Episodes

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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 ...

This episode of the Dear Dyslexic podcast explores how feedback and workplace practices can impact neurodivergent people, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, particularly when feedback feels overly critical or triggering due to past experiences. The conversation focuses on the role of great leadership in giving feedback privately and safely, discussing practical adjustments like changing red markup colors and reframing “feedback” as “advice.” It also covers how constant check-ins ca...

Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces for Neurodivergent Teams In this episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, Dr Shae welcomes Ben Walkenhorst from BW Communications for a conversation about creating neurodiversity-inclusive workplaces through psychological safety, effective leadership and thoughtful workplace design. Drawing on his leadership experience across government, private and not-for-profit sectors, Ben explains what psychological safety looks like in practice and why it is becoming a...

In this episode, Dr Shae from the Dear Dyslexic Podcast welcomes Ben Walkenhorst, consultant at BW Communications, to explore psychosocial hazards in the workplace, psychological safety, and what organisations can do to create environments where people feel safe to be themselves. With more than 20 years of experience across government, private and not-for-profit sectors, Ben shares insights from his leadership career and discusses why psychosocial hazards are becoming an increasingly important w...

Recorded as a podcast for International Women’s Day, this panel hosted by Dr Shae brings together Nicci Richman, Dr Kim Gordon, and Dr Annalisa Contos, to share experiences of late diagnosis (ADHD, autism, dyslexia/dysgraphia) and how it reshaped identity, self-compassion, and career trajectories. The discussion links perimenopause/menopause to reduced capacity to mask, emotional peaks and troughs, and grief over missed support and opportunities. Panelists describe the invisible load of masking,...

In this special in-studio episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, Dr Shae welcomes Dr Kim Percy and UK-based researcher Dr Helen Ross for a conversation about dyslexia, neurodivergence and the challenges many people face during key life transitions. Drawing on her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Helen discusses how moving from school to university, training or employment can be a particularly vulnerable time for neurodivergent people. She highlights the impact of long assessment waitli...

In this powerful episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, host Dr Shae Wissell sits down with Brad Beach, Director of Strategy, Quality and Learning at TAFE Gippsland, to explore dyslexia and neurodivergence in vocational education. Brad shares his personal journey as a dyslexic student—from struggling in remedial reading classes to accidentally getting into Melbourne University and eventually leading educational innovation. His story highlights the transformative power of educator belief, referen...

Ever wondered why speech pathologists are unsung heroes in the world of dyslexia? In this eye-opening episode of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast, we dive deep into the fundamentals of dyslexia, bust myths about assessments, and explore how early intervention can transform lives—plus, practical tips for navigating co-occurring challenges like ADHD and dysgraphia. Joining us is Elise Cassidy, a passionate speech pathologist and founder of Code Read Network, a leading organization dedicated to raising dy...

For years, I thought I was just busy. Running a podcast, a charity, doing my doctorate, working full-time, raising a child - that's just life, right? But when I was diagnosed with combined ADHD (moderate to severe) in my 40s, everything finally made sense. In this deeply personal episode, I'm stepping away from our usual dyslexia focus to share my own ADHD diagnosis journey - the signs I missed for decades, the internal chaos I thought was normal, and why getting help changed everything. What I ...

Welcome to a new chapter of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. In this special launch video, Dr Shae Wissell shares how the show is evolving to bring stories of dyslexia, ADHD, and neurodiversity to life through video as well as audio. The podcast has always been about real lived experience, honest conversations, and reshaping the way society understands and supports neurodivergent adults. Now you can watch as well as listen — connecting even more deeply with the people and stories that matter. Subscrib...

Dr. Erin Lalor AM joins us in this episode to explore the complexities of neurodivergence and substance use, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of these experiences. Drawing on her extensive background in clinical psychology and research, Dr. Lalor delves into personal insights, societal stigma, and evidence-based approaches to supporting neurodivergent individuals living with substance use challenges.

Have you ever felt the weight of navigating a world that doesn’t quite understand the unique challenges of neurodivergence? In this heartfelt episode, Shae sits down with Derek McCormack from the Raising Children Network. Derek shares what it’s been like parenting neurodivergent children, navigating complex emotions, diagnoses, and shifting perspectives. From exploring emotional load to advocating in school systems, Derek’s insights are real, relatable, and deeply needed.

Have you ever felt like you were navigating a world that just didn't understand you? In this powerful episode, we're joined by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson to explore the rich landscape of neurodivergence - from late diagnoses to celebrating neurodivergent identity. Monique brings a rare perspective as both a psychologist and someone with lived experience of autism and ADHD. Based in Brisbane, Australia, she's become a leading voice in neurodiversity advocacy through her clinical wor...

What happens when a dyslexic woman who was told she’d "never be anything" becomes a trailblazing leader in disability inclusion? In this raw and powerful episode, Saraya O’Connell from Hotel Etico—Australia’s first social enterprise hotel—opens up for the first time about her dyslexia, ADHD, and how she turned workplace struggles into superpowers. Saraya is the General Manager of Hotel Etico, a groundbreaking not-for-profit hotel in the Blue Mountains that trains and employs young adults with di...

Ever felt like your brain just works differently — and wished technology could meet you halfway? In this empowering solo episode, Dr Shae Wissell shares why AI has become a game-changer for dyslexics and other neurodivergent minds, offering practical ways to turn daily challenges into new superpowers. In today’s episode, Dr Shae Wissell, researcher, advocate, and proud dyslexic and dysgraphic, dives deep into how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way neurodivergent individuals wor...

In a world where disability often gets lost in the noise of bureaucracy, how do we ensure that every voice is heard? In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Peter Smith, the Director and Founder of the Center for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP). With over 15 years of experience in the field, Peter has dedicated his career to improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. His journey began at Sydney University, where he recognised the lack of focus on dis...

We are joined in this episode by Dr. Annalisa, the founder of Atom Consulting, a company dedicated to helping water utilities manage their risks, particularly in water quality. With a rich background in consulting and a personal journey through neurodiversity, Annalisa has become a passionate advocate for individuals with learning differences. After her elder son was diagnosed with autism, she pursued her own diagnosis of ADHD in her 40s, leading her to a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. ...

Did you know that most research on dyslexia focuses on children, leaving a massive gap in understanding how it impacts adults—especially in professional settings? In this episode of the Dear Dyslexia Podcast, host Dr. Shae Wissell dives into her groundbreaking research on the challenges faced by dyslexic adults in the workplace. She sheds light on the barriers they encounter, from stigma and lack of support to the often-overlooked emotional toll of navigating a world designed for neurotypical in...

Get ready for an eye-opening episode of the Dear Dyslexic! This week, we dive into the world of inclusive business practices and the remarkable journey of a powerhouse in the automotive industry. In this episode of the Dear Dyslexic podcast, host Dr Shae Wissell sits down with Raffy, a dynamic leader in the automotive industry and a passionate advocate for inclusive business practices. Raffy has been a trailblazer in her field for over 20 years, running a successful auto mechanic business with h...