Podcast
Making the Grade Podcast
Hosted by Christine and Georgia · EN
Making the Grade is a podcast about executive function—how we manage time, energy, emotions, and goals in real life. Hosted by former educators turned executive function coaches, we explore the brain-based skills that drive success both personally and professionally.
Each episode features real stories from entrepreneurs, overwhelmed professionals, parents, and experts in executive function. We dive into the habits, challenges, and strategies that help people build (or rebuild) motivation, focus, organization, and emotional regulation.
Why do so many of us feel stuck, even when we’re trying our best? What does success really look like—and how do we get there on our own terms?
The pressures of modern life are real, but so are the solutions. Making the Grade offers honest conversations, practical tools, and a reminder that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself every day.
Subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear!
https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Multilingual Learners Struggle with Executive Function: A Conversation with Dr. Dana Goodier
Nov 500:38:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ S3 EP 43 | Season 3 Episode 43: Why Multilingual Learners Struggle with Executive Function: A Conversation with Dr. Dana GoodierIn this episode of Making the Grade, hosts Christine and Georgia sit down with Dr. Dana Goodier, an accomplished educator, author, and podcast host with over 25 years of experience in the field.Dr. Goodier has taught World Languages and English, served as an administrator at both the middle and elementary levels, and completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) in 2020. She is passionate about equipping educators with strategies to minimize off-task behavior and increase time on task, helping classrooms run more efficiently and with greater engagement.Currently serving as the President of the Colorado Congress for Language Teachers (CCFLT), Dr. Goodier also contributes regularly to the Teach Better Team and is the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators (2022). She hosts the popular “Out of the Trenches” podcast, where educators share stories of resilience and growth in the ever-changing landscape of education.In this conversation, Dr. Goodier joins Christine & Georgia to explore: 🧠 Resilience in Education — what it truly means to persist through the challenges educators face today. 🌍 Supporting Multilingual Learners — why so many students struggle to exit ELD (English Language Development) programs and what schools can do differently. 💡 Instructional Practices that Empower — actionable ways to build inclusive classrooms and boost engagement for all learners.Follow Dr. Goodier on Facebook, X (Twitter), and BlueSky: @danagoodier Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and YouTube: @outoftrenchespc Visit her website: www.danagoodier.comFind out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#homeInstagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Honoring Our Brains: Iris Wong on Executive Function, Neurodivergence, and Growth
Oct 1500:39:04Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailS3 EP 42 | Season 3 Episode 42: Honoring Our Brains: Iris Wong on Executive Function, Neurodivergence, and GrowthWhat does it mean to honor your brain, your body, and your story while raising a family and supporting others? For Iris Wong, it means blending her work as a bilingual SLP, executive function coach, and author with the lived experience of being a neurodivergent adult and parent.On this episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Iris Wong, a bilingual Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Executive Function Coach, author, and storyteller. Iris’s journey has taken her from public schools in the U.S. to expat life overseas, and now into the deeply personal work of supporting others while honoring her own neurodivergence (AuDHD).Iris shares how rollerblading and breakdancing in her kitchen as a child gave her an early way to meet her sensory needs - and how that thread of self-understanding now runs through everything she teaches and creates. From publishing A Kids Book About Executive Functioning to exploring representation in YA fiction, Iris brings heart, humor, and lived experience to the conversation about accessibility, identity, and growth.Together, they talk about:The realities of being a caregiver while navigating her own late diagnosisWhat working overseas taught her about alternative education and inclusionHow storytelling - both in children’s nonfiction and YA fiction - can shift representation and belongingThe connection between sensory needs, creativity, and executive functionWhy executive function is not just about productivity, but about honoring our brains and bodies💡 Iris also shares practical insights from her coaching practice, and why embracing neurodivergence in both kids and adults can unlock new ways of thriving.🔗 Learn more about Iris’s work:A Kids Book About Executive Functioning: Penguin Random House linkInstagram: @eftoolkitFind out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ Instagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Executive Function Skills for College Success: Howard Freedman on Planning, Organization & Financial Aid
Sep 1700:30:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailS3 EP 41 | Season 3 Episode 41: Executive Function Skills for College Success: Howard Freedman on Planning, Organization & Financial AidHave you ever felt like the stress of planning and paying for college is too much to organize, prioritize, and manage - leaving you wondering if higher education can ever feel affordable and achievable?On this episode, Georgia & Christine sit down with Howard Freedman, financial aid consultant, author of Making College Happen, and longtime leader in financial management. Howard shares how executive function skills like planning, organization, and prioritization shaped his journey—from being a detail-oriented student, to careers in payroll and process improvement, to reinventing himself as a financial aid consultant helping families make college possible.Howard also reflects on lessons from leadership, including a memorable payroll story that taught him the importance of preparation and problem-solving under pressure, and how he applies his ABC Model (Acknowledge the problem, Build teamwork, Commit to doing it better) to guide both organizations and families.Together, they discuss persistence, reducing stress in the financial aid process, and practical strategies families can use to stay grounded and focused on what matters most when planning for college.🔗 Learn more about Howard’s work and find his book, Making College Happen, at Amazon.com.Find out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-functionFollow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ Instagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Rocks First: Executive Function Advice with Dr. Curt Merlau
Aug 2000:30:55Tap to summarizeSend a textS3 EP 40 | Season 3 Episode 40: Rocks First: Executive Function Advice with Dr. Curt MerlauHave you ever felt like you're constantly juggling priorities - but the most important things always seem to slip through the cracks?On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine sit down with Dr. Curt M., an educator turned education consultant who now leads a national team at Resultant - a data and technology firm that helps schools and agencies use the right data, at the right time, for the right people.As a first-generation college student and longtime problem-solver, Curt shares how he carved a path from the classroom into systems-level leadership, all while navigating the internal work of managing his own executive function. Curt explores the role of emotional regulation in the workplace and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy has helped him better understand his own emotional responses. He also shares how his team uses the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the “Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand” method to manage competing priorities and stay focused on what matters most. Together, these practices offer an honest look at what it takes to stay grounded and effective in a fast-paced, high-stakes world.They also talk about daily rhythms, why being the smartest in the room isn’t the goal, and how to find structure when everything feels urgent.💡 Want a framework for building better habits at work and at home? Curt also breaks down the Daily Drumbeat - a practice his team uses to stay aligned and grounded every day.🔗 Learn more about Curt’s work at https://resultant.comFind out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradeproject.com/blog/category/podcast/ Instagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Teachers Deserve It: a Conversation with Rae Hughart, Founder & Educator
Jul 16, 202500:43:56Tap to summarizeSend a textMAKING THE GRADES3 EP 39 | Season 3 Episode 39: Teachers Deserve It: a Conversation with Rae HughartHave you ever felt like your to-do list is never-ending—or that your inbox has gotten past the point of no return?On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine chat with Rae Hughart, a classroom teacher turned national speaker, professional development designer, and founder of Teachers Deserve It (TDI)—a professional learning company built by educators, for educators.After more than a decade in the classroom and leading district-wide innovation efforts, Rae launched TDI to create the kind of support teachers actually want: practical tools, flipped PD, and a community that respects their time.In this conversation, Rae shares her journey from burnout to building better systems—and why executive function skills like task initiation, prioritization & planning, and emotional control are game-changers for both educators and students. They also chat text messages vs. voice memos, documentaries & Rae shares her dog’s adorable superhero names (think: Batman!).💡 Want to explore more? Check out the TDI Learning Hub, Rae’s all-access PD platform packed with self-paced courses, downloadable tools, and flipped learning options designed to help educators save time and actually support student success. 🔗 https://tdi.thinkific.comFind out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#homeInstagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Hack your Brain: Rewire your Routines for Success with Executive Function Coaches, Georgia & Christine
Jun 18, 202500:30:34Tap to summarizeSend us a text MAKING THE GRADES3 EP 38 | Season 3 Episode 38: a Conversation with Hosts Georgia & ChristineMaking the Grade is celebrating two incredible years of podcasting with a fresh new chapter. As the show evolves, listeners can look forward to a deeper dive into the executive function skills that help people thrive—for educators and beyond.This season, each episode will spotlight a specific skill such as time management, motivation, or emotion regulation, and the highlighted guest will offer Simple, science-backed tips listeners can put into practice right away.🧠 One exciting development is the upcoming launch of their brand-new online course: Hack Your Brain: Rewire Your Routines for Success. This science-backed, self-paced course is designed to help learners build better habits and boost their executive functioning.🎉 The Making the Grade team has also grown! Hosts Christine and Georgia are now joined by two talented instructors, a dedicated social media lead focused on amplifying educator voices, and marketing intern. And in even more joyful news—Georgia recently welcomed a new baby!The team is deeply grateful for the community that has supported them throughout these past two years. For teachers, parents, and curious minds, Making the Grade provides relatable stories and evidence-based insights to support personal and professional growth.✨ Let’s keep learning, growing, and Making the Grade—together!Find out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#homeInstagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Season 3 Preview + Executive Function Updates: a Conversation with Hosts Georgia & Christine
Jan 15, 202500:15:26Tap to summarizeSend us a textMAKING THE GRADES3 EP 37 | Season 3 Preview + Executive Function Updates: a Conversation with Hosts Georgia & ChristineMaking the Grade Podcast is kicking off Season 3 with a heartfelt update from the hosts! In this special episode, they reflect on nearly 2 amazing years of podcasting, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at their process and celebrating the journey. Along the way, they share exciting personal and professional updates—Georgia is expecting a baby next month, and the Making the Grade team is growing in 2025.The hosts also dive into the topic that’s been the key to their approach in their business: executive function (EF). From launching the podcast and running their business to supporting educators in classrooms, EF skills have been transformational in their personal and professional lives. With this in mind, they’re thrilled to announce their upcoming Executive Function Certification Course, designed to empower educators, counselors, and coaches to teach these game-changing skills and positively impact others.As they focus on developing this new course, Georgia’s leave and restructuring the podcast to provide even more value, the hosts are taking a short hiatus. Tune in to this special update to hear their reflections, exciting news, and a sneak peek at what’s next. Thank you for being part of the journey!Find out more about Making the Grade hereLearn more about Executive Function: https://makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators/Follow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/#homeInstagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
Transcribe →Mental Health Support & Open Parachutes: a Conversation with Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Hayley Watson
Dec 11, 202400:40:43Tap to summarizeSend us a textS2 EP 036 | Mental Health Support & Open Parachutes: a Conversation with Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Hayley WatsonIn this next episode, a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist shares how she has dedicated her career to supporting student mental health through innovative programs and resources. Hayley’s journey from globetrotting psychologist to mental health advocate and program developer is a testament to her passion for empowering both students and educators to thrive in challenging times.Despite her expertise in clinical settings, Hayley’s love for working directly with schools inspired her to create impactful mental health initiatives across the US, Canada, and Australia—places she’s called home. Her mission is clear: to equip teachers with the tools they need to support their students’ mental well-being while prioritizing their own.In this episode, Hayley discusses the growing need for mental health resources in schools, shares practical tips for fostering well-being in the classroom, and explores how educators can strike a balance between supporting students and practicing self-care. This conversation covers actionable strategies for managing stress, creating a supportive environment, and building resilience in today’s fast-paced educational landscape.Tune in to discover how Hayley’s innovative approach is reshaping student mental health support worldwide and gain valuable insights for navigating the intersection of education and well-being—all while hearing a bit about her adventures on motorcycles, sailing, and life as a new mom!Find out more about Dr. Hayley Watson here!Dr. Hayley Watson’s links: Website -https://openparachuteschools.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-watson-2b249a16/TED Talk- https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_hayley_watson_youth_mental_health_is_not_as_complicated_as_we_make_it_out_to_be?subtitle=enFollow Making the Grade!Website | https://makingthegradepod.com/Instagram | Making the Grade IGApple Podcasts | Making the Grade Podcast (Listen and give us a rating!)Support the show
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