TPP 450: Dr. David Yeager on What the Science Says About Motivating Young People
In this episode, I talk with David Yeager about what really fuels motivation and a sense of belonging for our kids—especially neurodivergent ones. We unpack the different mindsets adults bring to the table—like enforcer, protector, and mentor—and how shifting into a mentor mindset can help kids feel respected, understood, and more engaged. David shares powerful insights about what helps adolescents thrive, and we explore how things like trust, connection, and belief in a child’s potential can make all the difference.
About David Yeager, PhD
David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He is best known for his research conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and Greg Walton on short but powerful interventions that influence adolescent behaviors such as motivation, engagement, healthy eating, bullying, stress, mental health, and more. He has consulted for Google, Microsoft, Disney, and the World Bank, as well as for the White House and the governments in California, Texas, and Norway. His research has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, CNN, Fox News, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and more. Clarivate Web of Science ranks Yeager as one of the top 0.1% most-influential psychologists in the world over the past decade. Prior to his career as a scientist, he was a middle school teacher and a basketball coach. He earned his PhD and MA at Stanford University and his BA and MEd at the University of Notre Dame. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and their four children.
Things you'll learn from this episode
Why motivation thrives in environments where kids feel respected and understood
The three mindsets adults often embody when parenting
Why belonging and a child’s belief in their potential are critical drivers of motivation and long-term success
Research-backed interventions that can significantly improve a young person’s mindset and resilience
How creating strong connections with adolescents, grounded in curiosity and collaboration, helps them feel safe, seen, and motivated to grow
Resources mentioned
David Yeager
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager, PhD
SXSW EDU Keynote
David Yeager, PhD on LinkedIn
The Power of Mindset Masterclass
Ellen Gallinsky Takes Us Inside the Breakthrough Years (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens by Ellen Galinsky
Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson on Disengaged Teens (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop
11-Year-Old Asher Talks About Developing a Growth Mindset (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Dr. Mary Murphy / Cultures of Growth
Phyllis Fagel on Raising Resilient Teens in Turbulent Times (Tilt Parenting)
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