Math Therapy

By Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math GuruScience Education Self-Improvement Mathematics

Math Therapy episodes

March 19The way you talk about math matters, even if you don’t teach it w/ Kylie Fraser
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
24 min
March 12Refresher: Predicting the Oscars with math w/ Ben Zauzmer (Oscarmetrics)
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
31 min
March 05The best scientists follow the data AND their hearts w/ Imogen Coe
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
43 min
February 26How a music studio is just like math class w/ Devon Lougheed
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
28 min
February 19How to change your life by changing your story w/ Gorav Menon
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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.
Contact us:
Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
Math Therapy: Text the Podcast
More Math Therapy:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
47 min
February 129 surprising reasons math scores are dropping
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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:
Kids are raised differently now
Kids are more distracted now
Math anxiety has never been stronger
Mental health challenges are more common
Math feels irrelevant
The value of grades has changed
Learned helplessness
Adults are more anxious too
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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
34 min
February 05How math can help prison inmates turn their lives around w/ Christopher Havens
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
41 min
January 29What neuroscience actually says about gender & math w/ Sarah McKay
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
48 min
January 22How believing in someone can change their life w/ Jo Boaler’s first student Sue Besant
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
47 min
January 15Don’t let math define your entire self-worth w/ Shelby Strong
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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:
Join the Facebook group
Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
Merch store: Shop here
50 min

About Math Therapy

From the publisher's feed

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it. Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong…