As a Japanese nutritionist living in the U.S., I love shopping for traditional foods that I grew up eating, such as seaweed, beans, matcha, multigrain rice, and sweet potatoes. I sometimes go to Costco to buy those staples in bulk. But during a recent trip to Japan, I had the chance to shop at the…
As parents, we spend so much time helping our kids succeed on the outside — teaching them words, setting routines, and encouraging good behavior. But there’s one skill that quietly shapes whether they’ll be successful in life: self-connection, or the ability to tune into one’s own emotions, needs, and inner voice. When kids feel safe…
It’s a simple question without an easy answer: “What should I do with my life?” “Most of us struggle with this our whole lives,” writes Suzy Welch in the introduction to her recent book, “Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career.” Her goal — as it is in the similarly…
As a journalist, a media executive and a communication coach, I’ve spent my entire career focused on helping people communicate what’s important to them One thing I’ve noticed: When it comes to empathizing with someone sharing a personal struggle — whether it’s the trials of a troublesome teenager or losing a job — many of…
Sometimes, 24 hours just doesn’t feel like enough. Between work, commutes, and a growing to-do list, it’s easy to get through an entire weekday without really connecting with your partner. But staying close doesn’t require extra time — just intention. As a psychologist who studies couples (and as a husband), I’ve seen firsthand how small…
Many couples see intimacy as a “nice to have” in relationships. It’s sweet when it’s there, but not essential. This is especially true after the honeymoon period wears off. As a sex therapist and psychotherapist with over two decades of experience, I’m here to tell you that’s wrong. Intimacy is the heartbeat of a thriving relationship….
In successful relationships, both partners feel emotionally secure, connected, and comfortable being themselves around each other. But for many of us, romantic relationships can bring out our deepest insecurities. As a Harvard-trained psychologist who works with couples, I often tell people that emotional security in a relationship starts with seeing yourself as worthy of love,…
You’ve probably worked hard to build positive relationships. But what if, despite your best intentions, your communication is coming off as judgmental? As the author of “Managing Up,” an executive coach to top performers at the world’s biggest companies, and a professor of human behavior, I’ve seen how certain phrases — even ones that sound…
For over four years, I’ve been a professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Before that, I worked in the corporate world at organizations like Coca-Cola and IBM. Recently, for work, I went to Denmark, one of the world’s happiest countries, to teach a course called “Happiness Blueprint.” While there, I discovered what many had…
As a cardiologist who has treated heart attacks for more than 20 years, I’ve seen how eating habits formed in childhood can often lay the groundwork for chronic illness in adulthood. My wife and I have three daughters, now in high school. I know how hard it can be during the early years just to…
