The pressure to be endlessly happy is leaving the next generation more anxious and isolated than ever.  In his new book, The Happiness Crisis: How Adversity Can Build a Resilient and Joyful Next Generation, Dr. Jonathan Eckert calls for a culture shift that we can begin at home.

How do we embrace adversity and see the value of challenges, instead of becoming parents who make everything too easy?  Dr. Eckert explains the biblical connection between joy and struggle, and why removing adversity — "snowplow parenting" — prevents kids from developing resilience.

Arlene and Jon work through real-life scenarios, including a child facing bullying and a teen caught using AI to cheat on a school assignment. The conversation closes with practical steps for helping kids rediscover purpose and joy through community and faith.

Dr. Jonathan Eckert is a former middle school teacher and basketball coach who worked in the Bush and Obama Department of Education. He has a PhD from Vanderbilt, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership. 

 

02:35  Why the pursuit of happiness backfires

03:29  How phones and comparison fuel kids' unhappiness

04:57  Snowplow parents vs. building "muscles around the backbone"

09:15  Roleplay: what to say when a kid is bullied at school

14:40  Roleplay: when a teen gets caught using AI to cheat

21:18  My teacher story: destructive vs. productive struggle

28:17  The "man in the arena" quote and the ABCs of joy

 

Connect with Dr. Jonathan Eckert at jonathaneckert.org or on Linkedin.

Grab a copy of Dr. Eckert's book The Happiness Crisis. 

More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:

SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse.

Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.

Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook

Watch the podcast on Arlene's YouTube Channel

How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com

Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)

 

The pressure to be endlessly happy is leaving the next generation more anxious and isolated than ever.&nbsp; In his new book, The Happiness Crisis: How Adversity Can Build a Resilient and Joyful Next Generation, Dr. Jonathan Eckert calls for a culture shift that we can begin at home.
How do we embrace adversity and see the value of challenges, instead of becoming parents who make everything too easy?&nbsp; Dr. Eckert explains the biblical connection between joy and struggle, and why removing adversity &mdash; "snowplow parenting" &mdash; prevents kids from developing resilience.
Arlene and Jon work through real-life scenarios, including a child facing bullying and a teen caught using AI to cheat on a school assignment. The conversation closes with practical steps for helping kids rediscover purpose and joy through community and faith.
Dr. Jonathan Eckert is a former middle school teacher and basketball coach who worked in the Bush and Obama Department of Education. He has a PhD from Vanderbilt, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
02:35&nbsp; Why the pursuit of happiness backfires
03:29&nbsp; How phones and comparison fuel kids' unhappiness
04:57&nbsp; Snowplow parents vs. building "muscles around the backbone"
09:15&nbsp; Roleplay: what to say when a kid is bullied at school
14:40&nbsp; Roleplay: when a teen gets caught using AI to cheat
21:18&nbsp; My teacher story: destructive vs. productive struggle
28:17&nbsp; The "man in the arena" quote and the ABCs of joy
&nbsp;
Connect with Dr. Jonathan Eckert at <a href="https://jonathaneckert.org/">jonathaneckert.org</a>&nbsp;or on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-eckert-84129644/">Linkedin</a>.
Grab a copy of Dr. Eckert's book <a href="https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/the-happiness-crisis/">The Happiness Crisis</a>.&nbsp;
More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:
SUBSCRIBE to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe">Arlene's newsletter&nbsp;</a>"What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse.
Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://arlenepellicane.com/books/">Arlene's BOOKS</a>&nbsp;including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.
Follow Arlene on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/arlenepellicane/">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and/or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArlenePellicaneAuthor/">Facebook</a>
Watch the podcast on Arlene's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ArleneHappyHome">YouTube Channel</a>
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film">Watch the free video</a>,&nbsp;Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com
Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://gabb.com/">Gabb Wireless phone&nbsp;</a>for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)
&nbsp;

A happy home doesn't happen by accident, but it can be created with love, intention, and good family habits. If you need encouragement and guidance as a parent and/or spouse, this show is for you!  Arlene will help you bridge the gap between your present reality and ideal family. 

Your host Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of several books, including Making Marriage Easier, Screen Kids and Parents Rising. She and her husband James have been married for more than 27 years and have three children. 

Inside this podcast, you’ll meet some of the kindest and smartest experts when it comes to marriage and parenting. Get ready for fun, Biblical insights, and practical conversations that will change your thinking, give you hope, and spark positive change.  Let's do this together! 

A happy home doesn't happen by accident, but it can be created with love, intention, and good family habits. If you need encouragement and guidance as a parent and/or spouse, this show is for you!&nbsp; Arlene will help you bridge the gap between your present reality and ideal family.&nbsp; Your host <a href="https://arlenepellicane.com/">Arlene Pellicane</a> is a speaker and author of several books, including Making Marriage Easier, Screen Kids and Parents Rising. She and her husband James have been married for more than 27 years and have three children.&nbsp; Inside this podcast, you&rsquo;ll meet some of the kindest and smartest experts when it comes to marriage and parenting. Get ready for fun, Biblical insights, and practical conversations that will change your thinking, give you hope, and spark positive change.&nbsp; Let's do this together!&nbsp;

This show is for women and men who want a happier home life. Arlene will help you bridge the gap between your ideal family and the real thing. You don’t have to come from a happy home to create one. Your host <a...

The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

This show is for women and men who want a happier home life. Arlene will help you bridge the gap between your ideal family and the real thing. You don’t have to come from a happy home to create one. 

Your host Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of several books, including 31 Days to a Happy Husband and Parents Rising. She and her husband James have been married for more than 21 years and have three children. 

Inside this podcast, you’ll meet some of the kindest and smartest experts when it comes to marriage and parenting. Get ready for fun and practical conversations that will change your thinking, give you hope, and spark positive change.  

This show is for women and men who want a happier home life. Arlene will help you bridge the gap between your ideal family and the real thing. You don&rsquo;t have to come from a happy home to create one. Your host <a href="https://arlenepellicane.com/">Arlene Pellicane</a> is a speaker and author of several books, including 31 Days to a Happy Husband and Parents Rising. She and her husband James have been married for more than 21 years and have three children.&nbsp; Inside this podcast, you&rsquo;ll meet some of the kindest and smartest experts when it comes to marriage and parenting. Get ready for fun and practical conversations that will change your thinking, give you hope, and spark positive change.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Happy Home with Arlene Pellicane 

Trying to Be Happy is Making Kids Miserable with Dr. Jonathan Eckert

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/7335d9f1-d4d8-4162-8fae-b4af0029d7f7/transcript