A parent’s worst nightmare is hearing that your child has committed suicide. As a parent your mind starts racing, what did I miss? Why was their life so bad? Why didn’t they tell me they felt depressed? Soon the grief has taken over like a sharp knife stabbing your heart. Guilt, fear, and shame become your friend and the days and nights feel empty and hopeless. I have met with many people who have been affected by suicide. A mother whose teen overdosed on anxiety meds, a girl who found her best friend hanging from a tree, and countless teenagers who have come to see me after attempting to take their life. Today is World Mental Health Day and therefore an important day to discuss teen suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-19 year old’s in the United States. In the average year, we lose over 2,000 teens. What are the warning signs of suicide that you might not think about? Numb If your adolescent avoids expressing emotions and feelings they may be depressed. Numbness is the result of an individual no longer feeling safe to share. They often lack opinions, shrug off feelings and move through life as if they are a robot. Anxious Many parents will tell me their child does not struggle with anxiety. I believe it is because anxiety is often viewed as panic, shaking, and nervousness. However, many people can be anxious yet show none of the above signs. Anxiety is... Continue reading

We need to stop acting like self view is given. It's developed. This episode deals with how you can develop yours. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

What happens to you relationship when you build a habit of conflict? And Anne from Pittsburgh writes in with a great question. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

We diminish ourselves as humans when we can't have disagreements without trying to hurt each other. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

Sometimes love tells you that you were wrong. This episode deals with ownership of our own lives. It also discusses briefly the difference between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

Maybe we complain because we confuse being busy with meaning which allows us to find complaining to be easier. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

In this episode, I discuss the three minds that we all live out of and how we can choose our best mind. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

In this episode, I discuss the three minds that we all live out of and how we can choose our best mind. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on the Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

In this episode, I talk about 5 life lessons that will help you live a life that matters. Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

This week I talk about two different and yet related things. What if people who can never tell anyone no aren't really altruistic? And how do we deal with change? Feel free to download it in your favorite podcast player or click on Sound Cloud link above. Continue reading

This episode deals with how fear attacks us and how we can overcome it. You can find it on SoundCloud here. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast player. Continue reading

I know a couple that spent 18 months solving a problem. Most of the time when I tell people about this situation they think it was too long. But was it? How long is 18 months in the context of the rest of your life? Find the episode by clicking... Continue reading

In this episode, I lament that school starting is right around the corner and I discuss what a second half of the year reset looks like. Find it by clicking here. You can also choose iTunes or Google play above. Continue reading

Hello, You may have noticed that there hasn't been many blog posts lately. I have been working on many other projects and slowing down in order to spend more time with my family over the summer. I do have a podcast that I've been working on and would invite you to participate with it. I also have a second book project that I am planning on starting this fall. I am not sure what direction this blog will take but I do not intend to add content to it until at least the middle of September. You can find the podcast here. Continue reading

Do you want better communication skills today? Then this episode is for you. Employ these rules to guide your words and your communication will improve immediately. Episode 16. What Happens When You Use Universals_ Continue reading

This episode presents a tool to deal with the four emotional hazards. This tool will help every relationship improve communication. The Mirror Method Continue reading

This track deals with four dangerous patterns of communication that can negatively impact all relationships. Episode 13. The Four Emotional Hazards Continue reading

Recently a friend asked me how we change the conversation about suicide in our culture and work toward lowering the suicide rate to save lives. This episode is my attempt to answer that very difficult question. Episode 12. Suicide Continue reading

It's June. What happened to those goals you set in January? This episode deals with a few steps on how get back on track. Also, my friend, Jamie stops by and talks about the life for his daughter with hearing loss from a parents perspective. Episode 11. How do you... Continue reading

Why do we constantly get invested in love stories? Where does our meaning come from in regard to our attachment? Wanting to be involved in a love story is written in our hearts and souls. Love requires work. And the promised insurance rant! Enjoy Episode 10. Love Stories Life Meaning... Continue reading

In this episode Mike from Alaska writes in with such a great question that I open the show with it. What do you do when the conversation between you and your partner goes south? How do you bring it back? Plus, we talk about five key components to decision making... Continue reading

In this episode I discuss the three D's and the danger they present to Emotional Security. A local therapist stops by to talk about his new endeavor to help Veterans. Plus, more vinegar shenanigans! The Three D's Continue reading

Have you ever thought about what emotion or goal is primarily influencing your decision making processes? Explore these questions and more in this episode. Episode 7. What Drives Your Bus_ Continue reading

What's more dangerous than screen time for your kids? How do we deal with it? Find out in this episode. Episode 06. What's More Dangerous Than Screen Time for Your Kids_ Continue reading

You can attain a great understanding of your own goals and direction by working through some key questions that are dealt with in the podcast. Ep. 05. Propel Yourself into the Change Process Continue reading