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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

Resources:

https://www.davidsononline.org/blog/is-your-gifted-child-ready-for-online-learning/

https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/the-changing-role-of-parents-in-gifted-education-programs/

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.