This special episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast brings back Evan Weinberger, founder of Staying Ahead of the Game, to answer listener questions on executive functioning. Hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner explore practical strategies for overcoming procrastination, building problem-solving skills, and understanding cultural influences on productivity. Evan shares insights on how parents, professionals, and students can develop systems tailored to their unique challenges.

Key Points:

- [0:40] - Procrastination and Productivity Hacks

The hosts and Evan discuss their personal struggles with procrastination and strategies for initiating tasks when motivation is low.

- [7:18] - Executive Functioning Defined

Evan explains executive functioning as the brain's "air traffic control system" for managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and decisions.

- [12:40] - Learned Helplessness in Families

How well-meaning parents may unintentionally reinforce dependency in kids, limiting their executive functioning growth.

- [20:45] - Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

Evan shares how failure and natural consequences can help children and employees develop better problem-solving abilities.

- [30:15] - Cultural Influences on Executive Functioning

A fascinating discussion on how cultural norms, such as attitudes toward punctuality or politeness, shape perceptions of productivity.

Quotable Moments:

[7:35] "Executive functioning is like the brain’s air traffic control system—it keeps all the planes from crashing." - Evan Weinberger

[20:20] "We don’t learn from our successes; we grow from our failures." - Evan Weinberger

[33:18] "Your system might work for you, but it might not work for everyone else—and that’s okay." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

Links Mentioned:

• Staying Ahead of the Game: https://saotg.com/
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child: https://developingchild.harvard.edu
• The Anxiety Society Podcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com

This episode is packed with actionable tips for tackling executive functioning challenges. Whether you're a parent looking to support your child, a professional navigating workplace demands, or someone working on personal growth, there’s something here for you. Share this episode with someone who might benefit, and don’t forget to leave a review to help others find The Anxiety Society Podcast.