Years ago, Dr. Hodges recognized a troubling pattern: children were experiencing unnecessary stress, yet schools, professionals, and media were treating all stress as harmful rather than distinguishing between productive and destructive forms. She identified six core drivers of non-productive stress in children:

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• Misaligned Social-Emotional Programs  

• Forced, Insincere Social Engagement 

• Poor Literacy Instruction  

• Inadequate Sleep, Exercise, and Nutrition  

• Ineffective Adult Communication 

• Weak Adult Leadership  

 

Instead of addressing root causes, institutions and caregivers sought quick fixes—eliminating stress entirely, prioritizing medication and comfort, and sidestepping boundaries that cultivate resilience. Over time, this approach diminished children’s ability to develop fortitude and thrive. 

 

Dr. Hodges champions a better way. Through Raising Moxie, she and her collaborators equip parents, educators, and professionals with evidence-based strategies that prioritize:  

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• Confident, compassionate adult leadership  

• Environments that foster emotional expression, physical health, and high-quality learning 

• Science-backed, practical approaches that honor developmental needs  

• A future-focused mindset that safeguards children’s growth  

• Common sense, not empty trends

• Letting kids be kids—and ensuring adults step up as leaders.

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Through Raising Moxie, Dr. Hodges has helped parents, educators, and physicians implement science-aligned practices that transform how children learn, develop, and succeed.