Hi everyone! I announced it in the last episode, but in case you didn’t catch it, this will be my last Focus Forward episode so I thought we could dive a little into the experience of doing a podcast and share some of what we’ve learned. First, I want to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve come to understand after hosting this show for the past four years, and what I hope you carry with you from Focus Forward. Then, I’ll share a recording of a conversation Sean Potts, our editor and producer, and I had talking about the show and what it was like for us to build it from the ground up. There’s also a fun blooper reel at the end before our final outro.

I truly hope that Focus Forward has helped you feel less alone, more informed, and more willing to ask for help when you need it. Learning about yourself is not a weakness. It’s one of the first steps toward meaningful change.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your days to listen over the past four years - There aren’t really words that express the feelings I have about this experience. Just know that I’m grateful for every one of you. I also want to thank the staff and leadership at Beyond BookSmart for supporting me over the years. I’ve forged friendships that will last a lifetime.

Here are some of the resources we have available for you if you’d like some additional support:

Executive Function Coaching for Students; beyondbooksmart.com/students

Executive Function Coaching for Adults: worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About Our MAP Program: map.worksmartcoaching.com

Executive Function Workshops for Educators: braintracks.com

Executive Function training for companies: worksmartcoaching.com/training

I’d love to stay in touch, so feel free to reach out via email, which is [email protected] (I’ll still be coaching) still have my Beyond Booksmart email as I’m still coaching for them)

Hi everyone! I have something to tell you and I don’t really know how to say it, so I’m just going to say it like it is. I’ve decided to end my time as part of the marketing team at Beyond BookSmart and sadly, that means that I’ll no longer be hosting Focus Forward. Today’s episode is not our last, we’ll be dropping one more at the beginning of February, so I hope you come back to listen to that. I don’t know what the future is for the show, but I’m sure if Beyond BookSmart decides to keep it going, they’ll continue to provide great content for our listeners. I won’t say too much about our last episode, but it’ll be special and I do hope you come back to listen. And, the archive of the old episodes will still be available, so you can always go back for a listen there. This podcast has been an important part of my life for the past four years, and I’m really grateful for that. This was not an easy decision to make but I’m excited to see what the future holds. If you want to keep up with me, Please look me up on LinkedIn or Instagram. I’d love to hear from you. I’ll also still be doing some coaching for Beyond BookSmart, so you can email me there at [email protected].

But, let’s talk about today’s episode: it’s all about dyslexia, and I’m really excited to share this conversation with you.

I’m joined by Ben Powers and Jeff Ruggiero from the Southport School, and we had the opportunity to record this interview in person at the Fairfield Public Library. Huge thank you to Philip Bahr for once again letting us use the space and equipment and for helping get everything set up. Recording in person is always such a treat and brings a different kind of energy to the conversation.

Since this is the first focus forward episode on dyslexia, we really focused on the basics. Ben and Jeff help break down what dyslexia actually is, what it is not, and why it’s so much more complex than just reversing letters or struggling to read. We talk about early signs of dyslexia, the importance of early identification and screening, and what happens in the brain when a child is learning to read.

We also spend time talking about the overlap between dyslexia, ADHD, and executive function skills, and why so many students who struggle with reading also struggle with things like organization, working memory, task initiation, and confidence. Ben and Jeff do a great job of explaining why instruction matters so much, including the role of structured literacy and the science of reading, and why certain approaches work better for dyslexic learners, actually, they work better for all learners.

Show Notes:

Learn More About Ben, Jeff, and Southport School

Southport School

https://www.southportschool.org/

https://www.southportschool.org/about/leadership

Southport CoLAB

https://www.southportcolab.org/

https://www.southportcolab.org/aboutus/our-team

CoLAB Calendar of Events and Offerings

https://www.southportcolab.org/calendar-and-events

The Executive Function Blueprint: A Practical Framework for the Classroom

https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Function-Blueprint-Practical-Framework/dp/B0DV4J41DQ

Learn More about Dyslexia and Reading

Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars (documentary)

https://www.hopevilleadvocacy.com/home

International Dyslexia Association

https://dyslexiaida.org/

Early Bird Reader Study & App

https://www.gaablab.com/early-literacy-screener-study-1

https://earlybirdeducation.com/

Learn More About Our Corporate Executive Function Training

https://www.worksmartcoaching.com/training

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

I’m so glad you’re here for this conversation, because today we’re diving into a topic that is personally very close to home for me and I’m guessing many of you: the intersection of ADHD, womanhood, and self-love.

My guest today, Kristen Baird-Goldman, is a licensed mental health therapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent women, especially those over 40. She brings such clarity and compassion to this whole messy thing of hormones, ADHD, and mental health. We talk about why so many women go undiagnosed until midlife, how perimenopause can amplify ADHD symptoms in ways that feel terrifying, what’s actually happening in the brain and body during this time, and how we can advocate for ourselves in a medical system that still has a long way to go.

I’m so relieved to see this topic finally getting more attention in the news, in research, and all over social media. The conversations are growing and the awareness is catching up! I’m so glad you’re here today with me to be a part of it all - especially the men out there listening. Truly, I mean it. Your willingness to understand these experiences makes a real difference in the lives of your partners, friends, colleagues, and family members.

Thanks for tuning in! Here are the show notes from today’s episode:

Show Notes:

Learn More about Kristen

https://bairdintegratedtherapy.com/

The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD: Evidence-Based Exercises to Improve Your Focus, Productivity, and Wellbeing

https://www.amazon.com/CBT-Workbook-Adult-ADHD-Evidence-Based/dp/1685394876

Kristen's questions for the doctor/therapist:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mbte9PCvKj5JaB5F5XWPRxkyU4hoAwMm/view?usp=drive_link

Let’s Talk About Perimenopause and ADHD

https://www.additudemag.com/perimenopause-treatment-low-estrogen-symptoms-adhd/

Does Menopause Cause ADHD?

https://chadd.org/attention-article/does-menopause-cause-adhd/

Learn More About Our Corporate Executive Function Training

https://www.worksmartcoaching.com/training

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

In today’s episode, we’re revisiting obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. If you’ve been listening a while, you may remember that in episode 47, I interviewed Dr. Anthony Bram about OCD. wanted to return to this topic because OCD is both more common and more misunderstood than most people realize. And even though awareness has grown in recent years, stigma and shame still keep so many people from getting the help they need.

My guest today is Dr. Kim Glazer-Leonte, a psychologist who specializes in OCD, anxiety, and perfectionism. She shares such valuable insight into what OCD is, the way our brains get “stuck” on certain thoughts, and how this can look very different from the stereotypes we often see. We also talk about the incredible variety of OCD themes, how shame can make it hard to open up about symptoms, and what effective treatment looks like. And something that surprised me - how important a role loved ones play in the lives of people with OCD.

This episode is all about understanding OCD more deeply and breaking down the stigma that surrounds it. Whether you’re supporting someone with OCD, working with clients, or just curious about how our minds work and how thoughts can get stuck, I think you’ll find this conversation engaging, eye-opening, and shared through a very compassionate lens.

Thanks for tuning in! Here are the show notes from today’s episode:

Learn More about Kim

https://www.cvhorizons.com/about/kimberly-glazier-leonte

OCD Resources

https://www.letsbreakthecycle.com/

OCD Awareness Scale

https://www.letsbreakthecycle.com/ocd-awareness-scale

Focus Forward Ep 47: Redefining OCD: Debunking the Misconceptions about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ft. Dr. Anthony Bram

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/podcast?wchannelid=y1lzulxlcs&wmediaid=4wt4ip9ozv

Learn More About Our Corporate Executive Function Training

https://www.worksmartcoaching.com/training

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

Today’s episode is a fascinating look at the connection between our guts and our brains. This powerful two-way communication between our digestive system and our mind influences everything from mood and sleep to focus and decision-making. My guest is Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos, is a developmental psychologist and parent coach who is passionate about teaching people about how our gut health shapes our mental health and executive functioning. Anastasia’s interest in this field began with her own health struggles - experiences that led her to connect the dots between nutrition, stress, and brain function in both children and adults.

In our conversation, we talk about the science of the gut-brain connection (I have to admit, it sounds pretty unbelievable to me but it’s a thing people, it’s a thing), how to recognize signs that your microbiome might be out of balance, and what kinds of foods and daily habits can help restore it - including fermented foods, plant-rich meals, and stress management.

Thanks for tuning in! Here are the show notes from today’s episode:

Learn More about Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos

https://www.getnewperspective.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/galanopouloseducationtraining/

Learn More about the Gut-Brain Connection

Resource Sheet Shared by Dr. Galanopoulos

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EUUvgjhycHuwyRoG_qNKWtJccz3hpSnV/view?usp=sharing

Gut-Brain Connection: Microbiome, Gut Barrier, and Environmental Sensors

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8263213/

The gut-brain connection: What the science says

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/03/gut-brain-connection-long-covid-anxiety-parkinsons.html

Recipes

Easy-to-make kimchi by Maangchi

https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/easy-kimchi

Fermented Hot Sauce

https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/fermented-hot-sauce/

The Simple Guide to Kickass Kombucha

https://www.liveeatlearn.com/the-simple-guide-to-kickass-kombucha/

Fermented Pickles

https://www.feastingathome.com/fermented-pickles/

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

Today we’re wrapping up ADHD Awareness Month with something a little different — and a lot of fun. This episode is all about creativity, self-expression, and the power of play in adulthood. We’re diving into Expressive Arts Coaching - a unique, creative approach that helps people with or without ADHD strengthen their executive function skills through art, creativity, and imagination.

My guest, Shayne Swift, is an Executive Function coach with Beyond Booksmart and she incorporates Expressive Arts Coaching into her practice. She combines her background in education, expertise in executive functioning, and experience and training in creative exploration to help clients unlock insight and self-awareness through the expressive arts. I’m also thrilled to say that we’re also joined by Jamal, one of Shayne’s clients, who shares how this approach helped him communicate more clearly at work, deepen his relationship with his kids, reduce stress, and rediscover confidence in his own strengths. Jamal also shares how his employer invested in him by paying for Executive Function coaching and how his work experience has improved greatly since then.

You’ll also get to experience a hands-on activity with Shayne - a fun, colorful reflection exercise designed to help you explore your current EF skills and challenges and walk away with a way to visually see what skills need attention and what skills you know you can rely on.

So whether you’re following Shayne’s prompts and doodling while you listen, out on a walk, or just taking a well-earned break, this is your reminder that even as adults, we can - and should - make space for fun and creativity. And that AdHD brains, as challenging as they can be, do have some pretty awesome things about them.

Thanks for tuning in! Here are the show notes from today’s episode:

Learn More About Shayne

https://swiftlyfe.com/about/meet-shayne-swift-ms/

Expressive Arts Coaching

https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/how-to-start-your-own-art-program/expressive-arts-facilitation-training/

https://www.ieata.org/how-to-start-career-expressive-arts/

Creativity and Executive Function Skills

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-executive-functions-arts-judy-willis

https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1725&context=expressive_theses

Learn More About Our Corporate Executive Function Training

https://www.worksmartcoaching.com/training

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

Hi everyone! Today we’re exploring the connection between ADHD and bullying.

Research consistently shows that children with ADHD are more vulnerable to bullying than their neurotypical peers. For instance, a study utilizing data from the National Survey of Children's Health found that 47% of children with ADHD reported being victims of bullying, more than double the prevalence in the general population PMC.

This increased susceptibility isn't just a childhood issue—it extends into adolescence and adulthood, affecting self-esteem and mental health. Adolescents with ADHD who experience bullying are at a significantly higher risk for anxiety and depression compared to their peers without ADHD.

My guest today, Brooke Schnittman, knows this firsthand. Brooke is an ADHD coach, speaker, and host of the podcast, Successful with ADHD. She works to help adults turn their challenges into strengths. In our conversation, she shares her own story of being bullied from childhood into adulthood, how it shaped her understanding of ADHD, and what helped her begin to rebuild a sense of self-worth.

This episode isn’t just about surviving bullying - it’s about understanding how those experiences shape the brain and the stories we tell ourselves, and how healing becomes possible through awareness, coaching, and connection. I also share some additional strategies - both for parents and adults - that can help build proactive protection and resilience in environments where bullying or exclusion might occur. I hope you enjoy!

Here are the show notes:

Learn More About Brooke

https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/about-brooke

Successfull with ADHD Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successfull-with-adhd/id1674069554

Bullying: What Parents and Teachers of Children with ADHD Need to Know

https://chadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ATTN_06_12_Bullying.pdf

Bullying Resource Center

https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Bullying_Resource_Center/Home.aspx

How to Demobilize a Bully in 5 Steps

https://www.additudemag.com/stop-bullying-adhd-upstander/?srsltid=AfmBOoozI6FRhewOLn8ICHuypgxNjYuz4icT8UfTDNIPcYINmIxqmwt3

Put Down the Stick, Pick Up a Feather: Adult ADHD & Self-Criticism

https://chadd.org/attention-article/put-down-the-stick-pick-up-a-feather-adult-adhd-self-criticism/

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

Learn More About Dave Krasky

Website

https://www.raisingfutureadults.com/

Raising Future Adults - his book

https://www.raisingfutureadults.com/books

Read more about other topics mentioned in this episode

FAFO Parenting - “F*** Around and Find Out”

https://www.parents.com/what-is-fafo-parenting-unpacking-the-trend-11678790

Autonomy-Supportive Parenting by Emily Edlynn

https://www.emilyedlynnphd.com/autonomy-supportive-parenting

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

Believe it or not, this is the last episode of our fourth season of Focus Forward! We normally take off all of August and September, but I just had to get one more episode in. After reviewing the topics & guests we featured this season, I realized there were some key themes that came up again and again across a whole variety of conversations. To wrap the season up, we’re reviewing 5 key lessons about personal growth that have been gathered over 20 conversations with experts throughout this past year.

Although there are many great pieces of advice waiting for you in today’s episode, the most important of all is to remember to unconditionally give compassion to yourself and empathy towards others. We’re all a work in progress, but the simple act of trying to do better is a seed for transformation. Hopefully, this episode helps provide the water you’ve been looking for.

I truly hope you’ve enjoyed and learned from the conversations we’ve shared with you this season and from my solo episodes. If you’ve enjoyed listening, please take a second to rate us on Spotify or Apple. I look forward to seeing you again in Season 5!

In the meantime, here are the show notes from today’s show (as well as the various episode numbers that were referenced throughout it):

How AI Helps ADHD Brains Work Smarter, Not Harder

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/how-ai-helps-adhd-brains-work-smarter-not-harder

Season 4 Themes

Theme 1: Understanding Our Own Executive Functioning & Neurodiversity

Episodes 51, 52, 54, 60, 61, 64, 65, 68, and 71.

Theme 2: Holistic Well-being

Episodes 51, 58, 59, 65, 66

Theme 3: Strategies for Managing EF Challenges

Episodes 50, 51, 58, 59, 63, 67, 69

Theme 4: Parenting & Communication

Episodes 52, 54, 56, 62, 65, 70

Theme 5: Self-Advocacy & Personal Growth

So many episodes (maybe even all of them), and especially episodes 53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, 66, 68, 71

Many thanks to Season 4 guests (in order of appearance):

Archie Chimanayi, Kendra Adachi, Dr. Nerissa Bauer, Dr. David Helfand, Neal Elliott, “The Tidy Dad” Tyler Moore, Dr. John Randolph, Dr. Emily Gordon, Melissa Llewellyn Snider and Brianna Morton from Hypercast Podcast, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, Ellen Galinsky, Dr. Megan McClelland, Dr. Sarah Cheyette, Dr. Jackie Wolfman, Sara Sherman and Dr. Mort Sherman, Lizzett Cuervo, Helena Bowen, Eliza, Sam, Mark, and Tyler Mitchell

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com

In today's episode we’re diving into the world of ADHD through the lens of Tyler Mitchell. Tyler is a strategy consultant (whatever that is!), a husband, a father of five, and a passionate advocate for awareness around ADHD and the workplace. If you’re active on LinkedIn at all, you may have come across Tyler’s thoughtful and popular posts. As we all know, adulting is hard enough, but throw in ADHD and it’s a whole ‘nother can o’ worms. Tyler addresses these challenges with compassion, empathy, honesty, and some humor. In our conversation today, Tyler shares what it was like to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and how that moment shifted and revealed everything for him. He opens up about the emotional side of things and what he’s discovered about himself, especially what it’s like for men who’ve spent years pushing through without support or answers. And how he’s become someone that other men reach out to for an empathetic ear.

Listen to hear us explore themes people need to be talking about: the pervasive stigma surrounding ADHD, the generational pressures that discourage emotional vulnerability, and the powerful impact of understanding one's own neurodivergent brain. Tyler candidly discusses how his diagnosis helped him unravel years of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, and how he's now using social media to create a supportive community for others. Tyler's story highlights the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and breaking down outdated masculinity stereotypes. His mission is to normalize conversations about ADHD and show that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Here are the show notes from today’s episode;

Learn More About Tyler Mitchell

Website

https://tylermitchell.com/

Tyler’s LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercmitchell/

Learn More About ADHD in Men

A Guide for Men With ADHD (and Their Loved Ones)

https://add.org/adhd-symptoms-in-men/

For Men With ADHD — and Those Who Love Them

https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-men-relationship-anger-shame-communication

ADHD in Adults

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @beyondbooksmartcoaching

www.beyondbooksmart.com