Sometimes God Brings Us Back
Sometimes we think we’re simply going out to dinner. But God has a way of turning ordinary moments into sacred reminders. After watching I Am Bolt, my daughter Makensie, my mom, and I decided to visit a place that has been woven into the fabric of our family’s story for generations—BBQ King. […]
The 70-Year Echo: A Legacy of Victory Over Death
Sometimes we go looking for one memory and end up finding something we never expected. In November 2021, I was searching for our wedding video. I wanted to relive the joy of a beginning—to remember a day filled with hope, promises, and celebration. Instead, I found a message about something far […]
The Cost of Silence: Why Emotional Health Is Part of Ending Violence
It’s been almost exactly one year since I penned the article, Men Need to Know That Caring is a Superpower. This piece resulted in a wide range of reactions and some really, really good perspectives from readers. Fast forward 365 days, and I’d like to expand upon this important topic even […]
Silence Is Not Neutral: More Reflections on Truth and Repair
Last week, you may have read my takeaways from the transformational book by Judith L. Herman called Truth and Repair. As both a clinician who works with those who have been harmed and those who have caused harm—and as a woman who has lived trauma beginning at age eleven with sexual assault […]
From Repair to Prevention: Rethinking How We Care for Mental Health
“We have spent years treating harm after the fact; our future is dedicated to ensuring the harm never happens at all.” This quote stopped me in my tracks. I was in the middle of applying for a grant, and it was simply one of the pieces of information I was sharing about […]
Spring as a Gentle Reminder: Light, Hope, and the Nervous System
There’s a subtle shift that happens each spring. The light lingers a little longer. The air softens. The world begins to wake up—slowly, quietly, without urgency. For many people, this seasonal change can bring a noticeable lift in mood. Not a sudden happiness or a cure-all, but a gentle easing. A […]
Lines of Communication: Finding My Father’s Legacy in a Hollywood Story
On February 2, 2026, Belmont, North Carolina, slowed to a near standstill. Snow covered the roads, appointments were rescheduled for the safety of my clients, and suddenly I found myself with something I don’t often get—an unexpected day of rest at home with my daughter. The timing felt meaningful for another reason, […]
“I Want Nothing From You.” What a Colleague Taught Me About True Support
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I spend a lot of time living in the how-to of mental health. Assessments. Interventions. Evidence-based models. All of it matters. But today, while attending a Safer Society webinar on improving solution-focused techniques in suicide prevention, I was reminded of something both simpler and far more powerful: […]
Threads, Tapestries, and The Universe at Work
I’m writing this to officially submit my evidence for “Interconnectedness 101.” As many of you know, I’m obsessed with how everything is linked, and today the stars didn’t just align—they practically did a choreographed dance. The theme of weaving the threads of life has been a recurring one over the last […]
Where the River Runs
This short story weaves together the canvas, the crutches, and the two lives that formed the “Shepherd Way.” It is titled after the constant, spiritual movement that connects your past to your present. Where the River Runs: A Story of Two Shepherds In the quiet corners of a home in […]
