
Jason Daniels - Practicing Hard Things
From Essential Dynamics with Derek Hudson by Derek Hudson
May 5, 2026 · 32 min · Episode 135
About this episode
Dr. Jason Daniels discusses the effects of digital media on development and the importance of effort in learning.
Jason Daniels joins Derek to talk about why hard things still matter. Digital tools make it easier than ever to avoid boredom, discomfort, hard thinking, and awkward social moments. But those are often the moments that help us grow. Derek connects Jason’s work to Essential Dynamics and the idea of the quest. Life is not meaningful because it is easy. It becomes meaningful as we practice hard things, build capacity, and learn to move through tension instead of around it. Jason Daniels is at beyond-the-screen.ca Check out Jason's book, Beyond the Screen: Resilient Kids in a Digital World Derek is at Unconstrained Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics wiki .
People in this episode
Host: Derek Hudson
Guest: Dr. Jason Daniels
Topics covered
- digital media impact
- social skills
- attention span
- learning and growth
- resilience
- cognitive development
Keywords
- digital media
- social skills
- attention
- resilience
- learning
- cognitive development
- hard skills
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: beyondthescreen.ca
Books & works: Beyond the Screen
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