Math Therapy

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Today's episode is about storytelling. So much of our self-worth and perceived ability come from internal narratives that have been shaped by stories we've either been told or that we tell ourselves - but we have the power to change them! Gorav Menon joins Vanessa to discuss the impact these stories have on our lives, and offers three simple steps to take control of them and unlock our full potential - both in and out of the classroom. They cover topics like: About Gorav: (LinkedIn) Gorav Menon is a tech strategist and co-host of Linen Suit & Plastic Tie, a podcast that explores the power of storytelling in all corners of our lives. Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Everyone’s always ranting and raving about why student math scores are dropping, but are they focusing on the wrong reasons? In today's episode, Vanessa details some factors that often get overlooked: Did she miss any? Let us know below! Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Christopher Havens is a mathematician with published research in number theory, but what makes him unique among fellow scholars is his entire career in math has taken place in prison where he is serving a 25-year murder sentence. Math was the catalyst and ongoing foundation for his rehabilitation, and along the way he founded the Prison Mathematics Project which provides resources to inmates across the US. In recognition of his years of rehabilitation, mathematical research, and community building, the Washington State Pardons & Clemency board unanimously recommended his sentence be reduced last year, but last month the request was denied by the state governor. So we thought we'd bring you Vanessa's 2021 interview with Christopher which remains just as thought-provoking and inspiring today. Links: More about the Prison Mathematics ProjectMarch 2023 episode of Math Therapy about our visit to prison for Pi DayChristopher's Jan 13th, 2026 statement after being denied clemencyOct 27th, 2025 interview with ChristopherPetition on Change.orgScientific AmericanPopular MechanicsContact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) A lot of brain-related questions often come up on this podcast, like: And every time, Vanessa says "I need to speak to an expert about this!" Well, when she heard today's guest on the Mel Robbins Podcast talking about brain science and gender, she knew she had found her neuroscientist. Dr. Sarah McKay joins Math Therapy to debunk some common myths around our brains and math abilities, and offers science-backed advice on how to amplify the message that everyone has equal potential to learn math. Links mentioned: Sarah McKay on the Mel Robbins PodcastWatch her TedTalk "Indulge your neurobiology"Cimpian Cognitive Development LabAbout Sarah: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) Dr. Sarah McKay is an Oxford-educated neuroscientist, author, and science communicator specializing in women’s brain health, hormones, and lifespan brain development. She’s the author of The Women’s Brain Book and founder of The Neuroscience Academy. She’s passionate about debunking popular myths about the brain—especially when it comes to gender and intelligence. Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever been so convinced you were bad at something that you didn’t even question it anymore? Not just as an insecurity, but like it was your full identity: “I’m not a math person.” End of conversation. Well, this episode is about what happens when that story gets completely rewritten. Sue Besant was a directionless student who was literally & repeatedly told that she would amount to nothing, and math was ground zero for this crushing message. But one day a new teacher walked into her math class - none other than Jo Boaler. Yes, before teaching at Stanford & writing bestsellers about growth mindset and neuroplasticity, Jo Boaler had her first day in class too! Jo gave Sue and her classmates something they'd never had before - a teacher who believed in them and told them so. The rest of the story spans decades and time zones, so join Vanessa today as Sue shares how finally learning math gave her the confidence to believe that she was capable of anything she dreamed of. Related episode: Embracing your limitless mindContact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Whenever Vanessa talks to math educator and coach Shelby Strong, they end up saying "why didn't we record that, it was basically a podcast!" So today we bring you an actual podcast with Shelby, exploring an absolutely bonkers range of provocative questions like: If these question spark something in you, let us know below - and share this episode with someone else that needs to hear it! Things mentioned: A Mathematician's LamentErdős numberAbout Shelby: (Website, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn) Shelby Strong (Stronger Math) is a math educator and coach who believes math belongs to everyone. She has presented at school districts, regional organizations, and national conferences, including delivering an IGNITE at NCTM in 2024 called "Professional Development Doesn't Have to Suck". Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) As you may know, Vanessa and producer David are in a band together, and they're currently writing songs for a new album. The path through writer’s block and their ups and downs as a collaborative team led to some unexpected debates about the creative process that share surprising parallels with the greater discussion around mathematical thinking. So they hopped on the mic to debate a range of topics like: Finally, Vanessa calls up friend and tech-forward educator Jamie Mitchell (without warning to either him or David) to have him chime in on the debate, and it actually was the most coherent part of the episode. Enjoy and let us know if you want to hear a part 2! Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Happy new year! To get in the mindset for a great 2026, here's a motivating episode about one of last year's hottest topics in math ed: student engagement. Why is it so hard to get students to really engage in the classroom? What does engagement even mean? What can we try differently this year? In this episode, Vanessa explores four reasons students might not engage in class (and offers tips for each): They don't feel heardThey don't know how to engageThey think there's no pointTheir needs aren't metLet us know if these resonate with you or if there are any that we missed, and most importantly have a great start to the school year! Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Five years ago, Vanessa fell head over heels in love with a Christmas movie. The plot twist? This wasn't one of the countless Hallmark romcoms she actually consumes throughout the year - this was a movie about a little girl who literally saves Christmas with math! Back then she interviewed Producer Lyn Sisson-Talbert and Writer/Director David E. Talbert about their groundbreaking Netflix film Jingle Jangle, so we’re resharing the conversation today as Christmas approaches. On that note, we'll be taking a break next week but will be back in your feed Jan 1st to give you some inspiration to make 2026 a great year in the classroom. Until then, happy holidays!! Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Getting students to think is a hot topic - but what does it actually mean? When kids are asked to "show their thinking", can we really blame them for being like "WTF?!?!" Today on Math Therapy, Vanessa explores the surprising number of ways we can define & interpret "thinking", and shares 5 strategies to demystify it in the classroom: How do YOU define thinking? Let us know below! Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Since our humble (and as you'll find out, quite disorganized) start in 2019, Math Therapy has come a long way ... and today we celebrate our 100th episode! Join host Vanessa Vakharia and producer David Kochberg as they reminisce and argue about: Whether you've been listening from the start or just finding this show now, thank you for listening and being part of the change we all want to see in math education. And please please please SHARE this podcast with someone that needs to hear it, and let US know what you want to hear in the next 100 episodes! Past episodes mentioned: What the Blue Jays taught us about math educationPi Day in Prison (Seriously)“Dude Walls” & the lost women of science w/ Katie HafnerDancing on the moon w/ Dr. Merritt MooreCan math predict the Oscars? w/ Ben ZauzmerHow math rehabilitated a murderer w/ Christopher HavensI’m not a math person, don’t @ me w/ BexRecalculating your destiny w/ Miguel EscobarA mathemagical crisis w/ Jonah BabinsContact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Today we follow-up last week's episode with unfiltered celeb moms Cat and Nat (listen here) by interviewing Nat's daughter Taylor! Currently in Grade 11, she's a wealth of hard-earned wisdom, having taken her education into her own hands to overcome a system that literally told her not to bother even trying. This ep is overflowing with real lessons right from a student who's been through it all. Taylor describes: Teachers, parents, and students can all learn so much from Taylor's story, so share this ep with someone who needs to hear it and get in touch below to let us know how it resonated with you! About Taylor: (Instagram, TikTok) Taylor Telfer-Thompson is a high school student who has faced significant struggles with math throughout her education, but has never given up. Her story shows what it looks like to persevere in the face of difficulty, to wrestle with identity, and to keep trying even when math feels impossible. Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) From the moment Vanessa met bestselling authors/podcasters Cat and Nat on Breakfast Television, where the 2 moms proudly professed to hate math ... she knew she had to have them on Math Therapy to dig deeper and find out why. They are the definition of unfiltered, so they are a perfect fit! This interview may be uncomfortable for teachers to hear - honestly, it was difficult for Vanessa at times to not be defensive. But the fact is, we need to know what students and parents are really going through; not just in the classroom but in their entire, completely chaotic modern lives. About Cat and Nat: (Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube) Between the two of them, bestselling authors & podcasters Cat & Nat have seven kids, zero down time, and an unshakable belief that motherhood shouldn’t feel like solitary confinement. Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) *call-out before we get into today's ep* - If you or a colleague/parent/student has a story about incorporating the absurd 6-7 phenomenon into actual learning, we need you! Seriously, send us a brief text or a voicenote via Instagram DM or email. We've heard some stories and want to do an episode about enhancing learning by reaching kids through their interests (no matter how ridiculous we think they are...) On today's episode w/ Rob Baier: Vanessa often goes into our interviews with a thorough plan, and then as soon as we hit record she instead asks the first random thing that pops into her mind and never looks at the outline again. Well, today's episode with trailblazer Rob Baier is one of those rollercoasters! Some of the rabbit holes they end up in include: allAbout Rob: (LinkedIn) Rob is passionate about inspiring the next generation of math enthusiasts! As a Growth Lead at Innovamat, Rob is dedicated to bringing innovative math education solutions to schools across three states. With a diverse background in education, including roles as a math teacher, curriculum director, and professional development leader, he is committed to empowering educators and students. He is also a co-host of the #DebateMath podcast and a frequent presenter at national and regional conferences. Contact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) This past weekend, hearts across North America shattered as the plucky underdog Toronto Blue Jays lost to the LA Dodgers in extra innings of the deciding Game 7 of the Major League Baseball World Series. And if none of those words matter to you at all - then you and Vanessa have much in common! However, as a self-admitted bandwagon jumper, even though she was down in the US on a math ed conference tour, she was all in on this series and sucked a bunch of colleagues into her orbit along the way. While this is obviously not a sports podcast, she and her teacher friends couldn't help observe parallels between what they saw on the field & went through together as new fans, compared with what they see day to day in their students' journeys through the education system. So Vanessa and David jumped on to discuss some of these parallels, share some voice memos from her teachers-turned-superfans group chat, and even call in a pinch hitter (a term she learned last week) to share the inside scoop on what might actually be going through these pro athletes' minds in the most high pressure situations imaginable and how a student can approach a math test the same way. The dream team: (aka teachers Vanessa literally forced to watch the games) WebsiteBlueskyWebsiteInstagramInstagramBlueskyWebsiteBlueskyGuest "analyst": (aka ex-Olympic athlete / current math ed rock star) WebsiteInstagramTeaching students to ... think?! w/ Peter LiljedahlContact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Most episodes, Vanessa is chatting with colleagues about the root causes of math anxiety/trauma and exploring how math education can change to avoid causing them. But as long as math remains a 4-letter word for some, we need some practical coping strategies! So today, Vanessa details 5 ways you can flip anxious math moments into empowering ones - for teachers, parents, and students. Learn how to: Other episodes mentioned: How to find the "why" in math class w/ Mike FlynnWhy 1 + 1 isn't always 2 w/ Eugenia Cheng5 simple Math Therapy strategies for your classroomContact us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotifyMerch storeShop here

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Sometimes an interview fires us up so much here at Math Therapy HQ, that we end up debriefing and debating it long after the guest has signed off - at which point producer David says to host Vanessa "we should have recorded THAT too!" So today, we actually did! We kept the mics rolling after interviewing last week's guest, Dr. Raj Shah, resulting in a discussion on the mechanics of memory & aptitude and a spirited debate as David pushed back against Vanessa's war on the words "natural ability". We would LOVE to have an expert in this field on the podcast, so if you have any suggestions let us know! And we want to know what you think as well - are some people born better at some things than others?! Let us know below! Episodes referenced: Why math sucks and how to fix it w/ Raj ShahMath ed needs more conversations like this w/ Pam HarrisConnect with us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: WebsiteText the podcastMerch StoreGet the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotify

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) What is memory? Are different brains good at memorizing different things (like math vs music)? Is memorization even a good way to learn? Why don’t we teach math like we teach reading? Why do we love puzzles and escape rooms but hate math class? Is it possible to make math learning fun?? Will Vanessa ever learn how to explain how to text the podcast?!?! How does this all relate to math trauma?!?!?! Ok. Deep breaths. Today's ep with Dr. Raj Shah was a rollercoaster, as every question spawned 10 more! Connecting the big thorny debates of math education with the humanity and complexity of what students are actually experiencing in their minds and bodies, Vanessa and Raj laughed, cried, and one of them even broke out into song (probably not the one you expected!) If you need a triple shot of inspiration, hope, and laughter today, this episode is for you. Show notes: Using Video Game Principles to Improve Math Scores"Be curious, not judgmentalAll of Me by John LegendGood InsideNotice and WonderRedefining SuccessAbout Raj: (Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) Dr. Raj Shah is the founder of Math Plus Academy, a founding member of the Global Math Project, and a leading voice in making math irresistible. Raj is passionate about creating math experiences that feel joyful and accessible, drawing inspiration from everything from video game design to human psychology. Beyond math, Raj is deeply interested in spirituality and therapy, seeing connections between how we approach math, how we heal shame, and how we make sense of the world. Connect with us: Vanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: WebsiteText the podcastMerch StoreGet the bookCorwinAmazonAudiobookAudibleSpotify

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Today's ep ended up in a different place than Vanessa expected when she first sat down to chat with Pam Harris, founder of Math Is Figureoutable. Their first real interaction was on the DebateMath Podcast; Pam insisted that learning algorithms/shortcuts can actually hold students back from true learning, while Vanessa advocated for kids to learn however works for them. Often, that's where it ends. Worse, especially in the "everyone yell at each other" media landscape, the conversation never begins! Which makes today's episode so refreshing - a debate that was more philosophical than ideological. Pam and Vanessa had the time to really go into depth about what they disagree on and where they see eye to eye ... spoiler alert, they're actually pretty aligned! Links discussed: Math Is Figureoutable Podcastmathisfigureoutable/bigVanessa & Pam debate algorithms on the DebateMath PodcastOutliers by Malcolm GladwellAbout Pam: Pam Harris is a leading math educator, author, and speaker best known for her work on making math figure-out-able. Through her books, podcast, and teaching, she helps classrooms move away from rote memorization and answer-getting, and toward math as something students can sense-make, reason through, and truly understand. She’s passionate about showing that math isn’t about tricks or steps—it’s about thinking, starting with the knowledge students already bring to the table. Connect with us: Pam Harris: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookVanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: WebsiteText us

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) We're trying something new this week! Last week's ep with Mike Flynn dove into some very murky debate waters: do students need to know the "why" of what their learning in order to truly understand material, or is it fine for them to just memorize things as long as they get the answers? (If you missed, scroll back in your feed or click here to catch up.) But the real drama took place over on TikTok, where Vanessa posted a clip from the ep and some viewers engaged in very polite and erudite discussion in the comments ... jk, people LOST THEIR MINDS. But there were also a ton of great points that are often debated in math ed, so we invited Mike back on this week to respond to some comments real-time and clarify some of what he and Vanessa meant last week. Enjoy - and either way, you know where to let us know what you think ;) Links discussed: How to find the "why" in math class w/ Mike FlynnThe TikTok that started it allLost S2E01Connect with us: Mike Flynn: WebsiteTikTokInstagramVanessa VakhariaInstagramTikTokEmailMath Therapy: WebsiteText us