In this episode of the Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, host Matthew Head announces taking a pause in the podcast's regular schedule as he takes a break to recharge and focus on personal goals. Since launching in June 2021, the podcast has released over 100 episodes, featuring a diverse range of guests, from politicians to educators and advocates within the dyslexia community.

Matthew discusses the decision to step back from the podcast for a while, highlighting the mental load of researching, scheduling, and producing each episode. He shares plans to explore new projects and opportunities, as well as appearing on a panel at the Neurodiversity Show on May 10th. Although the show will pause its regular format, special episodes may occasionally drop if compelling topics arise.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What if school was a place where dyslexic students felt understood, supported, and empowered to thrive?

In this special 100th episode, Matt sits down with Michelle Catterson, a leading voice in dyslexia education and advocacy. As the Executive Headteacher of Moon Hall School, Michelle has spent the last seven years transforming the school, growing student numbers from 85 to 200, and leading it to national recognition for specialist provision and personal development.

Beyond her role in education, Michelle is also the Chair of the Board for the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and a member of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups, where she works alongside MPs and House of Lords representatives to shape education policies for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Her advocacy ensures that dyslexic individuals receive the support they deserve, not just in schools, but also in the workplace and wider society.

In this conversation, Michelle shares her personal journey from scientific research to education, the challenges dyslexic students face in mainstream schools, and what truly makes Moon Hall School a life-changing environment for its students. We also dive into the power of assistive technology, the importance of teacher training, and how policy changes can improve dyslexia support at a national level.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or employer looking to better understand how to support dyslexic individuals in education and beyond, this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and real-life success stories.

Key Topics:

• A well-designed learning environment transforms dyslexic students' experiences—Moon Hall School proves how tailored education changes lives.
• Assistive technology is a game-changer—it supports independence and confidence for dyslexic learners.
• Dyslexia advocacy must extend beyond schools—employers and policymakers need to step up.
• Parental involvement is key—families play a crucial role in ensuring students get the right support.
• Small changes in teaching methods make a big impact—schools should focus on strengths, not just struggles.

Timestamps

00:01 – 00:40: Introduction—celebrating episode 100!

00:41 – 02:46: Meet Michelle Catterson—her journey from science to education.

02:47 – 05:10: Early teaching experiences and discovering a passion for SEN.

05:11 – 07:20: The transition to Moon Hall School and growing it into a nationally recognised specialist school.

07:21 – 10:03: The challenges of mainstream schools for dyslexic students.

10:04 – 11:45: What makes Moon Hall School unique?

11:46 – 15:00: The role of governance and leadership in shaping school policies.

15:01 – 18:30: The importance of assistive technology and how AI is changing dyslexia support.

18:31 – 22:15: The impact of teacher training and why it’s crucial for better SEN education.

22:16 – 25:40: Michelle’s advocacy work with the British Dyslexia Association and Parliament.

25:41 – 30:15: How dyslexia support needs to evolve beyond school into the workplace.

30:16 – 34:50: The biggest myths and misconceptions about dyslexia.

34:51 – 37:30: Rapid-fire questions and closing thoughts.

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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How do you turn your personal journey with dyslexia into a thriving business and social media platform?

In this episode, I sit down with Jo Rees, dyslexia advocate, keynote speaker, and social media educator, to talk about how her TikTok explosion led to the evolution of her business. Jo shares the story behind her brand transformation, from Another Way Round Dyslexia Support to Dyslexic Life with Jo Rees, and how she is now dividing her work between two ventures—one focused on education and advocacy, and the other looking to offer bursaries and funding for dyslexia assessments.

We discuss the power of social media in dyslexia advocacy, how Jo built a following through candid, relatable content, and why platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn require completely different approaches. She also shares the challenges of growing a business while juggling family life, speaking engagements, and running a sell-out dyslexia conference on the Isle of Wight.

This episode is packed with insights on how social media can create opportunities, open doors, and help people find their voice; whether they’re building a business or simply looking to educate others about dyslexia.

Key Topics:

• Your personal story can be a powerful business tool; Jo built her platform by being open about her lived experience.
• Consistency matters in content creation; you don’t have to go viral to make an impact.
• Confidence takes time, Jo’s journey with LinkedIn shows that stepping out of your comfort zone can open new doors.
• Social media isn’t just about promotion, it’s about engagement, community, and creating meaningful conversations.

Timestamps:

00:01 – 00:40: Introduction; Welcoming Jo back to the show after her last appearance in Episode 55.

00:41 – 02:46: The rebranding journey; why Jo changed her business name and created a second company.

02:47 – 05:10: Social media growth; how Jo’s TikTok audience exploded and shaped her brand.

05:11 – 06:57: The differences between LinkedIn and TikTok; how Jo uses each platform for advocacy.

07:20 – 09:34: Building confidence on LinkedIn; Jo’s initial fear of posting and how she overcame it.

10:17 – 12:40: Running a dyslexia business while managing family life; how Jo juggles multiple roles.

13:12 – 15:00: The Isle of Wight Dyslexia Conference; how Jo created a sell-out event and its impact.

16:18 – 18:14: Fundraising and bursaries; Jo’s goal to make dyslexia assessments more accessible.

19:23 – 20:39: The emotional side of dyslexia; how undiagnosed dyslexia affects confidence.

20:47 – 21:10: Final reflections and where to find Jo online.

Selected Links:

• Jo's previous episode
• Jo's website
• Jo’s TikTok

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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