Dyslexics Wanted

Today we introduce you to yet another creative person who despite having dyslexia has forged a lifetime of success.  Meet David Hemenway, founder and host of The Angel Nest Podcast, which focuses on how entrepreneurs partner with investors to build great companies. David is himself an Investor (member New York Angels), entrepreneur, board level advisor and sales and marketing consultant with extensive experience building brands, creating and implementing sales and marketing strategies. After bootstrapping three businesses to successful exits, he now work with startups and established businesses to raise equity financing and build revenue. He is also the creator of The Persuase Sales and Marketing Training Program for Entrepreneurs, Professionals and Fund Raisers, and has served as an adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City and at Curry College in Milton Massachusetts, where Dr. Webb established the PAL Program decades ago.   David is currently where I a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of The Development Committee at the College.  From the business world to broadcasting, David is someone we can all admire! If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Today we welcome a young special needs teacher from the U.K. who is actively helping students with dyslexia.  Lauren Hazel grew up in Germany in an English/German bilingual household.  She herself has dealt successfully with dyslexia.  Lauren went to England for university and upon graduating and making it through the Covid pandemic, she became a primary school teacher who then trained as a literacy deficit specialist with the British Dyslexia Association.  She is now a Dyslexia Assessor and is currently finishing a masters program focusing on dyslexia in multilingual learners and how teachers can manage this in their classrooms. Lauren is a superb teacher with the intelligence, energy and enthusiasm to help children learn and grow! If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Scarlett Hawkins is a high school student at a local private institution who has put into words in her poem “Dyslexia,” just what it feels like to be dyslexic and how she and others learn to work with it and overcome any challenge.  The poem has been read and enjoyed by many.  It is inspiring and educational, a testament to Scarlett’s courage and creativity!

John Rinaldo is a passionate writer who shares his love for writing through published books and daily inspirational stories on Substack. John use these platforms to offer insights and experiences about life purpose and intentions.  He has dealt with his dyslexia successfully and seen a career as a writer blossom.  Here we discuss a personal memoir about growing up with dyslexia, facing the challenges and learning from  is experience.  The book is entitled, “Dancing Letters: A Boy’s Journey Through Words and Strength.”

Today we welcome author/educator/illustrator Irene Buchine. Her impactful book for children and adults is entitled, “Celia and the Little Boy.”  It is the story of two children trapped in the darkness of depression, and what it took to find their way out. From struggling with dyslexia to raising a child with depression, Irene knows what it feels like to be unseen, marginalized and helpless.  She hopes her book offers hope and encouragement to children and their families.  Judging by the positive response from readers, her work is making a difference! If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Today we welcome Judge Gustavo Gelpi, appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in October, 2021. Our podcast is a personal account of  a young college student who received much from one of this country’s pioneers in helping students with learning disabilities. Born in Puerto Rico, Gustavo received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. There he met and spent considerable time with Dr. Gertrude Webb, her husband Chet and their children. Judge Gelpi  has gone on to have a stellar career as a jurist and credits  much of his success to the kindness and mentorship of the Webb family. If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Today we welcome Dr. Phil Hulbig, who  has thirty years of experience teaching students who present with neurological uniqueness. He has developed and designed specialized metacognitive programs for students in various public school settings. He also works as an advocate, crisis intervention specialist, tutor, social skills coach, and skateboarding instructor. He was certified a NCLB highly qualified teacher in the four main subject areas at the middle and elementary levels. Since 2016, he has been a professor at PAL and an adjunct faculty in the Graduate School of Education at Lesley University.    Dr. Hulbig has a lot to say about the learning process and how it can be improved. If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

We’re proud to spotlight John Rinaldo, who as he admits, “has this thing called Dyslexia.”  Growing up in Canada, John struggled in school for many years until he finally got the help he needed to move forward in life. One of his ambitions was to write and publish a book,  something John and those who knew him once thought to be impossible.  But hard work, determination and resilience propelled him forward and his dream has become a reality.  The book is now available for sale on Amazon and John is donating proceeds from the Audible sales to help children with Dyslexia.     His book is entitled  Surviving Covid 19: Being Alone was the Best Covid 19 Medicine.  John has a hopeful story and is thrilled to share it with listeners to his podcast from around the globe. If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Today we invite you to enjoy a conversation with an expert in the art of communication.  Jordan welcomes Rebecca Rolland, EdD to discuss her wonderfully instructive new book The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids. Rebeca is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and serves on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. There are significant applications for helping children with dyslexia and other learning challenges as we learn to better communicate while fostering relationships with less conflict and stress and more kindness. If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.

Jordan invites a super fun guest to the podcast, sci-fi writer R.S. Mellette.   R.S. shares his personal story of coping with dyslexia and overcoming it to successfully work on the hit television show Xena: Warrior Princess.  He has taken his experience in the TV and film industries to craft a female-led YA (young adult) sci-fi novel sure to captivate readers of all ages.  It is a space opera entitled, Kiya and the Morian Treasure  and the reviews from fans and critics have been impressive.  R.S. is a prime example of the creative force so alive in people with dyslexia.  We are thrilled to highlight him today on the podcast! If you have a story worth sharing on this podcast, write to [email protected]. If you’d like to discover ways to support and become involved with the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia, please visit our website at dyslexicswanted.org.