<description>&lt;p&gt;Ethel Walker head of school Meera Viswanathan joins Exploring Prosperity to explain what’s really happening to today’s students — from the rise of social media, smartphones, and anxiety to the decline of confidence, resilience, and curiosity.Drawing on insights aligned with Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, and current research on teen mental health, Meera breaks down:- How phones and social media are reshaping childhood- The real drivers behind rising anxiety and self-doubt- Why schools are struggling — and how to fix them- What great teachers and parents can do right now- Why education is still a fundamentally hopeful institution&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This conversation is for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone who cares about the future of young people.Timestamps:&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1"&gt;00:00&lt;/a&gt; The Evolution of Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=178s"&gt;02:58&lt;/a&gt; The Core Mission of Ethel Walker School&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=262s"&gt;04:22&lt;/a&gt; The Benefits of Single-Sex Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=413s"&gt;06:53&lt;/a&gt; Addressing Busy Work in Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=656s"&gt;10:56&lt;/a&gt; Preparing Students for a Rapidly Changing World&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=736s"&gt;12:16&lt;/a&gt; The Role of Autodidacticism in Learning&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=795s"&gt;13:15&lt;/a&gt; The Importance of Engaging Teachers&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=828s"&gt;13:48&lt;/a&gt; The Capabilities Approach to Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=926s"&gt;15:26&lt;/a&gt; Bridging the Confidence Gap for Girls&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1024s"&gt;17:04&lt;/a&gt; Developing Essential Skills for Life&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1167s"&gt;19:27&lt;/a&gt; Financial Literacy and Community Engagement&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1367s"&gt;22:47&lt;/a&gt; Engaging Students in Investment Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1515s"&gt;25:15&lt;/a&gt; Expanding Financial Literacy Programs&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1659s"&gt;27:39&lt;/a&gt; Real-World Impact of Financial Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1833s"&gt;30:33&lt;/a&gt; The Role of Education in Building Confidence&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=1948s"&gt;32:28&lt;/a&gt; Scalability of Educational Innovations&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2090s"&gt;34:50&lt;/a&gt; Adapting Successful Programs to Other Schools&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2192s"&gt;36:32&lt;/a&gt; Challenges Facing Public Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2356s"&gt;39:16&lt;/a&gt; The Importance of a Liberal Arts Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2591s"&gt;43:11&lt;/a&gt; Fostering Freedom of Inquiry in Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2762s"&gt;46:02&lt;/a&gt; Navigating Modern Challenges in Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2818s"&gt;46:58&lt;/a&gt; The Limits of Algorithms and Imagination&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=2965s"&gt;49:25&lt;/a&gt; The Importance of Daydreaming in Education&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=3168s"&gt;52:48&lt;/a&gt; The Role of Public Libraries and Financial Aid&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=3401s"&gt;56:41&lt;/a&gt; The State of Higher Education in the U.S.&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&amp;#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&amp;#38;index=1&amp;#38;t=3638s"&gt;01:00:38&lt;/a&gt; The Politics of Education and Academic Freedom&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thank you very much to our sponsors: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Truflation: BUY Truflation products/services and save 10% using code BOBDEW10. Learn about what prices are actually doing by going to &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://truflation.com/"&gt;https://truflation.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Foundation: Protect your Bitcoin using the latest off-line technology with easy-to-use Passport. Their next product, Passport Prime will protect all passwords off-line with even-better technology. &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://foundation.xyz/"&gt;https://foundation.xyz/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;River Financial: If not cold storage for your Bitcoin, I’d highly recommend River for buying and holding- River is engineered to protect your Bitcoin over the long run. Use this link for discounts: &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;#38;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXFKRmNDV1VnVUxPNGZJVWo4ODk3LURnRlhhQXxBQ3Jtc0trVVluYVJfWlN2bWF2ZmZLaFVmb2dwam9aY0pUZTZMUWxSRVRKVGpsX24wbXZCYzdvc1l4bGVvZzhwWXQtWUw5bnpZN3ZRVktJd0IwekVRc1lXRXZNVlpxZ2V4VjM5eWdRaVlDNGtBZEFXcDdOZ1NKNA&amp;#38;q=https%3A%2F%2Friver.com%2Fsignup%3Fr%3DT7GGAF7G&amp;#38;v=OhosRiVCU-0"&gt;https://river.com/signup?r=T7GGAF7G&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit &lt;a href="https://robertdewey3.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&amp;#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2"&gt;robertdewey3.substack.com/subscribe&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Exploring Prosperity- Challenging Pessimism in the US

Bob Dewey

How Schools Can Heal a Generation: Meera Viswanathan on Hope, Learning, and the Social Media Trap

DEC 3, 202567 MIN
Exploring Prosperity- Challenging Pessimism in the US

How Schools Can Heal a Generation: Meera Viswanathan on Hope, Learning, and the Social Media Trap

DEC 3, 202567 MIN

Description

<p>Ethel Walker head of school Meera Viswanathan joins Exploring Prosperity to explain what’s really happening to today’s students — from the rise of social media, smartphones, and anxiety to the decline of confidence, resilience, and curiosity.Drawing on insights aligned with Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, and current research on teen mental health, Meera breaks down:- How phones and social media are reshaping childhood- The real drivers behind rising anxiety and self-doubt- Why schools are struggling — and how to fix them- What great teachers and parents can do right now- Why education is still a fundamentally hopeful institution</p><p>This conversation is for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone who cares about the future of young people.Timestamps:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1">00:00</a> The Evolution of Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=178s">02:58</a> The Core Mission of Ethel Walker School<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=262s">04:22</a> The Benefits of Single-Sex Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=413s">06:53</a> Addressing Busy Work in Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=656s">10:56</a> Preparing Students for a Rapidly Changing World<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=736s">12:16</a> The Role of Autodidacticism in Learning<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=795s">13:15</a> The Importance of Engaging Teachers<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=828s">13:48</a> The Capabilities Approach to Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=926s">15:26</a> Bridging the Confidence Gap for Girls<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1024s">17:04</a> Developing Essential Skills for Life<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1167s">19:27</a> Financial Literacy and Community Engagement<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1367s">22:47</a> Engaging Students in Investment Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1515s">25:15</a> Expanding Financial Literacy Programs<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1659s">27:39</a> Real-World Impact of Financial Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1833s">30:33</a> The Role of Education in Building Confidence<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=1948s">32:28</a> Scalability of Educational Innovations<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2090s">34:50</a> Adapting Successful Programs to Other Schools<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2192s">36:32</a> Challenges Facing Public Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2356s">39:16</a> The Importance of a Liberal Arts Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2591s">43:11</a> Fostering Freedom of Inquiry in Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2762s">46:02</a> Navigating Modern Challenges in Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2818s">46:58</a> The Limits of Algorithms and Imagination<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=2965s">49:25</a> The Importance of Daydreaming in Education<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=3168s">52:48</a> The Role of Public Libraries and Financial Aid<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=3401s">56:41</a> The State of Higher Education in the U.S.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhosRiVCU-0&#38;list=PLt-j7iknI701aODBJX6gfgALPHJh9R01k&#38;index=1&#38;t=3638s">01:00:38</a> The Politics of Education and Academic Freedom</p><p><strong>Thank you very much to our sponsors: </strong></p><p>Truflation: BUY Truflation products/services and save 10% using code BOBDEW10. Learn about what prices are actually doing by going to <a target="_blank" href="https://truflation.com/">https://truflation.com/</a></p><p>Foundation: Protect your Bitcoin using the latest off-line technology with easy-to-use Passport. Their next product, Passport Prime will protect all passwords off-line with even-better technology. <a target="_blank" href="https://foundation.xyz/">https://foundation.xyz/</a></p><p>River Financial: If not cold storage for your Bitcoin, I’d highly recommend River for buying and holding- River is engineered to protect your Bitcoin over the long run. Use this link for discounts: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&#38;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXFKRmNDV1VnVUxPNGZJVWo4ODk3LURnRlhhQXxBQ3Jtc0trVVluYVJfWlN2bWF2ZmZLaFVmb2dwam9aY0pUZTZMUWxSRVRKVGpsX24wbXZCYzdvc1l4bGVvZzhwWXQtWUw5bnpZN3ZRVktJd0IwekVRc1lXRXZNVlpxZ2V4VjM5eWdRaVlDNGtBZEFXcDdOZ1NKNA&#38;q=https%3A%2F%2Friver.com%2Fsignup%3Fr%3DT7GGAF7G&#38;v=OhosRiVCU-0">https://river.com/signup?r=T7GGAF7G</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://robertdewey3.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">robertdewey3.substack.com/subscribe</a>