Monthly Insights & Musings
When someone you trust hurts you
Psychology offers plenty of tools for healing emotional pain, but not all of them work for everyone. Here’s what the research says, what helped me personally, and why time matters more than we’d like to admit.
From forest trails to parking lots: How humans sense direction (and why some of us really, really can’t)
Your sense of direction isn’t luck – it’s neuroscience. Here’s how your brain builds maps of the world and why some of us navigate more easily than others.
A clearer, kinder, braver New Year
The science of how gratitude, apologies, forgiveness, and appreciation can change your brain December. Here we are, winging our way toward the end of the year, with our inboxes overflowing, our hair mussed up (not in a cute way), and our brains wondering if it’s...
Nose Dive: How scents unlock emotion and memory
A single whiff can send you tumbling through time. Find out why scent is your brain’s most powerful memory trigger—and how to use it to lift your mood, sharpen your mind, and calm your nerves.
How to nudge the naysayers: Gentle ways to spark positivity (without the preachy vibes)
Negativity is contagious, but so is positivity. Here are 8 science-backed ways to shift the energy without nagging, lecturing, or faking cheeriness.
Wait, what’s a heuristic, and why is my brain using one right now?
Too tired to think straight? Good news: your brain has built-in cheat codes, called heuristics. Learn how your brain makes smart decisions even when you’re running on empty.
Ubuntu, Confucius, and the mom on Isle 4: The case for shifting from “me” to “we”
I had a moment in the grocery store (yes, again!) that reminded me how beautiful human connection can be, if we pause to notice it. This month’s article is all about what happens when we choose community over competition, and togetherness over going it alone.
Touching your nose with your eyes closed: The science behind the magic
Imagine this: you're standing in your kitchen, eyes closed, arms outstretched like a sleepwalking zombie. Someone has just challenged you to touch your two index fingers together. You pause for a second, then slowly guide your hands inward… and bingo! They meet. First...
When batching backfires: The hidden downsides of a popular time hack (and how to make it work for you)
I love a good productivity hack, don’t you? Time-blocking, to-do list apps, “eat the frog” mornings... if you’re a busy professional, you probably use all of these, and more. And one of the most popular, time-honored hacks floating around right now is batching:...
The vagus nerve: The coolest nerve you never knew you had (or needed!)
If I were handing out awards for the most fascinating body part, the vagus nerve would most likely win, hands down. (Or, perhaps more appropriately, hands relaxed—because that’s just one of the things the vagus nerve helps with.) This unsung hero of the nervous system...
Altruism: The selfless gene in a selfie world
Wow! My most recent article prompted a lot of questions and comments about…wait for it…altruism! I definitely didn’t see that one coming. Seems as if I hit a chord (or maybe even tickled a few nerves) with so many of you. Here’s the lowdown on what you’ve been asking:...
From Wānaka with love: Lessons on owning and loving our communities
Okay, I’m going to break my usual mold for a moment. You know, I don’t often talk about my personal life (you’re welcome), and I certainly don’t name-drop my travel destinations (you’re even more welcome). But today, I’m making an exception, and, well, please indulge...











