The Self-Driven Child

Ned Johnson
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
The Self-Driven Child

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

  1. NOV 22

    Independent Travel: A low-cost, high-impact way to prepare teens for college and life

    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 responsibility, and stress tolerance—essential skills for life. We explore the power of independent travel, the magic of...

    53 min

  2. NOV 12

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

    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. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what to say to your teen when they’re disappointed and how to be that stead...

    23 min

  3. NOV 5

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

    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 practices and new strategies that emphasize motivation without pushing too hard—helping kids build resilience, autonomy,...

    24 min

  4. OCT 24

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

    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 young people's mental well-being, and we explore practical strategies for fostering resilience, decision-making, and pr...

    32 min

  5. OCT 8

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

    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 the drive for high grades may actually be compromising students' learning and mental health.Together, we explore h...

    50 min

  6. OCT 1

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

    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 revolutionize not just their academic success, but also their mental health and intrinsic motivation.Together, we discuss ...

    47 min

  7. SEP 3

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

    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 for us as parents too. We talk about the balance between supporting our children and giving them the space to gr...

    45 min

  8. AUG 6

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

    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 foster mental well-being. Bill shares insights from our research and experiences, highlighting the profound impact...

    27 min
See All (40)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Ned Johnson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Self-Driven Child
  • Show Website
    The Self-Driven Child

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