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.

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

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.

• The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey

• The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey

• Jessica’s website: www.jessicalahey.com

• EPISODE SPONSOR: Tremblant Living

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 Self-Care Masterclass for Busy Women:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/masterclass

SIGN UP for Erica’s weekly newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this episode, please consider giving our show a 5* rating, and then go ahead and enjoy all our other episodes. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show!