Unmasking Social

On this week's episode of Unmasking Social, Harry Voulgarakis, PhD, BCBA-D joins us for a conversation exploring how  a diagnosis can explain a person. It should never define them. We speak about the overlap between neuropsychology, behavior analysis, and ACT, and what stood out most was how deeply human his approach is. What is this person's life actually like? What are they trying to do?What gets in the way?

What I loved most about his perspective on ACT is how it shifts the focus away from “How do we make this symptom disappear?”and toward:“What kind of life does this person want to build?” That question changes everything. 

Sometimes the work is helping someone see that the thought “I can't do this because of my ADHD” is a thought- not a verdict.Sometimes it's helping a teen notice what lights them up.Sometimes it's helping a parent sit on the floor and do the puzzle, instead of fighting the fact that the puzzle is the bridge. .The goal isn't to erase discomfort.It's to help people move toward what matters, with more flexibility, more self-compassion, and less shame.

To follow & connect with Dr. Harry Voulgarakis: 

https://www.hmvpsych.com/

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I share a deeply personal solo episode about feeling stuck, grieving, and trying to reset during a season filled with reflection. I connect my own emotional rut, the approach of Rosh Hashanah, and the anniversary of 9/11 to a broader conversation about trauma, gratitude, and why it is okay to feel it all.

In this episode, I talk through the tension between feeling grateful and still feeling sad, the ways social expectations can create goals that feel out of reach, and why I believe mental health conversations need to account for more than just diagnoses. I also share how a solo trip to Mexico City and a horseback riding experience helped me reconnect with myself.

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Charlie Keeble returns to Unmasking Social to talk about how his activism has evolved since their last conversation.  We discuss how his fierce advocacy in the UK has shifted to a broader, more personal form of political and social advocacy, specifically around autism, Jewish life, and what Zionism means to him as someone who is not Jewish.

We discuss how Charlie’s work with his company, NeuroZion, has expanded from counter protests into media, opportunities for public speaking, and long term projects like a memoir and documentary ideas. Sharon and Charlie elaborate on the overlap that is so obvious to him between autism, the core values of the Jewish identity, and self-determination. This "hyperfixation" on his interest in advocacy and the autism-Jewish connection motivates him each day.

Charlie remains committed to public advocacy at its core, as the substantial rise in antisemitism in London is heartbreaking for him. This has created unexpected fan connections, friendships, and a deeper look into his own ancestry.

To follow Charlie:

https://www.neurozion.com/about

https://www.neurozion.com/contact-8

https://www.instagram.com/ac_keeble/?hl=en

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YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube

What happens when our desire to keep children safe hinders their growth? 

In this episode, Lenore Skenazy - an author, speaker, and advocate who has become a leading voice in the movement toward giving children greater independence - discusses the inadvertent consequences of overprotective parenting, from limiting free play to making children feel they must be safe at all times, with not allowing enough room with sitting with discomfort and learning  from it  

We explore why reasonable risk, independence, and time away from adults are essential parts of childhood.

Lenore shares how free play helps children develop confidence, problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to navigate the real world. A movement that is designed to reach all of our communities.

To Connect with Lenore:

https://www.freerangekids.com/
https://letgrow.org/author/lskenazy/

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YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube

In this episode, we explore the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with Rose Griffin, both and SLP and BCBA and through heartfelt stories, professional insights, and practical tools to be used. 

Join us as we unpack common misconceptions, highlight the importance of collaboration among therapists, educators, and families, and discuss strategies for supporting regulation across all ages and settings. 

We take a deeper dive into how ABA can be personalized while also being misunderstood, emphasizing its scientific foundation and versatility. The role of collaboration between speech therapists, BCBAs, teachers, and other professionals to improve outcomes cannot be understated. The integration of trauma informed care and sensory processing is essential for ABA to be successful.

To follow Rose:

Website: https://abaspeech.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abaspeechbyrose/?hl=en

Book : https://a.co/d/03oCbjuu

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In this episode, Shellee  Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready, discusses how families can navigate the complex college admission process, negotiate effectively, and prepare students for lifelong success. Her insights challenge common misconceptions and provide practical strategies to optimize college choices, scholarships, and career planning. This formula is not based on a checklist, but rather on a young adult's values, passions, and thinking about return investments on their college choice and major.

To follow Shellee:

Website: 

https://collegereadyplan.com/meet-shellee/

Books:

https://a.co/d/04JEoxJ9

https://a.co/d/0ilKwTLu

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In this episode, we explore the vital importance of emotional regulation through the Zones of Regulation, for neurodivergent and neurotypical youth and adults with OT Leah Kuypers. She offers practical strategies to foster regulation and emotional self-awareness in children, teens, and educators alike.  A key aspect of this is addressed: differentiating between dysregulation caused by trauma, sensory processing difficulties, or behavioral responses.

The following critical points are expanded upon:

• How to individualize regulation tools, especially the Zones of Regulation, framework, and incorporate them into daily routines.
• The significance of emotion identification and interoception in regulation.
• Strategies for supporting regulation in classrooms, including environmental  modifications.
• The role of social and emotional regulation alongside behavior management during adolescence.

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Hallie Bulkin, an SLP and expert in pediatric feeding and myofunctional therapy, reveals the interconnected web of mouth, airway, and systemic health that often goes unnoticed but impacts children and adults deeply. This episode isn't just about feeding ; it's about transforming how we see health from the inside out! It's about terapy that heals the entire system from the airway to the brain. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is explored further as it is an integral part of assessing, diagnosing and treating feeding and myofunctional disorders.

Connect with Hallie:

Instagram: @HallieBulkan

https://halliebulkin.com/

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YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube

Are we mistaking dyspraxia for mere clumsiness? Absolutely. But the real truth? Dyspraxia is a profound neurological difference that affects million, yet it's misunderstood, overlooked, and often dismissed. Rosemary Richings, a fierce advocate diagnosed with dyspraxia at four, exposes the myths and reveals what truly lies beneath the surface - how sensory overload, stress, and neurodivergence create chaos in motion.

This episode is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt othered, misundersood or left behind because systems aren’t built for neurodivergent minds. Rosemary shares her journey from childhood diagnosis in Toronto to influencing education, workplaces, and communities across the globe.

To connect with Rosemary and follow her work:

https://rosemaryrichings.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1839972696?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_C4NCRAJE0HW0HXZSPPZC&bestFormat=true

https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/studying-with-dyspraxia-9781350524651/

https://www.youtube.com/@DyspraxicRosieWrites

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YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Coulter shares the raw truth behind his inspiring journey of advocacy after losing his daughter Maddie to suicide. He reflects on the warning signs parents and professionals often miss, the importance of trusting your gut instincts, and how we can help families and employers recognize when something is off before it becomes a crisis.

The conversation also explores the power of emotional intelligence, the need for safe environments, and why listening without rushing to "fix it" can make all the difference. Chris’s story is a call to action for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to support our teens with more compassion, connection, and care; allowing them to seek connection through the right guide.

To get in touch with Chris 

 THE MENTOR WELL | Empower Young Minds Today

How are you feeling?

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YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube