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 h ... Show More
Jan 29
Mattering: an interview with Jennifer Wallace
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—checking boxes, meeting expectations—yet still wondering whether any of it really matters, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author and researcher Jennifer Wallace t ... Show More
45m 14s
Jan 16
Adolescents Are Identity Scientists: Exploring With Chris Balme
In this episode, I sit down with education leader, parent, and author Chris Balme for a deep, thoughtful, and often funny conversation about what adolescents are really doing during the middle school and teen years. We explore why this stage of life is less about “figuring kids o ... Show More
35m 9s
Dec 16
Why We Sleep - The Great Sleep Challenge
In this episode of The Self-Driven Child Podcast, I sit down with my longtime partner, co-author, and neuropsychologist Dr. William Stixrud to dig deep into something hiding in plain sight: sleep. We talk about why so many kids, teens, and frankly adults are walking around chroni ... Show More
38m 9s
May 2023
Mindful Teaching: Techniques for Cultivating Resilience and Reducing Burnout
Teacher Stress and Burnout: Causes and Coping StrategiesIf you're a classroom educator, you know firsthand how challenging and demanding your job can be. Between juggling lesson planning, student assessments, grading, parent communications, administrative duties, and extracurricu ... Show More
56m 45s
Nov 2024
Ep 315: Cultivating a Champion's Mindset
J.D. Kinimaka, author of "The Competitive Spirit," explains how parents can develop a competitive attitude in their teens, emphasizing mental toughness, resilience, and the benefits of failure.Full Show NotesParenting teens often means navigating their desire for independence whi ... Show More
23m 35s
Aug 2025
[Episode 118] How Strong School Culture Reduces Chronic Absenteeism (w/ Khari Shabazz)
In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, Dr. Wendy Amato speaks with Khari Shabazz, Managing Director of Schools and School Partnerships at K12 Coalition, about how shifting from compliance to connection can combat chronic absenteeism. Drawing from his experience as a school le ... Show More
30m 46s
Jul 2024
Ep 298: Maximizing Teen Potential
Scott H. Young, author of Get Better at Anything, joins us to demystify the true essence of learning, improvement, and mastery, shedding light on how parents can guide their teens to excel both academically and personally.Full Show NotesParents face the continual challenge of hel ... Show More
23m 31s
Sep 2025
Why Are Test Scores Falling? (with James Wyckoff and Chad Aldeman)
Earlier this month, 2024 NAEP scores came out for 8th grade science and 12th grade reading and math, and the results were not good, with students losing ground in each subject. But these declines are not new and they are not only the result of the pandemic: Across a number of tes ... Show More
1h 14m
Jul 2023
Ep 250: Homeschool vs Traditional School
Catherine Read, author of The Genius of Home, helps us compare the advantages and challenges of homeschooling with traditional school, and how to handle the transition from one to the other and vice versa!Full Show NotesRaising teenagers in today's fast-paced world means constant ... Show More
27m 41s