In this episode Zack interviews Russell Shaw, Head of School at Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. The conversation explores Russell's journey from politics to education and his profound insights on the intersection of parenting, technology, and education. Russell shares the rationale and impact of implementing a cell phone ban in his high school to foster deeper social connections among students and reduce the mental health challenges exacerbated by excessive screen time. He also introduces the concept of "lighthouse parenting," a metaphor encouraging parents to guide their children from a stable distance rather than over-functioning in their lives, promoting resilience and self-confidence in their kids.

The discussion dives into broader societal challenges, including the pressures of defining success through external metrics and how parents can support emotional growth by refraining from offering excessive reassurance. Russell emphasizes the importance of being present in moments with children rather than focusing on documenting experiences through technology. Both Zack and Russell advocate for rethinking societal norms around education and parenting to cultivate environments that prioritize mental well-being and intrinsic motivation over performance and achievement.

Zack Anxiety Hack: In this week’s hack Zack shares an inspirational quote about fear to help you to fear less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.