Columns

The Psychology of Your Child’s Halloween Costume

September 30, 2025

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. Hero, monster, princess, goth, influencer, or pop star? A Halloween costume isn’t just make-believe—it often reflects deeper aspects of children’s identity, psychology, and development. Halloween remains one of the most exciting times of the year for kids. Beyond candy and decorations, costumes serve as a stage where children and teens experiment…

FINANCIAL FOCUS®

September 3, 2025

Planning your business exit: Start with the end in mind Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor If you own a business, you’ve probably spent countless hours thinking about how to grow it, manage daily operations and serve your customers. But have you thought about how you’ll eventually step away from it? While it…

Boredom: The hidden ingredientto raising resilient kids

September 3, 2025

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. As a psychologist—and a parent—I often reflect on the childhood rhythms of the 1980s. Back then, free afternoons meant roaming the neighborhood on bikes, playing pick-up games in the yard, or having adventures with friends, all with minimal adult supervision. With only a handful of TV channels and classic toys like…

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Blue Ridge Mountain Road (Revisited)

September 3, 2025

By Tim Jon I had made the decision in all innocence: “It’ll be kinda fun to drive this stretch on a misty, foggy morning.” Right.  In the 10 years or more that had passed since I’d been on top of ‘the Mountain’ under these conditions, I had blissfully forgotten just how limited the visibility could…

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Broad Run Stream Valley Park

July 30, 2025

By Tim Jon Funny how despite the fragility of life it seems that Nature can often abide in very close proximity to mankind and our so-called civilization. We see the reverse of this pattern as well with flora and fauna wilting before our progress, so I’m always heartened when I observe any vital signs of…

July 30, 2025

FINANCIAL FOCUS® Investing With Heart: Find a Financial Advisor Who Shares Your Values Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor When it comes to managing your money, there’s more to consider than just the bottom line. For many people, investing isn’t only about building wealth or reaching goals — it’s about making sure their…

Understanding Post-Separation Abuse: The hidden continuation of domestic violence

July 30, 2025

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. For many survivors of domestic violence, leaving the relationship is just the beginning of a new chapter of fear, manipulation, and control. This phenomenon is known as post-separation abuse, and it can be even more damaging than the abuse that occurred during the relationship. What Is Post-Separation Abuse? Post-separation abuse is…

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Hillsboro United Methodist Church

July 2, 2025

By Tim Jon Not to start a story off with a double negative, but my advice is: don’t enter a graveyard if you don’t want to bring home some of the ghosts. Now, while I hesitate to believe I have free-ranging spirits floating around in my house, I will say that I’ve felt a bit…

FINANCIAL FOCUS®

July 2, 2025

The importance of setting strong financial goals Submitted by Joshua Wolinski,Edward Jones Financial Advisor There’s a quote about the importance of setting goals that says, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any path will take you there.” You probably have dreams about retirement, vacations, hobbies and more. But if you don’t have a strategy…

Understanding and addressing bullying: A guide for parents and caregivers

July 2, 2025

By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. For many children, bullying is more than just a difficult rite of passage or a phase.  It can be a painful experience that can shape a child’s sense of self, influence their relationships, and impact their mental health well into adulthood. As a psychologist who works closely with children and families,…