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PODCAST

The Brainy Moms

The Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis. The weekly show features conversations about parenting, psychology, child development, education, homeschooling, neuroscience, and faith with practical tips to help parents navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. We"re helping moms (and dads) get smarter...one episode at a time! Find us at www.TheBrainyMoms.com and on social media @TheBrainyMoms

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

66:13

ADHD-Friendly Organization Tips | Dr. Kelly Cagle

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/04/07

Chaos isn’t a character flaw, and “just get organized” isn’t a plan for ADHD kids and adults. On this episode of The Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy chat with Dr. Kelly Cagle to talk about what actually makes home life simpler when ADHD and other neurodivergent needs are in the mix. Dr. Kelly is a parenting educator, ADHD researcher, host of the Parenting IQ podcast, and homeschool mom of three so she knows a little about this topic! If you’ve ever stared at a pile of papers, a closet ...

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51:19

Rethinking Organization for Disorganized Kids | Dr....

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/03/31

Does your home runs on constant reminders, never-ending rescuing, and last-minute scrambling for missing shoes, backpacks, and sporting equipment? Then this episode is for you! Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, a special needs education consultant, homeschool advocate, and mom of six, to make organization feel practical again for real families raising neurodivergent kids with ADHD, autism, learning differences, and big emotions. We dig into why saying “they ha...

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73:56

Critical Thinking and Worldview Formation | Dr....

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/03/24

Have you thought about how your children will learn critical thinking skills? Right now, your child is learning what to love, what to mock, and what to call “true” long before they can explain it. That’s the quiet battle behind screen time, peer pressure, music lyrics, and the endless scroll, and it’s why we sat down with Dr. Renton Rathbun, longtime professor and parent advocate, to talk about raising kids who can actually think. This is an amazing conversation. Full of laughter but also ful...

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49:19

Classical Education: Why Logic, Latin, and Literature...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/03/17

What if the real goal of school isn’t chasing trends but forming minds and hearts that can handle anything? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with Martin Cothran—co-founder of Highlands Latin School and Memoria Press—to demystify classical education and show why it still outperforms quick fixes. Martin traces the movement’s roots, clarifies what the trivium really is (and isn’t), and explains how the liberal arts and great books build durable skills that t...

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48:15

Habits, Grace, and Parenting | Justin Whitmel Earley

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/03/10

What if your body is the missing link between what you believe and how you actually live? On this episode of The Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with lawyer and author Justin Whitmel Earley to unpack how embodied habits—breathing, sleep, exercise, and gentle routines—can heal anxiety, transform parenting, and make faith feel lived-in instead of theoretical. Justin’s story moves from panic attacks and late-night legal grind to a practical rule of life where the nervous system a...

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44:35

Why Meltdowns Happen Over Homework

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/03/03

On this episode of The Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy unpack reasons why schoolwork so often triggers meltdowns and then give you a practical roadmap to fix them—by finding whether you’re facing a content gap, a cognitive skills gap, or a diagnosis that needs attention. As experts AND moms who’ve lived the dining-room-table drama, we share how to cool the moment, then build long-term capacity so your child needs fewer props and shows more independence. We talk about conte...

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45:33

Your Kid’s Bookshelf Needs a Makeover: On Diversity,...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/02/24

A single comment from a curious child—“We only study white people”—sent Amber O’Neal Johnston on a mission to rebuild her family’s learning around story, dignity, and depth. On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with Amber to unpack how a balanced bookshelf can change the culture of a home and the character of a child. Using Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors analogy, Amber shows how to choose books that reflect kids’ lived expe...

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48:20

Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Student Support at Home...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/02/17

Gifted doesn’t mean easy, and it certainly doesn’t mean perfect. With gifted educator and 2e advocate Erin Vanek, we dig into what giftedness actually looks like day to day: lightning-fast connections, rich vocabulary, and inventive solutions alongside emotional intensity, executive function gaps, and meltdowns over the smallest snag. We share the language that helps—neurodivergent, twice exceptional, asynchronous development—and the practical moves that turn tension into traction for bright ...

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76:55

Alone in the Arctic: How it Reframed Fatherhood,...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/02/10

Ever wonder how being alone in the wilderness impacts your faith, your views on fatherhood, and how you define fear? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy upack all of that with Timber Cleghorn--humanitarian aid worker, survivalist, and cast member on Season 9 of Alone. Timber shares lessons from a life that spans an off-grid childhood, years in conflict zones, and 83 days alone in the Arctic Circle on the show. The result is a disarmingly honest look at fear, fa...

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55:02

What If Autism Isn’t Always Lifelong? A Scientist-Mom...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/02/03

What if the story you’ve heard about autism is incomplete—and changing? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy dive into the science with Dr. Teresa Lyons, an Ivy League-trained researcher and autism parent who translates complex studies into clear, practical steps. Our conversation challenges the “lifelong and fixed” narrative about autism, explores why some children no longer meet diagnostic criteria over time, and shows how a health-first approach might unlock progre...

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55:42

Unlocking Handwriting: Why Teaching Cursive, Core...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/01/27

Handwriting isn’t just pencil meets paper; it’s purpose, posture, vision, and motor planning working in sync. On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with occupational therapist and homeschool consultant Sarah Collins (The Homeschool OT) to explore how kids move from “hot mess” letters to confident, legible writing by addressing the real foundations: core strength, shoulder stability, explicit motor plans, and a clear sense that their ideas matter. We break dow...

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46:51

Transforming Reluctant Writers | Andrew Pudewa

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/01/19

What if better writing doesn’t start with a prompt, but with what’s already living in a child’s mind? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with Andrew Pudewa, founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to trace a surprising line from Suzuki violin training to strong language skills. Andrew shares how deep listening, memorized repertoire, and deliberate repetition lay the groundwork for fluent expression—whether you’re bowing a cello or crafting a par...

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69:18

Is Homeschooling the Rescue Plan Your Child Needs? |...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/01/13

Ever wondered why your child’s spark fades the longer they stay in a school environment that never quite fits? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with master educator and homeschool expert Christy Faith to rethink the purpose of education and design a path that actually supports healthy development. Drawing on decades of work with families, Christy shares why home-based education isn’t about recreating school at the dining table—it’s about building a flexib...

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19:31

Season 6 Launch: A Year of Tools For Homeschooling...

The Brainy Moms ·

2026/01/05

Ready for a season that actually makes parenting, homeschooling, and supporting your child easier? We’re kicking off season six with a clear promise: weekly, expert-driven conversations that turn overwhelm into action for families of struggling learners—homeschoolers and classroom parents alike. In 2026, you’ll hear from experts around the world on topics relevant to kids with learning struggles and special needs as well as curriculum choices and support for all types of students. Starting w...

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56:04

Homeschooling Tips For Military & Special-Needs...

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/12/15

Are you a military or special needs family feeling torn between stability, services, and what your child actually needs to thrive? We sit down with Natalie Mack and Ashley Barta, two military homeschool leaders who have navigated frequent moves, special needs, and high school planning—then turned those lessons into practical guidance for families everywhere. Their stories show how homeschooling can transform from a last resort into a flexible, confidence-building path that adapts to your life...

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45:05

Self-Harm In Teens: Advice for Parents Navigating...

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/12/01

Teen pain often wants proof, and too many families discover self-harm the hardest way—by finding the evidence. Dr. Amy sits down with returning guest Stacy Schaffer, a licensed professional counselor, to unpack non-suicidal self-injury with clarity and care. We name what NSSI is and isn’t, explore why it seems to provide fast relief to hurting teens, and talk through what to do the moment a teen opens up. You’ll hear how shame keeps kids silent, how calm presence invites honesty, and why a cl...

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60:10

Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Other Teen Buzzwords: A...

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/11/17

Teens today live at the intersection of real mental health risks and viral misused language like gaslighting, narcissism, and DID. On this episode of The Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy sat down with children’s therapist Stacy Schaffer to unpack how parents can support mental health without turning every rough patch into a diagnosis. Stacy shares the story behind her new book and the core idea that guides her work: integrate tough histories into practical, present-day tools so kids feel seen, sa...

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48:54

Raising Career-Ready Kids | Dr. Tega Edwin

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/11/03

What if helping your kid find “the right career” starts with removing the pressure to choose one? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with counselor and career coach Dr. Tega Edwin to rethink how families approach work, college, and the messy middle in between. From fifth-grade classrooms to college advising offices, she’s seen how early biases about gender and prestige quietly close doors—and how simple exposure to real people in diverse roles opens them ag...

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69:02

From Cancel Culture to Kitchen Tables: A Parenting,...

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/10/20

The temperature of public disagreement feels scorching—and that heat is seeping into our homes. We dig into what it means to hold strong convictions while still honoring people, then connect that idea to everyday parenting: how we talk with our kids, how we set boundaries without shaming, and how we handle it when we don't agree. From there, we pull back the curtain on the forces shaping our families—peer culture, dopamine-driven feeds, and convenience foods designed to hijack attention and a...

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53:21

Your Child Deserves a Learning Path as Unique as They...

The Brainy Moms ·

2025/10/06

Homeschooling or thinking about it? Wondering if 'open education' is right for your homeschooled child? What if everything we thought we knew about education was designed for a world that no longer exists? Matt Bowman, founder of OpenEd and international bestselling author, joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast to challenge the foundations of traditional education and offer a refreshingly practical alternative for today's families who are homeschooling or even con...

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197 results

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