280. David Yeager with Tricia Raikes: The Science of Speaking to Young People

Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

Imagine a world in which Gen Xers, millennials, and boomers interact with young people in ways that leave them feeling inspired, enthusiastic, and ready to contribute—rather than disengaged, outraged, or overwhelmed. That world may be closer than you think. In his new book, 10-to-25: The Science of Motivating Young People, psychologist David Yeager explains how to stop fearing young people’s brains and how to truly connect with them.

Neuroscientists have discovered that around age ten, puberty spurs the brain to crave socially rewarding experiences, such as pride, admiration, and respect, and to become highly averse to social pain, such as humiliation or shame. As a result, young people subtly read between the lines of everything we say, trying to interpret the hidden implications of our words to find out if we are disrespecting or honoring them. 10 to 25 helps adults develop an ear for the difference between the right and wrong way to respect young people and avoid frustrating patterns of miscommunication and conflict.

An essential event for anyone who interacts with young people, Yeager seeks to offer long-term strategies to help nurture well-adjusted, independent, accomplished young people who contribute to society in positive ways—all while making our own lives easier.

David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He is best known for his research conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and Greg Walton on short but powerful interventions that influence adolescent behaviors such as motivation, engagement, healthy eating, bullying, stress, mental health, and more. He has consulted for Google, Microsoft, Disney, and the World Bank, as well as for the White House and the governments in California, Texas, and Norway. His research has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Clarivate Web of Science ranks Yeager as one of the top 0.1% most-influential psychologists in the world over the past decade.

Tricia Raikes is a philanthropist, advocate, and executive who works to advance racial justice and equity in our country. Tricia is the co-founder of the Raikes Foundation with her husband, Jeff. Together, they focus on transforming youth-serving systems to support healthy life outcomes and increased agency for young people. A longtime advocate for research universities, Tricia serves on the advisory boards for Stanford’s Graduate School of Education and the Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska. Tricia was recognized as a White House Champion of Change by President Obama for her work on youth homelessness.

Buy the Book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier

Third Place Books