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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Anna Klinger, a UC Berkeley PhD student and perfect 1600 SAT scorer, to break down what it really takes to achieve top SAT scores and stand out in today’s competitive college admissions landscape. Anna shares how she approached the test strategically and why most students rely on inefficient study methods that limit their results.

Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Anna Klinger explore the psychology of high performance, the inefficiencies in traditional test prep, and how the digital SAT is reshaping the competitive landscape for students. From time management and pattern recognition to strategic studying and avoiding costly prep programs, this conversation reveals what actually works when aiming for top-tier scores and competitive college placement. The discussion also highlights how self-directed learning, access to the right resources, and understanding the structure of the test can dramatically improve outcomes.

This episode is especially valuable for students, parents, and educators looking for effective SAT prep strategies, stronger academic performance, and a smarter path to college admissions success.

Free SAT resources mentioned in this episode:
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
College Board Bluebook (Digital SAT Practice): https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/
SAT Subreddit (r/SAT): https://www.reddit.com/r/Sat/
Desmos Calculator (Digital SAT tool): https://www.desmos.com/calculator
Anna’s Universe (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@annas-universe

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Evan Roberts to explore why so many students struggle in AP Calculus and what actually helps them build confidence and mastery in advanced math. Evan shares insights from his work as the founder of Math Made Simple Tutoring, where he specializes in AP calculus, AP statistics, SAT and ACT math prep, and helping students reduce math anxiety through better teaching, responsive feedback, and consistent support.

Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Evan Roberts discuss the structural gaps that hold students back in higher-level math, especially weak algebra foundations, delayed cumulative review, and a school system that often prioritizes pacing over genuine understanding. They also unpack the pressure many families feel around STEM pathways, college readiness, grades, and AP exam performance, while explaining why exposure to rigorous content matters more than chasing status or rushing ahead too quickly.

The conversation also examines how AI is affecting math education, how students use tools like PhotoMath and ChatGPT, and why coaching, accountability, and human connection still matter. From inquiry-based learning and group problem solving to realistic AP exam preparation timelines, this episode offers practical guidance for parents, students, and educators who want a more thoughtful approach to success in math.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Dr. Mark Zeiler — a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience in K-12 schools — to explore what it actually takes to keep the human element alive in an era of accelerating artificial intelligence.

Dr. Mark Zeiler spent two decades as a teacher, instructional coach, and school dean before stepping away from K-12 administration to join the Human Intelligence Movement, an organization focused on ensuring humans remain at the center of educational and institutional design as AI continues to reshape the world. Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Dr. Mark Zeiler discuss why so many of the skills students will need most — critical thinking, adaptability, collaboration, and communication — are still largely absent from classroom design, and what it would take to build a learning environment where those skills can actually flourish.

The conversation explores the compliance burden crushing school administrators, the fidelity gap that causes EdTech tools to fail, and why even the most well-intentioned district initiatives tend to add to the pile rather than change the system. Dr. Mark Zeiler draws on his experience managing safety protocols, navigating school culture, and leading professional learning conversations to explain why the public education ship moves slowly — and why that pace is becoming increasingly dangerous in a world where AI is advancing at exponential speed.

This episode is especially valuable for educators, school leaders, EdTech professionals, and parents navigating the intersection of academic preparation and technological change. Whether you are thinking about how to support a student through college admissions, wondering how AI will reshape the skills that matter most, or searching for an honest conversation about what is broken in American schools and what human-centered solutions might look like, this episode delivers the clarity and candor worth sitting with.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Brian McLogan, founder of Free Math Videos, to explore why so many students believe they are not “math people,” and what actually helps students build confidence and skill over time. Brian shares his journey from struggling in math as a student to teaching in the classroom for 14 years, then scaling his approach to millions of learners online through short, stress-free lessons rooted in empathy and repetition.

Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Brian McLogan discuss how students should study math in a way that builds real understanding, why “grade chasing” often hides learning gaps, and how schools reinforce the mistaken belief that grades reflect ability. They break down why productive struggle matters, how test corrections and feedback loops accelerate learning, and what changes when students stop fearing mistakes.

This conversation also addresses how AI tools are changing math learning, including how students can use AI for explanations and practice without becoming dependent on it. Parents, educators, and students will take away practical strategies for improving performance, rebuilding confidence after setbacks, and focusing on mastery instead of labels.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with veteran AP Reader and Garden of English founder Tim Freighus to unpack what truly drives high scores on the AP English Language exam. Tim shares how strong thesis statements and cohesive topic sentences establish lines of reasoning that consistently earn points, and why many classrooms assign writing without explicitly teaching students how to structure arguments.

Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Tim Freighus discuss how AP Readers are trained, what teachers often misunderstand about rubric evaluation, and why the sophistication point is frequently overemphasized by students. Tim explains that AP writing success is less about natural talent and more about understanding predictable patterns of logical progression that appear in high-scoring essays year after year.

The conversation also explores the broader educational landscape, including the impact of AI tools on student thinking, the importance of handwriting for cognitive development, and how consumer culture may be contributing to declining critical reading habits. Tim outlines practical strategies for earning easy rubric points, building cohesive arguments, and developing disciplined thinking skills that extend far beyond the AP exam.

This episode is especially valuable for AP students aiming for a 4 or 5, English teachers refining their instructional approach, and parents seeking clarity on how AP essays are evaluated. Whether preparing for AP Lang, AP Lit, or any writing-intensive assessment, the principles discussed here provide a blueprint for stronger analytical writing and deeper critical thinking.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with SAT coach and digital prep expert Robert Brundage, founder of Penguin Test Prep, to break down what truly drives score gains on the digital SAT. Robert explains why adaptive scoring is widely misunderstood, how students get capped when they try to game the first module, and why the modern SAT rewards test mechanics, logic, and time management as much as content knowledge.

Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Robert Brundage explore how the test-optional era shifted reported score expectations and why many students now feel pressure to hit 1500-plus. They also unpack the two biggest changes in the digital format: smarter Desmos usage in math and the shift from long passages to short reading snippets with highly specific question types. Robert shares how high-achieving students lose points to distractor answers, why strategy beats memorization when time is limited, and what he would remove from most SAT prep plans.

This conversation also offers a clear-eyed look at AI tools in test prep, including when tools like ChatGPT can support foundational learning and when they create confusion at higher score ranges. The episode closes with rapid-fire advice on what students overthink, what they underthink, and where to earn the easiest points on test day, making it a practical listen for students and families preparing for upcoming SAT dates.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Shellee Howard, founder of College Ready and a certified college strategist with nearly two decades of experience guiding families through college admissions and financial planning.

What began as a personal mission to help her own son navigate the admissions process has evolved into a national practice focused on helping students gain acceptance to the right colleges while building a strategy to graduate without unnecessary debt. In this conversation, Shellee shares why most families approach admissions without a clear plan, how early high school decisions can quietly limit future options, and why GPA and test scores alone are no longer enough to stand out.

They explore common FAFSA mistakes, misconceptions about “test optional” policies, the risks of binding early decision, and the growing impact of AI on college essays and applications. Shellee also explains how scholarship strategy, financial positioning, and long-term planning can dramatically change affordability outcomes—even for families who believe they “make too much” to qualify for aid.

This episode offers a strategic, experience-driven look at college admissions, paying for college, and how families can build a clear plan that supports both acceptance and financial stability.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, host Dr. Joe Sebestyen welcomes Dr. Barbara Oakley, world-renowned educator, author of A Mind for Numbers, and co-creator of the global course Learning How to Learn.

Once convinced she could never do math, Dr. Oakley shares how her unlikely path from language learner to engineering professor reshaped her understanding of how the brain learns. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind effective learning, the overlooked value of practice and structure, and why teacher preparation programs must evolve to reflect modern research.

Dr. Oakley also offers a balanced look at the role of AI in education, describing it as “dynamite”, a tool with the power to transform learning when used wisely, but one that requires care and responsibility.

This episode delivers a powerful, evidence-based conversation on how educators, parents, and students can build the skills and mindset to learn how to learn in a world transformed by technology.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

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In Episode 8 of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen interviews Amanda Dake, a former teacher turned marketing expert and founder of Funnel Kitchen. They discuss why the education system is outdated, how teachers can pivot into entrepreneurship, and how to use AI to create aligned, scalable offers.

Amanda shares her “Aligned AI Guide,” a powerful tool that helps entrepreneurs personalize their strategy using AI-driven insights. She explains why educators are uniquely equipped to build online businesses and how human connection remains essential—even in the age of automation.

This episode is perfect for educators, digital course creators, and aspiring edupreneurs looking to use AI, simplify systems, and grow with purpose.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning! 

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In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe welcomes Aditi Javeri Gokhale—MIT-educated executive, former Chief Strategy Officer and President of Retail Investments at Northwestern Mutual, and a 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree. With a career spanning Fortune 100 leadership, digital transformation, and AI-driven innovation, Aditi offers a rare dual perspective as both a business strategist and a parent navigating the evolving educational landscape.

Aditi reflects on her rise from Mumbai to MIT to the C-suite, sharing how embracing complexity—not conformity—fueled her leadership journey. She unpacks the systemic challenges legacy corporations face, the bold mindset required to drive transformation, and the critical role AI will play in wealth management, education, and beyond. As a parent, she provides invaluable insight into preparing the next generation for a future filled with unknowns—where critical thinking, adaptability, and communication matter far more than memorization.

This conversation dives into how legacy systems can be redesigned for agility and innovation, the expanding influence of AI in finance, education, and executive decision-making, and how to prepare students for careers that don’t yet exist. Aditi also challenges outdated corporate and educational playbooks, offering an executive’s lens on parenting and redefining what success truly means in today’s dynamic world.

Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com

Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!