Pulling Through

Health

Why We Blame the Sick

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on May 27, 2025

"We like to imagine that we captain the ships of our lives."

"We like to imagine that we captain the ships of our lives."

Friends

Stop and Ask These Three Questions Before Giving Advice

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on May 23, 2025

Before offering advice, pause and ask these three questions. You might just find that listening first is the most helpful thing you can do for a friend in need.

Before offering advice, pause and ask these three questions. You might just find that listening first is the most helpful thing you can do for a friend in need.

Gratitude

When the World Is Burning and You’re Still in Slippers

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on May 21, 2025

Life has never been more comfortable—or more overwhelming. Here's how to hold both gratitude and grief without losing your sense of hope or humanity.

Life has never been more comfortable—or more overwhelming. Here's how to hold both gratitude and grief without losing your sense of hope or humanity.

Emotions

The Ultimate Emotion Regulation Kit

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on August 4, 2024

Master your emotions with these proven techniques for improved relationships, health, and overall life satisfaction.

Master your emotions with these proven techniques for improved relationships, health, and overall life satisfaction.

Politics

Can Wall Art Predict Your Politics?

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on July 11, 2024

From wall decor to literary preferences, liberals and conservatives differ in many ways. Could these questions predict where you fall on the political spectrum?

From wall decor to literary preferences, liberals and conservatives differ in many ways. Could these questions predict where you fall on the political spectrum?

Happiness

Is Happiness Even the Goal?

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on July 1, 2024

Do you believe that people ultimately get what they deserve? While this belief likely increases your happiness, it may cost you your compassion.

Do you believe that people ultimately get what they deserve? While this belief likely increases your happiness, it may cost you your compassion.

Cognition

3 Signs You’re a Scientific Thinker

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on March 21, 2024

Have you ever fallen for fake news? This toolkit can help you easily evaluate whether a claim is real or phony.

Have you ever fallen for fake news? This toolkit can help you easily evaluate whether a claim is real or phony.

Transgender

Authenticity Is a Privilege Many Minorities Aren't Afforded

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on February 21, 2024

Hate crimes, bullying, and ostracism are prevalent as politicians continue to craft anti-trans bills.

Hate crimes, bullying, and ostracism are prevalent as politicians continue to craft anti-trans bills.

Education

Can Education Solve Tomorrow’s Problems?

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on January 30, 2024

With technology rapidly advancing, it may be time to rethink our educational goals. Do we create obedient workers or innovators who prioritize well-being over profit?

With technology rapidly advancing, it may be time to rethink our educational goals. Do we create obedient workers or innovators who prioritize well-being over profit?

Decision-Making

Recognizing the Sunk Cost Fallacy May Help You Cut Your Losses

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

Despite the bombardment of societal messages to never quit, sometimes changing course is exactly what you should do.

Despite the bombardment of societal messages to never quit, sometimes changing course is exactly what you should do.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Breaking Norms and Breaking Free

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on November 14, 2023

What does it mean when a feminine glamour icon attends a fashion show without makeup? Learn more about the help and harm of breaking cultural norms.

What does it mean when a feminine glamour icon attends a fashion show without makeup? Learn more about the help and harm of breaking cultural norms.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Helping New Parents Is More Crucial Than It Seems

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on October 6, 2023

Is brain plasticity a good thing? Maybe not when it comes to early life stress. Here's how to help new parents set their children up for success.

Is brain plasticity a good thing? Maybe not when it comes to early life stress. Here's how to help new parents set their children up for success.

Punishment

No, Mike Pence, You Didn’t Deserve to Be Paddled

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on October 4, 2023

The evidence against corporal punishment is overwhelming. Why do so many continue to defend its use?

The evidence against corporal punishment is overwhelming. Why do so many continue to defend its use?

Positive Psychology

4 Qualities of Extraordinary Altruists

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on May 11, 2023

Researchers have found unique characteristics in those who have anonymously donated a kidney to a stranger. What sets them apart from ordinary people, and what can we learn?

Researchers have found unique characteristics in those who have anonymously donated a kidney to a stranger. What sets them apart from ordinary people, and what can we learn?

Career

Why the "Victim Mentality" Argument Upholds Inequality

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on April 3, 2023

Just as colorblindness perpetuates racism, ignoring economic realities excuses inequality.

Just as colorblindness perpetuates racism, ignoring economic realities excuses inequality.

Career

Endorsing the “Poor but Happy” Trope Excuses Inequality

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on April 1, 2023

Do marginalized communities deserve their circumstances? Are many in poverty poor but happy? There are many creative ways we justify unfair systems.

Do marginalized communities deserve their circumstances? Are many in poverty poor but happy? There are many creative ways we justify unfair systems.

Grief

Why We May Be Tempted to Deny Ourselves Joy

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

Can you be happy, knowing there is so much suffering in the world? Here are reasons to remember you are worthy of joy at every opportunity.

Can you be happy, knowing there is so much suffering in the world? Here are reasons to remember you are worthy of joy at every opportunity.

Happiness

Ways We Unconsciously Stifle Happiness

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on June 12, 2022

While it's important to express and validate negative emotions, let's not forget about the importance of positive ones.

While it's important to express and validate negative emotions, let's not forget about the importance of positive ones.

Trauma

When Trauma Isn’t Worth the Post-Traumatic Growth

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on May 25, 2022

In the midst of all the topics following a national tragedy, be sure to make time for collective grief.

In the midst of all the topics following a national tragedy, be sure to make time for collective grief.

Stress

Helping Children Turn Down the Stress Dial

Veronika Tait Ph.D. on April 19, 2022

What happens when gentle parenting meets stress management research?

What happens when gentle parenting meets stress management research?