Kevin Kruse

Lucius Annaeus Seneca's friend Lucilius was spiraling over a danger that hadn't arrived, and might never arrive.

Yale psychiatrist James Kimmel's research shows your brain treats revenge like a drug, and why forgiveness is the antidote.

New research from Wake Forest University reveals a harmful human instinct: we trust "bullshitters" – those indifferent to truth – more than outright liars, even when both spread false information. Psychologists found that identical false statements were deemed more believable when attributed to someone unconcerned with accuracy, a gap that widened with repetition. Crucially, while revealing a source as a liar reduced belief in their claims, exposing someone as merely truth-indifferent had no such effect. This "motive trap" is a social awareness malfunction, where we prioritize perceived intent over factual accuracy. Experts advise separating these questions: first, assess maliciousness, then critically evaluate the truthfulness of the statement itself, rather than letting one judgment substitute for the other.

Novelist Kurt Vonnegut highlighted our tendency to prematurely label events as good or bad, stating, "We don't really know what the good news is and what the bad news is." This concept, known as "temporal distancing" in psychology, encourages us to zoom out in time and scope before assigning labels. Research supports that this practice reduces negative emotions and fosters a more positive outlook by revealing the impermanence of immediate "disasters." Emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness, is crucial for applying temporal distancing. The "Zoom-Out Reframe" strategy involves recognizing immediate judgments, considering how events might unfold over years, and then seeking new opportunities with an open mind. This approach helps manage reactions and navigate life's uncertainties more effectively.

Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a pain psychologist, explains that pain is constructed by the brain, not simply registered. She illustrates this with two construction workers: one in agony from a perceived injury with no actual damage, and another working for days unaware of a four-inch nail near his brain. Zoffness states the brain acts as a "danger detector," manufacturing pain based on context, emotion, and memory, often independent of tissue damage. This biopsychosocial model emphasizes pain is never purely physical. She identifies a "pain voice," a negative self-talk, which can be managed through emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness. Zoffness recommends using "detective questions," such as "Is this thought a fact?", to challenge catastrophic pain narratives. Ultimately, controlling self-talk can significantly alter one's pain experience.

If you had to bet on one skill for the next decade, what would it be? Vibe coding? Data literacy? Prompt engineering?

Great clinicians get promoted into leadership without training, and hospitals pay for it in burnout and drift.getty

Silent film star Mary Pickford's quote, "All the negativity in the world cannot sink a person unless it gets inside the mind," written during her career struggles, underscores the importance of internal control. This wisdom aligns with emotional intelligence, particularly self-management, which focuses on regulating one's emotions. The article advocates building a strong "internal hull" through core values, rather than relying on willpower to combat negativity. Research confirms that affirming personal values significantly reduces stress and rumination, even proactively. A practical strategy involves writing down core values and rereading them when experiencing negative emotions to reframe perspective. Pickford's own resilience, transitioning from actress to successful producer, exemplifies this principle. The message is clear: fortify your mind by reinforcing your values.

Public health leaders face constant, unpredictable crises, making emotional intelligence (EI) a critical, foundational skill, not a "soft extra." Latoya Sahadeo, Director of Leadership Development Programs at ASTHO, highlights that EI must be cultivated before crises emerge. ASTHO's DELPH program addresses this by developing "middle leaders" through a 10-month curriculum. This program integrates EI, self-awareness, and empathy into practical leadership topics like resilience and conflict navigation. DELPH ensures learning sticks via coaching, mentorship, peer accountability, and real-time feedback, making it responsive to leaders' evolving needs. The core message is to build EI early, provide continuous support, and keep development programs relevant to real-world pressures.

RUESSELSHEIM, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Children play video games on smartphones while attending a public event on September 22, 2012 in Ruesselsheim, Germany.