Nerding out on Neurodiversity Podcast By Dr. Matt Zakreski cover art

Nerding out on Neurodiversity

Nerding out on Neurodiversity

By: Dr. Matt Zakreski
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This podcast is hosted by myself, Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and speaker, alongside our co-host and producer Jake Noonan, an educational coach and humanities teacher. We are here to leverage our personal and professional experiences as neurodivergent specialists to inform and entertain the world around us. And, since we can’t do that on our own, we’ve collected an incredible group of professionals from all walks of life who use their time and talent to support the neurodivergent community. When we know more, we do better, and the goal of the #NooN podcast is to provide our listeners with as much information as possible to make your lives better. Because, as Dr. Matt always says, we can’t always make your lives EASY, but we can make them EASIER – and that is just as important! If you’re neurodivergent, someone who loves a neurodivergent person, or works with neurodivergent people, then Nerding out on Neurodiversity is the show for you. Come on this journey with us! We’ll laugh, cry, learn, and make obscure nerdy pop culture references, we’ll have fun – we promise!Copyright 2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ep 54 -- In Which we Uncover Calm Leading to Understanding, with Julie Skolnick!

    Ep 54 -- In Which we Uncover Calm Leading to Understanding, with Julie Skolnick!
    Apr 7 2026
    This episode, we have the immense privilege to speak with Julie Skolnick! She is the founder of 'With Understanding Comes Calm', where she works to help all people within and around the neurodiversity world. Specifically, she helps parents, teachers, clinicians, and twice-exceptional adults to bring out their self confidence and introspection. At the same time, Julie started, now produces and runs, a virtual conference -- "2 Days of 2E". Here, she focuses on community building and collaboration across all those involved. Julie also speaks and presents at various conferences, runs a Substack, and writes a ton! In case it isn't clear yet, Julie Skolnick is an active and critical voice within the world of neurodiversity, understanding, and advocacy. Together, we dive deep into Julie's experiences and how she operates within the neurodivergent world. We loved hearing about Julie's life as both a parent and a professional within the field, especially reinforcing the 'banking' metaphor! We sometimes forget to celebrate the positives and the engagement with our 2E kids -- what better time to remember to do this than right now? For teachers, that 'bank account' can be seen as building trust and compassion between all participants for each student's journey. Julie reinforces that things like this can help boost the student's confidence and trust towards parents and teachers around them. We know that Julie's story, wisdom, and experiences will be eye-opening and motivational to all who listen! Julie, it was such a joy and pleasure speaking with you, thank you for sharing with us -- and our listeners!🦄🥳🦄! -- Struggle Makes Life Worth Living -- Julie Skolnick can be found at her website, on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and her Substack! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • Ep 53 -- In Which Stuttering is Not a Burden, with James Burden!

    Ep 53 -- In Which Stuttering is Not a Burden, with James Burden!
    Mar 31 2026
    This episode, we have the immense joy of speaking with James Burden! As a registered Speech and Language Pathologist, James specializes in any and all things Stutters. He actively works to dispel various misconceptions about stuttering as a whole -- while simultaneously leading individuals down a path of self-acceptance and understanding. Rather than seeing stutters from strictly a pathological stance, James approaches the concept, and each individual, through a holistic lens, acknowledging that stuttering manifests in different ways for different people. James Burden presents such a clear and intentional perspective when engaging with stuttering, as well as all neurodiversities -- which is deeply appreciated! A key aspect that James addresses and explores with stuttering is how much the social response impacts the individual. Inevitably, as James discusses, this can lead to avoidance and negative self-perception. But, his insight and wisdom in 'burning off' those negative self-talk patterns is something that all people can internalize -- stutter or not! Being aware of these thoughts and ideas in the moment is foundational to how James engages with his clients and those around him. We love James' authenticity in how he approaches his work and clients, not to mention the compassion for dissipating these types of myths and misrepresentations that surround stuttering. James, it was such a privilege speaking with you and hearing about your experiences and journey. We are excited to see what you'll do -- and who you'll inspire -- next🦄🥳🦄! -- Wholeness; More Important than Cosmetics -- James Burden can be found on his website, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Ep 52 -- In Which, Bethany Crystal has a Million Fractional Jobs!

    Ep 52 -- In Which, Bethany Crystal has a Million Fractional Jobs!
    Mar 24 2026
    This episode, we have the immense joy of speaking with Bethany Crystal! Also known as 'Bethany the Builder', she discusses her personal and professional experience working with, and around, AI -- as well as all of the complexities surrounding the topic of AI. With over 15 years in the tech field, supporting engineers, founders, and various other parties, Bethany now utilizes AI to create and build a multitude of tools for all to use! Today, Bethany guides us through the development of MuseKat -- from being an idea to a reality, and what that means. At the same time, Bethany has rapidly become a crucial voice in the AI world, leading hands-on workshops to help teams and individuals take an idea and make it a reality. A key aspect that Bethany highlights and explores is the idea of working fractionally. Rather than working on one project at a time, Bethany works on multiple projects at once -- something that many of us with ADHD would absolutely benefit from utilizing! By working fractionally, Bethany is able to channel that neurodiverse energy into short 'burst windows' when her interest and energy are high. Bethany, it was such a joy and privilege speaking with you and hearing all about your experiences and journey and we can't wait to hear what you'll do next🦄🥳🦄! -- Don't be Afraid to Push Publish -- Bethany Crystal can be found on her website, LinkedIn, and her Instagram! Thank you for listening to the NooN Podcast! The NooN Podcast is brought to you by the Neurodiversity Collective, one of the foremost leaders in serving the mental health and social-emotional needs of the neurodivergent community. To learn more, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodiversity Collective's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have any questions, comments, or you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jake@theneurodiversitycollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to learn more, please follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
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