Shows
The Brain CoachEp: 17: Breani Bridges, Employment Consultant for People with DisabilitiesBreani Bridges is an employment consultant who helps adults with disabilities prepare for and navigate work and life. Breani provides supportive services for all ages; young adults transitioning from school to adults moving into retirement.
Breani began her career as a peer educator in the Maryland public school systems where she gained experience working with students with disabilities and autism. She is an impassioned expert who helps young adults transition to life outside of school and navigate the reduced resources young adults face after leaving school.
In this episode, Mary and Breani discuss the importance...2023-03-2035 min
The Brain CoachEp 16: Denise, Parenting a Child with Down SyndromeOn today's episode of the podcast, Brain Coach Mary Turos speaks with Denise, a mom raising a daughter with Down syndrome. Denise discusses her experiences, from receiving her daughter's initial diagnosis to navigating years of medical programs and everything in between. Mary and Denise talk about myths commonly associated with Down syndrome, how having a disability impacts families, and Denise's personal experience of being a young mother of a child with Down syndrome.
Denise offers advice for families facing Down syndrome diagnosis, and how social media can provide a supportive network.
Some to...2022-12-2628 min
The Brain CoachEp 15: Adult Executive Function Discussion with MaryIn this episode, Mary takes a deep dive into adult executive functions and the challenges she commonly sees with her adult clients. Topics covered include:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Inability to manage time, especially during the workday. Dealing with distractions
- How to prioritize and make progress. How much time we can actually be productive daily
- Why providing true value makes us indispensable at work
Understanding how the brain works, especially as adults, is critical to changing thinking and behavior. Hope you enjoy this discussion. 2022-11-2833 min
The Brain CoachEp 14: Nikki Wooton, We Rock The Spectrum, an Inclusive Kid's GymOn today's episode of The Brain Coach, Mary speaks with Nikki Wooten, owner of We Rock The Spectrum Kid's Gym in Forest Hill, Maryland.
We Rock is a kid's gym for children of all abilities but caters to kids with autism. The gym provides specialized equipment and a safe environment where kids can act freely while getting the sensory input they need.
Ropes courses, trampolines, zip lines, and more allow kids to enjoy safe fun where they (and their parents) feel free of judgement. We Rock provides an outlet for parents to connect and share r...2022-10-1932 min
The Brain CoachEp 13: Jori Eidem's family journey with the rare disease MLDToday's guest Jori Eidem, a physician assistant from Rochester, MN, discusses her family's personal journey navigating a serious and life-threatening condition called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD.
Jori shares the story of her niece Amelia, an 8-year-old who played soccer, dressed up as a princess, and collected unicorns. Amelia was bright, funny and with the right amount of sass. She did well in school, despite her left-handedness. Until she didn’t. In 2021, when Amelia began falling behind academically and began having staring spells, she was screened for ADHD and Autism.
A few months passed and she start...2022-08-0844 min
The Brain CoachEp 12: An Extraordinary Mom's Parenting StoryMeet Mia, our “mom extraordinaire.” Mia shares her experiences successfully parenting a child with learning disabilities. Mia beautifully tells her story of navigating the challenges of school, homeschooling, medication, and social pressures. The conversation touches on fears parents face when first dealing with a diagnosis, how to stay calm while still expressing emotions, and how to move towards acceptance of a situation that may not be what we envisioned.
Mia talks about the ups and downs and the pivotal moment she realized her son will be alright. And why she believes building a team or community to supp...2022-07-0839 min
The Brain CoachEp 11: Eric Robinson, Language-Based Disabilities ExpertAs a high school educator, Eric Robinson helps students navigate language-based learning disabilities and language processing issues. Eric wears many hats at The Highlands School in Bel Air, Maryland, as an English and woodworking teacher, co-manager of the drama department, and Upper School Coordinator.
Eric also serves as adjunct professor of reading at Community College of Baltimore County. In today's episode he discusses how language disorders present in individuals and how they can impact students.
Mary asks about Eric's mantra of "do it afraid" and why having many different jobs throughout his career led him t...2022-06-0827 min
The Brain CoachEp 10: The 13 Most Common Questions Parents AskIn today's episode, Brain Coach Mary Turos answers the 13 most common questions she gets from parents of teens and young children. Mary's offers insights into children's behaviors and simple techniques to help parents. The 13 questions follow:
1) Should I reward my kids for good grades or for turning assignments in on time?
2) Will having a disability or disclosing my child's disability impact his/her acceptance into school or college?
3) Why won't my teen go to sleep at a reasonable hour?
4) Why should kids do chores? Isn't school enough responsibility?
...2022-05-0433 min
The Brain CoachEp 9: Mark Feiring, Executive Director, Maryland Book BankMary speaks with Mark Feiring, executive director of the Maryland Book Bank. Based in Baltimore, this nonprofit organization is committed to cultivating literacy in children from under-resourced neighborhoods.
The Maryland Book Bank distributes books locally through programs including:
The Maryland Book Bank Ravens Bookmobile: in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, this mobile library serves Baltimore neighborhoods where kids can climb on board and select their own books.
Warehouse distribution programs where teachers, families and educators can pick up books.
Educator boxes where teachers can bring books directly to kids at school.
Story kit program, which provides fiv...2022-04-0620 min
The Brain CoachEp 8: Michelle Foote, MS, LPC - Professional CounselingLicensed professional counselor Michelle Foote, MS, LPC, joins Mary on today’s episode of The Brain Coach podcast.
Michelle shares her perspective on supporting a healthy brain through her work as a professional counselor and why she’s passionate about lifelong learning.
Michelle helps clients move through issues using talk therapy and uncovering underlying challenges.
Some of the mental health trends discussed on today's episode include:
· Emerging neuroscience connecting brain activity with action
· Psychedelics in the treatment of PTSD, particularly the benefit soldiers
· The diminishing stigma of seeking...2022-03-0227 min
The Brain CoachEp 7: Jennie Iglehart - Perspectives on EducationRetired independent schoolteacher Jennie Iglehart shares her experiences and learnings from a 34-year career in education.
An elementary school teacher, Jennie taught hundreds of Baltimore-area students in 4th and 5th grades. She shares the roundabout way she found education after an early career as an ICU nurse.
Mary and Jennie discuss current trends in education including specialized education, technology, and the increased emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion. How collaboration and seeking help from colleagues benefits teachers, students, and families. And why giving yourself the time and space to make decisions (and mistakes!) can help yo...2022-02-0223 min
The Brain CoachEp 6: Shamena Maharaj - Joy, Happiness & MindfulnessIn today's episode of The Brain Coach, Mary speaks with mindfulness expert Shamena Maharaj. Shamena is an award-winning human resources professional, education scholar, philanthropist, author, and mother of two daughters.
Shamena and Mary discuss mindfulness, how it helps us in the day-to-day and supports recovery from stress. Shamena shares simple ways to incorporate meditation into life to support mindfulness.
Shamena authored a captivating storybook Becoming my Best Self; My Shero Attributes that guides children through a set of key attributes needed in life. She also authored Joy, Happiness and Mindfulness which includes 35 daily reflections for a...2022-01-3136 min
The Brain CoachEp 5: Keri Leach - Mindfulness in Fitness & NutritionKeri Leach, health and fitness coach and owner of Mint Condition Fitness in Westerville, Ohio, joins Mary to talk about incorporating mindfulness and joy into fitness and nutrition.
In today's episode, Keri discusses why motivation alone isn't enough to create a healthy lifestyle and the "five whys" to ask yourself when committing to a health and fitness regimen.
Keri is optimistic about the future of the fitness industry. She sees an increased focus on positive mindset and healthy habits and less emphasis on grueling workouts and impossibly strict diets.
Mary and Keri discuss th...2021-12-0123 min
The Brain CoachEp 4: Laura Schmid - Art Therapist & Licensed CounselorToday The Brain Coach welcomes Laura Schmid, ATR-BC, LPC, a board certified art therapist and licensed counselor in the St. Louis, MO area.
Mary and Laura discuss art therapy and how the incorporation of visual arts into traditional counseling can promote positive change in peoples' lives.
Laura shares why everyone can benefit from art therapy, regardless of artistic ability, and how the practice is used in a variety of settings. Art therapy provides an alternate means of communication for those unable to communicate verbally or struggle to express themselves through language, such as children or s...2021-11-0320 minThe Brain CoachEp 3: Lew Goldstein - Education ExpertIn today's episode, Mary speaks with New Jersey-based education consultant and K-16 expert, Lew Goldstein.
Mary discusses how Lew's wide-range of professional experiences - journalist, teacher, college educator, and public administrator - led him to a 19-year career as assistant superintendent of the Princeton, NJ school district. Lew discusses the positive impact of this role and how it enabled connection with thousands of students, families, and teachers.
Lew's diverse experiences created an unexpected path and led to a successful and rewarding career. He and Mary discuss how a growth mindset plays a key role in w...2021-10-0628 minThe Brain CoachEp 2: Leah Roberts - Special Education AdvocateWhat parents need to know to advocate for their child.
In today's podcast, Mary talks with special education advocate Leah Roberts from LMR Educational Consulting.
Leah is an educational consultant who helps parents of special needs children work with their child's school to secure support services. She helps parents understand the steps to get evaluations, 504s, IEPs. She teaches parents to effectively advocate for their children.
Leah has been a teacher, a reading specialist, and a special education teacher. After taking time to be a stay-at-home mom, she returned to education and oversaw IE...2021-09-0824 minThe Brain CoachEp 1: Meet the Brain Coach, an interview with Mary TurosMary Turos is an executive function expert known as "The Brain Coach."
Working from her Maryland headquarters, Mary coaches children and adults facing executive function issues.
In this first episode of the The Brain Coach, we interview Mary who explains this field of work, and how she helps clients set and achieve goals that help bring harmony to life.
For more information about Mary and her work, visit our website: braincogcoach.com
Please note: this course does not provide medical advice. The information, images and other materials contained are...2021-08-2429 minThe Brain CoachThe Brain Coach IntroductionWelcome to The Brain Coach podcast! I'm your host, Mary Turos.
I've had a fun, sometimes frustrating, but always fascinating journey to become 'The Brain Coach'.
I started my career as a public school teacher in Maryland and loved helping kids with challenges and learning difficulties.
Living in the heart of Maryland academia, I have the unique opportunity to connect with many researchers and practitioners. I pick their brains and transform ideas into methods that work for my learners and their families. This is the information I hope to crystallize and bring on thi...2021-07-2804 min
Forward MarylandForward Maryland 156 With Decency For District One, April 18, 2021We talk with Mary Turos, Chair of the new PAC, Decency For District One (d4d1.org), about their efforts to unseat Congressman Andy Harris!2021-04-1832 min