Teens love to learn—even when their behaviour suggests otherwise.
I’m an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author who studies how to help kids become successful learners. Against the backdrop of a youth mental health crisis and unprecedented rates of student disengagement, I offer parents and educators proven and practical interventions to build motivation, agency and resilience. I’ve spent the past two decades on staff at major publications, including the New York Times and Quartz, reporting on education, the attention economy, learning science, technology, parenting, and innovation. Join my free newsletter via Substack here.
My new book The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better is available to order online now:
New book coming soon
Coming January 7th 2025 from Crown:
How can we help our kids thrive in an AI age? By helping them be agile learners.
The Disengaged Teen introduces the four modes of learning —Resister, Passenger, Achiever and Explorer—and offers practical, evidence-based ways to help young people understand and manage their modes. This builds motivation, agency and resilience.
I write articles.
I was on staff at the NYT (10 years), Quartz (5 years), Institutional Investor magazine (4 years) & the New York Post (one very illuminating year). I won a Gerald Loeb for breaking a Very Big Story during the financial crisis.
I write books.
The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids to Learn Better, Feel Better and Live Better (out January 2025) offers parents and educators science-based strategies to help kids to be better learners.
It’s Not You, It’s the Dishes (RandomHouse 2012) uses behavioral economics to help solve common problems in marriage. It on the 2012 Books for a Better Life award.
I create new ways to talk about learning.
From podcasts and articles to newsletters and live or virtual workshops, I help elevate conversations about learning and wellbeing with parents, educators and companies.
I write a newsletter.
Sign up here for the How to be Brave newsletter on Substack. Weekly tips and insights on how to coach kids to be curious, courageous learners using evidence, instinct and grace.
With expert insights and practical tools, this book is a gift to parents and educators everywhere
- Jennifer B. Wallace, author of Never Enough.
Get a sneak peak…
Pre-order now and receive a free tips for decoding your kids engagement in school and boosting their motivation with better conversations about school. Once you submit the form below, you will receive the tips by email.
Praise for The Disengaged Teen
“The Disengaged Teen" is an essential guide for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to help students develop a meaningful connection to learning. With practical, research-backed strategies and real-life stories woven throughout, this book will help adults understand disengagement and implement effective, tailored interventions that foster a love of learning.”
Lisa Damour – New York Times bestselling author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
“…an engaging, evidence-based, and practical read about how to develop a generation of lifelong learners.”
Adam Grant – #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking