293. Rebuilding Teen Motivation and Daily Habits with Sean Geraghty

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Sean Geraghty, founder of Reset Coaching and co-founder of the Center for Teen Flourishing, to explore what today’s teens truly need to thrive. Sean walks us through the research behind how young people spend their time from 3 PM to 3 AM, highlighting the growing displacement of in-person connection, hobbies, work, and other meaningful activities by passive screen use. Together, we dig into why this shift matters and what opportunity costs families often overlook.

We also unpack the misconceptions around motivation and executive function—especially for teens with ADHD or chronic overwhelm—and how small, personalized strategies can lead to big wins. Sean shares practical insights from coaching, research, and behavioral science that help teens re-engage with life in authentic, sustainable ways. Join us to learn more about building healthier habits, supporting agency, and helping young people flourish.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How teens’ after-school hours have shifted from real-life engagement to digital distraction  
• The opportunity costs of screen time and why time-use matters  
• What motivation and executive function actually look like for ADHD and overwhelmed teens  
• Why personalized systems outperform one-size-fits-all strategies  

Resources:

• I’ll Do It Later: Surviving School and Renewing With Love With Your ADHD Son by Sean Geraghty & Mike Goldstein — A practical guide for parents supporting ADHD learners.
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — Explore the research shaping national conversations around teens, mental health, and technology. 
• Center for Teen Flourishing — Learn more about ongoing research into teens’ daily habits and wellbeing.
• Reset Coaching — Discover executive function strategies and coaching support for teens and young adults.
• American Time Use Survey (ATUS) — A national data source on how Americans spend their time, including trends among teens.

Produced by NOVA