Ross Greene: Why Schools Are Too Reactive

Welcome to Episode #1 of Kids in the Gray Zone. In this premiere episode, Zach Rhoads sits down with Dr. Ross Greene — psychologist, bestselling author, and creator of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) — for a wide-ranging conversation about behavior, schools, SEL, PBIS, social media, free play, school systems, and why so many struggling students are being misunderstood. Throughout the conversation, Ross argues that modern schools are often far too reactive — focused on behaviors after the fact instead of identifying and solving the problems causing those behaviors in the first place. Topics include: “The behavior is late” Why punishment often fails Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) PBIS and MTSS Reactive vs proactive schools SEL and its limitations Why kids are more anxious than ever Social media and belonging Free play and autonomy School shootings, testing culture, and systemic stress Why collaboration with students matters The difference between accommodations and real solutions This interview was recorded in October 2025 for the launch of Kids in the Gray Zone. Dr. Greene has since released his newest book, The Kids Who Aren’t Okay (published February 2026), and Zach plans to have him back on the podcast soon for a follow-up conversation focused on the book and the growing mental health challenges facing children and teens. About Ross Greene: Dr. Ross Greene is the author of The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Raising Human Beings, and The Kids Who Aren’t Okay. He is the founder of Lives in the Balance and is widely known for the philosophy: “Kids do well if they can.”