Jessica Lahey
Jessica Lahey is an American teacher, writer, and speaker whose work centers on parenting, education, adolescent development, and addiction prevention. She is best known for The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, books that extended her classroom-based perspective to a broad national audience through media, lectures, and parent-education work.
Biography & Author's Journey
Jessica Lahey built her career at the intersection of classroom practice, journalism, and public speaking. Writing came early: as a student she edited her school newspaper and published in the student edition of The Boston Globe. She studied comparative literature at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, then earned a JD with a concentration in juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She initially imagined a future in juvenile court, but a summer teaching assignment at Duke during law school changed her direction. Teaching became the center of her professional life, and she went on to teach grades six through twelve in public and private schools, including five years in an adolescent drug and alcohol rehabilitation setting in Vermont. ((https://www.charlottenewsvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/READ-THE-April-7-EDITON.pdf))
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Popular Books
The Addiction Inoculation
Jessica Lahey
A compassionate guide for parents and educators to prevent substance abuse in children through evidence-based strategies and practical tools.
The gift of failure
Jessica Lahey
Empowering parents to step back and allow children to learn from mistakes, fostering resilience and independence.
The Addiction Inoculation
Jessica Lahey
A compassionate guide for parents and educators to prevent substance abuse in children through evidence-based strategies and practical tools.
The gift of failure
Jessica Lahey
Empowering parents to step back and allow children to learn from mistakes, fostering resilience and independence.
Discover more
Addiction
Addiction
This learning plan is essential for anyone struggling with addiction, supporting a loved one in recovery, or working in mental health and addiction services. It replaces shame and stigma with scientific understanding, empowering learners with evidence-based strategies that address the root causes of addiction rather than just symptoms. Whether you're beginning your recovery journey or seeking to understand the neuroscience behind addictive behaviors, this plan provides the knowledge and practical tools needed for lasting change.
Health, Fitness, Parenting & Behavior Science
Health, Fitness, Parenting & Behavior Science
This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between personal wellness and effective parenting through the lens of behavioral science. It is ideal for parents and caregivers who want to optimize their own health while applying psychological insights to raise confident children.
Study Psychology, Philosophy & Parenting
Study Psychology, Philosophy & Parenting
This learning plan bridges the gap between theoretical wisdom and practical life application for those seeking deeper self-awareness and better family dynamics. It is ideal for parents, educators, and lifelong learners who want to combine ethical frameworks with psychological science to raise resilient children and live more intentionally.
Parent Better, Learn Philosophy & New Skills
Parent Better, Learn Philosophy & New Skills
This plan is designed for parents and lifelong learners who want to move beyond reactive habits toward a more intentional life. It bridges the gap between developmental psychology, practical philosophy, and the science of learning to help individuals grow alongside their children.
Parenting, Communication, Memoir & Creativity
Parenting, Communication, Memoir & Creativity
This interdisciplinary plan bridges the gap between effective interpersonal communication and creative self-expression. It is ideal for parents and writers seeking to heal family dynamics while mastering the art of storytelling to share their personal truths.
Be a Better Parent
Be a Better Parent
This learning plan is essential for parents seeking to move beyond traditional discipline toward a connection-based approach. It is ideal for caregivers of children and teens who want to foster emotional intelligence and long-term resilience in their families.
Parenting, Social Skills & Mindfulness Growth
Parenting, Social Skills & Mindfulness Growth
This learning plan is essential for parents and individuals seeking to align their personal mindfulness practice with their interpersonal relationships. It is designed for those who want to move beyond surface-level interactions to build deep, compassionate bonds with their children and community.
Understand addiction's effects on people
Understand addiction's effects on people
This plan provides a comprehensive look at addiction by bridging the gap between biological science and social reality. It is an essential resource for families, educators, or individuals seeking to understand the root causes of dependency and the practical steps toward healing.
Community Voices
"Jessica Lahey reveals what she did wrong with her own children and students—and how she systematically reformed her ways"
— Amanda Ripley
"Lahey shows how to know what your child is ready for and how to offer support while encouraging autonomy"
— Daniel T. Willingham
"Lahey separates myth from reality in this deeply researched resource for parents and educators"
— Lori Gottlieb
"Jessica Lahey delivers a lesson parents badly need to learn: failure is vital to children’s success"
— Jennifer Senior
"Jessica Lahey’s wit, compassion, and beautiful writing make hard conversations feel like a talk with an entertaining expert friend"
— David Epstein
"Lahey’s stance is compassionate, her advice smart, and any parent will benefit from her hard-won wisdom"
— Peggy Orenstein
"Lahey offers one of the most important parenting messages of our times"
— Ellen Galinsky
"The wise and beloved Jessica Lahey shows precisely how to protect kids from the allure of substance abuse"
— Julie Lythcott-Haims
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
