Explore every episode of the podcast Math Therapy
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to get fired up about teaching (even if the system has crushed your spirit) w/ Chase Orton | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:48:06 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Vanessa recently took one step closer to her dream of hosting a Netflix show, recording the first ever live Math Therapy interview! For her session last week at Leander ISD's annual Math Joy Conference in Texas, she interviewed self-proclaimed "chaos-driven non-compliant educator" Chase Orton - and you can now hear their extremely unfiltered conversation in front of a room full of teachers whose gasps are VERY audible throughout! Chase and Vanessa share a fearlessness in calling out the education as it is, and in this convo they cover hot topics like:
About Chase: (Website, YouTube) As an accomplished facilitator of lesson study for K-12 math teachers, Chase Orton partners with districts who are interested in taking a teacher-centered, teacher-directed approach to professional development. Chase is also the author of The Imperfect and Unfinished Teacher of Mathematics. Contact us:
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| 3 essential study skills to make exams less stressful for everyone w/ Deena Kara Shaffer | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:52:34 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Exam season is upon us, but NOBODY PANIC! Today's guest, learning strategist Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer, joined Vanessa to share some simple but game-changing study tips to help you get through exams without breaking a sweat. They discuss:
This episode is for anyone (students, teachers, parents) who find exam season stressful and need a pep talk about practical & effective ways to learn better! About Deena: (Website, Instagram, Facebook) For over 20 years, Dr. Deena has dedicated her career to promoting more equity and justice in learning and enabling the success of more than 5,000 students, educators, and business leaders through learning strategies. As a keynote speaker, mentor, training facilitator, and founder of Awakened Learning Inc., she looks forward to any opportunity to connect with individuals and organizations who are ready to feel happier, healthier, and more at peace. Contact us:
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| This will change how you show up as a leader w/ Alison Mello | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:45:29 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Leadership. Feedback. Professional Development. Terms that get thrown around a lot - but what do they actually mean? More importantly, how do we develop those tools so they actually make a difference in the classroom?! Thankfully, educator Alison Mello is an expert on leadership in math education, and she joined Vanessa to discuss:
And as mentioned in the episode, you can still register for Alison's Get Your Workshop On 2026 (early bird pricing ends March 31st so don't wait!) About Alison: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) Alison J. Mello has been in education for 30 years as a classroom teacher, author, national speaker, and math consultant. Alison enjoys developing practical strategies to address issues that districts and teachers face in their schools and classrooms every day. She uses her understanding of leadership, curriculum and best practices to inspire and assist leaders and teachers in elevating and transforming math instruction. Contact us:
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| S2E09: Nature, meet Nurture w/ Tamara Rebick & her kids | 30 Jul 2020 | 00:49:44 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) This week Vanessa goes out on a limb and does something she’s never done before on the pod: she talks to real, actual children (and their mom, of course)! Despite her rocky relationship with math growing up, Tamara Rebick chats with Vanessa about her determination to show her two daughters that math ability isn’t genetic, and that anyone - even MOMs, can do math. Her two kids Eden (13) and Nomie (11) also share their very different feelings about math class, math teachers, and well, math in general! About Tamara / Coriphery (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) Tamara is Founder and Chief Experience Officer of CORIPHERY Holistic Consulting Solutions, a boutique consulting firm that promotes respectful disruption in organizational culture and systems by challenging the status quo with audacious authenticity. Tamara is an eternal optimist, a community catalyst, a night owl and most importantly, mom and role model to her two daughters, Eden & Nomie. Contact us:
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| S2E08: Mathematicians: they’re just like us! w/ Sunil Singh | 23 Jul 2020 | 00:41:27 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Ever wonder what it would be like if your math teacher was like, the editor of TMZ and like, if your textbook was filled with juicy goss about all of those seemingly-boring-actually-scandalous mathematicians that plagued your high school existence? Today Vanessa talks to Sunil Singh about how different our relationship to math would be if we humanized mathematics through storytelling, and - he spills the TEA, bigtime! About Sunil: (Twitter) Sunil Singh was a high school math and physics teacher for 19 years and has taught every grade level in places from Canada to Switzerland. He is the author of Pi of Life: The Hidden Happiness of Mathematics and Math Recess: Playful Learning in an Age of Disruption. He is also a co-editor at Q.E.D., a very popular blog for "disruptive" math writing, and was also a regular writer for The New York Times Numberplay section. Contact us:
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| S2E07: You can’t be what you can’t see w/ Renee Powers | 16 Jul 2020 | 00:36:07 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) You’d think by 2020 we’d finally be done with the archaic views society has traditionally held on women and math ... um, not quite. Today Vanessa chats with Feminist Book Club founder Renee Powers about the different ways that boys and girls perceive mathematical intelligence, why women get a bad rep when it comes to reading maps, and how feeling confident with math might actually be the secret to tackling economic equality. About Renee (Website) & Feminist Book Club (Website, Instagram) Renee M. Powers is a feminist speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur who founded Feminist Book Club in 2018, named one of the best book subscription boxes by Oprah Magazine, Shondaland, Glamour, and Forbes. As a PhDropout, she leans on her academic training in feminist theory to create and cultivate this monthly subscription box and podcast. She lives, thrives, and topples the patriarchy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Contact us:
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| S2E06: The 40-year-old math virgin w/ Mike S | 09 Jul 2020 | 00:37:38 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever had the feeling that you might have peaked too early? Meet Mike: a math-dropout-turned-software-cloud-architect. He chats with Vanessa about faking it til’ you make it, learning that it’s ok to admit you don’t know everything, and that #selflove can sometimes be way harder than #SOHCAHTOA. About Mike Mike is a big phony who is somehow able to achieve all of his dreams and is waiting for it all to come crashing down. Is it luck? Is he just so innocently charming that you can't help but give him a shot? Is the bar for his dreams shockingly low? All of the above. He didn't pass grade 12 math and yet he can still afford to pay his rent. Mike is a Cloud Consultant working at one of the coolest tech companies in the world. How is that even possible?! Contact us:
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| S2E05: Retail therapy vs. Math therapy w/ Tamica Marcano | 02 Jul 2020 | 00:42:26 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Welcome to our most intense (and successful!) math therapy session yet! Has your inability to fit into that mythical “math person” category haunted you for your entire life? Today Vanessa talks to Tamica Marcano about how being labelled ADHD led to mega feelings of inadequacy, especially when it comes to math, and they discover what’s truly possible when we leap out of the boxes we once forced ourselves into. Ready to hear math therapy legit transform Tamica’s life? Let’s do this! About Tamica Follow Tamica on Instagram @tamicatoutlemonde and Twitter @TamicaMarcano Contact us:
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| S2E04: How “Math Therapy” changed my life w/ Jill Waddell | 25 Jun 2020 | 00:43:59 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Ever dream of quitting your job and starting over again? Today Vanessa talks to Jill Waddell, a nutritionist who decided to finally face her fear of math to become a friggin POWER ENGINEER! AT 40!! Crazy, right?! From crying in the bathroom, to melting down in front of her husband, to doing everything in her power to keep her eye on the prize - this episode has it all so BUCKLE UP KIDS. About Jill: (Instagram) At the age of 40, with three children at home and following a lengthy career in the fitness and nutrition field, Jill did a complete 180. She dove in head first to the world of Power Engineering, spending countless hours practicing math, seeking out her daughters high school math tutor for help, watching YouTube videos, and shedding more than a few tears! With her newfound confidence in math and herself, Jill wants to play a big role in the power generation industry in New Brunswick. Contact us:
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| S2E03: Recalculating your destiny w/ Miguel Escobar | 18 Jun 2020 | 00:41:06 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) What would you do if your high school math teacher told you that the only thing you were capable of doing was flipping burgers? Ummm ... become the king of the kitchen, of course! Today Vanessa talks to Miguel about how he went from killing it in the restaurant industry to a career 180 as a stats analyst rockstar with the Ontario government, all while battling some deep math trauma and persistent imposter syndrome. If you’re ready to turn your fear of failure into your greatest motivator, then this episode is for you! About Miguel Miguel Escobar is a Senior Business Analyst with the Government of Ontario and is a graduate of George Brown College where he completed the Hospitality Management program with honours. Miguel has had a love/hate relationship with math going all the way back to high school. From failing many, many times to being told he’d never get it, he struggled with numbers and avoided them at all costs. Now, some 20+ years later, he has embraced math and uses it almost every single day in his job. The fear and anxiety that came with being labeled “not a math person” is in the past and he now looks for every opportunity to help others who might struggle through the same things he did. Contact us:
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| S2E02: How to use your privilege w/ Imogen Coe | 11 Jun 2020 | 00:40:17 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Last week we brought you a discussion about the need for greater diversity in math education, and today we have a conversation about how to lift up marginalized voices if you are in a position of privilege. Vanessa talks to Canadian thought leader Dr. Imogen Coe about what it’s like to advocate for equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), fields traditionally dominated by white men, and what it actually means to use your privilege for good. About Imogen (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn) Dr. Imogen R. Coe was the founding dean of the Faculty of Science from 2012 to 2018 at Ryerson University in Toronto. She is currently a professor of Chemistry and Biology at Ryerson. She is also an affiliate scientist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, where her research group studies the proteins responsible for the import of anti-cancer drugs. In addition to her work as a research scientist, Dr. Coe is internationally recognized as a Canadian thought leader in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Contact us:
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| S2E01: A Black woman walks into a math class … w/ Michole Washington | 04 Jun 2020 | 00:46:48 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) A couple months ago we had picked today as the launch date for Season 2, but we've been glued to the news as I'm sure you've been and we know that math is not exactly the topic on everyone's mind this week. We considered delaying the launch, but we realized that an episode we had planned to release later in the season, a conversation with Michole Washington, was actually very topical. Michole is currently working on a PhD at the University of Michigan researching common experiences of Black people in math education, and she spoke with Vanessa back in February about diversity (or lack thereof) in math and what it felt like to be only the 9th Black woman to have EVER earned a B.S. from Atlanta’s Georgia Tech University in 2016. This was a fascinating and at times challenging conversation and we hope you enjoy it. About Michole: Michole Washington is an expert on equitable and interactive design for K-16 STEM enrichment programs. She critically examines how undergraduate math courses can better support students, especially Black students. In particular, she focuses on relationship building in the math classroom as a method to increase STEM engagement. Contact us:
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| Mailbag #1: Your stories! | 28 May 2020 | 00:26:28 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Season 2 starts June 4th but today we're sharing some of the inspiring stories that listeners have sent us! From math traumas to math triumphs, we were SO inspired by the courage in these submissions. Follow Vanessa on all socials @themathguru for updates and get pumped for Season 2! Contact us:
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| The way you talk about math matters, even if you don’t teach it w/ Kylie Fraser | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:23:46 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Back in 2020, math teacher (with math trauma) Kylie Fraser found herself in Vanessa's Math Therapy session at the Mighty Peace Teachers Convention in Grand Prairie, Alberta and was stunned how much she saw of herself in Vanessa's story. Flash forward to earlier this month when Vanessa returned to Grand Prairie to deliver the keynote, and 30 minutes before hitting the stage they reunited and impulsively decided to record this convo about what Kylie has been up to in her math journey in the last 6 years! They discussed:
On that note - if you know someone that should hear this story, share it! Contact us:
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| Fighting fake news w/ Science Sam | 14 May 2020 | 00:30:56 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Not sure what to do with all the COVID-conspiracy theories flying around? Finding yourself arguing on social media while your blood pressure rises and your friend/follower count drops?!?! Um, I FEEL YA. So I called up my dear friend and legit science super-star, Dr. Samantha Yammine (aka Science Sam on Instagram and YouTube), to break down exactly why #fakenews spreads so easily and what we can do to constructively and compassionately champion facts based in real math and science - something we have the power and responsibility to fight for. Contact us:
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| Wait ... flatten WHAT curve?! | 17 Apr 2020 | 00:18:42 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) The last few weeks I have been freaking out about how, in a math-anxious society, the secret to understanding the spread of COVID and the importance of physical distancing is ... MATH?! Like honestly, I'm a (self-described) math therapist and even I have been confused at times exactly what curve needs to be f*cking flattened. In this episode I break down some of the key math-related COVID issues I've been thinking about, and I hope this gives you a bit of clarity or perhaps some help when arguing with your math-anxious and conspiracy-theory-loving friend about why physical distancing works and will save lives :) Contact us:
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| Send us your stories! | 19 Mar 2020 | 00:02:08 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) While we're working on Season 2, we want to hear from you! Send us your math stories/questions - the good, the bad, and the ugly :) How do you feel about the term "math person"? Do YOU have math trauma?! Share your story with us and we'll pick some to play/read on our 1st ever mailbag episode! Ways to share:
Contact us:
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| Season 1 Outtakes | 27 Feb 2020 | 00:05:48 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Exciting news: Season 2 of Math Therapy is IN PRODUCTION!!! We've got an incredible range of guests lined up and can't wait to share some new episodes with you. In the meantime, here are some outtakes from Season 1 ... aka "us figuring out how to make a podcast" :) Enjoy and stay tuned for a bigger and better Season 2! Contact us:
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| S1E10: What the f*ck is a “math person”?! w/ Johnny Cassels | 19 Dec 2019 | 00:41:03 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) The first season of Math Therapy ends with a BANG - and a hashtag that all of us should probably start using immediately! Math tutor Johnny Cassels shares with Vanessa why labelling ourselves can hold us back, but how accountability can help us leave our comfort zones and do great things - math-related or not! A big part of this is the difference between WANTING something and F*CKING wanting it. Do you want to hear this ep guys? Or do you #F*ckingWantIt?! About Johnny: (Website, Instagram) Johnny Cassels owns and runs Cassels Tutoring, a tutoring space in Toronto. Johnny is all about making sure that both fulfillment and accountability are at the forefront of the learning process, because let’s be honest, most students don’t feel EITHER of those things in the classroom. Contact us:
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| S1E09: Girls are bad at math (& other stupid myths) w/ Zainab Husain | 12 Dec 2019 | 00:35:04 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Even though it ain’t 1942 anymore, the pesky rumour that girls suck at math is still alive and well! Vanessa chats with math tutor / math major Zainab Husain about the different ways that boys and girls perceive intelligence, and how feeling confident with math might actually be the secret to raising more female leaders in our world - which let’s be honest, we very desperately need right about now. About Zainab Zainab Husain is entering her final year at Ryerson University, where she studies math and economics. She tutors at The Math Guru to gain the experience she needs to pursue her dream of becoming the best math teacher EVER! Contact us:
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| S1E08: It’s never too late w/ Yvonne Osondu | 05 Dec 2019 | 00:33:47 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Yvonne Osondu is basically #goals. At the age of 52, she decided to learn how to ride a bike, and now she’s tackling the next thing on her bucket list: learning math ... ALL the way from grade 9 to grade 12 calculus. Yvonne chats with Vanessa about how she’s decided to prove to the world and herself that she is capable of ANYTHING - even math - despite being told she was incapable for 50 years! About Yvonne: Yvonne Osondu is the owner of Reflexology and Shiatsu Service of Toronto. Contact us:
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| S1E07: The myth of math and money w/ Bruce Sellery | 28 Nov 2019 | 00:34:03 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Do you freak out about ca$h money? Well it’s time to stop that sh*t and realize you know more about money AND math than you think! Vanessa chats with personal finance guru Bruce Sellery about the most common math-money myths, the super genius ways he teaches his daughter about the value of a dollar, and - MOST importantly - the most economical strategy when dining at a buffet so that you can feel richer with every single bite! YUM. About Bruce: (Website, Facebook, LinkedIn) Bruce is the author of two bestselling books, including my fave, Moolala: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things with Their Money (and What You Can Do About It). He’s also the national money columnist for CBC Radio, a regular contributor to the hit TV show Cityline, and the host of his very own SiriusXM pod, Moolala radio show and podcast. Contact us:
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| S1E06: What failure really feels like w/ Jenna Kabakulak | 21 Nov 2019 | 00:40:36 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) School can be hella traumatizing, but it’s especially bad if you fail math several times, have an undiagnosed learning disability, struggle with anxiety and depression, and come from a low-income, immigrant family ... a.k.a. Jenna Kabakulak’s entire school career. She and Vanessa discuss turning failures into successes, and dive deep into some big questions like how to make quality education accessible and affordable for all - regardless of your background. About Jenna: (Instagram) Jenna (Canan) Kabakulak is completing her B.A in Psychology at Ryerson University and has a passion for working with children. She is a first-generation student, being the very first in her family to attend a university. She is also a person living with ADHD and various other learning disabilities. She tutors at The Math Guru and runs workshops on organization, exam prep, note-taking, and math anxiety. Jenna hopes to pursue her interest in graduate school for epidemiology and eventually achieve her goal of becoming a pediatrician. Contact us:
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| S1E05: The math therapist’s therapist w/ Kimberley McLeod | 14 Nov 2019 | 00:26:38 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever wanted to therapize your therapist? Vanessa invites Kimberley McLeod, her former therapist, on the show to share her OWN math traumas. And guess what?! Even therapists need a little math therapy sometimes! Kimberley also digs into the connection she often sees in her young female clients between confidence, anxiety, and - you guessed it - MATH! About Kimberley Kimberley is a registered social worker and therapist. She specializes in helping women process their concerns in a way that allows them to move forward in a healthier, happier way, leaving them feeling empowered on a core level. You can find her at her private practice at Leaside Therapy Centre in Toronto. Contact us:
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| Refresher: Predicting the Oscars with math w/ Ben Zauzmer (Oscarmetrics) | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:30:56 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) The Oscars are this Sunday, and to be completely transparent, Vanessa hasn't seen any of the nominations. BUT, she is always ready to hand out an award to anyone blending pop culture and math, so today we are bringing you our 2022 interview with Ben Zauzmer, who has been using statistical analysis every awards season to predict the Oscar winners with math! Ben is also Assistant General Manager for the NY Mets baseball team after spending years in MLB baseball analytics - that's right, he is Moneyball IRL! You can check out his predictions for this year below, and you can try to send Vanessa movie recommendations but we all know if they aren't Christmas romcoms they probably won't make her top 10.
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| S1E04: The ultimate math blackout w/ Liz Idowu | 07 Nov 2019 | 00:36:24 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever met someone so traumatized by their high school math experience that they legit blocked out a year of their life?! Vanessa chats with Liz Idowu, who now works as an admin assistant at Vanessa’s math tutoring studio and is determined to overcome her fear of numbers even though it’s been 20 years since she kissed math bye for good. About Liz Coming from a world of performance arts and wellness, Liz Idowu joined the admin team at The Math Guru with eyes wide open! Her experience as a wellness instructor, focusing on the yoga practice and yogic philosophies, has allowed her to connect passionately with The Math Guru’s infamous mantra: there is NO such thing as a “math person!” (Repeat it now THREE times at the TOP of your lungs!) Contact us:
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| S1E03: A mathemagical crisis w/ Jonah Babins | 31 Oct 2019 | 00:36:35 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Did you think that people who do well in math don’t have math trauma? THINK AGAIN. The mathematician-turned-magician (yes, that’s a thing!) Jonah Babins talks to Vanessa about how going to university for math caused him to have a total existential meltdown. He also pulls back the curtain on the relation between math and magic - voila! About Jonah: Jonah is a magician, performing in Toronto, New York and L.A. He also produces and performs awe-inspiring shows in Toronto with his magic company, The Toronto Magic Company. Jonah also interviews some of the most famous magicians on the planet on his very own podcast, Discourse in Magic. Basically, he’s a magic nerd. You can follow Jonah on Instagram at @jonahbabinsmagic, @discourseinmagic and @torontomagiccompany. Contact us:
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| S1E02: We’ve all had that math teacher w/ Sandra Birkett | 24 Oct 2019 | 00:35:22 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) We’ve all had that one math teacher who made us HATE math. But of course not all of them suck! So this week Vanessa chats with our fave teacher Sandra Birkett, who overcame some SERIOUS high school math trauma to become a caring and passionate educator herself. About Sandra: Sandra Birkett has a B.A., B.Ed. AND M.Sc and is the head of the English department at Toronto Prep School. She studied English Literature, World Religions, and Cultural Anthropology at McGill University, and wrote her Master's Thesis at the University of Edinburgh on the connection between physical text and critical thinking. Contact us:
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| S1E01: Why you think you suck at math w/ Sunny Verma | 17 Oct 2019 | 00:36:50 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Are you one of those tortured souls that says things like “I suck at math” or “I’m not a math person”?! Well have we got a TREAT for you! Sunny Verma, founder of the world’s largest tutoring company, talks to Vanessa this week about why we say nonsense like this to ourselves and how it’s one of the biggest bullsh*t sandwiches society keeps feeding us. Bon appétit! About Sunny: (Instagram at @sunnyv_tb and @tutorbright) Sunny Verma is the founder of TutorBright, one of the world's largest in-home tutoring companies. Sunny is a regular contributor on shows such as Breakfast Television and Global Television’s Morning Show, and has been recognized as one of the Top Experts in Happiness by The Napoleon Hill Foundation. Contact us:
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| Introducing: Math Therapy! | 10 Oct 2019 | 00:02:02 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever said that you hate math? Do you avoid doing certain things JUST so that you don’t have to do math?! Do the words “I’m not a math person” sound familiar?!?! Math Therapy is a new podcast that works through your math trauma, one problem at a time! Each week, Vanessa Vakharia (aka The Math Guru) chats with a different guest about their relationship with math, and offers a prescription to help them start living their best lives. And don’t worry - no calculators or actual math were used in the making of this podcast ;) Season 1 starts October 17 - subscribe now & connect with Vanessa on all socials @themathguru! Contact us:
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| The best scientists follow the data AND their hearts w/ Imogen Coe | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:42:44 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Vanessa's mentor and friend, Dr. Imogen Coe, holds many distinctions: Professor of Critical Thinking in Biomedical Sciences, award-winning scholar-activist, former Dean of Science, STEM thought leader, and all-around academic badass. But her finest achievement yet? Being the first returning guest on Math Therapy! Imogen joined us in 2020 to talk about breaking systemic barriers in STEM fields, and she returns today to explore pressing topics like:
About Imogen: (Website, Instagram, LinkedIn) Dr. Imogen Coe is a scientist, advocate, and founding dean of the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is internationally recognized for her research in cell biology and for her leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM. Contact us:
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| How a music studio is just like math class w/ Devon Lougheed | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:27:22 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) For the last month, Vanessa and Math Therapy producer David have been in the studio working on their band's next album, and Vanessa couldn't help observing many parallels between making music in the studio and learning math. If you're reading this like "huh?!" ... then today's episode is a must listen! After a day in the studio with our good friend & producer Devon Lougheed, Vanessa sat down with him to discuss:
About Devon: (Instagram, Website) Devon Lougheed is a JUNO-winning songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, creative mad scientist and musical schemer, and co-founder of alt-rock band Altered By Mom. Contact us:
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| How to change your life by changing your story w/ Gorav Menon | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:46:34 | |
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:
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| 9 surprising reasons math scores are dropping | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:33:33 | |
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:
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| How math can help prison inmates turn their lives around w/ Christopher Havens | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:40:16 | |
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:
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| What neuroscience actually says about gender & math w/ Sarah McKay | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:47:05 | |
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:
About 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:
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| How believing in someone can change their life w/ Jo Boaler’s first student Sue Besant | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:46:36 | |
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:
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| The unexpected text that turned my day around (and may turn yours around too) | 28 May 2026 | 00:09:11 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Last week Vanessa ended her episode saying the podcast would be taking this week off while she was on vacation, but it might not surprise you that she is not exactly "good" at vacation .. so while she's definitely taking some much needed time off, she also could not resist recording this short episode after receiving a very unexpected and beautiful text from Timothy Jones, an inmate with the Prison Mathematics Project. Our podcast is available through prisons across the US, and Timothy was moved to write in to Vanessa through their messaging system after listening to her recent "tax season meltdown" episode. He shared some beautiful words of affirmation that we can all tell ourselves daily, which stem from his own journey getting to know his true self and rewriting the false stories he was told about himself in childhood. Links mentioned:
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| Don’t let math define your entire self-worth w/ Shelby Strong | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:49:19 | |
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:
About 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:
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| Can asking for help backfire? | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:47:40 | |
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:
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| 2026: The Year of Student Engagement! | 01 Jan 2026 | 00:38:46 | |
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):
Let 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:
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| How Netflix saved both Christmas and math | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:33:18 | |
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:
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| How to make "show your thinking" less anxiety-inducing | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:33:15 | |
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:
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| Math Therapy's 100th (& most manic) episode! | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:48:40 | |
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 (with a cameo from OG MT producer Sabina Wex) 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:
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| How to believe in yourself when nobody else will w/ Taylor Telfer-Thompson | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:35:08 | |
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:
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| Hard truths teachers need to hear from parents w/ Cat and Nat | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:42:44 | |
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:
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| Why we can’t binge-learn math like Netflix w/ Rob Baier | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:48:53 | |
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:
About 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:
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| What the Blue Jays taught us about math education | 06 Nov 2025 | 01:09:19 | |
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)
Guest "analyst": (aka ex-Olympic athlete / current math ed rock star)
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| How I talked my way out of an anxiety spiral | 21 May 2026 | 00:31:12 | |
Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Vanessa reflects on her recent self-described "meltdown episode" in which she talked herself down from a panic spiral. She was nervous to share something so messy & vulnerable, but the response was incredible - so many of you identified completely with her feelings. (Turns out tax season is a real trigger for us all!) Today, she shares some of her own observations once she had de-escalated, as well as some of the feedback and perspective she received - and most importantly she details what helped her actually get organized as opposed to just spiralling over the fear of being disorganized. Also, we got over 100 entries for last week's Texas Instruments "Oh My Math" Box giveaway! The winner has already been contacted, but if you didn't hear from us don't despair - we'll be giving away one box every month for the rest of the summer, so stay subscribed to Math Therapy so you don't miss your next chance to win. Links mentioned:
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| How to turn anxiety into empowerment | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:27:25 | |
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:
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