When he walked out of prison after 28 years, the first thing Allen Burnett did was drive to the ocean. “I just stood there for a minute,” he recalls. “I wanted to feel the air.” For most of his life, Burnett never expected that moment to come. He entered California’s prison system as a teenager in the early 1990s after participating in a fatal carjacking. Sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, he believed he would die behind bars: “I was told I’m not worthy.” Allen Burnett is the co-founder and executive director of Prism Way. Courtesy of Prism Way Instead of planning for freedom, he focused on finding purpose within the prison walls. That choice set him on a path that would reshape not only his life but the lives of countless others. At California State Prison, Los Angeles County — often simply called Lancaster — Burnett eventually earned a college degree with magna cum laude honors thanks to a pioneering in-prison education program through Cal State, and he found mentorship with other prisoners. Governor Jerry Brown commuted his sentence and the parole board found him to be no longer a threat to society in 2019. Today Burnett is the co-founder and executive director of Prism Way, a Los Angeles nonprofit that trains formerly incarcerated people to become peer support specialists — mentors who help others navigate trauma, addiction and life after prison. The work draws directly on the peer-counseling culture Burnett experienced during his own incarceration. The mission is clear: turn lived experience into healing. A mental health crisis behind bars California’s correctional system houses tens of thousands of people with mental health needs. Federal estimates show that 44 percent of people in jail and 37 percent in prison live with a diagnosed mental illness, compared with 18 percent of the general population. More than half also struggle with substance-use disorders. A large prison system study published in BMC Public Health found that nearly half of incarcerated people have a diagnosed mental health condition, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. The crisis is particularly acute in local jails, including the massive jail system run by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Advocates and researchers have described Los Angeles County jails as the largest de facto mental health facilities in the United States, where people with psychiatric conditions often cycle through the justice system rather than receiving treatment. Federal oversight has repeatedly highlighted systemic failures: understaffing, long waits for psychiatric care and harsh disciplinary measures that exacerbate mental distress. Prism Way trains formerly incarcerated people to become peer support specialists — mentors who help others navigate trauma, addiction and life after prison. Courtesy of Prism Way Governor Gavin Newsom has made rehabilitation central to prison reform. The California Model, inspired in part by Norway’s prison system, emphasizes trauma-informed staffing, education and rehabilitation that mirrors life outside. Peer support is a key component. In 2022, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began training incarcerated people to become peer support specialists. These mentors help fellow inmates cope with trauma and addiction, bridging gaps that formal treatment sometimes cannot. Early results of peer counseling have been promising. For instance, in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles, it coincided with a sharp drop in self-harm and fewer transfers to forensic psychiatric hospitals (facilities that treat people with mental health needs within the legal system). Burnett watches the new initiatives with relief: “You can’t just lock everybody up and expect them to get better,” he says. “If you don’t help and support them, locking up isn’t doing anything.” The prison that pioneered peer support Remarkably, incarcerated men created their own rehabilitative culture in the Towers and within the Lancaster facility long before the current state initiative.  In the early 2000s, incarcerated men proposed an honor yard in Lancaster, a space where participants pledged to reject gang violence, drugs and racism, and commit to education, self-reflection and accountability. Inmates created programs ranging from book clubs to victim-awareness courses to addiction recovery meetings. They invited professors and volunteers to teach classes. “The real benefit of Lancaster was the men teaching men,” Burnett recalls. “If someone was struggling, we’d walk laps together and talk for hours. It was a space where we could ask for help without shame.” Weighed down by negative news? Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for. [contact-form-7] Participants held one another accountable. Minor behavior resembling gang culture could lead to removal from the yard. The result was a culture where men serving life sentences focused on education, therapy and personal growth — even when many believed they would never leave prison. Burnett eventually confronted his own traumas — including finding his father dead from a drug overdose at age five — and the pain his crimes had caused to the family of his victim. “Hurt people hurt people,” Burnett says. “But healed people help people.” Learning to heal — and help others Among those shaped by Lancaster’s peer culture was Tyson Atlas, sentenced to life without parole at 16. “I was so young I didn’t even understand what my sentence meant,” he says. Meeting Burnett became a turning point: “Watching his healing journey helped me see what was possible.” Tyson Atlas and Edwin Cruz co-facilitate peer support trainings for Prism Way. Courtesy of Prism Way Through peer-led programs, Atlas learned counseling skills, group facilitation and recovery techniques — often without knowing they mirrored formal psychological practices. Later, while studying academic literature, he recognized the concepts he had been practicing all along. Atlas earned certification as a substance-use disorder counselor while incarcerated. In 2024, after his sentence was commuted, he joined Burnett in leading Prism Way’s peer support training. Founded in 2021, Prism Way trains system-impacted individuals to become certified peer support specialists, recognized within California’s behavioral health system. The program combines roughly 80 hours of classroom instruction, group discussion and experiential learning.  Respect. Honesty. Patience. These are among the values Atlas scribbles on the whiteboard in the light-filled rooms of Prism Way on Hollywood’s Hope Street. His 23 students listen intently. Most of them are former lifers like Atlas and Burnett; others recently became sober or are working with at-risk youth. One of them, Moises Huerta, was released from prison just five days ago. He had met Burnett in Lancaster in a grief support group. “They pick me up from my halfway house, they show me how to operate a phone,” he says gratefully about the help he has received from Prism Way staff after several decades behind bars. Now he is here to train as a peer support specialist to pay it forward. Tyson Atlas, Allen Burnett and Edwin Cruz. Courtesy of Prism Way Peer support specialists do not diagnose conditions or prescribe treatment. Instead, they provide mentorship and emotional support grounded in personal experience. “We harness our lived experience and come alongside people in their recovery,” Atlas says. “All the years someone spent incarcerated — those experiences can prevent someone else from going down the same path.” For many, certification also provides a career pathway, helping address the employment barriers that often hinder successful reentry. Prism Way sometimes waives tuition for participants who cannot afford it. “We know what it’s like coming home and navigating the workforce with that stigma,” Burnett says. “If we don’t help them, some might end up homeless or fall back into addiction.” Both the attendees and the trainers emphasize that peers got through to them when others couldn’t. “I had counselors who wanted to help me, but they hadn’t been in my situation,” Burnett remembers. “They hadn’t been assaulted, sexually molested, they hadn’t lost parents to drug abuse and been around gangs; we didn’t speak the same language. They didn’t have to go home to the same struggles that I had to.” Shifting prison culture Edwin Cruz, who co-facilitates the course with Atlas, spent 17 years in prison after a life-without-parole sentence. He struggled with depression while grappling with the prospect of dying in prison. Yet he didn’t ask for help. “As a Southern Hispanic, going to mental health was seen as weakness,” he recalls. “You could be targeted for it.” Peer-led support changed that. “Having somebody to talk to helped me process trauma, depression and addiction.” In March, Edwin Cruz and Tyson Atlas were recognized by California Senator Maria Elana Durazo for their work and outstanding achievements. Courtesy of Prism Way Cruz notes that peer support is not a replacement for professional treatment. “Some individuals need multiple levels of care,” he says. But programs like Prism Way have shifted the culture, creating spaces where seeking help is now encouraged. He and Burnett first met in prison as members of opposing gangs. “We’re living proof that this works,” Cruz says with a laugh. Prism Way’s work reflects a broader idea emerging in criminal justice reform: that the people closest to the problems of incarceration may also hold the most practical insights into change. Burnett sums it up: “People closer to the problem are closer to the solution.”   Though critics question why inmates should benefit from free mental health care when many Americans can’t afford or access care, California’s data suggest the efforts pay off. Calmer inmates mean fewer resources spent on staffing and security. According to the Board of Parole Hearings, fewer than one percent of people released from life-with-parole sentences between 2011 and 2020 were convicted of a new violent crime within three years. Wait, you're not a member yet? Join the Reasons to be Cheerful community by supporting our nonprofit publication and giving what you can. Join Cancel anytime Prism Way now hopes to expand beyond Los Angeles, partnering with youth programs and juvenile facilities in Orange County. A cohort set for early 2026 will train young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, pairing skill-building with mentorship and employment support. For Burnett, the mission is deeply personal: “I don’t want people to remember me by my crime,” he says. “I want them to remember me by the work I’ve done.” The post Formerly Incarcerated Mentors Are Changing Lives in California appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

At 88 years old, Marie McLaren has done a lot in her life. Before retirement, she worked as a sales assistant, a factory worker, and a cleaner—all while raising three children, who now have kids of their own. But in her golden years, she’s pursuing a new challenge: stand-up comedy. Most up-and-coming comedians make their debut at small shows or open mics. McLaren, however, had the added pressure of performing a five-minute set as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. It would be understandable to flop or fumble under those conditions. Instead, McLaren nailed it like a pro. View this post on Instagram How did this senior get into stand-up? McLaren decided to give stand-up comedy a try after years of encouragement from family and friends. In fact, she was practically pushed into it. Her daughter signed her up for a four-week stand-up comedy course for seniors. “I’ve always liked making people laugh. I’ve been a bit of a joker all my life and I’ve never had much time for folk that just complain and moan,” McLaren told Chortle. “My friends used to say I should try stand-up, so when my daughter signed me up for this I thought, ‘Well, I’ll give it a go.’ I might be 88 but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying new things.” The class, taught by award-winning Scottish comedian Viv Gee, teaches senior students how to write and develop original material. It also focuses on building confidence and controlling the room in front of a live audience. The course is promoted in partnership with Age Scotland. @thecomediansparadise Is this point about hosting by Viv Gee true? #comedyadvice #standupcomedyadvice #thecomediansparadise #standupcomedy ♬ original sound – thecomediansparadise Age Scotland is a charity focused on the social and mental well-being of older adults. It helps fund and promote programs that provide activities, care, and companionship. These efforts aim to address the loneliness epidemic among elderly communities. A new star is born Once the course ended, McLaren and her classmates performed at the Social Hub in Scotland. The class and the show were organized in partnership with Age Scotland. The name of the seniors’ comedy show? The Old Ones Are the Best. McLaren credits her successful debut to her teacher. “Viv has been brilliant. She explains everything properly and gives you the confidence to try it,” she said. “You come in thinking you don’t know what you’re doing and then suddenly you’re writing things down and thinking, ‘I can do this.’” While this was her first time writing and performing stand-up comedy, McLaren has always had a performance bug. Prior to her comedy debut, she and her husband joined a talent agency for walk-on roles in film and TV. Most notably, she appeared in a music video for The Proclaimers, directed by Matt Lucas. While the class is over, McLaren’s journey into the comedy world is just beginning. “If I was asked to do more, I would definitely say yes. As long as I can still stand up and make people laugh, I’ll keep going,” she said. “I don’t think you should ever stop. If something comes along and you fancy it, just do it.” The post 88-year-old Scottish grandmother absolutely nails her first set as a stand-up comedian appeared first on Upworthy.

Like the space flights before it, the Artemis II mission revolves around hard science and data. But what has captivated us most here on Earth is the beauty and humanity it reveals. We’ve enjoyed the astronauts’ joyful camaraderie as they reach farther into space than any humans have gone before. We’ve been touched by the reminder that we are all one people. And we’ve wept at the naming of a moon crater after Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife. And now, we’re hearing from the lone Canadian onboard, sharing how Indigenous elders’ wisdom has helped guide him through this mission. @hiphopgeronimo Sit with your elders #JeremyHansen #ArtemisII #Indigenous #teachings #elders ♬ original sound – Malcolm Roulette In preparation for the Artemis II launch, mission specialist Jeremy Hansen said he sought advice that led him to Indigenous wisdom. Asked what he learned from Indigenous elders, Hansen shared his response from space. “I’ve had many Indigenous elders spend time with me in my travels across the country, and I’ve always enjoyed it,” he said. “If I can give you one piece of advice, sit with your elders and ask questions. But listen intently. Every time I’ve stopped to listen, I’ve just learned these amazing things.” Hansen pulled out the personal mission patch he carried onboard. ‘This encompasses a few of the things I learned from the elders,” he said. “But when I left the vision quest, I had a better understanding of it. These animals in this patch, that was created by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond from the Turtle Lodge, these animals represent some things that I try to think about every day. My mantra when I wake up is I am just going to try to spend my day walking with these attributes. And so I start with courage, humility, respect, love, honesty, wisdom, and truth.” Hansen said the crew named their Orion spacecraft “Integrity,” which he says encapsulates those attributes. “For me, being ‘in integrity’ is walking in accordance with these seven sacred laws, and it’s just something that helps guide me through life,” he said. For over 10 years, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers have blessed @Astro_Jeremy with knowledge and teachings that he carries with him as he prepares for the #Artemis II mission to the Moon. #NIHM2024 About Jeremy’s mission patch: https://t.co/TDUkxwv1CF pic.twitter.com/JujEHs44OW— Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) June 25, 2024 The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) explains the “Seven Sacred Laws” represented by the animals on Hansen’s patch. The following descriptions come from Sabe, Leader of Turtle Lodge, and have been edited for concision by the CSA: Buffalo – Respect The buffalo represents respect. It gives its entire being to feed the people, for them to live. Elders teach that when you respect others, you give of yourself, you give your life to help people around you to create a better existence for all. Eagle – Love The eagle represents love. Grandmothers say that one of the most powerful medicines we have is love, that love is a powerful healer. The eagle also symbolizes vision and sight. It is important to see ahead, to have a vision of one’s purpose and to work towards it. Elders teach that one’s true purpose is always rooted in love and in support of others. Bear – Courage A very physically powerful animal, the bear represents courage. A mother bear is fearless in the protection of her cubs. It is natural for her to display courage and strength, to do what is right in life. It is not always easy to face challenges, follow one’s purpose and do the right thing. Only with the courage and resilience of the bear will you be able to face and overcome the challenges that could prevent you from living out your life’s purpose. Sasquatch – Honesty Sasquatch or Bigfoot – Sabe or ‘giant’ in the Ojibway language – represents the importance of honesty and being true to one’s word. Say what you mean and be honest with yourself and others. Elders often exemplify this trait; when they say something, their word is a commitment and can be counted upon. Honesty is also speaking true and good words about others and avoiding gossip. Beaver – Wisdom The beaver represents wisdom. It has an incredible gift to build and create, as well as the wisdom of how to use this gift. The beaver’s creation harnesses life-giving water to create important ecosystems that support and enable life. It can even channel water back into an area following a devastating forest fire, renewing and revitalizing that ecosystem. Like the beaver, we all have a special gift to offer others. Use the wisdom of the beaver to acknowledge your gifts and put them to use in the service of others: this is the source of life satisfaction and happiness. Wolf – Humility The wolf represents humility, acknowledging that there is a higher power and natural laws governing the universe. Showing gratitude for our life and our existence, while acknowledging that we are all equal is a sign of humility. The sun shines on us all equally, and no one is better or less than others. Turtle – Truth The turtle is truth. The Elders say that in order to know and understand truth, we have to learn to understand the six other teachings: respect, love, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility. The turtle leaves a trail, truth, for us to follow. As we are constantly faced with challenges, we should do our best to follow that trail and live truthfully. Ahead of #NDTR on Monday, we invite you to reflect and learn about the diverse cultures of the Indigenous Peoples. You can also read about the Seven Sacred Laws depicted on @astro_Jeremy’s personal mission patch for his journey to the Moon on Artemis II. https://t.co/TDUkxwv1CF— Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) September 27, 2024 The patch has some obvious symbols, such as the Big Dipper, the North Star (with five points to represent Hansen’s five family members), the Canadian flag, and the Royal Canadian Air Force astronaut wings. But it holds other symbolism as well, the CSA explains. The bow represents Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the moon and the hunt. She launches her arrow with the astronauts, taking off from Turtle Island—the Indigenous name for the Americas—toward Grandmother Moon. The silver border represents the Orion spacecraft. The blue border beneath it represents the light, or spirit, in all living things that travels with the crew through space. What a beautiful reminder of our connection to Earth, and of the meaningful lessons we carry with us when we leave it. The post Canadian astronaut shares ‘Seven Sacred Laws’ Indigenous elders sent with him to space appeared first on Upworthy.

The evolution of candles from lighting necessity to scented ambience creator is kind of funny. For thousands of years, people relied on candles and oil lamps for light, but with the invention of the light bulb in 1879, fire was no longer needed for light. At that time, people were probably relieved to not have to set something on fire every time they wanted to see in the dark, and now here we are spending tons of money to do it just for funsies. We love lighting candles for coziness and romance, relishing their warm, soft light as we shrink from the fluorescent bulb craze of the early 2000s. Many people use candles for adding scent to a room, and there are entire candle companies just for this purpose (Yankee Candles, anyone?). As of 2022, candles were an 11 billion dollar business. With their widespread use, you’d think we’d know a thing or two about candles, but as it turns out, a whole bunch of us have been burning candles wrong our entire lives without knowing it. Wax on wax off: avoiding the ‘memory ring’ A recent post on Twitter X started the education session: “Just learned that my fiancé, who buys candles all the time and we literally always have candles burning, did not actually know how they work and blew out a medium first burn candle 30 minutes after I lit it when I wasn’t paying attention and ruined it,” the user wrote. Many people had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, the original since-deleted post went viral with hundreds of people asking: Huh? So the OP explained. “If a candle is not burned for long enough on first burn to melt edge to edge it will create a ‘memory ring.’ Once a candle has a memory ring, it will continue to tunnel and never burn all the way across.” Now THAT’S something almost everyone has experienced. Candles are pretty expensive, so it’s frustrating when all that delicious-smelling wax gets left behind. Apparently, a short first burn (in this case, just 30 minutes) is one of the main culprits of a ruined candle. Memory rings are also called ‘tunnels’ Tunneling is the name of the phenomenon where a narrow tube-shaped area of candle continues to burn deeper and deeper, leaving lots of “waste” wax around its edges. Experts agree that the first burn should last 2-4 hours at least to avoid an uneven or narrow memory ring. However, burning a candle for over 10 hours at a time can cause carbon buildup on the wick. “This is why you should not light a large candle at night, which is unlikely to burn all the way across before you need to blow out to go to bed. Allow at least one hour per inch of candle width,” she went on. So that’s why candles always end up with a hole in the middle, making us think the candle companies are just running a scam to make us go through candles faster. Nope. It’s a user error, and many people were flabbergasted by this realization. “This is the most useful information I’ve been given my entire adult life,” wrote one person. “This skill should be taught in schools,” shared another. “The amount I’ve wasted on half burnt candles is outrageous, the amount of times I’ve used Algebra since leaving school = 0.” “When I worked at Pier 1 in the 90s I got to go to some candle workshop that taught us the correct way to use (and therefore sell) candles and that is probably some of the most useful knowledge I’ve carried in my head this long life,” shared another. Well, never say ‘never,’ because here’s the good news: a tunneled candle can be fixed! How to fix an existing tunnel Probably the easiest way is to avoid tunneling your candles in the first place by burning them long enough upon first burn to liquify the entire top layer of wax. Again, that’s usually 2-4 hours. It also helps to care for the wicks regularly! Good wicks allow for a clean, even burn. Trim the burnt ends before lighting the candle and, if possible, use a snuffer instead of blowing out the flames with your mouth. Using a candle warmer is another way to get an even melt; with the added perk of making the scented wax last much, much longer. But even if you do accidentally “ruin” a candle, it can be recovered. Placing a ring of foil around the candle with just a small opening at the top for the flame will help trap heat and help the edges of the wax melt on the next burn. Once the memory ring evens out, you can burn the candle like normal again. In fact, you can even use a candle warmer to melt the wax back to even and then resume burning. Some clever candlers even put candles on the hot pad of their coffee makers as a DIY hack. What about indoor air quality? The candle posts also prompted a separate discussion about candles and indoor air quality and the volatile organic compounds that are released when they are burned. Some people equated burning candles with having a small engine running in your living room, though according to the Cleveland Clinic, there’s scant evidence that the amount of toxins released by burning candles is actually hazardous to your health, especially if you use high quality candles in a well-ventilated area. Don’t worry, a tunneled candle can be recovered again. Photo by Rebecca Peterson-Hall on Unsplash How do you know if a candle is “high quality”? First, check the wick for metal. Lead in wicks is not nearly as common as it used to be, but best not to risk it if you find metal in the wick. Second, choose soy, beeswax, palm or coconut wax candles instead of paraffin, which is petroleum-based product and more likely to put off soot and smoke particles. Everyone reacts differently to different amounts of particulates in the air, so if you find yourself getting headaches or respiratory symptoms when using candles, it’s probably best to avoid them. But if you tolerate them, feel free to enjoy as recommended,—just make sure that first burn melts the wax all the way to the edges to avoid the dreaded tunneling. This article originally appeared 2 years ago. It has been updated. The post People are dumbfounded when they learn this little known secret to burning candles correctly appeared first on Upworthy.

Isn’t it wild to think that spies are actually real? Governments all over the world send secret agents to other countries to steal information or conduct missions. The key element that makes a spy, of course, is the secretive nature of their work. They go undercover, sometimes even wearing disguises, and carry out their missions without attracting attention. That means they’re masters of psychology and social science rather than combat and weaponry. In a revealing interview with Steven Bartlett on his “Diary of a CEO” podcast, former Secret Service Special Agent Evy Poumpouras shared how to get people to do what you want them to do. The key, according to Poumpouras, is to understand what motivates them. Once you know the psychological framework behind what makes them tick, you can persuade them to behave as you like. Poumpouras is the co-host of Bravo TV’s “Spy Games” competition series and author of “Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, Live Fearlessly.” She served in the Secret Service’s Presidential Protective Division for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and protected George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Poumpouras says that to get a “good read” on someone, it’s essential to listen. @steven Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Evy Poumpouras shares how to get someone to do what you want ? #podcast #podcastclips #stevenbartlett #diaryofaceo #specialagent #secretservice #security #evypoumpouras ♬ original sound – The Diary Of A CEO “The biggest mistake people make is they talk a lot,” Poumpouras said in the video clip. “Steven, if I’m doing all the talking and you’re doing all the listening, you’re learning everything about me. You’re learning about what I care about, my values, my belief systems, getting a good read on me and I’m learning nothing about you.” The former Secret Service Agent says that you should listen to determine the subject’s motivational mindset. Are they motivated by money, sex, admiration, status, freedom, relationships, or safety? “Everybody’s motivated by something different. But I have to hear you and pay attention to you to understand what that is. Everybody’s purpose is different,” she continued. “If you give people enough space, they will reveal themselves to you.” To be clear, Poumpouras isn’t in the business of helping people trick others. Instead, she hopes the techniques she teaches will, “Increase your self-confidence, your self-worth, and your ability to trust and believe in yourself.” The commenters on TikTok loved the advice: “People are so interested in themselves and want to talk about themselves… We give our power away by talking.” “Changed my life when I was told to stop filling the silence” “As a parent, I needed this reminder too.” Yes, the parents came out in full force to support Poumpouras’ tip. Perhaps no one, other than espionage experts, better understands the importance of learning how to get other people to do things without threats and violence. (OK, sometimes there are threats). View this post on Instagram It’s also a wonderful tactic because your subject will have no idea they are part of a manipulation because they are the ones doing the talking. It’s nearly impossible to give yourself away when you’re sitting in silence. Understanding what motivates people is essential when protecting the safety of the nation’s most important assets and dealing with shady, dangerous people. But it’s not only useful for spies and double agents. This so-called “trick” can also benefit the layperson by giving us a framework to understand people better. Knowing what motivates someone is very important, whether you’re on a date, in a business deal, or in a leadership role at work. It’s also very important when raising children or training an animal. The data agrees. Forbes writes about the experiments of Dan Ariely, who found that, “People are much more likely to go above and beyond for tasks that they’re emotionally (rather than financially) invested in.” So, if you want people to do things that benefit you, sure you can pay them or convince them that it’s in their best interest, but you’ll have far better luck if you appeal to their core principles and desires. To do that, you first have to listen and find out what they are. Understanding your personal motivators is also essential for making the best choices in life. It helps us determine which actions will be genuinely beneficial. It’s also a great way to ensure that we are involved with people, organizations, and activities for the right reasons. In other words, digging into someone else’s (and your own) core beliefs and motivation can be used for good! Not just protecting state secrets and preventing assassinations. Productivity consultant Ashley Janssen says the key to understanding your motives is knowing your values. “When you know what you value, you can identify how an activity or goal will support and foster those values,” Janssen writes. “When you decide to try something, consider whether it’s what you think you should want to do or what someone else has said you should do. Those conditions are often not enough to sustain a behavior or activity. It’s hard to keep moving forward on something that you don’t really care about or are not invested in.” This article originally appeared two years ago. It has been updated. The post Former Secret Service agent reveals ingenious ‘spy trick’ to gain the upper hand in any conversation appeared first on Upworthy.