Exceptional Girls Podcast: Helping our smart but struggling girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated

Episode 6: The Prevalence—and Price—of Underachievement with Brianne Hudak

Julie Withrow: Podcast host, mom, neurodiversity advocate, education reformer, curiosity follower Season 1 Episode 6

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls podcast, you're invited to listen in as I talk with Brianne Hudak, a veteran educator, about the prevalence of underachievement in gifted and neurodivergent girls.   

A veteran teacher certified in gifted and talented education, as well as a school leader, Brianne shares:

  • Why underachievement poses unique problems for girls
  • How to spot the signs of underachievement, which can look different in girls than boys
  • How to evaluate learning environments and talk with teachers to set your daughter up for success
  • What you can do to support an underachieving girl — and why it's a problem worth prioritizing

About Brianne Hudak
Brianne has served in public, private, and charter schools for over 16 years, including teaching gifted and talented students, teaching STEM and theatre classes, and holding several administrative leadership positions.

She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in communications and theater, a certification in gifted and talented education, a master’s in educational administration and supervision, and she’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership.

She is an active member of several state, federal, and international organizations serving gifted and exceptional children, including the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, the National Association for Gifted Children, and the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and She’s also the North Caroline state liaison for SENG.

A vocal advocate for gifted learners, Brianne is especially passionate about overcoming underachievement in gifted and twice exceptional (2e) girls.

About the Exceptional Girls podcast
If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is.

To learn more, visit
www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.