The Pain of Being Right

The Pain of Being Right

We are social creatures: our survival depends upon the reliability of our partners. Unfortunately, “reliability” is a contingent quality. Every display of support for us is an advertisement. Some onlookers might offer a greater reward, others might seize by force....
Ideas are Good

Ideas are Good

If you feel like you are struggling against hidden resistance, take this to heart: think of ideas as friends. They are strongest when they are shared. You may not always get credit, but the best ideas will gather around you. Eventually, the truth will...
Character Isn’t Always the Answer

Character Isn’t Always the Answer

In creating the Mental Bank (TM), a comprehensive motivational therapy, John Kappas recognized that American culture conditions us to believe the money equates to security. The method awards fantasy dollars to the subconscious for its support on the intermediate steps...
Let Us Be Reasonable

Let Us Be Reasonable

Trapped in line behind a mother with a squalling child, I took in the grasping toward the candy rack, and advised, “You know, that’s not going to work much longer. You need to learn how to talk.” The child began to pout, and then settled into thoughtful repose. In...
Moral Foundations

Moral Foundations

Every addictive substance and activity activates our dopamine system. This network of neurons alerts us that “what comes next is important.” What would happen, then if every cocktail napkin offered moral guidance? Would that help reduce the tide of...
Healing Inside the Box

Healing Inside the Box

The US military has a fragile relationship with the mental health industry. The conditions of employment are mentally debilitating, and loss of fortitude carries large costs – both operationally and institutionally. Thus the military invests both in instilling courage...