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If you listen to this podcast, chances are you believe not only that we can fix math education but that we know how to do it.  So WHY haven't we yet?!

Today's guest Steve Leinwand is a true legend in this space, known for his radical honesty and authenticity in fighting for a better system for all.  He joined Vanessa from his vacation (because he can never resist a good rant!) to discuss:

• accepting people's full selves in math so they don't have to code-switch
• how to make PD truly effective for teachers and supervisors
• how students can learn from each other as much as from teachers

About Steve: (Website)

Steven Leinwand has been a driving force in math education for nearly 50 years, shaping policy, curriculum, and teaching practices at the highest levels. He's held major leadership roles with organizations like NCTM (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics), and NCSM (National Council for Supervisors of Mathematics). He has advised on national initiatives like the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and worked with organizations like the American Institute for Research, earning multiple national awards along the way.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Leadership.  Feedback.  Professional Development. 

Terms that get thrown around a lot - but what do they actually mean?  More importantly, how do we develop those tools so they actually make a difference in the classroom?!

Thankfully, educator Alison Mello is an expert on leadership in math education, and she joined Vanessa to discuss:

• why PD often fails teachers and what to do about it
• how to be a great leader - both for teachers and administrators
• how to give and receive effective feedback

And as mentioned in the episode, you can still register for Alison's Get Your Workshop On 2026 (early bird pricing ends March 31st so don't wait!)

About Alison: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook)

Alison J. Mello has been in education for 30 years as a classroom teacher, author, national speaker, and math consultant. Alison enjoys developing practical strategies to address issues that districts and teachers face in their schools and classrooms every day. She uses her understanding of leadership, curriculum and best practices to inspire and assist leaders and teachers in elevating and transforming math instruction.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Back in 2020, math teacher (with math trauma) Kylie Fraser found herself in Vanessa's Math Therapy session at the Mighty Peace Teachers Convention in Grand Prairie, Alberta and was stunned how much she saw of herself in Vanessa's story.

Flash forward to earlier this month when Vanessa returned to Grand Prairie to deliver the keynote, and 30 minutes before hitting the stage they reunited and impulsively decided to record this convo about what Kylie has been up to in her math journey in the last 6 years!

They discussed:

• the math trauma Kylie saw in herself and her students and what she did about it
• how language around math influences our self-worth
• how to heal from math trauma through shared stories

On that note - if you know someone that should hear this story, share it!

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

The Oscars are this Sunday, and to be completely transparent, Vanessa hasn't seen any of the nominations.  BUT, she is always ready to hand out an award to anyone blending pop culture and math, so today we are bringing you our 2022 interview with Ben Zauzmer, who has been using statistical analysis every awards season to predict the Oscar winners with math!  

Ben is also Assistant General Manager for the NY Mets baseball team after spending years in MLB baseball analytics - that's right, he is Moneyball IRL!  You can check out his predictions for this year below, and you can try to send Vanessa movie recommendations but we all know if they aren't Christmas romcoms they probably won't make her top 10.

• Ben's 2026 Oscars predictions for Hollywood Reporter
• Ben's 2026 nominee predictions - see how he did!
• Buy Ben’s Book: “Oscarmetrics: The Math Behind the Biggest Night in Hollywood”

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Vanessa's mentor and friend, Dr. Imogen Coe, holds many distinctions: Professor of Critical Thinking in Biomedical Sciences, award-winning scholar-activist, former Dean of Science, STEM thought leader, and all-around academic badass.  But her finest achievement yet?  Being the first returning guest on Math Therapy!

Imogen joined us in 2020 to talk about breaking systemic barriers in STEM fields, and she returns today to explore pressing topics like:

• how our "math identity" impacts our entire self-worth
• how our sense of belonging relates to representation
• should scientists be emotional or creative?
• how questioning one's beliefs is actually very scientific

About Imogen: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Dr. Imogen Coe is a scientist, advocate, and founding dean of the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is internationally recognized for her research in cell biology and for her leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

For the last month, Vanessa and Math Therapy producer David have been in the studio working on their band's next album, and Vanessa couldn't help observing many parallels between making music in the studio and learning math.  If you're reading this like "huh?!" ... then today's episode is a must listen!

After a day in the studio with our good friend & producer Devon Lougheed, Vanessa sat down with him to discuss:

• what risk-taking in the studio can teach us about learning math
• the difference between process and outcome
• imposter syndrome - we all feel it!
• the secret to progress - celebrate the wins, no matter the size

About Devon: (Instagram, Website)

Devon Lougheed is a JUNO-winning songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, creative mad scientist and musical schemer, and co-founder of alt-rock band Altered By Mom.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Today's episode is about storytelling.  So much of our self-worth and perceived ability come from internal narratives that have been shaped by stories we've either been told or that we tell ourselves - but we have the power to change them!

Gorav Menon joins Vanessa to discuss the impact these stories have on our lives, and offers three simple steps to take control of them and unlock our full potential - both in and out of the classroom.  They cover topics like:

• What makes someone a great storyteller?
• How storytelling connects to therapy
• How labels affect us
• How we can change our stories

About Gorav: (LinkedIn)

Gorav Menon is a tech strategist and co-host of Linen Suit & Plastic Tie, a podcast that explores the power of storytelling in all corners of our lives.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Everyone’s always ranting and raving about why student math scores are dropping, but are they focusing on the wrong reasons?  

In today's episode, Vanessa details some factors that often get overlooked:

1. Kids are raised differently now
2. Kids are more distracted now
3. Math anxiety has never been stronger
4. Mental health challenges are more common
5. Math feels irrelevant
6. The value of grades has changed
7. Learned helplessness
8. Adults are more anxious too
9. School hasn't caught up to reality

Did she miss any? Let us know below!

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

Christopher Havens is a mathematician with published research in number theory, but what makes him unique among fellow scholars is his entire career in math has taken place in prison where he is serving a 25-year murder sentence.  Math was the catalyst and ongoing foundation for his rehabilitation, and along the way he founded the Prison Mathematics Project which provides resources to inmates across the US.

In recognition of his years of rehabilitation, mathematical research, and community building, the Washington State Pardons & Clemency board unanimously recommended his sentence be reduced last year, but last month the request was denied by the state governor.  So we thought we'd bring you Vanessa's 2021 interview with Christopher which remains just as thought-provoking and inspiring today.

Links:

• More about the Prison Mathematics Project (including how to volunteer/mentor inmates)
• March 2023 episode of Math Therapy about our visit to prison for Pi Day
• Christopher's Jan 13th, 2026 statement after being denied clemency
• Oct 27th, 2025 interview with Christopher after a positive recommendation from the state Pardons & Clemency board
• Petition on Change.org to grant Christopher clemency
• Article on Christopher's research in Scientific American
• Article on Christopher's story in Popular Mechanics

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

A lot of brain-related questions often come up on this podcast, like:

• Is there a difference in math ability between genders?
• Is there even such a thing as a "math brain"?
• What about the left brain right brain / math vs creativity debate?

And every time, Vanessa says "I need to speak to an expert about this!" Well, when she heard today's guest on the Mel Robbins Podcast talking about brain science and gender, she knew she had found her neuroscientist.

Dr. Sarah McKay joins Math Therapy to debunk some common myths around our brains and math abilities, and offers science-backed advice on how to amplify the message that everyone has equal potential to learn math.

Links mentioned:

• Sarah McKay on the Mel Robbins Podcast
• Watch her TedTalk  "Indulge your neurobiology"
• Cimpian Cognitive Development Lab

About Sarah: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook)

Dr. Sarah McKay is an Oxford-educated neuroscientist, author, and science communicator specializing in women’s brain health, hormones, and lifespan brain development. She’s the author of The Women’s Brain Book and founder of The Neuroscience Academy. She’s passionate about debunking popular myths about the brain—especially when it comes to gender and intelligence.

Contact us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here