Unlocking Unique Minds Podcast
Listen to the podcast below!
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Featured Episodes
New Directions in ADHD Intervention
Bill McCarthy speaks with Dr. Gregory Fabiano, prominent clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor of Psychology at Florida International University. His interests are in evidence-based assessments and treatments for children with ADHD. Bill and Dr. Fabiano discuss changing demands of children, behavioral interventions for children with attentional variation, and how to support your child at home and in school.
The State of Special Education in the US
Head of Hamilton, Bill McCarthy talks with Dr. Jackie Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. For 50 years, NCLD has been at the forefront of the disability rights movement and focuses its work on improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. Their work includes research, programming for families and educators, empowering children and families, and advocating for children with learning differences.
A Parent’s Journey in Supporting her Child
Head of Hamilton, Bill McCarthy meets with Amy Mackin (writer, researcher, advocate, and parent) about her powerful memoir, Henry’s Classroom. Amy shares her wisdom and experience in supporting a child with dyslexia through a unique lens, that as a mother whose professional work surrounds the intersection of education, cultural history, public policy, and social equity. Amy is a passionate advocate for neuro-inclusive schools and work places and is deeply interested in relationships between educational access, disability, and economic status.
Navigating Changes in the US Educational System
Head of Hamilton, Bill McCarthy sits down with educational advocate Christine Levy about navigating the rapid changes occurring at many levels within our educational system. Christine discusses how changes at the federal, state, and town level have had profound impacts on children receiving special education services. Christine addresses some of the instability and inconsistency in the current education system and makes recommendations on navigating the process of getting a child needed support.
History of the Podcast
In 2018, the Hamilton Institute launched its podcast. Initially titled, “Talking Dyslexia,” it was hosted by Jenifer Harrison and Wendy Harsfield, both parents of daughters at Hamilton, both of whom have a dyslexia diagnosis. Jen and Wendy, both with Masters in Special Education, had experienced the often frustrating and overwhelming road of getting their children the needed support. The generation of this podcast came from their desire to help other parents, particularly those navigating the journey of supporting a child with dyslexia.
Since the podcast’s inception, it has taken a few different shapes. While Jen and Wendy created content with a focus on dyslexia, it has morphed into a discussion of learning differences more broadly, and the role of host has changed over time with different members of the Hamilton community leading the charge. Of late, Head of Hamilton School, Bill McCarthy has taken the lead.
Changing the Name of the Podcast
With episodes covering a wider range of learning differences and related topics, the Hamilton Institute has opted to change the name of the podcast to “Unlocking Unique Minds.” This better captures the mission of the podcast, which is to share knowledge with caregivers and educators in an effort to best understand and better support children with a wide variety of learning differences, including but not limited to dyslexia.
Special Guests
In a few episodes, former Head of Hamilton, Jon Green, took the microphone, leading a series of discussions with Wheeler’s consulting psychologist, Dr. Rick Solomon. These recordings, made during the height of the Covid pandemic, are still highly relevant. There have been student-led episodes, too, covering topics such as misconceptions about dyslexia and the importance of neurodiversity.