Dear Dyslexic Podcast
Welcome to the Dear Dyslexic Podcast Series. These podcasts share stories of the lived experiences of people who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities, as well as those who care for, live and or work with us.
Shae Wissell the creator of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast Series states "I wanted to u...
Recent Episodes
July 24, 2026
Ep.88 Part 1 | Flexibility at work - A Deep Dive with Nick Nagzam
The office is not always the most supportive place to work. In Part 1 of this Deep Dive series, host Dr Shae speaks with Nick Nagzam about his work and his podcast, The Inclusive Shift, and his journey into advocating for neurodiversity inclusion at work after his two sons were diagnosed (autism with a PDA profile and ADHD, and ADHD). Nick shares how he founded a neurodiversity resource group at his workplace, partners with the DEI team to promote awareness days and fundraising events, and aims
87
July 11, 2026
Ep 87. FULL EPISODE | Unpacking Dyscalculia - A Conversation with Michael Shanahan
What if struggling with numbers wasn't just about being "bad at maths"? In this episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, Dr Shae is joined by Michael from Dyscastia, an intervention tutor and advocate with lived experience of dyslexia and dyscalculia. Together, they explore the often-misunderstood learning difference of dyscalculia and discuss why awareness remains so low compared to other neurodivergent profiles. Michael shares his personal journey and professional insights, explaining how dyscalc
5
July 4, 2026
87: Part 3 Rethinking Maths, Dyscalculia & Confidence: Scaffolding, Practice, and Practical Tools
Rethinking Maths, Dyscalculia & Confidence: Scaffolding, Practice, and Practical Tool In part 3 of our latest episode DR Shae and Michael focus on lived experiences of dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions and explore maths anxiety, shame, and the lasting trauma of school experiences such as being discouraged from using fingers. The conversation reframes “not being good at maths” as a difficulty that can improve with time, patient step-by-step scaffolding, and regular practice, noting mat
87
June 28, 2026
87: Part 2 Dyscalculia Explained: Number Sense, Time Blindness, and Building Confidence with Practical Strategies
In our just released Part 2 of Ep 87 Dyscalculia Explained: Number Sense, Time Blindness, and Building Confidence with Practical Strategies, Dr Shae Marie Wisszell on the Dear Dyslexic Podcast sits down with Michael Shanaha to explore dyscalculia and why it is often invisible due to low awareness, even among maths teachers. Michael explains dyscalculia as a core difficulty with basic number sense (value, bigger/ smaller, numerosity), distinct from maths anxiety, working memory limitations, or pr
87
June 21, 2026
87: Part 1 Dyslexia, Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia Explained (The 3 Dys) | Dr Shae Wissell & Michael Shanahan from Dyscastia
In this episode of Dr Shae and the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, our host Shae,welcomes Michael from the podcast Dyscastia to discuss dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and why there aren’t enough conversations about these learning difficulties. Michael explains his view on labels, using “disability” for official funding and support contexts and preferring “difficulty” personally, while questioning the term “difference.” He shares his work as an intervention tutor supporting children with dyslexia,
86
May 28, 2026
86: Full Episode Navigating Psychosocial Safety in Neurodivergent Workplaces with Ben Walkenhorst
In this Dear Dyslexic podcast episode, Dr Shae speaks with consultant and leader Ben Walkenhorst about psychosocial hazards and how to create psychologically safe workplaces, especially for neurodivergent people. Ben shares his background (20+ years’ experience across sectors and leading teams up to 200) and his lived experience of dyslexia, including an auditory component and visual stress helped by Irlen lenses, which he says transformed his learning outcomes. He explains psychological safety