How I Got Free from the Trap of Resentment
“Jerry, there is some bad in the best of people and some good in the worst of people. Look for the good!” ~George Chaky, my grandfather I was seven when he said that to me. It would later become a guiding principle in my life. My grandfather was twenty-one when he came to the US […]
Enmeshed Families: When Control Is Disguised as Closeness
Most people value close, supportive family relationships. We want to feel loved, understood, and connected. But when families become too tightly connected—or enmeshed—that closeness can interfere with our ability to develop our own identity, make independent choices, and pursue our goals. What Is Enmeshment? Enmeshment is often confused with closeness or intimacy, both of which […]
Building a Partnership That Lasts
Maybe you’ve been together for months, or even years, but something feels uncertain. You love each other—that much you know—but love alone doesn’t guarantee a successful relationship. The truth is, the strongest partnerships don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, care, and yes—a plan. So many couples drift through their relationships hoping things will […]
Does Preventing Depression Look Different for Black…
For decades, researchers have developed and tested adolescent depression prevention programs that show strong results. But a new study reveals a major flaw in the evidence base: These programs, largely tested on white youth, may not work equally well for everyone. The peer-reviewed study examined the effects of a culturally adapted school-based depression prevention program […]
Why Maladaptive Daydreaming Deserves More Attention
About 12 years ago, the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” depicted the push-pull between accepting disappointing real-life experiences and conflating them into imaginary ones. And a 2017 YouTube analysis, currently touting 743,000 views, dives right into the core issue: maladaptive daydreaming—a growing research area since 2002, when the term was first coined by […]
The Greater Good Guide to Aging Well
The actor Meryl Streep once said: “One day you wake up and realize that your youth is gone, but along with it, so go insecurity, haste, and the need to please. . . . You learn to walk more slowly, but with greater certainty. You say goodbye without fear, and you cherish those who stay. […]
Why Doesn’t the U.S. Have a Paid Family Leave…
Of all the policy changes that could help parents and caregivers, none is as morally intuitive, politically feasible, structurally possible, and economically smart as a paid family leave. Morally: People should not have to go without income during those times when they need intense care, or have to give intense care to others. Politically: The […]
What Is Cognitive Warfare and Why Does It Matter for You?
Imagine waking up to the news that a deadly new strain of flu has emerged in your city. Health officials are downplaying it, but social media is flooded with contradictory claims from “medical experts” debating its origin and severity. Hospitals are filled with patients showing flu-like symptoms, preventing other patients from accessing care and ultimately […]
Eight Ways to Support Your Employees in Uncertain Times
Employees who usually get along well are blowing up at each other. Managers are reporting that employees are having emotional outbursts in meetings and they’re not sure how to respond. That was the start of my call with a chief human resources officer (CHRO) at a reputable nonprofit recently. They reached out looking for resources […]
Autistic Masking in Adulthood | Psychology Today
Masking, sometimes referred to as camouflaging, refers to when someone hides who they are authentically in order to meet an expectation that does not align with their true self. In autistic and other neurodivergent communities, it means hiding one’s neurodivergent traits in order to meet neurotypical expectations for behavior. You do not have to be […]