In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Laura Cook, who left school at 18, discovered her dyslexia through support work at De Montfort University, and went on to build the Learning Support Centre, now providing specialist support to thousands of higher-education students and neurodivergent NHS trainees. Laura explains how neurodivergent needs often surface under workplace pressure, and introduces Skill Bridge, her newer venture offering end-to-end support for neurodivergent apprentices and employees, including screening, workplace needs assessments, strategy coaching, assistive technology, and training. The conversation explores differences between university and apprenticeship funding, how support is accessed via apprenticeship providers, the challenges of dual funding with Access to Work delays, and practical inclusive management steps like clear agendas, minutes, and effective training on tools.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/ 

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Laura’s Linkedin: Laura Cook | LinkedIn
• For any inquiries, please email [email protected]
• Skill Bridge website: https://www.skillbridgesolutions.co.uk/ 
• Learning Support Centre website: The Learning Support Centre - Neurodivergent & Disability Specialists
• Learning Support ACA website: Home | Learning Support Aca
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
• SEND: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs 
• SEN Support: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-support
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia 
• Digital catapult: https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/ 
• innovate UK: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/ 

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Jill Cameron in rural Victoria, Australia, an early years educator, mum of three, and teacher trainee who was diagnosed with dyslexia about 18 months ago after her son Mitchell was diagnosed. Jill describes the relief of understanding her difficulties, especially very low working memory affecting reading, speaking, and writing, and shares how supportive family accommodations helped her growing up on a sheep farm. She discusses school experiences including refusing spelling tests, volunteering to read aloud, reading recovery, and being labeled “phonetically deaf.” Jill explains practical study strategies and accommodations for online university, including transcripts, scripting for video assignments, two screens, color-coded organization, OneNote, browser workspaces, and using AI to create questions and assignment blueprints.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ivvi.app/⁠

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
• Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioning
• Working Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory 
• BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ 
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Interested in being a guest? Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Alexander Molokwu, founder of Loujo, about using memorable, AI-generated songs to help dyslexic children learn curriculum content and improve retention. Alex shares how he discovered his dyslexia while studying neuroscience at Cardiff University, how educational songs helped him memorize complex material, and how supporting his niece’s struggles inspired Loujo. He explains how schools and parents can create tailored songs in different genres within 30 seconds, paired with quizzes and curriculum-aligned datasets, and discusses reported results including a 30% retention increase over text-based learning. Alex describes trials in primary and secondary schools, broader applications including autism and language learning, his accelerator experiences and grants, and invites listeners to trial Loujo and connect schools to the platform.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠https://www.ivvi.app/

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Luojo X: https://x.com/LearnwithLoujo
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/LearnwithLoujo
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/learnwithloujo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/octananna-ltd-loujo
• Website: https://loujo.ai/
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
• SEND: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs 
• SEN Support: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-support
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia 
• Digital catapult: https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/ 
• innovate UK: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/ 

Interested in being a guest? Email us at ⁠[email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Jamie Wace, CEO and co-founder of Talamo, about his late dyslexia diagnosis and how it shaped his path to building an affordable school-based dyslexia screener. Jamie shares how exam access-arrangement testing led to his diagnosis at 15, the impact of working memory challenges, and how strategies like mind maps helped him succeed academically. He outlines Talamo’s mission to address the statistic that 80% of dyslexic pupils leave school undiagnosed, describing Talamo’s 45-minute, school-delivered screener, reporting for teachers and parents, and plans to expand into executive functioning, maths ability, and dyscalculia. They also discuss entrepreneurship, fundraising stories including Simon Squibb and Octopus Energy’s founder, and Talamo’s “We Love SENCo’s” conference at LSE.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ivvi.app/⁠

Links: 

• Ivvi: ⁠https://www.ivvi.app/⁠ 
• what is dyslexia: ⁠https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia⁠
• TALAMO: ⁠https://www.talamo.co.uk/⁠  
• The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis: ⁠https://a.co/d/0gjRuH1F⁠ 
• SEND: ⁠https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs⁠ 
• SEN Support: ⁠https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-support⁠
• We Love SENCos- 10th June 2026: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/welovesenco⁠
• Talking Dyslexia Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/03rCkmA1LnYgdGmeHQO2Uj?si=b5987990be954bce⁠ 
• Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/jamiewace⁠
• IG @Talamo: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/talamo⁠ 
• Access to Work info -⁠ https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work⁠
• Executive Function: ⁠https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioning⁠
• BETT Show:⁠ https://www.bettshow.com/⁠ 
• British Dyslexia Association: ⁠https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk⁠

Interested in being a guest? Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee introduce Dr. Helen Ross, an inspiring educator, researcher, and advocate who shares her profound insights into neurodiversity. They discuss a range of topics, including the heavy mental load and masking experienced by neurodivergent girls during key life transitions, the transformative power of EdTech and AI, and why it is often more important to be 'well-informed' rather than simply 'well-read.' Dr. Ross also reflects on her personal academic journey to achieving a PhD, the systemic challenges faced by SENCOs in education, and the empowering realization of claiming your own label and identity with dyslexia and ADHD. Join this insightful conversation to explore how neurodivergent individuals can play to their strengths, self-advocate, and find grace within a complex educational system.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

Get ivvi notes now: ⁠https://www.ivvi.app/

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Helen’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenlouiseross/ 
• Helen’s Website: helensplace.co.uk/ 
• Literacy Learning Journeys by Helen: https://helensplace.co.uk/literacy-learning-journeys/ 
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
• SEND: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs 
• SEN Support: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-support 
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee welcome returning guest Kerry Pace to give a practical guide for UK university students with dyslexia or other learning differences who have been awarded Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Kerry explains what the DSA grant award letter looks like, why it’s a “golden ticket,” and how to read the key tables showing software/equipment and non-medical helper support such as specialist study skills tutoring and mentoring. She outlines what study skills sessions can cover, how support can be used flexibly, why students should start early rather than wait for crisis, and what to do if they don’t gel with a tutor. The conversation highlights how tutoring helps apply assistive tech, build strategies, save time and energy, improve marks, and develop transferable skills and self-advocacy.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

• Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• Diverse Learners Website - www.diverse-learners.co.uk
• Kerry Pace - Don't Give Up On Yourself - https://youtu.be/JDKY0GpjBAk?si=-Xq6TboPzmFzzV3a
• Research gate for papers and journals I have written on inclusion, dyslexia dyspraxia and neurodiversity 
• YouTube - Youtube.com/diverselearners
• Lived Experience - Dyslexic Nurses- especially Beki, Maria, Dann -  https://youtu.be/pR8stH-ubsQ?si=NXps0tIkgOL05-pD
• What is a mentor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2an1r4lgSA&t=1s
• Linktr.ee has links to all of my social media https://linktr.ee/DiverseLearners
• How to mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Kerry’s previous episode 80: https://tinyurl.com/mryrruhr 
• Kerry’s previous episode 81: https://tinyurl.com/2dk3uaba 
• Kerry’s previous episode 99: https://tinyurl.com/4yb3vwr8 
• Kerry’s previous episode 101: https://tinyurl.com/yc3hjdxy 
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia
• Howjsay: https://howjsay.com/ 
• Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/ 
• Boolean Search: https://www.socialtalent.com/blog/recruiting/the-beginners-guide-to-boolean-search-terms 
• Access to Work info - https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
• Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioning
• BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ 
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee interview Rose Lord, a neurodivergent entrepreneur and former British champion gymnast who is developing the My Best Mood app to build emotional resilience in children. Rose recounts her journey from having "extreme dyslexia" that left her unable to process written words to finding success through a specialized brain-retraining program and eventually advocating for neurodivergent youth in Parliament. They discuss her innovative platform, which uses AI to turn a child’s imagination into personalized digital stories, incorporating evidence-led accessibility features like colored filters and read-aloud functions. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting the "blast radius" of emotional dysregulation within families and Rose’ mission to ensure that children feel valued and understood rather than "fixed".

This podcast is sponsored by: 

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ivvi.app/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 

Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia 

• My Best Mood website: www.mybestmood.com
• Zing Performance: www.zingperformance.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselord/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/my.best.mood 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybestmoodofficial/ 

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee welcome back Katrina Cochrane, a notable expert in the field of dyslexia. They delve into the complexities of dyslexia assessments and explore when and why it might be beneficial to pursue an assessment. Katrina, a former head of education at the British Dyslexia Association and founder of Positive Dyslexia, shares her personal and professional insights, including the costs and benefits associated with dyslexia assessments. They also discuss the importance of understanding one's dyslexia profile, the evolving tools and technologies available for support, and the significance of assessments at various stages of life, especially for access to university accommodations. The episode also highlights Katrina's upcoming courses and conferences aimed at providing further support and resources for dyslexic individuals and their families.

This podcast is sponsored by: 

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠⁠https://ivvi.app/⁠⁠⁠ 

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Positive Dyslexia:  ⁠www.positivedyslexia.co.uk⁠ 
• Positive Dyslexia Ltd 2026 Events: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/positive-dyslexia-ltd-2026-events-and-services-4804262?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
• Katrina’s previous episode: https://tinyurl.com/ysh649tz 
• Nessie Project: https://projectnessie.org/ 
• Adult Dyslexia Center: https://www.adc.org.uk/

• SENCO: Special Educational Needs Coordinator
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia 
• Toe by Toe: https://toe-by-toe.co.uk/ 
• OCN London: https://ocnlondon.org.uk/ 
• Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioning
• BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/ 
• British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee welcome Annie, a young student who shares her inspiring dyslexia journey. Annie, currently in her final year of A Levels in England, opens up about her struggles with dyslexia, her passion for music and horses, and the unique coping mechanisms she developed over time. The conversation delves into how Annie navigated her challenges, including learning to read music and dealing with anxiety. She also highlights her love for orchestra, the transformative power of her equestrian experiences, and the supportive role of her friends. This episode offers an insightful and heartfelt look at overcoming obstacles and finding joy through personal strengths and interests.

This podcast is sponsored by: 

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠⁠https://ivvi.app/⁠⁠ 

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Annie Backstory: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/93-tackling-common-entrance-exams-with-a-child/id1387645599?i=1000500937934 
• Shostakovich symphony 5: https://open.spotify.com/track/0P0LAsqiavYc6V54JSeseB?si=e9a5526dc94f471b 
• Denise Dyslexia Coaching: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiacoaching

Interested in being a guest? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee welcome guest Michelle Power, an expert in the process of obtaining Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Together, they explore the journey of applying for DSA, especially for students with dyslexia. Michelle shares her extensive experience from being an Assistive Technology Officer to a DSA Needs Assessor and discusses the step-by-step process of securing support, the importance of university disability support staff, and how to overcome common barriers in the application process. This comprehensive discussion also covers the needs assessment, the kind of support available, and advice for both students and parents on navigating this crucial aspect of receiving an equitable education.

This podcast is sponsored by: 

• Get ivvi notes now: ⁠https://ivvi.app/⁠ 

Valuable Terms & Acronyms

1. DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance)

• UK government funding for students with disabilities, including dyslexia.

• Link: gov.uk Disabled Students' Allowance

2. Needs Assessment / Assessment of Needs

• The process to determine what support a student is eligible for under DSA.

3. Reasonable Adjustments

• Modifications or support provided by universities (e.g., extra exam time).

4. Assistive Technology

• Software and hardware to support learning (e.g., mind mapping, text-to-speech).

5. Non-Medical Helper (NMH) Support

• Human support such as study skills tutors or mentors.

6. DSA 1 Letter / DSA 2 Letter

• Official communications confirming eligibility and approved support.

7. Review of Needs

• Follow-up assessment if additional needs or evidence arise.

8. HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency)

• UK body providing statistics on higher education.

• Link: HESA

9. HEP (Higher Education Provider)

• Universities or colleges providing higher education.

10. Learner Support Fund

• Government fund for apprentices with learning differences.

11. Access to Work

• UK government program for workplace disability support.

• Link: Access to Work

Links: 

• Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/ 
• what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 
• How to mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners 
• Disabled Students Allowance: https://www.ivvi.app/dsa-for-dyslexia 
• Aventido: https://aventido.com/ 
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-power-117aa132b 
• Disabled Students' Allowance Application process
• Eligibility and Medical Evidence
• Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) Wales
• Northern Ireland
• SAAS funding Scotland - Disabled Students' Allowance

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]