Radiolab You and Me and Mr. Self-Esteem
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Jan 23, 2026 
Will Storr, an author and journalist, joins Mitch Saunders, a longtime friend of John Vasconcellos, to explore the fascinating rise and fall of the self-esteem movement. They dive into Vasconcellos's transformative journey from a troubled upbringing to a charismatic political figure who championed self-esteem as a public policy tool. Listeners learn about the controversial impacts of self-esteem initiatives in schools and the cultural backlash that followed. Storr and Saunders reflect on the complexities of self-worth, ultimately questioning whether elevating self-esteem is truly beneficial.
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Therapy Reframes The Self
- Carl Rogers and encounter groups reframed suffering as inauthentic living rather than innate flaw.
- Radical authenticity aimed to recover a "true self" believed to be naturally good and growth-oriented.
The Self-Esteem Task Force Launch
- Vasconcellos convened a statewide Self-Esteem Task Force and hired Berkeley researchers to study links to crime, education, and health.
- The 1990 report initially claimed broad societal benefits and turned ridicule into national fame.
Classroom Self-Esteem Rituals
- Schools adopted self-esteem curricula in the late 80s and 90s with exercises like mirror prompts, "sparkle statements," and sharing circles.
- Many listeners recall class rituals: Do So the Dolphin, star-attraction posters, and daily affirmations.
