The Golden Spoon

Send us Fan Mail In 2025, statistics show that a historically high number of U.S. adults are experiencing depression, with over 18% reporting having it or being treated for it. Mental health crises are also significant, affecting nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults, with young adults (18–29) reporting the highest prevalence. A notable 21% of children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotiona...

Send us Fan Mail Social media has significant negative effects on youth, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, often due to cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic body images, and comparison to curated online lives. It can also lead to poor sleep habits, addiction, and a decline in physical activity due to overuse, which often involves spending more than three hour...

Send us Fan Mail The "broken windows" theory suggests that minor signs of disorder, like a broken window, can lead to more serious crime, and its application to law enforcement has been linked to police misconduct. This happens because aggressively policing minor offenses, such as fare-dodging or jaywalking, can lead to stops and arrests of innocent people, potentially causing more harm...

Send us Fan Mail You should cherish Thanksgiving because it provides a dedicated time to focus on gratitude, strengthen relationships with loved ones, and cultivate mental well-being through a focus on the positive aspects of life. It's an opportunity to pause from the daily grind to appreciate blessings, both big and small, which can lead to greater peace and happiness. Benefits of cherishin...

Send us Fan Mail Halloween started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead blurred on the night of October 31st, allowing spirits to roam the earth. They lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off evil spirits. Over time, this evolved with the influence o...

Send us Fan Mail Engaging in hobbies is strongly associated with better health, happiness, and life satisfaction, particularly for older adults. The benefits included fewer depressive symptoms and higher self-reported health, and the effects were universal across different countries. While correlation does not prove causation, the findings suggest hobbies provide creative, emotional, and cognitive...

Send us Fan Mail Kind words are important because they can heal, build strong relationships, and empower others, while also demonstrating your own positive personality and values. They can provide emotional support during difficult times, encourage persistence, and create a sense of connection and hope.  For the receive Provides emotional support: Kind words can be a "ballast in hard times&qu...

Send us Fan Mail Behaviorism is a school of psychology emphasizing that environmental factors shape all observable behavior, which is learned through conditioning, rather than internal mental states. It focuses on principles like classical conditioning (associating stimuli) and operant conditioning (learning from consequences through reinforcement and punishment). Key figures include John B. Watso...

Send us Fan Mail Worry stones don't have a single origin but evolved from folk practices in ancient cultures, including Greece, Tibet, Ireland, and Native American tribes, who used smooth, naturally eroded stones to soothe anxiety and provide comfort through repetitive rubbing motions. While these early stones were often found in nature, the concept expanded over time to include intentionally...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is full of fun and bright inspiration please welcome our special Guest Nick Tyler. Nick is a Board Member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Alabama Chapter and Co-Founder of Warrior River Coffee Company. Since 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has grown from a grassroots network of researchers and volunteers into a national m...

Send us Fan Mail Human decency refers to the fundamental personal qualities of kindness, honesty, good manners, and respect for others, particularly in treating everyone with dignity and empathy regardless of their background. It encompasses actions like listening, offering help, respecting personal space and choices, and behaving with integrity to foster positive relationships and a humane societ...

Send us Fan Mail Going back to therapy is a courageous and normal part of the self-care journey, signaling strength and self-awareness rather than failure. You should return if you're experiencing old symptoms, a new significant life event, or just want to check in with yourself. To prepare, identify your goals, decide whether to see a previous therapist or find a new one, and prepare talking...

Send us Fan Mail Elements of life as a game: Rules: The laws of the universe and social norms serve as the game's rules.  Challenges/Levels: Obstacles and difficulties are seen as challenges or levels to overcome and "level up".  Goals: Personal goals and aspirations can be viewed as objectives to strive for.  Successes/Failures: Achievements are seen as rewards, while failures are...

Send us Fan Mail To cope with financial stress, create a realistic budget and financial plan to gain control over your finances, build an emergency fund for unexpected events, and prioritize paying off debt. Address the emotional impact of stress through self-care, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques like meditation. For more complex situations, seek support...

Send us Fan Mail As humans, we are wired to move toward pleasure and avoid pain. We do this in many ways, including through five main types of avoidance. Avoidance is a part of life. There are times when you avoid people, places, or things because you know already know how the situation will turn out (and it's not good) We feel afraid of certain things (like inadequacy, looking bad, imperfect...

Send us Fan Mail Grief within yourself, also known as self-grief, is the process of mourning changes or losses within yourself, particularly after a significant trauma or loss that alters your identity or sense of self. It's a natural and necessary part of healing, allowing you to acknowledge and integrate these changes rather than suppressing them.  Why is Self-Grief Important? Authenticity:...

Send us Fan Mail There’s a theory that says that because humans were once heavily dependent on one another for survival, our brains are wired to sense fear when we’re at risk of being “on the outs” with society. Centuries ago, it was a literal threat to be ostracized from the tribe.  Being banished from the group meant we’d be on our own and vulnerable to attack by predators, and less successful a...

Send us Fan Mail Starting a new school in 6th grade, which is typically the first year of middle school, can be a big transition for a child. It's important to be prepared for the emotional and practical aspects of this change.  Address Emotional Concerns: Acknowledge anxiety: It's normal for children to feel anxious about starting a new school. Validate their feelings and offer support....

Send us Fan Mail Here's a breakdown of what a follow-through plan entails: 1. Goal Setting and Planning: Define clear and achievable goals: Ensure goals are realistic and well-defined to avoid discouragement and facilitate progress tracking Break down goals into smaller, manageable steps: This makes the overall objective less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment with each completed...

Send us Fan Mail Guessing in relationships, also known as mind-reading or expecting your partner to know your thoughts, can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. It's crucial to communicate directly and openly to build a healthy, fulfilling connection.  Why Guessing is Problematic: Unrealistic Expectations: Assuming your partner should automatically understand your needs and feelings withou...

Send us Fan Mail A role model is someone who is worthy of imitation — like your beloved teacher or a well-behaved celebrity. Just as a model is something that represents an inspirational ideal, a role model is someone who inspires others to imitate his or her good behavior. Good role models typically exhibit the following personality traits or qualities: self-awareness, positivity, humility, empat...

Send us Fan Mail The phrase "to love is to will the good of the other" is a quote attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas. It means that love, at its core, involves a desire and intention to act for the benefit of another person, rather than for one's own self-interest. This concept emphasizes a selfless and active form of love, where one actively seeks the well-being of the loved one.  He...

Send us Fan Mail couragement are that it can instill confidence, improve attitudes, promote action, boost mood and esteem, and provide hope and healing. Encouragement strengthens individuals, allowing them to persevere, see their abilities differently, and ultimately, change their perceptions and actions.  Here's a more detailed look at the five powers of encouragement: 1. Instills Confidence...

Send us Fan Mail Future tripping," also known as anticipatory anxiety, refers to the psychological phenomenon of excessive worrying and anxiety about potential future events. It involves overthinking and trying to control the future, often leading to heightened stress and distress. Instead of focusing on the present, individuals engaging in future tripping tend to project themselves into the...

Send us Fan Mail Dating confidence involves believing in your value as a person and feeling comfortable in your own skin while dating. It's about approaching dating with a positive attitude and a willingness to take risks, rather than focusing on perceived flaws or the expectations of others. Ultimately, confidence is about recognizing your worth and being able to express yourself authentical...