Horizontal Identities: What Sets Us Apart (Andrew Solomon)

A young man in a wheelchair in a park illustrates horizontal identities

How do certain traits become meaningful parts of our identity? Why do some differences from our parents shape how we see ourselves while others don’t? Andrew Solomon explores the distinction between traits we get from our parents (vertical identities) and those that set us apart from them (horizontal identities). This framework helps us understand how families navigate unexpected differences and how people develop a sense of self when they differ significantly from their parents. Keep reading to discover how horizontal identities affect both parents and children and how families can embrace differences rather than trying to “fix” them.

My Child Is Different: How to Parent Exceptional Children

A mother and a teenager (who's wearing a T-shirt with a pride flag on it) illustrates parenting exceptional children

What’s it like to raise a child with a completely different identity from your own? How can parents navigate the complex emotions and practical challenges that come with raising exceptional children? In Far From the Tree, psychologist Andrew Solomon examines “horizontal identities”—traits that exceptional children have that their parents don’t share or expect. He explores how parents face the dual challenges of understanding unfamiliar differences and overcoming the desire for their children to fit conventional definitions of “normal.” If you’ve ever said, “My child is different,” continue reading to find strategies for parenting exceptional children and to see how this

Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner: Book Overview

A drawing of a woman sitting cross-legged and reading a red book

Do you wonder what your unique intelligence profile might look like? Have you ever felt smart in ways that traditional IQ tests don’t measure? In his book Frames of Mind, Howard Gardner proposes that humans possess seven distinct types of intelligence rather than a single general capacity for learning. Gardner’s theory challenges the traditional view of intelligence, suggesting each person has different strengths across multiple intelligences. Continue reading to discover how understanding your own intelligence profile could transform your approach to learning and problem-solving.

What Is the Nature of Intelligence? Howard Gardner Explains

An artistic depiction of the human brain illustrates the question, "What is the nature of intelligence?"

What is the nature of intelligence? Is intelligence an objective thing, or is there some subjectivity to it? Howard Gardner explores this fascinating topic in his book Frames of Mind, where he presents criteria for identifying various forms of intelligence. He argues that the nature of intelligence is far more complex than traditional IQ tests suggest. Keep reading to discover how Gardner’s groundbreaking ideas about the nature of intelligence might change your understanding of human capability.

What Is Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences?

Three image panels (two men and one woman) depicts the question "What is Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?"

What is Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences? Are there truly different types of intelligence beyond a single IQ score? Is there a scientific basis for the theory? Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences challenges the traditional view that intelligence is a single trait. In his book Frames of Mind, Gardner proposes that humans possess several distinct intelligences, each handling different kinds of information and problem-solving abilities. Read on to understand Gardner’s theory and consider how your brain might be wired for unique forms of brilliance that standard IQ tests never measure.

Laziness Isn’t Real: The Truth Behind the Toxic Cultural Myth

A person laying in bed, wondering if laziness is real

Have you ever wondered why you feel guilty for taking a break, even when you’re exhausted? Why do so many successful people secretly fear they’re not doing enough, despite their accomplishments? Social psychologist Devon Price challenges our productivity-obsessed culture in his thought-provoking book, Laziness Does Not Exist. The concept that “laziness isn’t real” forms the foundation of Price’s argument that what we perceive as lack of motivation actually masks deeper barriers, systemic inequalities, or unmet human needs. Discover how centuries-old beliefs about productivity may be harming your well-being, relationships, and society as a whole.

Losing a Spouse to Cancer: The Emotional Aftermath

A woman sitting at a grave in a cemetery after losing her spouse to cancer

Have you ever wondered how someone copes with losing a spouse to cancer? What if society’s expectations about grief don’t match your actual experience? In her book Bittersweet, Lotte Bowser shares her emotional journey after her husband Ben’s death from cancer. She explores the profound sorrow, guilt, and isolation while challenging societal misconceptions about grief and highlighting the importance of finding authentic support. Keep reading to discover how Bowser found her path through overwhelming loss.

The 3 Conceptual Intelligences: Howard Gardner Explains

A drawing of a person writing in a book or journal with concepts depicted as objects illustrates conceptual intelligence

How does your brain process language, numbers, and music? What makes some people naturally gifted in writing, mathematics, or musical composition? In his book Frames of Mind, Howard Gardner identifies three distinct conceptual intelligences that shape how we learn and interact with abstract ideas. Linguistic, logical-mathematical, and musical intelligences each follow unique developmental patterns and are associated with different areas of the brain. Read more to explore these fascinating mental capabilities and discover how they manifest in both everyday skills and extraordinary genius.

Grief and Cancer: How Lotte Bowser Navigated Loss

A woman grieving after cancer took her spouse

Have you ever faced the deepest depths of grief, where the world suddenly stops making sense? What happens when cancer takes away the person you love most, leaving you in a void of unbearable pain? In her book Bittersweet, Lotte Bowser reveals the devastating reality of grief and cancer’s cruel impact on her life after losing Ben. She guides readers through the landscape of profound loss, showing how sorrow can fracture one’s sense of completeness while testing the limits of human resilience. Join Bowser on this raw journey through grief’s darkest corridors.

Howard Gardner: Linguistic Intelligence Helps Us Grasp Meaning

A woman listening intently and understanding what another woman says illustrates linguistic intelligence

What makes someone a linguistic genius like William Shakespeare? How can we trace the development of language skills from babbling infants to eloquent adults? According to Howard Gardner, linguistic intelligence involves grasping the meanings behind words and using language to express ideas, whether through speaking or writing. This intelligence follows a clear developmental line, starting with babbling in infancy and progressing to complex sentences by age five. Keep reading to discover how linguistic intelligence shapes your communication skills and why it’s more complex than simply being “left-brained.”