Math Therapy
Education & Explainer
About
Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it. Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)
Episodes
- Why smart people still feel out of control (and what to do about it)
This Math Therapy episode features host Vanessa Vakharia discussing her personal experience with anxiety spirals, exploring the roles of negativity and confirmation bias in catastrophization, and explaining how therapeutic tools like grati…
- Math is a spiritual practice & here's the proof w/ Edward Doolittle
Dr. Edward Doolittle discusses how spirituality can inform the practice of mathematics, the insights offered by Indigenous perspectives on math, and the role of storytelling in learning, drawing parallels from historical figures like Keple…
- It’s never too late to change your relationship with math
This episode features Vanessa reading listener messages about improving math confidence, exploring neuroplasticity, and discussing the effects of labels. Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts via text or voicemail for potential…
- This will change the way you think about calculators w/ Curtis Brown
Vanessa interviews Curtis Brown of Texas Instruments to discuss the controversy surrounding calculators in math education. They cover how students can take ownership of their learning, the connection between cognitive load and math anxiety…
- Why we haven't fixed math education (even though we know how) w/ Steve Leinwand
Steve Leinwand joins Math Therapy to discuss the persistent challenges in fixing math education, even when solutions are known. Topics include creating effective professional development for teachers and fostering inclusivity for students…
- This will change how you show up as a leader w/ Alison Mello
This episode of Math Therapy features educator Alison Mello discussing leadership in math education. They cover why professional development often fails teachers, how to be an effective leader for teachers and administrators, and strategie…
- The way you talk about math matters, even if you don’t teach it w/ Kylie Fraser
Kylie Fraser shares her journey with math trauma and how she addressed it in herself and her students. The episode explores the impact of language on self-worth and the healing power of shared stories in overcoming math trauma.
- Refresher: Predicting the Oscars with math w/ Ben Zauzmer (Oscarmetrics)
Ben Zauzmer joins Math Therapy to discuss his use of statistical analysis and mathematics to predict Oscar winners, a method he has applied for years during awards season. Zauzmer also shares his experience in baseball analytics, currently…
- The best scientists follow the data AND their hearts w/ Imogen Coe
Dr. Imogen Coe returns to Math Therapy to discuss how math identity affects self-worth, the relationship between belonging and representation in STEM, and the role of emotion and creativity in science.
- How a music studio is just like math class w/ Devon Lougheed
This episode of Math Therapy draws parallels between music studio work and math class, discussing risk-taking, process versus outcome, and imposter syndrome with producer Devon Lougheed.
- How to change your life by changing your story w/ Gorav Menon
Gorav Menon joins Vanessa on Math Therapy to discuss how internal narratives shape self-worth and ability. They explore how to change these stories using three simple steps to unlock potential.
- 9 surprising reasons math scores are dropping
This episode of Math Therapy discusses nine surprising factors contributing to the decline in student math scores. Host Vanessa Vakharia explores overlooked reasons such as changes in how children are raised, increased distractions, height…
- How math can help prison inmates turn their lives around w/ Christopher Havens
This episode features a 2021 interview with mathematician Christopher Havens, who is serving a prison sentence. Havens discusses how math was central to his rehabilitation and how he founded the Prison Mathematics Project to support inmate…
- What neuroscience actually says about gender & math w/ Sarah McKay
Neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay joins Math Therapy to address questions about gender differences in math ability and the concept of a "math brain." The episode debunks common myths and provides science-backed advice on fostering equal math…
- How believing in someone can change their life w/ Jo Boaler’s first student Sue Besant
This episode features Sue Besant discussing how teacher Jo Boaler's belief in her potential helped rewrite her narrative, empowering her with the confidence to achieve her aspirations.
- Don’t let math define your entire self-worth w/ Shelby Strong
Math Therapy features Shelby Strong, a math educator and coach, discussing the risks of linking self-worth to being good at one thing. The conversation also touches on gatekeeping, algorithms, and teacher shaming.
- Can asking for help backfire?
In this episode of Math Therapy, Vanessa and David explore parallels between their band's creative process and mathematical thinking, debating the usefulness of tools, the value of process, and educational goals. Jamie Mitchell joins to di…
- 2026: The Year of Student Engagement!
This episode of Math Therapy discusses student engagement in the math classroom, exploring why students may struggle to engage and offering four strategies to improve participation: ensuring students feel heard, clearly defining engagement…
- How Netflix saved both Christmas and math
This episode features a resurfaced interview with Producer Lyn Sisson-Talbert and Writer/Director David E. Talbert about their Netflix film Jingle Jangle. The film's plot involves a young girl saving Christmas using mathematics.
- How to make "show your thinking" less anxiety-inducing
This episode of Math Therapy discusses the meaning of 'showing your thinking' in the classroom. Host Vanessa Vakharia offers 5 strategies to help students demystify the process and reduce anxiety, including normalizing the thought process…
- Math Therapy's 100th (& most manic) episode!
Math Therapy celebrates its 100th episode with host Vanessa Vakharia and producer David Kochberg. They discuss the podcast's origin story, favorite past episodes, and dream future guests, thanking listeners for their support.
- How to believe in yourself when nobody else will w/ Taylor Telfer-Thompson
This episode features high school student Taylor Telfer-Thompson discussing her experiences with math difficulties and the educational system. She shares insights on rewriting negative narratives, the impact of supportive adults, and the i…
- Hard truths teachers need to hear from parents w/ Cat and Nat
In this episode of Math Therapy, host Vanessa Vakharia interviews bestselling authors and podcasters Cat and Nat. They discuss unfiltered truths that parents and students are experiencing, which may be difficult for teachers to hear.
- Why we can’t binge-learn math like Netflix w/ Rob Baier
Rob Baier discusses how assessment systems contribute to math anxiety and trauma. He explores the obsession with getting every student into calculus and compares student learning to binge-watching a TV series, suggesting our approach to ed…
- What the Blue Jays taught us about math education
This episode of Math Therapy draws parallels between the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team's World Series experience and math education. Host Vanessa Vakharia and guests discuss how concepts observed in the games relate to students' educatio…
- How to turn anxiety into empowerment
This episode of Math Therapy offers 5 strategies to help teachers, parents, and students turn anxiety about math into empowerment. Vanessa discusses shifting from control to curiosity, embracing not knowing, and healing math trauma.
- An unfiltered debate about "natural ability"
In this episode of Math Therapy, host Vanessa Vakharia and producer David debate the concept of "natural ability" following an interview with Dr. Raj Shah. The discussion touches upon memory, aptitude, and the idea of innate talent.
- Why math sucks and how to fix it w/ Raj Shah
Dr. Raj Shah joins Math Therapy to discuss why math education is often difficult and how it can be improved. The episode explores topics like memorization, making math fun, and the psychological aspects of math trauma.
- Math ed needs more conversations like this w/ Pam Harris
Vanessa Vakharia interviews Pam Harris, founder of Math Is Figureoutable, discussing their differing yet ultimately aligned views on math education. They explore the debate around algorithms versus conceptual understanding and the importan…
- The Comment Section w/ Mike Flynn
This episode of Math Therapy features guest Mike Flynn responding in real-time to viewer comments from a TikTok clip of a previous episode. The discussion focuses on the debate over whether students need to understand the reasoning behind…
- How to find the "why" in math class w/ Mike Flynn
Mike Flynn discusses his journey in math education, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind math concepts and developing flexible thinking. The episode explores strategies to overcome math anxiety and foster creativity…
- Exclusive: Math Therapy audiobook sample for our listeners!
This episode features an exclusive sample of the Math Therapy audiobook, including the preface. It offers an introduction to Vanessa's story and the origins of Math Therapy.
- Why 1 + 1 isn't always 2 w/ Eugenia Cheng
Eugenia Cheng joins Vanessa on Math Therapy to discuss how to overcome math trauma and challenge rigid thinking. The episode explores why questions like 'when does 1 + 1 not equal 2?' are valuable and how emphasizing context and creativity…
- 5 simple Math Therapy strategies for your classroom (weekly podcast launch!)
Math Therapy podcast launches weekly with episode 5 featuring simple strategies for teachers. Vanessa Vakharia shares 5 low-lift tips for an empowering school year, focusing on communication and understanding student perspectives.
- How Math Therapy changed my entire life w/ Charizma Laughton
Charizma Laughton shares her experience of overcoming a negative self-image rooted in traumatic math classes through Math Therapy. After just two weeks, she experienced a complete life transformation, now embracing math and her own capabil…
- How to trust your intuition w/ Rebecca MacLeod
Rebecca MacLeod, an artist and meditator, joins Vanessa Vakharia on Math Therapy to explore the role of intuition in math education. They discuss how sacred geometry inspired Rebecca's reconnection with math and how intuitive thinking can…
- Bonus: What's your sign? (Vanessa has no clue)
In this bonus episode of Math Therapy, guest host producer David reveals Vanessa's success rate in guessing star signs last season. The episode also provides hints about the podcast's future content.
- Get the politicians out of the classroom w/ David Kochberg
David Kochberg, producer of the Math Therapy podcast, interviews host Vanessa Vakharia about her new book, Math Therapy. He also shares his perspective on the "math wars" debate and his experiences working on the podcast.
- We're not teaching content, we're teaching students w/ Kevin Dykema
Vanessa Vakharia speaks with NCTM President Kevin Dykema about his experiences, including battling imposter syndrome by learning and seeking help. The conversation covers professional development, adapting to educational changes, and evolv…
- Math Therapy is now a book! Vanessa tells all ...
The Math Therapy podcast is now a book. Host Vanessa shares her career insights on overcoming math trauma and a 5-step process for classrooms. The episode also covers the podcast's origins and the future of math education.
- We are born to love math w/ Dan Finkel
Dan Finkel, author and educator, joins Math Therapy to discuss how humans are naturally wired for math and how play-based learning can foster this curiosity in children. They explore fun methods for teaching math and how play can help adul…
- Grit is your superpower w/ Dr. India White
Dr. India White shares her experiences developing grit and resilience, overcoming obstacles from a homeless shelter to a college dorm. She now coaches teachers and students on building these 'gritty superpowers' and discusses equity beyond…
- How to change someone's mind w/ Chris Luzniak
Chris Luzniak, a math educator and coach, discusses how listening to opponents can help win debates, building confidence through public speaking, and his journey from Broadway aspirations to teaching debate in math classes.
- Math doesn't cause trauma, people do w/ Sean Nank
Sean Nank, an award-winning math educator, discusses his personal experiences with abuse and OCD, explaining how embracing his own story and the stories of his students became a powerful tool in his math classrooms, ultimately sharing how…
- Turns out some folks hate math w/ Jon Orr & Kyle Pearce
Jon Orr and Kyle Pearce discuss their realization that not all students are excited about math and how they adapted their teaching methods to fuel curiosity and understanding. Make Math Moments aims to provide professional learning opportu…
- Teachers have trauma too w/ Brittany Hege
This episode of Math Therapy features educator Brittany Hege discussing the often-overlooked trauma experienced by teachers. The conversation covers the difficulties teachers face with changing educational methods, time pressures, and thei…
- More clickbait in the classroom! w/ Howie Hua
Howie Hua, a math instructor, shares his personal struggles with math anxiety and how he now makes math engaging for future teachers and online audiences through explainer videos and memes, aiming to increase math accessibility.
- The spiritual side of math w/ Francis Su
Francis Su, a "mathematical explorer" and author, joins Vanessa Vakharia to discuss how mathematical discovery fosters wonder and curiosity. They explore differing emotional responses to math, cultivating virtues to manage AI, and the chal…
- Tell your students you trust them w/ Zak Champagne
This episode of Math Therapy features Zak Champagne, discussing how teachers can build trust and provide students with a sense of purpose and community. The conversation offers practical strategies for integrating these concepts into the c…
- The difference between equity & equality w/ Dr. Pamela Seda
Vanessa chats with Dr. Pamela Seda about how teachers can build trust through vulnerability, foster community over competition, and understand the meaning of equity and accommodations in schools.