Learn Smarter Podcast

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome Dr. Oren Boxer, pediatric neuropsychologist, to discuss agency. They chat about how learners feel control and how agency is a bioeducational necessity. He shares prediction for movement IS executive functioning.  They talk about the role of the parent in providing scaffolding and agency. Dr. Boxer shares that kids who have chores have less anxiety and depression (because it’s giving them agency). He shares the link between chores, contribution to the home, and agency that leads to predictable, productive and successful adult outcomes.

Orenboxerphd.com

insightcollective.com

626-765-4482 (free consults)

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Last week, Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET, discussed what learners say versus what educational therapists hear. This week, they flip the conversation and talk about what parents say—and what educational therapists hear underneath those words.

Rachel and Stephanie share some of the phrases they hear from parents all the time. They discuss how these statements can give educational therapists and teachers important information about a family’s frustration, exhaustion, expectations, and worries about the future.

They also explore the difference between what a learner “should” be able to do and what they can actually do independently, why good grades don’t always mean everything is fine, and how parents can get stuck between providing necessary support and worrying that they are enabling their learner.

Rachel and Stephanie emphasize that, just like with learners, the goal isn’t to judge or overanalyze what parents say. It’s to get curious about what might be underneath the words. Sometimes educational therapy involves translating the learner to the parent, the parent to the learner, and helping everyone better understand what is actually happening in between.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Other episodes mentioned:

Ep 426: What Kids Say vs. What We Hear (Parenting Series)

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET, discuss the things learners say all the time—and what educational therapists hear underneath those words. From “I don’t care” and “I forgot” to “I’ll do it later” and “I already studied,” Rachel and Stephanie explain why these statements often tell us much more about a learner’s executive functioning, anxiety, overwhelm, avoidance, or skill gaps than we might initially think.

They share how adults can easily interpret these statements as laziness, defiance, dishonesty, or a lack of motivation when the learner may actually be communicating that they don’t know how to start, don’t know what to do, have lost track of time, are protecting themselves from failure, or simply don’t have a system that works.

Rachel and Stephanie also discuss the importance of getting curious instead of immediately correcting or challenging what a learner says. They explain why educational therapists listen for the information underneath the words and how asking a different question can help uncover what is really getting in the learner’s way.

They also remind listeners that not every statement needs to be analyzed—sometimes “I forgot” really does mean “I forgot.” The goal is to notice patterns, understand what a learner may be communicating, and respond in a way that builds skills and independence rather than focusing only on compliance.

Next week, Rachel and Stephanie are going to share things parents say all the time–and what educational therapists hear when they say it.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Other episodes mentioned: 

Ep 424:  What Educational Therapists Notice Every September (That Parents Usually Miss)

Newsflash: there is no such thing as an academic emergency. In this re-air of episode 90, Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET share what an academic emergency is, how parents can respond to a perceived emergency, and what some strategies are for preventing them. They also dig into how to keep long term goals in mind when these situations arise.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET share that September can feel like a fresh start—or an early warning sign. In this episode, we share what educational therapists consistently notice during the first month of school that parents often overlook. From hidden executive functioning breakdowns to emotional overload disguised as “behavior,” we explain what’s actually happening beneath the surface—and how families can respond without panic or power struggles.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Other episodes mentioned:

Ep 417: Life is Life-ing

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET welcome Dr. Ranjani Iyer to the podcast to discuss neurodivergence and math. Dr. Iyer is an educator, researcher, curriculum developer, heartfulness leader, and parent. She talks about the importance of preparing learners and the importance of breaking down the problem. She talks about thoughtfulness in how we approach teaching math and the difference between memorization and application of learning. Frankly, we fell in love with Dr. Iyer and be sure to listen to Patreon to hear more about her ideas about her eastern and western background and how it has impacted her classroom and philosophy.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Running a business requires executive functioning just as much as school or work does. In this episode, Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET, share the systems, automations, and workflows they’ve implemented to make running their businesses more efficient. They discuss ways to reduce decision fatigue, eliminate repetitive tasks, and create processes that save time and mental energy. Whether you’re an educational therapist, entrepreneur, or simply looking to streamline your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll walk away with practical ideas you can implement. Small changes to your systems can make a big difference in how your business—and your brain—functions.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Cost is one of the most common concerns families have when considering educational therapy. In this episode, Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET, explore how to think about the cost of educational therapy through the lens of value rather than price alone. They discuss what families are truly investing in, the potential cost of waiting, and why educational therapy is designed to build long-term independence. They also share alternative ways to support learners when educational therapy isn’t the right fit. This conversation offers practical guidance to help families make an informed decision based on their goals and resources.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET re-air an important episode from early days. Educational therapy can be magical in that it allows students to tap into their potential. Yet oftentimes, the potential parents and teachers see in a learner is a heavy burden and source of conflict in family homes. In today’s episode, Rachel & Steph talk about potential from the perspective of parents, students and educational therapists.

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Other episodes mentioned:

Ep 62: Manager vs. Consultant (Parenting Series)

Ep 88: Pick Progress over Perfection (Parenting Series)

Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., BCET, and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed., BCET explore one of the most common—and misunderstood—academic struggles: why learners resist revising their writing.

They break down the real reasons revision feels so hard, including executive functioning overload, emotional attachment to first drafts, vague feedback, and the belief that revision means starting over. Rather than framing revision as a motivation problem, the episode reframes it as a skills and systems issue. They share ideas that can make revision more approachable, more concrete, and far less overwhelming for learners of all ages. This episode is especially helpful for parents, educators, and learning specialists working with reluctant writers, perfectionists, or learners who shut down when asked to “make it better.”

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/learnsmarterpodcast

How to connect with us:

Join our e-mail list

Rachel’s Kapp Educational Therapy Group website

Steph’s My Ed Therapist website 

@learnsmarterpodcast, @kappedtherapy, @myedtherapist

Other episodes mentioned:

Writing Series