EF This!

Showing Up for Your Kid Through the College Search Process (Without Losing Your Mind)

Erin and Nancy sit down with Deb—an expert in the field (because she’s living it in real time), navigating the college search and application process with her senior son. From the early pressure that starts way too soon (hello, middle school) to the very real executive function demands of junior and senior year, Deb shares what this process actually looked like day to day—researching schools, managing deadlines, starting essays, and figuring it out as they went. We talk about what helped, what felt hard, and how to support your teen without taking over—especially when overwhelm and “I don’t know” show up. You’ll hear why starting early matters, how giving your teen a clear mission can shift everything, and why looking at essay topics sooner than you think is a game-changer. We also dig into the bigger picture—modeling balance, keeping an open mind about “fit,” and remembering this is your child’s journey (even when you have opinions… and you will). If you’re about to embark on this search and application journey, this one’s for you. Learn more about Nancy [https://www.changewithnancy.com] Learn more about Erin [https://effectiveschooling.com]

Same Goal, Different Tools: Exploring Therapy and Executive Function Coaching

This isn’t a “which is better?” episode. It’s a “what do I need right now?” conversation. In this episode of EFThis!, Erin and Nancy break down the real differences—and powerful overlap—between therapy and executive function coaching. Not from a competitive lens, but from a compassionate one. We talk about how therapy often helps people heal, process, and understand—while coaching helps people build skills, create systems, and turn insight into action. Because knowing why something is hard doesn’t always make it easier to do the thing—especially for neurodivergent brains. Whether you’re a parent, student, or adult wondering which support makes sense (or if it might actually be both), this episode gives you language, clarity, and permission to choose support without shame. Growth isn’t linear. Support doesn’t have to be singular. Nancy [https://www.apostrophesolution.com] Erin [https://effectiveschooling.com]

Meaning Over Madness: Presence Over Presents

Are your holiday plans full of genuine intentions—or just a desperate game of “hoping for the best”? Erin and Nancy dive into how to choose presence over presents, share your light without turning into a burnout ornament, and survive the pressure to create “perfect” holiday magic. They joke (and groan) about saying no to obligations, resisting the urge to do all the things, and remembering that no amount of money can buy a single minute of time. If you need permission to skip a few events, start a silly new tradition, or just breathe through the chaos, this episode has you covered—laughs included. Nancy [https://www.apostrophesolution.com] Erin [https://effectiveschooling.com]

Small Thanks, Big Shifts: Building a Gratitude Practice That Sticks

In this episode, Erin and Nancy explore how small moments of gratitude can create big shifts in self-awareness, emotional regulation, and daily focus—especially for neurodiverse brains. They share funny, honest stories from their own attempts at starting (and restarting) gratitude practices, from abandoned journals to unexpected “gratitude wins” that showed up in the most ordinary places. You’ll learn why gratitude is more than a feel-good idea: it’s a powerful executive function tool that helps you pause, notice what’s working, and build more intention into your day. And don’t worry—this isn’t about perfection. It’s about simple, doable steps that make gratitude stick. If you’ve wanted to start a gratitude practice but weren’t sure where to begin, this warm and relatable conversation will help you take the first small step toward a big shift. Nancy [https://www.apostrophesolution.com] Erin [https://effectiveschooling.com]

Clutter, Chaos, and Categorically Caroline

Ever wonder what an English teacher-turned-professional organizer sees when she walks into a room full of doom piles and emotional clutter? Spoiler alert: it’s not just about the mess. In this episode, we chat with the fabulous Caroline from Categorically Caroline about her journey from the classroom to the chaos—aka the beautifully unpredictable world of executive function and organizing support. We cover everything from why clutter isn’t just “stuff” (hello, emotional baggage), to how Caroline helps families ditch perfectionism and start building habits that actually stick. She shares her favorite first steps for overwhelmed families, her take on what success really looks like… …and reminds us all that progress doesn’t require color-coded bins, just a willingness to start somewhere—even if that somewhere is next to a pile of unmatched socks and last year’s science fair project. If you’ve ever felt like your space is working against your brain, this one’s for you. Tune in, laugh a little, and maybe even get inspired to tackle that one corner you’ve been side-eyeing for months. Learn more about Caroline [https://www.categoricallycaroline.com] Nancy [https://www.apostrophesolution.com] Erin [https://effectiveschooling.com]