Mattering: an interview with Jennifer Wallace

About this episode

Ned Johnson interviews Jennifer Wallace about the importance of feeling valued and the concept of mattering.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—checking boxes, meeting expectations—yet still wondering whether any of it really matters, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author and researcher Jennifer Wallace to explore one of the most fundamental human needs we rarely name directly: mattering. Jennifer joins me to talk about her latest work and the research behind why feeling valued—for who we are, not just what we d...

People in this episode

Host: Ned Johnson

Guest: Jennifer Wallace

Topics covered

• mattering
• human needs
• self-worth
• parenting
• education

Keywords

• mattering
• self-worth
• parenting
• human needs
• education

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: New York Times

More episodes of The Self-Driven Child

• Tapping into what really motivates teens: an interview with bestselling author and psychologist Dr. David Yeager · May 13, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Simply weathering the storm of modern life? Help your kids survive and THRIVE! · April 9, 2026 · 1h 7m
• When the World Feels Too Big: Talking With Our Kids About Hard Things · March 26, 2026 · 53 min
• 8 Setbacks to Make A Child a Success: With Michelle Icard · March 3, 2026 · 57 min
• Adolescents Are Identity Scientists: Exploring With Chris Balme · January 16, 2026 · 35 min
• Why We Sleep - The Great Sleep Challenge · December 16, 2025 · 38 min