Nerding out on Neurodiversity

This episode, we talk with Dr. Mandi Skerbetz, co-founder of The Sage School in Dallas! Mandi intentionally prioritizes neurodiverse students and their experiences, which led to the creation of The Sage School. With over twenty years in the field of special education, Dr. Skerbetz understands the struggles that these students experience. Even better, she understands how to motivate them!

Mandi's hard work and dedication led to the development of The Sage School. When she saw the struggles of the education system, Mandi didn't just complain -- she took meaningful action. We loved being able to hear what her experience was like opening a school, and about her deep passions involved in what she is doing! 🥳🎉

-- Why not start a school? --

Dr. Mandi Skerbetz can be reached via email at [email protected]. She can also be contacted via the Sage School's website!

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Sydney Pruett, an author and a specialist in EMDR and trauma therapy! She is a much needed voice and advocate in the realm of trauma therapy, especially with the broader experiences that students have nowadays. It's wonderful to know that Sydney approaches her work through a compassionate, empathetic approach first -- which makes her phenomenal with supporting any and all marginalized groups.

What deeply important work Sydney is doing -- especially through EMDR and her specialization with it. We appreciate hearing her expertise on it and the nuance surrounding EMDR in general!

We loved reflecting with her on high school experiences via Mean Girls, especially the seemingly universal experiences for neurodiverse learners. It was such a joy hearing your story, Sydney! 🥳🎉

-- Celebrate. Delegate. Reciprocate. Always. --

Sydney Pruett can be found on Instagram and on Linktree!

(Clarification -- when Sydney says you can see EMDR results in 3 sessions, that is more so for single incident trauma)

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Today, we have the great joy of sharing great wisdom and perspective from Jackie Silver! A registered dietitian nutritionist, Jackie approaches nutrition counseling through the specific lens of neuro-affirmative care first. If you are someone, or know someone, or know someone who knows someone, struggling with eating and/or nutrition in general, Jackie is the best person to know!

We loved hearing her accessible advice that can genuinely change how someone can experience food, especially as something other than 'just eating the thing'. We also talk about consistency as a critical avenue for shifting perspectives and understanding around food and mealtimes. (How amazing, right?)

Her skills and compassion help her work with all types of kids who are autistic, have ADHD, ARFID, and many other specific needs. We loved being able to spend time with Jackie and learn all about the work that she does and her passions, curiosities, and joys.

Thank you for everything, Jackie! 🥳🎉

-- It's better to eat something than nothing --

Jackie Silver can be found at any of the following locations:

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with Rachel Klechevsky, a licensed sex and relationship therapist! In her role, Rachel supports everyone in understanding the nuances within the topics of sex and relationships. With science and human knowledge approaching these realms through newfound respect, Rachel not only embodies this, but amplifies it. We deeply valued our time with Rachel -- and learned so, so much!

Keep up with Rachel and The Audacity to Heal -- their work is phenomenal and deeply needed nowadays. Through all of their work, Rachel emphasizes self-empowerment and finding one's voice. Rachel also brings a care towards accessibility and equity within education and self-expression. We love the work that Rachel is doing, and all the inspiration and positivity that is interwoven throughout every conversation. Thank you for today, Rachel! 🥳🎉

-- Your inner self is always looking out for you --

Rachel Klechevsky can be found on LinkedIn as well as Instagram. Additionally, you can reach out through Rachel's ⁠website⁠!The Audacity to Heal can be found on LinkedIn as well as Instagram.

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic! A four-time best selling author and CEO of Storytelling with Data, Cole helps people and organizations all across the world work within the world of graphing. Specifically, Cole helps everyone she works with understand that graphs can be data that tell compelling stories and end up influencing massive change. We absolutely loved having the chance to speak with Cole and hear about her unique perspective on graphs, data, and numbers!

Cole's experience and passion shine through in everything she does -- and this is clear throughout this conversation! Even more phenomenal, Cole has brought this passion and joy for graphing to kids through her Daphne Draws Data book. In it, kids learn the joys of data, recognizing that the world of graphing can be inspirational and lifechanging. In the end, Cole aims to 'rid the world of ineffective graphs' and we know that she is already well on her way! 🥳🎉

-- You've gotta have enough love to carry you through --

Cole's newest book, Storytelling With Data: Before and After⁠ is out now!

Additionally, Cole, and all of her work, can be found at:

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode is a special one for us! What makes today's episode especially special is our guest, Devin Kennedy. An old student of ours, we had the great privilege of cheering Devin on each year as he grew, flourishing into who he is today. (Yes, he was always a joy to teach!)

A licensed pilot, Devin -- literally -- soars. He guides us through his academic journey, highlighting what drew him to flight, how he connects with joy, and past struggles being understood in schools. Our conversation leans into complexities of change and how hard that can be. In the end, change is something that Devin embraces, even when it's difficult. We know that everyone would benefit from hearing Devin's perspective(s)!🥳🎉

Devin, we are so, so incredibly proud of who you are and the inspirational person you continue to become.

-- Never. Stop. Learning. --

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with the phenomenal Ina Jeffrey! She started BeelieVA, where she aims to support neurodivergent business owners in a myriad of ways. As the "Bee-E-O", Ina acts as a virtual assistant who prioritizes empathy, understanding, and patience as she helps others become better versions of themselves -- both within and beyond the workplace.

Ina does not follow the norm (which we adore!) and, as a result, she is able to navigate the nuance within the neurodiverse mind. A mixture of motivated and organized, Ina is a perfect fit for any and all 'out-of-the-ordinary' business owners. We loved talking with Ina about her spreadsheet-superpower and the creativity that she brings out in everyone around her. Thank you for inspiring us all to go through our... thousands of emails... for organization... 🙃🥳

-- Clear out your inboxes, friends! --

Ina Jeffrey, and all of her links, can be found on her LinkTree! 🥳🎉

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with Diane Devenyi, founder of The Learning Force. Additionally, Diane is the creator of the 'Alphabetter' method of assessment -- a concept we dive deep into! In her role, Diane aims to 'rethink what learning can feel like -- and [to] make it brilliant', something we know she excels at!

Diane focuses on tracing individual struggles back to the alphabet. For her, she blends neuroscience with coaching to reconnect with one's 'genius' -- whatever that may be. In the end, this leads to resilience and a return to the foundational connections between the brain, the body, and the alphabet. Our conversation had us rethinking how we learned the alphabet and how that's impacted our lives! Language, and the learning of language, can be so empowering🥳🎉

-- Also, what a poem! --

Diane Devenyi can be found on LinkedIn and on Instagram! 🥳🎉

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with the incredible duo at 'The Boston Group' -- Brandon Boston and Tanya Lynch! Together, they work as educational consultants with a drive to truly impact and inspire everyone within the educational landscape. When we heard about some of their workshops, we just knew we had to hear their stories.

Brandon and Tanya focus on a relationship-centered approach to learning. This allows them to discover authentic supports that each individual may need. In the end, they help students, parents, teachers, administrators, and broad organizations become stronger than before. We are thrilled to be friends and colleagues to Brandon and Tanya!🥳🎉

-- One. Kid. At. A. Time. That's it. --

Brandon and Tanya can be found at The Boston Group's website!🥳🎉

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode, we speak with the incredible Dan Graham! Our friend in Sydney, Australia, Dan is a Theatre Director and Arts Access Consultant for Disability Advocacy. He is passionate about supporting neurodiverse artists, making sure to elevate neurodiverse voices to the forefront of any -- and all -- avenues.

In his theatre career, Dan directs with a keen eye for neurodiversity. He presents unique opportunities for the audience to truly empathize with 'the other', encouraging them to face any biases and preconceived judgments. As such, Dan's broader theatre community has been thriving -- with Dan consistently leading the discourse around understanding and representation. This, alongside his skill, led him to find residency in various venues, multiple grant awards, and the coveted Churchill Fellowship.

An authentic advocate for the neurodiverse community, Dan speaks up as a representative of the community. Hearing Dan's story, it's impossible to ignore the endless trials and hardships faced by the neurodiverse community. But, at the same time, Dan's immense strength and spirit cannot be overlooked; he is an absolute inspiration and we loved our time together! 🥳🎉

Thank you for your vulnerability, joy, and compassion Dan!

-- Only you can choose who you are --

Dan Graham, and all of his information, can be found at his website! 🥳🎉

Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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