Unmasking Social
Welcome to Unmasking Social – the podcast where autistic teens and young adults, families, and professionals come together to explore real, authentic ways of building friendships, community, and identity.
Hosted by a speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years' experience with autism and ADHD and social communication, this show goes beyond basic advice. Each episode features candid conversations with self-advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and teens themselves – all unmasking the myths and pressures around “fitting in.”
Whether you’re navigating social expectations, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how we connect in a complex world, Unmasking Social is here to empower you with strategies that align with our core values: empathy, curiosity, and self-acceptance.
🌟 Launching this summer. Hit follow and join the conversation!
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Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube
Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0pJUS1hby5UtO7EAttixiA?si=882eba9b095c4db5
Listen on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmasking-social/id1822086192
Unmasking Social
40: Gifted Isn’t Easy: Mark Talaga on Talent, Pressure & Potential
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In this episode of Unmasking Social, I speak with Mark Talaga about his journey from professional gaming to counseling gifted and neurodivergent youth. We explore asynchronous development, emotional intensity, and why giftedness is about far more than intelligence alone; often the struggles are invisible.
Mark shares why authentic connection matters more than behavior correction, the risks of labels, and how family dynamics is integral to building confidence and identity. We also discuss helping gifted teens move beyond fear of success or failure to build lives grounded in purpose and self-acceptance.
You can follow Mark Talaga and learn more through Center for Identity Potential, where he serves as owner/director and provides counseling, coaching, and support for gifted, asynchronous, and complex individuals and families. https://www.centerforidentitypotential.com/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1
YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube