Gallery Archives - www.thebrainymoms.com

Is it AuDHD? When ADHD and Autism Occur Together | Dr. Norrine Russell

If you have ever wondered whether your child’s ADHD is the whole story or whether autism is also part of the picture, this conversation is for you. On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with AuDHD expert Dr. Noreen Russell, founder of Russell Coaching for Students and host of ADHD, Autism and Anxiety: Breaking Out of the Box, to unpack the growing term “AuDHD” and what ADHD and autism overlap looks like in real homes, real schools, and real nervous systems.

We dig into why “ADHD plus autism” is not just double the challenge, but often a push pull experience that can feel exponentially harder. In fact, it’s more like “ADHD times autism.” Dr. Russell shares an unforgettable metaphor: ADHD can look like a foot on the gas, autism like a foot on the brake, and AuDHD can feel like living in constant tension between the two. We talk sensory processing issues, rigidity and sameness, meltdowns versus shutdowns, and the day-to-day moments that confuse parents most, like wanting constant movement while needing everything done in a very specific way.

We also get practical about parenting strategies that actually fit this neurodivergent profile: when accommodation is the kind choice, how to watch for developmental readiness before pushing flexibility, and how to practice skills in low pressure moments so you are not “poking the bear” during high stress transitions. Finally, we cover why a comprehensive assessment can be worth it when questions linger, what signs suggest autism alongside ADHD, and why support for parents is not optional, it is essential.

Podcast

Parenting ADHD Kids: Dr. Amy Shares Myths, Tips, and Advice About Online Advice

Amy Moore, PhD

Are you parenting ADHD kids and wondering how to filter through all the ADHD advice out there? Absorbing information online during ADHD Awareness Month can feel like drinking from a firehose. Everyone has a tip, a reel, and a strong opinion leaving parents asking a real question: who should we trust and what actually helps a child with ADHD in daily life?

On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, we celebrate the launch of Dr. Amy’s new book, Hearts on ADHD Parenting: Brain-based, Grace-filled Strategies for Raising Kids with Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors.

Cognitive Psychologist Dr. Amy Moore describes how her book is a little different than most ADHD parenting guides: it comes from decades in the trenches with neurodivergent kids and their families, her counseling and research experience, her faith-informed lens of grace, and her lived experience as an ADHD mom and a mom with ADHD. (Plus her husband adds humourous but vulnerable commentary throughout the book.) The core reframe is simple but hard: ADHD parenting is not about “fixing” our chid’s behavior. It’s about reading behavior as communication, looking for unmet needs, and building our own emotion regulation so we can access grace and lead with curiosity and flexibility.

Because it’s ADHD Awareness Month, Dr. Amy and Sandy have some fun with a rapid-fire myth game that tackles what parents hear every day: “ADHD isn’t real,” “it’s just a focus problem,” “video games prove they don’t have ADHD,” “kids outgrow it,” “smart kids can’t have it,” “everyone’s a little ADHD,” and “ADHD is a superpower.” We dig into hyperfocus, time blindness, co-occurring anxiety or autism, and why structure, routines, timers, movement, and outside reminders can be game-changing supports. We also talk ADHD nutrition and brain health, including omega-3 fatty acids, artificial food dyes, sugar, pesticides, and why exercise and even martial arts can support executive function.

If you want solid advice from a true ADHD expert with clearer next steps, hit play. Subscribe, share this with an ADHD parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the show.

Podcast

Made to Create: A Biblical Perspective on Homeschool Art & Artistry | Ryan Lauterio

Amy Moore, PhD

Most families think of “art” as an elective, but our kids are being shaped by aesthetics all day long. Clothing, movies, book covers, music, room design, even the way a table is set can train what we value without us noticing. That’s why this conversation with Christian artist and educator Ryan Lauterio lands like a wake-up call: creativity is not reserved for a small group of gifted kids. It’s part of what it means to be human and part of what it means to disciple our children with intention.

As the founder of Made Makers Christian Art and Design Education, Ryan connects art education with theology and a Christian worldview, showing how images and stories can bypass mere logic and go straight to the heart. During this episode, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Ryan about how culture is formed upstream by makers, why the church often treats artists as fringe, and how that leaves families unprepared for what media normalizes over time. Along the way, we explore gratitude for the “made-ness” of life and why treating creativity as a shared human calling changes the tone of homeschool, parenting, and learning.

Then we get very practical. Ryan gives a simple set of questions you can use with any object, image, or piece of media: What is it? What is it for? What does it do? We also dig into perfectionism, learning through practice, and why making things with our hands builds the kind of embodied problem-solving our kids will need in an AI-heavy future. If you want your children to become wise, thoughtful makers who can discern what they’re consuming and contribute beauty and truth back into the world, this theology-heavy conversation is a place to start.

Podcast

How College Shapes (or Misshapes) Teen Faith | Dr. Renton Rathbun

Amy Moore, PhD

Ever wonder how the college your teen is considering will continue to shape their faith? Or if questioning their faith is a natural part of going to college? Deconstruction is not just “asking questions.” Sometimes it’s what happens when we judge biblical faith with a measuring stick that never came from the Bible in the first place. That single shift can quietly move a teen from honest curiosity to a full-blown crisis of confidence, especially once they hit the college years and are surrounded by new definitions of truth, love, identity, and belonging.

On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk and laugh with returning guest Dr. Renton Rathbun, pastor, longtime college professor, and host of The Renton Rathbun Show, to break down the difference between examining your faith and deconstruction through the lens of logic, worldview, and critical thinking. He explains how the campus challenge usually is not open hostility, but a calmer strategy: build trust, introduce a “neutral” standard, then use that standard to imply the Bible cannot be taken seriously. We talk about why that lands so effectively, why kids often cannot explain the doubt to parents, and how cultural incentives reward outrage over clarity.

Then we get practical for Christian parenting. We discuss teaching teens to analyze ideas (Bloom’s taxonomy), ask “who says?” when claims feel self-evident, and defend Christianity without becoming harsh or performative. We also share concrete college guidance: do not assume a Christian college equals Christian formation, assess maturity honestly, and help your teen treat the local church as home while college is a tool.

Production note: We had to edit this episode down because we spent so much time chatting and laughing in between serious topics. If the transitions are a little abrupt at times, that’s why…it happens when friends try to catch up AND record a show at the same time. We appreciate the grace!

Subscribe for more conversations on raising thoughtful kids, share this with a parent of a high schooler, and leave a review so more families can find the show.

Podcast

Go Play! Part 2: Playful Homeschooling, Sensory Play, and Screens | Kate Allen Fox

Amy Moore, PhD

Enjoying our conversations about play? Let’s talk about playful homeschooling, sensory play, and screens. Last week, early childhood educator Gennie Gorback helped us understand why child-led, open-ended play is so important for children’s learning, development, and joy. Today, we’re continuing that conversation with her co-author, Kate Allen Fox, who brings a homeschooling-family perspective and plenty of practical ideas for putting those principles into action at home.

In Part 2 of our conversation about their book Go Play: How Parents Can Empower Kids to Build Their Own Worlds, co-author and homeschooling parent Kate Allen Fox explores what it can look like to prioritize play in real family life. For homeschooling parents especially, the pressure to choose the “right” curriculum, cover every subject, and make every moment educational can be overwhelming. Kate offers a refreshing reminder: play is not separate from learning—it is often the foundation for it.

Kate shares her own journey from feeling unsure how to engage and regulate her high-energy children to discovering the power of simple, open-ended play experiences. We discuss sensory play, nature play, messy creativity, big multi-day building projects, and practical strategies for making room for children’s interests without needing expensive toys or Pinterest-perfect setups. You’ll hear why a bin-within-a-bin, a cafeteria tray, cardboard boxes, sticks, water, and pantry basics may be all you need to get started.

We also have an honest, judgment-free conversation about screens. Kate encourages parents to consider the role screen time plays in their particular family, distinguish between active and passive use, and make intentional choices that support both children’s needs and parents’ well-being. Whether you homeschool, use another educational model, or simply want more joy and connection at home, this episode will help you notice what your child’s play may be telling you.

If you want practical homeschool support, playful learning ideas, and a calmer home rhythm, press play. Subscribe, share this with a homeschool friend, and leave a review so more parents can find the show.

Podcast

Go Play! Part 1: Making Space for the Wonder of Childhood | Gennie Gorback, M.Ed

Amy Moore, PhD

What if “play” is actually some of your child’s most important experiences? In Part 1 of our two-part conversation with the co-authors of Go Play: How Parents Can Empower Kids to Build Their Own Worlds, educator Gennie Gorback helps parents see play through a new lens: not as wasted time or something adults need to direct, but as a powerful, child-led path to learning, connection, confidence, and discovery.

Gennie explains what makes play truly play, why children benefit from time with peers of different ages, and how parents can support development without feeling pressured to entertain their kids all day. We talk about the difference between joining a child’s play and making space for it, the value of boredom and open-ended materials, how to honor a child’s individual interests, and why a child deeply absorbed in Legos, water play, drawing, building, or movement may be developing far more than we realize.

You’ll also hear practical ideas for building a more playful home culture—from “invitations to play” to protecting unstructured time—and compassionate guidance for navigating after-school activities, sibling play, organized sports, and the many parenting “shoulds” that can make play feel like one more thing to manage

If you want some fresh parenting tips grounded in play-based learning and real-world routines, press play. And listen to Part 2 next week with Gennie’s co-author Kate Allen Fox!

Podcast

Calm and Confident Mindset for Homeschooling Moms | Lori Beth Auldridge

Amy Moore, PhD

What if all your homeschooling chaos needs is a new calm and confident mindset? Being a homeschooling mom can feel like a daily referendum on your parenting, especially when you are teaching multiple kids, supporting neurodivergent needs, and trying to keep the family from melting down at the dining room table. We wanted to offer something more useful than a new planner or a better curriculum: a way to lead your home with calm and confidence that is real, practiced, and available even on messy days.

On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy talks with the amazing Lori Beth Auldridge, longtime homeschooler and host of Elevating Motherhood. They talk about the small choices that change the emotional climate of a home. Lori Beth shares how experiential learning and a slower, interest-led approach can take pressure off academics, but then they get very practical about regulation: meeting basic needs, building routines, and using Lori’s “after-lunch coffee no matter what” ritual as a boundary that supports the whole family. They also connect this to interoception, helping kids learn what hunger, thirst, and fatigue feel like by hearing us name it and watching us respond calmly.

Dr. Amy and Lori go deeper into mindset and the repeated “soundtracks” running in your head, why victim thinking and vent loops keep families stuck, and how replacing those scripts with truth can change your next action. The throughline is legacy: the kind of table you want your kids to remember, the kind of parent you are becoming, and the hard-earned wisdom you build one imperfect day at a time. This Holy Spirit-led conversation is one that all Christian moms need to hear!

If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a homeschool friend, and leave a review so more parents can find it.

Podcast

Homeschool Freedom, Flexibility, and Fit | Cheryl Daley

Amy Moore, PhD

Wondering about homeschool freedom and flexibility? And how homeschooling might be a fit for your family? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Cheryl Daley, author, speaker, and host of the popular Homeschool How To podcast, to trace the exact chain of events that took her from a six-figure New York State government career to building a homeschool life rooted in freedom, relationships, and real-world learning.

Cheryl shares why she treated homeschooling like a research project, interviewing more than 120 families to test assumptions about socialization, academics, and what kids “miss” when they don’t follow a standard school track. We talk about deschooling, child-led learning, and the mindset shift from checking boxes to teaching kids how to learn. If you’ve ever worried about prom, sports, or whether you’re doing “enough,” you’ll hear practical ways families create options without copying school at home.

We also dig into reading and literacy through the lens of the science of reading: why phonics fell out of favor, how balanced literacy failed too many kids, and what structured literacy gets right. Plus, we explore the trade-offs of digital textbooks, handwriting, and online learning tools, including how “smart” programs can still be gamed when a child is focused on time instead of mastery.

If you’re curious about homeschooling, curriculum overwhelm, or how to start simply with read-alouds, nature walks, and meaningful projects, this conversation will steady your next step. Even if you’re a seasoned homeschooler, the conversation should resonate with you in validating ways. Subscribe, share this with a parent who’s on the fence, and leave a review so more families can find it.

Podcast

Preparing Kids to Thrive in an AI World | Wylde Scott

Amy Moore, PhD

In an AI world, a robot can anticipate your needs, clean your house, and do your job. It sounds like science fiction until you realize how fast artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the world as we know it. That speed of change forces a tough question for parents and educators: are we preparing kids to think, create, and lead when the world as we know it no longer exists?

On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy have a brave conversation with author and Imagination Project founder Wylde Scott to make the case that imagination is not fluff. Instead, it is a critical and trainable skill that powers creativity, problem solving, resilience, and agency. We unpack why the industrial education model gravitates toward rote learning, standardization, and test prep, and why scaffolding can collapse when college is no longer a guaranteed bridge to stability. We also wrestle with the double edge of AI tools: they can unlock incredible creative work, but they also replace tasks that used to be someone’s job. And who is in control?

You will hear practical ideas for building “creator” habits early, especially in the five to ten window when mental frameworks stick: project based learning, safe spaces to try and fail repeatedly, and daily experiences that strengthen independence without losing human connection. We also discuss technology in classrooms, engagement problems teachers face, and why apprenticeships and mentorship may become a more direct path than the default college pipeline.

If this conversation challenges your assumptions about how fast AI is changing our world, share it with a parent or teacher, then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what you are changing first at home or in your classroom.

Podcast

There Are Worse Moms Than You | Glenn Boozan

Amy Moore, PhD

The truth is there are moms way worse than you! And the fastest way to feel like a better parent might be a laugh you did not expect. On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast. Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Glenn Boozan, an Emmy-nominated, WGA award-winning comedy writer and the author of the New York Times bestselling gift book There Are Moms Way Worse Than You, to talk about why modern parenting can feel like a constant test you can never pass, even when you are pouring your whole heart into your kids.

Glenn explains how a simple joke for her sister during the pandemic turned into a wildly popular, science fact-checked, rhyming reminder that perfection is not the goal. We dig into the mom guilt spiral, why shame keeps parents stuck in their heads, and how humor can loosen that grip long enough for you to breathe and reconnect. Glenn shares some of the most unbelievable animal parenting facts in the book, the kind that instantly reset your perspective and make your own messy day feel a lot more survivable.

We go behind the scenes on comedy writing: what joke punch-up really is, how writers learn to capture someone else’s “voice,” and why a well-timed laugh can feel like a turning point after a hard moment. If you are tired of chasing perfect parenting standards, overwhelmed by nonstop advice, or just craving a kind, funny reality check, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more parents can find the exhale.

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