Cultivating Excellence Podcast

Raising gifted children comes with unique challenges and rewards, so how do we help them thrive without letting their potential become a burden?In this episode of the Cultivating Excellence podcast, Dr. April Foreman, Director of Technology and Innovation at the Veterans Crisis Line of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, talks about her passion for giftedness and her experiences raising gifted children. Dr. Foreman shares how being gifted impacted her own childhood and how she navigated the challenges of raising neurodiverse children, including advocating for their educational needs. She emphasizes the importance of creating environments where gifted kids can thrive academically and socially while ensuring they receive proper support. The conversation explores topics like acceleration vs. enrichment, the emotional struggles gifted children face, and the role of structure and parental guidance. Dr. Foreman encourages parents to trust their instincts, seek professional support when needed, and avoid pathologizing gifted traits unless they cause genuine distress.Tune in as Dr. April Foreman shares her powerful insights on parenting gifted kids, advocating for their needs, and fostering both their intellect and well-being in a world that often misunderstands them! 

Discover what it truly means to be intellectually gifted and how IQ tests measure it. Experts argue for responsible testing, revealing how inflated scores can indicate potential for academic success and creativity. Learn why some companies exploit parental anxiety and how to prepare your child for testing authentically. Personal anecdotes highlight the significance of individual talents. Plus, hear about the remarkable journey of a Mensa member finding belonging and community among like-minded individuals.

In this engaging chat, Steve Feldman, Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Private Prep, shares his journey from finance to education, fueled by a passion for tutoring. He emphasizes learning smarter, not harder, and highlights the importance of involving students in their academic support. Feldman discusses the changing landscape of standardized testing in a post-COVID world, encouraging students to explore both the SAT and ACT. With insights on fostering a growth mindset and building student confidence, he underscores celebrating effort over just grades.

As college admissions become increasingly competitive, understanding the role of standardized testing can give students a crucial edge. In this episode of the Cultivating Excellence podcast, Jared Friedland, founder of The Playbook, discusses the evolving role of standardized testing in college admissions and how students can strategically navigate the process to improve their chances of acceptance. He helps students navigate the challenges of standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and PSAT while also guiding them in finding colleges where they can thrive academically, socially, and culturally. With two decades of experience, Jared has worked as an admissions reader at Dartmouth and UCLA, gaining deep insights into how colleges evaluate applicants holistically rather than simply rejecting them based on numbers. He emphasizes that the admissions process, though often stressful, doesn't have to be overwhelming and that strategic planning can significantly improve students' chances of success. Jared highlights that a strong application involves more than just grades or test scores, it requires showcasing a student’s character, achievements, and potential fit for a school’s unique academic and cultural environment.Tune in for expert insights on how students can strategically approach standardized testing to maximize their college acceptance chances! 

Parenting in the 21st century feels harder because it is harder, but what if you had the tools to navigate it with confidence?In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Resnik, founder of Rebecca Resnik and Associates Psychology Care, introduces Cultivating Excellence, a podcast for professional parents navigating the challenges of raising Gen Z and Gen Alpha children in a rapidly changing, post-pandemic world. She acknowledges the stress and uncertainty parents face and challenges negative stereotypes about modern parenting. Today’s children grow up in a complex environment shaped by digital saturation, societal instability, and educational disruptions from COVID-19, making parenting more difficult than ever. Despite these uncertainties, Dr. Resnik reassures parents that they have the power to shape their children’s character, curiosity, and resilience through intentional choices. Using the metaphor of parenting as gardening, she emphasizes that small, consistent efforts over time cultivate excellence and help children thrive in an unpredictable future.Tune in to Cultivating Excellence with Dr. Rebecca Resnik for insightful, practical guidance on raising resilient, thriving kids in today’s complex world!

Welcome to Cultivating Excellence, a podcast for smart professional parents who are passionate about their children's education, future success, and happiness! Join Dr. Rebecca Resnik, Licensed Psychologist, for practical advice and inspiration from renowned experts in parenting, education and psychology.