Essential Reads

Social Life

Get In, Get Out: The Psychology of Wanting to Leave Early

Jodi Wellman MAPP on April 18, 2025 in 4,000 Mondays

Not everyone loves to linger. Some of us love to leave. To want things to be over quickly is not necessarily to reject an experience—it may have to do with experience efficiency.

Not everyone loves to linger. Some of us love to leave. To want things to be over quickly is not necessarily to reject an experience—it may have to do with experience efficiency.

Education

Is Cognitive Science Really Helping in the Classroom?

Jarek Janio Ph.D. on April 18, 2025 in How We Learn

Cognitive science has shaped how we talk about learning, but can teachers assess what they can’t observe? Exploring a more practical alternative.

Cognitive science has shaped how we talk about learning, but can teachers assess what they can’t observe? Exploring a more practical alternative.

Therapy

Is a ‘Friend-apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on April 17, 2025 in Screenology

Recent on-screen depictions of therapists present them more as friends than distant authority figures. What do these portrayals suggest about what we want from a therapist?

Recent on-screen depictions of therapists present them more as friends than distant authority figures. What do these portrayals suggest about what we want from a therapist?

Epigenetics

Childhood Trauma and Biological Aging

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on April 17, 2025 in Mental Health Care Today

Epigenetic "clocks" measure biological age, which predicts earlier or later onset of the leading causes of death. Childhood trauma and poverty increase biological aging.

Epigenetic "clocks" measure biological age, which predicts earlier or later onset of the leading causes of death. Childhood trauma and poverty increase biological aging.

Autism

We Already Know What Causes Autism

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on April 17, 2025 in Raising Resilient Children

Autism’s causes are well-established. An increase in cases is due to a shifting definition rather than a surge in incidence.

Autism’s causes are well-established. An increase in cases is due to a shifting definition rather than a surge in incidence.

Health

This Is Why You Need to Drink More Coffee

Gary Wenk Ph.D. on April 16, 2025 in Your Brain on Food

Coffee consumption offers several health benefits that can extend the health span and promote longevity.

Coffee consumption offers several health benefits that can extend the health span and promote longevity.

Career

The Key to Becoming More Authentic at Work

Patricia Grabarek, Ph.D., and Katina Sawyer, Ph.D. on April 16, 2025 in Leading for Wellness

Are you authentic at work, or do you wear a mask? Why authenticity is important at work and what you can do to be more genuine with your coworkers.

Are you authentic at work, or do you wear a mask? Why authenticity is important at work and what you can do to be more genuine with your coworkers.

Education

Small Tools Have a Big Impact on Spotting Misinformation

Matthew Facciani, Ph.D. on April 15, 2025 in Misguided

Think media literacy takes hours of training? Studies of these quick tools show that even small interventions can make a big difference.

Think media literacy takes hours of training? Studies of these quick tools show that even small interventions can make a big difference.

Health

Can Water Lower the Odds of Anxiety and Depression?

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on April 15, 2025 in Play Your Way Sane

Feeling crummy? It might be annoying advice, but drinking water can be just as good for your mental health as your physical health.

Feeling crummy? It might be annoying advice, but drinking water can be just as good for your mental health as your physical health.

Leadership

Tyrants vs. Saints: The Power That Changes Everything

Jordan Grumet M.D. on April 15, 2025 in The Regret-Free Life

What separates tyrants from saints? It’s all about how power is used. Applying power inward can change your life—and the world—forever.

What separates tyrants from saints? It’s all about how power is used. Applying power inward can change your life—and the world—forever.

Guilt

What Guilt Is Really Trying to Tell You

David Prucha LPC on April 14, 2025 in The Psychology of Workplace Violence

What if guilt isn’t just a burden, but a hidden form of hope? Discover how facing your guilt can lead to rest, clarity, and strength for what comes next.

What if guilt isn’t just a burden, but a hidden form of hope? Discover how facing your guilt can lead to rest, clarity, and strength for what comes next.

Memory

Why Struggling (the Right Way) Helps You Learn

T. Alexander Puutio Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in Curiosity Code

If learning feels easy, you’re probably not learning much. Here's why the brain thrives on challenge and how making things harder can help you retain them better.

If learning feels easy, you’re probably not learning much. Here's why the brain thrives on challenge and how making things harder can help you retain them better.

Gender

Why ChatGPT Thinks Professors Are Men—and So Do Our Kids

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in The Baby Scientist

Why AI reflects our own gender biases and what science says about how early those biases develop.

Why AI reflects our own gender biases and what science says about how early those biases develop.

Parenting

Talking Honestly With Kids (and Yourself) in Tough Times

Lindsey Godwin Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in Possibilitizing

When the world feels uncertain, how do we talk honestly with kids, co-workers, or ourselves without spiraling? Try these four grounded ways to lead with truth—without losing hope.

When the world feels uncertain, how do we talk honestly with kids, co-workers, or ourselves without spiraling? Try these four grounded ways to lead with truth—without losing hope.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Isn’t the Problem, We Are

Faisal Hoque on April 13, 2025 in Code & Conscience

When algorithms discriminate or polarize, they’re not malfunctioning—they’re mirroring the world we’ve built. AI exposes personal bias and inconsistency.

When algorithms discriminate or polarize, they’re not malfunctioning—they’re mirroring the world we’ve built. AI exposes personal bias and inconsistency.

Growth Mindset

Turn Regret Into Purpose Before It’s Too Late

Jordan Grumet M.D. on April 12, 2025 in The Regret-Free Life

What if your deepest regret could become the spark that transforms your life? Turn disappointment into purpose—before it’s too late.

What if your deepest regret could become the spark that transforms your life? Turn disappointment into purpose—before it’s too late.

Parenting

In Defense of Punishments

Daniela Owen Ph.D. on April 11, 2025 in Be Amazing!

Research gives parents the green light to use logical negative consequences to help reduce misbehavior and improve parent-child interactions, despite what social media posts say.

Research gives parents the green light to use logical negative consequences to help reduce misbehavior and improve parent-child interactions, despite what social media posts say.

Forest Bathing

The Forest as Physician and Therapist

Daniel Fryer M.Sc., MBSCH on April 11, 2025 in Keeping an Even Keel

Twenty minutes spent meditating in a forest could be the best thing for your physical and mental health.

Twenty minutes spent meditating in a forest could be the best thing for your physical and mental health.

Motivation

The Case for Ambition

Jeff DeGraff Ph.D. on April 10, 2025 in Innovation You

We’ve come to see ambition as a flaw, but what if it’s the key to becoming our best selves?

We’ve come to see ambition as a flaw, but what if it’s the key to becoming our best selves?

Psychiatry

Is Rural Living Better for Mental Health?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on April 10, 2025 in A Short History of Mental Health

Does being a rural mouse give you a better chance of having good mental health than being a city mouse?

Does being a rural mouse give you a better chance of having good mental health than being a city mouse?