The Executive Function Podcast for Student Success | Untapped Learning

What does it really mean to be “gifted”? And why do so many bright, creative students still struggle in school?

In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Meghan Bonde, TEDx speaker, founder of Intensity Hub, and coach for neurodivergent leaders, to unpack the complexities of giftedness, twice exceptionality (2e), and the five intensities that shape how students learn and live.

Meghan shares how the framework of intensities—psychomotor, emotional, sensory, imaginative, and intellectual—helps families and educators understand gifted and neurodivergent kids beyond just test scores. She and Brandon discuss the challenges of identifying twice exceptional students, the overlap with ADHD, and why self-awareness and self-advocacy are game changers.

From “low floor, high ceiling” projects that engage reluctant learners, to rethinking how schools assess giftedness, to modeling executive function skills as parents, this episode is full of practical insights and compassionate strategies. Megan also introduces her Work the Way You’re Wired approach, showing how honoring your wiring can transform both personal growth and entrepreneurial success.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or leader navigating your own neurodivergence, this conversation offers tools to reframe challenges, build confidence, and unlock potential.

🔗 Learn more about Meghan’s work: https://www.intensityhub.com/

🔁 Share this with someone ready to stop walking on eggshells and start building true emotional safety.

⬇️ Explore Untapped Learning's mentoring & free resources:

🌐 Website: https://untappedlearning.com

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Hosted by Brandon Slade. Edited by Gavin Berk. Produced by Nathan Weinberg.

Applying to college is overwhelming, even more so for students with executive function challenges. In this episode, Untapped Learning Founder Brandon Slade sits down with Alyse Levine, one of the country’s top college counseling experts and the Founder & CEO of Premium Prep.

Alyse brings insights from years of experience in elite admissions (including The Dalton School and Washington University in St. Louis) to help students—and their parents—navigate the chaos of college applications with clarity and confidence.

They cover:

How to help students with ADHD and anxiety get started

Why executive function is central to college readiness

When parents should step in… and when to step back

How to research support services and accommodations before applying

The surprising strengths neurodiverse students bring to the table

Whether your student is a high-achieving perfectionist or still figuring things out, this episode offers practical guidance for finding the right college, not just the most prestigious name.

👉 Learn more at https://premiumprep.com

📧 Contact Alyse: [email protected]

📞 Call Premium Prep: (800) 560-8760

Want to learn more about how Untapped Learning helps students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at untappedlearning.com

This Episode was hosted by Brandon Slade and edited by Gavin Berk.

Why do smart, capable students and adults say or do things they regret, procrastinate even when they want to succeed, or constantly chase distractions? It’s not about discipline. It’s brain science.

In this conversation, Brandon Slade and neuroimmunology student Natalie Wilcox break down what impulsivity really is, especially in ADHD brains, and why it's not a character flaw—it's a dopamine and executive function issue.

You’ll learn:

🧠 Why people with ADHD experience stronger “rewards” from impulsive actions

🧠 What “temporal devaluing” means (and why tomorrow’s goals don’t feel real today)

🧠 Why punishments rarely work—but praise and metacognition do

🧠 How to rewire impulsive habits through immediate rewards and micro-goals

🧠 What parents and teachers can do before a behavior happens to prevent it

From visualizing long-term goals to packing your gym clothes the night before, this episode connects the science of impulsivity to simple, practical strategies for real change.

Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, this is your reminder: executive function isn’t just about trying harder—it’s about understanding yourself better.

Want to learn more about how Untapped Learning helps students (and their families) build executive function skills? Subscribe to our channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at

⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

This Interview was hosted by Brandon Slade and filmed/edited/produced by Nathan Weinberg.

Dr. Kristin Powell, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals across the lifespan make sense of their brains—and their behavior. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Powell challenges common myths about impulsivity, executive function, and ADHD.

Dive deep into:

Why bright kids often struggle with impulsivity and boredom.

How impulsivity isn’t a discipline problem—it’s a brain wiring challenge.

The essential role of planning and frustration tolerance in managing impulsivity.Why consequence-based parenting often fails kids with ADHD—and what to do instead.

Dr. Powell shares practical strategies for parents, educators, and students to build self-regulation, including how neuropsychological assessments can become a roadmap for growth, not just diagnosis.

Want to learn more about how Untapped Learning helps students (and their families) build executive function skills like planning, task initiation, and emotional regulation? Check out to our YouTube channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources at www.untappedlearning.com.

Link to FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:

⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This Interview was hosted by Brandon Slade and filmed/edited/produced by Nathan Weinberg.

What if remote coaching could help your child build stronger executive function skills?

In this conversation, Untapped Learning Founder and CIO Brandon Slade interviews Colin Andrews, the architect of our 6–to 12th-grade remote executive function coaching program. They explore how students struggling with time management, procrastination, and impulsivity can stay engaged, even when support happens online. This isn’t your typical tutoring session. With short, focused 30-minute check-ins, personalized six-week goal-setting cycles, and constant communication, mentors become a consistent, trusted part of each student’s weekly routine.

You’ll hear how this program was built from the ground up to solve one core issue: keeping students with ADHD and EF challenges motivated, accountable, and connected to a mentor who “gets it.” From GPA-focused plans to passion projects, the program flexes around each student’s priorities. Most importantly, it helps them turn executive functioning from a barrier into a strength—at home, at school, and beyond.

Want to prevent the summer slide? You’ll also hear how this same remote model supports students during the summer to build momentum before the school year begins.

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:

⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, and edited/produced by Nathan Weinberg.

Why do students wait until the last minute? Why is starting a math worksheet harder than running a mile? Pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Zach Sussman joins us to unpack the real reasons behind procrastination—especially in students with ADHD. From time blindness to anxiety, he reframes task initiation as a neurological process, not a character flaw.

Dr. Sussman is a Colorado state licensed, APPCN-trained pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in the evaluation of learning disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, and twice-exceptionality. His insight into the emotional and executive functioning roots of procrastination offers clarity for parents, students, and educators alike.

Whether you're a student feeling stuck or a parent feeling frustrated, this episode will help you shift from blame to strategy.

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:

⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, and edited by Nathan Weinberg.

When we were growing up, no one taught us what executive function even meant, let alone how deeply it would shape our confidence, our school experience, and our relationships. This episode dives deep into the everyday challenges of impulsivity, task initiation, procrastination, and anxiety, all through the lens of ADHD and executive functioning.

We’re honored to be joined by two incredible experts:

Dr. Marcy Cooper, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience working with students, families, and educators. Dr. Cooper brings a compassionate and nuanced understanding of ADHD treatment. She emphasizes strength-based care and helps families discover how to turn traits like hyperfocus into superpowers.

📞 Contact Dr. Cooper: (303) 666-0443

🔗 View Dr. Cooper's Psychology Today page

Dr. Michael Smith, a child and family therapist with decades of experience in therapeutic work focused on executive function, family systems, and emotional development. Dr. Smith offers powerful insights into the emotional toll of ADHD, including how anxiety, impulsivity, and family dynamics reinforce each other. He breaks down what it takes to slow down, regain control, and teach students how to initiate tasks without last-minute panic.

📞 Contact Dr. Smith: (303) 424-8250

🔗 Visit Dr. Smith’s website

This episode is packed with wisdom for parents struggling with daily homework battles, educators looking to better understand executive function in their students, and teens and young adults who feel stuck in the loop of procrastination and anxiety.

You’ll walk away with actionable strategies and the reassurance that with the right support, students can truly thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Listen now and take the first step toward calmer mornings, more confident students, and less stress at home.

Please subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this!

Want to learn more about how Untapped Learning helps students build executive function skills? Subscribe to our channel and explore our 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and free resources by visiting

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Hosted by Brandon Slade. Edited by Gavin Berk. Produced by Nathan Weinberg.

What if the key to balancing sports, academics, and a social life wasn’t talent, but process? Carlo Kemp, a former Michigan football player and NFL athlete, shares how mastering his learning style, time management, and attention strategies helped him thrive in one of the most demanding environments possible.

In this interview, Carlo breaks down how identifying his strengths as a visual learner changed everything, how office hours are a time management cheat code, and why he treated his academics like he treated his playbook (seriously). Most importantly, Carlo shares how he used summer as a strategic advantage. While others were coasting, he was building confidence, control, and momentum.

Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, or educator, this conversation is a masterclass in owning your time, building a routine, and taking intentional steps toward your goals.

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at: ⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, edited by Raelan Schmidgall and filmed/produced by Nathan Weinberg.

Adam Max, founder of Max College Advising, joins us to break down one of the most overwhelming phases of a student’s journey: the college admissions process. With a background in admissions at Emory and 20 years in strategic marketing, Adam offers a uniquely human, strength-based approach to choosing and applying to college.

This episode is full of practical tools for managing time, staying organized, and reducing procrastination—skills that don’t just help with applications, but prepare students for success once they’re on campus. Adam also speaks to the importance of student-parent alignment, pacing the process, and using self-reflection to drive decisions. If you’re looking for ways to make the college process less stressful and more meaningful, this is a must-listen.

Learn more about Adam's work at: https://www.maxcollegeadvising.com/

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:

⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, and edited by Afton Carter.

We know the end of the school year is intense for you and your student. That’s why we brought back Clayton Norman, a trusted mental health therapist (who works with both adolescents and professional skateboarders), for an exclusive conversation on anxiety, procrastination, and what truly helps students succeed.

In this sit-down, Clayton and Brandon discuss how procrastination often stems from emotional overwhelm, why students resist slowing down, and how connection, not correction, can be the most powerful motivator. They also touch on the role of executive function coaching in these moments, and how families can help students build a summer routine that restores energy while maintaining growth.

From mindfulness to co-regulation to strategic support systems, this interview unpacks practical strategies for supporting students through overwhelming moments—and preparing them for a better summer. This is one of our most grounding and encouraging interviews yet. Thank you for being part of this community—and for continuing to walk beside your student with empathy and purpose.

Want to learn more about how we help students find success, both in and outside of the classroom? Click the link below for FREE downloadable resources!

FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at: ⬇️Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untappedlearning

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, edited by Gavin Berk and produced by Nathan Weinberg.