Tapping into what really motivates teens: an interview with bestselling author and psychologist Dr. David Yeager

About this episode

Dr. David Yeager discusses the true motivations behind teenage behavior and how adults can better understand and connect with adolescents.

Dr. David Yeager joins me for a fascinating conversation about what really motivates adolescents — and why so many adults misunderstand teenage behavior in the first place. Drawing from his groundbreaking book 10 to 25, David explains why teens aren’t “lazy” or irrational at all. They’re deeply motivated by status, belonging, respect, and purpose — and when adults learn how to connect healthy behaviors to those drives, everything changes. We also unpack the “mentor mindset” that helps parents...

People in this episode

Host: Ned Johnson

Guest: Dr. David Yeager

Topics covered

• teen motivation
• adolescent behavior
• parenting strategies
• mentor mindset
• psychology

Keywords

• teen motivation
• adolescents
• parenting
• psychology
• mentor mindset
• behavioral drives

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: 10 to 25

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