Best Learner Autonomy Podcasts (2025)

1
How Healthier Coping Strategies Lead to Substance Abuse Prevention 57:55

7M ago57:55

57:55

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, the nation's largest preventable and costly health problem is teen drug addiction. As parents, drug and alcohol abuse is something that keeps us up at night. And while we can talk with them until we're blue in the face about the dangers, we're never really sure about how effective o…

1
Yoga and Mindfulness for a More Regulated Classroom, with Zensational Kids' Allison Morgan 43:24

8M ago43:24

43:24

We all know that co-regulation is essential for fostering a sense of connection and engagement among students, which ultimately makes lessons easier to follow. But what are the best ways to co-regulate? Today we welcome Allison Morgan, who shares her tips. And it's not all about regulating the students - educators must regulate themselves first. --…

1
From Picky Eating Battles to Positive Mealtime Relationships, with Polina Shkadron 55:54

8M ago55:54

55:54

Have you heard of ARFID? It stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, which sounds pretty scary. You may wonder if this is like picky eating, but it’s actually very different from picky eating. Today on the podcast, Polina Shkadron emphasizes that children with ARFID should eat for themselves rather than to please others. Her approach p…

1
Choosing a School for Your Neurodivergent Learner 37:19

9M ago37:19

37:19

Join me on today’s episode as I talk with Libby Taylor and Emmy Renquist of SchoolUp. We discuss what to consider in a learning environment for your neurodivergent child, what questions to ask on school tours, and what the options are in our local area of Wake and Durham counties. Learn more at SchoolUp Wake. --- Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly news…

1
How to Reduce Your Stress and Encourage Autonomy in Your Children, with Dr. Emily Edlynn 46:36

9M ago46:36

46:36

As parents, our natural instinct is to shield our children from stress. Life's hard enough as adults, so we want to let kids be carefree. But is that strategy counterproductive and actually harmful to our children? Today, Dr. Emily Edlynn calls for a cultural shift towards balanced, autonomy-supportive parenting that prioritizes both child and pare…

1
Mr. Chazz on Realistic Self-Regulation for Parents 50:05

9M ago50:05

50:05

Parental fear and reactive behavior often stem from concerns about safety or our own emotional overwhelm, making it challenging to respond thoughtfully to our child's emotions. Today, Mr. Chazz, a former Montessori teacher turned multi-faceted educator, shares his insights on recognizing and embracing emotions as a pathway to better emotional regul…

1
Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child with Kelley Coleman 1:02:21

10M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Many of us struggle to advocate for children with disabilities and empower them to navigate their futures with confidence. So how can you prepare children with disabilities for fulfilling lives while emphasizing their choices and abilities? In this episode, Kelley Coleman shares her insights on how inclusive education, self-advocacy, agency, choice…

1
How to Flex Talk Therapy for Neurodivergent Kids & Teens, with Dr. Matt Zakreski 57:35

1y ago57:35

57:35

Contrary to the medical model of prescribing antibiotics or stitching up a wound, mental health is not simply about "fixing" patients. Therapists can feel pressure from parents or school staff to improve a child’s emotional or behavioral functioning as quickly as possible, but mental health is both a science and an art. It also takes trust and time…

1
Setting Healthy Screen Boundaries, with Andrea Davis 52:52

1y ago52:52

52:52

Parents, you've got all the tech time questions, and Better Screen Time's Andrea Davis has the answers. What's the latest info on how much time kids are spending on devices? When are kids ready for devices? Specifically for phones? When are they ready for social media? How do you set boundaries around technology? How do you bring up the potential f…

1
ADHD in the Classroom, with Melissa Jackson 49:53

1y ago49:53

49:53

While working in the classroom as a teacher in both special education and general education settings, and in helping her own kids learn to read, Melissa Jackson started to notice that the teaching methods she had been taught in teacher prep courses didn't work equally with neurotypical and neurodivergent learners. So what did she do about it? Today…

1
ADHD is AWESOME, with Kim and Penn Holderness 50:36

1y ago50:36

50:36

The hilarious and uber-talented Kim and Penn Holderness (YouTube) just released a new book, ADHD is Awesome, and they're on the show to tell us all about it! We explore: Reframing ADHD as a superpower Uncovering strategies like visual cues Using timers Setting boundaries Emotional aspects of ADHD Gender differences in expressing emotions Personaliz…

1
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), with Casey Ehrlich 55:16

1y ago55:16

55:16

PDA most commonly stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance. But Dr. Casey Ehrlich prefers to call it Pervasive Drive for Autonomy or Protective Demand Avoidance. Today, Dr. Ehrlich unpacks why understanding PDA and nervous system responses starts with supporting children's drive for autonomy and equality. She and Dr. Emily also discuss the alarming…

1
Are You a Sober-Curious Parent? 54:33

1y ago54:33

54:33

Parenting is challenging. Add neurodivergence and a busy job to the mix, and sometimes (ok, often) you feel like you deserve that glass of wine. But does it make things better or worse? Are you a sober-curious parent? Today, Casey Davidson and Dr. Emily share their personal journeys of transitioning to sobriety, shedding light on the challenges of …

1
Understanding Trauma at School w/ Dr. Lori Desautels 44:34

1y ago44:34

44:34

On today’s podcast, Dr. Lori Desautels joins me to discuss how students experience trauma at school, and how we need to move away from traditional discipline approaches and towards promoting emotional regulation for students and educators. We dive into practical strategies in an effort to promote a positive learning environment for all students. Th…

1
How NC is Empowering Autistic Professionals, with NCBCE's Caroline Sullivan 44:47

1+ y ago44:47

44:47

Much of the content on this podcast centers around raising neurodivergent kids. But what about when they become young adults? How do we think about higher education options and entering the workforce? Today, North Carolina Business Committee for Education Executive Director Caroline Sullivan joins Dr. Emily to discuss the groundbreaking LiNC-IT pro…

1
The Regulated Classroom: Empowering Educators and Engaging Students, with Emily Daniels 52:45

1+ y ago52:45

52:45

How can educators cultivate a classroom environment that's the most conducive to learning? What are the real secrets to a successful and regulated classroom? Today, Emily Daniels discusses the Regulated Classroom framework, which emphasizes practices like co-regulation, connectors, activators, settlers, and affirmations. By understanding behaviors …

1
Juggling Aging Parents and Neurodivergent Children, with Edla Prevette 39:37

1+ y ago39:37

39:37

For everyone who's a parent of a neurodivergent child, you might be taking care of your aging parents as well. You're in a Sandwich Generation, and it's not easy to navigate setting boundaries, finding support outside your family, and prioritizing your own mental health. Today, Edla Prevette has some advice for navigating the complexities of this f…

1
Neurodiverging: PDA Day-to-Day: Parenting Pathological Demand Avoidance/ Pervasive Demand for Autonomy 44:40

1+ y ago44:40

44:40

Today we're sharing an episode from Neurodiverging with Danielle Sullivan. It's a super interesting conversation on PDA, an acronym for Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Demand for Autonomy. I enjoyed listening to this, and I think you will too! ---- Today host Danielle Sullivan discusses their experience parenting PDA children. Danielle h…

1
Travel Tips for Your Neurodivergent Child 18:06

1+ y ago18:06

18:06

The Holidays are here, so 'Tis the Season for hearing about travel anxiety from many parents raising neurodivergent kids. Some can’t fathom going to a restaurant without causing a scene so an extended vacation seems out of reach. Many are surprised when I say, “Your child can totally do this! Maybe not yet, but just like any other skill you have ta…

1
Parents of Neurodivergent Kids are Really Good at Gratitude 12:29

1+ y ago12:29

12:29

If you are raising an autistic child or one with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing differences, you may have had some moments when you’ve looked at others and thought, “I wish it was easier for my child to just sit down and eat with the family” or “Wow, that child just joined right in with that group of kids like it was nothing!” When your child…

1
How to Help Neurodivergent Kids Thrive at School 34:38

1+ y ago34:38

34:38

Today we're sharing an episode I was a guest on recently, Calm the Chaos Parenting with my friend Dayna Abraham. ---- This week, we're diving into a topic that keeps popping up in our community, and it's a two-part issue. Firstly, some parents are puzzled about how to help their kids at school as they come home on Fridays exhausted and frustrated, …

1
Motherhood Unstressed: The Hidden Power of Highly Sensitive People, with Jenn Granneman 25:48

1+ y ago25:48

25:48

Today we're sharing an episode from an awesome parenting podcast called Motherhood Unstressed with Liz Carlisle. This conversation with author Jenn Granneman on working with highly sensitive people and what superpowers they possess is fantastic, so I know you'll enjoy it. ---- You’re too sensitive. You’re overreacting. Grow a thicker skin. You take…

1
(Repost) Polyvagal Theory in the Classroom with Dr. Mona Delahooke 53:30

1+ y ago53:30

53:30

Many of you know that Dr. Mona Delahooke suffered a brain aneurysm about two months ago and has been fighting hard in her recovery ever since. Her family shared last week that she has regained consciousness (!) but that there is still a long road to recovery. So please join me in wishing Mona well today as we lift up her work through the magic of p…

1
49. When to Pursue a Diagnosis, My ADHD Child Shows No Empathy (Q&A Mailbag) 19:15

1+ y ago19:15

19:15

Welcome to another Q&A podcast! Full disclosure, I can't answer complex or detailed questions about dynamics between kids, or teachers and kids, or parents and kids, when I don't know the full story. But what I can answer is general topics that keep coming up with parents, teachers, and kids, whether it's a clinical topic, an educational topic, a c…

1
48. For Teachers: What’s going on Behind the Behavior 45:44

1+ y ago45:44

45:44

Today I have a special treat for the educators who follow me. A few weeks ago I offered a free webinar for teachers in Pre-K through 8th grade where I talked about what's going on behind the behavior, and how to stay curious and figure out what students are struggling with so we can shift our mindset from thinking these students are giving me a har…

1
47. Nurturing the Independence of Neurodivergent Teens 16:42

1+ y ago16:42

16:42

As parents, we are all are working toward the same goals: Raise a human that is independent and kind. Many of us start with goals like “successful” and ”happy,” but because these are such relative terms, I find it more helpful to define goals within the framework of independence, which is my definition of success anyway. I also don’t think I know a…

1
46. Homework, Chores, and Dinnertime (Q&A Mailbag) 23:03

1+ y ago23:03

23:03

Welcome to another Q&A podcast! Full disclosure, I can't answer complex or detailed questions about dynamics between kids, or teachers and kids, or parents and kids, when I don't know the full story. But what I can answer is general topics that keep coming up with parents, teachers, and kids, whether it's a clinical topic, an educational topic, a c…

1
45. Calming the Chaos, with Dayna Abraham 50:00

1+ y ago50:00

50:00

As a parent or teacher, what should we do when our child is in the middle of a meltdown? Today we welcome Dayna Abraham, a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself. Dayna introduces her Calm the Chaos framework, which consists of four key principles: Connection, Understanding, Empowerment…

1
44. It's Time to Rethink Homework 15:27

2y ago15:27

15:27

I’m just going to say it: Homework is a thorn in the side for most parents raising neurodivergent kids. In case you haven’t experience it, let me explain: You wake up in the morning ready to implement your well-crafted morning routine that includes the most efficient way to get your child clothed, fed, packed up, and in the car with the fewest mome…

1
43. Homeschooling Your Neurodivergent Child with Amy Langston 38:31

2y ago38:31

38:31

Are you facing the dilemma of whether homeschooling is the right choice for your neurodivergent child? Are you concerned about the challenges it might bring, such as college admissions or socialization? Today, we sit down with Amy Langston, an autistic self-advocate, to explore her remarkable homeschooling journey. Discover how she and her family t…

1
Episode 31 | Navigating the VUCA Landscape: Learning in an Unpredictable World 11:38

2y ago11:38

11:38

In today's fast-paced and unpredictable world, we are constantly facing new challenges that require us to adapt and learn quickly. This is where the concept of VUCA comes in - it stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. These four components describe the nature of the world we live in and the challenges we face. #learnerautono…

1
42. Help! My Child Won't Get Out of the Car: Understanding School Anxiety 19:42

2y ago19:42

19:42

As parents and educators, we know that children often experience a “honeymoon” the first day (or week) of the new school year. It’s a time when many children are blissfully distracted by their new outfit, their new backpack, their new teacher, their new pencil, or their new classmates so they often make it through the first few days or weeks just f…

1
41. Interoception: Nurturing Awareness, with Kelly Mahler 40:54

2y ago40:54

40:54

Today we unpack the sense of interoception, responsible for conveying vital information about our body's internal condition. What is its role in recognizing hunger, emotions, discomfort, and more? And, how can interoceptive awareness be derailed or heightened in neurodivergent kids and teens? Teachers, parents, and caregivers - tune in for a better…

1
40. You Asked, I Answered (Our First Q&A!) 23:00

2y ago23:00

23:00

Welcome to my very first Q&A podcast! Full disclosure, I can't answer complex or detailed questions about dynamics between kids, or teachers and kids, or parents and kids, when I don't know the full story. But what I can answer is general topics that keep coming up with parents, teachers, and kids, whether it's a clinical topic, an educational topi…

1
39. How a Trusting Parent-Teacher Partnership Helps Your Child 25:37

2y ago25:37

25:37

It's back to school time, which means one of the most important topics I love talking about is so relevant right now - the parent teacher partnership. As you might know, I can get on my soapbox about all of us trying to come together to help all of our kids, but especially our neurodivergent kids who have more conflict, more ideas, and more brainst…

1
38. 3 Steps to Reboot Your Family's Schedule This Back-to-School Season 17:28

2y ago17:28

17:28

As someone who was in school from age 4 through 26, August is my New Year. But August can be a mix of emotions for many. Some want to squeeze out the last drops of summer and some (often many) are out of money and out of ideas, so we all start yearning for that school-week routine. Does your family’s school routine need an upgrade? --- Sign up for …

1
37. Supporting Neurodivergent Teens, with Penny Williams 55:23

2y ago55:23

55:23

Today, Penny Williams shares her personal journey as a parent of a neurodivergent child, starting with her son's ADHD diagnosis at age six and his subsequent diagnosis of autism spectrum and learning disabilities. The challenges she faced led her to become a passionate advocate for neurodivergent families. Dr. Emily and Penny discuss the importance…

1
36. Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Therapy? 18:40

2y ago18:40

18:40

When a child is first identified as autistic or receives a diagnosis of ADHD, a learning disability, or sensory processing differences, parents can feel both overwhelmed by the information and relieved to have a plan. Yet, sometimes the plan is even overwhelming. As a former school psychologist, I was trained to identify concerns and recommend solu…

1
35. How to Talk to Kids About Their Neurodivergent Brain 19:13

2y ago19:13

19:13

Our children are growing up in schools filled with neurodiverse learners. While this gives me hope for normalizing the presence of neurodiversity, inclusive mindsets don’t just appear out of thin air; they evolve when we stay open to learn about our differences. We make this evolution of inclusivity possible when we teach ALL children how they lear…

1
34. Why a Diagnosis Is (and isn't) Important 16:56

2y ago16:56

16:56

In my work with parents of young children, many come to me after noticing some concerns with their child’s developmental milestones. While all children develop at their own pace, some young children experience challenges with emotional regulation, language and motor milestones, and/or sensory processing that leave their parents wondering if an eval…

1
33. Helping Neurodivergent Kids Manage Free Time in the Summer 20:19

2y ago20:19

20:19

Parents, we’re in the thick of it. Summer. I don’t know about you, but this summer is already feeling more hectic than any in recent memory. Is this the first full-out summer since the pandemic? Am I just running low on parent stamina? Or is it just that driving my kids to activities feels like an additional part-time job? Whatever the reason, I’m …

1
32. What Drives Motivation for Neurodivergent Youth? 19:25

2y ago19:25

19:25

When I talk to parents and teachers of neurodivergent kids and teens, especially those raising and teaching autistic children, I often hear, “I can’t figure out what motivates her,” or “He only cares about video games” or even, “I can’t get them to care about anything.” Here’s the thing: I’ve never met a kid without interests. As the trusted adults…

1
31. Non-compliance Isn't Always a Choice 15:42

2y ago15:42

15:42

Simply put, children don’t do everything we ask them to do when we ask them to do it. As adults, we often assume this is because they are not understanding what we said so we try communicating the same expectation again by repeating ourselves, sometimes in a louder and more frustrated voice. If that doesn’t work, our own frustration grows, which ca…

1
30. How Teachers Can Prevent Burnout 12:49

2y ago12:49

12:49

Teachers, you made it. It’s summer! As you pause to take a breath and recenter yourself, I want you to know that I see all you are doing. You are asked to do so many things with too little time and energy. This week, I’m here to remind you that you CAN find time for yourself, even during a busy school year. The most important thing to know is that …

1
29. You Don’t Have to be a Special Educator to Teach a Neurodiverse Group of Learners 16:07

2y ago16:07

16:07

If you are an elementary educator, you are already teaching a neurodiverse group of learners. So there are gonna be things that come up that you feel like you don't know how to do, or you need to consult with colleagues. So, I want you to know you don't have to have a special education degree, but there are three things that I do believe are key to…

1
28. Why School is Hard for Neurodivergent Students 13:57

2y ago13:57

13:57

Today we dive into why school is so hard for neurodivergent students, and the messages and feedback that I get from teachers on what they need to make school better for our students. This topic is always on my mind this time of year as we go into testing season, which as we all know, if you're listening to this podcast, you have a child in your lif…

1
27. Polyvagal Theory in the Classroom with Dr. Mona Delahooke 52:01

2y ago52:01

52:01

Educators, it's time to shift our mindset by understanding what polyvagal theory, the importance of brain-body connection, and how we can better support our children. We all know that the fields of psychology and education still haven’t fully integrated the wisdom we’re learning from research and neuroscience, and often rely on methods that seek to…

1
26. How to Show Up for the Sex Talk Your Kids Deserve 16:35

2y ago16:35

16:35

I know you all come here to read my thoughts on raising and teaching neurodivergent kids and teens. But, I’m taking a little detour today because this topic is for all parents. I was talking to a good friend the other day. We were exchanging stories about how our kids are starting to ask questions about puberty and I was pretty sure that I had gros…

1
25. Social-Emotional Learning with Elizabeth Sautter 47:50

2y ago47:50

47:50

Social-Emotional Learning is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Schools can see it as something that needs to be taught in a very scripted way. However, therapists often think of Social-Emotional Learning as something we are always practicing as it’s integrated into our everyday experiences. So what exactly is Social-Emotional Learning, and how …

1
24. 3 Most Common Reasons Behind Bedtime Anxiety (and What to Do About It) 18:43

2y ago18:43

18:43

As a child psychologist working with families for over 20 years, here are the top three most common issues that get in the way of kids getting good sleep and my tips for getting back on track. All parents know that sleep is important. No one knows sleep deprivation like a new parent with an infant who wakes every two to three hours to be fed or cha…

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Learner Autonomy Podcasts

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