On this episode, we chat with educational psychologist, best-selling author, and TODAY show contributor, Dr. Michele Borba. Dr. Borba is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting & child expert, and we’ll talk about the importance of developing character and character skills, how we get the concept of resilience wrong, and stories of hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:

-The spark that got Michele started in the area of developing character

-The book that changed Michele’s life

-What Michele is seeing now in regards to our parents and children and their mental health and well-being

-What Michele believes will help children to bounce back from setbacks

-How Michele narrowed down the seven strengths that make the list in her book, Thrivers

-How a parent or educator should take the first step in building character strengths in children.

-The story of teacher Norm Conard and his class motto, “He who changes one person, changes the world entire.”

-The story of Irene Sendler, who saved 2500 Jewish children in Poland during World War II

-An example of Dr. Tom Lickona’s quote, “knowing the good, desiring the good, and doing the good.”

-What is Mean World Syndrome (based on the work of George Gerbner) and how to counter it

-How we get the concept of resilience wrong

Resources from the episode:

Dr. Michele Borba website - https://micheleborba.com/

Thrivers, by Dr. Michele Borba - https://micheleborba.com/books/thrivers/

Unselfie, by Dr. Michele Borba - https://micheleborba.com/books/unselfie/

The Altruistic Personality: : Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe, by Samuel P. Oliner

Dr. Thomas Lickona - https://www.thomaslickona.com/

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project - https://irenasendler.org/

The Hope Institute - https://www.hopeinstitute.org/

Connect with us!

   On Twitter:

Jennifer Hogan - @jennifer_hogan

Dr. Michele Borba - @micheleborba

Communities of Character - @Samford_CCC

   On Instagram:

Communities of Character - @Samford_CCC

Dr. Michele Borba - @drmicheleborba

   On Facebook:

Dr. Michele Borba - https://www.facebook.com/drmicheleborba/

   On Youtube:

Dr. Michele Borba - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNGUxnAWEhJfcRZGmzGTsQ