Cultivating Excellence Podcast

Discover what giftedness really means, the challenges gifted children face, and how to support them effectively. Insights from clinician Mark Talaga. Mark Talaga is a Therapist who specializes in working with Gifted and Twice Exceptional kids and their families. Mark shares clinical wisdom about topics like the role of testing, why gifted kids often don't make progress in therapy, and what he&...

In this comprehensive interview, Nicole Joseph demystifies the complexities of special education law, including IEPs and 504 plans, and offers practical guidance for parents navigating the system. From eligibility criteria to building effective advocacy teams, learn how to ensure your child's educational needs are met with clarity and confidence. Joseph and Rabb Attorneys at Law https://joseph...

This episode features expert Emily discussing the latest in college entrance exams, including the SAT and ACT, and how students and parents can best prepare for them. Topics include test structure, strategies, timing, and the importance of foundational skills. Want to learn more about Emily and her work? Be sure to check out Private Prep, where you can find additional information about her role an...

In this insightful interview, Gabriele Nicolet shares expert advice on nurturing positive sibling relationships, understanding developmental differences, and managing the emotional complexities of family dynamics. Discover practical strategies for fostering resilience, empathy, and long-term harmony among children. Gabriele Nicolet, Speech Language Pathologist and expert on parenting neurodivergen...

This interview explores the challenges faced by today's teenagers, emphasizing the impact of technology, the importance of real-world experiences, and effective parenting strategies to foster independence and emotional health. Julie Baron and Associates https://www.juliebaronandassociates.com/ Julie's book What Works with Teens: A Professional's Guide https://www.amazon.com/What-Works-...

In today’s fast-paced world, the dynamics of parenting and relationships have become increasingly complex. Dr. Samantha Rodman-Whiten, known as Dr. Psych Mom, shares valuable insights on how couples can foster a loving environment for their children while navigating the challenges of modern life. Samantha's professional website https://www.drsamantharodman.com/ Dr. PsychMom https://www.drpsych...

Dr. Marcou's practice in Bethesda, Maryland https://www.drrobymarcou.com/ Interesting books we discussed in today's episode: The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently and Why by Nesbitt The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got that Way by Amanda Ripley The Bilingual Edge by Dr. Alison Mackey More than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes our World by D...

How do we support bright, capable students without pushing them into burnout? In this episode of Cultivating Excellence, Susan Holzman, Director of Academic Support at Bullis School, shares her thoughts on today’s high-achieving and exceptional students. Susan explains how the idea of the “smart kid” has changed over time. Today’s exceptional learners are often creative, curious, entrepreneurial,...

Boys thrive when schools design for movement, establish clear routines, and build character without pushing kids past their limits. In this episode, Tara Montague, Assistant Head of Langdon School, explains how boy-friendly learning environments promote academic success, healthier behavior, and stronger long-term development from elementary through high school. She discusses why boys benefit from...

When learning environments are designed to match how the brain actually works, students who learn differently can thrive. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lane, Director of Admissions, explains how learning differences are often misunderstood as deficits rather than natural variations in how brains process information. He discusses why reading and writing are not innate skills and must be taught through e...

Raising kind, confident, and prepared kids has never felt more urgent. In this episode of the Cultivating Excellence podcast, Danny Vogelman, Head of School at the Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland, discusses the importance of intentionally educating the whole child in a post-pandemic world. He shares why kindness must be directly taught and modeled with the same care as academics,...

Resilience in girls grows when adults set clear expectations, model boundaries, and allow them to struggle safely. In this episode, Kimberlie Hogan and Nicki Iadarola from Connelly School of the Holy Child discuss how cultural pressures, from constant digital access to achievement-driven environments, shape girls’ development and well-being in a post-pandemic world. They explain how real-time grad...

Every child needs a champion who sees their strengths first. In this episode, Barry Davis, Head of the McLean School of Maryland, and Cathy Patterson, Director of Enrollment, discuss how bright students with learning differences can thrive when education emphasizes their abilities rather than their deficits. They emphasize the importance of building confidence, celebrating talents, and sharing tes...

SC Nealy, LPC, CCMHC, ACS, NCC, MA, MA (Pronouns: they/she) With over 16 years in the mental health field, SC Nealy is a queer, gender fluid psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and group practice owner in Arlington, VA called LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative. SC operates a team of all gay and trans-identifying therapists with the focus of bringing clinicians with lived experiences to the queer com...

The Loper App homepage https://www.getloper.com/ Eric and Sam are spotlighted as innovative Georgetown Alums https://alumni.georgetown.edu/alumni-spotlight-eric-menna-sfs18-sam-bernstein-c18-co-founders-of-loper/

In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Bennison discusses the Mattering Movement, which aims to combat feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, particularly among young people. She shares her experiences as an educator in underprivileged areas and highlights the importance of small acts of kindness and service learning in fostering connections and a sense of belonging. The discussion also touches on the pr...

In this conversation, Debbie and Lindsay discuss the importance of executive functioning skills in students and how these skills impact learning and achievement. They explore various cognitive processes that make up executive functioning, the role of emotions, and the significance of naming these skills for better understanding. The discussion also highlights the parent-child dynamic in learning,...

Steve's books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=steven+feifer+books&hvadid=776839258289&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007767&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8788978197982880536--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8788978197982880536&hvtargid=kwd-1651058349565&hydadcr=2289_13793056&mcid=db2df93a69713d45a2b559c10525e614&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7s4l19r0od_e Continuing educat...

In this conversation, Alex Berthé discusses the importance of sports psychology for young athletes, sharing insights from his own athletic career and how they shape his work with children. He emphasizes the significance of consistency, developing systems for improvement, and the role of mindfulness and reflection in enhancing performance. Alex also highlights the value of sports beyond competition...

Elizabeth's book, Seven Steps to Success: A Pathway for College Students with Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Steps-College-Success-Disabilities/dp/1475864442 Elizabeth's website, chock full of webinars, articles and videos https://ldadvisory.com/ The Learning Disability of America's definition of learning disabilities (and why it is important not to say learning differences...

Nicola Rose is the writer and director of the beautiful new movie, Magnetosphere, about a 13 year old girl discovering her neurodivergence. Magnetosphere (which I'm naming the best middle school girl slumber party watch or "how do I make neurodiversity come alive for my students?" movie of the year) is available for streaming many places, including Amazon Prime https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Ma...

Every child needs a champion who sees their strengths first. In this episode, Barry Davis, Head of the McLean School of Maryland, and Cathy Patterson, Director of Enrollment, discuss how bright students with learning differences can thrive when education emphasizes their abilities rather than their deficits. They emphasize the importance of building confidence, celebrating talents, and sharing tes...

Claire's Website https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/ Follow Claire's blog: A library of over 130 articles that address the range of challenging behaviors—relevant to kids birth to 10 years. https://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com/mainblog LCD Newsletter: Free bi-monthly email that includes my most current blog and links to additional resources. This is the best way to keep abreast of Cl...

Join Dr. Rebecca Resnik, Licensed Psychologist, for practical advice and inspiration from renowned experts in parenting, education and psychology. https://www.resnikpsychology.com/

Lee Norwood is founder of Annapolis College Consulting, a business with over 50 years of collective experience and over 500 college visits. Lee's group is dedicated to revolutionizing the college consulting industry https://annapoliscollegeconsulting.com/ College Sharks, the online mentorship and support program Lee has created to guide you through the college admissions process https://colleg...