1271: Why Executive Functioning Matters More Than Grades With Mike McLeod

"The only way to build executive functions is through relationships and experiences. Not worksheets, not lectures, not in the classroom."

In this episode, Heather and Mike McLeod dive into the growing conversation around ADHD, executive functioning, screen dependency, and the alarming reality of the youth mental health crisis unfolding right in front of us. This conversation challenges many of the narratives parents have been taught to accept about attention, behavior, motivation, and what children actually need to thrive. From the normalization of excessive screen use after COVID to the rise of social media pseudoscience and over-accommodation, this episode unpacks the deeper reasons so many kids are struggling with focus, emotional regulation, confidence, and failure to launch into adulthood.

What to listen for:

☑️ Why ADHD has become more prominent in conversations about our children

☑️ Boredom is like going to the gym for your brain, and it's crucial to childhood

"All of the things that are so crucial to developing a strong, healthy child and adolescent brain, we as the adults have kind of stolen from them. This is why we're in the middle of a horrible youth mental health crisis."

☑️ The reason this younger generation is falling behind and failing to advance like others

☑️ You build executive functions through relationships and experiences, not classwork

"Executive functioning skills are the greatest predictor of success, and it's one of the most misunderstood sets of skills. Time management and organization is the smallest possible fraction of executive functions."

☑️ The four pillars of executive functioning skills for independence, positivity, and success

☑️ ADHD isn't actually an attention disorder; it's an executive functioning disorder

"This generation of youth has gotten the most therapy, the most socio-emotional classes, and they're the most depressed because we're treating them with kid gloves and constantly lowering the bar."