The Executive Function Podcast for Student Success | Untapped Learning

Managing ADHD involves more than keeping track of tasks. Overwhelm, frustration, and harsh self-talk can make getting started and following through even harder.

In this episode of Executive Function for All, developmental pediatrician and author Dr. Mark Bertin joins Brandon Slade to explore how mindfulness can support emotional regulation, self-compassion, and the everyday work of managing ADHD.

They discuss the emotional side of procrastination, responding to the inner critic, and noticing positive moments that can get overshadowed by difficult ones. Dr. Bertin also shares practical ways to build a mindfulness habit through small steps, scheduling, reminders, and accountability, including how to restart when things don’t go perfectly.

The conversation explains the benefits and limits of mindfulness and how it can complement other ADHD supports.

At Untapped Learning, we help students build executive function skills, confidence, and independence through personalized coaching.

Resources:

Dr. Mark Bertin: https://developmentaldoctor.com/

Kristin Neff’s self-compassion resources: https://self-compassion.org/

Free Untapped downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

Executive function coaching: https://untappedlearning.com/

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As education becomes more “frictionless”, students are often less challenged, leaving them to struggle when challenges arrive in education, especially at the college level. This discomfort, though, is a learning experience that helps stimulate cognitive flexibility.

In this podcast, Natalie Wilcox, Neuroimmunology PhD student at the University of Toronto, and Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, discuss the strength that comes with cognitive flexibility, including stronger self-reflection and the ability to navigate high-stress situations with ease. Learn how you can use cognitive flexibility in your own work to stay ahead and adapt to any situation that comes your way.

At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them get ahead of the curve by teaching them developmental skills to plan forward, rather than catching up. Teaching students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents focus on being there for their children.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at: untappedlearning.com

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #College #StudentSupport

Chapters:

0:00 - Why Students Stick With Routines That Stop Working

0:16 - What Cognitive Flexibility Actually Means

3:12 - Why We Keep Using Strategies That Aren’t Working

5:34 - The Difference Between Routines and Rigid Thinking

8:02 - How to Help Students Try One Small Change

11:05 Why Students Don’t Ask for the Help They Need

14:33 How Fear of Failure Stops Students From Trying

19:49 Why Progress Matters Before the Problem Is Solved

22:18 How Adults Can Practice Cognitive Flexibility

27:02 ADHD, Negative Feedback, and Reflecting Without Shame

As education becomes more “frictionless”, students are often less challenged, leaving them to struggle when challenges arrive in education, especially at the college level. This discomfort, though, is a learning experience that helps stimulate cognitive flexibility.

In this podcast, Natalie Wilcox, Neuroimmunology PhD student at the University of Toronto, and Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, discuss the strength that comes with cognitive flexibility, including stronger self-reflection and the ability to navigate high-stress situations with ease. Learn how you can use cognitive flexibility in your own work to stay ahead and adapt to any situation that comes your way.

At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them get ahead of the curve by teaching them developmental skills to plan forward, rather than catching up. Teaching students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents focus on being there for their children.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at: untappedlearning.com

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #College #StudentSupport

Chapters:

0:00 Why Students Stick With Routines That Stop Working
0:16 What Cognitive Flexibility Actually Means
3:12 Why We Keep Using Strategies That Aren’t Working
5:34 The Difference Between Routines and Rigid Thinking
8:02 How to Help Students Try One Small Change
11:05 Why Students Don’t Ask for the Help They Need
14:33 How Fear of Failure Stops Students From Trying
19:49 Why Progress Matters Before the Problem Is Solved
22:18 How Adults Can Practice Cognitive Flexibility
27:02 ADHD, Negative Feedback, and Reflecting Without Shame

Why do some highly successful students begin struggling as soon as they reach college?

David Rabiner, Ph.D., a recently retired Duke University professor, psychologist, and former director of Duke’s Academic Advising Center, joins Brandon Slade to explain why academic success in high school does not always translate into college readiness.

They discuss what happens when students lose the structure and accountability built into high school, why high achievers may resist seeking academic support, and how ADHD can affect time management, task initiation, motivation, and long-term planning. David also shares how parents can gradually pull back before college, allowing students to practice independence while the stakes are still relatively low.

The conversation also explores why procrastination is not simply laziness or a lack of willpower—and how consistent external accountability can help students follow through on the goals they already have.

David Rabiner is Research Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. His work has focused extensively on ADHD, attention difficulties, academic performance, and improving the quality of care children with ADHD receive.

Learn about David’s free ADHD Monitoring System and subscribe to his Attention Research Update: helpforadd.com. The system helps families gather regular teacher feedback and monitor how effectively a child’s ADHD treatment is working at school.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:25 - Why High-Achieving Students Struggle in College

06:14 - Helping College Students Manage Their Time

09:14 - Preparing High School Students for Independence

12:00 - Low-Stakes Ways Parents Can Pull Back

15:44 - ADHD and High Achievement

17:33 - Executive Function Challenges Beyond Time Management

20:07 - Why Procrastination Is More Than Willpower

23:15 - David Rabiner’s Free ADHD Monitoring Tool

26:46 - Conclusion

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #CollegeReadiness #HighAchievingStudents #DukeUniversity

Why can a bright, capable child manage well for years and then suddenly struggle in middle school, high school, or college?

Executive function challenges rarely appear out of nowhere. As academic demands increase and outside structure decreases, weaknesses in planning, organization, task initiation, time management, working memory, and emotional regulation can become much more visible.

In this episode of Executive Function for All, Brandon Slade speaks with Dr. David Baker, a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of Baker Neuropsychology and Learning Center. Dr. Baker explains why school transitions can reveal executive function challenges that were previously difficult to see and how parents can support independence without taking over.

They also discuss:

• Why bright kids can have uneven skill development • How ADHD can affect brain development • How frustration and unstructured play build self-regulation • What college students need when external structure falls away • How parents can model healthy responses to stress • What families should know about neuropsychological evaluations

At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build practical executive function skills through personalized coaching focused on planning, organization, task initiation, time management, and long-term independence.

Learn more about Dr. Baker: https://bakernlc.com/

Want to learn more about how we support students?

🌐 https://untappedlearning.com/

📥 https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #ADHDParenting #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #StudentSupport

Chapters:

0:37 – Do Executive Function Challenges Appear Out of Nowhere?

3:18 – Building Executive Function in Elementary School

4:34 – Screens, Emotional Regulation, and Executive Function

6:20 – Building Executive Function in Middle and High School

8:41 – The “Should” Mentality: Intelligence vs. Executive Function

10:12 – ADHD Brain Development: Is It Years Behind?

13:11 – Supporting Executive Function in College

14:14 – Why Overscheduling Hurts College Readiness

18:59 – The Neuroscience of Unstructured Play

22:06 - IS ADHD Hereditary?

22:55 – Advice for Overwhelmed Parents

24:31 – Teens Watch How Parents Handle Stress

26:39 – Scaffolding Executive Function at Home

27:45 – Why “Clean Your Room” Is Too Vague

30:53 – What to Know Before a Neuropsychological Evaluation

34:28 – Connect With Dr. David Baker

Starting college is a journey like no other; however, it’s often difficult to figure out what that “first step” is going to be, especially for some kids with executive function challenges. Through self-awareness, active learning, prioritization, and organizing a schedule, students can overcome these challenges and achieve ambitious goals.

In this podcast, Jack DuFauchard, an incoming student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, goes into greater detail about the struggles upon entering college, and how saying yes to too many things can lead to a procrastination trap. Together, we go into greater detail about the idea of essentialism, organizational systems, and the importance of balancing a schedule, even with all the freedom the university provides to the students.

At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them get ahead of the curve by teaching them developmental skills to plan forward, rather than catching up. Teaching the students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents focus on being there for their children.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com.

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #College #StudentSupport

When discussing homework, why does it suddenly become a fight between students and parents? When discussing a child’s success, it can be anxiety-inducing for both the child and the parent. For parents, it’s much more difficult to identify/resonate with their children when there isn't any proof to back up a child’s progress, while for children, it's difficult when parents get too involved. It creates a cycle of fear, shame, and anxiety through a family's relationship.

In today’s podcast, Dr. Gabe Casher, Founder of Panorama Psychology, dives deeper into the relationship between a child with Executive Dysfunction and parents and how a lack of clear results or communication can lead to distancing between parents and students. Together, we discuss ADHD, executive functioning, emotional regulation, parenting strategies, teen mental health, and how families can break cycles of conflict. Learn why strengthening your relationship with your child often produces better long-term benefits than focusing directly on results.

At Untapped Learning, we help students find their stride by helping them learn and developing the skills necessary to succeed. Teaching the students long-term independence and success lets our students learn better and helps the parents to focus on parenting.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com.

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

Learn more about Gabe Casher and Panorama Psychology here: (https://www.panoramapsychology.com/)

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #Family #StudentSupport

In the earliest stages of school, a lot of changes happen, especially towards a student’s learning, their development, and even their relationship with their family.

In this engaging work, Cindy Goldrich, founder of PTS Coaching and ADHD/Executive Function Parent Coach, provides a deeper insight into how students and parents can communicate what needs to be done, without sacrificing effective communication.

At Untapped Learning, we align heavily with helping students and figuring out methods that help them learn and prioritize their daily tasks while being able to fully understand what results they want to accomplish.

If you are a parent of a student who struggles with ADHD or executive dysfunction, this episode is worth a listen.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

Learn more about Cindy Goldrich and PTS Coaching here: (https://ptscoaching.com)

Advocating for students is already difficult for many parents, even more so when the student in question has ADHD, Dyslexia, or executive functioning struggles. However, there are processes to help not only advocate, but to keep a good relationship between parents and the students. In this podcast, Jessica Diamond, a professional Special Education Advocate, demonstrates an emphasis on the importance of advocacy. In the podcast, we explain how to properly advocate for your student at school using tools such as 504 plans, while also ensuring not to sacrifice that personal communication with your student.

At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build systems that create long-term independence and success.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com (http://untappedlearning.com).

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

Learn more: www.untappedlearning.com (http://www.untappedlearning.com)

Learn more about Jessica Diamond here: (https://www.advocatingforsolutions.com)

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #504Plan #StudentSupport

Advocating for students is already difficult for many parents, even more so when the student in question has ADHD, Dyslexia, or executive functioning struggles. However, there are processes to help not only advocate, but to keep a good relationship between parents and the students.

In this podcast, Jessica Diamond, a professional Special Education Advocate, demonstrates an emphasis on the importance of advocacy. In the podcast, we explain to properly advocate for your student at school using tools such as 504 plans, while also ensuring not to sacrifice that personal communication with your student.

At Untapped Learning, we help middle school, high school, and college students build systems that create long-term independence and success.

Want to learn more about how we help students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at

untappedlearning.com (http://untappedlearning.com).

📥 Free Downloads: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/untappedlearning

Learn more: www.untappedlearning.com (http://www.untappedlearning.com)

Learn more about Jessica Diamond here: (https://www.advocatingforsolutions.com)

#ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunctionCoaching #504Plan #StudentSupport