David Allen Walsh

David Walsh, Ph.D. is an award winning psychologist, best selling author, and international speaker. His latest venture is Spark & Stitch Institute - Parenting and Teaching for Courage and Connection. This builds on decades in the field. In 1995, he founded the internationally renowned National Institute on Media and the Family, which he led until 2010. In 2011 he founded Mind Positive Parenting to translate cutting edge brain science to everyday practice for parents, teachers and other professionals.

Dr. Walsh has written ten books including the national best sellers Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen and No: Why Kids – of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. His books have been translated into eight languages. He has also authored scores of papers for professional and general publications. His newest book is Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids.

He has been a frequent guest on national radio and television programs including NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Dateline NBC, ABC’s20/20, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition, He has testified numerous times before Congress, presented workshops throughout the world, and served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and the Ministries of Education in Japan, South Korea, Portugal and Singapore.

He received his B.A. degree from Mt. Carmel College, his M.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota.

He and his wife Monica have three adult children and seven grandchildren.