The Executive Function Podcast

Team, This episode may go against the grain a bit. We all are fighting so hard right now. Fighting to stay safe. Fighting to stay positive. Fighting to stay on top of whatever "school" may look like. We are trying to be in action all the time because we think action is the solution to stress. Today's episode won't ask you to stop acting, but it will empower you to make FUN part of your plan and activities. It is FUN that will keep our brains healthy and able to access strategies and learning. It is FUN that will regulate our brain chemicals to get us into a more productive, happy space. Fun is not a waste of time, and it doesn't have to be separate from what you're doing right now. All my love (and some fun) to you, Sarah 

One of the most common concerns I’ve heard from our Tribe is that of keeping our kids organized and on track for distance learning or hybrid models. This concern touches deep into layers of Executive Function, and I’m going to share some great hacks today. Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:10. All my love! Sarah

Tribe, today you'll hear from Ashley Daugherty, who created a planner with embedded executive function supports! I'm so excited for her planner and its potential impact on kids' lives. Check out her website for more information and to order: https://www.studentplannerplus.com/ All my love, Sarah

It's official: no matter how you "school" this fall, you will be overwhelmed at some point. Today's show teaches you how to re-frame overwhelm (for instant relief) and how to deal with the overwhelm that sneaks up and takes over our brains. Tons of strategies for kids and their grown ups in this show! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:45. All my love, Sarah

Hey Tribe, This might be one of my favorite hacks. If you can track your energy levels and then match them with high- and low- demand activities, you and your child will save SO much time and effort fighting against your brains! Using this strategy has helped me get more done, in less time, and I feel less frustrated with myself. (Yes, even coaches need strategies!) Let me know how it goes for you, especially as you prep for distance learning or blended learning (or really even just homework times). All my love, Sarah

What can you do to prepare when you don't know what you're preparing for? In this week's show, we uncover the strategy of dump-and-ask (which probably needs to be renamed) to process anxieties about the unknown. We talk about what to ask teachers so you can mentally prepare and start thinking of strategies to support your and your child's success this fall. We got this! Join our tribe on email by going to Sarahkesty.com/toptips. Hey Kid pep talk is at 17 mins. All my love, Sarah 

Whether or not your child will return to a physical classroom, they will need a system to maintain their school-related belongings and space at home. Without the demands of school right now, you have a great opportunity to think about, test out, and create a space and systems to maintain it. This episode teaches you how to: make a special "workspace" for free or very cheap, get your kid to buy in to organizing, and how to organize the digital space. Pep Talk is at 15:54. All my love, Sarah

Disappointment is a pandemic's middle name. Today I want to teach you how to use disappointment as a way to develop self-regulation and flexible thinking in yourself and your kids. The thought framework is available at sarahkesty.com/blog/episode26. All my love to you, Sarah

We’re going to talk about some of our executive functions and their implications for fighting racism. When we intentionally grow our abilities to think critically and act according to our actual values, we can make significant steps against racism. Flexible thinking and emotional regulation are two skill sets we can hone to help us address and unhinge racism.  Hey Kid pep talk is at 17:00. All my love and please be kind to one another, Sarah