In this episode, I sit down with John Steadman to tackle one of the toughest questions in education today: How do we motivate students who just don’t care? We dive into the challenges of teaching in the age of AI, the tension between discipline and motivation, and why optimism has to be earned through hard work and critical thinking.Along the way, we explore authenticity, the role of fear and uncertainty in learning, and what it means to foster curiosity in a world shaped by social pressures, inflated grades, and rapidly changing technology. From coaching to the classroom, John shares lessons on resilience, discipline, and how to inspire students to find meaning in their work.#mentalhealthcare #motivation #discipline #ai #highschool #education #authenticity 0:00 Intro9:11 How John got into teaching11:53 How to motivate highschool students16:38 Can discipline be trained?19:08 Technological distractions not just in the classroom27:35 How are today's teenagers socializing?34:30 The anxiety of not knowing39:23 AI in the classroom45:39 Be careful what you allow AI to do for you54:28 Optimism as a choice01:01:28 The importance of athletics in 202501:07:29 The transferable skills from athletics to life01:09:20 Mental health and success in athletics01:11:48 Summer McIntosh bringing it all together01:16:41 How can we be authentic?