Events
Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University—Stern School of Business and Author of New York Times Best Seller The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion
SSALA Speaker Series 2024-2025
Registration links available via Member Schools and SSALA Representatives. All times Pacific.
October 24th at 7:00PM: A Conversation with Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Virtual + Recorded
THE RECORDING OF THIS EVENT WILL BE SHARED WITH OUR MEMBER SCHOOL COMMUNITY. Access available until 23 December 2024.
SSALA is proud to present this season’s kick-off speaker, internationally recognized, NYTimes best-selling author, and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.
In his latest book, The Anxious Generation, Haidt explains why boys have been withdrawing from the real world, into a virtual one, and why social media damages girls more than boys. He argues that the "great rewiring of childhood" has interfered with Gen Z's social and neurological development, including sleep issues, perfectionism, attention fragmentation, and social comparisons. Haidt issues a clear call to action and proposes steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to solve this current health crisis.
Moderated by former SSALA Chair, Dr. Susan Kresnicka, we are delighted to welcome back Dr. Haidt for his second speaking engagement with us. Member School registrants can submit their questions ahead of time. See your SSALA Representative for details.
December 3rd at 12:00PM: Ask Lisa, Navigating the Emotional Lives of Our Children, Virtual + Recorded
SSALA is delighted to welcome Dr. Lisa Damour to answer your parenting questions during this noon-time webinar. Join us for valuable insights from New York Times bestselling author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. Lisa also co-hosts the popular Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Damour regularly contributes to The New York Times and CBS News, and is the creator of Untangling 10to20, a digital library of premium content to support teens and those who care for them. With so many of today’s teens contending with academic pressure, social media stress, worries about the future, and concerns about their own mental health, it’s easy for them—and their parents—to feel anxious and overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With clear, research-informed explanations alongside illuminating, real-life examples, Lisa gives parents the concrete, practical information they need to steady their teens through the bumpy yet transformational journey into adulthood. Learn more about Lisa at drlisadamour.com. Member School registrants can submit their questions ahead of time. See your SSALA Representative for details.
Additional SSALA speakers for Spring 2025 to be posted soon.
Registration required via Member School and all times are Pacific. SSALA events are recorded for our Member Schools, availability varies per speaker.
Past Events
Dr. Vivienne Ming
The Future of Artificial Intelligence & Our Kids
Part two of our Artificial Intelligence series this year, join award-winning AI expert, neuroscientist and entrepreneur Dr. Vivienne Ming as she illuminates how technology can help humans maximize their potential. In-person + LiveStream at Brentwood School.
Member school staff/faculty invited to pre-event private luncheon.
Dr. Aliza Pressman
The Five Principles of Parenting
Developmental psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman charts a manageable course for Raising Good Humans that aligns with your family’s values and your children’s unique temperaments. From TK to Tween, Dr. Pressman doesn’t presume to have the one “right” way to parent, instead she offers practical strategies that support adults making the best choices for their own families. In-person + LiveStream at Crossroads School.
Member school attendees provided lunch, copy of book, and book signing.
Dr. Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett
This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained
New York Times best-selling author/pediatrician Cara Natterson, MD and writer/educator Vanessa Kroll Bennett share their ultimate roadmap for adults helping Tweens and Teens navigate the rollercoaster of puberty. In-person + LiveStream at Viewpoint School.
Member school faculty offered pre-event curriculum meeting. Attendees provided breakfast, copy of book and book signing.
Dr. Jessica Meir, NASA Astronaut
Hear the inspirational journey of NASA Astronaut Dr. Jessica Meir. Born to Israeli and Swedish immigrants, she made history with the first all-female spacewalk at the International Space Station in 2019. A scientist who researched the physiology of animals in extreme environments before joining Lockheed Martin to test human limits as an aquanaut in NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO), learn about the unexpected turns on the road to achieving her dream of becoming an astronaut.
Member school students offered to pre-submit questions, attend private pre-event meeting with Dr. Meir, and participate in live event.
AI 101 for Parents
Part one of our Artificial Intelligence series this year, we want to better understand AI at the ground level: what is it, how is it being utilized by our children, and what is our role as parents? Hosted by Common Sense Media’s Connected Schools Program, Friend or Foe? Living with and Learning from Artificial Intelligence is for parents of children of all ages.
Marc Brackett, Ph.D
The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-being and Success at Home, School, and Work
Author of the bestseller Permission to Feel and the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc shared his evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning by exploring the value of emotions, and the skills associated with using them wisely, to encourage healthier, more resilient children. 
Dr. Thomas Curran
How Increasing Perfectionism Is Harming Our Children And What We Can Do About It
Dr. Thomas Curran studies how the rising tide of perfectionism - in our parenting, social media feeds, schools, universities, and workplaces - is driving an increase in mental health conditions among young people. In doing so, he tries to answer the questions: Why is this happening? And what can we do about it?
Julie Lythcott-Haims
Raising an Adult & Becoming an Adult
New York Bestselling Author of How to Raise and Adult shared her insights on preparing for an authentic, resilient adult life during two SSALA events - one for adults, and one for students.
Tim & Ryder Davis
Recognizing and Navigating Mental Health Challenges in Tweens and Teens
Now more than ever, understanding the risks, signs, and helpful responses related to mental health conditions in our families is vital. Tim Davis (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and his son, Ryder, share their personal experience with Ryder’s bipolar diagnosis and provide practical information for navigating mental health conditions in our families.
Loretta J. Ross
Raising Kids Amidst “Call Out” Culture
What does healthy, effective standing up look like in an era of social media and political tribalization? An equality activist for 50 years, professor Loretta J. Ross discussed the dangers of call out culture and explored more productive approaches to standing up for what’s right.
Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith
How to Talk with Your Tweens and Teens about Race and Bias
Our country’s ongoing reckoning with race has become increasingly intense and complex. Dr. Briscoe-Smith, clinical psychologist and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Wright Institute, speaks on helping teens (and their parents) navigate racism, bias, discrimination, inequality, and civil unrest, today.
Dr. Jennifer Lang
The Consent Conversation: Ground Zero for Healthy Sexuality
The way teens and young adults think and talk about sex today has changed. Dr. Lang provided insight into the tools for communicated and understanding consent, as well as critical information about the capacity to give consent and the language surrounding it.
Dr. Zelana Montminy
Forget Happiness - Master Resilience Instead
Research shows lasting success and contentment aren’t about happiness after all - truly thriving in today’s world requires resilience. Behavioral Scientist Dr. Montminy explained what it takes to create a resilient mindset for ourselves and for our children, how to shift perceptions, and deliver tools we can use to flourish.
David & Nic Sheff
A Frank Conversation about the Disease of Addiction
America’s drug crisis is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, affecting families from all walks of life. David & Nic shared their very personal and emotional journey through addiction and recovery with SSALA.
Dr. Jonathan Haidt
The Fragile Generation: Are Bad Policy and Paranoid Parenting Making Kids Too Safe to Succeed?
Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide are rising - on campus as well as nationally. How did this happen, and what can we do about it? Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and NYT best selling author, explored these issues and possible solutions.
Dr. Jean Twenge
iGen: The Smart Phone Generation & Finding a Balance with Technology
More than previous generations, our children are obsessed with safety, focused on tolerance, and have no patience for inequality. Dr. Jean Twenge addressed how iGen is growing up more slowly than previous generations, the unique challenges they face as a result, and practical tools to utilize to meet their developmental needs and encourage their independence and autonomy.
Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D.
Popularity in School: How Likeability, not Status, Can Provide a Lifetime Advantage
Dr. Prinstein, a board-certified clinician in child and adolescent psychology, spoke on the value of positive popularity, and why it’s better for our students to liked and respected than envied and feared.