Gifted Underachievers

When the Gifted Underachievers meet for their Friday meetings they usually spend about an hour laughing and telling stories. During one such period of buffoonery, James noted his copious cowlicks. Pat took it from there…
Questions for Listeners:
* How do you get rid of a cowlick?
* Ever have a perm?
* Ever have a moustache hair grow up your nose?
Buy the Underachievers a Coffee and Win a Book
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!
For Further Exploration:
Core Quaker Beliefs
How to Deal with Cowlicks in Beards
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

The dumpster fire known as 2025 is in the rearview mirror and your Gifted Underachievers are taking stock. Pat’s welcoming the new year, while James suspects it’s still a dumpster fire but now with potential to expand to something bigger. Both are battling burnout, and both have plans to make the most of their projects in 2026. How are they doing it? By rearranging TIME.
Questions for Listeners:
* Have you been doing anything new with your time lately?
* Is it helping you get where you want to go?
* Or do your old habits take over?
Buy us a Coffee and Win a Book
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!
For Further Exploration:
How to work less and achieve more by focusing on fewer projects: https://youtube.com/shorts/2he5qrXKIsY?si=OeXnqXcWrssBtbwT
Achieve more by doing less (enhance downstream effort to reach authentic goals):
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If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No spam, unsubscribe any time.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Working with a respected mentor—either within the classroom or one on one—is often seen as a steppingstone toward greater things for creatives. However, a mentor who is rigid in their principles and beliefs can foster self-doubts and frustration in the mentee as they push against what feels like arbitrary creative boundaries.
However, a mentor who takes on the mindset of a guide or teacher can open new creative doors while also, hopefully, acting as a sponsor to help us expand our careers and the reach of our creative products.
As midlevel creatives, it is not unusual to find ourselves on either side of the equation as mentor or mentee. So in this segment, the Gifted Underachievers explore the two opposing mindsets and how mentorship can work best for everyone.
Questions for Listeners:
* Have you ever mentored someone?
* Have you been mentored?
* Did you find either experience fulfilling?
Buy us a Coffee and Win a Book about Creative Work
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!
For Further Exploration:
The Importance of Mentorship in the Creative Industry https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-mentorship-creative-industry-sandcup-ltrsf/
Virgil Abloh and Samuel Ross: Mentorship and Creativity

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If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No spam, unsubscribe any time.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James explore how creatives can be more prone to feelings of helplessness due to the subjectivity of success as a creative, constant rejection, and the systems we exist within. And then, the Gifted Underachievers explore ways to push back to regain our not just our sense but actual agency.
Questions for Listeners:
* Have you had a ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ moment that felt overwhelming?
* How did you overcome it?
Buy us a Coffee and Win a Book
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!
For Further Exploration:
How to Live a Creative Life: Dr. Ray Hsu
Want to Show Your Support for the Gifted Underachievers?
Visit the Gifted Underachiever Merch Shop
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If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

“Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody’s willing to do anything about it.” With this agreed, Pat and James discuss their rather different strategies for handling the winter season and its ills—limited daylight, cold weather, depression, anxiety, the impact of an exhausting December, and the urge to hibernate. The takeaway? Check out Kath Montstream and the Red Hot Chilly Dippers, who LOVE being outside in the January cold.
Questions for Listeners:
* What’s YOUR season of discontent?
* Do you have any tips for handling it?
Buy us a Coffee and Win a Book
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!
For Further Exploration:
Red Hot Chilly Dippers on Instagram: ttps://www.instagram.com/redhotchillydippers?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Want to Show Your Support for the Gifted Underachievers?
Visit the Gifted Underachiever Merch Shop
We have T-shirts, notebooks, hats, fridge magnets, mugs, and more. (Note: We’re working on getting free or low shipping in all countries!)
If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com