The Executive Function Podcast

Hey, Team!Most of the time, we tend to avoid what we fear, and this works okay...until it doesn't. Kris Jennings, author and change leader, teaches us how to both manage and grow from fear. Having struggles with executive function can mean feeling stressed by and possibly fearful of heavy cognitive tasks or life transitions. On the flipside, when fear takes over our brains, it can be hard to use our executive function! Fear is an important consideration when we're growing executive function.Living with PTSD, Kris knows fear well and has developed tools and perspectives to use her fear as fuel for growth and living a meaningful life. On the show, Kris shares practical ways to befriend your fear as well as her executive function hacks for writing. I think you'll love our conversation! Let me know what you think. All my love,SarahFind Kris:WebsiteBuy "Inspired By Fear" About Kris:I help change agents and leaders learn how to make organizational change faster and easier by growing their influence.I pursue my passions for health and creativity by exploring new places several times a year. My recent trips include swimming the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia with my oldest son, making encaustic art in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, yoga in the jungle of Costa Rica, and beautiful southern France with my husband. Wherever we go, we eat well! (Food is art + love.) Writing will always be a core part of how I share my expertise. Read about making change easier in my book, subscribe to receive articles, or connect on social media.Join me in making change in our world more positive for humans. 🧡Mentioned in the show: Box breath videoCalm Strips Connect with Sarah!My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. #executiveFunction, #change, #fear, #leader, #adhd, #neurodivergent, #inspiration, #neurodiversity

Hey Team! Dr. Ari Tuckman is a real-life hero to me. His latest book, The ADHD Productivity Manual, is like a pep talk meets a strategy session. He gets ADHD, and he gets human brains. You'll love this episode, where we talk perspectives and tools to make life smoother. All my love to you,SarahAri Tuckman's ⁠website⁠ and to ⁠order his books⁠Learn about the CHADD/ International ADHD conference hereConnect with me!My book is out, in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. More about Ari: I love doing therapy, presenting, writing, and volunteering. And I’m really lucky to have such great people to do it with—my clients who do the hard work, the friends I present with, the podcast hosts who create fascinating conversations, and the fellow volunteers who help organize one of the biggest ADHD conferences of the year. It’s important work that’s easy to motivate for.I say that ADHD doesn’t create new problems; it just exacerbates the universal ones. We all sometimes get distracted, procrastinate, misplace our keys, feel misunderstood, and doubt ourselves. Targeted strategies can make all the difference, whether about managing your time or navigating a difficult negotiation with your partner. And also, none of us need to be perfect in order to live a meaningful life and feel good about ourselves, so we also work on being OK with the parts of ourself or our situation that won’t change.A brave life means being willing to take risks (but only wise ones) and also having the courage to accept the imperfections in ourselves and others. --Ari Tuckman#ADHD, #executivefunction, #autism, #productivity, #timemanagement, #therapy, #CHADD, #ADD

Hi, Team!You know when you feel overwhelmed or lost and you have (or want) that one friend who can hear you and help you sort things out? That's Debra Levy. In our conversation, we explore self-advocacy, adult ADHD, and why our minds might be like messy closets. (Real talk: we definitely have some chaotic spaces in our household and sometimes in our brains around here, and I'm eager to test out new ideas!) Debra shares some of her favorite strategies and client wins. I left our conversation with new perspectives, analogies, and most importantly, hope! All my love,Sarah From the show: Debra's original episode with us was #49 on Spotify and AppleJAN Job Accommodation Network: askjan.org Find Debra at: www.alifethatfits.comdebralevy@alifethatfits.com732-688-3060https://twitter.com/alifethatfitshttps://www.instagram.com/alifethatfitscoaching/https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraslevy/https://www.facebook.com/alifethatfitscoaching/Connect with me! My book is out, in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at Solution Tree or on Amazon.I'm also training educators across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving students' executive function is game-changing! Improved behaviors, attendance, learning...big, surprising impacts (even to me, who loves this stuff!) If that sounds like what your school or child's school needs, reach out: Sarah at sarahkesty.com.

Team,Meet my new friend, Allison Robertson, who you may know her from The Accountant 2 . What you might not know is that Allison's journey is one to celebrate and learn from. Allison reminds us that what you see on the outside, in this moment--a successful actor, filmmaker, singer, and model-- may reflect years of messy growth and self-discovery. I know that her perspectives and strategies will help each of you! Allison's short film, Love Transparent, is linked below :) All my love to you, team,SarahThe film: https://youtu.be/YJUEDL4VZSAInterview with director: https://youtu.be/aw4OV7Ft1a4About Allison: IMBD Audience: all ages and brains :)

Team,Elaine Hall is a force of nature, whose story will inspire you! On the show, Elaine talks about her experiences with her son, Neil, and the creation of the Miracle Project, an inclusive theater program for autistic youth and young adults. You may know her from Love on the Spectrum, Autism the Musical, or through her books (did I mention how amazing she is?) She shares the executive function tricks that help her brain! And with so many wins and creative projects, clearly her strategies work!In the show, we talk about an upcoming event for The Mircale Project. Click here to get tickets to "Out of My Head" May 9 and 10, 2025. All my love (and see you at the show!)SarahMore about Elaine: Founder of The Miracle Project, an inclusive theater and film program; star of HBO’s Emmy Winning film Autism: The Musical, Elaine Hall is internationally recognized for using the arts to enhance quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, and is one of Hollywood’s first Access Coordinators. Elaine has co- written and produced over 30 original musicals featuring neurodivergent, disabled and non-disabledactors; Her methods documented in her text book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism, are now evidence-based and the book has been used as a text book at Brown University, USC, UCLA among others. Featured in The New York Times, WSJ, Boston Globe, on CNN, CBS, OWN, NPR among others, Elaine has worked as advisor, script consultant, content developer, on-set coach, and/or casting consultant for Netflix, Shondaland, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Sony Pictures including appearing in the Netflix hit, Love on the Spectrum and Jason Katim’s As We See It. Elaine consulted on the film EZRA, starring a twelve-year-old autistic boy along with Robert De Nero and on . She has spoken at the United Nations several times and is a keynote speaker across the globe. Elaine has received numerous awards most recently being inducted into the inaugural Kindness Hall of Fame.Co-founder of the Hollywood advocacy group, 1IN4, she was the Access Coordinator at the BARBIE Premiere. Elaine identifies as neurodivergent herself, and has an adult autistic son who communicates with AAC. Together they are committed to changing the media’s representation of disability - moving from ‘inclusion’ to ‘belonging.’ They are both featured in Scott Steindorff’s new film, Understanding Autism. Elaine recently worked with Yorgos Lanthimus on his new film Bugonia.Elaine’s memoir, Now I See the Moon, an official selection by the United Nations, is in development for a limited TV series. Elaine offers consultation, keynote speaking, and coaching for individuals; workshops, and seminars. www.Elaine-hall.com#ElaineHall, #autism, #neurodivergent, #adhd, #executivefunction, #LoveontheSpectrum, #AsWeSeeIt

Hey team! There are so many options for college, and many are designed to support bright students with executive dysfunction! Listen to my conversation with college consultant, Jordan Burstein, as we talk about his non-linear path to success! He takes what he's learned and helps others find their way! Even if you're not prepping for college for yourself or your teen, this episode is full of hope and a great model for what's possible when you keep seeking the right tools and spaces for your brain! All my love,Sarah #executive function, #ADHD, #neurodivergent, #collegeLearn more about Jordan: Jordan Burstein serves high school students with learning differences. His goal is to help students who may need intervention find success in the student’s current school or find a more appropriate fit for the struggling learner. Jordan has a BA in Psychology and has personal experience dealing with learning disabilities, ADHD and previously struggling in school. Jordan brings a vast understanding into a situation where students may feel alone and marginalized. Previous to joining the practice, Jordan worked as a Mental Health Specialist. He has also worked as an academic mentor for college students at risk. This includes students with learning differences, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. As a mentor, Jordan led students to become more organized in both academia and thrive in a social setting.Jordan resides in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and dog. He attended Deerfield High School, Landmark College and Roosevelt University. He is a member of CHADD and the Learning Disability Association of America. Jordan completed the Summer Institute for independent educational consultants through IECA, the only accrediting organization for independent consultants. He has, and continues to visit many colleges and post-secondary programs for students with learning differences, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. These visits provided Jordan an understanding of the programs and allows him to find the best fit for your student.

Hey, Team!Our guest, theater director Jocelyn Greene has good news for all of us: PLAY can develop executive function! Jocelyn has great strategies on how to make play part of your every day, encouraging flexible thinking, problem-solving, and promoting self-regulation. You will love these uplifting ideas! All my love,Sarah More about Jocelyn:Jocelyn Greene is the founder and executive director of Child’s Play NY, an award-winning theater education company based in New York. She partners with dozens of schools to connect social-emotional learning (SEL) with academics through residencies and professional development. Jocelyn founded Child’s Play NY in 2009, drawing from her work as a student (MFA, NYU graduate acting; BA, Wesleyan University), an actor (The Public Theater, LA Shakespeare Festival), and a teacher (Will Power to Youth, Oddfellows Playhouse, Epic Theater) to develop the rigorous curriculum and imagination-based games that ignite the program today. She is a contributor with Mt. Sinai Parenting and writes about the intersection between theater and child development at Child's Play in Action. Jocelyn lives in Brooklyn, NY with her actor husband and naturalist kid!Connect with Jocelyn:Childsplayny.comchildsplayinaction.com@childsplaynewyork - IGJocelyn Greene on Linked In

Hey Team! Join us to explore the experience of children (and adults) with ADHD, with author Fabian Grolimund. His book, Charlie Are You Daydreaming Again?, gently teaches children strategies for managing attention and shares the very relatable experiences of Charlotte, or Charlie. The warmth and hope of this episode will fill your bucket, I promise! All my love, Sarah To order Charlie Are You Daydreaming Again? About our guest: Fabian Grolimund is a Swiss psychologist, author, ADHD expert and, together with Stefanie Rietzler, heads the Academy for Learning Coaching in Zurich. His book “Charlie, are you deadreaming again?” uses the form of an exciting novel to teach children how to concentrate better and why daydreaming is also valuable.