Straight Talk Blog
The Cost of Lies in Relationships
“Lies undermine the safety of relationships, damaging the foundation of every relationship and culture.” ~LMB A core pillar for creating healthy relationships and cultures is Uncompromising Safety. Safety builds or breaks down trust. A key aspect of safety is honesty....
The Burden of Unconditional Forgiveness
“The burden of forgiveness should lie with the one causing the harm. Earn forgiveness; do not demand it.” ~LMB There is immense societal pressure to “forgive” others—especially those who have caused the most harm. What you rarely hear, however, is the expectation that...
Embrace Gratitude: How Recognizing Small Gifts Can Help You Savor Life’s Bigger Blessings
“Finding the gift in the smaller things will help you savor the bigger gifts of life.” ~ LMB The holidays are filled with presents of all shapes and sizes. Some are homemade and personal, while others are store-bought and range from a few dollars to...
The Impact of Romanticizing Murder: How Celebrating Violence Harms Our Communities
“When we justify murder, we become a danger to ourselves and our children.” ~ LMB On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson was targeted and murdered at 6:45 am in front of a New York City hotel. Brian Thompson was a 50-year-old father, husband, and friend. His two...
Breaking Free from Unhealthy Relationship Patterns
“The saying, “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t,” keeps many women in unhappy relationships.” ~LMB The belief in “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” is a powerful force that keeps many women stuck. Sally, for example, is in a...
Warning for Men: Is This Behavior Killing Your Relationship?
"True strength and connection lie in building compassion—not in shutting it down. Always build." ~LMB Every day, I hear men express how they struggle with talking about their feelings while the women in their lives share a profound sense of loneliness. According to...
Navigating the Political Divide This Holiday Season
The political climate in the US is particularly hostile this year, making this holiday season incredibly challenging for many families. The divide has strained relationships, resulting in uninvited guests, declined invitations, and even complete silence between loved...
Trickle-Down Leadership: How Values Shape Culture and Influence Society
“Trickle-down leadership” has the power to change a culture; be sure you are modeling what you want others to master. ~ LMB I know many people are struggling right now following the outcome of our presidential election. I, for one, feel tremendous heaviness on a soul...
A Message of Gratitude, Rest, and Renewal on Veteran’s Day
"Sometimes, fighting for our country requires resting, replenishing, and regrouping." ~LMB This Veteran's Day, I am more aware than ever of the ongoing threats our nation faces daily and the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have fought for our country. I want...
Stop Ignoring the Pink Elephant in Relationships: How to Face Uncomfortable Truth
Ignoring the pink elephant in the living room makes the living room uninhabitable over time. ~LMB The "pink elephant" phenomenon is a common term used in the field of addiction that speaks to the frequent pattern of minimizing the seriousness of a person's...
Saving Your Marriage Requires Changing the Behaviors That Caused Its Downfall
"Saving your marriage requires changing the behaviors that caused its downfall." ~LMB A common mistake when trying to win back a spouse is bringing them flowers, writing them heartfelt notes, or sending long e-mails professing your love. Sadly, unless your spouse...
Pay Attention to How You Manage Conflict in Your Home, Work, and World
"Managing conflict can build connection or destroy it; be sure it's building it." ~Lisa Merlo-Booth Managing feedback and conflict is a tremendous problem for many people today. This struggle makes sense, given that few role models exemplify this skill. The sad truth...
A challenge to men…
"It’s time for good men to find their voices, courage, and humanity. Silence makes you complicit." ~LMB Let me begin by saying: There are many good men in the world—I’m fortunate to be married to one and to work with many. I deeply value men and am, by no means, a...
How Do You Handle Conflict?
"How you handle the conflicts in your life dramatically affects the quality of your life." ~ LMB Conflict often has a bad rap. Countless people see disputes as destroyers of relationships—at home, in the office, and in the world. Couples fear that conflict is a sign...
True Character is Revealed in Conflict
"Don't be fooled by words or the occasional good deed—even serial killers have kind moments." ~LMB Character is revealed in how a person treats, speaks to, and talks about those they dislike, struggle with, or have conflict with. True character shines through in the...