The Peopling Pod (S1, E1)

Written By Paul Teske, PhD

If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child or teen, you already know this truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all manual. But there are voices worth listening to — voices that don’t just offer strategies, but perspective. Calm. Hope.

In this first episode of the Peopling Pod, we sit down with Mike Haykin — longtime educator, family coach, and someone whose work has shaped hundreds of families, including my own. This conversation is for every parent who has ever asked:

  • Am I doing enough?

  • Why does my help seem to make things worse?

  • What if I’m the problem?

Mike brings years of wisdom and hard-earned insight into topics like executive functioning, shame spirals, values-based discipline, and what it really takes to raise a neurodivergent child with compassion and connection.

You’ll hear why “fixing” rarely works, how to stay connected in the hard moments, and the surprising truth behind the phrase: “Your kids are always listening.”

Whether you’re feeling exhausted, hopeful, or somewhere in between — this episode is a steady hand on your shoulder. I hope it helps you exhale, reflect, and maybe even reimagine the path ahead.

Paul Teske, PhD

I have been in education for over 30 years, from a middle school classroom teacher through a graduate school professor. While I know classrooms well, I have spent the majority of my career working with adult learners and in ed-tech, developing teacher networks and content for learning alongside talented and passionate educators who have inspired me in countless ways. I’m the founder of EIX and former VP of Engagement at Teaching Channel, and I’m currently launching a new start-up, Peopling.me, which is focused on building understanding and empathy in relationships and in our communication. Some of my educational interests and expertise lie in literacy, ed-tech, project-based learning, the neuroscience and psycho-social aspects of learning, motivation, research, leadership, and program and product design and development. My personal interests center around hiking, gardening, cooking, family, pottery, home projects, travel, drone flying, and self-exploration, particularly in relation to others and how to be a better human in every aspect of my life.

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One Year In: The Circuitous, Messy, Beautiful Path to Peopling
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