Ned Johnson

Dr. William Stixrud, a neuropsychologist and assistant professor, teams up with educator Ned Johnson to explore revolutionary parenting strategies. They challenge the pressure-driven culture, advocating for children's autonomy and the power of independent play to bolster mental health. With insights on fostering resilience and joy, they discuss the importance of trust between parents and children. They also emphasize the detrimental effects of toxic expectations and the need for 'radical downtime' to allow kids to thrive and explore their interests.

Ned Johnson, founder of PrepMatters and co-author of The Self-Driven Child, shares his expertise on supporting academically gifted children. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from managing to consulting, allowing kids more autonomy. Ned discusses how to foster communication and deal with perfectionism and anxiety in gifted students. He advocates for nurturing intrinsic motivation through passion and unstructured play while remaining a non-anxious presence in their lives. Close with actionable tips for parents to help gifted kids thrive!