Category Archives: Coaching

Houston Matters: I’m Retiring – So Now What?

Michael speaks on Houston Matters about retirement and adjusting to the changes. From the HoustonMatters.org website. Adjusting to retirement can be a challenge. From budgeting finances to staying active in the community, there are several hurdles — many of which are unexpected.  We talk about the financial and social aspects of adjusting to retirement with […]

The Hairdresser and the Piano: a Parable

A chemist, a psychologist and a hairdresser were moving a piano. I am the psychologist in the story. The chemist is my sister’s husband, Bobby, and the hairdresser is Ben, Bobby’s brother. Dispel any stereotypes you have of a male hairdresser. Ben is quite masculine and loves women- so much so, that he has married […]

A Personal Independence Day

The Fourth of July holiday in the United States is a celebration of freedom and autonomy from Great Britain. The declaration of Independence laid not only the foundation of a new nation, but a new concept in the world. It is the turning point in history towards self-rule, not governance ordained by a privileged, elite […]

Why Journal?

I have been asked, “What is the point of writing in a journal? How is it supposed to help me?” I usually cite studies of people who have been through physical and emotional trauma who wrote and recovered more quickly than those who did not. But there is a more spiritual and soulful answer as […]

Finding the Invincible Summer

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ~ Albert Camus It is deep in January and the northeast US […]

Home for the ‘Holler’ Days

My five-year-old nephew (all names in this blog removed or changed to protect privacy), once remarked that he could not wait for the “holler” days. It was reasonable that he believed the title was holler days, as at gatherings in in my large Tennessee family to be heard, one had to holler! But there is […]

The Gratitude Channel

The month of November means Thanksgiving in the United States. Traditionally, Thanksgiving involved setting aside time to reflect on and be grateful for that year’s harvest. To me, November is a month-long opportunity to explore gratitude at a deeper level. We can all take steps to heighten our awareness and depth of gratitude. But first, […]

Dr. Michael Winters Talks Street Harassment with Houston Matters

Dr. Winters once again joins Houston Matters to discuss street harrassment in Houston. Plus: From an unwelcome passing remark from a stranger to more overt cat calls, we discuss street harassment in Houston, with area psychologist Dr. Michael Winters, and Hermie Escamilla, Director of Hollaback Houston, a local chapter of a global network of activists […]

Is Empathy Overrated?

Derek Beres’ blog titled The Case against Empathy argues that the value of empathy is exaggerated. In this response, I hope to resonate with Derek’s experience and attempt to understand how he arrived at his conclusions. I also hope to explore how his discussion presents a limited, in fact a distorted, concept of empathy. Derek […]