Can Science Spot the Christmas Spirit in Your Brain?
Every December, cities light up, carols fill the air, and the scent of pine and gingerbread lingers. For many, Christmas is a season of joy, nostalgia, and connection. For others, it’s just another day, or even a source of stress. But what if the difference between loving and loathing the holidays could be seen in our brains? A team of Danish researchers set out to … Continue reading Can Science Spot the Christmas Spirit in Your Brain?
Winter Holiday: A Time for Celebration, but Also for Loneliness Among the Elderly
The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. Yet, for many older adults, it can be a period of deep loneliness and isolation. A lot of people over 65, that is the average age where in the Western world almost everyone is retired, live alone, and for some, social isolation is a daily reality. Research shows that a significant … Continue reading Winter Holiday: A Time for Celebration, but Also for Loneliness Among the Elderly
The Murderer Killings
We take our true crime seriously here in the Pacific Northwest. I think that’s because we were home to both best-selling true crime author Ann Rule, and notable serial killer Ted Bundy. In a strange crossing of paths, Ann Rule and Ted Bundy both volunteered at a suicide crisis hotline in Seattle and were friendly. I’m qualified to weigh in about this because when Ted … Continue reading The Murderer Killings
The Lifelong Impact of Pets on Children
Childhood memories are filled with countless experiences, but for many children, one stands out prominently: the bond with a pet. In a recent survey conducted by the American Humane Association, the profound and lasting impact of pets on children was explored, revealing the significance of this relationship in shaping lives, even into adulthood. Emotional Bonds and Development The survey, which gathered responses from 294 individuals, … Continue reading The Lifelong Impact of Pets on Children
Shine in darkness
One day in Pokhara, Nepal at the height of the humid season, everything felt like it was boiling. My mind, my Mac, even my sense of self seemed to sizzle. I walked out into the warm rain just to breathe, and ended up in a small restaurant. By pure chance, I met a Swedish man doing business in Nepal. Impulsive as always, I started talking … Continue reading Shine in darkness
Aporia – The Power of “I Know That I Don’t Know”
Aporia—an ancient Greek term—describes that moment of genuine perplexity when a question resists easy answers. It’s not ignorance; it’s the realization of how little you truly understand. This state of productive confusion is the quiet before the breakthrough, the pause before transformation. And if you’ve ever launched a project, a business, or even a bold idea, you’ve almost certainly encountered it. Socrates and the Art … Continue reading Aporia – The Power of “I Know That I Don’t Know”
Four Things I’ve Learned About the Divine Dwellings
I was reflecting on these not long ago, and they seem worth sharing. They are some important things I’ve learned, conceptually but even more so practically, concerning the practice of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity (the four “divine dwellings”). That pertains to the formal meditation practices, and more informal versions of that practice, and also simply the ordinary exercise of dwelling in those states in the course of ordinary living. Continue reading Four Things I’ve Learned About the Divine Dwellings
The Art of the Pitch
It feels like I’m spending a lot of time with pitches these days. No, that’s not a World Series joke, although that would be timely. I mean the “a form of words used when trying to persuade someone to buy or accept something.” For example, PR agents pitch guests to come on my How to Share podcast. I pitch sponsors, guests and hosts for why … Continue reading The Art of the Pitch
The Deadly Cost of Climate Inaction
The Human Toll of a Warming Planet Every year, the warnings get louder. The numbers get worse. And yet, the world’s response to climate change remains dangerously slow. The latest report from the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change lays bare a grim reality: climate inaction is not just an environmental issue—it’s a public health catastrophe. In 2025, 12 out of 20 key health … Continue reading The Deadly Cost of Climate Inaction
Climate Change: Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient Future
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing challenges of our time. While they are often treated as separate crises, they are deeply interconnected—and so are their solutions. Among the most promising strategies to address both is the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS): actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural ecosystems to tackle societal challenges, including climate mitigation and adaptation. The … Continue reading Climate Change: Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient Future
Doing the Right Thing: A Great Baseball Story
My six-year-old son started playing Little League last year. Watching these young athletes trying to learn the skills to catch, throw, and bat made me realize how difficult those skills are. When a new Little Leaguer actually caught a ball, they were often surprised they actually did it. Then they didn’t want to throw it to someone else and risk them not catching the ball. … Continue reading Doing the Right Thing: A Great Baseball Story
How Nature and Silence in Urban Design Boost Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of the global population now lives in cities. And this will likely be the case for your children, grandchildren, and their descendants: by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Billions of people will need housing, often in cities where density has already reached extreme levels, and where new challenges must … Continue reading How Nature and Silence in Urban Design Boost Mental Health
Why Adolescents May Be More Speciesist Than Adults
Most adults say they care deeply about animals. Yet, many continue to consume meat regularly — a contradiction known as the meat paradox. Interestingly, this paradox doesn’t emerge overnight. It begins to take shape during adolescence, a critical developmental stage when moral values, social norms, and personal identity start to collide. Recent research from the UK sheds light on how adolescents, compared to adults, may … Continue reading Why Adolescents May Be More Speciesist Than Adults
Blogging as Art Therapy: Writing Your Way to Emotional Wellness
This is a follow up of my last week post on Art Therapy. When I first began blogging, I didn’t realize I was engaging in something deeply therapeutic. I thought I was simply documenting my thoughts, sharing my experiences, reporting on my findings, and connecting with others. But over time, I noticed something profound: the act of writing helps me face my difficulties, even though … Continue reading Blogging as Art Therapy: Writing Your Way to Emotional Wellness
Lessons from Vacations: The Importance of Sharing
A few weeks after we adopted our crested gecko, Rusty, we went on vacation. I left instructions for the pet sitter on how to feed and water him. But he texted a couple of days after we’d left saying that he didn’t think Rusty was moving. In fact, he hadn’t seen him move in the enclosure for more than a day. Right as we were … Continue reading Lessons from Vacations: The Importance of Sharing
Art Therapy: Healing Through Creativity and Emotional Expression
Art therapy is more than painting or sculpting—it’s a transformative journey into the self. Rooted in psychology and creative expression, this therapeutic approach helps individuals explore emotions, overcome psychological challenges, and foster personal growth. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-awareness, art therapy offers a non-verbal, yet profoundly expressive, path to healing. What Is Art Therapy? Art therapy is a form … Continue reading Art Therapy: Healing Through Creativity and Emotional Expression
Post-Vacation Stress: a Hidden Toll
Returning from a well-deserved vacation can feel like a jarring reset. You have forgotten about emails, deadlines, and the relentless rhythm of daily life (or at least you should have). But you are back to the usual routine. This transition isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a trigger for chronic stress and burnout. In the Western world, over 40% of adults report chronic stress, and 75% … Continue reading Post-Vacation Stress: a Hidden Toll
Nepal’s Unrest Through the Eyes of a Young Visionary Doctor
Step into Nepal’s current political situation through the eyes of a young, visionary doctor I met during my pilgrimage. Continue reading Nepal’s Unrest Through the Eyes of a Young Visionary Doctor
Creative Response
A squirrel stole my sunflowers. I’ve been plotting my next move ever since. Encase the next bloom in wire mesh? Line the top of the nearby fence in sticky tape? Or better yet, a bed of thumbtacks? At the beginning of the summer, my neighbor gave me a few sunflower starts. Now I understand why she plants them out in the front of her house … Continue reading Creative Response
How Rising Temperatures Are Stealing Our Joy
Is hot weather making you grumpy? Have you ever snapped at a friend on a sweltering day or felt your patience evaporate under the sun? A groundbreaking study has revealed that soaring temperatures aren’t just melting ice caps—they’re also melting our moods. Scientists from MIT and global institutions analyzed over 1.2 billion social media posts to uncover how extreme heat impacts human emotions. Spoiler: It’s … Continue reading How Rising Temperatures Are Stealing Our Joy