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The biggest problem in schools isn’t disengagement—it’s relevance. We sit down with education leader and author Lisa Riegel to unpack NeuroWell, a practical framework that aligns brain science with daily classroom life so students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn. From belonging cues to behavior de-escalation, Lisa shows why culture design is the hidden lever for academic gains and healthier staff.

We explore how to build a true learning community: clear norms, student roles, shared rituals, and goal setting that give every learner purpose. Lisa explains emotional and intellectual safety—why routines, predictable feedback, and strengths-based language regulate nervous systems and unlock attention. We also talk inclusion that works for neurodivergent students by matching roles to strengths and creating frequent, low-stakes social practice through short “learning sprints” and positivity prompts.

Then we tackle technology and AI with nuance. Phones off can help, but the deeper fix is designing work that matters. If a chatbot can do the task, the task needs to change. Lisa shares ways to assess thinking, collaboration, and iteration by observing process, not just products, and how leaders can define graduate skills—critical thinking, empathy, communication—and backward map adult practices that reliably grow them. With teacher burnout high, we highlight how leadership culture, clear outputs, and consistent measures make change stick.

If you care about safer classrooms, stronger relationships, and lessons students remember because they matter, this conversation offers field-tested moves you can use tomorrow. Check out Lisa’s book NeuroWell on Amazon and connect with her via LinkedIN for workshops, book studies, or coaching. In addition, Lisa is also has her new book Aspirations to Operations: A leader's guide to making transformative change stick available on Amazon.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/

https://www.amazon.com/Aspirations-Operations-leaders-making-transformative/

https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more educators find the show. What’s one ritual you’ll add to boost belonging this week?

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What if the story you were told about yourself was the wrong one—and the right words finally set you free? We sit down with Christopher Carrazas who was diagnosed autistic at 35, to unpack a life of masking, sensory overload, and the everyday math of trying to pass as “fine.” The moment his assessment named what he’d carried for decades, the static quieted. Relief wasn’t a cure; it was a compass.

Chris talks candidly about stigma inside his marriage, how repeated contempt can program shame that ultimately led him to believe that he didn't belong on Earth anymore. Chris's marriage eventually ended. Upon healing and reflection, Chris was able to understand and reason why “selfish” isn’t a useful frame for suicide. Most importantly, Chris was able to learn to embrace having autism and was able to find the love he always deserved. Chris spoke about meeting Katie who saw Chris FOR HIMSELF! Through Katie's unconditional acceptance of Chris, was it possible for Chris to finally see himself for the amazing individual he is.

That love, and the grief that followed, sparked his memoir, Now That I’m Still Here, a raw account of survival, recovery, and reclaiming self.

We also spotlight Chris’s other lane: building better ways to measure social impact. Tired of vanity metrics like “people reached,” he created models that translate outcomes into financial terms, making social return on investment tangible for education and inclusion programs. It’s a clear example of autistic strengths—pattern recognition, systems thinking, stubborn curiosity—turning complexity into clarity. He shares practical resources, his Substack on grief and masking, and a giving campaign that ties book sales to suicide prevention, autism advocacy, and eating disorder support in honor of Katie.

If you’ve ever felt reduced to a label, or if you work in education, mental health, or social impact and want better tools, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Subscribe to stay with us as we keep lifting up voices across the neurodiversity spectrum.

To learn more about Chris and his book, please see these links below:

https://chriscarazas.com/books/chris-carazas-dot-com/9999999999999

https://ccarazas.substack.com/

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A confusing label, years without sleep, and a son who couldn’t speak—then a letter board changed everything. We sit down with creative entrepreneur and advocate Neil Rogers to explore how a family built a sustainable framework—inspired by Positive ActivityTM (developed by Neil and his wife Lori set to help people professionally and personally) in order stay clear, resilient, and inventive while raising an adult son with profound autism. From gratitude journaling and exercise to practical diet changes and sensory integration, Neil shares the specific choices that improved sleep, reduced frustration, and opened space for learning.

The turning point came with Spelling to Communicate. Once Craig had a reliable motor path to point and type, his intelligence, heart, emotions, and intellectual thinking rushed forward—defining DNA on the spot, recognizing Muhammad Ali and the fact Cassius Clay was his name at birth, and sharing deep thoughts of people coming together as one instead of picking people apart. That voice unlocked autonomy. Craig has a desire to achieve higher aspirations and moves at his own pace. We talk about collaborating with schools especially when budgets fell short, and why respecting a person’s pace leads to better outcomes than pushing through.

We also zoom out to challenge old stereotypes and highlight where hope is rising. Assistive tech—from advanced robotics to brain-computer interfaces—could soon scale care and communication.

If you care for a nonspeaking person, work in education or therapy, or just believe every human deserves a voice, this story offers a practical, humane roadmap you can start using today.

To learn more about Neil and Lori, please visit https://www.positiveactivity.net/. Neil is the author of "Bar Tips" -Everything I Needed to Know in Sales I Learned Behind the Bar. Neil is coming out with another book "Navigating the Special Needs World with Positive Activity."

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