It’s NOT Okay to ‘Be Bad at Math’ — Here’s What Actually Works

Описание: Today on the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Brian McLogan (Free Math Videos)—one of the most impactful math educators online—to unpack why so many students believe they’re “not math people,” and what actually changes when you replace fear with skill-building.

Brian shares how he went from struggling in math to teaching for 14 years, then scaling his approach to millions online through short, stress-free lessons built on empathy and repetition. This conversation breaks down the hidden problem with grades, how students should actually study, and how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to learn math without becoming dependent.

If you’re a student trying to improve, a parent supporting a frustrated learner, or an educator looking for practical strategies—this episode is a blueprint for rebuilding math confidence through smarter practice and better feedback loops.


Watch / follow Brian McLogan: ‪‪@brianmclogan‬
Learn more about us: https://supportedtutoring.com/

Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00 Why “I’m not a math person” is so damaging
01:23 Meet Brian McLogan + the mission behind Free Math Videos
03:18 From struggling student to math teacher
04:54 When math started to “click” (pattern recognition + purpose)
06:33 What 14 years in the classroom revealed about learning math
09:03 Why Brian started recording lessons (and why short videos work)
16:37 How AI is changing math learning (and what it can’t replace)
19:11 How students should use AI without becoming dependent
21:40 Why students believe they’re not math people (time + mastery)
24:54 The myth: grades = understanding
34:11 Retakes, test corrections, and “productive struggle”
36:27 What changes when students stop fearing mistakes
39:52 What content unexpectedly resonates most
42:17 Why Brian left the classroom (2021)
45:13 Rapid fire: best advice for struggling math students
48:29 One sentence every struggling student needs to hear
48:53 The one idea to remember: stay curious about the “why”