In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, host Darius Namdaran speaks with returning guest Natalie Brooks about putting adult dyslexia into mainstream conversation and her journey from school diagnosis to workplace struggles that led her to create Dyslexia in Adults. Natalie describes being dismissed by HR, building a large online following, completing 750 hours of executive function coaching, and securing a Bloomsbury book deal after a viral video about a “big backpack” as an adult dyslexia trait. They explore dyslexia as a processing difference linked to executive functions such as working memory, planning, and organization, and discuss why “try harder” often fails. Natalie outlines her book Dyslexia Unlocked; confidence, practical strategies, and strengths, rejecting the “superpower” narrative, and they share approaches involving techniques, tools, and team support, plus how she streamlined her business and wrote the book on an 18-month timeline.
This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.
- Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/
Links:
- Ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/
- what is dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
- Natalie’s Previous Episode 146: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/146-dyslexia-expectations-in-school-and-in-the/id1387645599?i=1000656492970
- Dyslexia Scotland: https://dyslexiascotland.org.uk/
- Moira Thomson episode 75: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/75-five-decades-of-dyslexia-provision-devlopment-in/id1387645599?i=1000484851030
- Dyslexia in Adults Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexia_in_adults/
- Dyslexia in Adults Free Guide: https://dyslexiainadults.myflodesk.com/phailhpl45
- Website: https://www.dyslexiainadults.co/
- Natalie viral video with Darius: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4pp7dwMwT4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Here are all the links for the Dyslexia Unlocked book: https://linktr.ee/dyslexiainadults
- Executive Function: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/executive-functioning
- Working Memory: https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tagged/working-memory
- BETT Show: https://www.bettshow.com/
- British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]
