Chad Peevy reflects on his interview with Dr. Eric Maisel, diving deeper into themes of meaning-making, resistance, and what it means to live as a gifted adult. He challenges traditional ideas about intelligence, questions whether being "smart" is a cause or a consequence, and explores how trauma, curiosity, and drive shape our identity.

Chad also opens up about the emotional tension between wanting to do meaningful work and the perfectionism that holds so many gifted adults back. He shares his own struggles with clicking “publish,” the fear of not being excellent, and how Dr. Maisel’s concept of a “body of work” has helped reframe the creative process.

This episode is an invitation to give yourself permission—permission to fight your fight, to do imperfect work, and to show up for the life you're meant to live.

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00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mazel and His Impact

💬 Submit your questions, comments and reflections to Chad and Paula here. 

Find Chad on Instagram

Chad's Website

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

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📄 In this episode of Gifted & Grown Up, I’m joined by Dr. Eric Maisel, existential psychologist and author of more than 50 books, including Why Smart People Hurt and Redesign Your Mind.

We explore the inner lives of gifted adults—their sensitivity, creativity, intensity, and the unique challenges they face trying to make meaning in a chaotic world. Dr. Maisel offers no-nonsense advice and practical frameworks for managing the mental chatter, perfectionism, and existential dread that often come with a gifted mind.

This is a powerful conversation about taking responsibility for your inner world and choosing to become the author of your own experience.

🔑 What We Talk About:

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Why Smart People Hurt on Amazon

Redesign Your Mind on Amazon

Eric’s Website

Find Eric on LinkedIn

Find Eric on Facebook

✨ Want more?

Listen to the companion reflection episode where I unpack my reactions to this conversation and how Dr. Maisel’s work is influencing my thinking.

🔗 Reflection Episode – Eric Maisel

💬 Submit your questions, comments and reflections to Chad and Eric here. 

In this reflection episode, I unpack my emotional response to my interview with Paula Prober, author of Your Rainforest Mind.

We talk about what it feels like to finally be seen as a gifted adult, why giftedness isn’t just about intellect, and how deep feelers like Paula help us make sense of our inner world. I share why this conversation stirred up so much in me—including the moment I teared up—and why Paula’s metaphor is more than just language… it’s healing.

Whether you’re a gifted adult or love someone who is, this episode is for you.

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00:00 – Why Paula’s work matters

💬 Submit your questions, comments and reflections to Chad and Paula here. 

Find Chad on Instagram

Chad's Website

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

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📄 In this episode, I talk with Paula Prober, psychotherapist and author of Your Rainforest Mind, one of the first books that helped me truly understand what it means to be a gifted adult.

We explore what it means to have a rainforest mind, how giftedness shows up in adulthood, and why so many gifted people feel like they’re too much—or never enough. We talk about relationships, grief, intuition, and the difference between intellectual understanding and emotional validation. This conversation hit me on a deep level. It wasn’t just informative—it was personal.

🔑 What We Talk About:

📚 Resources Mentioned:

A Short Guide to Love and Relationships When You Are Sensitive And Smart — Part One

A Short Guide to Love and Relationships When You Are Sensitive and Smart — Part Two

A Short Guide to Love and Relationships When You are Sensitive and Smart — Part Three

Your Rainforest Mind by Paula Prober on Amazon

Journey Into Your Rainforest Mind - Audiobook

Paula’s Blog

Find Paula on Instagram

Find Paula on Facebook

✨ Want more?

Listen to the companion reflection episode where I unpack my emotional reactions to this conversation—why it moved me, and why I think we need more gifted feelers in the world.

🔗 Reflection Episode – Paula Prober

💬 Submit your questions, comments and reflections to Chad and Paula here.