How do you keep showing up when progress is slow, the feedback is unclear, and the motivation you used to rely on isn’t there anymore?
Dr. Angela Duckworth is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the world’s leading voices on grit, self-control, and the science of thriving. In this conversation with Dr. Michael Gervais, Angela reflects on how her thinking about grit has evolved, where it’s often misunderstood, and why perseverance without purpose can become harmful instead of helpful.
They dig into what excellence actually requires. Not magic. Not raw talent. But hours and hours of high-quality practice that most people never see. Angela explains why so many of us mistake the highlight reel for the real journey, and why direction matters just as much as effort when you’re trying to build something meaningful.
The conversation also expands into parenting and relationships. They examine the cultural forces shaping today’s youth: the rise of social media, the erosion of in-person connection, the displacement of nature, and the unintended consequences of modern parenting. Angela shares what the data actually shows about the mental health crisis — and what we as parents, educators, and leaders can do about it.
In this conversation, we explore:
- What grit is, and how it’s often misunderstood
- Why excellence is built through high-quality practice, not talent
- How passion develops over time, and why it can be treated like a skill
- Why environments shape kids more than pressure does
- Why young people’s happiness has sharply declined since 2010
If you care about building excellence in your craft and creating a healthier culture at home, this conversation offers practical insight into how practice beats talent, how passion can be cultivated, and how environments shape behavior more than pressure ever could.
“The whole job of parenting is to create situations in which kids can thrive, and I think good parenting is intentional”
Resources + Links
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