Dr. Michele Borba has been a teacher, educational consultant, and parent for 40 years — and she’s never been more worried than she is about this current generation of kids. But it may not be for the reasons you would think. She says the high-achieving students she talks with every day are more accomplished, better educated, and more privileged than ever before. But they’re also more stressed, unhappier, and struggling with anxiety, depression, and burnout at younger and younger ages.
Dr. Borba’s newest book, THRIVERS: The Surprising Reason Why Some Kids Struggle While Others Shine, combines scientific studies, input from dozens of researchers/experts focusing on resilience, and interviews with more than 100 young people from all walks of life. Through all of that research, Dr. Borba found something surprising: the difference between those who struggle and those who succeed comes down not to grades or test scores, but to seven character traits that set Thrivers apart (and set them up for happiness and greater accomplishment later in life).
Dr. Borba is an internationally renowned educational psychologist and an expert on parenting and character development. She’s a regular contributor on NBCs Today Show and has been featured as an expert on Dateline, The View, Dr. Phil, NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, Dr. Oz, and The Early Show, and many others. I was thrilled to have a chance to sit down with her as well.
If you’re wondering what we need to focus on most to support real resiliency, you’re in the right place.
Listen
Notes from the Show:
(*May contain affiliate links.)
Purchase Dr. Borba’s book, Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.
Use Thrivers as a professional development read with this study guide.
Learn more about Dr. Michele Borba here.
You can also watch a video series that goes with the book here.
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