Mark discusses why many kids struggle to answer the question "how was your day?" and how the reasons behind these processing and recall challenges are more developmental than parents may think. He explores the issues of how to help support kids who can't express what they're going through or push people away who are trying to help and offers prompts for reflection to help parents model these skills for their kids.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga welcomes Pamela Hobart from GT School to discuss the challenges and solutions in educating gifted kids. They discuss the inefficiencies of the traditional school system, and how GT School utilizes A.I.-powered apps to accelerate learning and provide personalized education for high-ability students.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Pamela Hobart:
GT School Website: gt.school
Substack: abovegradelevel.substack.com
This episode Mark puts ChatGPT to the test. Mark asks A.I. to come up with helpful communication strategies to use to get gifted kids to listen better and evaluates the effectiveness of those responses. He offers both ideas that have a better chance of working and practical advice on how to implement these strategies.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga is joined by Misti Peppler, occupational therapist and core specialist in the Masgutova Method of Neurosensory Motor Reflex Integration. Mark and Misti discuss the primitive reflexes that exist in all of us that sometimes get "stuck" and create certain behaviors and movements that can impact a child which can make life much harder. Misti dives into what to look for and how best to create supports for kids with non-integrated primitive reflexes.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website: www.hopelesslygifted.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Misti Peppler:
Mark Talaga addresses the challenges gifted kids face in making and sustaining friendships as well as the complexities of social connection. He offers parents tools for expanding their evaluation of the reasons their children may be finding it difficult to socialize and provides insights for addressing the skill deficits behind their children's social behaviors.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga explores the challenge of sustaining motivation and creating habits, through the lens of improving executive function and nurturing relationships. Mark talks about the importance of utilizing interpersonal accountability to maintain consistency and build the skill of sustaining.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga tackles the topic of perfectionism in gifted kids. He discusses the emotional and cognitive aspects of perfectionism and shares strategies for parents to support their children in navigating their perfectionistic tendencies.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga speaks with Dr. Pam McCaskill, an experienced clinical psychologist who specializes in understanding and supporting strong willed children. Mark and Pam discuss underlying causes of these behaviors and explore steps parents can take to set their children up for success at home, at school and in the community.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Dr. Pam McCaskill:
Website: www.mccaskillfamilyservices.com
Instagram: @mccaskillfamilyservices
Mark Talaga explores the complexities of a parent’s role in a gifted child’s life and their contributions toward both their child’s challenges and progress. Mark helps parents evaluate whether they are enabling or properly scaffolding their kids and explains how to prioritize connection while also supporting their child as they move into adulthood.
Submit a Question for Mark: Website
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga discusses how parents can find the right therapist for their gifted and neurodivergent children. Mark covers important considerations such as understanding the need for therapy, assessing therapist approaches, and emphasizing the importance of a collaborative, team-based system, shedding light on what can feel like an overwhelming process.
Submit a Question for Mark: www.hopelesslygifted.com
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga discusses the complexities of diagnoses and other labels for developmental and learning differences in gifted kids. Mark emphasizes both the difficulty and the importance of assessing for proper diagnoses and how people can avoid the trap of becoming and deferring to their labels rather than making adjustments in order to be successful.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga and guest Dr. Eric Enchlich discuss supporting gifted and other neurodiverse individuals as they prepare for, apply to and enroll in college. They explore the challenges and supports necessary for neurodivergent students transitioning to college and share insights on evaluating readiness and the importance of finding the right fit for students as they enter higher education.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Dr. Eric Endlich:
State Representative Noah Arbit joins Mark Talaga to discuss the importance of focusing on kids’ mental health and re-envisioning education to support the gifted population. Mark and Representative Arbit discuss how parents can re-envision a successful future for their gifted child by supporting them in thriving within their gifts.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact State Representative Noah Arbit:
IG: @repnoaharbit
Resources:
Mark Talaga is joined by Emmy-nominated writer and producer Vijal Patel. Vijal shares his unconventional journey from a career path in engineering and finance to becoming a successful comedy writer and producer. Mark and Vijal discuss the importance of self-confidence, seizing opportunities when they arise, and being true to oneself even when that defies societal, and perhaps familial, expectations.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Vijal:
Instagram: @thevijal
Mark Talaga explores the nuances of communicating with gifted children and why it can be so challenging. He discusses common points of conflict and emphasizes the importance of understanding underlying issues affecting a child's abilities and a family’s communication patterns. Mark gives listeners key questions to ask their child and themselves to take steps toward improvement.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website: www.hopelesslygifted.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Mark Talaga shares his core advice for parents, teachers and administrators on how to ensure 504, IEP and special services meetings produce less anxiety and more results. He explains how to best support gifted students while also meeting the needs of the teachers and school systems. Mark also shares how to make use of evaluations in order to identify and close skill gaps to set all parties up for success.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Host Mark Talaga is joined by pediatric developmental audiologist and auditory processing specialist, Dr. Christy Washkowiak, to discuss the significant impact of Central Auditory Processing Disorder on gifted and asynchronous children. Dr. Christy and Mark discuss comprehensive evaluations and therapeutic interventions and the diverse symptoms of auditory processing disorders and the importance of a holistic approach in addressing these challenges.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Dr. Christy Washkowiak:
Website: www.auditoryconnection.com
Resources:
Mark Talaga explores the complex and often misunderstood topic of asynchronous development in gifted children. He explains the concept and the developmental gaps the child experiences as well as explains his approach to best support gifted kids. Mark challenges common misconceptions and advocates for a developmental approach to closing skill gaps in these unique children.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Host Mark Talaga is joined by Marco Braun, the creative mind behind the popular social media account, Eye Spy Antiques to discuss living authentically. Mark and Marco discuss challenges of embracing one's true self, dealing with societal pressures, and the healing power of self-love and community.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Marco Braun:
TikTok @eyespyantique
Mark Talaga is joined by London-based videographer and photographer, Anthony Rosner, for an insightful conversation about Anthony’s personal journey of balancing a passion for video games with the challenges and aspirations of real life. Mark and Anthony discuss identity, mastery, and the struggles of sustaining creative endeavors. Anthony shares about his experiences as a documentary filmmaker, the acclaim he received, and the continuous process of defining what he truly wants and deciding where to focus his attention and efforts.
Host: Mark Talaga
Music: Petren J Music
Contact Mark Talaga:
Email: marktalaga@live.com
Website IG: @hopelesslygifted | FB: @hopelesslygifted
Contact Anthony Rosner:
Website: https://anthonyrosner.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antronoid/
Bluesky handle: https://bsky.app/profile/anthonyrosner.com
Threads handle: https://www.threads.net/@antronoid
Resources: