Posts tagged mental health
A Navy SEAL's Guide to Raising Confident & Joyful Children
A Navy SEAL's Guide to Raising Confident & Joyful Children

In a world of constant disruption, resilience is a superpower. In a world of convenience, ease, and growing abundance, building resilience is becoming increasingly difficult - especially among children. Grit, determination, tenacity, and resolve are valued traits, but too few parents know how to build these characteristics in their children through the “ordinary magic” of childhood.

Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy SEAL sniper instructor and author of the book “Puddle Jumpers.” In this interview, Brandon shares how true mental toughness is built through calm consistency, emotional safety, and the everyday words our kids hear: “You’ve got this.” “Try again—I believe in you.” Brandon discusses how parents can set high expectations while giving high support—so kids feel safe enough to take risks, make mistakes, and bounce back stronger.

Brandon goes on to discuss the difficult conversations - about sex, drugs, social media, and gun violence - many parents are uncomfortable having and when the appropriate timing is to introduce children to these real-world subjects. Brandon concludes with his advice for parents who want to prepare their children for the future.

After leaving home at sixteen, Brandon Webb went on to become a decorated Navy SEAL sniper turned entrepreneur—but his most meaningful title is still Dad to three young adults who somehow all keep finding their way back home to raid the fridge and leave with clean laundry. As a U.S. Navy Chief, he led the Navy SEAL Sniper School, training some of America’s most legendary marksmen. He’s also a multiple New York Times bestselling author—though his kids like to remind him, “You’re still just Dad.”

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leadershipdon macpherson12 Geniusesleadership, ethics, mental health, childhood, parenting
Generative AI: Anxiety & Ethics | Dr. Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Generative AI: Anxiety & Ethics | Dr. Andrea Bonime-Blanc

In a world where technology is advancing faster than many people can comprehend, anxiety and uncertainty are becoming part of the human experience. Breakthroughs in generative AI, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies are transforming how we live, work, and govern ourselves faster than institutions and individuals can adapt.

In this episode, global ethics expert Dr. Andrea Bonime-Blanc explores the human side of this technological acceleration. She discusses why the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is creating widespread unease, how the nature of work is likely to shift as intelligent machines become more capable, and what leaders should be doing now to prepare their people and organizations for a radically different future.

Andrea also addresses how technologies should be governed when they are evolving much faster than regulation can keep up. From corporate boardrooms to national governments to global institutions, she explains the complex challenges of building ethical frameworks that allow innovation to flourish while protecting society from unintended harm.

The conversation finishes with Andrea’s thoughts on how the same technologies that provoke fear could help solve some of humanity’s most difficult challenges, from healthcare breakthroughs to climate solutions. She shares what gives her hope and she provides advices for how leaders, organizations, and citizens can help ensure that powerful new technologies ultimately serve the human condition rather than undermine it.

Andrea Bonime-Blanc, JD/PhD, is founder and CEO of GEC Risk Advisory, a board member, strategic advisor, and multiple book author. She specializes in the governance of change focusing on global strategic risk, leadership trust, geopolitical change, sustainability, cyber resilience, and exponential tech, advising business, NGOs, and government. Her latest book is “Governing Pandora: Leading in the Age of AI and Exponential Technology.”

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leadershipdon macpherson12 Geniusesleadership, artificial intelligence, ethics, mental health, the future, dignity, governance, global governance
Teens & Tech | Dr. Jean Twenge
Teens & Tech | Dr. Jean Twenge

Parenting today often feels like an uphill battle, with technology invading every corner of our kids’ lives. From the rise of social media addiction to the growing mental health crisis among children and teens, parents are grappling with how they can create a healthy, balanced relationship with technology for their kids.

In this interview, Dr. Jean Twenge draws on her decades as a psychologist studying the impact of technology and mental health and her personal experience as the mother of three teenagers. She describes how technology is harming children and how that harm has grown in recent years. She goes on to describe the damage to the minds of teens caused by social media usage, video gaming, and pornography consumption. She shares how she'd like lawmakers to regulate tech usage among teens and younger children. Dr. Twenge also shares the risks AI companions pose to teen development and, drawing from her book 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, she provides guidance for ways in which parents and teachers can help raise independent, well-rounded children in a tech-centric world.

Dr. Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 190 scientific publications and books. Her books include 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, Generations, iGen, Generation Me, and others.

Dr. Twenge frequently gives talks and seminars on generational differences and technology based on a dataset of 43 million people. Her research has been covered in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, and The Washington Post, and she has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Real Time with Bill Maher, Meet the Press, Fox and Friends, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and National Public Radio.

She holds a BA and MA from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

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leadershipdon macpherson12 Geniusesai companions, loneliness, social trends, social media, pornography, video games, mental health, parenting