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Neurodiversity Podcast

Neurodiversity Podcast

Why Smart People Get Stuck: Asynchrony, Perfectionism, and Identity

Oct 15, 2026 · 38m

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On this episode

About this episode

Say someone you know is exceptionally articulate, intellectually advanced, or academically capable. Do you then assume their general ability to function, emotional regulation, and organizational skills also operate at that same high level? You might, but that would be a mistake. For gifted and twice-exceptional people, intellectual capability often outpaces practical execution. In this episode, Mark Talaga, a licensed professional counselor, founder of the Center for Identity Potential, and host of the Hopelessly Gifted podcast, joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the painful gap between intellectual insight and daily functioning, and why being bright does not make navigating everyday…