#318: When The Need to Achieve Becomes Toxic with Jennifer B. Wallace

Oct 19, 2023

Acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Jennifer B. Wallace discusses toxic achievement culture and its impact on children. She offers insights on parenting, teaching kids to value themselves, and empowering them with intrinsic motivation. Topics also include the pressure to succeed, the effects of social media on children's mental health, and managing envy and hyper-competitiveness in the age of social media.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Negative Impact of Achievement Culture on Children

02:09 • 18min

Reintroducing Caffeine and Exploring Nootropics and Adaptogens

20:29 • 3min

The Pressure to Succeed and Virtue Signaling

23:31 • 18min

The Power of Connection and Interdependence

41:35 • 4min

Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Children's Mental Health

45:59 • 4min

The Impact of Envy and Hyper-Competitiveness on Achievements

50:08 • 4min

Themes: Parenting, Achievement, Toxic Achievement Culture, Children, Parenting, Confidence, Mental Health, Teens Summary: I’m jamming today with Jennifer B. Wallace, an acclaimed journalist and bestselling author of "Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic." Jennifer, a mother of three, was struck by the toxic pressure surrounding high-achievement schools. Concerned about the impact on her own children, she embarked on a journey to understand and mitigate this achievement culture's harmful effects, resulting in her book, "Never Enough: When Achievement Cultures Become Toxic and What We Can Do About It." In this episode, we talk about toxic achievement culture and what parents can do to make their children feel seen, heard, and loved without that being contingent on their achievements. Discover: How parenting has evolved over the past few decades What we can do to help our children become mentally strong How a sense of “mattering” can protect against burnout for parents and children How increased pressure and the need to succeed create a toxic environment for our children 00:00 Intro 00:27 The high expectations of modern parenting 04:51 Value of a college education in today's job market 06:32 Teaching kids that they matter 10:03 Empowering kids with intrinsic motivation 16:07 How toxic achievement culture is impacting children today 22:51 From people-pleasing to self-valuing 31:14 Parenting with value 35:46 Repairing and shifting in parenting 40:55 Teach your kids to ‘never worry alone’ 45:18 Be interested in your child’s online world 50:22 Encouraging kids to celebrate other’s achievements Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrehenywallace/ Book: https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/pre-order Website: https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/ Sponsors: Cured Nutrition: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove Create the Love Cards: Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards Contact us at podcast@markgroves.com for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

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