It turns out there isn’t one universal scientific definition. Instead, psychologists, neuroscientists, organizational researchers, communication experts, and attachment theorists have all been studying different pieces of the same human experience. They just use different words: Attunement. Validation. Belonging. Recognition. Psychological safety. Secure attachment. Empathy. After reading across these fields, there is one resounding conclusion: To truly be seen is to have ano

What? But I’ve spent my entire life trying to make other people think I was “the real deal.” Maybe you can relate? Over the last few years I’ve read the books. LOTS of books. I’ve listened to the podcasts, tracked the habits, optimized my routines, worked on my leadership skills (I’m convinced these are are called leadership skills but they should actually just be called being a good person)... Put more simply, I’ve focused wholeheartedly on becoming a better version of mysel

We are in a crisis of belonging. I’m not trying to be dramatic but it’s the truth. We live in a world where loneliness is rising (cue data from the last few years), division is deepening and kindness often feels countercultural. We sit and scroll past one another passively consuming highlights, work beside one another, sit in classrooms with our peers, and yet many of us report still feeling unseen. However, in this crisis, we have sought control. Humans need to make sense of

“Hey, good morning! Happy Friday! How’s it going?” …“Good, just busy. Yeah, busy and tired.” I hear it all day long. Don’t you? Did you just reply that way to someone? Got ya. I bet you did. I think people are exhausted because modern life asks us to perform constantly while rarely feeling deeply seen. We are exhausted because we answer emails, texts, attend meetings, hit our deadlines, scroll….scroll some more…still scrolling, we optimize and ultimately, we produce. Doing al

Let’s talk about the difference between development and formation. Development teaches you skills to master public speaking and influence without authority so you can lead a meeting well. A person can become a highly developed, confident communicator, productive, strategic, influential … and still make people feel invisible when they walk into the room. Formation is deeper than skill acquisition. Formation shapes the kind of person you are inside the meeting. Formation is bei

I’ve been trying to fit my career, my personality, my lifestyle, and my passions into a neat and tidy box. I was always aspiring to be the perfect “cookie cutter girl.” Perfect edges, no mess, and playing by the rules. I didn’t really love or believe in what I was doing… but the cookies looked good to the rest of the world, and that’s what mattered. Up until now I’ve chalked it up to my perfectionism, eldest daughter syndrome…you know, just the societally acceptable labels we

Remember the African Proverb? “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It’s incredible to think about how “connected” we are in 2026, and yet many of us have never felt more alone. We sit in rooms together while staring at separate screens. We scroll past each other’s highest highs “highlight reels” and we also scroll past their vulnerability and pain. We outsource conversation, encouragement, creativity, even companionship. I’ve seen the articl