What if backing off is actually the best way to show up? 🙃

In this powerful and honest episode, we're joined by Julie Lythcott-Haims—former Stanford dean, author of How to Raise an Adult, popular⁠ TED Talk⁠er and fierce advocate for raising self-sufficient humans.

Julie shares what she's learned from years of working with high-achieving but emotionally overwhelmed young adults—and why the real secret to raising capable, confident kids is stepping back, not doubling down.

We talk about what overparenting actually looks like, why it’s driven by our anxiety more than their needs, and how to raise kids who know who they are, what they want, and how to go after it. If you're feeling burnt out from trying to do it all for your kids—this one’s your permission slip to stop.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Overparenting often stems from fear—not love or logic.

• Kids develop confidence by doing hard things, not by being protected from them.

• The goal is to raise adults, not perfectly behaved children.

• Giving kids agency helps them become resilient, not anxious.

• Letting go doesn’t mean neglect—it means trusting them to try, fail, and grow.

• Achievement does not equal happiness or success.

• Parents must check their own identity being too tied to their child’s performance.

• It’s okay if your kid’s path looks different than the one you imagined.

• Your love is not measured by your control.

• Success = purpose + agency + emotional health (not grades, trophies, or resumes).