Ned Johnson

Why we partnered with Ned

Ned Johnson has spent over 50,000 hours working directly with teenagers facing intense academic and social pressure. His work on autonomy and intrinsic motivation—giving kids "more control over their lives"—is essential reading for parents trying to raise resilient, self-driven kids in a high-stress world.

About Ned

Ned Johnson is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and host of The Self-Driven Child Podcast. Drawing on over 50,000 hours of one-on-one experience working with students since 1993, Ned has a profound understanding of how kids think, what motivates them, and how they navigate stress.

Alongside Dr. William Stixrud, he is the co-author of three books, including the national bestseller The Self-Driven Child—which has sold over one million copies and been translated into 19 languages. His mission is to empower students to understand their own thinking, foster healthy independence, and find a balance between what life asks of them and what they truly want.

What Ned Helps With

Practical strategies to reduce family stress and build intrinsic motivation
Tools to foster autonomy, healthy independence, and problem-solving at home
Communication scripts that build connection and stress tolerance (“What do you say?” moments)
Helping students understand their own learning, manage anxiety, and perform at their best

Credentials

Bestselling co-author of three books, with over 1 million copies sold in 19 languages
Over 50,000 hours of direct, one-on-one experience helping students succeed and manage stress
Featured expert in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, TIME, Scientific American, CNN, and The Washington Post
Board Member for CollegeTracks and the Safe Community Coalition
Host of The Self-Driven Child Podcast

Books

Cover: The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child

The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child : A Workbook (2025)

What Do You Say? : How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home (2021)

The Self-Driven Child : The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives (2018)

Speaking & Requests

Interested in Ned’s keynotes and workshops on motivation, autonomy, and stress-tolerant parenting?

Learn more about speaking engagements →