Gifted & Grown Up

Why Smart People Hurt with Eric Maisel

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00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:39 Welcoming Dr. Eric Mazel
01:03 Discussing 'Why Smart People Hurt'
02:17 The Concept of Resistance
02:40 Autobiographical Insights
03:18 Existential Beliefs and Early Influences
04:27 Military Service and Resistance
06:21 The Challenge of Meaning
07:56 Paradigm Shifts in Understanding Life
09:11 The Nature of Meaning and Purpose
10:36 Smart People and the Burden of Clarity
20:55 Dealing with Meaning Leaks
25:16 Embracing Multiple Life Purposes
32:51 Creative Process and Allowing Messiness
35:02 Letting Go of Perfectionism
35:34 Identifying Good Ideas
38:13 The Importance of Daily Practice
40:03 Harnessing Sleep Thinking
41:36 Balancing Input and Output
43:35 Evolving Creative Work
58:14 Fighting Against Psychiatry
01:06:46 A New Mental Model: Serene Readiness

 

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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:

  • The myth of the tortured genius
  • Existential depression and meaning-making
  • Why gifted adults often feel like outsiders
  • How to “redesign your mind” and quiet mental chatter
  • Dr. Maisel’s definition of meaning and how to create it
  • The role of creativity in the life of the gifted adult
  • How smart people get stuck—and how to get unstuck
  • The difference between coaching and therapy for gifted folks

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    📚 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. 

     

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    Gifted & Grown UpBy Chad Peevy