Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated – Details, episodes & analysis

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Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated

Julie Withrow: Podcast host, mom, neurodiversity advocate, education reformer, curiosity follower

Kids & Family

Frequency: 1 episode/116d. Total Eps: 16

Raising girls is no joke. Add exceptionalities like giftedness, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety into the mix, and you may feel like you're the only one struggling to figure it all out. You're not.

As a mom myself, I know what it's like to help your neurodivergent child navigate the challenges of school, friendships, and family dynamics. Once my kiddo and I finally figured out her unique wiring, life got so much better. But it took almost 15 years, and that’s way too long.

I created this podcast to shorten the learning curve for others and increase awareness and understanding of female neurodiversity. Join me as we learn together how we can help our exceptional girls be seen, supported, and celebrated.

Want to learn more? Visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

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Episode 15: What It's Really Like to Be a Gifted Girl with Kaia Vernon-Oliveira

Season 1 · Episode 15

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 • Duration 28:09

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, I’m talking with Kaia Vernon-Oliveira. This episode is a departure from my recent episodes in that I’m not talking with a clinician or recognized professional, but with an actual exceptional girl.

Kaia is a profoundly gifted 11-year-old storyteller and performer who loves making people think. One of the ways she’s doing this is through her TedxLasVegas talk called The Myth of the Gifted Girl.

🎧 Listen in as Kaia shares:

What inspired her to present a TED Talk
Eye-opening insights from her research into giftedness in girls
The best and hardest parts of being a gifted girl
Her advice for struggling girls — and their parents

About Kaia Vernon-Oliveira:

Kaia Vernon-Oliveira is a profoundly gifted student, writer, and performing artist who attends Nasri Academy for Gifted Children in Las Vegas and the Davidson Young Scholars program. Known for her bold curiosity, emotional depth, and comedic timing, Kaia uses her platform to advocate for equity in gifted education, especially for girls. A multiracial 11-year-old storyteller and performer, Kaia loves making people think. When she’s not deep in debate, reading, writing, or building a prototype for her next big idea, she can be found on stage. From dancing to acting, she loves putting on a good show. She has performed with Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, Dynamic Performing Arts Center, Drama Kids of Las Vegas, and Bright Star Acting Academy. Kaia also loves comedy. Whether delivering a monologue or cracking a joke (the bluer, the better!), she believes her words have the power to move people—to action, to laughter, and if she’s lucky, both. Whatever she chooses to do with her life, Kaia plans to use her creativity and talents to empower girls and make the world a better place for everyone.

A fan of TED Talks since kindergarten, Kaia delivered a TEDxLasVegas talk that marked one of the few public talks addressing giftedness through the lens of gender and neurodiversity. Watch Kaia's TEDxLasVegas talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoEKdXIRQRg&t=58s

About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:

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Episode 14: Managing Child Anxiety with Dawn Friedman

Season 1 · Episode 14

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 • Duration 41:46

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, host Julie Withrow is joined by Dawn Friedman, founder of Open Book Parenting, to talk about child anxiety and how families can navigate the challenges it presents.

Anxiety and anxious avoidance can be tricky to manage, especially in neurodivergent kids. Dawn is quick to point out that parents aren't to blame and needn't feel ashamed if they've made some missteps along the way. But they do have a responsibility to help their children overcome avoidance and get to readiness. This episode will give them a taste of how to do that.

🎧 Listen in as Dawn shares:

Why anxiety isn’t the real problem—avoidance is
How parents unintentionally reinforce their child’s anxiety
Simple steps to start helping kids overcome their fears
What parents need to know as they support their anxious children

About Dawn Friedman:

Dawn Friedman, MSEd, is the founder of Open Book Parenting, an online education and coaching platform for parents of anxious children and teens. A licensed clinical counselor, Dawn has more than 30 years of experience working with children and families in educational, clinical, and community settings. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Dayton and a post-graduate certification in Infant-Toddler Mental Health from Arcadia University. A sought-after speaker, Dawn has presented at national and regional conferences, delivered trainings and workshops to counselors, educators, and parenting professionals across the country, and has appeared on radio programs, including New Hampshire Public Radio’s Word of Mouth. Dawn has also been published in outlets including Yoga Journal, Salon, and Greater Good, and has contributed to multiple books on parenting, adoption, and family life. She lives in the Poconos with her family, where she continues to support parents, children, and professionals in understanding and treating childhood anxiety. To learn more, visit www.openbookparenting.com

About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:

Episode 5: Giftedness and Early Identification in Girls with Dr. Linda Silverman

Season 1 · Episode 5

Friday, October 6, 2023 • Duration 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.

To learn more, visit our website at: www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

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Episode 4: A Candid Mother and Daughter Conversation, Part 2

Season 1 · Episode 4

Friday, August 5, 2022 • Duration 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.

To learn more, visit our website at: www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

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Episode 3: A Candid Mother and Daughter Conversation, Part 1

Season 1 · Episode 2

Monday, August 1, 2022 • Duration 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

Want to learn more about the podcast? Visit our website at: www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

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Episode 1: Two Wishes for Our Smart but Struggling Girls

Season 1 · Episode 1

Monday, June 28, 2021 • Duration 12:32

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.

Want to learn more about the podcast? Visit our website at: www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

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Episode 13: Finding the Right School for Your Gifted or 2e Child with Dr. Jessica Potts

Season 1 · Episode 13

Monday, August 18, 2025 • Duration 39:55

As any parent of a gifted or twice exceptional child knows, finding a learning environment that's capable of meeting your child's particular needs can be a long and difficult journey. Traditional schools often fall short of providing the academic challenge, learning accommodations, or social-emotional support your child needs to be successful.

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, host Julie Withrow sits down with Dr. Jessica Potts, curriculum coordinator at Davidson Academy Online, to get research-informed advice and practical tips your family can use to evaluate your educational options.

🎧 Listen in as Dr. Potts shares:

Some of the telltale signs your child may not be in the right learning environment
How to evaluate a school's ability to support the whole child—academically socially, and emotionally
Practical tips to more effectively advocate for your child with teachers
Why an online school can be a great choice for gifted and twice-exceptional learners

About Dr. Jessica Potts:

Dr. Jessica Potts, PhD, is the Curriculum Coordinator at Davidson Academy Online, a fully virtual school for profoundly gifted students. She earned a doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno in Secondary Education, with an emphasis on gifted education and online learning. Her research focuses on the intersection of these two fields, and along with authoring a chapter in a book on gifted underachievement, she has published articles in Gifted Child Quarterly, Gifted Child Today, Parenting for High Potential, Teaching for High Potential, and EdWeek. Dr. Potts has presented at numerous conferences and has delivered webinars and workshops both online and in-person on topics as wide ranging as online pedagogy, gifted education, administrative organization, social-emotional learning, and parent engagement. She is a four-time recipient of the Blackboard Catalyst Award, a winner of Blackboard’s Exemplary Course Award, a recipient of the J-WEL Vox Innovators Award, and a winner of the World Giftedness Center School Global Award Initiative. Jessica is the incoming NAGC Curriculum Studies Network Chair, serves on the NAGC Professional Standards Committee, leads an ECHA Special Interest Group, and is an ECHA auditor. Dr. Potts and her husband live in the Czech Republic with their sons.

Episode 12: Debunking Misperceptions about Giftedness with Megan Cannella

Season 1 · Episode 12

Monday, June 16, 2025 • Duration 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

Links to resources shared in this episode:

Gifted Identification: https://www.davidsongifted.org/resource-library/gifted-resources-guides/identification-and-testing/
Laziness Does Not Exist, by Dr. Devon Price: https://www.amazon.com/Laziness-Exist-Devon-Price-Ph-D/dp/1982140100
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing, by KC Davis, LPC: https://www.amazon.com/How-Keep-House-While-Drowning/dp/1668002841

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 PodcastIf 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 .

Episode 11: Understanding Eating Disorders with Dr. Gail Post

Season 1 · Episode 11

Sunday, January 26, 2025 • Duration 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:

Website: www.gailpost.com

Episode 10: Reframing What It Means to Be Autistic with Dr. Melinda Edwards

Season 1 · Episode 10

Sunday, September 22, 2024 • Duration 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.

To learn more about Dr. Edwards, visit www.melindaedwardsmd.com.

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.

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Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated – Details, episodes & analysis

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Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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