Doug Bolton - Grades & Punishment are Curiosity Killers
Mon Feb 02 2026
Grades & Punishments are Curiosity Killers
The theory that rewards and punishments have negative long-term effects on performance, isn’t new, but Doug Bolton puts a new spin on the science behind this and offers practical advice for how teachers, administrators, and parents can help students be more emotionally resilient and engaged in school.
Doug Bolton is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of School Consultation for Formative Psychological Services in Chicago. He spent over 20 years as a school psychologist and educational leader. Dr. Bolton provides consultation, supervision and professional development to parents, educators, and clinicians throughout the US to create communities that help foster student and staff resilience. We will talk today about his book, Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Doug Bolton:
https://www.drdougbolton.com/
Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation:
Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
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Grades & Punishments are Curiosity Killers The theory that rewards and punishments have negative long-term effects on performance, isn’t new, but Doug Bolton puts a new spin on the science behind this and offers practical advice for how teachers, administrators, and parents can help students be more emotionally resilient and engaged in school. Doug Bolton is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of School Consultation for Formative Psychological Services in Chicago. He spent over 20 years as a school psychologist and educational leader. Dr. Bolton provides consultation, supervision and professional development to parents, educators, and clinicians throughout the US to create communities that help foster student and staff resilience. We will talk today about his book, Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education. Links: Doug Bolton: https://www.drdougbolton.com/ Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation: Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742 The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3 The Human Intelligence movement: https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/ This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron. You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com