Newsletter - November 25 2025
New Deep Dive Episodes & Updated Book Releases
Two powerful resources for understanding, supporting, and connecting with people who have complicated & beautiful brains.
Hello everyone,
I’m thrilled to share some special updates with you — We’ve just released not one, but two new companion audio episodes of Kitchen Table Conversations, created to give the listener a clear and convenient overview of the main points found in the brand new 2nd Editions of my first two books.
📘 A Complicated & Beautiful Brain — 2nd Edition
📘 Not Your Typical Parenting Guide — 2nd Edition
My goal is to increase awareness and inspire a desire to learn and do more. These materials help individuals, caregivers and professionals better understand the complexities that come with some of our most hidden disabilities.
A Complicated & Beautiful Brain explains the sometimes subtle and sometimes quite profound effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and FASD across the lifespan.
Not Your Typical Parenting Guide provides clarity around the puzzling symptoms and offers practical support strategies for people experiencing ADHD, Autism, trauma, executive functioning challenges, as well as prenatal alcohol/substance exposure and FASD.
But more importantly — both books were created to bring compassion, clarity, and dignity to conversations that have traditionally been filled with misunderstanding and stigma.
And now, each book has its own Deep Dive audio episode to accompany it.
New: Deep Dive Companion Episodes
Two long-form, conversational podcast episodes designed to
support — not replace — each book.
#1 Deep Dive: A Complicated & Beautiful Brain — 2nd Edition
In this episode, I explore:
the often-invisible nature of PAE/PSE impacts
why FASD remains misunderstood and underdiagnosed
how symptoms present across the lifespan
the real costs of misdiagnosis and system gaps
prevention, awareness, and the need for trauma- and culture-informed support
why punitive approaches fail — and what works instead
what caregivers, educators, and helpers need to know to respond with dignity and compassion
This Deep Dive honours the lived experiences of individuals with FASD and the families who support them.
It also reinforces a key message:
FASD is common, lifelong, and NOT a behaviour issue — it is a brain and health condition deserving understanding, resources, and respect.
#2 Deep Dive: Not Your Typical Parenting Guide — 2nd Edition
This companion episode walks through the heart-work of parenting a child or youth with a complex and beautiful brain:
understanding symptoms vs. behaviours
dysmaturity and developmental age
safety, boundaries, and routines that match the brain
supporting memory, impulsivity, and emotional regulation
interoception, sleep, movement & the body
creating co-regulation and connection
navigating vulnerability
nourishing caregiver wellness and dignity
This is not a traditional audiobook.
It’s a conversation — gentle, grounding, and honest.
Something you can listen to while cooking, driving, or catching your breath between the big moments.
Why Deep Dives Instead of Audiobooks?
Both books are interactive.
They include:
🖊 reflection spaces
📘 customizable note sections
📎 practical tools
💬 references and QR codes
🌱 frameworks
🧠 brain-based strategies
They are meant to be written in, revisited, discussed, and integrated slowly.
An audiobook would simply read the information.
A Deep Dive lets us explore it together, in a way that honours:
your emotional load
your lived experience
your learning style
your time and energy
the complexity of these topics
These Deep Dives are companions — not replacements.
Who Are These Resources For?
They are ideal for:
caregivers and families
educators, EAs, and school teams
clinicians, CYCs, social workers, psychotherapists
health and community workers
young adults seeking self-understanding
leaders, advocates, and policy makers
anyone supporting individuals affected by PAE/PSE
And anyone who wants evidence-informed, shame-free, and culturally respectful guidance.
Where to Listen
All episodes are available on:
✔ Spotify
✔ Apple Podcasts
✔ The Kitchen Table Conversations website
A final note of gratitude
Thank you for being part of this growing, compassionate community.
Thank you for the work you do, the young people you support, and the strength you carry.
Thank you for choosing evidence over judgement, connection over shame, and dignity over discipline.
May these books — and their new companion Deep Dive episodes — offer you clarity, hope, and a sense of not having to walk this path alone.
Watch for our next Deep Dive “Not Your Typical Teaching Guide” for educators!
With respect, admiration, and gratitude,
Angela