Jessica Lahey

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 “You’re not your brother. You’re not your sister. And you’re not your parents’ do-over.” “Confidence is great—but competence is what truly equips kids to succeed.” “Kids are more invested in solutions they help create.” “Helping kids fail now prevents bigger failures later.” “Dopamine from mastery—not substances—is the goal.” Connect with Allison Join us for the SBSC Summit: https://www.shebelievedshecould.co/sbscsummit Interested in working together? Fill out this form . www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh www.shebelievedbook.com www.allisonwalshconsulting.com Signature Course | Build Your Brand On Demand Access The Impact Brand Accelerator Access From Podcast to Platform Beauty Must-Haves!

Episode Description In this powerful and insightful episode, Erica sits down with Jessica Lahey—teacher, bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation , and a leading voice in parenting, education, and child welfare. With deep personal and professional experience, Jessica shares practical strategies and grounded wisdom on how to raise kids who are emotionally strong, self-motivated, and resilient in the face of failure and substance use risk. From letting kids stumble to fostering autonomy, and from addiction prevention to healthy, shame-free conversations, this episode is a must-listen for any parent, educator, or caregiver who wants to support children through the challenges of growing up in today's world. Key Takeways We explore: • The pivotal moment that connected Jessica's experiences as a teacher, parent, and recovering alcoholic • Why failure is essential for growth, especially in the tween and teen years • How over-helping robs kids of motivation—and what to do instead • Building true resilience in our kids through setbacks and struggle • Key parenting practices that reduce the risk of substance use • What a "slow-drip" conversation about drugs and alcohol really looks like • The difference between shame and accountability—and how to keep trust intact • Guidance for parents with a family history of addiction • What gives Jessica hope about this generation of kids • Her one core piece of wisdom for raising healthy, strong, addiction-resilient kids About Jessica Lahey Jessica Lahey is the bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation , which earned the Research Society on Alcohol's Media Award. A veteran educator, she's taught grades 6–12 in public and private schools, and spent five years teaching at a Vermont rehab center for teens with addiction. Her work on education, parenting, and child welfare has appeared in The Washington Post , The Atlantic , and The New York Times , where she wrote the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for three years. She also created the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids' award-winning The Stinky and Dirty Show . Jess co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast, offering insights into writing and publishing from her home in rural Vermont. Links The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey Jessica's website: www.jessicalahey.com EPISODE SPONSOR: Tremblant Living Learn More about Your Host On a mission to redefine self-care globally, Erica Diamond is a sought-after Media Expert, Professional Speaker, Bestselling Author of List Your Goals Journal, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Founder of Bliss Essential Oils ( BlissEssential.co ), Course Creator of Busy To Bliss ( http://BusyToBliss.com ), Certified Life & Career Coach, Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com ® ( previously WomenOnTheFence.com ® ) . Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica is a busy mom of two boys, 'bad cook,' and new drummer! To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com SIGN UP for the FREE S

This week, we welcome New York Times Bestselling author, Jessica Lahey to The Hamilton Review! In this conversation, Jessica discusses her two books: The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Enjoy this conversation! Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jess was awarded the Research Society on Alcohol's Media Award for "outstanding journalistic efforts of writers who cover empirical research on alcohol" […] "for her book The Addiction Inoculation and advocacy for the recovery community." Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont. She has written about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and her biweekly column "The Parent Teacher Conference" ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids' award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee. Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast from her empty nest in Vermont How to contact Jessica Lahey: Jessica Lahey Official Website How to contact Dr. Bob: Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/ Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656 Dr. Bob's Seven Secrets Of The Newborn website: https://7secretsofthenewborn.com/ Dr. Bob's website: https://roberthamiltonmd.com/ Pacific Ocean Pediatrics: http://www.pacificoceanpediatrics.com/

In today's episode, we meet Jessica Lahey, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Gift of Failure: How The Best Parents Learn To Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Informed by over two decades of teaching experience and a robust writing career, Jessica shares her relatable insights on education and parenting. I absolutely devoured this book and I’m thrilled to dive into it with Jessica. We break down a few of its most illuminating parenting insights, like the importance of allowing children to experience failure and how it contributes to their growth and resilience. Jessica explains why failure shouldn't be seen as a dirty word and reveals how it can be a powerful learning tool, instead. This episode is packed with valuable insights that will help you raise more independent, confident, and capable children. I’m so thankful for the time Jessica spent with us today. If you are a parent, I highly recommend The Gift of Failure. We also cover: (00:01:02) Why Kids Avoid Challenges & Problem Solving (00:17:36) What Does & Does NOT Work to Encourage Kids at School (00:29:49) Boosting Motivation & Supporting Self-Efficacy Through Modeling (00:45:40) Countering The Daunted College Prep Stress (00:57:24) Parenting for Independence: Best Practices Resources: • Click here for full show notes • Website: jessicalahey.com • Read: The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey • Instagram: @teacherlahey • Linkedin: Jessica Lahey • YouTube: Jessica Lahey • Podcast: #AmWriting • GoodReads: Jessica Lahey Connect with Kelly: • kellyleveque.com • Instagram: @bewellbykelly • Facebook: www.facebook.com/bewellbykelly * Content from this podcast is provided for information and education purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. The use of information from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. Always speak with your healthcare professional before taking any medication, nutritional or herbal supplement. Be Well By Kelly is produced by Crate Media . Mentioned in this episode: AG1 | Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at drinkAG1.com/BEWELL . BWBK Protein Powder | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com . LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Kelly to receive a free sample pack of LMNT electrolytes with any purchase!

In this episode: Preventing substance use in children starts earlier than you might think—right from kindergarten. In this eye-opening episode, I welcome Jessica Lahey, an educator, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker, who shares insights from her book The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence . Jessica highlights the developmental differences in how young people respond to substances and provides parents, educators, and community members with the tools they need to have effective and informed conversations about substance use and safety. Discover how cumulative, consistent efforts are far more impactful than one-time discussions in fostering healthy habits and mindsets in children and how to find the courage to name the things that are happening as opposed to keeping things hidden. conversations about substance use and safety. Discover how cumulative, consistent efforts are far more impactful than one-time discussions in fostering healthy habits and mindsets in children and how to find the courage to name the things that are happening as opposed to keeping things hidden. Resources : Jessica Lahey's Site + Books Follow Jessica Lahey on Instagram World Health Organization's Statistics on Alcohol Use Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops Jessica Lahey's Book Recommendations: High: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction by David Sheff and Nic Sheff Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel Siegel The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour Transcript

Welcome to episode 223. Do you rush to fix your child's mistakes, shielding them from failure? Many moms do! Maybe it's a forgotten homework assignment or a missed deadline. This episode is your guide! New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey shares a relatable story of when she had to decide: intervene and save her daughter, or let her face the consequences of forgetting homework. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Jessica handled the homework situation (and the surprising lesson her daughter took away!) • The #1 thing moms can do to avoid over-parenting or under-parenting • How to create situations where your child feels empowered to solve their own problems • Techniques to raise a confident, capable child who embraces challenges • Empower your child, not enable them! Listen to this episode now! This podcast is perfect for you if: • You want your child to learn from mistakes and build resilience. • You're worried you might be preventing your child from developing independence. • You crave tips on raising a strong, capable adult. • Don't miss out on these valuable strategies! Tune in today! Love this episode? Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/ This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact Feeling Lost and Uninspired as a Mom? Reignite Your Spark Today! Do you long to rediscover the things that truly light you up as a mom? Feeling stuck in the daily grind can leave even the most passionate moms feeling drained and uninspired. But what if you could recapture that spark, that creative energy that makes you, you? Fertile Imagination is your guide to unlocking your inner powerhouse. This #1 Amazon bestseller, written by a mom who's been there, will help you: • Uncover your hidden passions and talents. • Develop a clear vision for your future as a mom and an individual. • Learn powerful strategies to overcome overwhelm and rediscover your joy. Stop feeling like you're just going through the motions. Light a fire under your dreams and become the best version of yourself for your family! Visit Melissa Llarena: https://www.melissallarena.com/fertileideas/ right now and grab a FREE chapter of Fertile Imagination! Don't wait! Your most inspired and fulfilling life as a mom is waiting to be discovered. On the same website, we also have a limited-time offer for mom entrepreneurs who want to speak to the right people and catapult their business success in 30 days or less! Not sure how to go first in networking, or perhaps what to say in a follow-up? Answers to these strategic networking questions are addressed in a free resource that has helped me and my clients talk to the right people in way less time than it would take using traditional networking methods! Download my FREE playbook, "From Contact to Connection," and learn: • Easy steps to find the right contacts and reach out confidently. • Unconventional follow-up tips to stand out and build relationships. • Templates to personalize your outreach for maximum impact. Stop feeling lost and reignite your spark! Download your free playbook now and watch your business thrive. Click here: https://www.melissallarena.com/fertileideas/ Limited time offer! Official bio for Jessica Lahey Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jess was awarded the Research Society

Today’s episode is all about our kids and how to best talk to them about drinking and other substances. I’m honored to have Jessica Lahey on the show to guide the conversation. Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence . Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She has written about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post , The Atlantic , and the New York Times . She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast from her empty nest in Vermont. She is also celebrating 10 years of sobriety. We cover: How Jessica became interested in this topic Common mistakes parents make when talking to their kids about drinking and how to avoid them How substance prevention school programs have changed (for the better) How to have a clear message around drinking How alcohol affects the developing brain of adolescents differently than adults and why this matters Tangible tools for conversations at different ages and stages The toxicity of mommy wine culture How to be honest and compassionate with your kids if you have a history of drinking problems or are struggling yourself And more! Find Jessica: The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence: By Jessica Lahey The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey www.jessicalahey.com/ Ready to change your drinking? Join the next Alcohol Tipping Point Alcoholiday! Monthly dry group to help you take a break from drinking with online support and tools. Find out more here: https://www.alcoholtippingpoint.com/alcoholiday Use code: LOVE to save 20% Find Alcohol Tipping Point at: Website: http://www.alcoholtippingpoint.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alcoholtippingpoint Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlcoholTippingPoint Free resources from Alcohol Tipping Point: 100 Questions to Change Your Drinking: https://www.alcoholtippingp

Send us Fan Mail Jessica Lahey returns for a part 2 discussion! On last weeks episode we discussed her book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed" and on this weeks podcast we discuss her second book, "The Addiction Inoculation, Raising Healthy kids in a Culture of Dependence. " This podcast episode is an important episode for parents raising children ---as she gives clear, evidence based information on how to help our children avoid substance abuse. Her book is an incredible and pertinent book for parents to read. In addition to being an accomplished, New York Times best selling author, Jessica received her law degree, and she spent many years as an English and writing teacher. She also cohosts a writing and creativity podcast, #amwriting. Dr Jessica Hochman is a board certified pediatrician, mom to three children, and she is very passionate about the health and well being of children. Most of her educational videos are targeted towards general pediatric topics and presented in an easy to understand manner. Do you have a future topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Email your suggestion to: askdrjessicamd@gmail.com. Dr Jessica Hochman is also on social media: Follow her on Instagram: @AskDrJessica Follow her on TikTok: @AskDrJessica Subscribe to her YouTube channel! Ask Dr Jessica Subscribe to this podcast: Ask Dr Jessica Subscribe to her mailing list: www.askdrjessicamd.com The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider. Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form . -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 - To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail This weeks podcast is joined by educator, writer and speaker Jessica Lahey (@jesslahey), who holds a deep interest in exploring what motivates children to learn. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a J.D. concentrating on juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She has also spent many years as an English and writing teacher, a correspondent for the Atlantic, a commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and she wrote the “Parent-Teacher Conference” column for the New York Times. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. She also cohosts a writing and creativity podcast, #amwriting. Dr Jessica Hochman is a board certified pediatrician, mom to three children, and she is very passionate about the health and well being of children. Most of her educational videos are targeted towards general pediatric topics and presented in an easy to understand manner. Do you have a future topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Email your suggestion to: askdrjessicamd@gmail.com. Dr Jessica Hochman is also on social media: Follow her on Instagram: @AskDrJessica Subscribe to her YouTube channel! Ask Dr Jessica Subscribe to this podcast: Ask Dr Jessica Subscribe to her mailing list: www.askdrjessicamd.com The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider. Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form . -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 - To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

My guest is Jessica Lahey, an educator, writer, and speaker, and the author of one of my favorite parenting books, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed . Jess shares her insights about how we can best prepare our kids for an independent, successful adulthood in the way we practice autonomy supportive parenting versus overparenting, what it means to let our kids “fail” to help them thrive, how we can help our kids learn how to “sit with frustration,” and much more. Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She is an English and writing teacher, correspondent for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the “Parent-Teacher Conference” column for the New York Times . Jessica earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts and a J.D. with a concentration in juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two sons. Things you’ll learn from this episode The difference between overparenting and “autonomy supportive parenting" How many parents underestimate their kids and might be unknowingly fostering learned helplessness in them How we can build scaffolding for our kids What Jessica wishes parents of atypical kids knew about teachers Jessica’s advice for how we can best advocate for our kids in school How we can foster more of a growth mindset in our children, especially those who are perfectionist, as well as how to NOT foster “learned helplessness” Resources mentioned about the gift of failure Jessica Lahey’s website The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey Why Parents Need To Let Their Kids Fail ( The Atlantic article) Dr. Ross Greene Talks About Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (podcast episode) The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber Am Writing (Jessica’s podcast) The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Support the show Connect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcast

Send me a Text Message about the show! In this supportive, life-saving resource, the New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure helps parents and educators understand the roots of substance abuse and identify who is most at risk for addiction, and offers practical steps for prevention. Jessica Lahey was born into a family with a long history of alcoholism and drug abuse. Despite her desire to thwart her genetic legacy, she became an alcoholic and didn’t find her way out until her early forties. Jessica has worked as a teacher in substance abuse programs for teens, and was determined to inoculate her two adolescent sons against their most dangerous inheritance. All children, regardless of their genetics, are at some risk for substance abuse. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, teen drug addiction is the nation’s largest preventable and costly health problem. Despite the existence of proven preventive strategies, nine out of ten adults with substance use disorder report they began drinking and taking drugs before age eighteen. The Two Jess(es) welcome this incredible third Jess, once again, for another rattling WeSTAT conversation on the topic of alcohol, your kids, substance abuse disorder, and how our relationship to ALL of it, desperately needs to be examined- for the sake of our children's brain development. Meet Jessica! Jessica Lahey writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post , the New York Times , and The Atlantic and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed . She is a member of the Amazon Studios Thought Leader Board and wrote the curriculum for Amazon Kids’ The Stinky and Dirty Show . She lives in Vermont with her husband and two sons. To learn more, go to: https://www.jessicalahey.com/ Link to FB Video mentioned at end of show: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&v=382651633389095 Support the show Keep up with all things WeSTAT on any (or ALL) of the social feeds: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westatpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@westatpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westatpod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westatpod/ Twitter: https://x.com/WeSTATpod Have a topic or want to stay in touch via e-mail on all upcoming news? https://www.westatpod.com/ Help monetarily support the podcast by subscribing to the show! This is an easy way to help keep the conversations going: https://www.buzzsprout.com/768062/supporters/new

Jessica Lahey, author of The Addiction Inoculation and The Gift of Failure , joins us for a second time to talk about her latest book and the power of inoculation theory to help teens say no to alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors. Full show notes Stories of addiction and overdoses are incredibly scary. We hear about teens who lose their way after getting in with the wrong crowd, or watch friends and family struggle to keep their lives together while battling substance abuse. As a parent, the last thing you want is for kids to fall into a destructive pattern of addiction that slowly chips away at their mental and physical health….but teens are impressionable and drug and alcohol use among adolescents is on the rise. What can we do to make sure our teens don’t develop a substance use disorder? Today, we’re talking about prevention. So often, we view substance abuse from the end, looking at the rock bottom as the starting place for recovery. And while it’s important to acknowledge those life-changing moments of realization, it’s time to focus on how we can stop our teens from using drugs at all. In this episode, we’re getting into the steps you can take right now to ensure your teen is safe from substance abuse. Our guest is Jessica Lahey, author of Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence . With over 20 years of teaching and parenting experience under her belt, Jessica began to write about her experiences, becoming a blogger, journalist, and eventually a best-selling author. Her work with adolescents in rehab clinics pushed her to research and write on the subject of substance abuse–primarily how we can prevent it instead of waiting until our teens hit rock bottom. In our interview, we’re debating the existence of gateway drugs, explaining how kids get into substance use, and deconstructing the popular myth that it’s better to give kids wine at the dinner table before they reach drinking age. Plus, we’re covering things like academic failure, monitoring teens online activities and more! The Truth About Adolescent Addiction We all want to know the truth behind why teens develop addictions–but there are so many myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions to shift through! In our interview, Jessica and I start out by tackling the popular notion of gateway substances. Does the use of marijuana really lead to more serious drug use? Do vapes make kids more inclined to try cigarettes? The answer is more complicated than you might think, and, surprisingly, has a lot to do with racial profiling. Jessica and I also touch on an often debated topic: the role of genetics in the development of substance abuse. According to Jessica, genetics are about 50 to 60 percent of the risk factor for addiction, but early childhood experiences are also pivotal. Kids can be affected by a whole range of things–whether it’s seriously traumatic experiences or something as common as moving to a new place. The more adverse events kids battle with, the more susceptible they are to substance use disorder...meaning prevention is even more important, says Jessica. Let’s say you want to keep your kid from experimenting with substances, so you get rid of all the alcohol in the house...but your friends say it’s smarter to just let them have a little bit of wine when the family sits down for dinner. Or, if they’re going to go out with their friends and get drunk anyway, maybe it’s wiser to just give them beers, lock them in the basement and take away their car keys….right? In the episode, Jessica explains how introducing your kids to substances early on can actually backfire. Now that we’ve separated fact from fiction, let’s talk about action. How can we take steps to prevent alcoholism and drug dependence