Living a Life by Design Instead of Autopilot

Dyslexic Kids Are Specialists, Not Generalists: Building Confidence Beyond the Classroom

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with dyslexia coach Russell Van Brocklen for a fascinating conversation that challenges everything most people think they know about dyslexia, reading, intelligence, and learning. Russell shares his remarkable personal journey from having a first-grade reading and writing level in college to attending law school, conducting dyslexia research, and developing a system that has helped students dramatically improve their reading and writing skills. Russell opens up about the discrimination and obstacles he faced throughout his education, including a pivotal experience during a prestigious New York State Assembly internship that ultimately changed the course of his life. Rather than accepting the limitations others placed on him, he became determined to understand dyslexia for himself and help other students avoid the same struggles. His journey eventually led him through law school, educational research, and the development of a unique approach to literacy that focuses on writing as the pathway to reading improvement. Adam and Russell dive into the misconceptions surrounding dyslexia, the relationship between intelligence and reading ability, and why many highly capable students are often misunderstood in traditional educational settings. Russell explains how his methods have helped students make dramatic academic gains and why he believes many current approaches to dyslexia intervention overlook the underlying problem. The conversation also explores the role of motivation, confidence, and technology in modern education. Russell shares how artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have transformed the way he works, allowing him to overcome challenges that once required enormous amounts of time and effort. Together, Adam and Russell discuss learning differences, educational reform, and what parents can do when they feel their child is falling behind in school. If you’ve ever wondered what dyslexia really is, how struggling readers can thrive, or why some of the smartest people struggle in traditional classrooms, this episode offers a powerful perspective on learning, resilience, and unlocking potential. Get Russell's free guide and learn more about his approach to dyslexia intervention and literacy development: https://mailchi.mp/dcacd9a6f9ae/3-reasons-ebook [https://mailchi.mp/dcacd9a6f9ae/3-reasons-ebook] Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc] Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/] Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast] Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/actoutpodcast/] & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@actoutpodcast] Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise [https://www.instagram.com/taradiiiise/] and @‌tarayakisauce [https://www.tiktok.com/@tarayakisauce]

Living a Life by Design Instead of Autopilot

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with psychologist and women’s coach Dr. Wendy O’Connor for a relatable and eye-opening conversation about burnout, fulfillment, motherhood, and the pressure so many women feel to “have it all together.” What starts as a discussion about psychology and coaching quickly becomes a deeper exploration of happiness, identity, and why success on paper doesn’t always translate into feeling fulfilled in real life. Dr. Wendy shares how becoming a mother of three—including twins born just 15 months after her first daughter—completely shifted the way she viewed stress, balance, and personal fulfillment. Despite having a successful career, a loving family, and everything she thought she was “supposed” to want, she found herself asking a question many women quietly struggle with: “Is this really as good as it gets?” That experience ultimately led her into the world of positive psychology and coaching women through burnout, overwhelm, and the feeling of losing themselves while trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations. Adam and Dr. Wendy dive into the science of happiness, the danger of living life on autopilot, and how many people spend years simply checking boxes instead of intentionally building lives that genuinely excite them. Together, they unpack the mental load women often carry, why burnout can happen even in lives we’re grateful for, and how redefining success can completely change the way we experience everyday life. The conversation also explores intentional living, emotional fulfillment, motherhood, relationships, and why so many people struggle to prioritize themselves without guilt. Dr. Wendy explains how small shifts in mindset, routines, and self-awareness can help people reconnect with joy instead of constantly operating in survival mode. If you’ve ever felt burned out despite doing “all the right things,” struggled to balance ambition with fulfillment, or wondered why success doesn’t always feel satisfying, this episode offers a thoughtful and empowering perspective on creating a life that actually lights you up. Learn more about Dr. Wendy O’Connor: https://www.drwendyoconnor.com/monthly-reflection-goal-setting-worksheet [https://www.drwendyoconnor.com/monthly-reflection-goal-setting-worksheet] Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc] Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/] Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast] Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

How Real Change Happens Without Force or Shame: The Truth About Trauma Responses

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with trauma therapist Trisha Wolfe for a fascinating and deeply relatable conversation about the brain, childhood trauma, emotional survival strategies, and why so many people intellectualize their feelings instead of actually processing them. What starts as a discussion about brain development quickly turns into an eye-opening look at how our earliest experiences shape the way we think, connect, regulate emotions, and navigate relationships throughout our lives. Trisha breaks down how the brain develops from infancy, explaining how early attachment, emotional connection, and unmet needs create the neural pathways that shape our sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. Adam and Trisha explore how coping mechanisms that once protected us as children—like overthinking, analyzing other people’s behavior, or shutting down emotionally—can later become barriers to vulnerability, healing, and authentic connection. The conversation also dives into trauma responses, nervous system regulation, emotional avoidance, and the difference between understanding emotions intellectually versus actually feeling them. Trisha shares insights from both her professional work as a trauma therapist and her own lived experience as a “recovering intellectualizer,” helping explain why so many people stay stuck in cycles of anxiety, hyper-awareness, people-pleasing, or emotional detachment without realizing where those patterns began. Adam and Trisha also unpack the importance of safe relationships, emotional attunement, and how healing often starts by recognizing the unconscious beliefs we formed as children. Together, they challenge the idea that healing is about “fixing” yourself and instead frame it as learning how to reconnect with your emotions, nervous system, and sense of safety in the world. If you’ve ever wondered why you react the way you do, struggle to fully feel your emotions, or find yourself constantly trying to “logic” your way out of pain, this episode offers a powerful and accessible look at how trauma shapes the brain—and what healing can actually look like. Learn more about Trisha Wolfe here [https://www.cbustherapy.com/]. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc] Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/] Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast] Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/actoutpodcast/] & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@actoutpodcast] Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise [https://www.instagram.com/taradiiiise/] and @‌tarayakisauce [https://www.tiktok.com/@tarayakisauce]

Pregnancy, Politics and Public Perception: The Double Standards Women Face in Politics

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Lisa Vedernikova Khanna for a compelling conversation about politics, identity, motherhood, and what it’s like running for office while pregnant. Lisa shares her journey from growing up in Russia to building a life in the United States, eventually stepping into the political arena and discovering firsthand how difficult it can be to balance public expectations, personal ambition, and family life all at once. Adam and Lisa dive into her campaign experience, including the reactions she received while running for office during pregnancy and the unique challenges women—especially mothers—often face in politics. Lisa opens up about navigating stereotypes, managing public perception, and why pregnancy unexpectedly became one of the biggest talking points of her campaign. Together, they explore the broader cultural expectations placed on women in leadership and how those expectations shape the way candidates are viewed by voters and the media. The conversation also explores Lisa’s perspective as an immigrant from Russia and how her background shaped the way she views politics, opportunity, and civic engagement in America. Adam and Lisa discuss the emotional complexity of adapting to a new culture while still holding onto parts of your identity, as well as the importance of having more nuanced, human conversations around politics instead of reducing people to labels or headlines. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to run for office as a woman, how motherhood impacts political careers, or how cultural identity shapes the way we engage with politics and community, this episode offers an honest and thought-provoking perspective on leadership, resilience, and authenticity. Learn more about Lisa Vedernikova Khanna here [https://www.lvk.vote/]. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc] Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/] Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast] Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/actoutpodcast/] & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@actoutpodcast] Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise [https://www.instagram.com/taradiiiise/] and @‌tarayakisauce [https://www.tiktok.com/@tarayakisauce]

Navigating Identity, Culture & Resilience: A Powerful Iranian Immigrant Story

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Zolal Habibi for a powerful and insightful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to navigate life between cultures. Zolal shares her personal story of growing up as an Iranian refugee, offering a raw and honest look at the challenges of displacement, cultural expectations, and finding your place in the world. Adam and Zolal dive into the complexities of balancing tradition with individuality—especially as a woman navigating both personal ambition and cultural norms. Zolal opens up about the pressure to meet expectations, the fear that can come with stepping outside of them, and how she’s learned to define success on her own terms. Together, they explore how identity is shaped not just by where you come from, but by the choices you make along the way. The conversation also highlights the strength that comes from adversity, the importance of storytelling, and how sharing lived experiences can create connection and understanding across cultures. Zolal reflects on the moments that shaped her perspective, the lessons she’s carried forward, and why embracing your voice—no matter how uncomfortable it may feel—is one of the most powerful things you can do. If you’ve ever struggled with identity, felt caught between expectations and authenticity, or want to better understand the immigrant experience and the resilience behind it, this episode offers a meaningful and thought-provoking perspective. Learn more about Zolal Habibi: * FB: https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/ [https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/ [https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/] * X (Twitter): https://x.com/ashrafi4ever [https://x.com/ashrafi4ever] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi] Links about the Iranian Resistance: * National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI): https://www.ncr-iran.org/ [https://www.ncr-iran.org/] * Maryam Rajavi – 4 Change: https://maryamrajavi4change.com/ [https://maryamrajavi4change.com/] * Iran Freedom: https://iranfreedom.org/ [https://iranfreedom.org/] * Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC): https://oiac.org/ [https://oiac.org/] Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc] Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/] Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast] Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/actoutpodcast/] & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@actoutpodcast] Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise [https://www.instagram.com/taradiiiise/] and @‌tarayakisauce [https://www.tiktok.com/@tarayakisauce]