A Slice with 'Dice
A Slice with ’Dice is a weekly podcast exploring leadership, talent development, and the human side of high-performing systems. Drawing on decades of experience in gifted education and public leadership, host Corey Alderdice examines how institutions identify potential, navigate change, and create cultures where people can thrive. Each episode blends thoughtful reflection with practical insight for educators, leaders, and anyone interested in how talent and transformation intersect in real-world settings.
A Slice with 'Dice
The Catalytic Agency Model of Talent Development in 10 Minutes
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Gifted students don’t disengage because they don’t care—they disengage because they’re ready for more than their environment is offering. When we learn to interpret dissatisfaction as a signal instead of a problem, everything about how we see gifted learners begins to shift.
In this bonus episode, Corey Alderdice explores the full arc of the Catalytic Agency Model of Talent Development—from the satisfaction gap and the intentionalities of Eclipse, Evolve, and Escape to the student paradigms, the levers of practice, and the central idea of Catalytic Agency. This winter-break reflection offers a concise and narrative overview of the framework for those who want the highlights, while inviting listeners to revisit the six-part series, explore the student screener and educator rubric, and consider how specialized and residential schools uniquely support the students whose dissatisfaction signals their greatest potential.
For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.
You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.