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

North Carolina Association for Gifted & Talented (NCAGT)

What happens when gifted students are overlooked because everyone assumes “they’ll be fine”? Hosted by the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT), They’ll Be Fine explores the realities of gifted education, advanced learning, talent development, and the challenges facing gifted, high-achieving, and twice-exceptional learners in today’s schools. Too often, gifted learners are misunderstood, under-challenged, or denied the services they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This podcast brings together educators, parents, researchers, school leaders, and advocates to discuss topics like differentiation, acceleration, creativity, neurodiversity, equity in gifted identification, social-emotional needs, and best practices for supporting high-potential students. Whether you are a teacher, parent, administrator, or advocate for gifted and talented education, They’ll Be Fine provides practical strategies, expert insights, and meaningful conversations designed to help gifted learners reach their full potential. New episodes feature interviews with leading voices in gifted education, classroom innovation, and student advocacy. 📸Follow the podcast on Instagram @theyllbefine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  1. The Pod Squad: Gifted Ed Bestie Chat with Aritia Smalls, Lisa Pagano & Trinette Atri

    MAY 1

    The Pod Squad: Gifted Ed Bestie Chat with Aritia Smalls, Lisa Pagano & Trinette Atri

    Aritia Smalls brings nearly two decades of educational expertise to her role as Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Coordinator. A deep-seated passion for student potential defines her career; she works tirelessly to ensure that advanced resources and academic support are accessible to all students, empowering them to reach their full potential. Lisa Pagano currently serves as the Director of Advanced Studies for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Lisa brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in gifted education. Throughout her career, Lisa has been recognized for her contributions to education innovation, i Lisa holds advanced certifications and degrees in School Leadership, Gifted Education, and Curriculum and Instruction. An accomplished educator and published author, she has shared her insights on gifted education in various professional publications, including Parenting for High Potential. She is thrilled to work on and co-host the podcast, They’ll Be Fine. Lisa has worked as a Per Diem Consultant with Thinking Maps for the past 8 years. She also works with schools and districts through her gifted education consulting business, bright & brilliant, LLC. Trinette Atri is a National Board Certified educator with 21 years of experience and an AIG Instructional Specialist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, supporting gifted education across 100+ elementary schools. She serves on the NCAGT Board as a Presidential Appointee and co-hosts the podcast They’ll Be Fine. Trinette is also the longtime Program Director of Spectrum of the Arts, a summer program for students gifted in the arts. She also taught AIG teacher licensure courses at Queens University of Charlotte and holds degrees from Boston College and the University of Bradford in the UK.

    30 min
  2. Gifted and Underachieving: Exploring the Paradox with Dr. Michael Matthews

    APR 17

    Gifted and Underachieving: Exploring the Paradox with Dr. Michael Matthews

    Michael S. Matthews is Professor in the Cato College of Education of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Matthews has held leadership roles in the Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG of the American Educational Research Association, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented, and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Talented and Gifted division (CEC-TAG). He has co-edited both Gifted Child Quarterly and the Journal of Advanced Academics. At the local level he is also a founding board member and Board Chair for a public charter school that uses gifted education pedagogy to meet the needs of all learners. Dr. Matthews is widely published in the field, having authored or edited six books and over 60 peer-reviewed articles. His research addresses identification in gifted education; underachievement, parenting, and motivation among high-ability children, including those in homeschooling and those with dual exceptionalities; and open science and research methods in gifted education. Dr. Matthews’ recent recognitions in his field include the 2025 Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association for Gifted Children and the 2026 James J. Gallagher Advocacy Award from the North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented. His research can be seen in his Google Scholar profile at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=01ia7AIAAAAJ&hl=en

    37 min
  3. Cultivating a Community of Thinkers with Chris Yeager

    APR 3

    Cultivating a Community of Thinkers with Chris Yeager

    A graduate of Appalachian State University (1976), Chris Yeager went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Beginning a career in education, Chris taught English at 71st High School, later serving as an Instructional Curriculum Facilitator for three years and briefly as an Assistant Principal at the elementary level. In 1996, Chris Yeager joined Thinking Maps, Inc., where they served as Director of Professional Development for nearly three decades, supporting educators nationwide. During this time, Chria also co-authored numerous textbooks and instructional resources, contributing significantly to the field of visual learning and instructional practice. 🔗Learn more about Thinking Maps here.

    44 min
  4. Rerelease: Art of Problem Solving

    MAR 20

    Rerelease: Art of Problem Solving

    Today, we're tackling a topic that can feel a bit intimidating when teaching gifted students: math. Well known by its acronym, (AoPS), Art of Problem Solving has a unique approach to teaching math, focusing not just on rote memorization but on deep conceptual understanding and creative problem-solving. It's a curriculum that challenges students to think outside the box and build a true foundation in mathematics. Grayson Maas joined Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) in 2015. He earned his PhD in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of California Santa Barbara where he conducted research, wrote, and taught about the various factors contributing to underrepresentation in STEM education and in the workforce. He has spent the last ten years at AoPS working to deliver the most engaging and transformative educational experiences possible for hundreds of thousands of students. Art of Problem Solving

    50 min
  5. Rerelease: SEED: The Magic of Silverquicken

    MAR 13

    Rerelease: SEED: The Magic of Silverquicken

    Educator, curriculum designer, parent, and community builder, Leslie Kerner is the COO and co-founder of Silverquicken. She’s spent the last 25 years developing K-12 education products and services. At Amplify, she worked closely with teachers and administrators around the country to bring them solutions that help their students succeed. At Silverquicken, she’s designed, developed, and implemented programs for gifted students, including direct instruction with K-8 students and teacher training for gifted and general education teachers. Teacher, author, and curriculum developer, Chris Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Silverquicken. He spent 15+ years growing an education startup to the world’s largest provider of GMAT test-preparation services, after close to a decade of consulting and teaching high school chemistry/physics. He’s authored, co-authored, and edited numerous nonfiction books, and is working on a middle-grade novel. At Silverquicken, he builds puzzles, games, and stories to help awaken the curiosity and wonder of learning. Links: Silverquicken www.silverquicken.comSilverquicken Instagram: www.instagram.com/silverquickenSilverquicken Facebook: www.facebook.com/silverquicken

    53 min
  6. Navigating AP Success: Tools, Mindsets, and Opportunities with Brian Barnes & Michelle Lourcey

    MAR 6

    Navigating AP Success: Tools, Mindsets, and Opportunities with Brian Barnes & Michelle Lourcey

    Michelle Lourcey is a Director of the NC Advanced Placement Partnership, State and District Partnerships, through the College Board. During her 34 years in education, she has served as a high school English teacher -- both face-to-face and online -- as well as a curriculum specialist, high school administrator, and the Chief Academic Officer of the NC Virtual Public School. She is dedicated to strengthening teacher practice as teacher practice directly impacts student learning. Brian Barnes is a Senior Director at College Board and leads the North Carolina AP Partnership. A former school principal, teacher, and basketball coach, he brings a school leader’s perspective to expanding access to rigorous coursework and strengthening college and career readiness across North Carolina. In his role, Brian works closely with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, district and school leaders, and statewide partners to build practical, sustainable structures that support strong instruction and long-term student success. College Board: https://www.collegeboard.org/

    51 min
  7. Rerelease: Dr. Emily King

    FEB 27

    Rerelease: Dr. Emily King

    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 workshops, blogs, and podcast. You can also find her professional development offerings for teachers here. She is also the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom, a professional development curriculum for educators. And her new book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, will be available for presale in early 2026! https://www.learnwithdremily.com/ https://www.learnwithdremily.com/teachers https://www.learnwithdremily.com/parents @emilywkingphd NCAGT Blogs on this topic: https://www.ncagt.org/post/winter1 https://www.ncagt.org/post/winter2 https://www.ncagt.org/post/winter3 https://www.ncagt.org/post/2elearners

    44 min
  8. Rerelease: Over-excitabilities with Summer Cowick

    FEB 20

    Rerelease: Over-excitabilities with Summer Cowick

    Summer Cowick is an educator and founder of Brilliant And Then Some who specializes in supporting gifted students, particularly those with Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities (OEs). Her work focuses on managing and leveraging these five intensities—emotional, imaginational, intellectual, psychomotor, and sensual—to help gifted children and families understand and nurture their unique needs in educational and home environments. She offers practical strategies and insights through presentations, workshops, and her coaching organization, aiming to transform teaching and learning by addressing the authentic needs of gifted individuals. Brilliant and Then Some "Mellow Out," They Say. If I Only Could (2013) by Michael Piechowski Fact Check: 85% of gifted have one overexcitability

    45 min
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About

What happens when gifted students are overlooked because everyone assumes “they’ll be fine”? Hosted by the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT), They’ll Be Fine explores the realities of gifted education, advanced learning, talent development, and the challenges facing gifted, high-achieving, and twice-exceptional learners in today’s schools. Too often, gifted learners are misunderstood, under-challenged, or denied the services they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This podcast brings together educators, parents, researchers, school leaders, and advocates to discuss topics like differentiation, acceleration, creativity, neurodiversity, equity in gifted identification, social-emotional needs, and best practices for supporting high-potential students. Whether you are a teacher, parent, administrator, or advocate for gifted and talented education, They’ll Be Fine provides practical strategies, expert insights, and meaningful conversations designed to help gifted learners reach their full potential. New episodes feature interviews with leading voices in gifted education, classroom innovation, and student advocacy. 📸Follow the podcast on Instagram @theyllbefine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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