Many people think that charisma is an innate trait. As a behavioral researcher who has spent over 10 years studying what makes people magnetic, I’ve found that this isn’t the case. Highly charismatic people have conversation patterns that they use to be more memorable. But anyone can use them to make stronger connections and leave…
About 15 years ago, I created an organization to help people find meaningful work. Coming out of school in the wake of the Great Recession, I wanted to provide career resources and advice that my friends and I wish we had when we were young. Since then, we’ve helped over 3,000 people find fulfilling careers….
No one is born with perfect people skills. Kids learn people skills — including communication, emotional intelligence, boundary setting, and empathy — by watching their trusted adults and practicing in real-life scenarios in safe environments. As a certified child life specialist and licensed therapist who has supported thousands of kids and families, I’ve seen these…
Howard Tucker died on Dec. 22, 2025 at age 103, shortly after writing this essay for CNBC Make It. It is published here with his family’s permission. I spent more than 75 years practicing as a neurologist, continuing until my hospital closed in 2022. Now, at 103 — and recently named the oldest doctor ever by Guinness World…
One of the most rewarding things about being a parent is watching your kid grow from a child into an independent adult. But it can also be one of the hardest transitions. Every parent hopes their adult child will still want to call, still want to come home, and still choose to let them in….
As a kid, I moved around a lot. I was born in California, but I’ve lived in Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Montana and Oklahoma. I never had the chance to call anywhere “home” for too long. So if you’d told me back then that I’d end up in China, I would’ve laughed. I visited…
When people think about what makes a relationship successful, their first instinct is to focus on the big things like communication, trust, commitment, honesty and shared values. But as a psychologist who studies couples, I’ve found that the happiest ones pay attention to the small moments that have a big impact every day. They create…
People love their AI companions. And they’re increasingly relying on AI to navigate the hardest parts of human relationships. Between 2022 and mid-2025, the number of AI companion apps surged by 700%. Surveys have found that seven in 10 Gen Zers use AI to navigate workplace conflicts, and about half use it in their dating…
Building a trusting relationship is the goal for most couples. We all want to feel understood and connected to the person we’re building a life with. One of the biggest factors in making that happen is communication. As a clinical psychologist, I’ve seen that the happiest couples always take the time to show interest, check…
I’ve studied happiness for 15 years and interviewed thousands of people about what helps them thrive. The happiest people I speak to are also the most emotionally secure. Research shows that people with high emotional security have greater resilience, emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction over the course of their lives — all of which are…
