The Self-Driven Child

Nov 22 2024 40 ep. 40 mins 15
The Self-Driven Child Podcast artwork

Helping parents raise kids with healthy motivation and resilience in facing life's challenges. Oh, and having more fun while doing it!

  Kids & Family  Education  Health & Fitness
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Independent Travel: A low-cost, high-impact way to prepare teens for college and life

Nov 22 2024 52 mins  
Ready to ignite your child’s wanderlust? In this episode of The Self-Driven Child Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Blake Bole, an expert in self-directed learning and international travel for teens and young adults. From unschooling to transformative travel experiences, Blake shares how navigating the world independently helps young people develop autonomy, financial respo

The SAT, ACT, and Other Four-Letter Words: What Do You Say When Your Kid's Scores are Low?

Nov 12 2024 22 mins  
Let’s talk about a reality that many parents and teens face: handling disappointing standardized test scores. It’s a topic that stirs up all kinds of feelings—stress, doubt, frustration—and how we as parents respond makes all the difference. I share how common phrases, despite being well-intentioned, can unintentionally add pressure or shut down meaningful conversations. Yo

A Sense of Control Continued: How Students Achieve Academic Success With Less Stress

Nov 05 2024 24 mins  
In this continuation episode, I’m back with Dr. Bill Stixrud for part two of our discussion that digs into the realities of raising kids in high-pressure academic environments. We explore the subtle yet powerful concept of being a “non-anxious presence” as a parent and what that really means when guiding children through challenges. Bill and I touch on real stories from our p

A Sense of Control: How Students Achieve Academic Success With Less Stress

Oct 24 2024 31 mins  
In this episode of The Self-Driven Child Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Bill Stixrud, co-author of The Self-Driven Child and What Do You Say? We dive into the challenges parents face around academic pressure, mental health, and helping kids find their way without being overwhelmed by stress. Bill shares powerful insights on why a sense of control is so essential to youn

Grades, Rakes, and Reflection: Helping Kids Do Less To Do Better - With Teacher & Writer Tim Donahue

Oct 08 2024 49 mins  
In this episode, I sit down with Tim Donahue, a seasoned high school English teacher and a writer, to dive into the pressures of grade inflation, the impact on student resilience, and why kids today feel overwhelmed by academic and extracurricular demands. Tim’s unique perspective, drawn from years in the classroom and as a published writer, sheds light on how grade inflation and

Brainless Education: A Conversation About the Brain Science Too Often Ignored in Most Schools

Oct 01 2024 47 mins  
Welcome to The Self-Driven Child podcast! In this episode, I chat with Dr. William Stixrud, co-author of The Self-Driven Child, to explore the concept of “brainless education” and why the way we approach learning in schools often overlooks the very organ meant to do the learning: the brain. We explore how prioritizing stress reduction, sleep, and autonomy for students can revol

Parental (Over) Involvement & The Start of College - A Conversation with Jess Lahey

Sep 03 2024 45 mins  
In this episode of the Self Driven Child podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite voices in parenting, Jess Lahey. Jess is a New York Times bestselling author, an educator, and someone who's been on the front lines of both teaching and parenting. We discuss the emotional rollercoaster that is the transition from high school to college—not just for our kids, but fo

What Do You Say? Why we LOVE Book #2!

Aug 06 2024 27 mins  
In this episode, I sit down with my co-author, Dr. William R. Stixrud, to do an origin story into the key concepts from our latest book, "What Do You Say?: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home". We discuss the crucial importance of connection between parents and children, exploring how empathy and validation can transform relationships and f

The Self-Driven Child: How We Got There (aka The Marvel Origin Story)

Jul 09 2024 34 mins  
Today we are talking about the roots of "The Self Driven Child" with my co-author, Dr. William R. Stixrud. Discover how our understanding of autonomy and control transformed our approach to parenting and education. We explore the neuroscience behind stress and motivation, sharing our journey from initial insights to the profound impact our work has had globally. Join us as we recou

Choosing a New School: Why, When, and How

Jun 18 2024 44 mins  
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Self-Driven Child Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly insightful Wendy Wilkinson, a parent educator and admissions expert with decades of experience. Wendy shares her wisdom on how to find the right school for your child, navigating the complex world of school choices, and understanding what makes a good fit for different types