Experts Matter. Find Yours.
Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities & more.
Six University of Delaware online graduate degree programs are ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026 U.S. News Best Online Programs, released Jan. 27, 2026. Both UD’s online master’s in education and online MBA ranked among the top 10% of their respective programs, at No. 25 and 26, respectively. Announced on Jan. 6, the online MBA program recently rose nine spots to No. 32 in the Poets&Quants 2026 Online MBA rankings. UD’s online master’s in nursing program ranked No. 35 out of 209 programs, rising 99 places over the past year. New for UD, the online master’s in educational/instructional media design program was recognized by peers at No. 11 in this education specialty ranking. UD’s online master’s in computer information technology program and online master’s in engineering ranked No. 64 in their respective areas. “These latest rankings recognize the expertise and dedication of our faculty and staff in delivering UD’s outstanding online graduate programs,” Interim Provost Bill Farquhar said. “We are committed to continually enhancing these programs and all the transformative opportunities that enable our students to meet their educational and career goals throughout their lives.” U.S. News selects several factors, known as ranking indicators, to assess each program in the categories outlined above. A program's score for each ranking indicator is calculated using data that the program reported to U.S. News in a statistical survey and from data collected in a separate peer assessment survey. This year’s edition evaluates more than 1,850 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by institutions with accreditation from recognized commissions. While the overall rankings methodology remains largely unchanged, U.S. News reported increased participation in this year’s data collection cycle, with more programs submitting statistical data and completing peer assessment surveys. According to U.S. News, this broader participation may reflect continued growth in online education nationwide. The University of Delaware offers over 35 online credit and non-degree professional programs. An online program from UD offers the same quality and rigor as an on-campus program and provides the flexibility to accommodate your busy schedule. UD is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and its online and on-campus degree programs have rigorous curricula delivered by experts, offer affordable program options, and provide students access to student support services, career fairs, recruiting opportunities and graduation ceremonies to celebrate student success. “UD's high-level rankings are in large part due to the positive outcomes that our students experience as a result of taking one of our online degrees or programs,” said Associate Provost for Online Learning and Innovation George Irvine. “Students tell us how much they enjoy learning from our accessible faculty and doing so in engaging and interactive online courses.” For more information about UD’s online degree programs, visit online.udel.edu. A complete listing of UD’s high-profile rankings is available on UD’s Institutional Research and Effectiveness Rankings webpage. Please note that the programs and specialties used in rankings may differ slightly from the names of UD’s degree programs.
As Disney’s “Zootopia 2” barrels toward becoming the highest-grossing animated Disney movie of all-time, the box office isn’t the only place fans of the franchise are apparently flocking. Recently, CNN reported that “Zootopia 2” fans in China—where the wildly popular movie has already been crowned it’s highest-grossing foreign animated film ever—have expressed increased interest in owning Indonesian pit vipers, a striking blue and highly venomous snake portrayed as an anthropomorphic protagonist named Gary De’Snake in the film. The outlet spoke to individuals who purchased the animal after seeing “Zootopia 2” and noted surges in searches and prices among exotic pet retailers. The reported phenomenon prompts the question: can blockbuster movies really be drivers of the exotic pet trade? “I think they can,” said Ryan Almeida, PhD, an assistant teaching professor of Geography and the Environment at Villanova University who studies the exotic pet trade. “There have been a lot of anecdotal reports of movies and TV shows influencing the pet trade, but the peer-reviewed evidence isn’t there.” Causation or Correlation? Reasons for Pet Demand are Tricky to Single Out While the increased interest in the pit viper may be the latest pet trend influenced by the entertainment industry, it is certainly not the first, says Dr. Almeida, who has recently been conducting research at wildlife expos in an effort to understand more of the intricacies of various pet-related trends. In the 1980-90s, red-eared slider turtles became massively popular pets, and it just so happened to coincide with a popular new show based off the animal. “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze, especially in the United Kingdom, probably helped drive demand for these turtles as pets,” Dr. Almeida said. “Turtle exports from the United States exploded in popularity during this time, there just is a not a peer-reviewed study demonstrating it was definitely caused by the show.” In the 2000’s, Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” and its sequel, “Finding Dory,” reportedly bolstered purchases of clownfish and blue tangs—the fish for whom those characters were modeled. Interest in owning owls as pets was also said to have spiked among Harry Potter fans in certain parts of the world amid the height of the joint movie/book popularity. Though much of the evidence of these trends is anecdotal, anecdotal doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t happen. For instance, it’s difficult to completely discredit an exotic pet retailer who reported a 500% sales increase of an animal featured in a recent, very popular movie. But it’s also difficult to prove the causation, not to mention the scale. Dr. Almeida, who is interested in the qualities that make exotic pets desirous to consumers, says that even if sales of an animal from a movie did increase, the reasons are likely far more nuanced than just their appearance on screen. “Rarity is one important factor. We have good evidence that that certain [consumers] care a lot about rarity, that prices rise as animals become rarer and that retailers sell more animals if they are rare.” Another is morphology, or the physical structure of the animal. “Animals with unique morphology or distinctive colorations and patterns are more susceptible for these spikes in demand,” he said. “If Gary De’Snake was a brown, common garter snake and not a striking blue colored viper, I doubt we would see this attention. “I suspect that that's partially why this snake species, Trimeresurus insularis, was chosen for this movie, and why the fish representing Nemo and Dory are the ones they are, and not one of the millions of more boring looking fish species out there.” Even the on-screen portrayal, he suspects, makes a difference. “If the characters are protagonists, that could potentially either consciously or subconsciously, lead to more positive associations with the pet, especially for something like a pit viper, which probably has sort of a negative connotation to go with it in the first place. Also, the way these animals are anthropomorphized likely matters to some degree to people who report buying these animals because of the movie.” Case in point, one purchaser of the highly venomous viper told CNN that the movie helped give “reptile pets a better image,” saying of Gary De’Snake “I love his enthusiastic attitude and his sense of responsibility,” which would not be qualities associated with or displayed by the actual living species. “Attention to all of this falls in line with the same sort of things we are already know are drivers of demand in the pet trade,” Dr. Almeida said. Blockbuster Movies Probably Don’t Make Blockbuster Pet Trends Yet, while Dr. Almeida cedes that there is likely some degree of real demand for exotic pets based on movies (as evidenced by the self-reporting of people doing so for that reason), he cautions that there is very little to suggest these types of trends typically occur on large scales, especially those large enough to make any ecological impacts. He referenced a 2019 paper published by researchers at the University of Oxford, which looked at the purported increase of clownfish and blue tang sales after “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory.” “They found that there was an increase in the amount of people searching for the animal online, but not any evidence that retailers were importing more blue tangs, consumers were buying more blue tangs, or even that people were going to an aquarium to see them.” The findings, per the University of Oxford, suggested “that the impact of movies is limited when it comes to large scale buying of animals.” The authors also noted the role of viral media articles in suggesting this plausible causation was a hard-and-true phenomenon. Similarly, a 2017 study concluded that, contrary to popular belief, the Harry Potter series was unlikely to have increased demand for pet owls in the United Kingdom. Even if the demand was there at those larger scales, Dr. Almeida says meeting that demand could be a challenge, depending on the species. “You’d potentially have to poach them in large numbers from the wild, and that's challenging in and of itself. Or they would have to be captive bred, which for some animals is relatively easy but others not so much.” Not to mention the other roadblocks to mass exotic pet ownership. “Some of them may be tough to obtain or even illegal to own in the first place. Also, many of the consumers of films like ‘Zootopia 2’ who might feel a strong emotional pull to an animal are children, and children aren’t the ones going out and buying pets. And, even if something like this did become a large-scale trend, trends are fleeting. The long-term impact, ecologically, would be hard to predict.” But make no mistake. Pet trends certainly do happen on large scales, and whether they are caused by movies in part or not at all, they can have dire ecological consequences. Look at the case of the red eared slider. “Regardless of any possible influence from the show, these turtles are relatively easy to captive breed, so therefore relatively easy to acquire,” Dr. Almeida said. “But they are tough pets. They live a really long time and are kind of hard to care for, and that leads to people releasing them into the wild. They are now among the most invasive reptile species on the planet.” So much so, that the UK banned their sale in 1996. “It ties back to the complications of assessing certain aspects of the wildlife trade. There are so many factors, how do we get the entire picture? It’s a wicked problem.” Whether that problem includes movies with venomous, anthropomorphic snake protagonists appears unlikely, outside of a few highlighted cases. “It certainly wouldn’t be supported by much hard evidence… yet,” Dr. Almeida said. “But this is very much an under-researched phenomenon. I know I’ll keep my eye out for blue insularis next time I attend a pet expo.”
The Ads are Coming ! OpenAI is testing ads inside ChatGPT starting this month.
But there's a catch: You can’t just buy your way in ChatGPT will soon include “clearly labeled sponsored listings” at the bottom of AI-generated responses. And while the mock-ups don't appear all that sophisticated, it's important to focus on the bigger picture. We're about to see a new wave of 'high-intent advertising' that combines the targeting sophistication of social media with the purchase-intent clarity of search advertising. More on that in a moment. How Do ChatGPT Ads Work? Starting later this month, free users of the ChatGPT platform and those under 18 will begin receiving Ads at the bottom of their screens. First, they will see ChatGPT's answer to their question, which provides a comprehensive, relevant response that builds trust. Then they will see an ad for a sponsored product/service below. An ad that suddenly doesn't feel like a blunt interruption. It feels like a natural next step. This is premium placement. The user has already received value. They've been educated. And now there's a clear call to action (CTA) that's in context. Open AI has stated that their new Ads “support a broader effort to make powerful AI accessible to more people.” Translation: As they approach 1 billion weekly users across 171 countries using ChatGPT for free, OpenAI needs to offset its astronomical burn rate with ads. Makes sense. This New Era of Conversational Ads Will be Complicated But there's a structural difference with these new ads. OpenAI has stated that ads will only appear when they're relevant to that exact conversation. This means you can't just buy your way into ChatGPT Ads. In fact, with ChatGPT you are being selected because you're the right answer the user needs at that time. Put another way: When ChatGPT evaluates which sponsored products to show, it will favor brands with demonstrated authority on the topic. So unlike traditional paid search, where a higher bid gets you ranked in sponsored results, ChatGPT Ads will reward the brands whose content has already been recognized as authoritative by the AI model. Brands with strong organic visibility, topical expertise, and content that aligns with user intent will have a distinct competitive advantage from day one. Brands without that foundation will be paying premium rates to compete with established authorities. How ChatGPT's Ad Strategy is Set to Change Digital Marketing For years, CMOs have treated organic search and paid search as separate budget lines, often managed by different teams. I saw this firsthand, as I helped my client DoubleClick launch it’s first Ad Exchange network in the US market. Programmatic exchanges brought a new efficiency to digital ad buying. It was a very groovy time. This feels very different. Why? Because, the conventional wisdom has always been that paid search and ads drive immediate results while organic search plays the long game. In 2026, that strategy isn’t completely obsolete. But that type of thinking is about to get a lot more expensive for clients if they don't start to appreciate quality "organic" content and its ability to improve their paid advertising ROI. Now organic and paid need to get along, to get ahead. ChatGPT Ads Are Looking for Topical Authority that Experts Can Demonstrate When ChatGPT evaluates which sponsored products to show, it will favor brands with demonstrated authority on the topic. Brands won't simply be able to "buy" visibility. OpenAI in its announcements, has been explicit: ads must be relevant to the conversation. Relevance is determined by topical alignment, not budget. A brand spending millions on generic bidding will lose to a smaller competitor whose product is more precisely aligned with what the user actually asked. The ads aren't live yet. But the infrastructure supporting them is. Open AI, Google and many of the other generative search platforms are building very sophisticated systems that track topical authority and content quality signals. They're already reshaping how organic search, AI recommendations, and paid advertising work together. Topical Relevance + Expert Authority is the Path to Visibility in Search Investing in well-developed thought leadership programs generates compound returns. You get the organic search results plus an improvement in your paid search metrics in Generative AI search platforms. When done right, you build authority for AI citations, which then positions you better for ChatGPT ads. Remember, your organic traffic gains are built on authoritative content. They're built on being the answer that search engines and AI systems select. And once you've built that authority, it works everywhere—traditional search, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and soon… ChatGPT ads. What To Do Before AI Ad Networks Start to Scale The early advantage will go to brands that invest in quality content right now. Organizations that invest in expert-authored, intent-aligned content over the next six months will have more AI citation visibility from Google Overviews and similar LLM's like ChatGPT. That means more trust signals, making paid ads more effective when they run. Content that is aligned with user intent: Answers a specific question. Not tangentially, not after 2,000 words of context. The answer appears in the opening paragraph, structured for AI extraction. Includes expert perspective. Generic information that could come from anywhere doesn't differentiate you. Expert insight, original research, or proprietary frameworks do. Demonstrates topical authority. A single authoritative article matters less than a cluster of related content that shows comprehensive expertise on a topic. Is structured for scanning. Clear headings (H2, H3), bullet points, tables, Q&A blocks. This structure helps both human readers and AI systems parse meaning. Remember, the brands that get the most value out of ChatGPT Ads will be the ones that built intent-aligned content years before the ads launched. They'll have topical clusters, expert perspectives, and the authority signals that make them the natural choice for sponsorship. Questions CMO’s Should Be Asking their Teams Now to Prepare for ChatGPT Ads Q. Can I pre-purchase Chat GPT Ads? As of today, there are currently no ads in ChatGPT. Open AI has announced that they will begin internal testing ads in ChatGPT later this month for Free users in the US market. Q. Do Ads influence the answers ChatGPT gives you? What about privacy? Open AI in their release states that answers are optimized based on what's most helpful to you. Ads are always separated and clearly labeled from Answers. They also state that they keep your conversations private from advertisers and will never sell your data to advertisers. Q. How do we audit our site content to ensure we're aligned with user intent? For your top 20-30 decision-stage queries (the ones that drive revenue), here's a quick test. Does the content directly answer the question in the opening paragraph? Are you including question-and-answer formats in your content? If you're burying the answer in a 3,000-word article full of tangents, you're losing visibility in organic search, and you're already failing in ChatGPT's environment. Restructure. Q. How do we prepare for ChatGPT Advertising Opportunities? Build topical authority through content clusters. Don't publish isolated blog posts. Organize your content around core topics your audience cares about. Create a long-form hub article that comprehensively covers the topic, then develop additional linked articles that dive into sub-topics and questions. Link them together. This structure helps AI systems over time, recognize your brand as authoritative on that topic, which improves both organic rankings and AI citation rates. Q. Can we still get traction with content that is not authored by experts? Generic AI-written content won't differentiate you. Get expert voices into your content. Feature your subject-matter experts, partner with practitioners, and customers to contribute original insights, case studies, or frameworks. AI systems can detect authenticity, and original expert perspectives is now a ranking signal. This is especially critical as you prepare for ChatGPT ads. OpenAI has prioritized conversations that cite authoritative sources. Q. How does content need to be structured for citations? Implement proper schema markup and structured data. AI systems extract information by parsing content structure. If your pages include proper schema markup (FAQPage, HowTo, Review, Product schema), you're making it easier for AI to pull your content into answers. This increases citation rates, which builds authority before ChatGPT ads scale. Q. How do we allocate our organic and paid programs? Own the organic + paid intersection. For your highest-intent topics, if you have a budget, invest in both organic visibility and paid campaigns. Run ads targeting the same keywords where you rank organically. This takes up more real estate on the results page and signals authority. It also gives you direct feedback on keyword performance, messaging, and landing page effectiveness—data that informs your organic content strategy and drives more citations - a virtuous cycle. Q. What types of creative will work best in these new Ad products? Until they roll out, it's unwise to make too many predictions. The safe bet here is to prepare your team for conversational advertising. ChatGPT ads won't reward traditional ad copy. They'll reward clarity, specificity, and direct value messaging. If you're used to brand-heavy, aspirational creative, this will feel foreign. Start testing conversationally-appropriate messaging now. Short, clear, problem-focused. Test on existing paid channels and refine before ChatGPT ads launch. Our Prediction When ChatGPT ads fully launch and scale, many brands that have invested in organic visibility and content quality will start to pull away from the pack. Remember…The brands that win won't be the ones with the biggest ad budgets. They'll be the ones whose content has already proven they're the right answer. They'll be the ones users already trust, already cite, and already know. The ads are coming. Are you ready?
As tensions escalate over the possibility of the United States seeking control of Greenland — including threats of annexation that have drawn international backlash — seasoned international relations expert Glen Duerr, Ph.D. offers critical context for journalists reporting on the diplomatic, legal, and geopolitical dimensions of this unfolding crisis. What's Happening In early 2026, high-level rhetoric from U.S. political figures has revived debates about Greenland’s status as a strategic territory. What began as discussions of acquisition has evolved into broad international concern over sovereignty, alliance cohesion, and Arctic security. Denmark and Greenland have reaffirmed their commitment to autonomy, while NATO allies and the European Union warn that any forceful move by the U.S. could undermine alliance unity and violate international norms — raising profound questions about territorial integrity, international law, and the politics of national interest. Dr. Glen Deurr's teaching and research interests include nationalism and secession, comparative politics, international relations theory, sports and politics, and Christianity and politics. View his profile here How Dr. Glen Duerr Can Help Journalists Cover This Story 1. Understanding Strategic National Interests Dr. Duerr’s expertise in international relations provides journalists with a framework to explain why Greenland has become such a focal point for U.S., European, and Arctic security policy — from its strategic location to its role in broader defense calculations. 2. Explaining Nationalism, Sovereignty & Self-Determination His research on nationalism and secession is especially relevant as Greenlanders and Danish authorities assert self-determination and reject external control, a central narrative in the current debate. 3. Contextualizing International Norms & Legal Constraints As commentators and policymakers discuss potential annexation, treaty obligations, and alliance commitments, Dr. Duerr can unpack how international law, treaties (such as NATO agreements), and norms against territorial conquest shape policy choices and diplomatic responses. 4. Making Sense of Geopolitical Fallout With European leaders labeling aggressive claims as a form of “new colonialism” and threatening economic countermeasures, Dr. Duerr can help journalists interpret how Greenland could become a flashpoint affecting transatlantic relations, alliance politics, and global perceptions of U.S. foreign policy. About Glen Duerr, Ph.D. Dr. Glen Duerr is a Professor of International Studies at Cedarville University with deep expertise in international relations theory, nationalism, secession, and comparative politics. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Government and is widely available to speak with media on geopolitics, sovereignty disputes, and the intersection of national interest and international order. Why This Matters The evolving crisis over Greenland is not merely a diplomatic dispute — it touches on fundamental questions of sovereignty, global strategic balance, alliance credibility, and international legal norms. Dr. Duerr is positioned to help journalists go beyond headlines, offering analysis that clarifies motivations, stakes, and implications for audiences tracking one of the most talked-about international issues of 2026.
Analyzing Legal Implications of Venezuela Intervention
Hofstra Law Professor James Sample has emerged as a leading legal analyst in national and regional media following the U.S. operation involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, offering expert commentary on constitutional authority, international law, and criminal procedure. Professor Sample appeared across major television, radio, and digital platforms, including ABC News, CBS New York, MS NOW, and Pacifica Radio, as developments unfolded surrounding the capture and federal prosecution. In multiple ABC News segments, Professor Sample analyzed the legality of the Venezuela operation under international law, characterizing the action as a potential violation of the United Nations Charter, and explained what to expect procedurally at the arraignment of Maduro and his wife on federal charges. His commentary also addressed the broader implications of asserting U.S. jurisdiction over a sitting foreign head of state.
You Can’t Reconnect with Family Through a Screen You Won’t Put Down
When families say, “We never really talk anymore,” the holidays are supposed to be the fix, the one time of year everyone gets under the same roof, sits around the same table, and finally catches up. But in 2025, most people arrive at those gatherings with a second guest in tow: their phone. New behavioral data from Offline.now, a digital wellness platform founded by author and CEO Eli Singer, shows 8 in 10 people want a healthier relationship with technology, yet more than half feel too overwhelmed to know where to start. That makes the holidays a natural “reset” moment; if parents and other adults are willing to change their own habits first. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Gaea Woods says phones have quietly become the “third party” in many households: “Phones are killing interpersonal relationships - not because tech is evil, but because we use it unconsciously at the moments connection matters most. When you’re scrolling at dinner, you’re sending the message, ‘My phone is more interesting and important than you.’” Research on “phubbing” aka phone snubbing backs this up, linking partner and family phone use during conversations with lower relationship satisfaction and more conflict. Offline.now’s experts see the same pattern: when screens show up at the table, intimacy and meaningful conversation drop. Executive Function Coach Craig Selinger argues that the real leverage point isn’t screen-time rules for kids; it’s modelling by adults: “If you want behavior change in kids, start with the parent model. A 12-year-old will not put their phone away at dinner if their parents won’t. Kids copy what you do, not what you say.” When kids see parents physically turn phones face-down and set them aside, it creates permission, even relief. Over a few days of holiday visits, those small moments can add up to something families say they miss most: unhurried conversations, shared jokes, and the feeling that the people in front of you are more important than the feed on your screen. For journalists covering holiday family dynamics, tech and relationships, or digital wellness, Offline.now can offer expert interviews on: How to design realistic, family-wide phone rules for gatherings Why parental modelling matters more than any app setting Simple scripts parents can use to set expectations without shaming kids Featured Experts Gaea Woods, MA, LMFT – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in digital dependency, intimacy, and communication in modern relationships. Craig Selinger, M.S., CCC-SLP – Executive Function Coach and child development specialist focused on how tech impacts learning, attention, and family systems. Expert availability can be arranged through Offline.now’s media team.
Sleep Is the First Casualty of Your Screen Habit
Everyone says they want to “sleep better” in the new year. Most start with new pillows, supplements or blackout curtains while the biggest sleep disruptor in the room is still glowing inches from their face. Digital wellness platform Offline.now, founded by author and strategist Eli Singer, has found that we now spend about 10 of our 16 waking hours on screens, roughly 63% of our day. Psychotherapist Harshi Sritharan, MSW, RSW, who specializes in ADHD and modern anxiety, says sleep is often the first system to collapse under that load. Harshi explains that phones and screens emit blue light that hits the retinal ganglion cells in our eyes and tells the brain it’s time to be alert, the opposite of what we need at night: “When we’re leaning towards using our phones right before bed, that blue light hits our system and says, ‘We should be awake.’ It disrupts our circadian rhythm. For people with ADHD or other neurodiversity, whose rhythms are already fragile, adding late-night screen exposure completely throws things off.” She notes that exposure between roughly 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. is particularly damaging for stress and sleep regulation, leaving people “tired all the time throughout the day.” Morning habits can be just as destructive. Sritharan warns that checking your phone first thing essentially programs your brain to chase distraction: “Don’t be on your phone first thing in the morning — it hijacks your attention and your dopamine for the rest of the day. After that kind of stimulation, everything else feels harder and less interesting.” She also calls the snooze button “a pattern that’s making us more tired,” because it fragments REM sleep instead of helping us feel rested. The good news: the data suggests you don’t need a perfect digital detox to see real benefits. A JAMA Network Open study on young adults found that reducing social media use for just one week, not quitting entirely; led to about a 24.8% drop in depression, 16.1% drop in anxiety, and 14.5% improvement in insomnia symptoms. Singer argues that the real barrier isn’t willpower, it’s confidence. Offline.now’s research shows 8 in 10 people want a healthier relationship with tech, but more than half feel too overwhelmed to know where to start. “When people tell us they feel overwhelmed, it’s not laziness. It’s a crisis of confidence,” says Singer. “Lasting change doesn’t require deleting Instagram or TikTok tomorrow. You need to win one personal victory today, and then another tomorrow. That’s how confidence rebuilds.” For journalists covering sleep, mental health, or digital dependency, this story connects the dots between phones, dopamine and insomnia and offers a realistic alternative to the all-or-nothing “digital detox.” Featured Experts Harshi Sritharan, MSW, RSW – Psychotherapist specializing in ADHD, anxiety, insomnia and digital dependency. She explains how blue light, dopamine cycles and “doomscrolling before bed” undermine sleep, especially for neurodivergent clients. Eli Singer – Founder of Offline.now and author of Offline.now: A Practical Guide to Healthy Digital Balance. He speaks to the behavioral data behind digital overwhelm, the confidence gap, and the Offline.now Matrix that turns vague resolutions into actionable micro-steps. Expert interviews can be arranged through the Offline.now media team.
The H³ Plan: How to Retire Without Losing Your Mind & How You Can Support Older Relatives
MEDIA ADVISORY Retirement planning expert Sue Pimento introduces her H³ Plan — a research-backed framework for maintaining mental and emotional health in retirement that goes beyond financial planning. The framework identifies three essential pillars — Hope, Help, and Horizon — that help combat the emotional flatness many retirees experience after leaving structured work. Drawing on neuroscience research and clinical insights, Pimento offers a practical "emotional pension plan" for the growing population of Canadians navigating this life transition. Sue Pimento is available for interviews on retirement wellness, healthy aging, and the psychology of life transitions. Retirement doesn't arrive with a crash. It arrives quietly. One day, you stop setting alarms, stop racing against the clock, stop feeling urgently needed—and no one gives you the mental and emotional playbook for what comes next. There should be a chapter titled: How to Keep Your Brain Engaged, Regulated, and Not Mildly Irritated by Everyone. Instead? 404 page not found. (Translation: the system is actively seeking guidance… and coming up empty.) And if you're nodding along thinking "yes… exactly" — IYKYK. (If You Know, You Know. And if you don't yet, give it time.) Understanding Your Emotional Pension Plan After years of writing, researching, listening, and living through this stage myself, three factors consistently emerge as essential to maintaining mental and emotional health as we age. I call it H³: Hope, Help, and Horizon. Here's why each one matters—and why neglecting any of them leaves you emotionally drained. Think of them as your emotional pension plan — not optional, not fluffy, but essential. 1. Hope: Not Just Wishful Thinking — Agency, Clarified In her reflective New York Times article, "Your Hopes," journalist and believing host Lauren Jackson examines increasing cynicism, waning trust, and—most importantly—what research indicates truly can turn the tide. One line sums up the difference perfectly: Optimism is believing the future will improve. Hope is believing you can make it so. Here's why that matters. Optimism versus Hope (Plain-English Edition) Optimism is passive: "Things will probably work out." Hope is active: "I can influence what happens next." Optimism awaits. Hope takes part. From a psychological perspective, hope is based on: • Agency (I am able to act) • Pathways thinking (I can find a way) Research from the University of Oklahoma's Hope Research Center indicates that hope is one of the strongest predictors of well-being, often surpassing income, education, and even past success. For retirees, this distinction is important because aging narratives often aim to gently remove us from the driver's seat. Hope replies with something more like: Back off, sister. I refuse to buy into outdated stereotypes. I've upgraded to a more modern version of aging—like a new iPod model. (Stereos are out of style. Keep up.) Hope maintains the nervous system in an engaged state rather than resignation. In fact, some see hope as far more nuanced. Frank O’Dea, best known for his personal comeback story — from being homeless to later becoming a very successful coffee entrepreneur as the co-founder of the Second Cup shares his thoughts in his book, “Hope is Not a Strategy.” His personal narrative reinforces a deep belief in hope as a powerful emotional engine, but never as a substitute for action. O’Dea, who later went on to be a co-founder of the Second Cup Coffee Company and is a recipient of the Order of Canada for his philanthropy and humanitarian work, speaks to the human tendency to confuse optimism with preparation — people often wish their way into opportunity, rather than work their way into readiness. I love this line from his book: “Hope is important — it gives us purpose. But without a strategy, it leaves us vulnerable. We win not by wishing, but by working.” — Frank O’Dea 2. Giving Back: Your Brain's Favourite (Unpaid) Job Giving back isn't about virtue. Or virtue signalling on social, for that matter. (It's not a branding exercise. No hashtag required.) It's about nervous system regulation. Over the holidays, I was listening to an interview on CBC Radio and found myself doing that thing where you stop playing Vita Mahjong mid-game because someone said something so logical but also completely fascinating. Gloria Macarenko’s episode with Vancouver-based psychologist and therapist Lawrence Sheppard explored in detail how giving back influences us and what he has personally observed in his practice. The message? Giving back is a key factor for mental health. Certainly, we've all heard the well-known phrase "tis better to give than receive"—or a version of it. But Sheppard wasn't referring to virtue or being kind. He was discussing what truly happens in the brain when we give. Here's the short version: Helping others shifts the brain out of threat mode and into meaning mode. So what's Happening Neurologically? Building on Sheppard's clinical work and broader neuroscience: • Chronic stress forces the nervous system to stay hyper-vigilant. • Rumination shifts inward and intensifies the sense of threat. • Contribution shifts focus outward • Helping activates reward pathways and emotional regulation. Giving back restores balance. • purpose • structure • connection • competence Giving back reminds your brain it's still engaged—just not earning money. (My definition of volunteering. Not Webster's.) And many retirees miss that feeling more than the salary. They also miss the tangibles: vinyl records, 99-cent bread, and the quiet satisfaction of being needed somewhere at 9 a.m. Importantly, giving back—like hope—helps regulate the nervous system by decreasing feelings of isolation and restoring a sense of predictability. Your brain prefers knowing where it belongs. 3. Something to Look Forward To: Anticipation Is Medicine This one is sneaky powerful—and well documented. Having something to anticipate generates excitement. And excitement is not merely a feeling. It's a nervous system event. Here's the connective tissue: All three pillars—hope, giving back, and anticipation—work because they shift the nervous system away from threat and stagnation, and toward engagement, reward, and regulation. The Science (Why Anticipation Works) Research by neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz showed that dopamine spikes most strongly before a reward—not during it. Later studies in affective neuroscience confirmed: • Anticipation boosts motivation and positive emotions. • Future-oriented thinking diminishes depressive rumination. • Predictable positive events enhance mood regulation. In plain English: Your brain lights up when it knows something good is coming. In many instances, anticipation offers more emotional uplift than the event itself. Think: • first date • first kiss • first solo trip • first "I can't believe I'm actually doing this" moment You cannot buy that feeling in a bottle. (Not even the little blue pill will do it.) Why This Matters in Retirement Work used to provide: • deadlines • milestones • future orientation • purpose • feedback • connection • a sense of accomplishment And yes—before anyone writes me a letter—stay-at-home moms, caregivers, and volunteers: that is work. Don't get me started. When structured work concludes, those inputs aren't automatically replaced. Without things to look forward to: • time flattens • mood dulls • life becomes emotionally beige Something—anything—on the calendar restores forward motion. What Giving Back Looks Like in Real Life My friend Janet retired at 63 with a solid financial plan and no emotional plan. Six months in, she was climbing the walls—bored, restless, wondering why she felt so flat when she "should" be enjoying herself. Then she started tutoring at the library (Help), signed up for a pottery course (Horizon), and realized she could actually shape this chapter however she wanted (Hope). Different person. Same retirement account. Completely different nervous system. Big Things Are Overrated Waiting for something big to look forward to is often just perfectionism wearing a sensible cardigan. We tell ourselves the next big milestone will fix everything, when in reality, progress usually happens in a game of inches. Small choices, taken consistently, create big shifts. Direction beats intensity every time. As I wrote in my last blog about my Everest Base Camp and MBA journey: Even Cs get degrees. And I'll add: Consistent B- work wins most races. Small counts: • weekly plans • standing dates • tickets bought months ahead • regular commitments Anticipation is hope with a calendar invite. The H³ Framework for a Happy Retirement (Hope. Help. Horizon.) All three regulate the nervous system and keep us engaged. Hope — I can still shape things Help — I'm useful and connected Horizon — My life has forward motion If life feels flat, add one from each column. That's the prescription. Retirement isn't just about slowing down. It's about re-wiring. In plain English: You are not done yet! Remember, hope keeps you engaged. Giving back keeps you grounded. Looking forward keeps you light. Or, translated: A happy retirement isn't passive. It's practiced. A Note for Those Supporting Older Relatives If you have aging parents, relatives, or friends in your life, be on the lookout for signs of depression, resignation, or apathy. The signs are obvious if you're paying attention: flat affect, repetitive complaints, withdrawal, that vague sense they're just going through the motions, or their smile doesn't reach their eyes. Here's what not to do: point it out directly or suggest they "find a hobby" or "volunteer somewhere." Here's what does work: create Hope and Horizon by scheduling regular outings—lunch, a walk, a movie, anything with a date attached. Sometimes we underestimate how much seniors look forward to our visits and connections. It's better than any tonic or medication to lift spirits, young and old. In this scenario, action speaks louder than words. Talking about depression often brings up shame and further withdrawal. Instead, think of love as a verb, not a noun. You don't need to fix anything. Just show up. Regularly. Predictably. No grand gestures. No reinvention required. Just presence with a pulse - and notifications on mute! Be that person! Don't retire. Re-wire. — Sue Want more of this? Subscribe for weekly doses of retirement reality—no golf-cart clichés, no sunset stock photos, just straight talk about staying Hip, Fit & Financially Free. Subscribe Here
ENLIGHTENing the Holidays: How Meijer Gardens Turned Art and Nature Into a Year-Round Attraction
With the completion of its second season, ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens has moved beyond the idea of a seasonal attraction to become a defining example of how cultural institutions can transform the off-season into a destination experience. The program’s exceptional year-over-year growth, combined with national recognition in only its second year, signals a turning point in how Meijer Gardens engages audiences year-round. At the center of that evolution is Carol Kendra, whose leadership perspective connects ENLIGHTEN’s creative ambition, production scale, and audience growth to a broader strategy of experiential cultural programming. As Chief Operating Officer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Carol Kendra provides strategic oversight for daily operations, guest experience, programming and long-term planning across the organization’s 158-acre campus. It washer leadership and strategic vision helped shape ENLIGHTEN from concept to a growing cultural phenomenon. View her profile Meijer Gardens has long been active outside traditional peak seasons, regularly hosting programs such as Fall at Meijer Gardens, Spring at Meijer Gardens, and its longstanding holiday tradition University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions. These initiatives established a foundation for shoulder-season engagement and demonstrated that audiences were willing to experience the Gardens beyond summer months. ENLIGHTEN marked a deliberate step forward, not simply another seasonal offering, but a fully immersive evening experience that invited visitors to experience Meijer Gardens in a new way during the winter months, using light, sound, and landscape to create a sense of wonder and discovery. The annual event has also garnered attention from media across the country: Taking the Experience to the Next Level What distinguishes ENLIGHTEN is its production and experiential ambition. The program was produced in collaboration with Lightswitch and Upstaging, firms recognized internationally for creating world-class immersive environments and technically sophisticated experiences. Their portfolios include large-scale botanical light installations, major theme park productions, and live and recorded projects for globally recognized, award-winning artists. That expertise elevated ENLIGHTEN into a carefully choreographed, multi-sensory journey that integrates light, sound, landscape, and movement in a way that complements — rather than overwhelms — Meijer Gardens’ art and horticulture. This approach reflects a deliberate investment in experience design, audience flow, and emotional impact. The result is an experience that: Extends engagement well beyond traditional daylight hours Encourages repeat visits across a single season Attracts audiences who may be new to Meijer Gardens ENLIGHTEN reflects how cultural institutions are responding to changing audience expectations. Visitors are increasingly seeking experiences that are immersive, emotionally resonant, and worth traveling for — even during traditionally slower seasons. By building on its history of seasonal programming and elevating it through design, technology, and collaboration, Meijer Gardens demonstrates how institutions can grow without losing authenticity. Expert Insight: As a senior leader involved in shaping Meijer Gardens’ visitor experiences and institutional strategy, Carol Kendra brings expert insight into: How ENLIGHTEN was conceived as both an artistic and operational response to seasonality Why immersive seasonal experiences resonate with broad, multigenerational audiences How art and horticulture can be activated together What measurable growth means for long-term institutional planning and cultural relevance Her perspective helps journalists and industry professionals understand ENLIGHTEN not simply as a holiday event, but as a case study in cultural innovation and audience development.
The Doomscrolling Couple: Spending Time Together on Different Screens
In 2025, a lot of couples end their day the same way: lying in bed, each silently scrolling through an endless stream of bad news. They’re physically together, but emotionally somewhere else. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Gaea Woods sees this pattern constantly in her practice — and says doomscrolling has become a quiet third party in many relationships. “Phones are killing interpersonal relationships — not because tech is evil, but because we use it unconsciously at the moments connection matters most,” she says. “Even something as simple as being on your phone at dinner is a way to express, ‘I’m more interested in my phone than I am in you.’” Instead of talking about their day, fears, or plans, partners lie next to each other consuming the same distressing content, letting shared anxiety take the place of actual conversation. Research on doomscrolling backs up what Woods sees in the therapy room. Studies and reviews have found that compulsively consuming negative news online is linked with higher anxiety, depression, stress, sadness, and feelings of overwhelm, and even existential anxiety and pessimism about life. “Doomscrolling feels like you’re staying informed together,” Woods says, “but what’s really happening is that both nervous systems are getting more activated while neither partner is actually talking about what they’re feeling.” Relationship science adds another important piece: phubbing — phone snubbing during interactions. Multiple studies (including a recent meta-analysis published by Frontiers in Psychology) show that partner phubbing is associated with lower relationship and marital satisfaction, less intimacy and emotional closeness, and more conflict and jealousy. Woods describes what that looks like in real life: “You pick up your phone instead of saying, ‘That hurt my feelings.’ Your partner wonders, ‘Is she okay? Is he mad at me?’ and then they grab their phone too. Suddenly you’re two people on your phones instead of two people connecting.” Her core message for couples and for journalists covering modern relationships is that: scrolling together isn’t the same as being together. When screens become a third party at the table or in bed, intimacy quietly leaves the room. Featured Expert Gaea Woods, MA, LMFT – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in digital dependency, intimacy and communication. She speaks to how doomscrolling and phone use act as a “third party” in relationships, why scrolling side-by-side increases emotional loneliness, and the practical phone rules that help couples rebuild genuine connection. Expert interviews can be arranged through the Offline.now media team.