In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela takes a deep and compassionate look at the critical—but often ignored—link between prenatal health and mental health across the lifespan. Drawing on research, clinical experience, and personal stories, she unpacks how even low levels of alcohol or substance exposure during pregnancy can impact brain development, increasing the risk for conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Angela also addresses the systemic gaps in diagnosis, especially around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and the cultural silence that prevents honest conversations about prevention. With a focus on education, support—not shame—and practical action, this episode is a call to bring these conversations to the forefront, because when we know better, we can do better.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

In this heartfelt episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela shares the excitement of receiving the updated editions of her two books—A Complicated and Beautiful Brain and Not Your Typical Parenting Guide. She reflects on the inspiration behind the books, shares a moving quote from a teen with FASD, and explores the very real challenges faced by caregivers raising children with complex needs.

Angela also introduces a vital new resource by Dr. Maude Champagne, Decoding Complex Behaviour in Brain-Based Disabilities, and teases an upcoming group for caregivers navigating child-to-caregiver reactive and aggressive symptoms.

Listen now and find links to both of Angela's books on Amazon at www.angelageddes.ca.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela reflects on the emotional fallout of Canada’s recent federal election—and the importance of healthy dialogue. Drawing from her mental health background, she unpacks 10 common cognitive distortions (like all-or-nothing thinking and emotional reasoning) and encourages listeners to return to the table with more curiosity and less judgment. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling disillusioned by political division and searching for ways to reconnect with community and common ground.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

This episode challenges recent claims made by RFK Jr. around autism and explores why Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is being left out of the conversation. While autism is valid and deserves attention, the known risk of prenatal alcohol exposure is too often ignored.

Let's shift the focus to prevention and evidence-based care.

Resources to Learn More:

• Science.org | Claiming autism ‘epidemic,’ RFK Jr. describes NIH initiative to find environmental causes
• Proof Alliance | What are the differences between FASD and autism?

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

This year’s FASD International Research Conference was both powerful and deeply human.

Key themes included:

• The insidious impact of stigma — and how it blocks access to diagnosis and care
• The importance of naming FASD to open doors, not close them
• New research on paternal alcohol exposure at the time of conception
• The call for interdisciplinary support, trauma-informed care, and early intervention
• Heartfelt reminders that every diagnosis is a family story — and every story deserves compassion

I ended the trip beside someone whose mother had FASD — a lovely woman who relinquished custody when overwhelmed by the demands of parenting. Their story reminded me: we must humanize this diagnosis, and the families living it.

Let’s continue shifting the conversation toward hope, healing, and justice.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

Celebrating 100 Episodes!

From our very first episode on September 9th, International FASD Awareness Day, to now—this podcast has been about starting the hard conversations, uncovering hidden conditions, and pushing for change. In this milestone episode, I reflect on what we’ve achieved, the impact of our discussions, and how my practice-based research is now being validated by empirical studies.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The urgency of FASD awareness and better assessment access
• The hidden struggles of neurodevelopmental conditions and why so many are misdiagnosed
• How my most popular episode on anxiety resonated with listeners, reframing it as a strength
• The critical need for fewer "wrong doors" in mental health and education

The work isn’t done—we’re just getting started. Join me as we push for better awareness, better support, and a future where fewer people are left without answers.

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE:

• Neurowise | This Valentines Day it’s time to rethink our approach to attachment
• CanFASD | Global Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Among Children and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PDF)
• ADVANCES IN DUAL DIAGNOSIS | Hearing the voice of child welfare social workers: planning safe care for a child with or suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (PDF)
• Taylor & Francis Online | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Social Work Practice in Australia: A Narrative Literature Review

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

In this episode, I want to share some reflections from the last few weeks—weeks that have reaffirmed why I do this work and why these conversations are so important.

For the past 25 years, I’ve worked alongside individuals with what I call complicated and beautiful brains—people living with complex mental health conditions, trauma histories, and neurodevelopmental disabilities like FASD. Many of them have experienced family disruptions, multiple placements, and deep struggles with feeling understood.

And yet, despite the challenges, the most profound learning I’ve done has come directly from the individuals and families I support.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

Supporting Neurodiverse Learners with Compassion and Practical Strategies

At Geddes Specialized Support & Integrative Wellness Inc., we are committed to helping educators, school social workers, and child and youth workers develop a deeper understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and how to effectively support students with complex neurodevelopmental needs.

Our latest podcast episode explores "Understanding and Supporting Students with FASD: A Practical Guide for Educators," offering real-world strategies to foster emotional regulation, reduce stigma, and create classroom environments where students feel safe, understood, and empowered.

Interested in learning more?

We offer training sessions for educators, school social workers, and child and youth workers to help build FASD-informed, inclusive learning environments. Whether you’re an administrator, teacher, or frontline support worker, our workshops provide the knowledge and tools you need to make a difference in the lives of neurodiverse students.

Get in touch with us today to discuss training opportunities for your school or organization.