In The White Album, Joan Didion writes, “The question of self-pity was moot. I had decided to live without it.”

It’s the kind of stripped-bare wisdom that feels hauntingly appropriate when we talk about the LA fires.

These aren’t just natural disasters; they’re existential assaults on the myths we tell ourselves about control, safety, and permanence.

They don’t just burn the land—they burn through our illusions, leaving us to sift through the ashes of a scorched reality.

Maria von Franz, the Jungian analyst who danced with archetypes as gracefully as any pioneer waltzing into uncharted territory, had plenty to say about the American psyche.

She recognized its bold ambition, its restless energy, and its tendency to declare victory long before the work is done.

But, like any good therapist, she wasn’t afraid to point out where things had gone a little… off track.

Let’s dive into her take on the American character, sprinkle in some thoughts on cultural narcissism, and maybe throw in a wink or two at our collective foibles.

The bond between dogs and their owners has long been celebrated, and new research has uncovered yet another layer to this profound relationship.

A study published in Scientific Reports has found that dogs’ heart rate variability adapts to their owners’ during interactions, revealing a physiological connection that mirrors the emotional bond shared by the two.

This discovery sheds light on how deeply intertwined the lives of humans and their canine companions are, offering evidence that emotional states can be shared not only through behavior but also at a physiological level.

Our relationships are shaped not only by our individual histories but also by the culture we inhabit.

In an age of likes, shares, and follows, the pervasive need for external validation—what therapists call other-validated intimacy—extends far beyond personal relationships into the very fabric of our cultural identity.

To understand how this dynamic influences modern love, we need to explore the interplay between differentiation, other-validated intimacy, and Cultural Narcissism.

Love. The eternal human quest for connection, meaning, and someone to argue with over what’s for dinner.

While love styles and personality quirks can make romance feel like a comedy of errors, new research reveals just how much our “dark side” might shape our relationship status—and whether love has the power to smooth those rough edges.

Published in Heliyon, the study explores the interplay between the so-called “Dark Triad” personality traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—and love styles, offering a fresh look at why some people are happily coupled while others thrive solo.

It also begs the question: can love, especially from women, civilize even the most rogue among us?

Childhood is the foundation of our lives, shaping not only who we are but also our long-term health and well-being.

For children who experience neglect, these foundational years can be a battleground of unmet needs and vulnerabilities.

However, recent research provides a hopeful counterpoint: the presence of a protective adult and socioeconomic stability can dramatically alter this trajectory, mitigating the profound effects of childhood neglect.

As family and couples therapists, we often witness how early experiences reverberate through adult lives. Understanding the interplay between neglect, resilience, and healing offers a roadmap for fostering healthier relationships and communities.

Let’s discuss humanity’s oldest pissing match; that perennial, age-old showdown: science versus religion.

Is it an epic battle where the Big Bang subordinates Genesis, or are they just two awkward neighbors who secretly enjoy borrowing sugar from each other?

A recent study published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality decided to dive into this intellectual soap opera.

What they found was fascinating, with a side of irony: religious folks often think science and religion play nice together, while hardcore science enthusiasts are convinced they’re sworn enemies.

Let’s break it down, because it’s more complex than a Sunday sermon on quantum physics.

While holiday songs like "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" and "White Christmas" evoke deep yearnings for home, they often leave one critical question unanswered: What about those who have no true home to return to?

For the unattached, the transient, or the emotionally estranged, the holidays may magnify a profound sense of placelessness.

If home is the heart of the holidays, what happens to those who exist without an anchor in the world?

The recent discovery of dopamine and serotonin’s opposing roles in shaping learning and decision-making, revealed by Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, is a breakthrough that goes beyond neuroscience.

It speaks to the heart of our collective struggles in relationships, families, and even society at large.

Against the backdrop of Cultural Narcissism—a phenomenon marked by excessive self-focus, impulsivity, and instant gratification—this research offers a profound lens to explore how neurobiology influences our relational and societal dynamics.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges, often leaving us grappling with complex emotions that can threaten our mental well-being.

However, recent research suggests that connecting with nature and experiencing the emotion of awe can play a transformative role in mitigating the mental health impacts of complicated grief.

This insight connects deeply with notions of transcendence—a sense of being part of something larger than oneself—and aligns with the reflections of Christian mystics who saw nature as a pathway to divine communion.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health delves into these connections, showing how nature’s ability to inspire awe may offer a lifeline for those navigating the labyrinth of loss.

As we reel in the years and our horizon narrows, life offers us an invitation to reconcile its sweetness and its sorrows.

This perspective, often called the bittersweet mindset, is not just poetic; it’s deeply rooted in psychological and physiological research.

Embracing life’s dualities can lead to greater emotional well-being, cognitive flexibility, and even a longer lifespan. Let’s explore what science says about the bittersweet mindset, especially in the context of growing older.

David Whyte writes:

The need for intimacy in a human life and in a human social life is as foundational as our daily hunger and our never-ending thirst, and needs to be met in just the same practical way, every day, just as necessarily and just as frequently: in touch, in conversation, in listening and in seeing, in the back and forth of ideas; intimate exchanges that say I am here and you are here and that by touching our bodies, our minds or our shared work in the world, we make a world together… Intimacy is our evolutionary inheritance, the internal force that has us returning to another and to the world from our insulated aloneness again and again, no matter our difficulties and no matter our wounds.