Written by Dr. O. Esther Aluko, Career & Personal Development Coach She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitions with ease, and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods. Leadership is often measured by outcomes, performance, targets, delivery, and growth. But outcomes are never the starting point. They are the result of something deeper and less visible, the daily ripples a leader creates through their energy, decisions, and habits. The Ripple Effect Advantage reminds us of a simple but uncomfortable truth: Leaders do not just manage work, they shape environments. And environments shape behaviour. Whether you realise it or not, your leadership style is rippling through your team every single day. Leadership psychology teaches us that people are more influenced by behaviour than instruction. Teams pay closer attention to what leaders do than what they announce. Tone, consistency, emotional regulation, and decision-making patterns all send powerful signals. When a leader is calm under pressure, the team learns stability. When a leader is reactive, the team learns fear or defensiveness. When a leader avoids difficult conversations, the team learns avoidance. When a leader is clear and consistent, the team learns trust. This is why two leaders can operate within the same organisation, with the same resources, yet achieve completely different outcomes. The difference lies in the ripples they create. Every leadership action creates either a constructive ripple or a destructive one. There is no neutral. A constructive ripple builds confidence, ownership, accountability, and psychological safety. A destructive ripple creates hesitation, disengagement, and quiet resistance. Often, ruin is not caused by dramatic failure. It is caused by repeated small misalignments: inconsistent expectations unclear communication emotional reactions instead of considered responses delayed feedback broken promises, even small ones Over time, these behaviours compound into disengagement. Productivity drops. Initiative disappears. Trust erodes quietly. The leader may believe the team is underperforming, but the team is often responding logically to the environment they are operating in. In one organisation I worked with, the leader was highly capable and deeply committed to the mission. However, expectations changed frequently. Priorities shifted without explanation. What was praised one week was questioned the next. The team did not lack skill or motivation. What they lacked was certainty. The ripple effect was subtle but damaging. Team members stopped taking initiative. They waited for instructions instead of contributing ideas. Performance slowed, not because people were lazy, but because they were unsure what “right” looked like. Once consistency was restored through clear priorities, regular check-ins, and aligned messaging, performance improved without any change in staffing. The ripple shifted, and so did the culture. In another leadership environment, pressure was high, and deadlines were tight. The leader had every reason to be stressed. But instead of allowing that stress to spill into interactions, they chose composure. When mistakes occurred, the response was measured. Conversations were direct but respectful. Accountability was upheld without humiliation. The ripple effect was remarkable. Team members felt safe to admit errors early. Problems were addressed before they escalated. Trust deepened. The team became resilient, not because pressure disappeared, but because leadership provided stability. This is leadership psychology in action. People mirror the emotional tone set at the top. Many leaders underestimate the role of energy. Energy is not about personality, it is about presence. Your energy answers unspoken questions your team is constantly asking: Is it safe to speak up here? Is effort recognised? Will I be supported if I try? Is leadership predictable? Your body language, tone of voice, responsiveness, and availability all communicate answers often louder than policies or values statements. When leaders are intentional about their energy, teams perform better. When leaders are careless with it, teams protect themselves by disengaging. Positive leadership ripples do not happen by accident. They are designed. Intentional leaders are aware of their influence and use it consciously. They ask themselves: What am I reinforcing through my behaviour? What patterns am I creating? What am I tolerating that is shaping culture? They understand that culture is not built through slogans but through repetition. Small, intentional actions, when repeated, become leadership identity. Tool 1: The power of 1-2-1s Regular one-to-one meetings are one of the most effective ripple tools available to leaders. Not because they are formal, but because they create rhythm and reliability. Effective 1-2-1s: give people space to be heard surface issues early reinforce expectations build trust over time When done consistently, they send a clear message, you matter, and your work matters. The ripple effect is increased engagement, accountability, and loyalty. Tool 2: Feedback loops that build, not break Feedback is not just about correction, it is about direction. Leaders who avoid feedback create confusion. Leaders who deliver feedback poorly create fear. Healthy feedback loops are: timely specific balanced consistent They focus on behaviour, not identity. They clarify expectations rather than shame mistakes. When feedback becomes part of the culture, performance improves naturally. People do not fear feedback, they rely on it. Tool 3: Culture-setting routines Culture is reinforced through routine. What you repeat, you reward. What you ignore, you endorse. Culture-setting routines might include: weekly team check-ins recognition moments clear meeting structures shared decision-making processes transparent communication channels These routines may seem small, but over time, they create stability. Stability enables performance. The Ripple Effect Advantage reframes leadership as ripple management. Your role is not to control people but to shape conditions where people can perform at their best. This requires awareness, consistency, and humility. It requires leaders to look inward before looking outward. When leaders take responsibility for their ripples, teams respond with trust. When trust is present, results follow. Ask yourself: What emotional tone do I set for my team? What behaviours am I reinforcing through repetition? What small habit, if changed, would shift team morale? What ripple am I creating without realising it? Leadership is not defined by one moment. It is defined by patterns. And patterns are built one ripple at a time. If this article is making you reflect on your leadership patterns, it’s because leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. In You Are Not One Type of a Leader , I break down how leaders carry different strengths, pressures, and leadership expressions and how awareness of what you carry changes how you lead others. This work isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about understanding yourself. Available with a practical workbook for leaders who want to lead intentionally. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. O. Esther Aluko Dr. O. Esther Aluko, Career & Personal Development Coach She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitions with ease, and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods. Her speaking engagements span the United Kingdom, Belgium, West Africa, and Ireland with corporate organizations and higher education institutions.

Written by Renee Vee, Speaker, Author, and Mindset & Communication Specialist Renee Vee, CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, published author, speaker, monthly article contributor in FORCE Magazine, co-founder of the Rich Thinking Conference, cast member of the Legacy Makers TV Series, and host of the Mrs.Understood podcast. We’ve all walked into a room and felt the tension before a word was spoken. Most people absorb that energy without realizing it. This article invites you to stop reacting to the room and start setting the tone, showing how small shifts in awareness and self-regulation can transform your presence, impact, and leadership. Taking the room’s temperature You know the feeling. You walk into a room and instantly feel it. Tension, stress, chaos, low energy. Before a word is spoken, your body reacts. Your shoulders tighten. Your mood shifts. And without realizing it, you’ve matched the room.   Most people live this way. They absorb energy. They react to it. They let the environment decide how they show up. But here’s a question for you. What if, instead of taking the room’s temperature, you set it?   The thermometer trap Most people live like thermometers without even realizing it. They walk into a room and immediately mirror what’s around them. Stress? They tense up. Pessimism? They adopt it. Tension in the air? They match it. It’s automatic, almost invisible, but over time, it chips away at your clarity, your confidence, and your power.   Here’s the thing: being a thermometer feels safe. It’s predictable. You avoid conflict, stay under the radar, and get through the day without rocking the boat. But safe isn’t always effective. Reactive energy keeps you stuck at the mercy of other people’s moods, opinions, and chaos. You’re constantly adjusting, accommodating, and trying to fit in with whatever the room throws at you. This is exhausting.   Think about it like this: the thermometer has no say. It doesn’t lead, it doesn’t influence, it just reports. If the environment is tense, you’re tense. If the energy is flat, you’re flat. You’re living in survival mode, waiting to see how things go before deciding how to feel. And the danger? Over time, you start to internalize that energy. You start believing it’s real, that it’s yours to own, when really, it’s just the room.   Here’s a practical example: imagine you’re walking into a meeting after a stressful morning. The team is frustrated, voices are tight, and the vibe is heavy. The thermometer instinct kicks in—you mirror the energy. Your tone tightens, your body reacts, and suddenly, you’re part of the tension. Nothing gets solved. The stress compounds. Everyone leaves drained.   Thermometers are reactive. They wait for permission from the environment to feel calm, confident, or clear. And that’s a trap because your mindset, energy, and decisions are at the mercy of circumstances outside your control.   The good news? Recognizing the trap is the first step to stepping out of it. You can decide to stop reflecting the room. You can choose to set the tone instead of absorbing it. You can be steady, grounded, and influential without needing anyone else to change. That’s how you move from being a thermometer to being a thermostat.   How to Stop Absorbing the Stress and Negativity of Others   The thermostat mindset Thermostats don’t react, they lead. They don’t wait to see how the room is feeling, they decide the energy themselves. They don’t ask for permission to be calm, clear, or confident, they embody it.   Being a thermostat isn’t about pretending everything is fine or forcing positivity. It’s not about controlling anyone else’s emotions. It’s about taking ownership of your own energy before the day even tries to hijack it. When you regulate yourself first, everything else adjusts. The room, the conversation, even the way people show up changes without you saying a word.   Think about it like this: a thermostat sets the temperature, and the environment responds. Same principle for your energy. You walk into a tense meeting and pause. You breathe. You center yourself. You speak with intention, move with clarity, and approach solutions, not problems. The room notices, even if silently. People follow your lead because you’ve modeled the energy first.   Thermostats are proactive, not reactive. They make the first move mentally, emotionally, and physically. They choose calm before the chaos. They choose clarity before confusion. And they don’t need a title or authority to influence the space, as they lead from presence alone.   Thermostats aren’t perfect. They don’t always maintain their energy. But they catch themselves faster. They reset quicker. They consistently practice the art of showing up in a steady way, even when the world around them is unsteady. That’s power. That’s influence. That’s leadership.   Now picture it in real life: a mom juggling chaos on a hectic morning. A business owner walking into a meeting after a tough quarter. A teacher entering a room full of stressed students. The thermometer version of each would mirror the chaos. The thermostat version? Pauses, centers, leads. Same situation, same challenges, completely different outcome.   Being a thermostat isn’t about controlling the world, it’s about controlling your world. And in that control lives confidence, resilience, and influence.   10 habits of people who light up every room they walk into   Choose your energy, every time Being a thermostat doesn’t happen by accident, it’s a skill you build, one choice at a time. It starts with deciding who you’ll be before you step into any room, protecting your energy from what isn’t yours to carry, and pausing long enough to respond instead of react. It continues with influencing the space through your presence rather than trying to control everyone else, resetting quickly when you slip into reactivity, and guarding your peace like it’s your most valuable asset (because it is). Here are practical, everyday actions that give you control over your energy, your impact, and ultimately, your life. Each step is an opportunity to stop being pulled by the room and start leading it.   Steps to guide thermostat energy 1. Decide who you are before the day decides for you Thermostats don’t wait for conditions to change. They set the temperature first. Before you open your email. Before you walk into the meeting. Before you step into the room. Ask yourself: How do I want to show up today? Calm. Clear. Grounded. Focused. That decision alone puts you ahead of most people.   2. Stop absorbing energy that isn’t yours Not every emotion in the room is yours to carry. When tension rises, pause and ask: Is this mine to hold, or am I picking it up out of habit? You can care without carrying. You can be present without being pulled under.   3. Regulate first. Respond second Thermometers react. Thermostats regulate. Regulation looks like: pausing before you speak, slowing your breath, lowering your shoulders, and choosing your tone intentionally. This is confidence in action. It’s not loud, just steady.   4. Lead energy without needing control Being a thermostat doesn’t mean fixing everyone or forcing positivity. It means grounding yourself so others can settle around you. Calm is contagious. Clarity spreads. A presence can shift the energy in rooms faster than words ever could.   5. Practice the reset Even thermostats recalibrate. You will have moments when you slip into reaction. That doesn’t disqualify you, it gives you another chance to practice Reset quickly and choose again. That’s how emotional strength is built.   6. Protect your peace like a non-negotiable Thermostats don’t adjust to every fluctuation. They hold their setting. That means sticking to boundaries with your time, having awareness of your thoughts, and giving yourself permission to step back when needed. Peace isn’t passive. It’s strategic. Be a thermostat in a world of thermometers The world doesn’t need more people reacting to the chaos around them. It needs people who choose their energy first, who pause, reset, and lead with intention. Being a thermostat isn’t about perfection, it’s about practice. Every time you catch yourself reacting, every time you pause instead of absorbing, every time you protect your peace, you strengthen your influence. You don’t need a title to lead a room. You don’t need permission to set the tone. Decide your energy. Own it. And watch everything else adjust! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Renee Vee Renee Vee, Speaker, Author, and Mindset & Communication Specialist Renee Vee, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist, speaker, author, and leader in mindset and communication. She empowers individuals and organizations to communicate with confidence and purpose. Known for her engaging presence and practical insights, Renee partners with families and business leaders to create environments where confidence, connection, and clarity are cultivated.

Craig Cooke is a successful Conscious Entrepreneur, Award-winning and bestselling author, Business Mentor, Speaker, and Doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine. His diverse background exemplifies a journey of success. He founded a digital marketing agency in 1996 with $1,300 and a computer, and grew it into a five-time Inc. 5000 company, winning Best Places to Work and Top Places to Work four years in a row. He successfully sold the company in 2019 to a strategic buyer and now serves as a Business Mentor, incorporating energetic practices from his experience of medical Qigong. Through his work that combines mindset, mastery, and energetics, Craig mentors CEOs and Founders to accelerate business growth and personal success. Craig Cooke, Mentor, Author, Speaker & Conscious Entrepreneur Who is Dr. Craig Cooke? This is a question that all of us get asked at some point, but I would like to offer a unique response. I could respond by utilizing several labels, such as “I’m a CEO, Mentor, Doctor,” etc., but I prefer to answer this question at a much deeper soul level. I am a unique, divine expression of the creator experienced as joy. That’s who I really am. What inspired you to blend ancient Eastern energy practices with modern business strategy? It really began with my studies in Chinese Kung Fu when I was a teenager. When I started my company at the age of twenty-five, I applied principles I learned from martial arts to building and operating my business. That is the core concept of my book, “Business Kung Fu.” The energetic practices came into play when I started focusing on medical Qigong. This came about in 2014 when I met a medical Qigong practitioner who helped me get back to being centered and balanced during a time of high emotional and mental stress. I started training under this master in 2015, and the practice had a profound impact on me. It enabled me to achieve higher levels of performance and success, which inspired me to blend these practices into the professional world. How does your work in Chinese Energetic Medicine help business leaders reduce stress and perform better? Business leaders are under extreme stress from the daily demands of responsibilities and obligations of the relationships and situations they manage. These include employees, clients, vendors, investors, and family. On any given day, life can surprise us with unexpected, unpleasant surprises that knock us out of balance. Usually, the emotions we experience from these events can be highly charged, and it is these emotions that spin us out and knock us off our center. So, the question is, how fast can one get back to center and maintain balance? This is what my work does for business leaders. Energy medicine helps regulate the nervous system. It alleviates stress and helps to remain calm and focused. When we operate from a centered place of calm and focus, we can navigate challenges more effectively. We can have clarity of mind and make better decisions. We can lead others from a place of calm confidence, inspiring teams to problem solve and execute efficiently and effectively. Operating in this manner leads to higher levels of performance. I know this as a fact, for I experienced it myself. What is Qigong, and how can someone new to it benefit personally and professionally? Qigong is an ancient practice that originated in China thousands of years ago. It literally means “life force energy skill.” There are three traditional branches of Qigong: martial, medical, and spiritual. I am experienced in all three. There are numerous benefits both personally and professionally. From a personal standpoint, Qigong provides a multitude of health and wellness benefits. Some of which include reduced anxiety and overall stress, improved circulation, better balance, healing of bodily functions and systems, especially among chronic conditions, and more. From a professional standpoint, beyond what I have already mentioned, it really helps one operate at a higher level and function amidst the chaos of the professional world. It helps you evolve to a better person, which enables you to have more positive and productive interactions with others. Eventually, this leads to better results in all your endeavors. How do your workshops and classes help clients transform their energy and mindset? I teach numerous Qigong exercises and meditations that work with our energetic anatomy. Just like we have a physical anatomy, we have an energetic anatomy. Qigong enables us to heal, transform and optimize our energetic anatomy, which then impacts our physical body and our spirit – our heart and mind coherence. Qigong exercises and meditations integrate the mind, body, and breath in specific patterns and protocols for a desired outcome. This ultimately leads to a transformative shift in mindset as a whole new world is opened up to the practitioner. Can you explain how your book Business Kung Fu connects ancient wisdom to modern leadership success? I have a great example from chapter one in my book. I provide a success framework titled “The Five Elements of Success.” It is based on the Chinese Five Element Theory, which provides an ancient view on how energetic phases operate and constitute our entire reality. The five elements from this model include fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These elements operate in cycles and have relationships with each other that are dependent on a conditional state of balance, excess, or deficiency. Based on my practice of Chinese Kung Fu and Qigong, I developed a solid understanding of this perspective, and it inspired me to create the Five Elements of Success. I fuse this ancient wisdom with my modern experience as an entrepreneur, which was comprised of many failures on my journey towards success. I also based it on my observations of other entrepreneurs and business leaders as I witnessed their journey. The Five Elements of Success I identify are Passion, Discipline, Expertise, Confidence, and Faith. It’s a model that resonates with practically everyone I introduce it to. What common challenges do your clients face before working with you, and how do you help them overcome those obstacles? Every client is unique and has their own set of challenges. Some are full of anxiety. Others are held back by fear. Many have excessive worry. These are emotional disturbances that can be alleviated. My doctoral thesis provides examples of how these conditions can be addressed through Qigong. Readers can read the PDF or listen to a summary podcast here . My energetic practices help clients overcome these types of challenges. Some clients have needs solely on their business. This is where I provide advisory and consulting services. Typical challenges include organizational culture, strategic planning, digital experiences, operational efficiencies, and leadership development. I take a collaborative approach to problem-solving. I utilize empathy through active listening and questioning, guiding my clients through problem-solving and overcoming business challenges. How does your approach differ from traditional coaching or consulting services? There are many excellent consultants, coaches, and advisers in the marketplace. However, I do have an extremely unique approach through my incorporation of energetics. I also base my operating system on three pillars: mindset, mastery, and energetics. It is through these three pillars that I guide clients along their journey, balancing the Five Elements of Success to accelerate business growth and personal fulfillment. What results can someone expect after engaging with your one-on-one mentorship or programs? Typical results lead to a new perspective, a shift in mindset, and a more positive outlook on life. A balanced sense of being that is ready to navigate challenges and overcome. These are the personal results that are more qualitative in nature. On the business side, it provides improvements in operational effectiveness and efficiency, which positively impact the bottom line. What is the most powerful transformation you’ve seen in a client’s life or business? I have received incredible feedback from clients. Many talk of transformation, but one example that stands out is from a tech entrepreneur. He essentially stated that I changed his life. He has undergone a profound transformation, removing blockages and being able to control and lead with his energy. This has translated into becoming a better leader and developing the strongest organizational culture he has ever had. You can watch his testimonial here . What advice would you give to someone who’s curious about energy medicine but isn’t sure where to start? My first recommendation is to try it out. In fact, readers can visit my website here and download a free Qigong exercise that helps cleanse the three bodies (physical, energy, and spirit bodies) and even reduce anxiety. If it resonates, then I recommend taking a deeper dive by signing up for one of my programs or workshops when available. However, if there is a little hesitation to jump in, I also offer a self-directed mini-course and workshop, “A Taste of Qigong” and “The Dao of Qi.” These allow for personal, private practice anytime, anywhere. But once you step into the water, get ready to swim, as it’s an amazing journey of transformation that opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Book a free , fifteen-minute consultation meeting to inquire about mentorship from Dr. Craig Cooke. Get a free Qigong exercise here . Download the first chapter of Business Kung Fu here . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my   LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Craig Cooke

Written by Tamara Makar, Holistic High Performance Coach Mind and muscle aligned. Pro bodybuilder Tamara Makar guides athletes and high achievers to their best. Holistic wellness for ultimate performance. Discover your edge. Level up your mind and body. What if your afternoon crash, your racing thoughts, and your constant stress had a single, simple switch? A switch you flip thousands of times a day, probably without even noticing? For leaders and high performers, stress is often the default operating system. It holds your body’s fight or flight mode in the “on” position. Your breathing shows it. It is fast, shallow, and stuck high in your chest. This is when many people unconsciously start breathing through their mouths. Have you ever caught yourself with your jaw slightly slack, your mouth open just a little while staring at a screen? Maybe you are reading a tense email or scrolling through a packed schedule. Even more common, do you hold your breath while you concentrate? We all do it. Then, when you finally remember to breathe, you are gasping for air. That is your body showing you it is running on stress. Mouth breathing seems easier. It offers a quick path for air. But this habit has significant downsides. It can lock your nervous system into a stress cycle. The air enters your lungs directly. It is unfiltered, cold, and dry. This bypasses your body’s natural preparation system. Your nose is a sophisticated biological tool. Breathing through it changes everything. Nasal breathing creates gentle resistance. This strengthens your main breathing muscle, the diaphragm. A strong diaphragm supports your core and improves posture naturally. Your nose filters air with its tiny hairs. It warms and humidifies that air for your lungs. Most importantly, your sinuses produce nitric oxide. Nasal breathing carries this gas to your lungs. Nitric oxide is vital. It opens your blood vessels in a process called vasodilation. This dramatically improves how much oxygen your blood can carry and deliver. You fuel your brain and muscles more efficiently. Nasal breathing also helps your body manage carbon dioxide better. Your cells need the right balance of carbon dioxide to release oxygen from your blood. This process makes oxygen delivery to your brain and muscles more effective. You will notice better hydration, less irritation, and cleaner air reaching your lungs. You are giving your body what it needs to perform and recover well. Choosing to breathe through your nose is a powerful first step. It is how you set the stage. The real change begins when you pair this with a slower, more deliberate rhythm. This combined signal, nose breathing and paced breathing, is what actively tells your nervous system to shift gears. It guides your body from a state of high alert to one of focus and repair. Your heart rate can drop. Your mind can be cleared. This is about optimizing a basic function. You do it over twenty thousand times a day. Ready to build a foundation of calm and sustained energy? My Online Functional Breathwork for the Modern Human program is designed for busy professionals. We focus on practical techniques to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve sleep. Learn more and secure your spot here. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tamara Makar Tamara Makar, Holistic High Performance Coach Imagine a world where sculpted strength meets serene inner peace. Meet Tamara, a professional bodybuilder and holistic performance coach, who doesn't just build bodies but also forges minds. Tamara empowers athletes, entrepreneurs, and driven individuals to shatter limitations, weaving together the raw power of strength training with the subtle art of mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork in order to find their balance, sharpen their focus, and achieve sustainable success. Curious how she unlocks peak performance from the inside out? Dive into Tamara's journey and discover the transformative secrets for yourself.

Written by Catherine Starr, Life Coach, Speaker, and Tarot Reader Catherine Starr is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Tarot Reader, bringing transformative experiences to individuals seeking to design and manifest lives that ignite passion and fulfill purpose. Her ritual-theatre piece, Oracles from the Living Tarot, brings Tarot cards to life, providing community and personal insights. Her commitment to mentoring and guiding others is a cornerstone of her work. Discover how you can read Tarot cards for yourself. Since I started reading the cards in the 1980s, I’ve heard so many people say that you cannot read for yourself. However, I have been doing daily tarot readings for myself for over thirty years, and I’ve found that not only can I find inspiration and guidance, but I also connect more easily with my intuition. When I started posting my daily tarot readings on social media, other people told me they also resonated with my insights. How to begin with Tarot I will guide you in discovering how tarot cards might give you daily insight and open a closer connection with your intuition. From closing a deck, to learning about each card, to finally trusting your intuition to guide you, I will walk you through the ways I created my daily practice of reading tarot cards for myself. Choosing a Tarot deck If you already have a favorite deck, great! You are ready to start. For many tarot aficionados, however, one deck is never enough! Here are some things I look for when deciding to buy a deck. First, though, let me dispel this myth, there is no “rule” that says your first, or your hundredth deck, has to be gifted to you. If I had waited for that, I might never have started my own personal tarot journey! Receiving a tarot deck as a gift is wonderful, but if you see something you like, give yourself this gift. Many people will advise that your first deck should be a Rider-Waite-Smith (R-W-S) deck, and I would agree that this deck is a great starting point. It will come with a small booklet that gives you simple instructions and meanings for the cards. In fact, most decks come with a book to help you start. I choose decks based on a few things. The artwork, how I align with a few specific cards, and finally, do the cards speak to me? First, I have to like the artwork. If the pictures distract me from getting to know and understand the card, that is not a good deck for me. Next, I will look at some specific cards that I like and some cards that can be a challenge for me. The cards that I need a strong connection to are the Star, High Priestess, Queen of Wands, and Queen of Swords. If I love the depiction on these cards, I will probably purchase the deck. I will also look at the Judgement and Tower cards for confirmation that these two cards align with my understanding of their deeper meanings. If I do not resonate with these two cards, then it does not matter how beautiful the Star card is, I probably will not get that deck. Choosing a tarot deck can become its own personal journey of discovery. That is probably why, like many tarot readers, I have several decks to choose from, even though I have my favorite ones for my personal readings. Getting to know your deck in three steps I use this three-step process to learn each card in the deck, starting with the Major Arcana. I follow these steps: 1. Getting familiar with your deck I study and reflect on each card, getting familiar with the imagery of the card and gaining a sense of what it may have to say to me. Every aspect can be meaningful, from colors to types of clothing and even the background scene. One deck that I have, The Path of the Old Ones, includes plants on each card, which have attributes associated with the meaning of the card. Every nuance can bring deeper insight. As I build a rapport with each card, I start tapping into my own intuition and develop a sense of what this card says to me. 2. Reading the deck’s book Next, I read how the deck’s creator describes each card in the accompanying book. Many of these books will lean heavily on the meanings used for the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This is one reason this deck is so important. Once you understand these basic meanings, you will have a good foundation for most tarot decks. The differences in the descriptions between your new deck and the R-W-S may be subtle, but could add more depth to your understanding of the specific card you are learning. If your deck is very different from the R-W-S deck, reading the book will be essential to understanding what the deck’s creator had in mind when they developed the deck. 3. Start to read from intuition Lastly, I put the book away and started to read from my intuition. One of my mentors told his students to throw away the book. I don’t completely follow that advice, but I rarely use the book once I feel I understand this deck, both through the mind of the deck’s creator and my intuition. I trust that ultimately my intuition will “listen” to what the cards have to say to me, and this will guide my understanding of what each card has to say. How I started my daily practice I really don’t remember how long ago it was when I first started doing my own daily tarot reading. It may have been when I started to learn the meanings of my first deck, The Mythic Tarot. When I bought this deck, I knew nothing about tarot. I liked the artwork, and it came with a big book. The bonus was the ease of learning the Minor Arcana because each suit told a Greek myth through the cards. Cups tells the love story between Eros and Psyche. Wands tells the adventure of Jason and the Argonauts. Swords captures the essence of Orestes and his curse. Finally, Pentacles is about Daedalus building the labyrinth for King Minos of Crete. The stories surrounding all the cards in this deck gave me a deep understanding of the cards and easy ways to remember their meanings. To assist in my learning, I started pulling one card a day. This was the basis for what is now my daily practice. Stillness and meditative practice To prepare for doing a reading, I start by taking a few deep, slow breaths and relaxing my body. I ground myself by placing my feet solidly on the floor and ensuring my back is fully supported. I clear my mind so I can tap into my intuition. I ask a simple question, for example, “What do I need to know for today?” Then, I shuffle or mix the cards and pull either one card or three, depending on the reading I want to do. One-card readings A one-card reading is an easy way to learn a deck. For a personal reading, it can provide a focus for the day, inspiration, or guidance. For instance, if I draw the Moon, I might check the calendar to see what phase the Moon is in, whether it’s waxing, full, waning, or dark. That can provide me with insight into how to work with the energy of the Moon during the day. If I pull the Fool, I may ask myself, "Is there something I can begin today, or am I embarking on a journey?" If you are in a calm and relaxed state, your intuition will start to guide you to discover why this card is so important to you on this day. I usually write what comes to me. The next morning, I review my notes to see if there was any correlation, including anything that may have come through my dreams. By reviewing your readings, you start to build more confidence in your interpretations as you notice correlations between your readings and events in your daily life. Expanding to three-card readings As I learned more about the cards, I started using three cards for my daily readings. When using multiple cards, it is good to identify how each card relates to the question that is asked. Here are two examples of three-card readings. Past, present, future Using Past, Present, Future as card placement identification is one of the easiest three-card spreads. The first card connects to past energy, the second card anchors the energy to the present, and the third card indicates what changes you will experience if you use the information from the first two cards to guide you at some point during the day. This works really well when making a decision or being prepared for something unexpected to happen. Situation, challenge, advice Another example of a three-card spread is to identify the first card as the situation, the second as the challenge you may face, and the third as advice on how to proceed during the situation. With this one, you really need to look at how the cards connect and how they are different. For me, I start by trying to understand what the common thread is among these cards. From there, I weave a story with these cards. There are a number of combinations you can create for identifying the cards in a three-card spread. You can decide what makes sense to you and how you want to identify the card placements to best answer your question. Learning to weave a story The key to why a three-card spread can be so powerful is that you can start to weave a story with these cards to give you a bigger picture of the message they are providing. I rarely give specific identification to the card placement anymore. After asking my first question and pulling three cards, I ask another, “How are these cards speaking to each other, and what is the message for me?” Here is an example of what I did for a recent reading. Using my favorite deck, which has some differences from traditional decks, I drew these cards: Nine of Staves (Wands), Tramp (Fool), and Six of Blades (Swords). Here is my interpretation, “There are times when we are frozen with fear, when the obstacle or barrier is too much to face. Sometimes, if we just take a breath, we might notice we have the help to cross this challenge. Get a clear vision of where you want to go and start reaching for your dream. And don’t worry if your dream runs against what others tell you. This is your dream, your sacred quest. There is a special sense of freedom when you finally decide to walk your own path.”[1] Learning to see how the three cards relate to each other can be a challenge some days, but if you have built a relationship with your cards and trust your intuition, this provides a powerful tool to help guide you and others. Using my daily tarot reading practice I find my meditative practice of doing a daily tarot reading is very important to me because it gives me inspiration and guidance for the day. When I start my day by connecting with my intuition, I find it easier to stay connected throughout the day. Over three years ago, I started posting my daily readings online so that I could keep track and see how I was connecting with the other events outside myself. What started happening was that other people resonated with my readings in their own lives. My readings occasionally reflect astrology readings. I keep saying that I am only reading for myself, but it is gratifying to know that others find value in what I do, and I am able to connect to the collective consciousness. I hope this inspires you to try a daily meditation practice to read your tarot cards. Follow me on Instagram , where I post my daily readings. If you start your own practice, you can compare your readings to mine! If you want to go deeper into the cards, join my Skool community, Oracles from the Living Tarot , for weekly chats and discussions about the cards. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Catherine Starr, Catherine Starr, Life Coach, Speaker,  and  Tarot Reader Catherine Starr is a life coach, spiritual leader, hypnotist, speaker, tarot reader, and creatrix of Oracles from the Living Tarot. She has been developing transformative experiences for over three decades. Catherine is the creative force behind the ritual-theatre play, “Oracles from the Living Tarot,” a groundbreaking production that has captivated audiences worldwide since its inception in 1998. This immersive experience is still performed annually around the world, including nine countries, and online during COVID. This production brings Tarot cards to life to give a reading for a community. Those who have embodied a card describe interesting personal experiences and transformation, while audience members have received insight and inspiration from their interaction with the Living Tarot cards. She has served in several interfaith organizations and is a Global Trustee for the United Religions Initiative. References: [1] The Ced Deck, January 8, 2026

Written by Katrina Fox, Founder & CEO Katrina Fox is a 28-year-old founder and owner of RFRM. Studios, the inclusive Reformer Pilates brand she launched in 2023. From her roots in the Midlands, she’s now expanded to Covent Garden, creating welcoming spaces where 'every' body belongs, challenging the exclusive vibe of Reformer and making it more welcoming than ever. Before anyone sharpens their pitchforks, let’s not be dramatic. Instagram is vital in this day and age. Social media has opened doors, built brands, filled classes, and created opportunities I’m genuinely grateful for, especially for me and my studios with RFRM.® It has allowed Pilates to reach audiences it never would have before, and that’s something worth celebrating. However, now that the Reformer Pilates industry is wildly oversaturated, there are a few social-media-driven trends that really get on my wick, and, in my opinion, are actively damaging the industry we love. Reformer challenges are officially out of control Before this sounds like a fun police announcement, let me be clear - I’m all for having fun on social media. I make silly reels myself. We literally went viral messing around trying to do “reformer” on a Rock® suitcase. The difference? We weren’t unsafe, and we weren’t claiming it was Reformer Pilates. It was clearly a joke, just having fun, being playful, and not blurring the lines of what the practice actually is. Of course, the Pilates police still put their two pence in, but that’s the world we live in now. Social media trends can be an incredible way to gain traction and capitalise on reach. When used well, they’re clever, creative, and genuinely inspiring. But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the plot. Balancing a reformer box on your head, holding 10kg dumbbells, attempting a Bulgarian split squat on top of a reformer with every spring-loaded on isn’t Pilates. It’s content creation disguised as chaos. I’ve had clients send me reels of trending flows asking if we can try them in class, and honestly, I’ve been flabbergasted at some of the things people are attempting on reformer machines. These machines were designed for precision, control, and safety, not circus tricks for views. Granted, Joseph Pilates created the practice a long time ago, and I love how much variety exists today. We’re fortunate to have modernised equipment, evolving education, and the freedom to explore and develop the practice. I don’t know everything about Pilates (and I’d be very concerned if anyone claimed they did), but there are principles and foundations that have existed since the beginning for a reason. Innovation should expand on those foundations, not abandon them entirely for the sake of virality. Safety should never be sacrificed for views. Studio reviews without understanding or accreditation A lot of fitness influencers have started studio review series, and when they’re done well, they can be a brilliant way to introduce studios to new audiences. Exposure like that can genuinely change a small business overnight. For transparency, I work with a PR team (Glazed PR) and actively invite influencers/brands into our studios, so this isn’t me being anti‑influencer. What I do have an issue with is how some of these reviews are being approached. Here’s where it starts to get messy: Rating studios out of 10 numerical scores are incredibly reductive and can be genuinely damaging. Pilates studios aren’t hotels on TripAdvisor. Critiquing instructors’ flows, spring choices, or programming without any Pilates training or understanding of the method. Labelling a studio as “overpriced” without any understanding of the costs involved in running a reformer studio. One example of content done right is Phoebe Parke @pheobeparkepilates. Phoebe set herself the challenge of trying every Pilates class in London and shares thoughtful, respectful, and honest reviews. What I love about her content is that she genuinely fell in love with the practice, built a career from it, and has now gone through training to become an instructor herself. She doesn’t claim to be an expert. She doesn’t hand out arbitrary scores. She highlights the intention, effort, and individuality behind each studio, and that really matters. Yes, if a studio is genuinely unsafe or poorly run, a constructive review is absolutely valid. But slamming a studio because it didn’t have Byredo hand lotion in the bathrooms? That feels like a step too far. Reformer Pilates is a luxury, and it’s priced that way for a reason. Instructors have invested a small fortune into their training and continued education. Studio owners have invested an even bigger fortune into machines, space, rent, insurance, and creating an environment that feels considered, safe, and special. Labelling something as overpriced without understanding what it actually costs to deliver that one 50‑minute session you attended isn’t just naïve, it can be hurtful to the very people guiding you through your class. PS, they probably did have Byredo at the start. It was probably stolen. The unrealistic pressure on instructors If you’re not a fitness instructor, let me say this on behalf of all of us: it’s bloody hard work. Showing up to teach when you’ve had a terrible day, are dealing with personal stress, or simply aren’t feeling 100% is tough. And yes, you might think, “But it’s your job.” True, but no one is publicly reviewing your performance in the office on a random Thursday after you had a dreadful argument with your partner or too many spicy margs on a random Wednesday evening, now are they? Instructors spend hours building thoughtful flows, ensuring progressions and regressions for every exercise, injury, and pregnancy modifications, balanced muscle targeting, seamless spring changes, effective stretching, and adherence to Pilates principles. All while: Commanding a room Making sure everyone is listening Keeping clients safe And ensuring no one falls off a moving machine Sounds easy, right? My point is simple: be kind. Instructors are doing their best. We are humans too. You never know how much impact your words are going to have. You could have just taken that instructor's very first public reformer class, left a terrible review, and meant that they gave up on teaching, a fun fact that’s actually happened before. If you’re not sweating, you didn’t work hard enough? Wrong Possibly my biggest social-media-related bugbear is the idea that if you’re not dripping in sweat, the workout “doesn’t count.” Let’s clear something up: Reformer Pilates is not cardio. Yes, some studios run HIIT-based reformer classes, and Lagree is a different method entirely, faster-paced, higher intensity, and designed with a different goal in mind. But traditional Reformer Pilates was created to be low-impact on joints with high results. It’s about controlled strength, stability, mobility, and building resilience, especially around injuries. It targets smaller stabilising muscles, improves posture, and enhances movement quality. Longevity of our training, our fitness, and our body is surely the ultimate goal, right? Sweat is not the benchmark of effectiveness. Control is. Final thoughts Instagram isn’t the villain, misuse is. Social media has done incredible things for the Pilates industry, but as studio owners, instructors, influencers, and clients, we all share a responsibility to protect the integrity of the practice. It’s also worth remembering the human side of all of this. Running a Pilates studio in an oversaturated market comes with immense pressure: financial, emotional, and physical. Behind every class timetable, every reel, every carefully curated space is someone doing their absolute best to deliver quality, consistency, and care. Instructors are showing up day after day. Owners are juggling rising costs, competition, staff wellbeing, and client expectations. No one is getting it perfect, and that’s absolutely okay. So, as clients, viewers, and commenters, a little kindness goes a long way. Thoughtful feedback is valuable. Respect is essential. Not every experience needs to be dissected, rated, or torn apart online. Pilates doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. Studios don’t need to be flawless to be worthy. Instructors don’t need to be perfect to be respected. We’re all just trying to do our best in an incredibly crowded industry, and honestly, it’s really not that deep. At RFRM.®, I’ve built communities around Reformer where clients feel supported, included, and part of a family, without judgement or pressure. I never imagined I’d have to fight for our staff and studios to be met with the same respect we work so hard to give. Let’s prioritise education over ego, safety over virality, and kindness over clicks. Because Pilates deserves better than being reduced to a trend. Follow me on Instagram for more info! Read more from Katrina Fox Katrina Fox, Founder & CEO Katrina Fox has transformed RFRM. Studios into more than just a Pilates brand, she's built a vibrant community where movement meets mental well-being. By dismantling the cliquey barriers often associated with Reformer Pilates, Katrina has created a space where everyone feels welcome and supported. Her studios aren't just places to take a class. They are sanctuaries for building confidence, fostering connections, and embracing personal growth. Through her unwavering commitment, Katrina has cultivated a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, proving that when we support each other, the sky's the limit.

Written by David Bovis, Founder of Duxinaroe Ltd . David Bovis is a leadership strategist and founder of Duxinaroe, specialising in the neuroscience of decision-making, behaviour, and performance. Creator of the BTFA (Believe-Think-Feel-Act) framework, he works with senior leaders to address the neurological root causes of misalignment, disengagement, and failed change. The last few years have been framed as a turning point for productivity. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics are widely described as the long-awaited cure for stagnating performance. Boards are told that smarter systems will finally unlock efficiency, insight, and growth at scale. And yet, the uncomfortable truth is this: productivity stalled long before AI arrived. Across the UK, long-term data from the Office for National Statistics and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research show that productivity growth began slowing decades ago, well before the digital acceleration of recent years. A similar picture appears across other advanced economies. Despite successive waves of technology, output per hour has never returned to the post-war trajectory leaders often assume to be the natural state of progress. At the same time, Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace continues to report that close to four-fifths of employees worldwide are not engaged in their work. Misalignment, disengagement, and resistance to change have become enduring features of organisational life, not temporary side effects of disruption. The paradox is hard to ignore. We have never invested more in systems, data, and control, yet performance improvement has flattened, and human energy has declined. AI did not cause this problem. It simply arrived into it. The repeating promise of technology This is not the first time leaders have been told that a technological leap would resolve deep-seated performance challenges. Over the past four decades, organisations have moved from MRP to MRPII, ERP, RPA, machine learning, and now AI. Each wave arrived with the same promise: better information, tighter control, improved coordination, higher productivity. Each wave delivered genuine benefits, but none reversed the underlying trend. The issue is not technology itself. The issue is the assumption that sits beneath it. Most leadership and management systems have been built on the belief that performance improves when processes are optimised and variability is reduced. People, within this logic, are expected to comply, execute, and adapt to the system. When output falls short, the response is usually more structure, more measurement, or more automation. What is rarely questioned is how those systems are experienced by the people expected to perform within them. Where leadership models quietly fall short Modern leadership education is strong on strategy, governance, targets, and incentives. It is far weaker on how human beings actually think, feel, and decide under pressure. Leaders are trained to manage outputs, but not to understand how belief, perceived threat, or psychological load shape judgement and behaviour. The human brain is treated as a rational processing unit, rather than a biological system constantly balancing performance with survival. This gap matters because performance does not emerge from systems alone. It emerges from brains interacting with systems, goals, and each other. When environments are experienced as controlling, punitive, or misaligned, the brain shifts into protection mode. Attention narrows, learning slows, and problem-solving gives way to risk avoidance. Compliance may increase, but adaptability declines. Seen through this lens, disengagement is not a motivation problem. It is a neurological response to context. Evidence in practice: Different assumptions, different outcomes The contrast between Toyota and Volkswagen is most visible when comparing production units per employee, a standard operational measure of how effectively human capability and production systems interact: Toyota produces roughly 10.8 million vehicles with approximately 384,000 employees, while Volkswagen’s global group output of about 9 million vehicles comes from around 680,000 employees, highlighting a significant difference in vehicles per capita performance. Reuters Both organisations operate in the same global market, face similar regulatory pressures, and use advanced manufacturing technologies. Yet their approaches to people and problem-solving differ markedly. Toyota’s system assumes that performance depends on developing people who can think, identify problems, and improve work at the point of activity. Standardisation exists, but it is designed to support learning, not replace it. Technology acts as an enabler of human judgement. By contrast, more system-centric models rely heavily on control through process enforcement and centralised decision-making. As fewer people are trained to think and solve problems locally, more systems are required to compensate. The organisation becomes increasingly dependent on technology to manage complexity that the human system has not been allowed to absorb. The result is not simply a cultural difference, but a neurological one. One environment reinforces agency, competence, and safety. The other unintentionally amplifies stress, dependency, and disengagement. Psychological safety, without the biology This is not an argument leaders have not encountered before. Over the past decade, Google’s Project Aristotle highlighted the importance of psychological safety in team performance. The concept was later popularised by Amy Edmondson and has since become a common feature of leadership conversations. The intention was right. Teams perform better when people feel safe to speak up, challenge, and learn. The limitation has been in how this idea is understood. Psychological safety is often discussed in subjective or behavioural terms, without grounding it in how the brain actually responds to perceived threat or support. As a result, it is treated as a cultural aspiration rather than a biological requirement. Without that neurological understanding, leaders struggle to see how everyday decisions, targets, incentives, and systems either reinforce safety or undermine it. The language sounds progressive, but the operating conditions remain unchanged. Longitudinal research into incivility, micro-management, and chronic stress has shown that the effects extend far beyond the workplace, influencing health, relationships, and even outcomes at home. These are not soft issues. They are indicators of how deeply organisational environments shape human functioning. The missing layer: How performance really emerges What most organisations are missing is not another tool, framework, or technology. It is an understanding of how performance emerges in the brain. Under conditions of perceived safety, the brain allocates energy to learning, creativity, and problem-solving. Under conditions of threat, it prioritises protection, certainty, and short-term control. The shift is automatic, not chosen. Technology-heavy environments that emphasise surveillance, metrics, and compliance often unintentionally signal threat, even when leaders believe they are driving clarity and efficiency. The result is a workforce that appears compliant, but is neurologically constrained. This helps explain why engagement scores, innovation, and productivity plateau despite ever more sophisticated systems. Leaders are optimising the visible architecture of work, while neglecting the invisible biological one.   Where BTFA™ fits, and why it matters This is the gap the BTFA (Believe-Think-Feel-Act) framework was designed to address. Rather than starting with behaviour or culture, BTFA starts with belief. What leaders believe about people shapes how they design systems. Those systems shape how work is experienced. That experience drives emotional response, decision-making, and ultimately performance. By making this chain visible, BTFA gives leaders a way to see why well-intentioned change efforts often fail, and why pressure amplifies the very behaviours they are trying to eliminate. Importantly, BTFA is not a tool to impose behaviour. It is a form of leadership education that helps people recognise how their own assumptions interact with human neurobiology. Once that connection is made, many of the last thirty years of stalled improvement suddenly make sense. A turning point, not a warning We are not at the beginning of the AI era. We are at the beginning of a deeper reckoning with how leadership actually works. The opportunity now is not to use technology to extract more from people, but to design systems that work with the human brain rather than against it. That requires a shift in belief, language, and education, from boardroom to shop floor. Once leaders see that productivity, engagement, and adaptability are biological outcomes as much as operational ones, it becomes impossible to unsee. Performance stops being something that must be forced, and starts to be something that can be enabled. AI may well accelerate this shift. But only if leaders first understand the system it is meant to support: the human brain. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from David Bovis David Bovis, Founder of Duxinaroe Ltd. David Bovis is a leadership strategist and founder of Duxinaroe, specialising in the neuroscience of belief, decision-making, and performance under pressure. He is the creator of the BTFA (Believe-Think-Feel-Act) framework, a practical model that helps leaders understand why change, culture, and strategy often fail despite good intent. David works globally with senior leaders to address the neurological root causes of misalignment, disengagement, and stalled performance. His work bridges neuroscience, leadership, and systems thinking to enable sustainable behavioural change where traditional approaches fall short.

Written by Kenneth J. Breniman, Grief Guide & Mindfully Mortal Therapist Ken Breniman is a queer author, licensed clinical social worker, yoga therapist, and thanatologist guiding fellow mindful mortals at the threshold of life, death, devotion, and (r)evolution. His work blends neuroscience, primatology, Celtic wisdom, and psychedelic integration to invite braver ways of being human. There was a time when I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. Not because I loved animals, though I did and still do, but because I was drawn to the work of tending. Of sitting with what was injured or neglected. Of paying attention to bodies and systems that could not speak clearly for themselves. I didn’t have language for it then, but I was drawn to care at the edge of life, where things were vulnerable, messy, and unfinished. It turns out that instinct never left. It simply changed forms. I eventually evolved into a licensed clinical social worker, a yoga therapist, and a death doula. It seems I was following my instincts stealthily toward something I now believe is embedded in my Irish DNA. At the ripe old age of 56, I realize I have been training myself to be one of the many neo-sin-eaters emerging from the shadows. There was once a role in human communities that specialized in a unique form of cleaning not just of bodies, but of moral and emotional residue. These individuals were known as sin-eaters. Despite the name, their work was not necessarily tied to a particular religion or belief system. The work of a sin-eater was about burden, accountability, and clearing the way for something better. And while sin-eaters are hardly mentioned these days, the need for this work has actually increased over the centuries. In fact, we may need sin-eaters now more than ever. A brief history of sin-eaters Sin-eaters were most commonly documented in rural regions of Wales and along the Welsh-English border, particularly in Shropshire. From the 17th through the 19th centuries, these individuals were often hired quietly and with little social status to consume bread and ale placed upon a deceased person’s body. Symbolically, they were believed to absorb unresolved moral or relational debts so the deceased could rest. Sin-eaters were rarely respected. They were needed, paid, and then kept at the margins. Their work was uncomfortable, and most likely, so were they. From a modern perspective, it is tempting to dismiss this practice as occult, witchcraft, or superstition. But doing so misses its deeper function. The communities served by sin-eaters understood something fundamental: not all harm can be resolved while alive, and not all accountability can be carried by the person who caused it. This was especially true when insight arrived late in life, or when there was not the time, space, or bandwidth to reconcile. Sin-eaters acted as containers. They allowed grief, remorse, and regret to move without denial and prevented unresolved harm from being silently passed forward. This job is not about religion. It is about evolution Strip away the ritual language, and what remains is a profoundly adaptive human behavior.   Modern research on intergenerational trauma confirms what earlier cultures sensed intuitively. Dr. Rachel Yehuda, Dr. Gabor Maté, and other neuroscience researchers have shown that unresolved psychological stress can be transmitted biologically and behaviorally across generations. Trauma does not simply disappear when it goes unnamed. It reorganizes nervous systems, family dynamics, and belief structures. Silence is not neutral. Avoidance is not benign. From an evolutionary standpoint, this makes sense. Social mammals survive by repairing ruptures. The late primatologist Dr. Frans de Waal documented how primate groups rely on reconciliation, third-party mediation, and conflict repair to maintain cohesion. When conflict is ignored, group survival is threatened. Seen this way, the ancient sin-eaters were not anomalies. They were early social technicians, imperfect, human, and necessary. Aging, gerotranscendence, and why timing matters Later life offers a narrow but meaningful window for integrating the material life piles on us.   Sociologist Lars Tornstam described gerotranscendence as a natural developmental shift toward reflection, meaning-making, and expanded perspective in older adulthood. When supported, this stage can bring wisdom and peace. Psychologist Erik Erikson framed elderhood through the dialectic of ego integrity versus despair. Aging invites life review and an opportunity to integrate one’s impact, make meaning, and come to rest. But unresolved trauma can obstruct this process. When harm remains unacknowledged, aging does not soften perspective, it does the opposite. Unattended psychic baggage hardens us and diminishes the quality of life. Fear overshadows empathy. Bias calcifies into identity. Instead of reflection, there is repetition. The record skips, and it is not always on a pleasant note. This is where modern sin-eating becomes essential. When boundaries become an act of care Many of us find ourselves navigating aging family members whose trauma was never given language. In my own life, this has meant making the painful but essential decision to step back from direct communication with my elderly grandmother and many of my closest relatives. This distance was not an act of abandonment. It was a respectful boundary shaped by care.   Her unresolved trauma and the biases that grew around it continued to cause harm. And the ways the family system supports the status quo have been devastating for those who are not “favored” by the matriarch. Maintaining closeness without truth required silence, and silence would have meant carrying forward what had already traveled too far. Distance became a container not to punish, but to interrupt. Instead of transcontinental visits or phone calls, I limited our communication to letter writing. Mail remains an excellent way to create space between reaction and response while still staying connected. The boundary was set with a door still present. There has always been an invitation for reflection, accountability, and healing should she choose to engage it. This was not about demanding an apology or winning an argument. It was about refusing to metabolize harm on her behalf while still honoring the possibility of late-life transformation. Clinical psychologist Lindsay C. Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, reframes distance not as cruelty, but as a necessary response when emotional capacity or insight is limited. Sometimes care requires space so that truth can breathe. Boundaries like these are not rejection. They are an ethical refusal to collude with harm. And this distance, much like how sin-eaters of yesteryear lived on the outskirts of their communities, has allowed me to transmute transgenerational trauma at a humane pace. How to practice modern-day sin-eating (without becoming a martyr) Modern sin-eating is not about keeping company with dead bodies or fixing the living. The evolution of this sacred work is about ethically sound containment. Below are five principles that make this role teachable, compassionate, and sustainable. 1. Name what is yours to witness, not what is yours to carry The role is not to take responsibility for harm you did not cause. It is to name reality so it no longer hides in silence. Practice: Notice when you feel compelled to people-please, apologize, or “smooth things over.” Ask what truth is being avoided. 2. Use boundaries as containers, not weapons A boundary with a door says: relationship is possible, but not at the cost of denial or self-erasure. Practice: Frame boundaries around conditions for engagement, not punishments.   3. Call out bias as relational hygiene Naming racism, misogyny, homophobia, or emotional neglect is not an attack. It is an evolutionary interruption. Rather than compounding interest for future generations, the neo-sin-eater identifies harm and shines light on the shadow work. Practice: Use clear, non-shaming language focused on impact rather than intent.   4. Offer the invitation without forcing the outcome The door does not have to be closed, nor does one’s address need to be concealed. The process may be slow and will rarely feel complete. Completion cannot be forced or coerced. Holding the invitation and keeping the chosen channel of communication is the work. Practice: Let go of managing others’ responses. Invite yourself into ample integration and aftercare. 5. Know when to step back Modern sin-eaters are not martyrs, nor are they outcasts. When compassion turns into self-harm, discernment, not endurance, is required. Just like any competent professional, it is okay to set down a case or a client that is not a good fit. Practice: Track your own nervous system. Empathic distress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are signals to heed. A subversive act of humanity To practice modern sin-eating is to reject the myth that healing is purely personal or finite. To self-identify as someone stepping into this role is to recognize that we inherit unfinished business and that we have choices about what we pass forward. This work is uncomfortable by design. It challenges silence without demanding punishment. It offers truth without insisting on forgiveness. And perhaps the final task of modern sin-eaters is this: to find a better name.   “Sin-eater” did its job in another era. Today, what we are really talking about is someone who helps metabolize truth, interrupt inherited harm, and protect what comes next. If you have ideas for a better name, I want to hear them. My working title is human dung beetle, but I’m confident you have better ideas. Share your thoughts with me on Instagram . And if you are warming up to being supported in your work as a present-day sin-eater or whatever you call yourself, please know you do not have to go it alone. There is support available through a wide array of therapy, coaching, and alternative healing modalities. After submitting this article and sending my grandmother her centurion birthday card, I am heading to a sensory-deprivation tank, which I consider a very salty, wet, and affordable form of self-therapy. Just me, my naked body, and my spirit guides saying: “Ken, you did your best, and you can always do better.” Because the future deserves fewer transgenerational hand-me-downs, and we are the ones who can consciously and kindly tend to what was given to us, without passing it on to those who will inherit this planet. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kenneth J. Breniman Kenneth J. Breniman, Grief Guide & Mindfully Mortal Therapist Ken Breniman is a queer author, licensed clinical social worker, certified yoga therapist, and thanatologist whose work lives at the intersection of mortality, meaning, and transformation. Drawing from neuroscience, primatology, Celtic wisdom, and psychedelic integration, he challenges the myth of human exceptionalism while honoring the precious role each of us plays in the ongoing evolution of our species. Ken is the author of a three-body solution and subversive acts of humanity, and the creator of the See-Soul children’s grief literacy series. Through writing, teaching, and ritual-informed practice, he guides mindful mortals toward deeper humility, resilience, and collective becoming. Further reading: Tornstam, L. (2005). Gerotranscendence: A Developmental Theory of Positive Aging. Erikson, E. H. (1982). The Life Cycle Completed. Yehuda, R., & Lehrner, A. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects. de Waal, F. (1989). Peacemaking Among Primates. Gibson, L. C. (2015). Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents.

Written by Osvaldo Cooley, PhD, Dermal Clinician & Body Contouring Specialist Dr. Osvaldo Cooley, PhD, is an expert in body transformation, metabolic performance, and longevity. As the founder of The Elite Hub, Dr Os helps high-performing individuals achieve visible, lasting results through advanced diagnostics, personalised recovery strategies, and specialised body contouring therapies. In endurance training culture, intensity is often mistaken for progress. Athletes equate exhaustion with effectiveness and assume that if a session hurts, it must be working. This belief is deeply ingrained, and it is one of the most damaging myths in endurance sport. While high-intensity training has a place, the chronic pursuit of intensity carries a hidden cost. Over time, it undermines metabolic efficiency, recovery capacity, and long-term performance. Why athletes gravitate toward intensity Intensity delivers immediate feedback. Heart rate spikes, sweat pours, and fatigue feel productive. For time-poor athletes, it appears an efficient shortcut to fitness. However, physiological adaptation does not reward effort alone. It rewards appropriate stress applied at the right time, in the right quantity. When intensity becomes the default rather than the tool, progress slows. The metabolic consequences Excessive high-intensity training shifts the body toward chronic carbohydrate dependence. Fat oxidation capacity declines, metabolic flexibility deteriorates, and glycogen stores are depleted more rapidly. In metabolic testing, this often presents as: Reduced fat-burning efficiency Early crossover to carbohydrate metabolism Elevated heart rate at low workloads Suppressed recovery capacity Athletes may feel “fit,” yet struggle to sustain pace, especially in longer events. Intensity and the nervous system High-intensity training heavily activates the sympathetic nervous system. Without sufficient low-intensity counterbalance, the body remains in a state of chronic arousal. Over time, this leads to: Reduced heart rate variability Impaired sleep quality Increased injury risk Emotional volatility and mental fatigue Athletes often interpret these signs as a need to train harder, perpetuating the cycle. Why VO₂ max can be misleading VO₂ max often improves with frequent high-intensity work, reinforcing the belief that more intensity equals better performance. Yet VO₂ max alone does not determine race outcomes. Athletes with rising VO₂ max but declining recovery capacity and breathing coordination frequently underperform. Fitness without resilience is fragile. The illusion of efficiency Ironically, chasing intensity often makes athletes less efficient. Movement economy deteriorates under fatigue, breathing becomes chaotic, and unnecessary muscular tension increases energy expenditure. In races, this manifests as strong starts followed by dramatic slowdowns. Elite endurance athletes rarely train hard all the time. They train precisely. What elite athletes do differently Across endurance disciplines, from marathon running to cycling to triathlon, elite athletes spend the majority of their training in low to moderate intensity zones. High-intensity sessions are used sparingly, strategically, and with purpose. They are layered onto a foundation of aerobic efficiency, metabolic flexibility, and recovery capacity. Intensity is a tool, not the plan. Reframing progress True progress in endurance sport often feels counterintuitive. Training may feel “too easy.” Pace may feel restrained. Ego must be set aside. Yet over weeks and months, the athlete becomes more efficient, more resilient, and more consistent. Performance improves not because training is harder but because it is smarter. The real cost The cost of chasing intensity is not immediate. It accumulates quietly through lost efficiency, impaired recovery, and shortened athletic lifespan. Athletes who understand this early train longer, race better, and remain competitive far beyond their peers. If you want to understand whether intensity is helping or hindering your performance, objective data matters. At The Elite Hub, advanced metabolic and VO₂ max testing reveals how your body responds to training stress, allowing intensity to be applied where it works, not where it breaks you. Because in endurance sport, the goal is not to survive training, it is to adapt from it. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Osvaldo Cooley, PhD Osvaldo Cooley, PhD, Dermal Clinician & Body Contouring Specialist Dr. Osvaldo Cooley, PhD, is a leading expert in body transformation, metabolic performance, and longevity. A former athlete, his promising career was cut short by injuries that sparked a passion for understanding recovery and performance optimisation. Drawing from his personal journey and extensive research, Dr. Os developed proven techniques to help men and women transform their bodies, improve fitness, and boost long-term health. As the founder of The Elite Hub, he empowers high-performing individuals to achieve visible, lasting results through advanced diagnostics and personalised strategies.

Written by Mason and Nic, Founders of Aligned Union™ Mason and Nic are the founders of Aligned Union, mentoring couples who desire to build wealth, business, and life together. Through their Duality Method and their leadership at Auralis Media, they help conscious partners create legacy-level impact rooted in alignment and lived experience. The way wealth is created is changing. More businesses are built around people rather than systems. Media brands, advisory firms, service-based companies, and intellectual property now depend on trust, visibility, and long-term connections. Many of these businesses are being built by couples who share vision and values and choose to lead together. At the same time, relationships are being asked to hold more than ever before. Both partners are often financially responsible. Both are involved in decision-making. Both are visible leaders. The old model of one person earning and the other supporting no longer applies to many couples. As a result, more couples are stepping into business together. What most couples do not realize is that business changes how a relationship functions. Decisions now carry financial weight. Time choices affect income. Disagreements have consequences beyond feelings. When these pressures enter a relationship without structure, emotional reactions often take the place of clear thinking. Money is usually the first stress point. Conversations about income, reinvestment, spending, and risk quickly surface beliefs around control, safety, and worth. Many couples have never clearly defined who decides what or how money moves. In business, that lack of clarity creates tension fast. Visibility adds another layer. When a couple becomes the face of a brand, their internal alignment shows. Communication patterns, leadership dynamics, and unresolved conflict affect how the business feels to clients, teams, and audiences. The relationship is no longer private. It is part of the brand. Without clear agreements, couples often absorb this pressure internally. They start to believe something is wrong with the relationship rather than recognizing that the structure is missing. Conflict feels personal when it is actually operational. Most relationships were not built to handle this level of shared responsibility. They were built around love, companionship, and support, not shared leadership, financial authority, and public visibility. When couples try to build a business without redefining how their partnership operates, stress is inevitable. Aligned Union was created from lived experience inside this reality. Mason and Nic relaunched Auralis Media after years of dormancy and scaled it to over $1.2M in cash in a single year. Doing so required them to radically clarify how they made decisions, handled conflict, and shared power. Their relationship had to change for the business to stay stable. From that process, the Duality Method was formed. It is a practical system that helps couples separate marriage and business while strengthening both. Each area has its own agreements, boundaries, and communication practices. In real terms, this means business decisions are not made emotionally or in the middle of relational tension. Financial conversations are guided by clear roles rather than assumptions. Relationship conversations are given their own space and are not buried inside strategy talks. This structure creates relief. When both partners know their roles, there is less over-functioning and less withdrawal. Respect increases because power is clear. Intimacy deepens because the relationship is no longer carrying the weight of the business. As the marketplace becomes more competitive, clarity inside leadership matters. Businesses led by couples reflect the health of the partnership. Teams feel confusion when authority is unclear. Growth slows when decisions are emotionally charged. Stability requires internal alignment. Relationships face similar pressure. Growth and visibility magnify existing patterns. Without structure, couples often choose between protecting the relationship and pushing the business forward. Neither choice leads to long-term success. Couples who learn how to lead together intentionally have an advantage. They move faster because trust is established. They stay connected because emotional labor has a place. They build businesses that last because the partnership underneath is strong. Aligned Union is built on the understanding that money does not exist separately from relationships. Wealth amplifies whatever dynamics already exist. When couples lead with clarity and intention, growth becomes supportive rather than destructive. The Duality Method gives couples a way to build businesses without losing themselves or each other. It supports shared leadership, clear boundaries, and long-term vision. Couples who can hold ambition and intimacy at the same time will shape the next chapter of wealth creation. Follow me on Instagram and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Mason and Nic Mason and Nic, Founders of Aligned Union™ Mason and Nic are the founders of Aligned Union, a mentorship firm guiding couples in divine partnership into legacy-level wealth and impact. They are also the operators of Auralis Media, which they successfully relaunched and scaled to over $1.2M in cash in a single year. Through their proprietary Duality Method, they help couples build businesses together while strengthening intimacy, trust, and shared leadership. Their work is rooted in lived experience, shaped by a relationship that required conscious repair, evolution, and deep alignment. Together, Mason and Nic are devoted to placing more wealth and resources into the hands of values-driven leaders committed to elevating the collective.

Written by DDL Smith, Author DDL Smith is a British novelist known for ‘Detective Dion’ and the eco-horror novel ‘Decay’. His independently published novels have attained global reach with his ‘think like a publisher’ mentality. Welcome to Luleå! Currently a comfortable -13 °C with clear skies, and the sun playing peekaboo with the horizon. When booking flights a week ago, Luleå saw an Arctic blast with temperatures plummeting to -28 °C, far lower than the seasonal average. I packed accordingly. I arrived with bags stuffed for an Arctic desert: ski gloves, thermals, and more sweaters than I’ll wear on this trip. Amidst rushing around to buy warmer clothes, it’s easy to forget we’re in the middle of a climate catastrophe. Yet the words “global warming” feel laughable here. But here lies the disconnect: my personal journey expecting sub-Arctic temperatures, only to find milder weather. The immediate climate I experience frames my perception, and similarly, public messaging should aim to bridge the gap between personal experiences and broader climate patterns. It can be hard to imagine a warming crisis when the sub-zero temperatures you’re experiencing are freezing your morning coffee. Growing up, I recall seeing the term “global warming” everywhere. Now we use the more appropriate term, climate change. As an author with a background in copywriting, I find the way we use words, and how specific phrases stick, fascinating. Where did the phrase global warming come from? It’s logically correct, yet it feels wrong. The branding problem I remember growing up reading headlines about global warming and being taught about its effects in school. The sudden change in the media to climate change felt to me, like it felt to most, like a rebrand to gain attention to the crisis. Yet research shows that was never the case. Both terms have been used in the scientific community for a long time. The first known use of the term global warming is a 1975 scientific article by Wallace Broecker of Columbia University titled “Climate Change: Are We on the Brink of a Pronounced Global Warming?” The term became commonplace in 1988 when NASA scientist James E. Hansen used it in the US Congress to testify about the climate. The press has since used the terms interchangeably, as if they have the same meaning. The mid-2000s saw a rise in the popularity of the wrong phrase, just as I remembered. As an example, TIME magazine’s April 9, 2007 issue featured the headline “The Global Warming Survival Guide.” While the terms “climate change” and “global warming” were used interchangeably, the press preferred the latter. A “change” feels insignificant; our lives are constantly changing. A global warming event depicts death by fire and brimstone, far more dramatic. ‘Warming’ misleads us Global warming is technically correct; the average temperature globally is warming. Yet, unless you live in an already sweltering desert, a generalised term doesn’t match what people feel in their immediate environment. In cold countries, statements such as “the earth is warming up” feel absurd. Somebody might even welcome the thought of the earth warming up a bit while you’re shovelling snow from your driveway. However, the dangerous effects of a changing climate aren’t conveyed when we simply say “warming.” No one in Luleå is expecting to put on suncream to walk to the shops any time soon. The 20-degree difference within a couple of weeks speaks volumes about the rapid change in the climate. Weather doesn’t necessarily equal climate, and recognising this difference is crucial for effective communication. Public perception won’t always separate them if we link them together in the words we write. How framing shaped a generation For many, the phrase global warming was all we heard growing up. It was the entire story to us. On our school worksheets. Headlines of newspapers. Images of penguins on melting ice caps. Greenhouse gases are turning everywhere into scorched earth before we hit retirement. This incorrect hook shaped our early understanding of what was really going on in the climate. How could the world be warming when weather snaps from the Arctic bring more snow in the winter? How could the Earth be warming if we’re seeing more flash floods, not just heatwaves? What we witnessed didn’t match the narrative we were taught. If we didn’t feel hotter, the crisis felt distant. When the story centres on warming alone, it quietly implies a straight path toward disaster. A steady climb toward an uninhabitable end state, like Venus at a sweltering 450 °C. The issue with pushing narratives about “warming” into mainstream media is that it sets a generation up with the wrong expectations. People don’t like being told their lived experience is wrong. It’s human nature. So when messaging oversimplifies a complex issue, the public feels talked down to. That resentment can spill outward. We’ve seen this with protests that block roads and disrupt commuters. The intention may be noble, but in practice, thousands of idling engines and angry drivers only deepen the divide. The crisis becomes background noise; the annoyance becomes the headline. The gap between confusion and irritation gives misinformation a space to thrive. Words matter The return to “climate change” didn’t happen abruptly within the scientific community; it was always present. Yet it felt abrupt within public perception. It’s a reminder that language is essential when we’re describing or relaying important information. The right words make complex ideas understandable. In the subject of climate change, it’s important to remember the bigger picture. Sudden thaws in northern countries and wildfires in Australia aren’t contradictions. They’re symptoms of the same system behaving unpredictably. Climate change, not simply global warming. This is why words matter. The shift in perspective, although in the right direction, wasn’t about rebranding a crisis. It became a communication correction. We’re now communicating more honestly, which builds trust and underscores the importance of finally working on ways to mitigate disasters. A better story So, as I’m sitting here in Luleå, watching my coffee ice over with a suitcase of thermals I thought would be more useful, I’m reminded that there’s always a better way to communicate the crisis we face. We should strive to avoid sensationalism and misleading terms. Stay away from fuelling scepticism with exaggerations. We can choose the language we use and inform people correctly, not confuse them. By being deliberate in word selection, we can engage and educate more effectively. When the framing of a situation improves, whether the importance is saving the world or selling some new socks, the conversation around us changes too. As writers, leaders, and communicators, our influence sits in clarity, in helping people make sense of a changing world. I often think about how other planets tell their stories of their climate changing. Earth’s story currently is one of instability. Venus tells a different story, one in which feedback loops outran corrections. The lesson from other planets is perspective. Climates don’t fail suddenly. By examining these planetary narratives, we see the importance of communicating the challenges that lie ahead. Our words guide how people perceive that drift. If we get our words right, we help people take the correct steps forward. That’s a far more hopeful story to tell. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from DDL Smith DDL Smith, Author DDL Smith is a London-based novelist whose cross-genre, contemporary fiction reflects issues and fears in modern society. His creative roots started from a young age with theatre and scriptwriting for online content. When transitioning to novels, his goal was to use marketing techniques to ‘think like a publisher’ while staying independent. A tactic that has his books available in book chains across the globe.

Written by Dee-bo-rah Moffatt, Podcast Host Deborah Moffatt is the creator of The Healing Version Podcast, using storytelling, psychology, and lived experience to help individuals heal emotional wounds, break generational patterns, and build healthier lives. Every January, we’re encouraged to make resolutions. Be better. Do more. Fix everything. And yet, year after year, many of us find ourselves standing in the same place, just with a new calendar on the wall. As we step into 2026, it’s time to tell the truth: resolutions don’t fail because we lack discipline. They fail because they’re built on pressure instead of clarity. This year isn’t about promises. It’s about real solutions. Why resolutions rarely work Resolutions focus on outcomes without addressing the foundation underneath them. We set goals for our bodies, finances, relationships, and mental health, but ignore the habits, beliefs, and emotional patterns that created our current reality. You don’t need more motivation. You need better systems. Real change begins when we stop asking, “What do I want to fix?” and start asking, “What needs to change so growth becomes sustainable?” From survival to strategy Many people entered last year in survival mode, navigating grief, burnout, instability, emotional exhaustion, or financial stress. Survival was necessary. It kept us going. But survival is not the goal. 2026 is an invitation to move from survival to strategy. That shift begins with honesty: What patterns did I repeat last year? What did I tolerate that drained me? Where did I avoid hard conversations? What systems in my life are no longer working? Clarity creates power. Awareness creates options. What real solutions actually look like Real solutions aren’t loud or dramatic. They’re consistent. Intentional. Grounded. They look like: Setting boundaries instead of setting unrealistic goals. Creating routines that support your mental and emotional health. Choosing healing over hustle. Asking for help instead of self-abandoning. Making decisions that align with who you’re becoming, not who you’ve been. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about alignment. Designing a better 2026 A better year doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. Instead of asking, “What do I want this year?”Ask, “What do I need to change to support the life I want to live?” A better 2026 means: Fewer reactive decisions. Healthier relationships. Clearer communication. Emotional and financial responsibility. A commitment to growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. You don’t need a new identity. You need a new level of self-support. The shift that changes everything Resolutions are about proving something. Solutions are about becoming something. When you choose solutions, you stop chasing motivation and start building momentum. You stop waiting for the “right time” and start creating structure. You stop repeating cycles and start breaking them. That is how real change happens. The invitation Let 2026 be the year you stop making promises you can’t sustain and start building solutions you can live with. No more surface-level goals. No more performing healing. No more postponing your well-being. This is the year of clarity. The year of accountability. The year of alignment. Not because it’s a new year. But because you’re ready for a better one. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dee-bo-rah Moffatt Dee-bo-rah Moffatt, Podcast Host Deborah Moffatt is a mental health advocate, psychology student, and the creator of The Healing Version Podcast, a platform dedicated to helping others explore their healing journeys through storytelling, education, and real conversations. With a passion for emotional wellness and trauma recovery, Deborah blends personal experience with academic insight to create safe, empowering spaces for growth. Her work encourages individuals to confront generational patterns, build healthier relationships, and rediscover self-worth. Through speaking, writing, and podcasting, Deborah’s mission is to help people transform pain into purpose and step confidently into their next version.