How to Build Strong Reasoning Skills & the Foundation of Critical Thinking with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and board-certified cognitive specialist Sandy Zamalis continue our series on cognitive skills, focusing on logic & reasoning. Find out why this higher-level thinking skill is so vital—not only to subjects like math and science, but also reading and test-taking. You’ll even hear how behavior can be affected by underdeveloped logic and reasoning skills, including poor decision-making skills, and how parents can help guide their kids and teens to boost these skills. You’ll learn why critical thinking skills require strong underlying cognitive skills, as well as two free resources available for download.

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Helping High-Achieving Women Address Burnout and Authenticity in the Workplace with guest Emily Drake

Join Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis for this conversation with inclusive change expert Emily Drake as we discuss some of the most common struggles that high-achieving women face in the workplace. Touching on topics surrounding disclosing vulnerabilities and asking for help when you’re overwhelmed. We talk about boosting connection to fight loneliness and what it means to be successful. And we get at the heart of what many women face in varying industries. Emily also shares her personal experiences coaching women (and men) to find peace through delegation, relationships, and understanding their values and strengths.

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Frustrated at Having to Repeat Yourself? Unpacking the Impacts of Weak Memory on Learning, Parenting, and Life with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and board-certified cognitive specialist Sandy Zamalis delve into the topic of memory. How many times have you asked your child to do a few chores, only to have them forget? You may have thought, “That kid just doesn’t listen.” But the reality is that your child’s probably got some cognitive skills—like working memory and/or auditory processing—that need a boost to help them think, learn, read, and remember. Or think about the time your teen studied late into the night for a test, only to get a poor grade. If they didn’t get a good night’s sleep to consolidate those memories, they forgot what they learned by the time the test rolled around. If you’re curious to better understand the two broad types of memory—working and long-term—and how those skills can be targeted and trained to help your student live up to their full potential in school, work, athletics, and life in general, you won’t want to miss this host-led episode. Listen to Dr. Amy and Sandy as they explain how these two cognitive skills play a vital role in learning, and why even smart kids can struggle if these skills aren’t strong.

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Curing the Busy Brain to Find Focus, Tame Anxiety, & Sleep Again with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

On this episode, Dr. Amy and Teri are joined by Dr. Romie Mushtaq, a board-certified physician with more than 20 years of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She’s here to talk about the subject of her new book, “The Busy Brain Cure,” which includes an 8-week plan to help adults regain their focus, alleviate raging anxiety, and get better quality and quantity sleep. She’s getting into the details about everything from healthy fats and thyroids to digital detoxes and a culture that has left so many of us overwhelmed, exhausted, and struggling to think clearly. Tune in to learn more about the latest discoveries into taming our busy brains!

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Attention: What It Is, Why It Matters, What To Do About It with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and board-certified cognitive specialist Sandy Zamalisdelve into the topic of attention. Tune in to learn about the three primary types of attention, things parents can do at home to improve their child’s brain function, and different ways that ADHD is often addressed in the classroom. You’ll also hear about the findings of studies on cognitive skills, including the fact that attention isn’t actually the weakest brain skill in most people with ADHD. Find out what options you may have to boost your child’s cognitive skills to the point that they may no longer need classroom accommodations, and why perceived behavioral issues may actually be about dopamine levels in the brain. If you or someone you love struggles with attention-related challenges, you don’t want to miss this episode! 

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Childhood Trauma and Resilience with guest Dr. Marc Hauser

Have you ever wondered why some people are more resilient to childhood trauma? Or why the same adverse experiences can impact children and teens differently depending on where they live, how they were raised, or even how they perceive the experience? On this episode, Dr. Amy and Sandy are joined by Dr. Marc Hauser, a scientist with more than 300 published papers and seven books who has worked with at-risk children to help recover from their experiences and boost resilience. Sharing both scientific research and personal experience from working with at-risk youth, Marc helps break down some of the “why” behind the effects of adverse and traumatic experiences, as well as what parents, teachers, therapists, and other caregivers of at-risk children and teens can do to best support them. Join us for this in-depth conversation that touches on everything from corporal punishment in schools and neglect in Romanian orphanages to the impact of community violence and how chronic stress impacts the immune system.

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The 411 on Cognitive Skills: What They Are, How They’re Trained, and How Strong Skills Make Learning Easier with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

On this episode, Dr. Amy and Sandy dig into cognitive skills. Learn what they are, how each of the major brain skills contributes to learning, andwhy someone—whether a child, teen, adult, or senior—might struggle if even one skill is holding them back from their full learning potential. Tune in to hear a sample demonstration from cognitive skills training and find out why accommodations and tutoring may not be helping your student, as well as which type of intervention might best address the challenges your child is facing. Join us for this high-level overview of cognitive skills before we tackle individual brain skills in future episodes.

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Empowering Teen Girls: An Insider Shares What She’s Learned from Young Women with guest Chelsey Goodan

Join Dr. Amy and Sandy for this insightful episode of the Brainy Moms podcast as activist and author Chelsey Goodan shares what she’s learned from years of mentoring teen girls. Based on conversations that laid the foundation for her new book, “UNDERESTIMATED: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls,” this episode delves into the challenges, feelings, and wisdom of young women. From social media and unrealistic beauty standards to the end of “mean girls” and what they actually want from their parents, Chelsey shares real stories, feedback, and unique perspectives from years of tutoring, mentoring, and listening to what teen girls think, feel, and want to see change. Tune in to learn more about how this young but wise cohort is changing perceptions, demanding change, and creating a better future for the girls that come after them.

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The Ages & Stages of Anxious Kids: A Guide for Parents with guest Dr. Regine Galanti

Whether you’re parenting a 19-year-old or a preschooler, there’s a lot to be understood about anxiety at different ages and developmental stages. Author and clinical psychologist Dr. Regine Galanti joined Dr. Amy and Sandy for this episode about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with anxiety, why kids and teens are experiencing it, and what parents can do to help. She also explains what parents often do to make anxiety worse for their kids or teens and how to support our kids by looking at things through a lens that may be very different from our own upbringing and life experience. If you’re raising a kid with anxiety, check out this Brainy Moms podcast episode to get practical tips and advice from a true expert on the subject.

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