Podcast
Dear Dyslexic Podcast
Hosted by Shae Wissell · EN
Welcome to the Dear Dyslexic Podcast Series. These podcasts share stories of the lived experiences of people who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities, as well as those who care for, live and or work with us.
Shae Wissell the creator of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast Series states "I wanted to use podcasts as the medium to share unique stories of everyday Australians who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities, to shine a light on the success and the challenges of life with dyslexia. Without the reading barrier, we can all listen and learn."
You can listen to a variety of guest speakers from authors, to actors, entrepreneurs and every day dyslexic people not just surviving but thriving!
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
87: Part 2 Dyscalculia Explained: Number Sense, Time Blindness, and Building Confidence with Practical Strategies
5d ago00:35:48Tap to summarizeIn our just released Part 2 of Ep 87 Dyscalculia Explained: Number Sense, Time Blindness, and Building Confidence with Practical Strategies, Dr Shae Marie Wisszell on the Dear Dyslexic Podcast sits down with Michael Shanaha to explore dyscalculia and why it is often invisible due to low awareness, even among maths teachers. Michael explains dyscalculia as a core difficulty with basic number sense (value, bigger/ smaller, numerosity), distinct from maths anxiety, working memory limitations, or processing speed challenges that can also make maths hard. The conversation covers real-life impacts beyond school, including understanding time, money, fractions, discounts, and financial decisions, with examples from the guest’s experience supporting their daughter and tutoring students. Together, Shae and Michael discuss using concrete supports like counters, real money, visual timers, routines, and explicit instruction (counting, number bonds, practice and repetition) to build foundations, reduce anxiety, and create success that improves confidence and mindset over time. Watch now on YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with someone who needs to know they’re not alone! 00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic 00:29 Dyscalculia myths and awareness 03:07 What dyscalculia really is 06:57 Time sense and routines 10:10 Everyday maths challenges 11:38 Money and real world practice 14:37 Teaching number sense basics 22:23 Math anxiety and mindset 24:54 Building confidence with small wins 27:37 Core strategies and fluency drills 31:30 Gentle support and finger counting 35:12 Wrap up and resource
Transcribe →87: Part 1 Dyslexia, Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia Explained (The 3 Dys) | Dr Shae Wissell & Michael Shanahan from Dyscastia
2w ago00:09:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Dr Shae and the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, our host Shae,welcomes Michael from the podcast Dyscastia to discuss dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and why there aren’t enough conversations about these learning difficulties. Michael explains his view on labels, using “disability” for official funding and support contexts and preferring “difficulty” personally, while questioning the term “difference.” He shares his work as an intervention tutor supporting children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and related neurodivergence such as ADHD and autism, and describes the morphology-focused “word cracking” software and the Literacy Support Kit he developed with Sally Andrew to better support students for whom some programs move too quickly. Michael also recounts his varied career path, his late identification through his children’s diagnoses, and his lived experience of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. 00:00 Podcast Mission 00:36 Meet Michael 01:34 Labels Disability Or Difficulty 03:08 Tutoring And Tools 06:00 From Teaching To Tutoring 06:55 Family Diagnoses Spark Journey 08:28 Career Path And Wrap Up 09:00 Resources And Support Lines
Transcribe →Navigating Psychosocial Safety in Neurodivergent Workplaces - Full Episode with Ben Walkenhorst
May 2900:53:27Tap to summarizeIn this Dear Dyslexic podcast episode, Shae speaks with consultant and leader Ben Walkenhorst about psychosocial hazards and how to create psychologically safe workplaces, especially for neurodivergent people. Ben shares his background (20+ years’ experience across sectors and leading teams up to 200) and his lived experience of dyslexia, including an auditory component and visual stress helped by Irlen lenses, which he says transformed his learning outcomes. He explains psychological safety as an environment where people can speak up without judgment or retaliation, and outlines three key factors: great leadership, job design/job demands, and environmental factors. Ben gives examples from remote work and local government process redesign, discusses clear role expectations, supportive feedback practices, reasonable adjustments, and why training and new legislation make this work essential.00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic00:34 Meet Ben Walkenhorst04:15 Ben’s Dyslexia Story07:40 Irlen Lenses and What Works09:25 Personal Strategies and Self Awareness12:04 Psychological Safety Explained16:25 Job Design and Workload23:12 Environmental Adjustments That Help26:21 Neurodivergence Trip Hazards at Work36:52 Feedback Without Triggers43:46 Why Leader Training Matters46:30 Business Case and Legal Duties48:41 Wrap Up and Next Steps
Transcribe →"The Intersection of Neurodivergence and Workplace Safety" with Ben Walkenhorst - Pt 3
May 1800:17:09Tap to summarizeNeurodivergence, Feedback & Psychological Safety at Work (Dear Dyslexic Podcast)This episode of the Dear Dyslexic podcast explores how feedback and workplace practices can impact neurodivergent people, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, particularly when feedback feels overly critical or triggering due to past experiences. The conversation focuses on the role of great leadership in giving feedback privately and safely, discussing practical adjustments like changing red markup colors and reframing “feedback” as “advice.” It also covers how constant check-ins can raise anxiety and suggests creating adult-adult relationships where employees have permission to speak up about what works for them. The guest emphasizes the importance of training leaders in psychological, social, and emotional dynamics and neurodivergence, linking psychological safety to improved productivity and business outcomes, alongside growing legal and regulatory obligations in Australia.00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic00:33 Feedback and RSD02:13 Better Ways to Give Feedback03:54 Advice Not Feedback04:20 Checking In Without Anxiety06:05 Adult Adult Leadership07:27 Training Leaders on Neurodiversity10:11 Business Case and Compliance12:22 Wrap Up and Next Episode15:19 Resources and Sign Off
Transcribe →86 Part 2 Neurodiversity at Work: Strategies for Safety and Success with Ben Walkenhorst
May 600:29:47Tap to summarizeCreating Psychologically Safe Workplaces for Neurodivergent Teams | Dear Dyslexic Podcast This Dear Dyslexic podcast episode introduces the show’s focus on lived experiences of dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions, then explores strategies for supporting neurodiverse people at work through psychologically safe environments. Ben discusses leadership practices grounded in understanding individual and team needs using tools like Myers-Briggs, Clifton Strengths, and emotional intelligence testing, and defines psychological safety as being able to speak up without judgment or retaliation. They outline three key factors: great leadership, job design and demands, and environmental factors, sharing examples such as setting non-judgmental meeting norms, creating online social check-ins during COVID, and redesigning a council appeals process from 23 manual processes to 11 automated systems through inclusive, iterative feedback. Ben also covers workplace adjustments like managing sensory triggers, role clarity, confidential one-on-ones, performance expectations, and building extra time and AI support for proofreading and deadlines. Thanks for listening to Dr Shae and the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. To keep up-to-date with all our news, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you haven’t done so yet, go to your favoured podcast platform and subscribe, rate and review this podcast. If you found any of this content distressing, seek support: LifeLine on 13 11 14 BeyondBlue counsellor on 1300 22 4636 13 Yarn (13 92 76) re:think dyslexia helpline 1800 13 6327 00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic 00:34 Self Awareness Strategies 03:14 Leadership Builds Safety 04:32 Remote Team Culture 06:25 What Psychological Safety Means 07:34 Job Design and Demand 09:50 Inclusive Process Redesign 14:21 Environmental Factors at Work 18:21 Role Clarity and Supports 23:05 Reasonable Adjustments and KPIs 27:31 Personal Dyslexia Workarounds 29:11 Wrap Up and Resources
Transcribe →86 Lived Experiences and Insights with Ben Walkenhorst - Part 01
May 4Tap to summarizeThe Dear Dyslexic Podcast introduces its mission to share honest conversations about dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions and welcomes guest Ben Walkenhorst, a consultant at BW Communications with over 20 years’ experience across government, private, and not-for-profit sectors leading teams up to 200 people. The episode sets up a discussion on psychosocial hazards in workplaces, psychological safety, and creating environments where people can be authentic, especially as these hazards are becoming regulated under work health and safety codes in some states. Ben shares his lived experience of dyslexia, diagnosed around year five, describing symptoms including words “swimming” on the page, blurred vision, and auditory processing challenges, particularly in noisy rooms. He explains how Irlen lenses, fitted after extensive testing, helped him dramatically improve academically and supported his later university study and professional qualifications. Thanks for listening to Dr Shae and the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. To keep up-to-date with all our news, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you haven’t done so yet, go to your favoured podcast platform and subscribe, rate and review this podcast. If you found any of this content distressing, seek support: LifeLine on 13 11 14 BeyondBlue counsellor on 1300 22 4636 13 Yarn (13 92 76) re:think dyslexia helpline 1800 13 6327
Transcribe →Lived Experiences and Insights with Ben Walkenhorst - Part 01
Apr 2900:01:27Tap to summarizeThe Dear Dyslexic Podcast introduces its mission to share honest conversations about dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions and welcomes guest Ben Walkenhorst, a consultant at BW Communications with over 20 years’ experience across government, private, and not-for-profit sectors leading teams up to 200 people. The episode sets up a discussion on psychosocial hazards in workplaces, psychological safety, and creating environments where people can be authentic, especially as these hazards are becoming regulated under work health and safety codes in some states. Ben shares his lived experience of dyslexia, diagnosed around year five, describing symptoms including words “swimming” on the page, blurred vision, and auditory processing challenges, particularly in noisy rooms. He explains how Irlen lenses, fitted after extensive testing, helped him dramatically improve academically and supported his later university study and professional qualifications.Thanks for listening to the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. To keep up-to-date with all our news, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you haven’t done so yet, go to your favoured podcast platform and subscribe, rate and review this podcast.If you found any of this content distressing, seek support:LifeLine on 13 11 14BeyondBlue counsellor on 1300 22 463613 Yarn (13 92 76)re:think dyslexia helpline 1800 13 6327
Transcribe →85. Embracing Neurodiversity: Insights from the International Women's Day Panel on Late Diagnosis
Apr 101:20:00Tap to summarizeRecorded as a podcast for International Women’s Day, this panel brings together Nicci Richman, Dr Kim Gordon, and Dr Annalisa Contos, to share experiences of late diagnosis (ADHD, autism, dyslexia/dysgraphia) and how it reshaped identity, self-compassion, and career trajectories. The discussion links perimenopause/menopause to reduced capacity to mask, emotional peaks and troughs, and grief over missed support and opportunities. Panelists describe the invisible load of masking, executive-function demands, parenting neurodivergent children, burnout, and workplace penalties for non-linear careers, “cultural fit,” and intersectional bias. They outline practical workplace changes—universal design, clarity, flexible output-focused work, supportive tools (including AI), easier adjustments, and leaders who model disclosure—while noting supports like JobAccess and resources from ADHD Australia.
Transcribe →84. "Dyslexia Unplugged: Conversations Across Continents"
Mar 200:40:24Tap to summarizeIn a first in-studio Dear Dyslexic Podcast interview, the host chats with Dr. Kim Percy and UK-based Dr. Helen Ross about dyslexia and broader neurodivergence in adulthood, focusing on transition points from school to university or work. Helen, in Australia on a Churchill Fellowship, describes how lack of clear, accessible support and long assessment waitlists can leave people—especially girls—unraveling during major transitions, and she explores Australian practices (including TAFE flexibility) to bring ideas back to the UK. Kim shares a parent and lecturer perspective, describing students and her own son falling through cracks due to missed emails, fees, system lockouts, and barriers to diagnosis and learning plans. They discuss the importance of “village” support networks, self-worth, and shifting assessments from deficits to strengths, noting ongoing misconceptions about intelligence and dyslexia.
Transcribe →83. Why Educator Belief Matters More Than Diagnosis: Transforming TAFE for Dyslexic Students
Jan 2800:46:48Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, host Dr Shae Wissell sits down with Brad Beach, Director of Strategy, Quality and Learning at TAFE Gippsland, to explore dyslexia and neurodivergence in vocational education.Brad shares his personal journey as a dyslexic student—from struggling in remedial reading classes to accidentally getting into Melbourne University and eventually leading educational innovation. His story highlights the transformative power of educator belief, referencing John Hattie's research showing that an educator's belief in a student is the strongest predictor of success.The conversation tackles critical topics including:The challenges and opportunities of the "neurodivergent" labelWhy universal design alone isn't enough—students need individualized supportEducational trauma and its lasting impact on dyslexic individualsTAFE Gippsland's groundbreaking program for students experiencing intersectional disadvantage, achieving 90-100% retention ratesThe importance of wraparound services and trauma-informed teaching approachesMoving beyond the "superpower" narrative to focus on practical strategies and strengthsBrad offers invaluable advice for educators: ask students what they need, provide information in multiple formats, leverage technology, and above all—believe in your students' potential.A must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone interested in creating truly inclusive learning environments.A Note From Our Director and Podcast Host:I'm Dr Shae Wissell and you have been listening to the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. Head to rethinkdyslexia.com.au to find out more about today’s guest speaker. To keep up-to-date with all our news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also listen to our Dear Dyslexic Podcast as well!If you haven’t done so yet go to your favoured podcast platform and subscribe, rate and review this podcast. Join me next time for another conversation on Hobo CEO.If you found any of this content distressing, seek support:· LifeLine on 13 11 14· BeyondBlue counsellor on 1300 22 4636
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