In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana sits down with the dynamic Stefan Oste, an educational therapist and executive function coach who transitioned from the public school system to running his own private practice. With over 15 years of experience working with “bright, differently-wired” students, Stefan is passionate about helping people discover their strengths and chart their own paths.

Jana and Stefan share an honest and heartfelt conversation about what it’s really like to step away from the structure (and often burnout) of school settings to build something uniquely your own. Stefan talks about the challenges—and the freedom—that comes with creating a practice where he can fully support his clients, especially those who don’t fit neatly into traditional systems.

One of the highlights of this episode is Stefan’s approach to executive function coaching. He gets real about why EF skills are so much more than just time management or organization—it's about helping clients figure out their “why” and align their daily actions with their long-term goals. He also opens up about his own journey with ADHD, how it shaped his career, and why empathy and authenticity are at the heart of his work.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to leave the security of a school job to pursue a passion for private practice, this episode is full of practical advice and inspiring takeaways. Whether you’re an LEP, educator, or just someone curious about reimagining your career, there’s something here for you.

Catch Episode 46 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. And if you enjoy it, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it really helps us reach more educators and aligned professionals!

Connect with Stefan Oste:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stefanoste.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-oste/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana sits down with Dr. Kelsie Reed, a Maryland-based school psychologist and passionate advocate for strength-based practices and equitable education. Dr. Reed shares how her personal and professional experiences shaped her approach to school psychology and her dedication to creating inclusive environments that prioritize student strengths. 

Dr. Reed discusses the work of her nonprofit, the Strength-Based Collective, where she’s making a lasting impact by helping school psychologists and educators shift the focus from deficits to strengths in student assessment and support. She shares practical tips on making assessment language more affirming, offering specific examples of how small changes can make a big difference in student confidence and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Jana and Dr. Reed explore real-world challenges and solutions, from simplifying behavior plans to truly understanding what motivates students. They talk candidly about the systemic pressures in education and how practices like culturally responsive assessments and positive reinforcement can help students be successful, even within restrictive structures. 

And be sure to check out her book, Hacking Deficit Thinking, where she collaborates with other experts to provide actionable tools and insights for breaking away from traditional, deficit-focused approaches. 

Plus, Dr. Reed gives listeners an exclusive offer on her Processing Superheroes series—a strength-focused resource designed to help students develop emotional awareness and resilience. Empower LEP listeners can enjoy a 35% discount on the series! Just use the code EMPOWERLEP at checkout.

For school psychologists, LEPs, educators, or anyone committed to advocating for students, this episode is filled with valuable takeaways, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on what it means to create a supportive, inclusive educational experience for all students. 

Catch Episode 45 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the podcast and help us reach more LEPs and educators!

Connect with Dr. Kelsie Reed:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.strengthbasedcollective.com
Processing Superheroes: https://www.strengthbasedcollective.com/processing-superheroes
Instagram: @dr.kelsiereed @bestrengthbased
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Strength-Based-Collective-100089340530061/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsie-reed-phd-ncsp-a4220b158/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Jaclyn Shasha, the CEO and Founder of Virtual Speech Solutions. Jaclyn is a California-licensed speech-language pathologist with over a decade of experience working in acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, teletherapy, and private practice settings. She shares her inspiring journey from starting out as a school-based therapist to creating her own thriving virtual practice, where she’s able to offer personalized speech therapy services to both schools and families.

Jaclyn explains the origins of her business, a practice she founded to provide accessible and high-quality speech therapy, especially for clients who benefit from the flexibility of virtual services. They discuss how the shift to virtual therapy during the pandemic unexpectedly opened new doors for her practice, allowing her to expand her services across California and reach clients who otherwise wouldn’t have had access. She emphasizes the immense benefits of teletherapy, from the ability to serve clients without location limitations to the freedom of practicing without the physical constraints of a clinic setting.

In this candid chat, Jaclyn also shares the realities of running a business, from building a small but dedicated team to navigating the challenges of managing both the administrative and clinical sides of her practice. She talks about how rewarding it is to offer services through her own company, where she has full autonomy to shape the care she provides.
 
As a busy entrepreneur, mother, and wife, Jaclyn offers practical advice for other professionals considering leaving the traditional school system to start their own private practice. She reminds listeners that there’s no perfect time to make the leap, but if you have the passion and the drive, the reward is a fulfilling, flexible career where you set the terms.

For those looking to learn more about the potential of virtual therapy, the process of starting a private practice, or simply seeking inspiration for their own career transition, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice, real-life experiences, and encouragement.

Tune in to Episode 44 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Connect with Jaclyn
Email: [email protected]
Owner Virtual Speech Solutions
Website: www.virtualspeechsolutions.com
https://www.instagram.com/virtualspeechsolutions/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-shasha-25285551

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Danielle Christy, a licensed educational psychologist with over 20 years of experience working as a school psychologist, adjunct professor, and contractor. With an impressive background that spans public, charter, and non-public schools, Danielle’s expertise covers students from preschool through high school. 

After completing her undergraduate degree at UC Davis and earning her Master's at California State University, Sacramento, Danielle became passionate about ensuring children with disabilities are included alongside their peers in general education settings through her private practice, Inclusively Minded. 

Danielle’s story is a mix of professional know-how and personal experience. As a school psychologist, she’s spent her career making sure students with disabilities can learn alongside their peers in general education. But her work took on a whole new meaning when she became a mom to a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Balancing both roles gave her a special perspective on what it really takes to advocate for kids with disabilities.

Danielle opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of moving from school-based work to private practice and how her personal experiences have shaped her professional life. She also shares the lessons learned from helping build an inclusive program at a charter school and how she continues to support schools in creating similar environments.

Danielle’s warmth, expertise, and personal stories make this episode a must-listen for school psychologists, LEPs, and anyone interested in inclusive education.

Tune in to Episode 43 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Connect with Danielle:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://inclusivelyminded.com/index.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivelyminded/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-christy-688612173/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana reconnects with Dr. Jessica Lascano, a school psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), almost a year after their first conversation. Jessica's business has seen incredible growth, and she shares the ups and downs of navigating that expansion. From learning to fully embrace her role as a business owner to the intricacies of managing school contracts and leading a team, Jessica shares candidly about the lessons she’s learned—and the challenges that have tested her resolve along the way.

Listen as Jessica opens up about her personal journey, including how she juggles earning her doctorate, running a business, and raising two kids—all while staying true to her core values. Jana and Jessica talk about the complexities of maintaining work-life balance in the demanding world of school psychology, and Jessica offers some amazing perspectives on managing it all while staying grounded.

The conversation also touches on critical issues in education, particularly around handling extreme student behaviors and creating neurodiversity-affirming environments in schools. Jessica opens up about the importance of professional development and collaboration when working with tough cases and emphasizes how continued learning helps her stay effective in the field.

This episode is packed with relatable stories, heartfelt advice, and practical strategies for school psychologists, LEPs, and educators who are passionate about building supportive, inclusive learning environments for students. Jessica’s honesty in sharing her thoughts on her personal and professional growth make this episode a must-listen for anyone in the field.

Tune in to Episode 42 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Connect with Jessica Lascano:
Website: Striveabc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093153159781/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalschoolpsychology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jessica-lascano-37837b97/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@practicalschoolpsych/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this solo episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana shares an inside look at the big changes in both her practice and personal life over the past month. From moving into a brand-new office space to handling staffing transitions, Jana gets real about the rollercoaster of running a growing business. She also reflects on the importance of trusting the process, taking risks, and staying committed to a vision—no matter how scary the leap might seem.

Jana shares the personal growth she’s experienced, from working remotely while away from the office to feeling the support of her incredible team. She talks about how important it is to embrace the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship and to trust that everything will work out as long as you stay committed to your vision.

This is a great listen if you’re curious about what it takes to grow a private practice, or you simply want an honest look at the life of a busy entrepreneur. Plus, Jana gives a sneak peek into her upcoming presentations at the CASP conference and shares a heartfelt tribute to a colleague she recently lost.
Tune in for a real and honest conversation about the highs and lows of business ownership, and get inspired to keep pushing forward in your own journey.

And don’t forget! Right now, Empower LEP is offering more than 25% off of LEP Practice Essentials until the 22nd. This is the ultimate course for LEPs looking to learn everything they need to establish their own private practice. Now’s the perfect time to jump in and get the guidance you need to take your career to the next level.

Tune in to Episode 41 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana chats with Dr. Brandi Tanner, a former special education teacher, school psychologist, and private practice psychologist turned advocate who now runs her own business, Your IEP Source. Dr. Tanner's passion for helping families navigate the often confusing world of special education shines through in this candid conversation. Drawing from her years of experience on both sides of the IEP table—as a school psychologist and a teacher—she shares how she’s been able to use that unique perspective to help parents, educators, and other professionals understand and advocate for students’ needs.

Jana and Dr. Tanner talk about what it really takes to move from working in schools to running a private practice or advocacy business and why the transition isn’t always as simple as it seems. Dr. Tanner gets personal about the challenges and rewards of being her own boss, offering practical advice for anyone thinking about making the leap. From navigating special education law to turning clinical diagnoses into effective student plans, Dr. Tanner shares real-world guidance with those on a similar path. She also touches on the challenge of balancing work and personal life, providing advice that is sure to resonate with both LEPs and school psychologists.

For Dr. Tanner, the work is deeply personal, and her commitment to making sure every child gets the education they deserve is at the heart of everything she does. She and Jana explore the power of clear communication, the importance of self-care to prevent burnout, and the satisfaction that comes from helping families feel empowered in a system that can often feel overwhelming.

If you're curious about the world of special education advocacy or wondering what it takes to build a business from the ground up, this episode is packed with useful tips and heartfelt advice. Dr. Tanner’s passion and drive are contagious, making this episode a must-listen for LEPs, educators, and anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of students.

Catch Episode 40 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us reach more LEPs and educators!

Connect with Dr. Brandi Tanner:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.youriepsource.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youriepsource
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youriepsource/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbranditanner/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, a school psychologist, author, and entrepreneur who’s dedicated to helping educators not just survive but truly thrive in their careers. Rebecca opens up about her early days as a school psychologist in the Bay Area, where she was determined to change the world—but quickly found herself overwhelmed by massive caseloads, pressure from advocates and attorneys, and the never-ending grind.

Rebecca shares a powerful turning point in her career when pregnant with her first child, she found herself hiding under a desk during a school lockdown. That intense moment forced her to rethink everything—her priorities, her work, and the toll it was taking on her mental health. From there, she began a journey to figure out how school psychologists can do meaningful work without burning out. This eventually led to her creating The Thriving School Psychologist platform, which has now helped thousands of school psychs reclaim their passion and build sustainable, balanced careers.

But her path wasn’t always straightforward. Rebecca talks about her leap into private practice, hoping it would offer more freedom but finding a new set of challenges—like isolation and figuring things out on her own. Through it all, Rebecca kept pushing forward, eventually expanding her impact by creating online courses and a thriving community of educators who are all committed to doing great work without sacrificing their own well-being.

This episode is full of relatable stories, personal insights, and real-life advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their work. Dr. Branstetter’s story is a reminder that it’s possible to create a fulfilling career without burning out—and that sometimes, the hardest moments can lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Be sure to grab a copy of Dr. Bransetter’s new book, “Small Habits Create Big Change: Strategies to Avoid Burnout and Thrive in Your Education Career,” which is available on October 1st.

Catch Episode 39 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us reach more LEPs and educators!

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter:
Email: [email protected]
Website: thrivingstudents.com
Book: Amazon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSchoolPsych/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivingschoolpsych
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrebeccabranstetter/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thrivingstudents

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Dr. Ed Schultz, the brilliant and enthusiastic mind behind the Core Selective Evaluation Process (C-SEP). Dr. Schultz is passionate about revolutionizing how we identify Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) by cutting through outdated, complex testing methods and focusing on what truly matters. As a professor of special education, trainer, and consultant, Dr. Schultz brings a wealth of knowledge on making evaluations more efficient and meaningful for students and educators alike.

You’ll hear all about Dr. Schultz’s C-SEP approach, which focuses on using a core set of tests to identify patterns of strengths and weaknesses without overburdening students with unnecessary assessments. He emphasizes the power of achievement data and the importance of understanding the task demands of each test, challenging traditional reliance on cognitive assessments alone. Dr. Schultz also explores hot topics like the role of cognitive testing in dyslexia assessments, the debate around vision therapy, and why ensuring evaluations reflect real-world learning is key.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Schultz shares personal stories from his career, from working with students in mental health settings to developing innovative approaches to SLD identification. He stresses the importance of focusing on ecological validity, ensuring that what happens in the testing room connects to what’s actually going on in the classroom. Dr. Schultz’s practical advice will help LEPs, school psychologists, and educators streamline their evaluation process and make their work more impactful.

This high-energy episode is packed with info and ideas for anyone looking to rethink their approach to assessments, reduce the testing burden, and truly support students’ learning. If you’re ready for a fresh perspective on educational evaluations, you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

Catch Episode 38 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us reach more LEPs and educators!

Connect with C-SEP:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/267045391029484/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker is excited to welcome Dr. Byron McClure, an inspiring school psychologist, entrepreneur, and CEO who’s shaking up the field with his passion for innovation and making a difference in his community and beyond. From dreaming of an NBA career to transforming the way we approach school psychology, Dr. McClure’s journey is anything but ordinary.

Dr. McClure starts by sharing how he unexpectedly found his way into school psychology and how his mission to support marginalized youth shaped his entire career. He has made a huge impact with his work at Anacostia High School, where he led efforts to turn things around using trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, and a big focus on building a positive school culture. You’ll hear about the real challenges he faced, like tackling the deeply ingrained mindsets of adults in education and trying to change a system that’s often resistant to growth. 

But Dr. McClure didn’t stop there. He’s taken his experiences and turned them into a broader mission—like writing his book "Hacking Deficit Thinking," which flips the script from what’s wrong with students to what’s strong about them. And now, he’s using tech to tackle burnout among school psychologists with his new platform, School Psych AI, designed to help streamline the evaluation process so practitioners can focus more on what matters: supporting students.

If you’re curious about the realities of leading change in schools, want to hear some raw and relatable stories, or just need a shot of motivation to keep going, you’re going to love this conversation. Dr. McClure’s energy and commitment to the field are contagious, and his story is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference, no matter where we start. Tune in for some great laughs, insights, and the kind of practical advice that’ll leave you feeling fired up about your own journey in school psychology!

https://www.schoolpsych.ai/ Discount Code 10% off - SPAIPRO D
https://empowerlep.com/mentorship-program

Connect with Dr. Byron McClure
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.schoolpsych.ai/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169537379103941
https://www.instagram.com/schoolpsychai/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-mcclure-0a20a837/
https://www.tiktok.com/@schoolpsychlifedrb

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.