Send us a text In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast, the focus is on the myth of Cassandra of Troy and the societal dynamics that led to her downfall and the collapse of Troy. Cassandra, who could see the future with perfect accuracy, was ostracized because her dire predictions clashed with the self-serving perspectives of those in power, particularly her father, King Priam. The analysis delves into the neurological and psychological contrasts between Cassandra's multidimensional...
Jun 02, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent podcast, delves into the Tower of Babel story from the Old Testament, exploring its deeper meaning through the lens of holistic intelligence and societal fragmentation. Initially puzzled by the story as a child, I now interpret it as a metaphor for the division of human intelligence into cognitive and somatic parts. I argue that modern society overvalues cognitive intelligence, leading to a dismissal of big-picture, holistic thinking an...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Send us a text In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent podcast, host Lillian Skinner welcomes Christian Janee, a nurse practitioner and polymath with exceptional somatic intelligence. They discuss Christian's calming presence and the undervalued profound somatic intelligence. Christian shares her journey, her holistic approach to care, her book 'Almost a Wife,' and her coaching program 'Learning to Love Again.' The conversation touches on the importance of relational thinking, pattern recog...
Dec 02, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Send us a text In this Halloween episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast the discussion revolves around how societal misconceptions create 'monsters' out of those with neurodivergent intelligence. The podcast delves into how supernatural figures such as vampires, werewolves, and witches symbolize different forms of neurodivergent abilities—autism, somatic intelligence, and integrated intelligence, respectively. Through passionate anecdotes and observations, Skinner highlights how society’s ...
Oct 31, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Send us a text In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast, we delve into the realm of holistic intelligence. Using our somatic, cognitive, and creative capabilities. The discussion critiques modern education systems for stifling this multi-dimensional genius, particularly somatic intelligence. Using historical figures like Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, and Nikola Tesla as examples, the episode highlights the profound potential of holistic intelligence. It also addresses the...
Oct 20, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Send us a text Navigating Uncertain Times: A Journey from the U.S. to Portugal. In this episode, we discuss the challenges and tough decisions facing many in the United States as it heads toward times of great change, unrest, and potential collapse. In this episode we highlight the experience of J.D. Goulet, a gifted neurodivergent writer, who made the move to Portugal a little over a year ago. We explore the process and choices involved in seeking a better future abroad. You Can Find J.D. On Bl...
Aug 30, 2024•53 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Gifted Podcast we dive into the concept of degrowth with special guest Matt Orsagh, the author of the newsletter 'Degrowth is the Answer.' Matt shares his personal journey, from obtaining degrees in English, film, and finance, to advocating for a shift away from GDP-focused growth. We discuss the environmental and societal benefits of a wellbeing-based economy, touching on issues like universal basic income, shorter work weeks, and sustainable living. Matt a...
Aug 15, 2024•42 min
Send us a text This episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast introduces the concept of infracognition, a form of cognition that involves understanding and using emotions alongside traditional thought processes. It is contrasted with metacognition, or thinking about thinking. Infracognition is oppressed in our current educational systems, which favor linear, factual learning. But that infracognition is more suitable for our change we face in the near future. Infracognition will provide the sk...
Aug 03, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Send us a text This episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast explores the unique intersection of emotional intelligence and foresight with guest Tuomas Malinen, an economics forecaster. The conversation delves into the profound impact of emotions on cognitive processing and the power of neurodivergent perspectives in navigating a rapidly changing world. Tuomas shares his personal journey through harm OCD and meditation, revealing how deep emotional processing can transform chaos into clarity...
Jun 12, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Send us a text as In this podcast we explore unified intelligence as the connection between the somatic and the cognitive that drives the genius found in twice-exceptional individuals. We discuss how unified intelligence is crucial for accessing creative genius. We emphasizes the importance of cultivating this intelligence to achieve our full potential and challenges the traditional separation of mind and body. Drawing on historical perspectives and personal experiences, I advocates for a new ap...
May 29, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Send us a text Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief references to attempted suicide. In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast, I interview Ethan R. Gibson, author of 'Nonchalant Perfectionism'. You can find his book here: https://a.co/d/c9fnsTs . At just 21, Ethan wrote this book reflecting on his journey from addiction and an attempted suicide to his experiences working in a group home for young sex offenders—a journey that offered insights into the therapeutic potential of ...
Apr 25, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Send us a text In the realm of cognitive brilliance, the stories that resonate most are those that challenge conventional perceptions and unfold the rich tapestry of human intellect and emotion. Lillian Skinner, the host of the **Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast**, introduces us to Anshar Seraphim—a figure of remarkable cognitive intelligence and a testament to the extraordinary capacities of neurodivergent individuals. Anshar's journey from being predominantly nonverbal, with autism, to becoming a...
Apr 06, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Send us a text Redefining 2e as Cognitive and Somatic Giftedness In this episode of The Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast, I propose redefining "twice exceptional" from its current understanding, which combines disability and giftedness, to a new definition emphasizing "twice giftedness" in both somatic and cognitive domains. I contend that disabilities in this context are caused by the education system's suppression of somatic intelligence. Our systems tend to cultivate a singular type of intellige...
Mar 19, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Send us a text In this episode, I explore the detrimental effects of societal expectations on highly sensitive individuals. I argue that the most damaging aspect of the relationship between sensitivity, intelligence, and insanity arises from societal institutions, especially education. These institutions often favor psychopathic and narcissistic traits at the expense of highly sensitive individuals, leading to frequent chronic mental and physical health issues. I present examples of renowned gen...
Feb 24, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Send us a text In this podcast I speak with Irene Gottlieb about the Trifecta of syndromes that impacts many of the most sensitivity individuals. Irene is profoundly gifted, runs a school for the profoundly gifted and has three children who are profoundly gifted. She has a lot of day to day experience with individuals who possess the trifecta of: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Irene has a lot of experience ...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text I believe the obesity epidemic signifies a sensitivity to the schedules imposed by our systems on everyone. Obesity, in my view, is a consequence of the struggle to conform to increasingly restrictive and demanding systems, coupled with a diminishing nutritional quality in our food supply. The choices we make regarding nutrition are driven by the need for increasing dopamine rewards, which, in the short term, help us adhere to our schedules. Obesity rates are on the rise across al...
Jan 20, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Send us a text In this episode, I delve into the concept of creative intelligence and its impact on our perspective-taking. Using tutoring as an illustrative example, I demonstrate how the variance in learning experiences often boils down to differing perspectives. Our educational systems are designed to instruct as if everyone's IQ falls within the range of 80 to 120. Those outside this range, whether above or below, tend to face difficulties. Creative thinkers, in particular, often find themse...
Jan 09, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Send us a text It's another episode on Free Will, this time from the system perspective or 2D perspective. Using the viewpoint of Daniel Dennett, I review the 2D perspective of Free Will, illustrating how it contrasts with Robert Sapolsky's perspective and my own. Daniel Dennett is known as the "Father of Modern Philosophy." He is a neuroscientist and the head of the Philosophy Department at Tufts University. In this podcast, I reviewed the following documents covering Daniel Dennett's perspecti...
Jan 04, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Send us a text Happy New Year, Everyone! It's 2024, and this year, instead of making resolutions on how you can improve yourself, I want you to do the opposite. I want you to radically accept yourself exactly as you are. I would like this year to be the best year of your life. I want you to see only the amazing things you can do and all the potential you have. In this podcast, I cover Robert Sapolsky's book, "Behave." This voluminous book covers all the reasons why we do not have free will. Ther...
Dec 30, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Send us a text Gifted Neurodivergent Podcast Dr. Linda Silverman's Notes December 13, 2023 1. Variation of ways I have seen spatial giftedness manifest. All endeavors in which the right hemisphere has major involvement. Creativity Imagination Intuition Empathy Mathematical and scientific interests Big picture thinkers in all fields Thinking outside the box The ability to predict trends Understanding customer needs Design Fine arts Photographic memory Spiritual awareness The ability to grasp non-...
Dec 27, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Send us a text This episode is the third and final podcast of the "Overexcitabilities" series. In the last podcast, I shared how my overexcitabilities played a crucial role in fostering my learning. They emerged when I was either exhausted or excited to aid me in subconscious or immersive learning. In this podcast, I delve into the challenges posed by overexcitabilities in the classroom. I illustrate how teachers and educational systems suppress highly sensitive learners, actively hindering thei...
Dec 05, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Send us a text This episode will offer you an entirely new perspective on the value and purpose of our overexcitabilities. While many are familiar with Dabrowski's Positive Disintegration Theory and its associated overexcitabilities, the way it is commonly presented lacks practical relevance for individuals living with high overexcitabilities. I have found the research on overexcitabilities to be deficient, describing them from an external standpoint and treating them as almost optional. This mi...
Nov 24, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Send us a text Until AI became mainstream this year, I had to rely heavily on writing coaches. Why? Because my brain operates differently, making it challenging to pinpoint the best perspective form the multitude my brain offers simultaneously each time I attempt to communicate through writing. My spatially gifted savant brains has one gift. The gift of perspective taking, so much so it is nearly always overwhelming me. I can see things from the viewpoints of everyone I've met—understand their t...
Nov 16, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Send us a text If you have not yet noticed, I see the world in 2 flavors - Extrinsic or Intrinsic. Extrinsic burnout is like everything else extrinsic; it is externally driven. Intrinsic burnout is, like everything else intrinsic, internally driven. Extrinsic burnout can literally kill you. It is the kind driven by everyone around you, and if you have reached burnout, it is obviously to your detriment. We know we have hit it when you return from vacation and don't feel relaxed at all. Instead, y...
Nov 10, 2023•26 min
Send us a text In this episode, I delve into the concept of Creative Intelligence. Our current educational systems predominantly emphasize a linear approach to learning and thinking. However, individuals with gifted neurodivergence leverage their sensing intelligence to branch out from the linear learning path and subsequently connect these branches back to the main path, thus fostering novel thinking. This phenomenon is what we refer to as creative intelligence. Unfortunately, creative intellig...
Oct 30, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Send us a text We rarely get a glimpse into what it looks like to be a healthy creative. But here is such an opportunity. Allow me to introduce Abby, a young polyglot. Abby is a Korean interpreter who decided she wanted to learn Korean. She achieved this without taking any formal classes or using a language app. In just six months, Abby became a proficient interpreter. She's accomplishing this in an era when most people are relying on AI for translation. However, Abby possesses something that AI...
Oct 24, 2023•49 min
Send us a text We have come full circle. I have been saying that the creatives will be the future for a while. Every day, I see more people joining me in this perspective. To the extent that even 'normal' is being questioned in how it navigates the world. 'Normal' is being called dysfunctional in some situations. But if 'normal' is now considered dysfunctional, what is 'functional'? What criteria are they using to distinguish good functioning from bad functioning? Perhaps that is the wrong quest...
Oct 19, 2023•24 min
Send us a text We have an educational and medical system deeply rooted in the behaviorism model of psychology, a methodology pioneered by B.F. Skinner. Regrettably, our education system is more inclined toward training and conditioning rather than true education. Thanks to Skinner's influence, we've all been shaped by a system that assumes uniformity and expects us to learn prescribed information and conform to predefined roles. In neurodivergent communities, I often inquire why we continue to s...
Oct 11, 2023•25 min
Send us a text Did you know there are 2 types of intuition? I first discovered this when I read the book Thinking Fast and Slow. A book I promptly chucked across the room because it violated all of my sensibilities. But it also kept me trying to understand why my intuition worked so well now and didn't work so well when I was a kid. I figured it out and now you can too. I reference the following in my podcast: John Taylor Gatto Speech https://youtu.be/SUe3ETGHAI4 The Chinese Prodigy Article http...
Oct 07, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text This episode is the first of a new series dedicated to understanding and cultivating children with gifted neurodivergence. Two mothers, (Lillian Skinner and Beth Anne Johnson) in different stages of raising their children, discuss how they navigate and raise their gifted neurodivergent children to succeed now and in the future. While living a society that needs the unique spatial gifts of the gifted neurodivergent but has not tried to cultivate or understand them. If you enjoyed t...
Sep 25, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 27
