Editorial Process

Part of my mission is to make change easier for people out there in the world and to provide meaningful and actionable information and knowledge for those that have decided to pick up the heavy-ass burden of changing themselves and their situation. I thoroughly research and fact-check everything all of the information that I provide to provide accuracy and transparency. Each article has one of four icons: “Research-Backed,” “Fact-Checked,” “Theory” or “Opinion.”

Research-Backed

“Research-Backed” content is built off of and supported by academic research in the fields of happiness and well-being, health, psychology, economics, political science and biology. I do my best to find and dig into peer-reviewed studies and differentiate between correlation and causation. That said, if I find studies that are new and evolving I still explore these topics and note that the research and evidence is not complete.

Research-Backed is my most well-researched content and has been well vetted. All advice given in “Research-Backed” articles is drawn from conclusions that have been confirmed through academic studies. Frameworks develop from the literature on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Fact-Checked

Many articles on the site are descriptive in nature and not meant as a prescriptive resource, meaning they have no actionable advice. The arguments presented in these articles are formed taking into account, and representing, alternative sides and perspectives. The “truth has been drawn out and evaluated as much as truth can be. The result from scientific facts and true events and accounts.

Theory

Not all articles are based on academic research directly, but they are still rooted in expertise and knowledge of the field. Some are theory. Others offer more tangible ideas, they just haven’t been studied rigorously yet. When something is not based on empirical evidence, yet is based on what we know and understand about human psychology and behavior, it’s labeled, “Theory.”

Opinion

Many articles are simple just my thoughts and opinions. They have come over time in connecting the dots from various resources – academic papers and research, studies, books, speeches, videos, stories – and these are merely perspectives, views or personal stories put forth by myself and the lessons and ideas that I’ve derived from them. These pieces are not based on research or scientific fact and are merely reflections of my own values and opinions. As such, these articles are labeled “Opinion.”

My Rating Scale for All Books

*This particular process has been adapted from Mark Manson, a “retired” self-help writer extraordinaire, and someone whose writing and musings I enjoy very much – I think he has inspired me to start this blog. In fact, yes, yes he has.