Raising Good Humans Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose w/ Jennifer Wallace
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Jan 16, 2026 In this engaging conversation, Jennifer Wallace, an award-winning journalist and bestselling author, delves into her groundbreaking work on mattering—the fundamental human need to feel valued and needed. She explains how mattering acts as a protective factor against anxiety in high-pressure environments. Using her SAID framework—significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended on—she shares practical ways to foster connections in families and communities. Jennifer emphasizes the joy of contributing to others and maintaining healthy relationships for overall well-being.
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Mattering Is A Fundamental Human Need
- Mattering is a universal, evolutionarily wired need to feel seen, valued, and needed.
- Jennifer B. Wallace finds most people today have this need unmet, leaving them lonely and disengaged.
Kids Who Thrive Felt Valued Beyond Wins
- In Never Enough research, Jennifer found kids thriving under pressure felt valued beyond achievements.
- Those kids were also depended on for chores and contributions, which built resilience.
Adult Mattering Protects Kids
- Children's protective shield against pressure is feeling they matter beyond achievements.
- Adults' unmet mattering undermines kids, so support for adults is upstream prevention.
