Discover In It, a podcast that explores the joys and frustrations of supporting kids with learning disabilities and ADHD. Join hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra as they talk with parents, caregivers, teachers, and sometimes kids. They offer perspective, advice, and stories for and from people who have challenges with reading, math, focus, and other learning differences. Get tips on parenting kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia.
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Discover In It, a podcast that explores the joys and frustrations of supporting kids with learning disabilities and ADHD. Join hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra as they talk with parents, caregivers, teachers, and sometimes kids. They offer perspective, advice, and stories for and from people who have challenges with reading, math, focus, and other learning differences. Get tips on parenting kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia.
There’s a lot of talk these days — on social media and in parenting circles — about kids and therapy. But with all the noise, it can be hard to know what’s true and what actually applies to your child. Psychologist (and friend of the pod) Dr. Andy Kahn joins us today to clear up any confusion. He unpacks common questions and offers honest, stigma-free insights into how therapy for kids really works.
It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school is almost upon us! We’re bringing back a favorite episode to help kick off the school year. Hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek chat with DeJunne’ Clark Jackson — education consultant, parent advocate, and mom of two. She shares smart, doable strategies for setting goals and easing back-to-school stress.
Summer’s in full swing and routines are out the window, which can be both fun — and frustrating!
That’s why we’re replaying this episode with psychologist Dr. Andy Kahn, who shares practical, low-stress tips for surviving and thriving this summer. From managing screen time to making travel more manageable with kids who learn and think differently, this episode is full of smart, doable advice to help your family stay grounded while still having fun.
We’re taking a quick summer break for the holiday weekend here at Team “In It.“ Instead of a new episode this week, we’re sharing a great episode from our sister show, “Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.” In this episode, Dr. Andy teams up with pediatrician Dr. Liz Harstad to discuss whether melatonin is safe for kids.
It’s no secret that physical activity can make a big difference for kids with ADHD. The hard part is figuring out how to give kids the time and space to move when they need to.
In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood.org. He’s also the host of the podcast “Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.”
He helps us take a good look at movement and why it makes such a difference for kids with ADHD. Tune in for easy tips to get more activity into your child’s daily routine.
What happens when a child with learning and thinking differences gets labeled as the “bad kid”? In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Aleesha, a parent of five children, four of whom have an ADHD diagnosis. Aleesha has seen the effects of a child being perceived — and named — as the “bad kid.”
She shares what it’s been like to navigate school systems and the painful experience of seeing her child misunderstood.
We talk about why kids with ADHD and other learning differences are often mischaracterized. And Aleesha shares tips about what parents can do to support their children—and themselves—through it all.
This week on “In It,” we’re sharing an episode from another Understood podcast. It’s called “Hyperfocus” with Rae Jacobson, and we’re big fans.
When she first became a parent, Rae experienced a bout of severe postpartum depression. But at the time, there wasn’t much information about ADHD and women, let alone ADHD and postpartum mental health.
Rae had heard that there was a link between ADHD and postpartum depression. But with a tiny baby to care for and a life to navigate, she had more pressing things to deal with.
But the question kept bugging her: Does ADHD make you more likely to have postpartum depression?
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Christina Cipriano, PhD, MEd. Dr. Chris is a psychologist, and an associate professor at the Yale University Child Study Center. She is also the author of ”Be Unapologetically Impatient,” which comes out this summer.
Dr. Chris has four children, including a daughter who has ADHD and sensory challenges and a son with a rare, regressive disease. She has given a lot of thought to the idea of apologizing when you have nothing to be sorry for.
What can we say instead of “I’m sorry”? And what do we do when others say they’re sorry to us, just because something in our lives is a challenge? Dr. Chris has helpful tips for many of these scenarios.
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome author and therapist KC Davis. KC is a therapist who hosts the podcast “Struggle Care.” Her new book Who Deserves Your Love will be out in May 2025. She is also the best-selling author of “How to Keep House While Drowning.”
KC talks about being a “messy” person and reasons why we could all benefit from caring a little less about messiness. She offers tips for getting your home to “work for you.” And she helps us understand reasons to care less about the mess.
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome professional parent advocate Danielle Ward. Danielle started out advocating for her own kids, several years ago.
Now, through her company Encompass Parent Solutions, she offers families of kids with learning and thinking differences non-legal help with advocacy, support, and education counsel.
Danielle chats with Gretchen and Rachel about some of the most important dos and don’ts for parents who are advocating for their child at school. Danielle outlines the steps to take when your child is struggling and how to recognize when a parent advocate might be necessary. She also explains the difference between a parent advocate and a special education attorney.
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome parenting coach Mary Van Geffen. Mary offers online classes including a special one for moms of what she calls “spicy ones.” She also shares fun, funny, and relatable posts every day on Instagram.
Mary talks with Gretchen and Rachel about parenting spicy kids and how to know if you, too, are spicy. What does it mean to be spicy? Are you spicy? And what should you do about it?
For kids who struggle with ADHD, building skills like executive function and self-advocacy can be difficult.
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood. He’s also the host of the podcast “Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.”
Andy discusses why skill-building is important for kids with ADHD. He also shares many ways families can help.
What makes learning to read difficult? And how does having dyslexia make it even more challenging?
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome literacy expert Louise Baigelman. A former teacher, Louise is the co-founder and CEO of the literacy organization Storyshares. She explains why reading can be so challenging for kids who struggle with dyslexia, and shares tips and strategies to help.
Tune in to get Louise’s expert advice on how to help struggling readers.
Parenting can often feel socially isolating. On this episode of “In It,” we hear from a few parents who have felt socially isolated while raising kids with learning and thinking differences.
They share some of the challenges they have run into and talk about some strategies they’ve found for building relationships with other adults.
What is dyscalculia? How can parents spot it? And is it anything like dyslexia?
Find out about all of this and more from Brendan Hodnett. Brendan is a middle school special education and math teacher. He is also an adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City, where he offers courses on inclusive ways to teach math.
Tune in to learn more about early signs of dyscalculia, how it affects kids inside and outside the classroom, and tips that can help.
From school to friends to home, being a teenager is tough. Also tough? Raising one!
On this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Karen Wilson. Karen is a clinical neuropsychologist in Los Angeles and a professor at UCLA. She also supervises the assessment of children and adults with learning, thinking, and social-emotional differences.
Tune in to get Karen’s expert advice about supporting your child through the teen years.
Money. Budgeting. Savings. They’re all stressful. And when you factor in the added expenses that can come with raising a child with learning and thinking differences, it can feel like too much.
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome personal finance expert Kim Palmer. Kim is a mom to three kids and she writes for “NerdWallet.” She’s also the author of three books about money: “Smart Mom, Rich Mom;” “The Economy of You;” and “Generation Earn.”
Tune in to get Kim’s expert advice about budgeting when you have kids with learning and thinking differences.
We’ve all been there: Our child is refusing to do something that, to us, seems super reasonable. Do we offer them a reward to get them to cooperate? Where is the line between bribery and rewarding a child? Will we ruin them?
In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn back to the show. Dr. Andy is a licensed psychologist and Understood’s associate director of behavior change and expertise. He’s also the host of the podcast “Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.”
Tune in to get Andy’s expert advice about bribes and rewards.
Sometimes, parents and caregivers can feel overwhelmed or burned out. Caring for children can feel exhausting and add up without us even realizing it.
What’s a parent to do?
In this episode of “In It,” we talk with Dr. Nekeshia Hammond. Hammond is a psychologist, executive function coach, and motivational speaker. She specializes in helping people navigate burnout and exhaustion, as well as how to build resiliency.
During our conversation, Nekeshia shows us ways to answer the following questions:
- How am I doing?
- What do I need?
- What steps can I take today to make some improvements in my life?
She also talks about the importance of finding support you can lean on and understanding that you, as a parent or caregiver, don’t have to do everything.
Discover In It, a podcast that explores the joys and frustrations of supporting kids with learning disabilities and ADHD. Join hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra as they talk with parents, caregivers, teachers, and sometimes kids. They offer perspective, advice, and stories for and from people who have challenges with reading, math, focus, and other learning differences. Get tips on parenting kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia.
