Gifted Kids, Burned Out Teachers, and WTF Is Going On? | Therapists Unhinged Ep. 12

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In this raw and hilarious episode, the Therapists Unhinged crew sits down with longtime educator and military veteran Rennie Ashcraft to unpack what’s really happening inside today's classrooms. From navigating the needs of neurodivergent and underachieving gifted students to confronting life-or-death mental health moments, Rennie pulls no punches.

She’s loud, she’s real, and she’s that “mean teacher” students end up loving. And if you’ve ever said teaching is easy, buckle up.

Inside this episode:

• What gifted kids actually need but rarely get
• The mental load teachers carry when social workers are stretched thin
• Why tough love, structure, and being seen can literally change a student’s life
• How the system is failing students, families, and educators
• And what it really means to be a "safe adult" in a school

From military maps to middle school chaos, Rennie’s journey is unforgettable. She shares how a comment from a boy led her to join the military, and how the loss of her stepmom pushed her toward teaching. Now nearly two decades in, she’s still fighting to give kids the support the system won’t.

Expect laughter, truth bombs, real talk about suicidal ideation in schools, and some solid side-eye at how little resources teachers actually have. This episode is full of heart, heat, and healing.

This is one every parent, therapist, teacher, and human needs to hear.

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Therapists Unhinged is where mental health gets real. Hosted by licensed therapists who tell it like it is, this podcast dives deep into the messy, meaningful, and hilarious parts of being human. From mastering resilience to navigating the chaos of everyday life, we bring raw conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered honesty...no jargon, no BS.

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