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The last few weeks I have been freaking out about how, in a math-anxious society, the secret to understanding the spread of COVID and the importance of physical distancing is ... MATH?!  Like honestly, I'm a (self-described) math therapist and even I have been confused at times exactly what curve needs to be f*cking flattened.

In this episode I break down some of the key math-related COVID issues I've been thinking about, and I hope this gives you a bit of clarity or perhaps some help when arguing with your math-anxious and conspiracy-theory-loving friend about why physical distancing works and will save 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)

While we're working on Season 2, we want to hear from you!  Send us your math stories/questions - the good, the bad, and the ugly :)  How do you feel about the term "math person"?  Do YOU have math trauma?!  Share your story with us and we'll pick some to play/read on our 1st ever mailbag episode!  Ways to share:

• Send your written story via email to vanessa at themathguru dot ca
• Record a voice note on your phone & send via email or dm on insta
• Text the podcast at the link above

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)

Exciting news: Season 2 of Math Therapy is IN PRODUCTION!!!  We've got an incredible range of guests lined up and can't wait to share some new episodes with you.  In the meantime, here are some outtakes from Season 1 ... aka "us figuring out how to make a podcast" :)  Enjoy and stay tuned for a bigger and better Season 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

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply)

The first season of Math Therapy ends with a BANG - and a hashtag that all of us should probably start using immediately! Math tutor Johnny Cassels shares with Vanessa why labelling ourselves can hold us back, but how accountability can help us leave our comfort zones and do great things - math-related or not! A big part of this is the difference between WANTING something and F*CKING wanting it. Do you want to hear this ep guys? Or do you #F*ckingWantIt?!

About Johnny: (Website, Instagram)

Johnny Cassels owns and runs Cassels Tutoring, a tutoring space in Toronto. Johnny is all about making sure that both fulfillment and accountability are at the forefront of the learning process, because let’s be honest, most students don’t feel EITHER of those things in the classroom.

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)

Even though it ain’t 1942 anymore, the pesky rumour that girls suck at math is still alive and well! Vanessa chats with math tutor / math major Zainab Husain about the different ways that boys and girls perceive intelligence, and how feeling confident with math might actually be the secret to raising more female leaders in our world - which let’s be honest, we very desperately need right about now.

About Zainab

Zainab Husain is entering her final year at Ryerson University, where she studies math and economics. She tutors at The Math Guru to gain the experience she needs to pursue her dream of becoming the best math teacher EVER!

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)

Yvonne Osondu is basically #goals. At the age of 52, she decided to learn how to ride a bike, and now she’s tackling the next thing on her bucket list: learning math ... ALL the way from grade 9 to grade 12 calculus. Yvonne chats with Vanessa about how she’s decided to prove to the world and herself that she is capable of ANYTHING - even math - despite being told she was incapable for 50 years!

About Yvonne:

Yvonne Osondu is the owner of Reflexology and Shiatsu Service of Toronto.

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)

Do you freak out about ca$h money? Well it’s time to stop that sh*t and realize you know more about money AND math than you think! Vanessa chats with personal finance guru Bruce Sellery about the most common math-money myths, the super genius ways he teaches his daughter about the value of a dollar, and - MOST importantly - the most economical strategy when dining at a buffet so that you can feel richer with every single bite! YUM.

About Bruce: (Website, Facebook, LinkedIn)

Bruce is the author of two bestselling books, including my fave, Moolala: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things with Their Money (and What You Can Do About It). He’s also the national money columnist for CBC Radio, a regular contributor to the hit TV show Cityline, and the host of his very own SiriusXM pod, Moolala radio show and podcast.

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)

School can be hella traumatizing, but it’s especially bad if you fail math several times, have an undiagnosed learning disability, struggle with anxiety and depression, and come from a low-income, immigrant family ... a.k.a. Jenna Kabakulak’s entire school career. She and Vanessa discuss turning failures into successes, and dive deep into some big questions like how to make quality education accessible and affordable for all - regardless of your background.

About Jenna: (Instagram)

Jenna (Canan) Kabakulak is completing her B.A in Psychology at Ryerson University and has a passion for working with children. She is a first-generation student, being the very first in her family to attend a university. She is also a person living with ADHD and various other learning disabilities. She tutors at The Math Guru and runs workshops on organization, exam prep, note-taking, and math anxiety.  Jenna hopes to pursue her interest in graduate school for epidemiology and eventually achieve her goal of becoming a pediatrician.

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)

Have you ever wanted to therapize your therapist? Vanessa invites Kimberley McLeod, her former therapist, on the show to share her OWN math traumas. And guess what?! Even therapists need a little math therapy sometimes! Kimberley also digs into the connection she often sees in her young female clients between confidence, anxiety, and - you guessed it - MATH!

About Kimberley

Kimberley is a registered social worker and therapist. She specializes in helping women process their concerns in a way that allows them to move forward in a healthier, happier way, leaving them feeling empowered on a core level. You can find her at her private practice at Leaside Therapy Centre in Toronto.

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)

Have you ever met someone so traumatized by their high school math experience that they legit blocked out a year of their life?! Vanessa chats with Liz Idowu, who now works as an admin assistant at Vanessa’s math tutoring studio and is determined to overcome her fear of numbers even though it’s been 20 years since she kissed math bye for good.

About Liz

Coming from a world of performance arts and wellness, Liz Idowu joined the admin team at The Math Guru with eyes wide open! Her experience as a wellness instructor, focusing on the yoga practice and yogic philosophies, has allowed her to connect passionately with The Math Guru’s infamous mantra: there is NO such thing as a “math person!” (Repeat it now THREE times at the TOP of your lungs!)

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