Mind by Design

In this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast, I sit down with Sam Young, M.Ed., the incredible founder and Head of School at Young Scholars Academy. Sam has built something truly special—a virtual enrichment school designed to help twice-exceptional, gifted, and neurodivergent students feel understood, supported, and genuinely excited about learning. Sam brings such an inspiring perspective to this conversation, shaped by his own experiences as a neurodivergent person and his dedication to flipping the script on traditional education. He shares the journey of starting Young Scholars Academy, including how the challenges of the pandemic pushed him to create a space where students’ unique strengths and talents could shine. We talk about how his academy is redefining what education can be by offering innovative courses, camps, and a community that truly celebrates what makes each student special. Our conversation explores some big questions—how do we create spaces where kids feel safe enough to explore their potential? Why is focusing on strengths so important? And what does it take to step out of the box and build something meaningful, whether that’s in education or your own career? Sam also opens up about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the lessons he’s learned along the way. This is such a great episode for educators, LEPs, parents, and anyone who’s passionate about supporting unique learners. Sam’s story is proof that with creativity, connection, and a lot of heart, we can make a real difference. Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. If you enjoy the conversation, I’d love it if you’d subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps us reach even more people who care about making an impact! Connect with Sam Young: Email: [email protected] Website: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YSAENRICHMENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/young_scholars_academy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-young-ysa

In this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast, Jana chats with Mohini Pollock, the inspiring founder of Literacy Playground, who shares her journey from classroom teacher to successful entrepreneur. Mohini opens up about what drove her to step away from the traditional education system and create a program that empowers families to support their children's reading and writing skills right at home. Mohini's story is so relatable—especially for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by the limitations of the system they’re working in. She talks about the challenges of balancing a growing business with family life and finding her voice (and confidence!) on social media. For those of you who’ve ever thought about stepping out on your own, her insights on embracing the business side of things—like marketing and community-building—are super practical and encouraging. Jana and Mohini also discuss how Literacy Playground is helping kids who may not have access to specialized learning support and giving families the tools they need to boost their children’s literacy skills. Mohini’s genuine passion for making learning accessible to every child shines through in this conversation. If you're an educator thinking about starting your own practice, a parent looking for ways to support your child or just someone who loves hearing stories about following your passion, this episode is packed with inspiration. Catch this latest episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it means the world and helps us spread the word.  Connect with Mohini Pollock: Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Website: literacyplayground.org Facebook: Mohini Pollock, https://www.facebook.com/mohini Instagram: @literacyplayground Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohini-srivastav-pollock-083ab75/

In this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast, host Jana Parker chats with Heather Erba, co-founder of ConnectEd Developmental Therapies, for a warm and insightful conversation about helping kids thrive—emotionally, socially, and academically. ConnectEd, based in San Jose, has been supporting families for over nine years with their brain-aligned approach to child development. Heather explains how they work closely with kids and families, offering personalized one-on-one support, small group programs like their popular Playdate Program, and parent coaching to make sure each child gets exactly what they need. Heather also shares exciting details about ConnectEd’s school initiative, ConnectEd Classrooms. Through partnerships with teachers, they’re helping shift the focus from traditional behavioral methods to a brain-based understanding of how kids learn and engage. By bringing together knowledge from neurobiology, social psychology, and education, ConnectEd is making classrooms more inclusive and supportive for every student. Heather is passionate about the neurodiversity movement, which encourages us to see different ways of thinking as strengths rather than weaknesses. She talks about how ConnectEd helps kids manage everyday challenges like frustration and transitions, building their confidence and helping them feel safe and connected in their world. If you're a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about kids, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world tips on how to support children in becoming their best, most confident selves. Heather's warmth and expertise make this an episode you won't want to miss! Connect with Heather:

In this episode of the Mind by Design podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Michael Prater, the visionary behind Tessellations High School. Michael shares his story from traditional education spaces to the forefront of educational innovation at this unique school in Cupertino, CA, revealing the philosophy and mechanics behind a high school experience designed to nurture gifted minds and foster intrinsic motivation. Tessellations High School is breaking the mold with a project-based curriculum that respects the dignity of young learners, encourages deep, interdisciplinary learning, and prepares students to tackle the world's most pressing problems with creativity and confidence.  Michael passionately discusses the school's commitment to creating a learning environment where students are encouraged to explore their interests deeply, fostering a sense of curiosity and resilience that extends beyond the classroom. His vision for a holistic educational experience that prepares students to face the complexities of the modern world with creativity, empathy, and a problem-solving mindset is a testament to Tessellations High School's innovative approach to education.  Listen to the fascinating story of the future of education as Tessellations is reimagining the high school experience to cultivate capable, creative, and wise young minds ready to make a positive impact on the world. Learn more about Tessellations High School  https://tessellations.school

Join Jana as she welcomes April Rehrig, a Special Education Advocate, IEP trainer, Parent Coach, and the visionary behind Rise Educational Advocacy. April's passion for empowering families as they work to understand the often overwhelming world of IEPs and 504 plans shines through as she shares her journey from a school psychologist and teacher to an advocate for educational equity.  Rise Educational Advocacy stands out as a beacon of hope for families nationwide, offering a suite of accessible services designed to demystify the IEP process and equip parents with the tools they need to advocate effectively for their children. April's approach is refreshingly collaborative, focusing on coaching parents to understand and navigate the system rather than fostering adversarial relationships with educational institutions. Her offerings, from free resources and workshops to personalized coaching, are tailored to meet families where they are, ensuring that support is not only available but also equitable.  April's work is a testament to her belief that every family deserves to have the knowledge and confidence to secure the best possible educational outcomes for their children, regardless of their location or financial situation. You’ll also appreciate April’s insights into the evolving landscape of IEP meetings, the importance of early and informed advocacy, and the transformative power of approaching educational challenges with a mindset geared towards collaboration and understanding. April's dedication to making a difference, one family at a time, is not only inspiring but also a call to action for anyone involved in the world of special education. For more information on how Rise Educational Advocacy can help your family, visit https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/. Be sure to check out the DIY IEP workshops for LEPs, parents, and teachers interested in making IEPs easier. Follow April and Rise Educational Advocacy on social media at @RiseEdAdvocacy. 

Join Jana for this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast as she welcomes Harmony King of the Key Collective. Listen as Harmony shares how this innovative organization is changing lives by offering first-class, personalized support services that cater to clients with a wide range of needs, including neurodiversity, mental health challenges, and addiction recovery.  The Key Collective offers distinct services, focusing on mentorship, parent-coaching, and companion support to help clients ages 13+ build structure and routine while mastering life skills in their daily lives. You’ll hear firsthand how the Key Collective's services are tailored to foster independence, develop passions, and integrate practical skills into the lives of those they serve. The dedicated mentors and companions at the heart of the Key Collective, whose educational backgrounds and personal experiences uniquely qualify them to offer meaningful support, coordinate with other professionals to provide holistic, client-centered support in this unique program.  This is an impactful episode if you're a parent seeking support for your unique child, a young adult navigating the challenges of independence, or a professional looking for innovative care solutions. The Key Collective's mission to provide meaningful, real-world assistance is changing lives and creating brighter futures. Connect with Key Collective Website: keycollective.com Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast, Jana is joined by Tricia Minarik, a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, and the visionary behind the DBT Center of Silicon Valley.  Tricia welcomes you into her world of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a life-changing approach designed to help adolescents and adults navigate the complexities of high-risk behaviors and emotional dysregulation. You’ll learn all about DBT, how it differs from traditional therapy, and why it might be the key to overcoming challenges related to self-harm, depression, interpersonal difficulties, and more. Tricia provides hypothetical scenarios illustrating how DBT techniques are applied in real-life situations, offering hope and practical solutions for those struggling with high-risk behaviors. Learn about the critical role of family in the adolescent DBT program, fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and learning for both teens and their parents. Discover how the DBT Center of Silicon Valley strives to make therapy accessible, including its approach to scheduling, virtual and in-person sessions, and financial considerations. If you're a parent looking for support for your teen, an adult navigating your own emotional challenges, or a professional seeking to broaden your therapeutic toolkit, Tricia's insights offer a wealth of knowledge and hope. Visit dbtcentersv.com to learn more about how Tricia and her team can guide you to emotional well-being and resilience. Website: https://www.dbtcentersv.com/

Join Jana as she sits down with Polly Fry, an innovative educational therapist and the founder of Kaleidoscope Educational Therapy. Polly shares her transformative journey from concerned parent to pioneering educational therapist offering a unique approach to addressing dyslexia and other learning differences through individualized, evidence-based interventions. You’ll learn about the inception of Polly's practice, its mission, and the symbolism behind its vibrant name. She’ll share her perspectives on the importance of emphasizing intervention in the elementary grades and how she tailors her approach using structured literacy programs like Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell, and Barton Reading. Listen as Polly talks about the significance of networking with clinicians, the value of comprehensive assessments, and the collaborative spirit of Kaleidoscope Educational Therapy in ensuring the best outcomes for children. This episode is a must-list for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the field of educational therapy to gain valuable insights into the specialized world of learning interventions and the transformative power of personalized education.  Visit kaleidoscopeet.com or reach out to [email protected] for more information or to inquire about Polly’s services.

In today's episode, Jana reviews Imagination Lab school. Jana shares her perspective about ILS, asmall but growing independent school, in its first few years of conception. The Head of School is Chris Bezsylko.  ILS is located at the Cubberley Community Center within the Palo Alto School District.  This year they moved into a part of the center where they have access to one very large learning room that has a stage, about the size of a school gym/auditorium, and they have several smaller rooms and their own private bathrooms. This episode is designed to provide information about these schools so that they can make more informed decisions when considering the best educational setting for their child, whether they have unique learning needs or not. For more information or to access our services please do not hesitate to reach out at www.themindbydesign.com and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @themindbydesign.

In today's episode, Jana visits Athena Academy. Jana shares her perspective about Athena Academy, a school in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in teaching students with dyslexia and twice exceptional learners who have strong visual spatial skills. The school takes a holistic approach to teaching with a focus on hands-on projects, small class sizes, and social-emotional learning. The teachers have a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and the school uses the Davis Method and structured word inquiry to teach reading and increase comprehension. The school is not a structured literacy program, and they focus on encouraging students to use their strengths and unique ways of seeing and experiencing the world. They have a process for enrollment and shadowing to ensure that students are a good fit for the environment. This episode is designed to provide information about these schools so that they can make more informed decisions when considering the best educational setting for their child, whether they have unique learning needs or not. For more information or to access our services please do not hesitate to reach out at www.themindbydesign.com and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @themindbydesign.