keeping them healthy and...
The Executive Function of Parenting Neurodivergent Kids: Debbie Reber from Tilt Parenting Ep 78
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hello my team! I can't wait for you to hear from Debbie Reber! She lives and breathes strategies for parenting neurodivergent kids, based on her life ...
Late Diagnosed ADHD: Executive Function Strategies from Wise Squirrel founder, Dave Delaney, Ep 77
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Team!If you'd only known then what you know now, right? Dave Delaney, creator of the Wise Squirrels Podcast, knows the sentiment well. When he ...
The 5 Habits of Hope: A key ingredient for growing executive function Ep 76
07 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, Team!Hope. It's a delicate friend. During our darkest times, it can feel so tiny and fragile. And when you're working on building executive funct...
Inspired By Fear: Kris Jennings Ep 75
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, Team!Most of the time, we tend to avoid what we fear, and this works okay...until it doesn't. Kris Jennings, author and change leader, teache...
The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery with Sol Smith Ep 74
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Team,Autism is on the news, tv, and social media a lot, and much of the conversation is aimed at helping people understand autism. Sol Smith helps fil...
The ADHD Productivity Manual: Learning from Ari Tuckman Ep 73
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team! Dr. Ari Tuckman is a real-life hero to me. His latest book, The ADHD Productivity Manual, is like a pep talk meets a strategy session. He ge...
Give Yourself a Mistakes Budget: Wealth, EF, and Elizabeth Husserl
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi team,You might call it an "ADHD" or "Executive Dysfunction tax." The very real experience of executive function challenges cost...
Creating a Life That Fits: a conversation with ADHD coach Debra Levy, Ep 70
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, Team!You know when you feel overwhelmed or lost and you have (or want) that one friend who can hear you and help you sort things out? That's D...
Exploring Different Models of School, for all kinds of brains Ep 69
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team! By now you've probably come to realize that being different isn't wrong, and that's certainly true for our students! Sometimes the tradition...
Allison Robertson, actor and filmmaker, shares her experience of being neurodivergent in Hollywood...and in life! Ep 68
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Team,Meet my new friend, Allison Robertson, who you may know her from The Accountant 2 . What you might not know is that Allison's journey is one to c...
Steve Spitz (Love on the Spectrum) shares his perspectives on being different, connecting with others, and enjoying life! Ep 67
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Team, When I met Steve at the TACA convention, I realized that Love on the Spectrum captured his awesomeness well--but not in its entirety. Steve is t...
Autism on Stage: Elaine Hall shares her journey and insights. Ep 66
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Team,Elaine Hall is a force of nature, whose story will inspire you! On the show, Elaine talks about her experiences with her son, Neil, and the creat...
Grandma Has ADHD: Jami Shapiro shares executive function supports for seniors (and all of us!) Ep 65
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Team,My new friend Jami Shapiro had me at the title of her podcast, "Grandma Has ADHD." And, while it's funny and memorable, it's also an important pe...
Choosing the right college for your brain, with Jordan Burstein Ep 64
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey team! There are so many options for college, and many are designed to support bright students with executive dysfunction! Listen to my conversatio...
Self Perception and Supporting Ourselves and Loved Ones with the uplifting Dr. Blaise Aguirre Ep 63
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Team, This was a tough episode to title! Dr Aguirre and I talk about tricky things like self-hatred but also keep a bright light on hope. He shares ma...
An easy way to develop Executive Function? Play! Learn with Jocelyn Greene Ep 62
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, Team!Our guest, theater director Jocelyn Greene has good news for all of us: PLAY can develop executive function! Jocelyn has great strategies on...
JD Barker, a best-selling author, dad, and executive function innovator! Ep 61
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey team, JD Barker is an incredibly talented and prolific author who has uncovered great strengths in his autism. We talk about self-perception, stra...
Charlie, Are You Daydreaming Again? Author Fabian Grolimund shares strategies and perspectives for children and adults with attention challenges Ep 60
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team! Join us to explore the experience of children (and adults) with ADHD, with author Fabian Grolimund. His book, Charlie Are You Daydreaming Ag...
Strategies for eating enough, "on time" and healthy(ish) with Dana Monsees, Dietitian-Nutritionist. Ep 59
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team, Eating consistently and healthy-ish, cooking meals, remembering to bring lunch and snacks…it all takes executive function. Nearly every o...
Problem Solving and How to Not Hate Math, with Ben Orlin Ep 58
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team, Whether you love or hate math, this episode with author and educator Ben Orlin is for you! We talk about problem solving, the purpose and pr...
Ep 57 Hidden Hazard: Work to do Work
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey team! You know how sometimes it takes about 1000 steps before you actually start on the intended task? That's work to do work! On this week...
Mindset Tricks for Actually Using Executive Function Strategies Ep 56
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Team,You know that excited feeling you get when you get new tools or make a new plan that you hope will make things all easy? Yeah, I do, too. And the...
College for students of all abilities, with Elizabeth C Hamblet
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Team, 1 in 4 college students has a disability! This episode teachers you how to maximize success as a student with a physical or learning challenge....
Ep 54 Taming the Cost of College with Brad Baldridge
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, Team! Join us to explore the process of planning and paying for college--there are some surprises and lots of hope in this episode! As with any p...
Ep 53 Are you accidentally playing on hard mode?
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi team! Executive function is tricky enough, and some of us accidentally make it harder by doing (or not doing) things that challenge our brains in ...
Ep 52 Talk Yoga! How language, movement, and executive function connect
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join my friends Kim and Amy, of Talk Yoga, in learning and laughing together. We'll explore how tools for self-regulation, play, and language can ...
Ep 51 Time Management Hacks (that you haven't heard of yet!)
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Time management might be one of the most requested executive function areas I support, and yet it still is misunderstood! Join me today to hear strate...
Ep 49: Getting and staying organized with a system that works with your brain, with ADHD Coach Debra Levy
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How many of us have told ourselves (or heard from others), "You need to get organized?" Yet the HOW piece is still confusing! What "org...
Ep 48: Tech addictions: another perspective on how to unwire our kids, with Gaia Bernstein
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Our kids can seem glued to their phones and display what looks like physical pain when their technology is taken away. Are they addicted? Is it...
Ep 47: A Brighter Day: Suicide Awareness and Prevention, with Elliot Kallen
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Today on the show we "go there," we talk about teen suicide with A Brighter Day Charity founder Elliot Kallen. We explore some of the...
Ep 46: Hack Studenting by Boosting Your Routines: Webinar audio
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hey team! Listen in to our webinar about building routines to make life easier! We will explore: Student hack #1: teachers love routines Student h...
Ep 45: Neurodivergence and a 9th burrito, with special guest Brandon Tessers
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Listen in on a very geeky conversation with my colleague and friend, Brandon Tessers. Brandon's company, Effective Artistry, provides suppor...
Ep 44: Accommodations for Executive Function (listen in for ANY age learner!) with Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell, college access expert
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Team! We've got an accommodations and assistive technology expert, Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell, who will share some super helpful insights for ident...
Ep 43: Empowering conversations around DEI and neurodivergence: Deanna Singh from Uplifting Impact
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having a brain with executive function needs is tricky; it also connects us with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement. The perspective ...
Ep 42: Sleep: A Brain Vitamin for Executive Function. Interview with Authors Julie Wright and Heather Turgeon
16 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep. It can feel so wonderful and at times, so unattainable, especially for our teens. Yet we intuitively know--and science proves--sleep matters im...
Ep 41: Travel tips for executive function and neuro-diverse needs with guest Dawn Barclay
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Team, You listen to this podcast because your life is impacted by executive function needs. And, while many of our examples are for studenting, we als...
Ep 40: A Mom's perspective on Executive Function development in her college Son
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the right help at the right time makes all the difference! On today's show, Mel, a parent to an amazing college student, shares her jour...
Ep 39: Coaching for college success: Zach's reflections and celebrations!
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Team! On today's show, you'll hear from a college student, Zach, who shares how small-but-powerful strategies and perspective changes m...
Ep 38: College Tips for Recent High School Grads with guest BA graduate, Alec!
28 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Team! If college, trade school, or tech school is around the corner for your teen, you're probably beginning to list the to-do's and what i...
Ep 37: Be College Ready! Big announcement for our Team!!
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly 50% of college Freshman with ADHD (or other executive function challenges) fail at least one class, if not the whole semester. Only 40% go on t...
Ep 36: Advocacy for Executive Function Student Needs, with Seth Perler (part 1)
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Team, Executive Function needs are invisible, and our kids are often able to cope well enough that schools don't see the true struggle. So, how ...
Ep 35: Calm Strips for self-regulation with special guests Michael and Luce!
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do you use to regulate your energy? Maybe you fidget with your clothes or jewelry or get up and move? Michael Malkin and Luce Fuller from Calm St...
Introducing the IEP OMG Show!
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating the Special Ed World is tough! On the IEP OMG Show, I share insider tips on how to secure and maintain the best supports for your child wit...
Ep 34: Change is hard... and possible with these 2 strategies!
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Making goals can be exhilarating! Keeping the momentum, however, is not as much fun. It takes real work and the right mix of baseline strategies. In t...
Ep 33: Autism and Executive Function: Guest and Autism Advocate Jeff Snyder
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Team, You'll love hearing from Jeff Snyder, an autistic adult who speaks nationally in support of neurodiversity. Jeff shares his personal strateg...
Ep 32: It's the Most Stressful Times in School, A Pep Talk
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Kid, Did you know that I can predict your grades, your energy, and your schedule based on the month? And no, I'm not psychic! School terms fol...
Ep 31: 2e Twice Exceptional Kids: Strategy Brainstorm with Author Emily Kircher-Morris
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Team, This week we get to hear from the brilliant Emily Kircher-Morris who specializes in supporting kids with Twice Exceptional brains---meaning they...
Ep 30: Our Challenges are Invisible!
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
No one would be cool with shaming someone who had a visible disability, yet the assuming, blaming, and shaming is loaded onto people with executive fu...
Ep 29: The Executive Function-Friendly Home! with Seth Perler, our special guest!
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Let's make your home executive function-friendly! If your brain just kind of organizes itself, it may be tricky to understand the types of support...
Ep 28: Hack Motivation to End the School Year Well!
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lacking motivation to finish the school? Maybe not! Let's massage your perspective a bit with exploring why you and your child may be feeling low ...
Ep 27: Organizing your child's mind: the Bullet Map strategy
31 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Team, I want you to meet and learn from my friend Darius Namdaran. He's brilliant, and his simple-but-profound method of brain organizing will emp...
Ep 26: Kid, You're Gonna Fail. A Pep Talk
24 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Turn that frown upside down! Fix your attitude! Stop crying! We do a lot to prompt our kids to feel better, and it makes sense: we don't want our ...
Ep 25: Winter of Wonder: Detective Perspective Will Stop the Yelling at your Kid
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Team, Kids are frustratingly human all the time. They do the thing you said not to do not two seconds after you told them not to do it. Oh, thes...
Ep 24: BeeLine Reader Makes Reading Easier!
16 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever read something, only to realize your focus had floated away? Or, have you lost your spot when switching lines of text? This week we talk...
Ep 23: Top 6 ways to Coach Your Child during Finals Week Stress
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you had a dollar for every time someone told you or your child to "just study" or "study harder," you'd be rich, right? But...
Ep 22: Do your genes determine your destiny? An interview with Geralyn Spiez
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tribe, This interview will rock your brain! Geralyn is an Occupational Therapist, writer, and mom who challenges the medical and educational systems...
Ep 21: Executive Function hacks to Beat the Holiday Blues, Even in a Pandemic
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Tribe, If you're feeling weird going into this Pandemic-Clouded Holiday Season, you are not alone. Flexible thinking is an executive functio...
Ep 20: Our ONLY Safe Assumption
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tribe, try-o-meters are not a thing. We cannot assume we know how hard others, especially our kids, are trying. I challenge you to replace your assump...
Ep 19: The BEST plan for boosting Executive Functions and Combating Stress today
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Team, This episode may go against the grain a bit. We all are fighting so hard right now. Fighting to stay safe. Fighting to stay positive. Fighting t...
Ep 18: Using disappointment to grow Executive Functions
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Disappointment is a pandemic's middle name. Today I want to teach you how to use disappointment as a way to develop self-regulation and flexible t...
Ep 17: Executive Functions to fight racism
27 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’re going to talk about some of our executive functions and their implications for fighting racism. When we intentionally grow our abilities to th...
Ep 16: Guest Interview: Mike Laharty, School to World Expert (loads of hope in this episode!)
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered where students who can't *yet* function in regular public school settings go? Who helps them? What makes those programs a b...
Ep 15: Brain Stealers: Teaching Kids to be the Boss of their Brains and their Time
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Brain stealers" are designed to capture your attention and keep it. Things like video games, apps, and platforms can hijack our kids' b...
Ep 14: Expert Interview: Patty Schetter from UC Davis MIND Institute
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If I've grown over the 16 years I've been teaching, much of it is due to seeds planted by an inspiring, authentic, and upbeat expert named Pat...
Ep 13: "Stop Doing That!" How to End Annoying Behaviors with One Magic Word!
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Now that we are quite literally with our loved ones 24/7, the small annoyances we used to be able to ignore might just be too much to handle. On this ...
Ep 12: Decision-Making Strategies that work anywhere!
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We decide all day: what to eat, what to listen to (like your favorite podcast here). But how do we teach someone the process of making a decision? I&#...
Ep 11: Helpless? "Bad kid?" The third option: strategies!
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When we ask kids to be good at pretty much everything (all academic areas, plus PE, plus social-emotional skills) without considering where they start...
Ep 10. How to get un-stuck and start a task (strategies for task initiation)
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Getting started on anything is tougher than we might think...The amount of brain processes that are involved in taking any first step will astound you...
Ep 9: Results
06 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If your kid seems genuinely baffled by the results of their actions...this episode is for you! Kids with EF needs often feel like life happens to them...
Ep 8: Paying attention...it's not what you think!
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’re talking about attention. Not the kind that comes naturally or you want to give freely, but the kind we ask kids to pay. Today I’m going to t...
Ep 7: How to set up a planner or agenda with your child!
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Which planner is best for my child with executive function needs? Digital or paper? Or, is it better to make one on our own? Where do you start? This ...
Ep 6: Reflections and Resolutions for students who struggle
30 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
New year, new semester...they often mean a fresh start. But, using the same methods to get the "fresh start" just won't work. Learn how ...
Ep 5: How to study (and not waste time or go against your brain)
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We tell our kids to "study" for tests...but we hardly tell them how. It could be because we don't actually know either! This episode sha...
Ep 4: Last minute grade-saving strategies that work!
12 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The semester's almost over, and you're likely feeling the pressure. It's important to know where to put your last-minute energy to get the...
Ep 3: How do I best help without over-helping my kid with executive function needs?
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Do you worry that you help your kid too much? Maybe you stress that they'll never be independent but then still find yourself bailing them out in ...
Ep 2: Why smart kids fail school
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode asks you to challenge your assumption that the "behaviors" that drive you crazy are choices, not missing skills. Our kid pep ...
What is Executive Function, and why is it the secret sauce for success? Ep 1:
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our first podcast will get you thinking, reflecting, and laughing! Learn what executive function is and why it's been the missing piece to your or...
The Executive Function Podcast Official Trailer!
17 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Is your child or student so smart but failing at school? Are you struggling with issues like organization, planning, and self-management? Listen to th...