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Struggle with reading doesn’t mean a child can’t learn; it means they haven’t been taught in a way their brain can use. We sit down with Daniela Feldhausen—who left a 25-year law career to build Kids Up Reading Tutors—to unpack how precise screening and science-backed instruction turn confusion into clarity for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. No buzzwords, just a workable roadmap: phonological awareness to hear sounds, phonics patterns that match English’s quirks, and morphology to decode and spell longer words with confidence.

We walk through the intake process parents can expect, from conversation to screeners that reveal whether the problem is decoding or language comprehension. Daniela explains the simple view of reading and shows why explicit, systematic teaching is the most reliable route to fluent reading and accurate spelling. You’ll hear concrete examples—AI saying A, the silent e and doubling rules, ED’s three sounds—and how these patterns become automatic through guided practice. We also tackle the real-world puzzle of IEPs: how to request evaluations in writing, set meaningful goals, and coordinate with special education teams without losing sight of foundational skills when school pacing surges ahead.

What stands out is the hope. Older learners can still become fluent. Progress shows up on school benchmarks, placements change, and confidence rebounds when instruction matches the student’s needs. If you’re a parent feeling anxious or overwhelmed, this conversation delivers clarity and next steps you can take today to support your child’s reading journey.

If this helped, tap follow, share with another parent who needs some hope, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. To learn more, please visit https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/

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Trigger Warning: Suicide

The hardest part isn’t finding the perfect words—it’s showing up without judgment. We sit down with Helping Heroes founder Tony DeMaio to share a clear, compassionate playbook for preventing suicide among veterans, first responders, and anyone you love who might be slipping into isolation. From the earliest warning signs to practical safety steps, this conversation is built to help you notice sooner and act with confidence.

Tony traces his journey from coaching and cycling events with hundreds of veterans to launching community workshops that put tools in people’s hands. We map the common spiral—withdrawal, depression, substances—and highlight the quieter signals too: prized possessions given away, sudden calm after despair, hygiene changes, or finances rapidly “put in order.” You’ll learn how to start hard conversations with care, why asking about suicide doesn’t plant the idea, and how to avoid fixer mode by asking better questions that invite agency.

We go deep on real-world tactics: securing firearms and medications, staying present while someone calls 988, and assembling support circles that include peers, chaplains, union leads, and local resources like American Legion posts and bereavement groups. Tony shares stories that reveal how unspoken trauma fuels shame and loneliness, and why confidential spaces and community rituals—barbecues, rides, faith practices—can transform pain into connection. We also cover high-risk industries such as construction, healthcare, and law enforcement, and preview Tony’s new book, Silent Battle, a practical guide with checklists and scripts to use when minutes matter.

If you’ve ever worried you’ll say the wrong thing, this is your guide to showing up the right way: present, patient, and prepared. Listen, share it with a friend, and help us build a culture where asking for help is strength. If this moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to someone who needs it today. 

Also visit helpingheroesusa.org to gather more information and see how to become more involved.

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A store manager said, “There’s no such thing as a special needs shopping cart.” That moment lit the fuse for Drew Ann Long, who turned a napkin sketch into Caroline’s Cart—now standard in Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, and a symbol of what happens when families refuse to accept exclusion as normal. We walk through the emotional and practical beats: Caroline’s Rett syndrome diagnosis, the day-to-day realities of caregiving, and the exact problem that made shopping unsafe and exhausting once novelty carts were outgrown.

From there, we trace the hard road of accessibility innovation. Multiple major manufacturers said no—twice. Drew Ann built a prototype anyway, rallied a global community through social media, and reframed the question for retailers: why offer carts for able-bodied kids but none for people with disabilities? The proof arrived in the form of customer demand that wouldn’t quit. Target committed nationwide in 2017. Walmart and Sam’s Club followed with coast-to-coast rollouts in 2024. Along the way, the original holdouts returned to manufacture the carts in North Carolina, a testament to persistence, grassroots momentum, and a market hiding in plain sight.

We also spotlight Caroline’s Cause, the nonprofit funding scholarships for siblings of people with disabilities—kids who often shoulder silent compromises in therapy rooms, hospital schedules, and quiet family tradeoffs. 

You could find more information at https://www.drewannspeaks.com/

When organizations book Drew Ann to speak, fees support scholarships, turning awareness into action. And there’s still work to do. Some major chains haven’t adopted the cart, leaving room for listener-led advocacy: ask your local store to order, tag retailers publicly, and help rebuild the Caroline’s Cart social pages after a recent hack.

Subscribe, share this story with a friend who cares about accessibility, and leave a review with the name of a retailer you want to see add Caroline’s Cart next. Your nudge might be the one that tips the scale.

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What happens when the executive with the corner office is hiding a devastating secret? Joshua Case, former VP at a Fortune 500 company, pulls back the curtain on his double life—corporate success by day, battling alcohol addiction by night.

Joshua's raw conversation reveals how childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and a complicated relationship with his father, created patterns of codependency that followed him into adulthood. Despite his success in career, he found himself trapped in a cycle of using alcohol to escape painful memories and uncomfortable emotions.

Rock bottom made its appearance when Josh got arrested after moving to Florida, despite that having been a goal. This rock-bottom moment finally pushed him toward meaningful recovery through a 90-day rehab program where he confronted his past and discovered the life-changing impact of understanding codependency. "I went 48 years of my life misunderstanding how a healthy relationship should work," he shares with striking vulnerability.

Now sober and thriving, Joshua has channeled his experience into creating SoberBuzz, a community supporting others struggling with addiction that has grown to over 90,000 followers across 43 countries. His message resonates with powerful simplicity: "If you think you have a problem, most likely you do," and "Never give up, give mental health a chance, and really look at why you're doing it."

Whether you're questioning your own relationship with substances, supporting someone who is struggling, or simply interested in the human capacity for transformation, Joshua's journey offers profound insights into breaking cycles of addiction and finding authentic connection. Connect with his work on YouTube at SoberBuzzPodcast, Instagram @SoberBuzzToken, or via email at [email protected].

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Dominick Domasky's story reads like a masterclass in resilience. From losing half a million dollars in a failed restaurant venture in his twenties to founding a publishing company that's helped hundreds of authors worldwide, his journey embodies the power of perseverance and reinvention.

"I went bankrupt. I was broke. I was in my early 20s, couldn't even pay for a spaghetti dinner," Dominic recalls. During those darkest moments, he discovered writing as both therapy and purpose. What began as simple stories in a notebook evolved into a mission to help others share their voices.

The path wasn't straightforward. Dominick spent years in pharmaceutical and insurance sales while slowly building his publishing knowledge. His first book taught him every painful lesson possible—selling away his rights, dealing with poor editing, and accepting subpar cover design. These mistakes became the foundation for Motivation Champs Publishing, created specifically to help others avoid similar pitfalls while yet enabling others to share their story.

Perhaps most moving is Dominick's  deeply personal book "My Name is Sharon," chronicling his mother's decade-long battle with Alzheimer's. From this experience comes his heartfelt advice to caregivers: "Your loved one is still in there... When you were a baby, they loved you unconditionally. They didn't get mad when you couldn't respond. Now it's your time to reciprocate that."

Beyond publishing, Dominick hosts a regional cable show exploring Western Pennsylvania's trails called Bikes and Hikes. Dominick also helped co-found Cre8tive Con, a place for creative entrepreneurs to share ideas, collaborate, and learn from one another. 

Throughout our conversation, one theme remains constant: the power of believing in yourself and helping others do the same. As Dominick puts it: "Be the best you, you can be. Nobody else can tell your story." One thing that stands out is his speech from Cre8tive Con at the 2024 inaugural conference "You've got to believe in yourself." 

Connect with Dominick at Motivation Champs across all social platforms and discover why his mission of sharing "inspiration, positivity, and smiles" resonates with so many.

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Who believes one story has the power to change someone's life? I know I certainly do, and you know who else does? No other than the Wendy Babcock, Founder of WHEN stories. 

As we all are well aware, 2020 changed the world. Many of our work schedules changed, as we had to make that transition from going to a workplace to having to use our home as our office. Wendy Babcock's work was no different in that her public speaking opportunities during that time dwindled. However,  she coached speakers on getting paid gigs, and she noticed something fascinating – their most compelling material wasn't their achievements but those pivotal moments when everything changed. This realization sparked the creation of WHEN Stories, a platform dedicated for people to share their authentic story. 

What makes Wendy's journey particularly remarkable is how her personal revelations have fueled her professional evolution. During our conversation, she shares the profound impact of discovering her neurodivergence later in life – a revelation that helped her understand lifelong feelings of difference and ultimately connected her two passions: storytelling and songwriting. "I feel like both things came together... songwriting is storytelling," Wendy explains, describing how this realization made her feel whole for the first time.

Perhaps most moving is Wendy's insight into mental health communication, drawn from her relationship with her daughter who has borderline personality disorder. Her innovative approaches – like creating a color-coded heart system for text messaging during difficult periods – demonstrate how meeting people where they are can transform relationships. Having experienced both personally and with her daughter's challenge with mental health, Wendy wrote a compelling song called "Two-Sided Mirror" that discusses what's behind the scenes that people don't always see.

Apart from "Two-Sided Mirror" her song "She Was Here" that discusses the importance of all women's stories is what landed her to win an Independent Music Award in Hollywood, CA. 

Ready to discover how sharing your story might change someone else's life? Listen now and consider: what pivotal moment changed everything for you, and who might need to hear about it?

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Lindsay Abernathy shares her powerful journey through domestic abuse and offers practical guidance for survivors trying to rebuild their lives after toxic relationships.

• Abuse can hide behind the appearance of a perfect life with fancy houses and cars
• Many victims don't identify their situation as abuse because it doesn't match stereotypical portrayals
• Abusers collect vulnerabilities early in relationships to weaponize them later
• Warning signs include love bombing followed by devaluation, criticism, and control
• Financial abuse keeps many victims trapped with no access to money or resources
• Trauma creates poor decision-making abilities, increasing the difficulty of leaving
• Documentation is crucial both during the relationship and after leaving
• The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when attempting to leave
• Safety planning includes securing documents, building a support network, and having an exit strategy
• Never confront an abuser in person when leaving - get safe first, then communicate
• Strong boundaries are essential after leaving, especially when co-parenting
• Self-worth can't be stolen - rebuilding after abuse means reclaiming what was always yours

For resources and support, check out TheHotline.org, Aimeesays, or join Lindsay's community at BitchIsABadWord podcast. Also, check out her apparel at 2WeeksNotice.com

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Trigger Warning: Suicide and SA was discussed.

What if everything we think we know about the Gen Z mental health crisis is incomplete? In this eye-opening conversation, suicide survivor, author, and mental health advocate Aly Vredenberg challenges conventional wisdom by revealing four interconnected factors driving declining mental health among young people: economics, isolation, environment, and meaning.

Aly shares her deeply personal journey, beginning with a suicide attempt at age 14 following sexual assault and severe bullying. After surviving this darkest moment, she dedicated herself to understanding mental health, only to face profound grief when her best friend died by suicide in 2020. Rather than retreating into her pain, Aly channeled it into researching the complex roots of our mental health epidemic, culminating in her book "Out of Focus."

Unlike many discussions that point to social media as the primary culprit, Aly presents compelling evidence that the crisis began in 2007 - before Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat existed. She reveals startling statistics about Gen Z's economic disadvantages, the physiological impact of decreased access to nature, and how modern city design has systematically eliminated opportunities for human connection. The conversation dives deep into how these structural factors create conditions where meaninglessness and isolation flourish.

Most powerfully, Aly introduces prevention-based solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms. From universal healthcare with mental health parity to trauma-informed schools and national service programs, she outlines practical approaches that could transform mental wellbeing at a societal level. We also learn about her forthcoming nonprofit "The Belonging Lab" where people who struggle with mental health can come together and feel supported.

More information about Aly can be found at:

www.belonginglabsd.org

www.outoffocusbookcom

Instagram: @alyvredenburg

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By now, everybody has heard of traditional going to therapy and taking medications, if necessary. However, what role does neurofeedback play in treating mental health? 

Meet Meg Stuppy, founder of the Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center and co-founder of Clarity Direct Neurofeedback, who joins us to illuminate how neurofeedback technology is transforming mental health treatment by helping rebalance the brain's natural rhythms. With 13 years of experience in the field, Meg explains in accessible terms how this brain-based approach works and why it's gaining recognition as a powerful complement to traditional therapies.

At its core, Direct Neurofeedback uses EEG sensors to read brainwave patterns and send back customized microcurrent signals that help dysfunctional patterns recalibrate. The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity for clients – they remain completely passive during the 30-minute sessions, yet many report feeling shifts in their mental state.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling are the real-world examples Meg shares. From adults stuck in anxious hypervigilance who suddenly find themselves navigating LA traffic without honking, to children on the autism spectrum who significantly reduce self-injurious behaviors, the results speak to neurofeedback's potential to improve quality of life. One particularly moving case involves a child who went from biting his hand to bleeding 5-6 times daily to experiencing entire days without the behavior after just 15 sessions.

Whether you're a mental health professional looking to expand your toolkit or someone struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or neurodevelopmental differences, this episode offers fresh insights into how addressing nervous system dysregulation might be the missing link in your healing journey. By the end, you'll understand why so many clients say, "I haven't felt this way in years" after experiencing what a balanced nervous system truly feels like.

Ready to explore how neurofeedback might complement your existing mental health approaches? Listen now and discover why balancing the brain might be the foundation everything else can build upon.

Meg Stuppy can be reached at [email protected]

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What if neurodivergence isn't just something to be accommodated, but a powerful gift that can transform leadership? Rita Ramakrishnan, a person with Autism Spectrum and ADHD, found strengths behind her diagnosis, and she used it to excel in executive leadership. 

Amongst the strengths Rita found was her remarkable hunger for knowledge that stemmed with her voracious appetite of curiosity. Rita, unlike others who would make assumptions based off what they feel other people are thinking or feeling through social cues, doesn't make such assumptions and is not shy about asking others the questions she feels need to be asked. Rita is giving back to others, especially women who are neurodivergent by helping them succeed in the workplace by providing them the tools needed to set them up for success.

Currently pursuing a master's degree focused on neurodivergent leadership at the University of Pennsylvania, Rita represents the vanguard of a movement that's transforming how we think about cognitive diversity in the workplace. Connect with her at www.iksana.com to discover how embracing neurodivergence as a gift might unlock possibilities you never imagined.