Author: Leslie Scotland-Stewart

Reignite the spark in your marriage. Jason and Kendra, who have spent 12 years together and are raising three children, often find their discussions dominated by work, household duties, and their kids’ schedules, leaving little room for romance. Kendra shares her feelings candidly: “While I love Jason, the passion we’ve once had is missing.” This revelation surprises Jason, who replies, “I thought we were in a decent place. Even if our intimacy has declined, I considered it a temporary phase. By the time I crawl into bed, I’m completely wiped out.” In the earlier years of their union, Kendra and…

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Understanding Valentine’s Day: Beyond Commercialization Valentine’s Day often carries a controversial reputation in American culture, criticized for its sentimentality and commercialization. This day can stir strong feelings, particularly within the realm of relationship psychology. Nonetheless, it offers a wonderful opportunity to do something special with your significant other. The Gift of Connection The most valuable gift you can give your partner is a happy, healthy, and fulfilling relationship. Consider cuddling on the couch while using the free Gottman Card Decks app for meaningful interaction. If you’re inclined to add a special touch, go ahead! The priority is to relax, as…

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Finding Common Ground in Relationships: A Story of Love and Conflict A Perfect Match They seemed perfectly compatible in numerous ways. Both were aspiring lawyers—she specialized in land use law while he focused on media rights. Having relocated from the Midwest to Seattle, they shared a drive for ambition and a love for adventure. In the early days of their relationship, weekends were filled with exploration, from spontaneous trips to Vancouver for open-air markets and sushi to thrilling overnight camping excursions in the mountains and last-minute theater shows. Their demanding jobs kept them busy, but their free time was dedicated…

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Starting a journey into sex therapy is a brave step towards enhancing one of the most intimate and fulfilling (yet frequently puzzling and complex!) aspects of human life. As a psychotherapist focused on relationships and sexuality, I have had the honor of supporting numerous individuals, couples, and polycules through this enlightening experience. Here are several key insights to keep in mind before you engage with a sex or intimacy counselor. Recognizing the Need for Help Understanding that you might require assistance from a qualified sex therapist is a crucial realization that deserves acknowledgment. It takes immense courage to admit there…

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Common Holiday Stressors Family Dynamics Holiday commercials often portray picture-perfect families enjoying harmonious gatherings. However, family relationships can be complex, laden with histories that may resurface. This tension can affect not only personal interactions but also relationships with partners, particularly when navigating the in-laws. Financial Strains Many couples experience financial disagreements during the holiday season. For example, Genoa expresses her desire to create memorable moments for family and friends, such as hosting gatherings and finding special gifts. However, her husband Pierre feels overwhelmed by the spending, which often exceeds their agreed-upon budget, leading to conflict. Overcommitment and Unrealistic Expectations A…

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The holiday season often brings with it a wave of stress. Have you ever wondered why that is? What steps can we take to alleviate the pressures that our celebrations create? Let’s explore this together. Each holiday season is fundamentally designed to rekindle our sense of hope, urging us to reconsider its importance and offer it a renewed chance. In fact, certain hopes are intentionally woven into the fabric of the holidays. These hopes encourage us to embrace love over hate, tolerance over xenophobia, compassion over cynicism, generosity over envy, and altruism over greed. Sure, it may sound clichéd. But…

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As a new year dawns, it brings the chance for renewal— an ideal moment to reflect on your relationship and contemplate your shared journey ahead. New Year’s resolutions aimed at enhancing your relationship could ignite that much-needed spark. Recognize that your relationship is a living entity, continuously evolving as you both invest time together. Take this opportunity to evaluate how you really feel about your partnership over the past year. What aspects brought you joy? What were the challenges? Were you satisfied with your intimacy last year? If not, what changes do you desire? Where do you envision progress? Heartfelt…

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Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) has announced the integration of its business segments focused on real assets and equity investments. This strategic adjustment is designed to enhance the management of both asset categories by uniting professionals who possess complementary skills. Despite these organizational changes, the investment strategy of the fund across different asset classes will remain unaffected. NBIM is committed to maintaining its position as an active real estate investor, continuing to acquire assets that are attractively valued and align with its strategic objectives. The reorganization aims to consolidate the fund’s energy investments into a more comprehensive team, addressing both…

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The Performance of Women-Led Investment Portfolios Matches That of Men According to a recent study by Morningstar, portfolios managed by women have demonstrated investment performance on par with those managed by men. Diversity in Asset Management: Morningstar’s Insight Morningstar’s inaugural report, titled Diversity in Asset Management, delves into the dynamics of diversity within asset management firms, exploring variations in representation across different levels, the intersectionality of gender and race, and how gender-diverse teams impact investment performance. This comprehensive analysis reveals that there is no significant correlation between gender and investment outcomes. Despite this, the study highlights that women, as well…

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Insights from PwC’s Recent Asset and Wealth Management Survey In a newly released asset and wealth management survey by PwC, notable disparities have emerged between asset managers and the institutional investors they service, particularly concerning digital assets and tokenization. Interest in Tokenization Across Sectors One significant finding from PwC’s survey focused on institutional investors’ interest in various sectors related to tokenization. Surprisingly, despite substantial media coverage, money market funds showed the largest gap. While 40% of institutional investors either currently invest in or plan to invest in tokenized money market funds, only 24% of asset managers provide or intend to…

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