Posts by Dr. Gregory Popcak
Escaping the Blame Game
When things go wrong, we love having someone to blame. It’s a seductive game that makes us think that blaming others will give us control, but in reality, as long as we play the blame game–whether serving or being served–we have no power to change anything. We may manage to convince ourselves that nothing is…
Read MoreTainted Love: Why is 50 Shades of Grey so Popular?
This article first appeared in Patheos and is republished here with the permission of the author. Note: The following article deals frankly with sexual topics Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that 50 Shades of Grey, a popular soft-core pornographic movie about a timid young woman who is sexually dominated by a billionaire,…
Read MoreWhat Me Worry
When Worry is a Way of Life “I’m so worried one of my kids will get sick and die.” “I have to hold my grandson’s hand every second or some pedophile will come and kidnap him.” “You got to move that picture hanging on the wall next to our grandson’s bed because I can’t sleep worrying…
Read MoreA Marriage in Trouble
Stepping Out of the Blender: The Keys of Successful Blended Families Chuck and Melinda were both married and divorced before meeting each other. Married to each other for 5 years, they have two step-children between them. Chuck’s son from his previous marriage primarily lives with his mother, but comes to stay one night a week…
Read MoreAbstinence
It’s easy for parents to despair of teaching their kids abstinence. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood), 70% of teens will have had vaginal intercourse by the time they are 19 and the average age of teens’ first sexual encounter is…
Read MoreWhy Marriages Fail
Why Marriages Fail: And How to Make Sure Yours Doesn’t Allan and Jen asked me to do some marriage preparation counseling with them. Both Catholics, and both from divorced homes, they wanted to know what it takes to “make it.” As Jen explained to me in our first conversation, “Allan and I love each other,…
Read MoreThe Grandfather Clause
Tom and Gina just had their first child, a baby boy named Christopher. Both Tom and Gina’s parents were overjoyed. In particular, Karen, Gina’s mom, was especially excited because it was her first grandchild. She knew it would be an adjustment for Tom and her daughter, so she…
Read MoreAnxiety Control
High Anxiety: Seeking Sanity when the World Goes Nuts “It’s like a mystery novel around here.” George explained, frustrated with the corporate restructuring his company was going through. “…And Then There Were None.” George’s company was facing layoffs. Every day, he came into work to find that yet another colleague had gotten the axe. …
Read MoreOvercoming Anger
Aaaaaaaarrrrrggg! Overcoming Anger Gregory K. Popcak, Ph.D. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20. “I just lost it.” Said Aaron, 43, discussing a situation that led…
Read MoreBe Not Afraid: Advice for the New Husband
William called our radio program with a question. “I’m getting married next month. I love Bethany, my fiancée, so much, and I can’t believe how blessed I am that she said, ‘yes’ but as the wedding is getting closer, I’m having a hard time sleeping at night. It’s not like I’m getting cold feet. …
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