Happiness and the Pursuit of Leadership

Education

America’s Best University President Has Died

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 1, 2023

Robert J. Zimmer, former president of the University of Chicago, has died. His clarity about the purpose of the university made him a peerless leader.

Robert J. Zimmer, former president of the University of Chicago, has died. His clarity about the purpose of the university made him a peerless leader.

Fear

Pussy Riot and the Psychology of Freedom

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on May 7, 2023

What can we in the West learn from those who risk everything to be free? Performer and Russian activist Nadya Tolokonnikova says courage is contagious.

What can we in the West learn from those who risk everything to be free? Performer and Russian activist Nadya Tolokonnikova says courage is contagious.

Trauma

How Do Holocaust Survivors Cope With Extreme Trauma?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

As a child in Poland, Bronia Brandman survived Auschwitz. Most of her family did not. She worries about the increase in antisemitism today.

As a child in Poland, Bronia Brandman survived Auschwitz. Most of her family did not. She worries about the increase in antisemitism today.

Self-Harm

The Other Twitter Files

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

While Twitter's politically biased and capricious content-moderation policies are being exposed by journalists, Twitter needs to pay attention to its self-harm problem.

While Twitter's politically biased and capricious content-moderation policies are being exposed by journalists, Twitter needs to pay attention to its self-harm problem.

Education

A Bad Sign for the Future of Higher Education

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on July 25, 2022

When a law school defines a poorly worded conservative opinion as "harm," it not only abandon its mission, it perpetuates tribal thinking, which is bad for campus mental health.

When a law school defines a poorly worded conservative opinion as "harm," it not only abandon its mission, it perpetuates tribal thinking, which is bad for campus mental health.

Education

Can Students Speak Freely on Campus?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 6, 2022

Recent surveys from the Knight Foundation and Heterodox Academy reveal problems with and understanding of free speech in high school and with the climate on college campuses.

Recent surveys from the Knight Foundation and Heterodox Academy reveal problems with and understanding of free speech in high school and with the climate on college campuses.

Empathy

Bridging the Moral Divide Over Vaccinations

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

The vaccination debate is marked by moral outrage and institutional distrust. Yet Walmart has over-performed in vaccine-hesitant communities. What's their secret?

The vaccination debate is marked by moral outrage and institutional distrust. Yet Walmart has over-performed in vaccine-hesitant communities. What's their secret?

Sexual Orientation

Sex and Politics on Campus

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on November 19, 2021

Viewpoint diversity may be endangered on our college campuses but sexual diversity is thriving.

Viewpoint diversity may be endangered on our college campuses but sexual diversity is thriving.

Education

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Commitment or Cult?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

Commitment to the inclusion of a diversity of backgrounds requires a diversity of views. DEI efforts that do not permit disagreement have the quality of a cult.

Commitment to the inclusion of a diversity of backgrounds requires a diversity of views. DEI efforts that do not permit disagreement have the quality of a cult.

Gratitude

Jay Sandrich: Life Lessons From a TV Legend

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on October 1, 2021

Our elders possess tremendous wisdom. One of them recently left us. We can all benefit from this sage advice from Emmy-winning TV director Jay Sandrich.

Our elders possess tremendous wisdom. One of them recently left us. We can all benefit from this sage advice from Emmy-winning TV director Jay Sandrich.

Education

Why Critical Race Theory Should Be Taught

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on July 1, 2021

A linguistically constructed lens is like a pair of glasses that alters how things appear. CRT is a lens for seeing things like race, power, justice, and knowledge a certain way. 

A linguistically constructed lens is like a pair of glasses that alters how things appear. CRT is a lens for seeing things like race, power, justice, and knowledge a certain way. 

Education

Mental Health Professionals Bring Lawsuit Against Stanford

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

When critical theory replaces critical thinking, it erodes ethics, degrades care, and creates a hostile environment. A recent lawsuit against Stanford University illustrates how.

When critical theory replaces critical thinking, it erodes ethics, degrades care, and creates a hostile environment. A recent lawsuit against Stanford University illustrates how.

Depression

Young Adults' Mental Health Has Begun to Improve

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 9, 2021

Gen Z loneliness, isolation, and depression levels have dropped since a year ago. But young people are not doing as well as older generations.

Gen Z loneliness, isolation, and depression levels have dropped since a year ago. But young people are not doing as well as older generations.

Self-Esteem

A Credulous Nation Needs "The Quick Fix"

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on April 6, 2021

Think you have a handle on psychological concepts like self-esteem, grit, resilience, and implicit bias? Think again. Or better yet, read "The Quick Fix."

Think you have a handle on psychological concepts like self-esteem, grit, resilience, and implicit bias? Think again. Or better yet, read "The Quick Fix."

Empathy

A Rabbi, a Professor, and a Doctor Write a Letter

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 17, 2021

What one thing could leaders in politics, journalism, and the media do to improve their own profession, politics, or society? A rabbi, a professor, and a doctor respond.

What one thing could leaders in politics, journalism, and the media do to improve their own profession, politics, or society? A rabbi, a professor, and a doctor respond.

Mindfulness

A Year of Possibility: Words of Wisdom From 8 Scholars

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

What possibilities are in store for us in 2021? I asked political scientists, psychologists, a counterterrorism expert, a doctor, and a Rabbi. Here's what they had to say.

What possibilities are in store for us in 2021? I asked political scientists, psychologists, a counterterrorism expert, a doctor, and a Rabbi. Here's what they had to say.

Empathy

Three Books to Make 2021 a Much Better Year

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 21, 2020

Are you looking for books to give as holiday gifts to friends, or to yourself? These three books offer wisdom for making 2021 a much better year.

Are you looking for books to give as holiday gifts to friends, or to yourself? These three books offer wisdom for making 2021 a much better year.

Forgiveness

Alyssa Milano Wants to Move #ForwardTogether

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 8, 2020

Actress and activist Alyssa Milano is ready to move #ForwardTogether. Are you?

Actress and activist Alyssa Milano is ready to move #ForwardTogether. Are you?

Empathy

The Courageous Center Must Hold

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on September 26, 2020

The psychology of authoritarianism is infecting our politics. Can we reject the "us" versus "them" narrative that poisons our political discourse?

The psychology of authoritarianism is infecting our politics. Can we reject the "us" versus "them" narrative that poisons our political discourse?

Grief

How Do We Grieve Now?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on September 14, 2020

Social distancing has created a need for new rituals and methods of support for those grappling with loss. But they aren’t yet in place. For kids, there is a book that may help.

Social distancing has created a need for new rituals and methods of support for those grappling with loss. But they aren’t yet in place. For kids, there is a book that may help.