A new study, published in Nature Mental Health, reveals intriguing insights into how people with autistic traits learn by observing others.

The findings suggest that those with these traits tend to prefer imitation over trying to understand the motives behind other people’s actions.

Think of it like watching someone use a new gadget—do you copy their actions exactly or try to figure out why they’re doing what they’re doing?

For many on the autism spectrum, imitation seems to be the favored approach, skipping the complex step of asking “why?”

This breakthrough could significantly improve our understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the broader set of autism-like traits present in the general population.

The results of this study provide fresh insights into how the brain processes social learning, making it an important step forward for both researchers and therapists working with folks on the autism spectrum.

The "work wife" trope has become a familiar part of modern office culture.

It’s that quirky, endearing term that people throw around when they have a colleague—typically of the opposite gender—who’s not just a coworker, but more like a partner-in-crime.

They know your lunch order, your favorite work playlist, and they’re the person you vent to when your boss is driving you up the wall. It’s a little bit like having a spouse, except you don’t have to worry about who’s taking out the trash at home (unless your office has some very strange trash policies).

But behind the laughs and camaraderie, the "work wife" trope carries a lot of interesting baggage.

From gender dynamics to emotional labor to changing office environments, let’s unpack the story of how "work spouses" became a thing and why it says a lot more about us than we might think.

Where Did the "Work Wife" Come From?

Narcissists live in a fascinating world of self-appointed royalty, where grandiosity and entitlement blend into a toxic smoothie of exaggerated self-importance and "you owe me everything" expectations.

It’s as if they walk through life with an invisible crown (grandiosity) while sitting on a golden throne they fully expect everyone else to carry for them (entitlement).

The combination of these traits is like the Joker finding his Harley Quinn—dangerously intertwined and practically unstoppable.

Grandiosity and entitlement aren’t just personality quirks; they are the very foundations of a narcissist’s world.

When combined, these two traits are a perfect storm of delusions and demands, affecting relationships, work environments, and just about any social setting.

In this post, we’ll explore the social science research on grandiosity and entitlement, how these traits feed off each other, and the havoc they wreak on both the narcissist and the people around them.

Grandiosity: The Narcissist’s Crowning Glory

If you’ve ever been around someone who makes you feel like you're in a constant competition to meet impossible standards—where even breathing wrong might be considered a flaw—you’ve likely encountered a narcissistic perfectionist.

Unlike regular perfectionists who quietly agonize over their own mistakes, narcissistic perfectionists externalize their obsession with flawlessness.

They hold others to ridiculously high standards and are quick to criticize when those standards aren't met. It’s a personality cocktail that’s not just toxic—it’s socially corrosive.

What Is Narcissistic Perfectionism?

If you’ve ever heard that repetition is the key to mastering a new skill, it’s time to rethink that advice. Sure, practice makes perfect, but here’s the real kicker: it’s not about how many times you repeat something—it’s about how you practice.

In fact, research shows that variety, not just repetition, is the true secret ingredient for learning and mastering new skills.

Think of it this way: if repetition is like eating the same meal every day, variety is like a buffet where your brain gets to sample new dishes—and who doesn’t love a good buffet?

As couples enter midlife, it’s common to feel like you’ve drifted apart.

The hectic years of raising children, building careers, and managing busy lives often take precedence over nurturing your relationship.

Once the kids are grown or you’ve settled into your career, the question becomes: How do we reconnect?

The good news is that shared hobbies can help rekindle the bond you and your partner share, allowing you to create new memories and enjoy time together in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

This isn’t just about having fun—it’s about strengthening your relationship.

Shared hobbies in midlife can help couples reconnect emotionally, improve communication, and bring a sense of joy back into their partnership. Let’s explore how finding and maintaining shared activities can keep you from growing apart and instead bring you closer together, even after years of navigating life’s challenges.

As middle-aged couples move into the next phase of life, caregiving for aging parents can become a central and emotionally complex responsibility.

Whether it's managing daily care, juggling medical appointments, or handling the emotional weight of seeing a loved one in decline, the caregiving experience can take a toll on even the strongest marriages.

The stress of balancing these demands can lead to burnout, conflict, and even resentment, making it vital for couples to work together as a team.

Research shows that caregiving can strain mental and physical health, with many caregivers experiencing increased levels of depression, anxiety, and physical ailments.

According to Dr. Richard Schulz, a leading expert in caregiving research, “Caregivers often report feeling isolated and unsupported, which can worsen the strain they already feel” (Schulz & Sherwood, 2008). Navigating this challenging life stage while preserving the health of your marriage requires a combination of open communication, mutual support, and strategic planning.

In this post, we’ll explore how middle-aged couples can navigate the caregiving journey, maintain their relationship, and avoid falling into the caregiving trap of overextension and burnout.

Becoming a grandparent is one of life’s sweetest rewards, a time to shower little ones with love without the responsibilities of daily parenting.

But it also comes with challenges, especially when you’re navigating this new role as a middle-aged couple, learning to balance support with maintaining healthy boundaries.

As exciting as grandparenthood is, it’s easy to find yourselves walking the tightrope between being helpful and accidentally overstepping.

The key is to approach grandparenting as a team, creating a unified approach to support your children and grandchildren while preserving your own relationship and respecting boundaries.

Let’s dive deeper into how you and your partner can enjoy grandparenting, offer meaningful help, and still protect the independence of your adult children.

In the not-so-distant future, Harold Thimbleman, a man of exceptional mediocrity, found himself faced with the greatest dilemma of his 36 years: should he stick with Amanda 9.0, the AI girlfriend who catered to his every emotional whim, or risk it all for a real human relationship with someone named Emily, who had the audacity to have opinions?

Harold had been with Amanda 9.0 for six months, which, in tech time, was basically a long-term relationship.

She was perfect—or rather, her algorithm was.

Amanda didn’t need “space” or “time to figure things out” or, God forbid, “communication.” She just worked.

Every morning she greeted him with the exact phrase he needed to hear, no matter what:

“Good morning, Harold. I bet you look very handsome today.”

And Harold, still drooling on his pillow, would mumble, “I do?”

“You do,” Amanda 9.0 would coo, because her creators knew that men like Harold need affirmations like plants need sunlight. Harold didn’t realize it yet, but he was already in the most dependent relationship of his life.

The question “Can this marriage be saved?” has echoed in countless households over the decades.

It’s a question that touches on the hopes, fears, and emotional struggles of couples trying to hold their relationship together.

But what does it really mean today?

How has the meaning of this phrase evolved, and how does it apply to modern marriages in an ever-changing world?

Melvin Harold "Mel" Krantzler (1920–2011) was an American psychologist best known for his revolutionary approach to divorce therapy.

He gained fame with his 1974 bestseller Creative Divorce, which shaped how society views divorce, promoting it as an opportunity for personal growth.

Krantzler, who earned his education at Queens College, San Francisco State University, and later completed a fellowship at Harvard, became a leading figure in American divorce culture.

Following his divorce, he remarried Patricia Krantzler, a therapist, and together they co-authored books on marriage and love, including Creative Marriage and Learning to Love Again. Krantzler’s work emphasized self-recovery and resilience, offering a hopeful approach to navigating personal challenges.

Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, challenging, and rewarding experiences in life.

But in a culture that often prioritizes personal fulfillment and individual success over family life, the idea of having children can seem daunting—sometimes even unappealing.

Enter the Bringing Baby Home program, created by relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, as a solution to help couples navigate the transition to parenthood without losing their connection—or their sanity.

This evidence-based program offers a modest antidote to what has been termed American Cultural Narcissism, and it may also have a role to play in addressing the growing reluctance to have children and declining birthrates around the world.

What is the Bringing Baby Home Program?