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:

• When do tools help vs. hinder?
• Does process matter if the outcome is good?
• Are mathematical and creative thinking similar?
• What is the ultimate core purpose of education?
• Is AI making us more productive or more lazy?

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 Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop 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):

1. They don't feel heard (democratize engagement)
2. They don't know how to engage (explain what it is)
3. They think there's no point (create more entry points)
4. Their needs aren't met (don't take it personally)

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:

• Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop 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 Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email
• Math Therapy: Text the Podcast

More Math Therapy:

• Get the book: Corwin, Amazon
• Audiobook: Audible, Spotify
• Merch store: Shop here