@drjohnduffy.bsky.social
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📝 93
I often think about why we care so much about college and professional sports. My musings on the matter in Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The curious nature of sports fandom
Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-curious-nature-of-sports-fandom?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
2 days ago
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You may remember I sounded an alarm about our college kids at the beginning of this semester. Here’s an update as I’ve spoken with many of them over the past week or two. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Your college kids: A Thanksgiving break status update
So your kids are back home from college for Thanksgiving break.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/your-college-kids-a-thanksgiving?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
9 days ago
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I’ll be talking this am about how parents can best manage the holidays when divorced or divorcing. Tune in to the Morning Blend just after 9.
10 days ago
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So, I talked about the holiday blues yesterday, and we’ve all heard a lot about Seasonal Affective Disorder, a serious mental health condition. But this time of year, I suspect the majority of us experience something else. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Seasonal Affective Tranquility – a misunderstood reprieve
It hit me hard, first thing in the morning, on a mid-November Wednesday a couple of weeks ago.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/seasonal-affective-tranquility-a?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
16 days ago
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I’ll be discussing the holiday blues and how to mitigate the symptoms this am on NewsNation. Tune in around 9:45. Look for a Substack tomorrow on the same issue. It’s a REAL thing.
17 days ago
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Due to hazing issues, Indiana University shut down Greek life on campus. Other schools have enforced closures. The dangers of Greek life, hazing, sexual assault, binge drinking, remain rampant and troubling. My thoughts on the problems. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The perils of Greek life on campus
“Indiana University’s Office of Student Life has barred 27 of its fraternities from hosting social events following multiple alleged hazing incidents over the past few weeks, according to a letter fro...
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-perils-of-greek-life-on-campus?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
19 days ago
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We carry a lot from family that came before us, their triumphs and their emotional burdens. I’ve been thinking about family trees lately, and what we can learn from them. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Lessons from the family tree
At the onset of therapy, typically during that initial session or the following, I like to create a quick little drawing of a family tree for my clients.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/lessons-from-the-family-tree?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
23 days ago
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There is currently a Netflix series and a new film about wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools and the ‘Troubled Teen Industry.’ I’ve worked with dozens of kids who have participated in these programs. Here are my thoughts. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The Troubled Teen Industry
A Therapist’s Perspective
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-troubled-teen-industry?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
30 days ago
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Youve heard about the sandwich generation, tending to both their parents and their children at the same time. But here’s an intro to the triple-decker generation, taking care of themselves as well. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The triple-decker generation
When you do this job for a while, there are some things that take place that, even after decades, can take you by surprise.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-triple-decker-generation?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
about 1 month ago
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I was excited to see a biopic about Springsteen, of course. But this film is bigger, better and more important than just that. It’s a beautiful, quiet piece about depression, healing, hope and the power of male friendships. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Darkness on the Edge
Reflections on ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/darkness-on-the-edge?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
about 1 month ago
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In light of the tragedy in Darren Bailey’s family, I’ll be discussing how to talk to young children about losses of family members and people they’re close to on WGN radio 720. Tune in at 7:45 or so.
about 1 month ago
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Feeling beyond uneasy about the state of the country lately. Thought it was time to share some thoughts. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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I’m uneasy
“We are the same
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/im-uneasy?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
about 2 months ago
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This week, I tell a story about a longtime client who struggled with self-esteem years ago until he found his thing, which happened to be running. And we talk about the importance of identitying whatever your thing is, or your child’s. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Finding your thing
I was going to write this week about this hellhole that is our Chicago, and outlet about the headlines of the day.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/finding-your-thing?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
about 2 months ago
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I think its time to take a moment to revisit my first book, talk about why it’s so important that parents be available to their kids, and how to do so in the present day. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Revisiting The Available Parent
“Don’t get me wrong, John.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/revisiting-the-available-parent?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
2 months ago
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A few weeks ago, I posted a Substack about the alarming number of young men already struggling, emotionally and otherwise, in their college semester and now home. Here are some additional thoughts, and what I believe to be the potential solutions. A Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Update: Our boys are still going through it
A month ago, you may recall I wrote a Substack piece about a flurry of young men returning home prematurely from their first semester of college, some of them unpacking their giant Tupperware well bef...
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/update-our-boys-are-still-going-through?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
2 months ago
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I recently finished reading “My Friends” by Fredrick Bachman, a beautiful book anchored by the power of teenage friendship and art. Sharing some of my thoughts here, a badly-needed timeline cleanse. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Reflections on My Friends
“To anyone who is young and wants to create something.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/reflections-on-my-friends?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
2 months ago
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Some teenage boys and young men are experimenting with connecting with one another more frequently and more authentically to stave off loneliness. Sharing some of their efforts here. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Good morning: Connection from the ground up
So, I’m working with this 21-year-old guy, we can call him Kyle and, to say the least, he’s been struggling lately.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/good-morning-connection-from-the?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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Some thoughts on my run yesterday, and why we all might need a peaceful, quiet reset right now. A little bonus Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Running away
I went for a run today.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/running-away?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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Some serious thoughts on why the cancellation of late night talk show hosts might be bad for our kids. A Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The dark danger of the De-Kimmelization of ABC
Late night TV is dying.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-dark-danger-of-the-de-kimmelization?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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The last week has been a rough one for many of us, but has proven particularly trying for our boys and young men. And they’ve been struggling in many ways for a while. A letter to all the young dudes. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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To all the young dudes
Hey guys,
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/to-the-all-the-young-dudes?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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When tragedy takes place on the national front, as it did more than once yesterday, it has legs well beyond the headlines, chyrons and clickbait. We really can’t keep living like this. A Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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A very bad day in a therapist’s texts
Micro-reflections on a nation in emotional tatters:
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/a-very-bad-day-in-a-therapists-texts?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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Confession: I am not particularly neighborly, and neighborliness matters, urgently, right now. My thoughts on the lost art of neighborliness. Today’s Substack. khttps://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-lost-art-of-neighborliness?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The lost art of neighborliness
I have always wanted to have a neighbor
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-lost-art-of-neighborliness?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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For years, many college-age boys have struggled to regulate, emotionally and otherwise, and end up on my couch before the end of the first semester. But this year, many of them are already over their heads already. Some thoughts on what’s happening and what to do.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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A huge, new wave of college boys are struggling or home already
Why is this happening, and what can we do?
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/a-huge-new-wave-of-college-boys-are?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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You’ve likely heard the awful story about the teenage boy who was recently offered a suicide tutorial from an OpenAI ChatBot. Protecting our kids from this material seems like an endless uphill battle. Here are some thoughts on what we can do. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Planning your suicide: An AI user’s guide
TW: Please be aware that some of the following content involves suicide and suicidal ideation.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/planning-your-suicide-an-ai-users?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
3 months ago
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So a recent Gallup poll shows we’re drinking significantly less. Here are some thoughts from a lifelong non-drinker on why that may not be the best news. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Booze news
The hidden implications in the drop in alcohol consumption
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/booze-news?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
4 months ago
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Every year, some dicey issues arise when it’s time to return to school. If you have a high schooler, this primer is for you. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Back to school 2025 – high school edition
A number of my colleagues are writing articles and appearing on television segments these past few weeks to help prepare families for the upcoming school year.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/back-to-school-2025-high-school-edition?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
4 months ago
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From yesterday’s Daytime Chicago segment, some thoughts for families on transitioning into the school year maximizing potential for success and thriving, however you and your family define them.
wgntv.com/daytime-chic...
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https://wgntv.com/daytime-chicago/tips-to-help-families-prepare-for-a-healthy-refreshed-and-conflict-free-school-year/
4 months ago
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I’ll be talking new back-to-school stressors and how to help mitigate them. Tune in to Daytime Chicago this morning at 10.
4 months ago
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I watched the new Billy Joel documentary recently, and it vividly reminded me of the awesome, terrifying power of fatherhood. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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And so it goes
The terrifying, magnificent power of fatherhood
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/and-so-it-goes?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
4 months ago
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I’m hearing from my clients that the state of dating, romance and intimate connections is dire. The causes are complicated, and differ by gender. Here are some thoughts on why this issue is so important, and how we might help. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Dating and heterofatalism 2025
Heterofatalism: a term describing a pessimistic or resigned attitude towards heterosexual relationships, often characterized by a sense of inevitability of disappointment or failure in such relationsh...
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/dating-and-heterofatalism-2025?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
4 months ago
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The next several weeks will be a busy time for most moms, as they tend to both the practical and emotional needs of their families heading into the next school year or season. Here’s an explanation, and some thoughts on how we might support them. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Mom’s Busy Season
“What I think my husband may not understand, and might not even see in what I do day-to-day, is that we are quickly heading into my busy season.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/moms-busy-season?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
4 months ago
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Ever suspect everyone around you has all the answers to life, and you’re doing it all wrong? I’m hearing this a lot from clients lately. And little changes and shifts can make a massive difference in this perspective. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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“I’m doing life wrong”
In our initial session, when I asked her why she chose to start therapy, my new client, a 47-year-old woman, replied with these four words: “I’m doing life wrong.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/im-doing-life-wrong?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
5 months ago
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Take a listen to this lively, parent-friendly discussion on how to help boys work through their difficulties these days, including self—esteem and anxiety around toxic masculinity. From Daytime Chicago.
wgntv.com/daytime-chic...
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https://wgntv.com/daytime-chicago/how-to-help-boys-work-through-issues-of-toxic-masculinity-self-esteem-and-identity/
5 months ago
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Some thoughts on ‘The Bear’ and the importance of art in our lives. Today’s Substack, Chef.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Reflections on The Bear
I find that in recent years I really enjoy and appreciate art well done, especially if it’s fresh and new, something I’m certain I’ve never seen, heard or witnessed before.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/reflections-on-the-bear?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
5 months ago
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I’ll be talking about the crisis among our boys, and what we might do to guide them through it, this morning on Daytime Chicago. Tune in to WGN-TV after 10.
5 months ago
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I’ve often heard parents say they’re not interested in what their kids are into. Here are some thoughts on the multiple benefits of getting interested in their thing regardless. Today’s Substack. Go Cubs!
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The ultimate parenting W
Barring trauma, most of us have ready access to precious few childhood memories.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-ultimate-parenting-w?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
5 months ago
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Yesterday’s fun, inspiring segment from the Morning Blend.
www.tmj4.com/shows/the-mo...
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Inspiration and Why It Matters!
Clinical psychologist, best-selling author, speaker, and national media personality Dr. Duffy joins us on The Morning Blend to discuss the importance of "inspiration" and how to encourage others.
https://www.tmj4.com/shows/the-morning-blend/inspiration-and-why-it-matters
5 months ago
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I’ll be talking about the power and importance of inspiration, especially for our young people, today on the Morning Blend. Tune in to WTMJ4 just after 9.
5 months ago
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Over the course of the past several months, I’ve noticed that boys and young men are using emotional language to describe their lives, relationships and circumstances. Here are my thoughts, along with some ways we can support them. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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BREAKING: The emotional language of young men
He's born to shimmer
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/breaking-the-emotional-language-of?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
5 months ago
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We don’t always find inspiration where we think we will. I find we often have to be vigilant for it. Or, inspiration finds you. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Inspiration in a midtown taxi
Last weekend, Julie and I flew to New York City to visit some good friends and taking some culture.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/inspiration-in-a-midtown-taxi?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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I’ll be talking about the loneliness epidemic among men this am on NewsNation. Tune in around 11.
6 months ago
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When we’re young, I think we have a choice to make: do I follow my dreams, or do I follow the money? Here’s my case for both. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The dreamer or the pragmatist
Who wins?
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-dreamer-or-the-pragmatist?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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Okay, I’ve been hearing a LOT about porn in the therapy room lately: how often kids watch it, what it takes from them, and what we can do about it. This may not be a fun read, but it’s SO very important. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Porn: A most unfortunate parenting issue
“Fuckin’ porn.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/porn-a-most-unfortunate-parenting?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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Many of us have this tendency to amplify our difficulties and challenges, to catastrophize. It’s actually a serious and widespread problem. Here are some ways to recognize when and how you might be amplifying troubles, and how to recalibrate. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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On catastrophizing
In today’s Substack, I’m going to ask us to consider making a big change in the way we look at, and how we draw conclusions about, events in our lives.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/on-catastrophizing?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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Yesterday’s segment from the Morning Blend. Fun watch (even though I seem to have recorded in the dark… ).
www.tmj4.com/shows/the-mo...
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Introverts vs Extroverts with Dr. John Duffy
Dr. John Duffy is a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, speaker, and national media personality here to chat on Zoom about the introvert/extrovert conversation.
https://www.tmj4.com/shows/the-morning-blend/introverts-vs-extroverts-with-dr-john-duffy
7 months ago
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My buddy Mark Collins was just elected into office for the first time, and his township is SO lucky to have his spirit and talents available to them. Here are my thoughts about how national politics might borrow a page from the local scene. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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The hidden hope in today’s American politics
Yes, you read that headline correctly.
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-hidden-hope-in-todays-american?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
7 months ago
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I’ll be talking about introversion, extroversion, ambiversion, and George and Lauren’s wedding this morning on the Morning Blend. Tune in just after 9!
7 months ago
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I consider myself a pretty empathic guy. If you’re feeling depressed, anxious, lost, hopeless or a sense of loss, I will join you in that, and do my best to help you through. But I have trouble with self-pity - might be a me thing. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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Self-pity
An incurable diagnosis?
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/self-pity?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
7 months ago
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Some thoughts on what it means when your kids don’t appear to share your values, and how this may be an enormous parenting win. Today’s Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...
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When your kids don't share your values
Historically, over time and despite the natural drift of adolescence, kids have tended to fall in line with the values of their parents, whether they involve politics, religion, money, democracy, race...
https://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/when-your-kids-dont-share-your-values?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios
7 months ago
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I’ll be talking with Ashleigh Banfield about the nature of the increase in violent crimes committed by very young boys, why it’s happening and what we might do about it. Tune in to NewsNation tonight after 9 pm.
7 months ago
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