Music Minute - The Malpass Brothers: He Touched Me

The Malpass Brothers, country music duo Chris and Taylor Malpass, released their new single, “He Touched Me,” from their forthcoming live album and DVD, Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics, available June 26 through Gaither Music Group. The track premiered digitally with Dillon Weldon and the Drifting Cowboy Podcast and is available now as an instant download with album pre-order. 

New Single, “He Touched Me,” Available Now — Stream Here
'Satisfied: Country Gospel Classic' Album Available for Pre-Order Now 

"These are the songs we were raised on,” said The Malpass Brothers. “They were always playing at home, on the road, and backstage. We wanted this project to feel true to the music and present the songs the way we’ve always loved hearing them. Recording them live made the experience even more meaningful.” 

The second single, “He Touched Me,” premiered digitally on Dillon Weldon's Drifting Cowboy Podcast and is available now as an instant download with album pre-order. The performance captures the spirit that defines the duo's straightforward, harmony-driven country music grounded in faith and timeless storytelling.

"Chris and Taylor have a deep respect for the traditions that shaped country and gospel music, and they bring that to life every time they step on stage,” said Paul Sizelove, President of Sun Label Group and Gaither Music Group. “This project captures that authenticity in a powerful way, and we’re proud to partner with them in sharing it with audiences everywhere.”

Filmed live at TBN Studios in Hendersonville, Tennessee, 'Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics' features a collection of beloved hymns and gospel standards performed in an intimate concert setting. Backed by a seasoned band, the project showcases the warmth, simplicity and reverence that have become hallmarks of The Malpass Brothers’ sound.

Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics will be available as an audio album, full-length DVD, and television special. The television special will air on TBN, RFD-TV, The Word Network, Vision, TCT, The Walk TV, TLN, HopeTV, The Miracle Channel, CTS, CTN, and Heartland. Tune in times are located on the Gaither.com website here. Pre-order the album here.

The full-length project will also be available to stream at Gaither TV+, or fans may purchase the DVD and CD at Gaither.com.

Watch the performance video for “He Touched Me” on the Gaither Music YouTube channel here.

The Malpass Brothers were recently honored by their hometown of Goldsboro with an official proclamation presented by Mayor Charles Gaylor IV in recognition of the duo’s hard work, dedication to country music, and continued efforts to bring national attention and pride to their community. Known for preserving the timeless sounds and traditions of classic country music, The Malpass Brothers have become celebrated ambassadors for Goldsboro, carrying the spirit of their hometown with them on stages across the country and beyond.

The duo was also recently surprised backstage at the Grand Ole Opry with the announcement that The Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro will name its annex after The Malpass Brothers later this year.

"We commend Chris and Taylor Malpass for their dedication to their craft and wish them continued success as they share the rich tradition of country music with audiences everywhere,” said Mayor Charles Gaylor IV.

The Malpass Brothers on tour:
JUN 03 - Country For A Cause / Nashville, Tenn.
JUN 05 - The Farm Jamb / Kirksville, Ky.
JUN 06 - Cherokee Bluegrass Festival / Cherokee, N.C.
JUN 19 - The Reeves Theater / Elkin, N.C.
JUN 20 - Rudy Theatre / Selma, N.C.
JUN 24 - 75th National Square Dance Convention / Waco, Texas
JUN 25 - Greenville Municipal Auditorium / Greenville, Texas
JUN 26 - The Lantex Theater / Llano, Texas
JUN 27 - The Texas Theatre / Seguin, Texas
JUN 28 - Main Street Crossing / Tomball, Texas
JUL 17 - Little River Bluegrass Barn / Radford, Va.
JUL 19 - The Nashville Palace / Nashville, Tenn.
JUL 25 - Spartansburg Fairgrounds / Spartansburg, Pa.
JUL 29 - Keller Centre / Colborne, Ontario
AUG 06 - Pickin’ In Parsons / Parsons, W. Va.
AUG 07 - James H. Garner Conference Center / Troy, N.C.
AUG 14 - Huntingdon County Fair / Huntingdon, Pa.
AUG 21 - Alabama Theatre / North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
AUG 23 - Private Event / Clare, Mich.
AUG 28 - Sibyl Center / Stanley, N.D.
AUG 29 - The Lakes Bluegrass Festival / Backus, Minn.
SEP 05 - Stonington Farms Music Fest / Kinston, N.C.
SEP 11 - The Historic Ritz Theatre / Toccoa, Ga.
SEP 12 - Liberty Showcase / Liberty, N.C.
SEP 17 - Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival / Buena Vista, Va.
SEP 20 - American Music Theatre / Lancaster, Pa.
SEP 21 - Amish Country Theater / Millersburg, Ohio
SEP 25 - The Lincoln Jamboree / Hodgenville, Ky.
SEP 26 - Kentucky Opry / Benton, Ky.
SEP 30 - Blue Gate Performing Arts / Shipshewana, Ind.
OCT 03 - Lucille Tack Center / Spencer, Wis.
OCT 05 - Malpass Brothers Show Live / Branson, Mo. (with David Frizzell)
OCT 06 - Malpass Brothers Show Live / Branson, Mo. (with Dion Pride)
OCT 07 - Malpass Brothers Show Live / Branson, Mo. (with Tony Booth, Mary Lou Turner & Barbara Fairchild)
OCT 08 - Malpass Brothers Show Live / Branson, Mo. (with Moe Bandy)
OCT 09 - Malpass Brothers Show Live / Branson, Mo. (with T. Graham Brown)
OCT 10 - Meramec Music Theatre / Steelville, Mo.
OCT 11 - 4th Street Theater / Moberly, Mo.
OCT 15 - Georgia Mountain Fall Festival / Hiawassee, Ga.
OCT 17 - R-S Central High School / Rutherfordton, N.C.
OCT 30 - Paramount Theatre / Goldsboro, N.C.
NOV 20 - The New Granbury Live / Granbury, Texas
DEC 02 - Amish Country Theater / Millersburg, Ohio

For additional tour dates, visit themalpassbrothers.com.
 

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About The Malpass Brothers:
Rooted in the timeless sounds of classic country, The Malpass Brothers—Chris and Taylor were inspired early on by their grandfather’s LP collection and the legendary harmonies of duos like Jim & Jesse, the Louvin Brothers, and the Wilburn Brothers. Mentored by steel guitar legend Don Helms and later handpicked by Merle Haggard as an opening act for seven years, the brothers have carried the torch for traditional country across stages nationwide. Their debut album, 'Memory That Bad’ was produced by Haggard, followed by projects with Bluegrass Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson. Their latest release, ‘Lonely Street,’ co-produced by Lawson and Ben Isaacs, showcases the Malpass Brothers’ authentic songwriting and deep reverence for the golden era of country music. They are currently working on multiple projects, a new live album for 2026, and filming Season 3 of The Malpass Brothers Show.

About Gaither Music Group:
One of the largest Independent Christian music companies in the world and a household name for millions of fans, Gaither Music Group (part of Sun Label Group, which encompasses Gaither Music, Sun Records, Green Hill, emeraldwave by Green Hill, and Rural Rhythm), in partnership with Primary Wave Music Publishing, is known worldwide for its award-winning and top-selling recordings, including the Gaither Gospel Series, of which 133 products have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum.     

Fun Freetime - Summer at the Getty

Getty is gearing up for another busy summer at the Getty Center and Getty Villa. Starting this month, the Getty Center will host viewings of featured soccer matches with special food and drink menus, and will have extended hours on select Fridays for the viewings. Visitors are also invited to enjoy free concerts, family programs and exhibitions.

Summer at the Getty Center

 

 

From June 11 to July 19, the Getty Center will host viewings of soccer matches on newly installed screens at the Trellis Bar & Lounge and Garden Terrace Café, and will have extended hours on June 12, June 19, June 26 and July 3 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate evening games. Normal Friday hours will resume on July 10. Visitors arriving after 5 p.m. can park for free throughout the viewings. Learn more about the watch parties and view the complete schedule online. 

Special cocktails for the viewings include the Yellow Card, premium vodka mixed with honeyed syrup, candied ginger mint and lime, the Getty Gridlock, made with Amaretto, bourbon, lime juice, cranberry juice and sparkling water, and Summer Breeze, made with aged rum, a ripe banana slice, banana liqueur, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.

Food options include popcorn, all beef hot dogs, and Italian meatball subs at the Garden Terrace, and mini smash burgers, taquitos, guacamole and tajin tostadas, a crispy fish burger and more at Trellis. The Trellis Bar & Lounge is open from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with extended hours on Saturdays until 8:30 p.m. Trellis will have extended hours until 8:30 p.m. on June 12, June 19, June 26 and July 3 to accommodate the watch parties.

 

The Center's annual free outdoor summer concert series, “Off the 405,” features musicians on the courtyard stage on select Saturdays through August. Artists include Hunx and His Punx on June 13, LEENALCHI on July 11, Horse Lords on July 25 and Laurel Halo on August 22. Ticket reservations are released in advance before each concert online.

A Summer Solstice Celebration kicks off the season’s family events on June 21. The Getty Research Institute will host a day of music and craft workshops, including jazz on the terrace from The Don Brown Collective, choral performances by David Horvitz and Becky Stark with the Sound as Light Choir, and summer-themed treats. Additional events at the center include a collage workshop, drawing activities and artist demonstrations.

 

During weekends in August, families can attend “Garden Concerts for Kids” to dance and sing along to musical performances on the Center’s grass lawn. This summer’s musicians include Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin on August 1 and 2, Flor Bromley on August 8 and 9, and Elizabeth Mitchell on Aug 15 and 16. Free ticket reservations will be available closer to the event dates.

Summer at the Getty Villa

On Sunday, June 7, the Villa Family Festival: Ancient Egypt celebrates the stories, symbols, and spirit of ancient Egypt at this lively, family-friendly festival. Enjoy live Egyptian music by Maqam Band that evokes the sounds of historic Cairo, alongside sounds of Egypt with DJ Passionfruit, hands-on art workshops and interactive experiences. The festival at the Getty Villa complements “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” exhibition. Family programs are always free and offered year-round at the Getty Center and Getty Villa.

Dive into “The Odyssey” with a self-guided tour of artworks that feature the myths and monsters in Homer's epic tale. Available in early July, pick up a free brochure at Getty information desks and the tour meeting place.

 

Exhibitions at the Getty Center and Getty Villa

At the Getty Center, view “Virtue and Vice: Allegory in European Drawing” by June 7, and “Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985” by June 14. Upcoming exhibitions at the Center include “Lost. Found. Returned” and “Stendahl’s World: Marketing Ancient Mexico and Modern Art in Los Angeles” opening on June 23, “Odilon Redon: Otherworldly Visions” on July 14, “The Making of a Medieval Manuscript” on August 4, “Instante/revelación: Moments in Mexican Photography” and “‘Every minute is history’: Five Views of Los Angeles” on September 1, and “The Holy Family at Home” on September 22.

At the Getty Villa, “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” is open now through November 30.

Visit both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa through the Getty’s Pay Once, Park Twice program, in which same-day parking at both sites is available for $25. Parking is $15 after 3 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m. From June 11 to July 19th, parking at the Getty Center will be free after 5 p.m. Admission to the free and requires a timed-entry reservation.

For a full list of Getty’s public programming, please visit our online calendar. 

As previously announced, the Getty Center will temporarily close for renovations next year, beginning March 2027.

Healthy Habits - The Impact of Medical Record Access

How are digital health systems supporting America’s wellness? For many, managing their health now includes managing their medical records. A new survey from Harmony Healthcare IT reveals that difficulties accessing health information are contributing to delayed care, repeated tests, and frustrating healthcare experiences.

Key findings include:

• 1 in 6 Americans have delayed medical care because accessing their records felt too difficult or time-consuming
• 46% say they’ve filled out the same medical history forms multiple times at appointments
• 11% have had to repeat medical tests because previous results weren’t available

These challenges are more common than many realize. 1 in 3 Americans report difficulty requesting medical records, and among them, nearly half (48%) were only able to transfer records with issues, while 8% couldn’t transfer them at all.

While data privacy remains critical, these findings explore the gap between protecting information and making it usable when it matters most.

Take a look at the full report for more insights into how data access is shaping patient care.

Parenting Pointers - Generational Divides Podcast

The new episode of Open to Debate's podcast series “Generational Divides" brings representatives from three different generations to debate a few questions about modern parenting:

1. Has social media made parenting harder?
   
   
2. Does gentle parenting work?
   
   
3. Should kids be free to roam?

If you’ve ever scrolled through r/Parenting on Reddit or a mom support group on Facebook, you know raising kids has become a minefield. Every tip has a counter tip, every method a manifesto, and a quick Google can surface a myriad of new worries. Parents have splintered into camps — sleep train or co-sleep? Hand over the iPad or redirect to the Pinterest-perfect Montessori shelves? Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger generations and asking: Are the parents alright?

The debaters are:

• For Baby Boomers: Lenore Skenazy, Co-founder of the Free-Range Kids movement
  
  
• For Gen X: Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code; CEO of Moms First
  
  
• For Millennials: Kristin Gallant, Co-founder of Big Little Feelings
  
  
• Guest Moderator: Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason

Listen/watch the episode on YouTube, Substack, or wherever you get podcasts.

About Generational Divides:
Smart, contrarian, and funny, Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie embodies Open to Debate’s commitment to lively, nuanced discourse in an age of echo chambers. With provocative prompts, generationally diverse guests, and Gillespie’s trademark wit guiding the way, the series invites listeners to question their assumptions and join a conversation that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Book Nook - Walter the Woogobee: The Vortex to Vidza

Are you ready for an intergalactic journey through the vortex with an alien pup who talks and shape-shifts?

Join Walter the Woogobee and his friends on this whirlwind adventure across mystical planets as they navigate unknown lands, a valley filled with gold, encounter wind that speaks, elephants that fly, and nothing is normal.

They must tackle extraterrestrial threats on a distant world while forming friendships in foreign lands. At risk is not only their own survival, but the fate of the local village they have vowed to defend.

Can Walter and his friends save a distant planet from monstrous threats?

And can they navigate the vortex to find their way home?

Perfect for young readers interested in science fiction and fantasy adventures.

https://brendabeckelmanbooks.com/

Book Nook - When Pharaoh Said "No"

As Biblical stories continue to captivate children, author Jessica Dhakira is introducing young readers to one of the Bible’s most dramatic accounts in a way they can enjoy and understand. In When Pharaoh Said “No”, Moses, Pharaoh, and the Ten Plagues are brought to life through playful rhymes and colourful illustrations that make an important Biblical story feel exciting, memorable, and easy for children to follow.

 

Written for children aged 4–7, the book offers families a fun way to introduce the story of Exodus and the meaning behind Passover. From frogs hopping through palaces to hail crashing from the sky, each plague unfolds through rhyme and repetition, helping children strengthen memory, build confidence, and engage with themes of courage, faith, obedience, and freedom.

 

Synopsis:

Step into a colourful world where frogs bounce through palaces and hail crashes from the sky. When Pharaoh Said “No” brings the Biblical story of Moses and the Ten Plagues to life through memorable rhymes and bold illustrations created especially for young children. As Moses repeatedly asks Pharaoh to free the Israelites, readers follow a story of faith, courage, and perseverance while learning about the promises and power of the Most High.

 

As Pharaoh continues to refuse to let the Israelites go free, children are gently introduced to lessons on doing what is right, walking in faith, and standing firm in the face of challenges. Through rhyme and repetition, the story encourages children to remember important moments, ask questions, and connect with a Biblical story passed down for generations.

 

“I wanted to create a story that would help young children connect with an important Biblical account in a way that feels exciting, memorable, and approachable,” says Dhakira. “Many children naturally learn through rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling, so it felt important to bring the story of Moses and Pharaoh to life in a way that sparks curiosity rather than feeling overwhelming or out of reach. Stories like these still have so much to teach children about courage, faith, obedience, and doing what is right, even during difficult moments.”

 

Continuing, “I hope When Pharaoh Said ‘No’ creates opportunities for meaningful conversations between children, parents, teachers, and faith leaders. Stories like these can bring families together, encourage children to ask questions, and help young readers explore values that still feel deeply relevant today.”

 

A colourful rhyming children’s book filled with playful storytelling, memorable rhymes, and illustrations designed to help young readers learn and explore.

 

When Pharaoh Said “No” is available through Jessica Dhakira’s website. For more information, visit Jessica Dhakira’s official website.

 

 

About the Author:

Jessica Dhakira is a Berkshire-based poet, award-winning songwriter, and children’s author whose love of storytelling began at the age of seven. A former session singer, she appeared alongside the late recording artist Coolio on Top of the Pops and has supported charitable initiatives for vulnerable children and families worldwide. Drawing on her background in music, creative writing, and children’s education, Dhakira creates imaginative stories designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and meaningful family conversations.

 

Music Minute - Francois Bourassa Quartet

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The Francois Bourassa Quartet announces a sweeping summer 2026 tour across Canada in celebration of the group's 30th anniversary, taking in some of the country's most prestigious jazz festivals from Medicine Hat to Montreal. Pianist, composer, and Juno Award winner Francois Bourassa leads the quartet alongside longtime collaborators Andre Leroux (saxophones, flute), Guy Boisvert (upright bass), and Guillaume Pilote (drums) on a tour that marks three decades of one of Canadian jazz's most enduring and evolving partnerships. A new piece of music will be released in conjunction with the tour.

With eleven albums of original music to his name and an international reputation built over four decades of performance, Bourassa has become one of Canada's foremost jazz ambassadors. Born in Montreal, he first came to national attention winning the Montreal International Jazz Festival's New Talent prize in 1985, and has since toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, performing alongside legends including Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, and Dave Brubeck. In 2007 he received the Oscar Peterson Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in recognition of his contribution to the development of Canadian jazz. His quartet's 2001 live album, recorded at Toronto's Top O' The Senator, received a JUNO Award.

The Quartet, which has been a cornerstone of Montreal's artistic landscape since its inception, released its most recent album Swirl in 2023, recorded live at Studio Piccolo in Montreal and praised internationally for capturing the spontaneity and musical camaraderie that defines the group's live performances. Jazz Magazine in Paris described their connection as something that makes them "a group, in the deepest sense of the term," while Marc Chenard of Jazz Podium called the album "as virtuose in execution as it is imaginative in its subject matter." The 30th anniversary tour brings that same living, breathing ensemble energy to stages across the country.

Bourassa's compositions are widely celebrated for their range and unpredictability, drawing on jazz, contemporary classical, and improvised music in equal measure while remaining rooted in melody and emotional directness. Ian Mann of The Jazzmann described his work as "rich, episodic, constantly evolving, multi-faceted pieces that feature strong, accessible melodies allied to unusual and imaginative harmonies." Jazztrail called Number 9 "one of the boldest and most gratifying records of the year," while the Ottawa Citizen placed it among the best Canadian jazz albums of 2017. The quartet's ability to translate that compositional complexity into something genuinely alive and immediate in a live setting is what makes this anniversary tour an event worth attending.

The tour opens June 19 at the Medicine Hat Jazz Festival and moves through Saskatchewan, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton before arriving in Montreal for the International Jazz Festival in early July. Bourassa will appear at Dièse Onze on July 3 and in a trio setting at Messe Jazz at the Gésu on July 5 and will also be featured as part of the Christine Jensen Sextet at the FIJM Modes of Coltrane celebration on July 1, marking the centenary of John Coltrane's birth. The tour concludes August 9 at the North Hatley Jazz Festival in Quebec with dates to follow in France in November.

The tour is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. For a quartet that has spent 30 years refusing to repeat itself, this summer is both a celebration and a continuation: new music, new stages, and the same four musicians who have, as Bourassa himself has said, learned to trust each other, know each other well, and anticipate each other's next move.

###

 

2026 TOUR DATES:

June 19: Medicine Hat Jazz Festival, Medicine Hat, Alberta

June 21: Regina Jazz Festival, Saskatchewan

June 23: The Bassment Jazz Club, Saskatchewan

June 25: Victoria International Jazz Festival, Victoria, British Columbia

June 26: Calgary Jazz Festival, Calgary, Alberta

June 27: Edmonton International Jazz Festival, Edmonton, Alberta

July 1: FIJM Modes of Coltrane (with the Christine Jensen Sextet), Club Montreal, Montreal, Quebec

July 3: Dièse Onze, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal, Quebec

July 5: Messe Jazz, Gésu, Montreal, Quebec (trio setting)

August 9: North Hatley Jazz Festival, North Hatley, Quebec (trio setting)

Soul Sustenance - Mental Health Literacy

With one in seven of 10–19-year-olds experiencing mental health conditions and suicide being the second leading cause of death among 10-14 year-olds, we are in the midst of a mental health crisis. And the solution starts with us. 

I had the opportunity to interview Alexander Kopelman, founder and president of the Children’s Arts Guild, on creating safe spaces of authenticity, creativity, and individuality for children. 

What is mental health literacy and why is it an important skill to develop?

In an interview in my book, For Real, Hector, a school district superintendent from Illinois, shares his experience of growing up with a parent who was mentally ill. “See,” Hector says, “the huge black hole at the center of my universe is the fact that my mother

suffered from mental illness. There was a lot of stigma around that in my family and our community, so it was a big secret. I’ve worked for decades first to deny its importance in my life and then to repair the damage. It’s hard to acknowledge how it’s still reverberating for me.”

Sadly, Hector’s story describes the experience way too many children continue to have. Mental illness, shrouded in stigma and taboo, is still misunderstood and met with shame, silence, and inaction.

The concept of mental health literacy was developed by the Australian psychologist Anthony F. Jorm, Ph.D and first introduced in a paper published in 1997 in the Medical Journal of Australia, which described a research study that sought to evaluate the public’s knowledge of and beliefs about mental disorders.

“If mental disorders are to be recognised early in the community and appropriate intervention sought,” Dr. Jorm and his coauthors concluded, “the level of mental health literacy needs to be raised. Further, public understanding of psychiatric treatments can be considerably improved.”

Dr. Jorm continued his investigations into mental health literacy, refining and expanding the concept. In a 2012 article in American Psychologist, he described it as: “...(a) the public's knowledge of how to prevent mental disorders, (b) recognition of when a disorder is developing, (c) knowledge of help-seeking options and treatments available, (d) knowledge of effective self-help strategies for milder problems, and (e) first aid skills to support others affected by mental health problems.”

Mental health literacy allows us to place mental disorders into the larger context of health and to approach them with an eye to prevention, treatment, and management. This, in turn, reduces the stigma historically associated with mental illness and prevents the kind of multigenerational trauma Hector experienced in his family.

How can parents and caregivers promote mental health education at home and in schools?

As parents, our most important job is to be role models for our children. That requires self-reflection and an intentional practice of showing up for them in ways that allow them to see us living our lives according to the values we want them to develop.

“If you want your kids to have . . . certain values,” Warren Buffett said in response to a question at the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, “it’s important that you live those values.”

In thinking about mental health literacy, we must start with ourselves. It’s important to pause and reflect. What was your experience with mental health when you were a child? How old were you when you first heard about someone who had a mental disorder? What did you hear? How did the adults around you talk about mental health? What beliefs do you carry about mental health? How do these beliefs affect your behavior? What do you do to take care of your own mental health?

The best thing we can do for children is to educate ourselves about mental health and to share that knowledge with them through the way we live.

How can families halt the cycle of negative messages children receive, particularly during adolescence?

We can’t insulate our children from the unintentional--and sadly, the sometimes intentional--negative messages they get from their peers, the adults around them, and the culture in general. What we can and must do is help them learn how to deal with those messages.

Emotional health literacy is a critical part of mental health literacy. And for me, it begins and ends with a thriving, positive relationship with our authentic selves. When we know who we are and feel comfortable in our own skins, we can receive negative messages and treat them with discernment.

Again, the work begins with us. In For Real, I offer the W.H.O.L.E. framework for developing a deeper relationship with our authentic selves:

• Be a Witness to your full self.

• Be Honest about strengths and struggles.

• Be Open to growth.

• Be Loving toward yourself.

• Be Expressive of your inner truth.

Kindness, compassion, and empathy will help you understand who you are at the moment and grow into the person you want to be. An essential first step is to pay attention to how you speak to yourself. What do you say to yourself if you send an email with a typo to your boss? How about if you can’t find your phone? And what if you lock the keys in the car?

“Once I paused to listen to what was going on in my head,” says Dimitrius, the father of teenage twins who works in hospitality in Washington, DC, “I was kind of shocked. I was berating myself all the time in this mean, nasty way. And saying things that I would never say to another person.”

Most of us have pretty harsh inner voices. To begin to move toward being loving to yourself, try this exercise: The next time you catch yourself saying something unkind to yourself, pause and take a breath. Now, picture a friend or a beloved family member. Would you say what you just said to yourself to this person? If the answer is no, think about what you would say instead, if anything. And now say that to yourself. Repeat as often as possible. With daily practice, you’ll notice a remarkable shift in your relationship with yourself.

And when your children see you practicing being WHOLE and going through the world navigating by your inner compass, they will begin to develop the inner strength to manage the messages they receive from the world.

​​​​​​​Alex has recently been featured in CEOWorld and interviewed on unEDited Chatter and unMASKing with Male Educators. He is also the author of For Real: Helping Children Remain Their Authentic Selves in a Limiting World [June 9, 2026 | Page Two], a rich trove of information providing hands-on activities, deep reflection, and inspiring examples.

Through his Authenticity Works Initiative, Alex teaches valuable tools to promote connection and compassion while working with children. With his expert guidance, educators and administrators, school counselors, pediatricians, and parents explore what it means to be “for real” and why it matters to children’s development and sense of self.