In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend and co-author, Dr. Bill Stixrud. We dive into a topic that’s been at the heart of so many recent conversations: how schools can do a better job supporting students’ mental health, motivation, and overall well-being.

Bill and I have spent a lot of time lately visiting schools, giving talks, and listening—really listening—to what kids are telling us about their experience in today’s education system. We’re talking chronic stress, anxiety, and a relentless pressure to perform that’s robbing too many students of joy and curiosity. In this episode, we explore why this is happening, how schools got here, and most importantly, what we can do to change it. From the science of autonomy to the powerful impact of rethinking homework, we unpack real strategies that can make school a place of growth, not just grades.

Episode Highlights:

[1:07] – A student’s bold question about homework and mental health gets a thunderous response.
[2:25] – Why we took a hard look at public schools in our new book’s bonus chapter.
[3:29] – The critical role of autonomy in mental health and intrinsic motivation.
[5:03] – Two big opportunities for schools: more voice and healthier environments.
[6:16] – Striking data: mental health outcomes are worse during the school year.
[8:14] – Students share how their lives revolve around impressing college admissions officers.
[11:00] – Why school often ignores what neuroscience says about how brains actually learn.
[13:32] – A principal shadows students for a day—and is shocked by the experience.
[14:30] – The importance of downtime and unstructured moments between classes.
[16:33] – Three steps for teachers to reflect on the purpose and impact of homework.
[18:28] – Low intrinsic motivation is linked to nearly every mental health issue.
[19:34] – A bold shift: one district makes homework optional and ungraded.
[22:17] – How over-emphasizing homework can backfire on learning and wellness.
[23:14] – Reducing content, adding autonomy: how med schools improved outcomes.
[24:56] – Can we build schools that foster joy, not just performance?
[29:47] – Inspire, don’t require: how one school reimagined homework.
[34:31] – Collaborating across schools and communities to create real change.
[36:14] – Parents can respectfully ask for the evidence behind educational practices.
[38:21] – Radical downtime, meditation, and how calmer minds lead to better learning.
[39:59] – Final thoughts: Let's reframe schools as places of growth, joy, and human development.

Links & Resources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/classroom-management/approaches/student-autonomy-empowerment.html
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/childrens-risk-of-suicide-increases-on-school-days/
• https://news.yale.edu/2020/01/30/national-survey-students-feelings-about-high-school-are-mostly-negative

If this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference.

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

If you’ve ever looked at your kid’s school and thought, “Is this really the best we can do?”—this episode is for you. I sat down with the incredible Jenee Henry Wood, a national leader in community-based school design, and co-author of Extraordinary Learning for All. We dive deep into why our current educational system—designed a hundred years ago for a very different world—often fails to meet the needs of today’s young people, and what it would look like to redesign schools to actually serve them better.

Jenee brings so much wisdom, humor, and hope to this conversation. We talk about the real challenges of educational reform, how parents and students can become catalysts for change, and what it takes to create schools that are co-owned and co-loved by the communities they serve. Trust me, this isn’t your typical education podcast—it’s a call to action rooted in agency, relevance, and hope.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introducing the episode and our latest book, The Self-Driven Child Workbook
[1:44] - What does it mean to redesign schools—and are today’s schools meeting kids’ needs?
[3:01] - Jenee Henry Wood shares her background and mission with Transcend Education
[5:46] - The “three big ideas” behind redesigning education: design awareness, prioritizing experience, and community-based transformation
[11:15] - Why the old model of school no longer fits the world our kids are inheriting
[12:52] - The politics of change: why we stall at the 20% we disagree on
[15:07] - What kids and parents really want from school (hint: it’s not just test prep)
[17:22] - The power of voice, agency, and building trust in the redesign process
[20:56] - A powerful story from North Dakota about shifting from imposed solutions to shared ownership
[24:31] - How to start a redesign process—yes, even without a superintendent's blessing
[26:54] - Jenee’s message of hope: “Institutions are of us, from us. Change starts with you.”

Links & Resources:

• Transcend Academy Website: https://transcendeducation.org/
• Extraordinary Learning for All: How Communities Design Schools Where Everyone Thrives: https://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Learning-All-Communities-Everyone/dp/1394230540

If this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference.

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

In this very special episode, I sit down with my friend and co-author Dr. Bill Stixrud to celebrate the arrival of our third “baby” — our brand new book, The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child: A Workbook. If you’ve ever read our earlier books (The Self-Driven Child and What Do You Say?), and found yourself thinking, “I love these ideas, but how do I actually apply them?”—this episode (and this book!) is for you. We created this workbook to help you go beyond the theory and actually make the Self-Driven Child way your way.

Bill and I unpack the inspiration behind the workbook and walk through the seven core principles that anchor it. We talk about everything from building calm, connected homes to the delicate art of motivating kids without trying to change them. Along the way, we share powerful stories from families we’ve worked with, lessons from years of practice, and candid reflections from our own parenting journeys. This episode has actionable insights to support you—and your kids—in building a happier, healthier, and more autonomous life.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Kicking things off with the big news: our new book has officially launched!
[3:00] - Why we wrote a workbook and how it supports parents in putting ideas into practice.
[6:24] - How old myths about parenting can derail connection, and why reflecting is essential.
[8:39] - Real-life stories of transformation when parents shift their approach.
[11:15] - It takes practice to make new parenting habits stick—why this book is about just that.
[13:25] - Diving into the first principle: “Put connection first” and why it matters most.
[15:00] - Principle #2: Be a consultant, not the boss—fostering autonomy through trust.
[16:19] - Communicating healthy vs. toxic expectations—and the power of belief in your kid.
[17:33] - Why kids need an accurate model of reality (and success isn't a straight line).
[21:03] - Motivating kids without trying to change them—how to be more effective and empathetic.
[24:22] - The critical role of being a non-anxious presence and how it strengthens the whole family.
[25:14] - Principle #6: Practicing radical digital downtime for mental clarity and brain health.
[26:26] - Bonus chapter! What education could look like if we built it around brains, not just grades.
[33:51] - Our favorite exercises from the workbook—and how they’ll help you build connection and effectiveness.

Links & Resources:

To order The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child: A Workbook: https://politics-prose.com/book/9780143138259

If this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference.

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com