Articles for Adults

SALE NOW ON: Super Spring Sale 2026 | 21-31 March | Save 30% Sitewide!
Originally Posted on The Coaching Tools Company as SALE NOW ON: Super Spring Sale 2026 | 21-31 March | Save 30% Sitewide! Spring Sale Runs Again for 2026: March 21 through 31 This is our 7th Annual Spring Sale! Happy Spring: Get Inspired and Refresh your Coaching Toolbox! 30% discount automatically applied | Ends Midnight Tuesday 31 March! Check out

Do Personality Traits Shape Gottman’s Four Horsemen?
People want to know if their personality traits are the problem. After a bad fight, alone in the car or staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., the question surfaces: Is something about who I am making this worse? It’s a reasonable question. But Gottman’s forty-plus years of research answer it in a way most people don’t expect. The data

What Is “Nacho Parenting” in Blended Families?
Because I’ve worked in stepfamily ministry for many years, I’m often asked about the term “Nacho Kids” or “Nacho Parenting.” This phrase, created, owned, and trademarked in 2013 by David and Lori Sims, came after they attended a marriage counseling session. They were struggling to blend her son and his 4 children into one household. “We explained to our counselor

Decoding the Roles of Therapist, Counselor and Psychiatrist
When you and your partner decide to seek help for your relationship, it’s a brave and meaningful first step. But it can quickly become confusing to navigate the different mental health titles: should you see a counselor, a therapist, or a psychiatrist? Understanding the role of each professional is key to building the right support system for both you and

What Is ASMR? The Science of Why Soft Sounds Calm Us Down
The biology of feeling safe is older than language, and older than YouTube. Before anyone called it ASMR, you already knew what it was. A parent humming you to sleep. A friend braiding your hair in silence. Someone reading aloud in a voice so low it wasn’t meant for anyone else in the room. What is ASMR? ASMR (Autonomous Sensory

What is Gratitude? And is it the Antidote to Contempt
Every relationship keeps a ledger. Not on paper — in the body. What is gratitude in the context of a relationship? Not a thank-you card. Not a vague feeling of appreciation that surfaces on holidays. Gratitude, in the Gottman research, is something more specific and more consequential: a habit of mind. A practice of actively scanning for what your partner

Facilitate Your Project Meetings Like a Pro | Get “Heart to Heart” with Julie Johnson MCC | The Launchpad
In this “Heart to Heart with Julie” column, Julie Johnson MCC shares ideas and practical tips to help us all become better coaches. These are real coaching experiences that illustrate common issues coaches face. We encourage you to share your thoughts, learnings and own experiences in the comments below! These articles were first posted on Julie”s blog, The Coaching Cube,

5 False Claims about Christian Marriages
Aww, marriage. It’s great, isn’t it? Can you hear the love birds cooing as you gaze into each other’s eyes, clasp one another’s hands, and smile fondly? The wind gently rustles in the sun-filtered treetops along a rugged mountainside that captures an awe-inspiring and breathtaking view. Then, it happens; you both lean in for that tender and oh-so-passionate kiss. Screeech!

Can Positive Thinking Save a Relationship?
We often hear the message that positive thinking can solve almost anything. If you stay optimistic, focus on the good, and maintain a positive mindset, everything will work out. Common Myth: Positivity Alone Fixes Everything While positivity certainly has its place, the belief that positive thinking alone can save a relationship is a common myth. Human emotional experience is complex.
