Explore every episode of the podcast Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated
Dive into the complete episode list for Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Episode 10: Reframing What It Means to Be Autistic with Dr. Melinda Edwards
22 Sep 2024
00:49:02
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Melinda Edwards. As the mother of an autistic daughter and a practicing physician, Dr. Edwards’ views on autism may surprise you.
Listen in as Dr. Edwards shares:
How her initial feelings of grief and loss about her daughter's diagnosis shifted in a dramatic way
The profound insights she's learned about being autistic from her daughter Saachi
How she rectifies the typical medical definition of autism with her own spiritual understanding of it
Her comforting advice for those who are still coming to terms with an autism diagnosis
About Dr. Melinda Edwards, MD: Dr. Edwards is a practicing physician in Charleston, South Carolina. She's also mom to Saachi, her autistic daughter, and the founder and president of Living Darshan, a non-profit organization that’s fostering a deeper understanding of autism in the world.
Dr. Edwards attended the Medical University of South Carolina and completed her residency in psychiatry at Stanford Medical Center. Also a writer, Dr. Edwards is a columnist for Autism Parenting Magazine, as well as the author of the Amazon bestselling book PSYCHE & SPIRIT: How a Psychiatrist Found Divinity Through Her Lifelong Quest for Truth and Her Daughter’s Autism.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.
Episode 9: Navigating Gender Questioning & Exploration with Dr. Alexis Bitting
11 Apr 2024
00:48:09
In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Alexis Bitting, a licensed mental health counselor who holds a Ph.D. in clinical sexology. Dr. Alexis has extensive experience working with neurodivergent young people, as well as those who are questioning their gender identity and sexuality.
Listen in as Dr. Alexis shares her expertise and insights:
Is this just a phase? How to know if your child's gender questioning is a special interest, if they're being influenced by their friends, or if it's "real."
Cis and trans and nonbinary — oh my! Understanding gender vocabulary and why it's important.
Breaking down gender identity: What gender is AND what it isn't.
Dr. Alexis also shared two resources to help understand the differences between gender identity, gender expression, sexual gender, and sexual orientation:
About Dr. Alexis Bitting, Ph.D.: A licensed mental health counselor and clinical sexologist, Dr. Alexis Bitting works with children, teens, and adults with social and developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s, ADHD, non-verbal learning, and other challenges. With extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ clients, as well as supporting young people who are questioning their gender identity and sexuality, she regularly presents on topics including gender diversity and neurodiversity, sexuality across the spectrum, and social skills development. To learn more about Dr. Alexis, visit https://www.southfloridatherapists.com/team/dr-alexis-bitting/.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.
**A Special Note about this Episode from the Host**
This episode was especially personal for me. I’ve shared a little about my own child’s gender exploration. I even took some time away from the podcast to contemplate how to proceed since my own "daughter," who inspired this podcast and is now a senior in high school, no longer identifies as female.
Where I landed is that whether my child identifies as a girl or not doesn’t change how I feel about the importance of raising awareness about the female experience of being neurodivergent. I’m also hopeful that by being transparent and sharing our experiences navigating gender identity, it will be helpful to others who are going through a similar experience.
***Some audio errors were found in the original release of this episode. Those errors were fixed, and the episode was updated on April 15, 2024.***
Episode 8: Growing Up Smart, Sensitive & Dyslexic with Dr. Nicole Tetreault
01 Apr 2024
00:58:40
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, you're invited to listen in as I talk with Dr. Nicole Tetreault.
A neuroscientist, meditation teacher, international speaker, and author of Insight into a Bright Mind, Dr. Nicole shares:
Personal and poignant stories of growing up as a sensitive and precocious girl who later learned she had dyslexia
The pivotal experience that led her to become a neuroscientist
How to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism
A simple but not always easy way to identify people pleasing and tap into what we really want
Her one-word advice to parents about how to support their exceptional girls
About Dr. Nicole Tetreault, Ph.D. Dr. Nicole is the founder of Awesome Neuroscience and Beyond the Cell. Using positive neural plasticity with compassion and wisdom, Dr. Nicole believes in our ability to wire our minds for love and liberate ourselves to live the lives we dream. She translates the most promising neuroscience and positive psychology into corporate trainings and meditation retreats, supporting people around the world to increase creativity, deepen peace, and awaken compassion.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is.
Episode 7: How Parents Can Support Their Exceptional Girls with Dr. Gail Post
28 Jan 2024
00:40:23
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, you're invited to listen in as I talk with Dr. Gail Post, a clinical psychologist, professor, and author of The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children.
Based on her many years of experience working with gifted and twice exceptional women and girls, Gail shares:
Some of the not-so-obvious signs that your daughter may be struggling
Why the middle school years are often challenging for exceptional girls
Eye-opening statistics that explain why being a neurodivergent girl can be especially challenging
Advice for supporting your daughter through the transition to middle school and beyond
If you're the parent of a tween or middle-school aged exceptional girl, this episode is a must-listen.
About Dr. Gail Post Gail is a Clinical Psychologist, a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, a workshop leader, and writer.
Gail raised two gifted kids of her own, and she's been in practice for over 35 years, providing psychotherapy and parent coaching with a focus on the needs of the intellectually and musically gifted, and the twice-exceptional.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is.
Episode 6: The Prevalence—and Price—of Underachievement with Brianne Hudak
23 Jan 2024
00:40:53
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, you're invited to listen in as I talk with Brianne Hudak, a veteran educator, about the prevalence of underachievement in gifted and neurodivergent girls.
A veteran teacher certified in gifted and talented education, as well as a school leader, Brianne shares:
Why underachievement poses unique problems for girls
How to spot the signs of underachievement, which can look different in girls than boys
How to evaluate learning environments and talk with teachers to set your daughter up for success
What you can do to support an underachieving girl — and why it's a problem worth prioritizing
About Brianne Hudak Brianne has served in public, private, and charter schools for over 16 years, including teaching gifted and talented students, teaching STEM and theatre classes, and holding several administrative leadership positions.
She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in communications and theater, a certification in gifted and talented education, a master’s in educational administration and supervision, and she’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership.
She is an active member of several state, federal, and international organizations serving gifted and exceptional children, including the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, the National Association for Gifted Children, and the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and She’s also the North Caroline state liaison for SENG.
A vocal advocate for gifted learners, Brianne is especially passionate about overcoming underachievement in gifted and twice exceptional (2e) girls.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is.
Episode 5: Giftedness and Early Identification in Girls with Dr. Linda Silverman
06 Oct 2023
00:58:14
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, you're invited to listen in as I talk with Dr. Linda Silverman, a well-known and respected expert in giftedness in both girls and adult women.
Dr. Silverman shares invaluable information for parents and caregivers of girls who are gifted, or who they suspect may be. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of:
What giftedness really is and how it presents in girls differently than boys
What you really need to know about IQ tests
Why gifted and neurodivergent girls can easily slip through the cracks
The critical clues that your daughter may be gifted or twice exceptional
Why early identification of neurodivergence in girls is so important
Dr. Silverman also shares helpful insights about gifted adult women at the end that you won't want to miss.
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is.
Episode 4: A Candid Mother and Daughter Conversation, Part 2
05 Aug 2022
00:44:37
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, you can listen in as I continue my conversation with Maddie, my neurodivergent and twice exceptional daughter. In episode 3, we talked about the challenges we faced as we tried to understand why why things seemed harder for her than other kids.
Listen in on the second half of our no-holds-barred conversation, where Maddie and I talk about:
My regrettable reaction to the results of her neuropsychological evaluation
The light bulb moment for me — and how I found the missing link we needed
How the female experience of neurodiversity is different than the male experience
About the Exceptional Girls podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, advocate for, and accept and love herself — just as she is.
Episode 3: A Candid Mother and Daughter Conversation, Part 1
01 Aug 2022
00:37:05
If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, advocate for, and accept and love herself — just as she is.
This episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, you'll hear part 1 of a two-part conversation I had with my twice exceptional daughter, Maddie. We talk about our experiences over the past several years as we grew to understand her unique wiring.
Listen in to this candid and intimate conversation as Maddie and I discuss:
What led us to explore why things seemed harder for her than other kids
The challenges she's experienced as both a student and a daughter
The mistakes and missteps I made as a mom, despite my best intentions
Episode 1: Two Wishes for Our Smart but Struggling Girls
28 Jun 2021
00:12:32
If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, advocate for, and accept and love herself — just as she is.
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, you'll learn:
The "why" behind the creation of this podcast
More about my personal experience raising an exceptional girl
The two things I hope you get from this podcast
I'm not embarrassed to admit that creating this podcast took almost two years. As the mom of my own exceptional daughter, I want to be certain I handle the topic of female neurodiversity with the care and thoughtfulness it deserves. (And like many of us who experience neurodiversity, I may be prone to overthinking and perfectionism.)
To be clear, I'm not an expert on female neurodiversity. But I am a passionate advocate for helping our exceptional girls be seen for all that they are, supported with their challenges, and celebrated for their strengths and talents. I've experienced firsthand what it's like to raise a neurodiverse girl, and I've come to understand how I am one myself.
Episode 11: Understanding Eating Disorders with Dr. Gail Post
26 Jan 2025
00:44:46
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, host Julie Withrow sits down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Gail Post to unpack the complex relationship between neurodivergence and eating disorders.
Drawing from decades of experience, Gail offers professional insights and practical advice for parents and caregivers navigating these challenges.
🔑 Listen in as Gail shares:
The surprising connections between autism, ADHD, and various eating disorders, and how neurodivergence may contribute to disordered eating patterns.
The key signs and symptoms parents should look for if they suspect their child is struggling with an eating disorder.
Actionable strategies for supporting your child, including how to approach difficult conversations and when to seek professional help.
About Dr. Gail Post, PhD Dr. Gail Post is a Clinical Psychologist, a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and author of the 2022 book The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children. Gail has worked in the gifted field for over 20 years, has written widely, provided workshops and parenting consultations, and advocates for the needs of the gifted.
Over her 35 year career, Gail has also worked extensively with individuals with eating disorders. Her experience includes serving as the director of psychological services for a hospital-based obesity treatment program, the director of group psychotherapy at a residential eating disorder treatment center, and the president of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Anorexia and Bulimia Association. To learn more:
About the Exceptional Girls Podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.
Episode 12: Debunking Misperceptions about Giftedness with Megan Cannella
16 Jun 2025
00:57:51
When most people picture a gifted child, they imagine a straight-A student who thrives in school and loves a challenge. But what happens when giftedness looks more like meltdowns after school, daydreaming in class, or a deep interest in fashion design?
In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, host Julie Withrow welcomes Megan Cannella, Director of Outreach at the Davidson Institute, to unpack the most common myths and misperceptions surrounding giftedness—especially in girls.
Listen in as Megan shares:
What to look for if you suspect your child is gifted
The foolproof way to know what support your child really needs
Why understanding that you're gifted is so important
About Megan Cannella Megan Cannella is the Director of Outreach at the Davidson Institute (davidsongifted.org), where she has worked since 2019. Her work at the institute focuses on advocacy and equity in gifted education. Before that, she taught college-level humanities courses for almost a decade across Illinois, Nevada, and California. Megan's outreach role allows her to continue to grow the work she is most passionate about and dedicated to, which is connecting students and families with the services and supports they need to reach their goals.
About the Exceptional Girls Podcast If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.