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

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.