Make It Contributors

Stop being ‘too nice’ at work, says psychologist—this is what successful people do to be more genuine, trustworthy
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Stop being ‘too nice’ at work, says psychologist—this is what successful people do to be more genuine, trustworthy

Social discomfort is so universal that social psychologists like me have made careers out of studying it. We can find it almost anywhere, like in salary negotiations or small talk conversations that have one too many awkward pauses. Almost everyone will at some point find themselves in an interaction that makes them feel uncomfortable. And […]

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I became an AI prompt engineer after a layoff from Meta: Now I’m ‘on the cutting edge of the newest tech obsession’
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I became an AI prompt engineer after a layoff from Meta: Now I’m ‘on the cutting edge of the newest tech obsession’

I didn’t know it at the time, but getting laid off from Meta was about to be my springboard to a new career — one at the cutting edge of the newest tech obsession. I frequently get asked how I pivoted into AI prompt engineering, particularly when it was so new. At the time, most […]

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This is a ‘powerful predictor of long-term success,’ says expert—and parents who do 5 things give kids an edge
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This is a ‘powerful predictor of long-term success,’ says expert—and parents who do 5 things give kids an edge

When we think of raising a reader, we often picture a child snuggled in bed, bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight, listening to a parent read a story aloud. That scene is magical. But after more than 10 years of studying how kids become readers and interviewing literacy and child development experts, I’ve learned […]

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I’ve been a psychologist for 20 years—parents who raise emotionally savvy kids do these 4 things
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I’ve been a psychologist for 20 years—parents who raise emotionally savvy kids do these 4 things

When it comes to protecting your child’s mental health, emotional resilience is key. Not only do resilient kids bounce back from disappointment, but they’re also less likely to become depressed, anxious, or self-critical.  As a psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience, I’ve seen how kids with emotional grit often have one thing in common: […]

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I’ve studied over 200 kids—parents who have the closest relationships with their adult kids do 7 things early on
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I’ve studied over 200 kids—parents who have the closest relationships with their adult kids do 7 things early on

Every parent hopes their child will grow up and still want a close relationship with them. But close bonds don’t happen by accident — they are built through small, everyday interactions that make a child feel safe, seen and valued. As a conscious parenting researcher and coach, I’ve studied over 200 families. I’ve found that the way […]

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I’m a psychologist who studies couples—5 ‘hard truths’ about marriage most people learn too late in life
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I’m a psychologist who studies couples—5 ‘hard truths’ about marriage most people learn too late in life

Marriage is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys in life. While we often enter it with high expectations, the reality is that marriage is a lifelong learning process. As a psychologist who studies couples every day, I’ve worked with many people who only come to understand the toughest marriage lessons after they’ve experienced […]

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‘We are facing an epidemic of demoralization,’ says happiness expert—here’s how to fight that feeling
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‘We are facing an epidemic of demoralization,’ says happiness expert—here’s how to fight that feeling

“I’m overwhelmed.”  “I’m just one person. There’s nothing I can do.” “I want to give up.” As a happiness researcher who’s spent a decade studying the science of well-being, I’ve received hundreds of messages like these. I see the same feeling expressed, over and over again — but never with a name attached to it. […]

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I’ve studied over 200 kids. The 5 signs you’ve raised a ‘highly spoiled’ child—and how parents can undo it
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I’ve studied over 200 kids. The 5 signs you’ve raised a ‘highly spoiled’ child—and how parents can undo it

When we picture spoiled kids, many of us think of tantrums over not getting what they want, being told to follow rules or simply facing any sort of inconvenience. But spoiled behavior isn’t just about entitlement or parents giving in — it’s about unmet emotional needs, inconsistent boundaries and a lack of connection.  As a conscious […]

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People who are truly content with life do these 10 little things every day: Ivy League-trained happiness expert
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People who are truly content with life do these 10 little things every day: Ivy League-trained happiness expert

When life gets complicated, our instincts often lead us down the wrong path. We isolate ourselves when community could heal us, or we dream of endless free time when a new challenge could fulfill us. I’ve spent 15 years studying happiness, and I’ve had the opportunity to speak with thousands of people across all walks […]

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I’m a psychologist who studies couples—the ones who can answer these 5 questions have happier relationships than most
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I’m a psychologist who studies couples—the ones who can answer these 5 questions have happier relationships than most

Most couples think they know each other well, but real intimacy is a lot more than just being able to name your partner’s favorite food or TV shows. As a psychologist, I’ve found that people in the happiest, most successful relationships see in their partner what others can’t or would normally overlook. If you can […]

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