Life Skills Part 1: What You Need to Know for Yourself and Your Kids

Anxiety Society

In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner sit down with Evan Weinberger, an expert in executive functioning. Together, they explore the essentials of executive functioning skills—what they are, why they matter, and how to develop them. Evan shares practical strategies for improving organization, time management, and self-presentation while reflecting on personal and professional anecdotes that highlight the importance of building effective systems.

Key Points:

- [0:08] - Introduction to Anxiety and Executive Functioning

Dr McIngvale and Cali kick off the episode discussing how executive functioning skills are vital for managing anxiety and staying productive.

- [2:10] - Meet Evan Weinberger

Evan shares his unique journey from studying psychology and coaching executives to helping kids master essential life skills.

- [5:44] - The Modern Attention Span Crisis

Evan delves into how today's constant digital stimulation impacts our attention spans and executive functioning.

- [25:08] - The Role of Transitions in Executive Functioning

Why life changes like becoming a parent or transitioning to college can disrupt systems—and how to adapt.

- [45:03] - Teaching Kids Early Habits

Practical tips for parents to model and teach organizational routines to children.

- [1:00:15] - Building Systems That Work for You

Evan emphasizes the importance of finding personalized systems for managing time, tasks, and impressions.

Quotable Moments:

[5:10] "The hardest part of school isn't the material—it's juggling everything without letting the balls fall." - Evan Weinberger

[27:14] "Transitions bring turbulence, but they also push us to build better systems." - Evan Weinberger

[45:46] "Modeling is the most powerful way to teach—your kids are always watching." - Evan Weinberger

Links Mentioned:

• The Anxiety Society: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com/
• Staying Ahead of the Game: https://saotg.com/
• The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/
• Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://a.co/d/aUoeV3y

Evan inspires us to rethink our relationship with organization and productivity. Whether you’re a student, parent, or professional, improving your executive functioning can lead to a more balanced, efficient life. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more resources, visit our website or follow us on social media.