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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.

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

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
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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

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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

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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

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Have you ever been so convinced you were bad at something that you didn’t even question it anymore? Not just as an insecurity, but like it was your full identity: “I’m not a math person.” End of conversation.

Well, this episode is about what happens when that story gets completely rewritten.

Sue Besant was a directionless student who was literally & repeatedly told that she would amount to nothing, and math was ground zero for this crushing message.

But one day a new teacher walked into her math class - none other than Jo Boaler.  Yes, before teaching at Stanford & writing bestsellers about growth mindset and neuroplasticity, Jo Boaler had her first day in class too!

Jo gave Sue and her classmates something they'd never had before - a teacher who believed in them and told them so.  The rest of the story spans decades and time zones, so join Vanessa today as Sue shares how finally learning math gave her the confidence to believe that she was capable of anything she dreamed of.

Related episode:

• Jo Boaler on Math Therapy: Embracing your limitless mind (2023)

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

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Whenever Vanessa talks to math educator and coach Shelby Strong, they end up saying "why didn't we record that, it was basically a podcast!"  So today we bring you an actual podcast with Shelby, exploring an absolutely bonkers range of provocative questions like:

• What’s the danger of defining your self-worth by being good at one thing?
• When does enthusiasm/passion cross the line into gatekeeping?
• Why are we vilifying algorithms right now?
• Why do we shame teachers for just trying their best?
• Why is systemic change so hard to enact and adapt to?
• What does rock star Dave Grohl teach us about math?
• And finally, is a hot dog a sandwich?!

If these question spark something in you, let us know below - and share this episode with someone else that needs to hear it!

Things mentioned:

• A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart
• Erdős number (the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" of math)

About Shelby: (Website, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn)

Shelby Strong (Stronger Math) is a math educator and coach who believes math belongs to everyone. She has presented at school districts, regional organizations, and national conferences, including delivering an IGNITE at NCTM in 2024 called "Professional Development Doesn't Have to Suck".

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

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As you may know, Vanessa and producer David are in a band together, and they're currently writing songs for a new album. The path through writer’s block and their ups and downs as a collaborative team led to some unexpected debates about the creative process that share surprising parallels with the greater discussion around mathematical thinking.

So they hopped on the mic to debate a range of topics like:

• When do tools help vs. hinder?
• Does process matter if the outcome is good?
• Are mathematical and creative thinking similar?
• What is the ultimate core purpose of education?
• Is AI making us more productive or more lazy?

Finally, Vanessa calls up friend and tech-forward educator Jamie Mitchell (without warning to either him or David) to have him chime in on the debate, and it actually was the most coherent part of the episode.  Enjoy and let us know if you want to hear a part 2!

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

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Happy new year!  To get in the mindset for a great 2026, here's a motivating episode about one of last year's hottest topics in math ed: student engagement. 

Why is it so hard to get students to really engage in the classroom?  What does engagement even mean?  What can we try differently this year?

In this episode, Vanessa explores four reasons students might not engage in class (and offers tips for each):

1. They don't feel heard (democratize engagement)
2. They don't know how to engage (explain what it is)
3. They think there's no point (create more entry points)
4. Their needs aren't met (don't take it personally)

Let us know if these resonate with you or if there are any that we missed, and most importantly have a great start to the school year!

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

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Five years ago, Vanessa fell head over heels in love with a Christmas movie.  The plot twist? This wasn't one of the countless Hallmark romcoms she actually consumes throughout the year - this was a movie about a little girl who literally saves Christmas with math!

Back then she interviewed Producer Lyn Sisson-Talbert and Writer/Director David E. Talbert about their groundbreaking Netflix film Jingle Jangle, so we’re resharing the conversation today as Christmas approaches.

On that note, we'll be taking a break next week but will be back in your feed Jan 1st to give you some inspiration to make 2026 a great year in the classroom.  Until then, happy holidays!!

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)

Getting students to think is a hot topic - but what does it actually mean?  When kids are asked to "show their thinking", can we really blame them for being like "WTF?!?!"

Today on Math Therapy, Vanessa explores the surprising number of ways we can define & interpret "thinking", and shares 5 strategies to demystify it in the classroom:

1. Explain what thinking actually means
2. Normalize that the thought process isn't always quick
3. Give prompts that invite students into a conversation
4. Outer process - talk it out before writing it down
5. Model your own thinking as a teacher

How do YOU define thinking?  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