Does the truth matter? Which is better- an ugly truth or a pretty lie? Sometimes it's better for everybody if the truth is ugly enough...

The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life Kevin Simler, Robin Hanson 2017 Why do we do what we do? Are we pretty...

Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day Jay Shetty, 2020 I've always wondered about monks. Monasteries and...

"Self-deception is a defining part of our human nature. By recognizing its various forms in ourselves and reflecting upon them, we may be...

“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” ― Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works Our brains lie to...

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the...

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School John Medina 2008 Americans spend billions and billions...

State lotteries are a complicated source of joy, pain, education funding, hope, and disappointment. 45 of the 50 United States now have...

Transitions are the most vulnerable times of our lives. When we are going through a transition, we are shedding many of the beliefs and res

Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community Robert D. Putnam 2001, 2020...

Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions Johann Hari 2018 Why do we get...

Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected,...

As I've mentioned in past blog entries on oldies and contemporary music, there is plenty of evidence that music improves not only mental...

In the documentary Alive Inside, a dementia patient who is barely there anymore is given a headphone with some of his old favorite music....

Music. For some it's just noise, for others a pleasant diversion, and for many, it is life-giving. Why is music so central to the human...

Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves Laurel Braitman- 2014 Do...

Books, movies and stories are great ways to deal with mental health issues that avoid awkward stigma issues and make those who are...

There's only one election that matters on November 3rd, and it's not for president. Missouri's electoral votes are not a factor and our...

While writing my one and only novel so far, I dove into the world of aromatherapy. It became an important part of my plot, and I learned...

In the movie Curse of the Jade Scorpion, an unscrupulous hypnotist plants a suggestion in the mind of Woody Allen and Helen Hunt. When...