Riffin' About Life with Brian R. King, MSW

Failed for Having Dyslexia… Then He Changed the System | Riffin With Russell Van Brocklen

What would you do if you gave everything, and still got told it wasn’t enough? In this episode of Riffin’ About Life, Brian sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, whose story starts with a moment that could have ended everything. After completing a high-level government internship, with accommodations approved by the state, Russell was given 15 credits of an A- recommendation. His university changed it to an F. That moment didn’t just change his path, it gave him a mission. Russell went on to do something most people would never attempt: 👉 He forced himself to learn how to read and write in law school… with dyslexia. And what he discovered along the way became the foundation for a system that’s now helping students dramatically improve their reading, writing, and confidence—without years of expensive intervention. This conversation goes deep into how the dyslexic brain actually works… why traditional approaches don’t always help… and how small, structured shifts can unlock massive progress. You’ll also hear real-world results—from students jumping multiple grade levels… to parents implementing this at home with powerful outcomes. And one idea sits at the center of it all: 👉 What if the way we’re teaching… is the real problem? If you’re a parent, educator, or someone who has ever struggled with learning—this episode will challenge what you think you know. * What dyslexia actually looks like in the brain—and why that matters * The moment that pushed Russell to dedicate his life to this work * Why traditional methods can miss how dyslexic students process information * A simple, structured writing method parents can start using immediately * How focusing on a child’s “specialty” changes motivation completely * Why starting small and specific leads to better results than big-picture thinking * Real examples of students making massive progress in months—not years This is about what happens when someone refuses to accept a broken system—and builds a better one. Russell brings a perspective that blends lived experience, science, and practical application—especially for parents who feel like they’ve tried everything. This episode is for: * Parents of children with dyslexia or learning challenges * Educators looking for practical, alternative approaches * Anyone who has felt underestimated or misunderstood in school * People curious about how learning actually works It doesn’t just offer insight. It offers something you can use. * Website: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/ [https://dyslexiaclasses.com/]

Why Motivation Isn’t Coming (And What Actually Gets You Moving) | Riffin With Nicole Tuxbury

What if the reason you’re stuck has nothing to do with motivation? In this episode of Riffin’ About Life, Brian sits down with Nicole Tuxbury—podcaster, author, and systems expert—who breaks down a simple idea that challenges how most people approach productivity: Motivation doesn’t just show up. And if you’ve been waiting for it… that might be exactly why things feel stalled. Nicole shares how she went from juggling ideas, overwhelm, and “I’ll do it later”… to building systems that actually help her follow through—without relying on willpower. This conversation gets practical fast. From washing one dish… to writing one paragraph… to building an entire business from small, repeatable actions you’ll hear how momentum is created, not found. And along the way, one shift stands out: What if you stopped trying to do everything… and just started with one small thing? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re constantly “not doing enough”… this episode will give you a different way to approach it. * Why motivation is often misunderstood (and what to rely on instead) * The difference between inspiration and action—and why it matters * How starting small creates real momentum * Why breaking tasks down changes everything (especially for neurodivergent minds) * The concept of “future you”—and how it can guide better decisions * How to stop overwhelming yourself with big goals * Why giving yourself credit is more important than you think Nicole brings a perspective that replaces pressure with process—showing how small, consistent actions can build something much bigger over time. This episode is for: * Anyone who feels stuck waiting for motivation * People overwhelmed by big goals or long to-do lists * Neurodivergent individuals navigating executive function challenges * Creators, entrepreneurs, and high thinkers with lots of ideas—but trouble executing It doesn’t ask you to do more. It shows you how to start differently. Connect with Nicole: * Free gifts: nicoletuxbury.com/resources [nicoletuxbury.com/resources] * Podcast: https://www.nicoletuxbury.com/podcast [https://www.nicoletuxbury.com/podcast] * Facebook: https://facebook.com/nictuxbury [https://facebook.com/nictuxbury] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/nicole_tuxbury [https://instagram.com/nicole_tuxbury] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@NicoleTuxbury [https://youtube.com/@NicoleTuxbury] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tuxbee01 [https://www.tiktok.com/@tuxbee01] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletuxbury [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletuxbury]

Diagnosed at 50: What Happens When You Finally Understand Your Brain? | Riffin with Tracy King

What would change… if you finally understood why your brain works the way it does? In this episode of Riffin’ About Life, Brian sits down with Tracy King, who spent decades building a career, raising a family, and navigating life—without knowing she was autistic and ADHD. That clarity didn’t come until her early 50s. And when it did, it didn’t just bring relief. It brought questions. Grief. Reframing an entire lifetime of experiences. Tracy shares what it’s like to look back and realize how much of your life was spent adapting, masking, and pushing through, without the language to understand why it felt so hard. But this conversation doesn’t stay in the past. It moves into something more powerful: 👉 What becomes possible when you do understand yourself? From redesigning how she works… to building a business that actually supports how her brain functions… to learning how to communicate needs clearly in relationships; this episode explores what it looks like to stop forcing yourself to fit… and start creating something that fits you. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a better way to live, work, or relate to others—this conversation will give you a lot to think about. * What a late autism and ADHD diagnosis can bring up (beyond relief) * Why masking can make diagnosis—and self-understanding—more complicated * The connection between burnout, hormones, and neurodivergence * How Tracy went from “survival mode 24/7” to designing a sustainable life * Why traditional work structures don’t support every brain * How to communicate needs clearly in relationships (without guilt) * The role of curiosity in self-discovery—and why it matters Tracy brings a perspective that blends personal experience with real-world application—especially when it comes to work, leadership, and creating environments where different brains can thrive. This episode is for: * Adults exploring late diagnoses or self-discovery * Parents of neurodivergent kids * Professionals feeling burned out or out of alignment * Anyone questioning whether the “normal” way of doing things actually works It’s not about fixing yourself. It’s about understanding yourself—then building from there. Connect with Tracy: * Website: https://www.inspired-ed.com/ [https://www.inspired-ed.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracykingceo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracykingceo/]

What If There’s Nothing Wrong With You? Rethinking Sensitivity, Healing & Self-Trust | Riffin About Life with Gazit Chaya Nkosi

What if the traits you’ve been told to “fix”… were never the problem to begin with? In this episode of Riffin’ About Life, Brian sits down with Gazit Chaya Nkosi for a conversation that challenges how we think about sensitivity, mental health, and what it means to live a “normal” life. Gazit shares her journey growing up in a highly rigid, religious environment… navigating trauma, sensory overwhelm, and years of being told she was simply “too much.” But what happens when you stop trying to force yourself into a system that doesn’t fit? This conversation explores what it looks like to rebuild your life from the inside out—learning to trust your nervous system, redefining success on your own terms, and creating a life that actually feels sustainable. You’ll hear how Gazit went from constant overwhelm… to building a deeply intentional, supportive life rooted in self-compassion and radical acceptance. And along the way, one question keeps coming up: What if there’s nothing wrong with you? If you’ve ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or exhausted from trying to keep up, this episode offers a different way to look at it. * Why being labeled “too sensitive” can miss the bigger picture * How understanding your nervous system changes everything * The difference between pushing through vs. actually supporting yourself * What “a life worth living” can look like (without burnout) * How to build a lifestyle that works for you—not against you * Why traditional self-help advice doesn’t work for everyone * A new way to think about success, energy, and capacity This isn’t just a conversation about neurodivergence or trauma, but about stepping outside the expectations we’ve been handed, and asking whether they were ever meant for us in the first place. Gazit offers a perspective that moves away from fixing, toward understanding. From pushing harder… to listening more closely. This episode is for: * Anyone who has ever felt “too sensitive” * People navigating burnout, overwhelm, or chronic stress * Neurodivergent individuals seeking validation and practical insight * Anyone questioning the way they’ve been taught to live It doesn’t promise quick fixes. It offers something more honest than that. Listen now Connect with Gazit: * Website: www.therootedcoop.com [http://www.therootedcoop.com/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therootedcoop [https://www.youtube.com/@therootedcoop] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gazitchayankosi/ [https://www.instagram.com/gazitchayankosi/]

What If Losing Everything Gave You Your Purpose? | Riffin About Life with Laura Bratton

What do you do when your life changes in a way you never saw coming… and there’s no roadmap for what comes next? In this episode of Riffin’ About Life, Brian sits down with Laura Bratton, who began losing her vision as a teenager, gradually, unpredictably, and without answers. What followed wasn’t just a physical adjustment. It was a deep emotional reckoning. Grief. Anxiety. Loss of identity. And moments where it would’ve been easier to give up. But Laura didn’t just “push through.” She learned something most people misunderstand about resilience, and it changed everything. This conversation explores what it really means to have grit (and what it doesn’t mean), how self-compassion can exist alongside pain, and why some of the hardest experiences in life can reveal purpose in ways you don’t expect. You’ll also hear a powerful story from Laura’s work that might completely shift how you think about limitations—and what people are truly capable of. If you’ve ever faced something that felt unfair, overwhelming, or impossible to prepare for, this episode will meet you there. * Why “pushing through” isn’t the same as true resilience * How to navigate grief without losing yourself in it * The role of support—and why it can change everything * A new way to understand self-compassion (that actually works in real life) * How to find meaning inside experiences you never would have chosen * Why your hardest moments might reveal something you didn’t know was there Laura’s perspective challenges the idea that strength means ignoring pain… and replaces it with something far more honest—and sustainable. * Website: laurabratton.com