Are today’s parenting habits making kids less resilient? In this week’s episode, Marcus welcomes Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR correspondent and bestselling author of Hunt, Gather, Parent, to share lessons from cultures around the world on raising capable, connected children. From letting go of overpraise to fostering real contribution, Michaeleen offers simple, powerful shifts that nurture confidence, purpose, and emotional strength for kids and adults alike.

Michaeleen Doucleff is an NPR science correspondent covering parenting, psychology, and neuroscience. Formerly a research chemist with a PhD from UC Berkeley and a fellowship at the NIH, she is the New York Times bestselling author of Hunt, Gather, Parent. Her upcoming book, Dopamine Kids, arrives in March 2026.

Episode highlights:

[0:00] Intro
[6:48] Why is praise a weak tool?
[11:37] Cooperation as a core human need
[17:02] The forgotten roots of modern parenting advice
[22:34] The power of being quiet
[28:42] Chores, purpose, and mental health
[36:04] Emotional regulation by modeling calm
[46:30] Key lessons from raising Rosie
[50:19] Introducing Dopamine Kids
[51:47] Outro