They'll Be Fine: The Premier Podcast for Gifted Education

Teri Laliberte began her journey with the Great Books Foundation two decades ago, following an international career that included teaching English, designing teacher education programs, and advancing critical thinking skills in both Turkey and Poland. After leaving the Foundation, she moved into higher education and professional associations for adult learning.

A Certified Talent Development Professional, Teri brings extensive expertise in Adult Learning principles. Since returning to the Foundation, she has found great fulfillment in supporting educators as they integrate Shared Inquiry and critical thinking across diverse curricula.

Katie Anderson is an award-winning National Board Certified Teacher, author, and former NCAGT Board member. She grew up as a gifted kid in rural Wisconsin and eventually became an AIG teacher in Wake County and a course creator and teacher for Duke University’s Talent Identification Program. She has also served as a mentor teacher, teacher trainer, and curriculum designer within her state and district, including collaborations with NC State University and the NC Governor’s Teacher Network.

Now working with Conscious Teaching as a teacher trainer, Katie brings her passion and enthusiasm for education and educators to schools and districts across the country. She specializes in providing teachers with neuroscience-based, easy-to-implement strategies that they can use to reach all students and improve the effectiveness of their teaching. She loves the opportunity to advocate for gifted learners everywhere she goes. When she’s not on the road, you will most likely find Katie at a Renaissance Festival or taking part in her favorite dare-devil hobbies, including blade-smithing, fire-eating, (yes, really!), and raising her two teenagers.

Check out her new book The Rules of Engagement at https://consciousteaching.com/books/

Dr. Jeremy Spielman is the Executive Director of the National Paideia Center and a lifelong school-transformation agent driven by the conviction that the right question moves people further than the right answer ever could. A former classroom teacher, start-up school CEO, principal, and District Transformation Coach with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Jeremy has spent his career partnering with educators nationwide to build dialogue-driven classrooms that foster self-efficacy and amplify student voice. His work centers on facilitating civil discourse, curriculum engineering, and forming strategic partnerships to modernize public education. Off the clock, Jeremy is a family man, surfer, rock climber, and avid reader who is always up for strong coffee, spicy food, and a deep conversation about big ideas.

Get more information about Paideia Seminars at the National Paideia Center's website: https://paideia.org

Jaime Finch has spent twenty-plus years chasing down the gifted kids everybody else walks right past. Not the polished straight-A crowd, but the weird, wonderful, endlessly curious ones who don’t fit the mold. She’s an AIG teacher and gifted specialist, and she’s a little obsessed with the part most people skip, which is what you actually do with a gifted kid once you’ve found one. Spoiler, it’s not more worksheets!!

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Erin Vanek is the founder of The Gifted Perspective, a platform dedicated to helping people better understand giftedness as a form of neurodivergence. With more than 15 years of experience in gifted education, a master’s degree, and credentials as a licensed gifted intervention specialist, Erin brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this work.

As a twice-exceptional (2E) individual (gifted and living with ADHD), and a parent of 2E children, Erin understands firsthand both the challenges and strengths that can come with being gifted. Through The Gifted Perspective, she creates resources and products for parents and educators, provides education and support, and cultivates an online community where gifted and 2E individuals and their families can find connection, validation, and belonging.

Erin is also available for speaking engagements and presentations for schools, organizations, and professional communities looking to better understand and support gifted and 2E individuals. Learn more and explore Erin’s resources at The Gifted Perspective (www.thegiftedperspective.com)

Vickie Carden has dedicated 23 years to the field of education, spending the last 18 years serving as an Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) teacher within Pitt County Schools. Her deep-seated passion for her work and commitment to excellence recently earned her the prestigious honor of being named NCAGT's 2026 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted.

Driven by the core philosophy that every child possesses unique gifts, Ms. Carden focuses her career on helping students discover their distinct strengths. She is dedicated to fostering creative thinking, encouraging real-world problem-solving, and inspiring students to leverage their talents to positively impact their communities.

Throughout her distinguished tenure, Ms. Carden has held several leadership roles, including:

• Elementary AIG Lead Teacher, providing guidance and structural support across the district.
• Curriculum Developer, actively contributing to the revision of the district’s AIG curriculum and comprehensive AIG Plan.
• Mentor, supporting fellow educators and sharing practical strategies to make classroom differentiation meaningful and effective for all learners.

Beyond curriculum development, she is a strong advocate for authentic learning, frequently creating enrichment opportunities that successfully bridge the gap between students and community partners.

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Carden enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Chuck, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of their 18-year-old daughter, Sydney. This fall, Sydney will begin her studies at East Carolina University as a distinguished Brinkley-Lane Scholar.

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Learn more about the Academically Gifted Teacher Certificate through Eastern Carolina University here.

Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She began her career as a School Psychologist in Houston, Texas specializing in providing school-based mental health in K-12 public schools. Emily now works in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent youth, their families, and their teachers.

You can find more of her on the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, where you can find her blogs, podcast, and live workshops.

She is also the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom, a professional development curriculum for educators.

Her new book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, will be available for presale in early 2026.

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Learn more about the Academically Gifted Teacher Certificate through Eastern Carolina University here.

Dr. Latonda Mitchell is an Elementary Curriculum Specialist with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and an educational researcher whose work centers on the lived experiences of gifted Black girls. Her doctoral research explored how these students navigate perfectionism, identity, and the often-unseen pressures that accompany high achievement. Dr. Mitchell is passionate about helping educators, families, and school leaders better understand the social and emotional experiences of gifted learners and creating educational environments where students are valued for who they are, not just what they accomplish.

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Learn more about the Academically Gifted Teacher Certificate through Eastern Carolina University here.

Lisa Richer transforms "stuck" into success. Using her Clarity Confidence Courage Journey Map™, she guides people through three key pillars: the Internal (shifting from "fixer" to leader), the Relational (prioritizing connection over compliance), and the Systemic (advocating in schools, organizations and sports).

Combining her work as an author with her leadership in the neurodivergent community, Lisa leverages her deep experience to empower neurodiverse individuals to thrive in all environments.

Visit her website here: https://journey2bloom.com/

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Learn more about the Academically Gifted Teacher Certificate through Eastern Carolina University here.

With 19+ years of experience, Dr. McCabe has a Master’s and PhD in Psychology from UNC-CH. She has also been intensively trained in DBT, DBT-C, CBT, PCIT, and FST. “Dr. Mel” opened RDU Therapy in 2022 with the hopes of giving families high-quality expert support in a manner that fits their lifestyle. She works with children (6+ yo), adolescents, adults, couples, parents, families, other providers, and high-achievers. Dr. McCabe specializes in: Depression, Anxiety, BPD, ADHD, DMDD, Selfharm, Suicidality, Burnout, Life Transitions, family conflict, and parenting support. She offers telehealth, DBT groups, Burnout group, our Intensive therapy program (Relational Rehab), educational trainings, speaking engagements, and is the “Real Life with RDU Therapy” podcast host. In her free time she likes to spend time with her family & friends, walk our therapy dog (Doc), traveling, running, and hiking. You can follow her on Instagram at @dr_melanie_mccabe.

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Learn more about the Academically Gifted Teacher Certificate through Eastern Carolina University here.