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Building Belonging Through Games: Social Cipher’s Mission for Neurodivergent Youth with Lucy Stevens and Vanessa Castañeda Gill

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Manage episode 512304135 series 2999353
Content provided by Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, Alex Sarlin, and Ben Kornell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, Alex Sarlin, and Ben Kornell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

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Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher and Lucy Stevens, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Social Cipher, lead a majority-neurodivergent team creating social-emotional learning video games that help neurodivergent youth build self-understanding and connections; inspired by Vanessa’s experiences as an autistic/ADHD Latina, their games and curriculum are now used in 200+ schools and therapy centers across 8 countries, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Solve, and the LEGO Foundation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

  1. Using games to build belonging and self-advocacy for neurodivergent students
  2. Authentic representation and storytelling in SEL game design
  3. Insights teachers and therapists gain from playtesting
  4. The impact of a majority-neurodivergent team on product and mission
  5. Connecting SEL games to IEP goals and today’s mental health needs

Episode Highlights
[00:03:08] Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience
[00:06:05] Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters
[00:12:37] Feedback from students and educators that changed the game
[00:18:21] Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team
[00:26:25] Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools
[00:33:52] Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges
[00:41:55] Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging
[00:47:15] How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming
[00:48:50] Using SEL games to support IEP goals

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Building Belonging Through Games: Social Cipher’s Mission for Neurodivergent Youth with Lucy Stevens and Vanessa Castañeda Gill (00:00:00)

2. Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience (00:03:24)

3. Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters (00:06:21)

4. Feedback from students and educators that changed the game (00:13:37)

5. Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team (00:19:21)

6. Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools (00:27:25)

7. Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges (00:34:52)

8. Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging (00:42:55)

9. How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming (00:48:15)

10. Using SEL games to support IEP goals (00:49:50)

400 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 512304135 series 2999353
Content provided by Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, Alex Sarlin, and Ben Kornell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, Alex Sarlin, and Ben Kornell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

Send us a text

Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher and Lucy Stevens, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Social Cipher, lead a majority-neurodivergent team creating social-emotional learning video games that help neurodivergent youth build self-understanding and connections; inspired by Vanessa’s experiences as an autistic/ADHD Latina, their games and curriculum are now used in 200+ schools and therapy centers across 8 countries, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Solve, and the LEGO Foundation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

  1. Using games to build belonging and self-advocacy for neurodivergent students
  2. Authentic representation and storytelling in SEL game design
  3. Insights teachers and therapists gain from playtesting
  4. The impact of a majority-neurodivergent team on product and mission
  5. Connecting SEL games to IEP goals and today’s mental health needs

Episode Highlights
[00:03:08] Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience
[00:06:05] Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters
[00:12:37] Feedback from students and educators that changed the game
[00:18:21] Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team
[00:26:25] Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools
[00:33:52] Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges
[00:41:55] Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging
[00:47:15] How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming
[00:48:50] Using SEL games to support IEP goals

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Building Belonging Through Games: Social Cipher’s Mission for Neurodivergent Youth with Lucy Stevens and Vanessa Castañeda Gill (00:00:00)

2. Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience (00:03:24)

3. Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters (00:06:21)

4. Feedback from students and educators that changed the game (00:13:37)

5. Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team (00:19:21)

6. Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools (00:27:25)

7. Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges (00:34:52)

8. Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging (00:42:55)

9. How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming (00:48:15)

10. Using SEL games to support IEP goals (00:49:50)

400 episodes

All episodes

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