What if letting your kids fail is the greatest gift you can give them? In this empowering conversation, New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey joins Allison to explore how failure builds resilience, why competence matters more than confidence, and what every parent should know about preventing addiction in kids. From her work in classrooms and adolescent rehabs to writing for The Atlantic and The New York Times, Jessica delivers research-backed wisdom for raising healthy, self-sufficient children in today’s high-pressure world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why failure is essential to a child’s development
• How over-parenting sabotages confidence and motivation
• Practical strategies for raising kids with true competence
• The link between autonomy, brain development, and substance use prevention
• What kids really wish their parents knew (and how Jessica hears it firsthand)

About Jessica Lahey:

Jessica Lahey is the author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, a celebrated educator, journalist, and speaker who has taught every grade from 6th to 12th, including in adolescent drug and alcohol rehab centers. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. She’s the co-host of the #AmWriting podcast, creator of over 400 educational videos, and a passionate advocate for parenting that prioritizes self-efficacy, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Connect with Jessica:

• Website: www.jessicalahey.com
• Substack: jessicalahey.substack.com
• Books: The Gift of Failure | The Addiction Inoculation
• Podcast: #AmWriting

✨ Memorable Moments

1. “You’re not your brother. You’re not your sister. And you’re not your parents’ do-over.”
2. “Confidence is great—but competence is what truly equips kids to succeed.”
3. “Kids are more invested in solutions they help create.”
4. “Helping kids fail now prevents bigger failures later.”
5. “Dopamine from mastery—not substances—is the goal.”

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