What's the secret to raising kids who are both happy and successful? Esther Wojcicki—"The Godmother of Silicon Valley"—has spent five decades figuring it out. As a legendary "teacher of the year” who built one of America's largest high school journalism programs and as the mother of three extraordinarily successful daughters (the CEOs of YouTube and 23andMe, plus a professor of pediatrics), Esther knows something most of us are eager to learn: how to help kids become independent, resilient, fearless creators. Her TRICK method [Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness] is the opposite of helicopter parenting. Today, Esther shares the principles that changed thousands of students' lives, how she raised her own daughters, and why her grandchildren help inspire the the "Parenting TRICK" app she’s launching to help parents implement these strategies daily.
Why This Matters
→ We're raising a generation of kids who can't function without us—and it's our fault. Helicopter parenting and doing everything for our children has created dependency, not capability. Esther's TRICK method proves that when we trust kids early, respect their ideas, and give them real independence, they develop the resilience and self-reliance they need to thrive in an uncertain world..
→ In the age of AI, human agency becomes the differentiator. As AI handles routine tasks, the humans who thrive will be the ones who can: ask new questions, make judgment calls in ambiguous situations, collaborate across differences, and take ownership of their choices.
→ We have the knowledge—but we need the daily guidance. Esther's TRICK method works. Thousands of students and three extraordinarily successful daughters prove it. But most parents struggle to implement it consistently, especially when tired, stressed, or facing a meltdown. The Parenting TRICK app brings Esther into your pocket and offers on-demand coaching/support.
What is Futurist(Mom)?
Parenting for the future shouldn't feel like guessing in the dark. Weaving her experience as a global futurist, TEDx pioneer and mother of three thriving young adults, Nancy Giordano shares tangible perspectives, real-life stories, and the people you need to know in a quest to explore how kids and families can step confidently into life, work and the world ahead. From developing critical thinking and problem-solving in infancy to confidently facing emerging digital and cultural challenges as they grow, the Futurist(Mom) is your insightful companion for preparing your child for a dynamic and unpredictable world. Tune in and join the conversation on how we can best equip our kids for the future, one episode at a time.