Are we raising young people who can handle adulthood, or are we unintentionally holding them back? In this episode, we welcome Dr. Paul Marcille to discuss how agency, consequences shape resilience, independence, and healthy childhood development. Dr Marcille, a licensed psychologist, has over 35 years of experience in higher education, private practice, and professional leadership, and is recognised nationally for advancing mental health programs and mentoring the next generation of psychologists. In our conversation, Dr. Marcille explains why so many college students arrive unprepared to manage independence and how the erosion of agency is driving struggles with anxiety, depression, and confidence. We delve into how ‘hovering’ can erode independence rather than develop it, the role of agency in fostering problem-solving skills, and why coaching is often about helping the parents manage their own anxiety. Learn why simple dinner-table dialogue between family is essential, the reasons behind the lack of accountability in younger generations, steps parents can take to teach problem-solving skills and build their child’s confidence, and how to create safe but challenging experiences that challenge agency and create self-confidence. Join us to discover what it truly means to help young people thrive and gain a new perspective on agency and consequences with Dr. Paul Marcille!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Find out what it means to have agency and why kids are struggling to develop it.
• Adolescence and the effects of ‘extended adolescence’ on childhood development.
• Learn about the impact of extended adolescence on mental health.
• Differences between true mental illness and transient sadness and anxiety.
• Hear why parents are often the ones who need help, and not the child.
• How traditional testing and fact memorization fall short of teaching problem-solving skills.
• Potential solutions to address the education gaps in schools and colleges.
• Unpack why establishing consequences for failing and succeeding is crucial. 
• How smartphones distract, reduce engagement, and compromise social development.
• Why parents need to recognize their own anxiety and not project it onto their child.
• Reframe the role of parents to love unconditionally, but to set clear boundaries.
• William Glasser’s Choice Theory and how it informs Dr. Marcille’s approach.
• Dr. Marcille’s current work and his upcoming workshop on internet porn addiction.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Paul Marcille on LinkedIn

Aspyre Psychological Services

Bay Area Psychological Association (BAPA)

American Psychological Association (APA)

California Psychological Association (CPA)

CPA 2025 Convention

William Glasser Institute

Douglas Bodin
The Bodin Group