Ideas on Mental Health & Meaning

Reconciliation Without Losing Yourself

I saw a social media post recently, I think was in a therapist's forum or page, that suggested a statistically significant amount of therapists are recommending to their clients to severe ties with family members they assess to be "toxic".  I'm not sure I agree with...

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The Gift of Being Known

I've been thinking about these ideas a lot the past few weeks.  I've been writing about them pretty intensely for an upcoming book. This weekend, I got to live them. Be warned - this is a bit of a long one, because it means a lot to me for a variety of reasons right...

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What If You Aren’t “Broken” – Just Disoriented?

People often arrive in therapy saying some version of: “Nothing is terribly wrong. I just don’t know what I’m doing anymore.” They assume the problem is motivation. Or gratitude. Or discipline. Sometimes they worry they are depressed, selfish, or failing at a life...

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Your Best Days Probably Won’t Be Planned

I've always been a planner. I like calendars, schedules, itineraries, and knowing what's coming next. There is something reassuring about having a plan and checking things off the list. It gives me a sense of direction and purpose. But the older I get, the more I've...

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Sometimes the Helper Needs Help

Last week, I shared the story of a cycling accident that left me bruised, battered, and far more injured than I initially realized. If you'd like to read the full story (including the less-than-glamorous details), you can find it on my Substack. ...

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Just Because You Can Do Hard Things Doesn’t Mean You Have To

"I can do hard things." It's a phrase that has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. For many people, it has served as a reminder that they are stronger than they realize. It encourages resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to face...

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The Meaning of Being a Good Dad

Yesterday, Father's Day, I spent much of the day driving home from the airport with my wife after a beautiful few days in the mountains with good friends and new acquaintances. That seems to happen a lot. Darn near every year, I find myself spending Father's Day...

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Remembering Dr. Eleonore (“Elly”) Frankl

This past week, the Logotherapy community marked the passing of Dr. Eleonore "Elly" Frankl, the beloved wife of Viktor Frankl and a devoted steward of his legacy. She died in Vienna on June 10, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. Many people know Viktor Frankl through...

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What is “The Key” to Today’s Mental Health Crisis?

Last week, I got to ask my good friend, best-selling author, attorney, and life-coach, Mike Martone this important question: "What is the answer to our modern mental health crisis?" For HIS answer, you will have to check out The Meaning Project Podcast - available on...

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Meaning & Purpose: What’s the Difference?

One of the most common questions I hear is: "How do I find my purpose?" It's an important question. But before we can answer it, we need to understand something equally important: purpose and meaning are not the same thing. We often use the words interchangeably, yet...

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The Meaning of Memorial Day – 2026

Memorial Day invites us into a different kind of pause. Not simply a long weekend. Not merely the unofficial start of summer. But a moment of remembrance — honoring those who gave their lives in service to something larger than themselves. From the perspective of...

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The “Malaise of Our Times”

A few weeks ago, I was on The Vitality Journey podcast with Dave Rodriquez.  We discussed (from the episode description) "The opposite of depression is not happiness. According to psychologist Dr. Dan Franz, it is connection. In this segment from The Vitality Journey...

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