Stephanie Land’s life changed forever when she wrote her first memoir, Maid, and the adaptation blew up on Netflix. But before any of that happened, she struggled horribly as a single mother with an abusive ex. Her second book, Class, tells that story — and it isn’t always pretty. Found Family Perhaps the biggest drain on Stephanie’s […]
Is email ruining your life?
Have you ever fantasized about a life without email? While modern communication tools may seem to increase efficiency, they can actually slow our mental processes as we switch between tasks. Our inboxes can also be a source of frustration and anxiety as messages pile up. The question is: what are we supposed to do about it? […]
How to be open-hearted
With popular, but isolating, activities like shopping online, ordering food delivery, and even watching Netflix, society is becoming more and more impersonal. Cultural commentator David Brooks sees social skills as the foundation of healthy living and strong communities. How can we connect with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues on a deeper level? Sharpen Your Soft […]
The science of awe
When was the last time you experienced a real sense of wonder or awe? Psychology professor Dacher Keltner believes that awe is the key to living a fulfilling, happy life. Even simple experiences like looking at the stars can increase your sense of wellbeing as well as reduce chronic inflammation and diseases. Here’s an easy idea […]
How to find peace this season
Spending time with our families during the holidays can be a source of great joy—but it can be difficult, too. Our most dysfunctional relationships tend to flare up at this time of year, which is often compounded by mental health and substance abuse issues. How can we set aside our expectations and focus on our […]
Escaping a nightmare
Rudolf Vbra was just a teenager when he escaped Auschwitz. It was 1944, and the world did not yet know much about what was happening in Nazi concentration camps. His accounts of the camp’s operations helped save 200,000 Hungarian Jews. Here’s how he broke the silence. A Plan Was Born At Auschwitz, Vbra was part […]
The one with Chandler’s legacy
As we near the two-month mark of Matthew Perry’s untimely death, we’ve heard a lot about his troubles. Perry detoxed more than 65 times in his life, starting at the age of 26. He went public with all his struggles in an effort to show other addicts that they weren’t alone. Sharing His Story In 2019, […]
How to fix your inner child
Should we blame more of our adult problems on our parents? We’re kidding — that’s going too far — but family and relationship therapist Vienna Pharaon believes that many of our problems and destructive patterns in adulthood can be traced back to conflicts we experienced as children. The good news is that, as adults, we […]
Is your kid a genius? 📚
Everyone wants to believe that their child is a genius. Alas, it isn’t so. But chess prodigy Lászlö Polgár says that genius is cultivated, not taught. All three of his kids are chess masters. How’d he do it? You’re Never Too Young to Be an Expert Polgár recommends finding a narrow specialty for your children, […]
Is credit ruining the world?
Debt is everywhere, but no one likes to talk about it. In modern society, the idea of paying one’s debt has become synonymous with morality—which makes it feel shameful not to pay. Anthropologist and activist David Graeber pointed out that debtors aren’t the ones who need to be redeemed. Let’s take a closer look. Capitalism […]
