
More energy, more focus, more joy comes from asking and answering questions of purpose. End the battle between the two stories we tell ourselves — fantastic or fraud? awesome or anxious? — and be liberated to accomplish more, love more and create more than ever. In this TEDx talk, I share a small-steps exercise for identifying questions of authentic purpose, and personal stories to make this big concept a tangible reality in your life.


More energy, more focus, more joy comes from asking and answering questions of purpose. End the battle between the two stories we tell ourselves — fantastic or fraud? awesome or anxious? — and be liberated to accomplish more, love more and create more than ever. In this TEDx talk, I share a small-steps exercise for identifying questions of authentic purpose, and personal stories to make this big concept a tangible reality in your life.

Does self-help focus on the individual at the expense of society?
Some self-help gurus go too far. Others offer meaningless platitudes. Can there be a popular self-help program that really works – for positive change for individuals and social justice?


Does self-help focus on the individual at the expense of society?
Some self-help gurus go too far. Others offer meaningless platitudes. Can there be a popular self-help program that really works – for positive change for individuals and social justice?

Many of us find money harder to talk about than death – so we do our best to ignore it. Resentment can build. And the fights can be huge. There’s a better way: I’ve launched a free workbook to help you talk money with your honey.


Many of us find money harder to talk about than death – so we do our best to ignore it. Resentment can build. And the fights can be huge. There’s a better way: I’ve launched a free workbook to help you talk money with your honey.


WFLA-TV / WTTA-TV (Nexstar – Gbank Plus Pool) |
Iraqi Media Network |
WEHT-TV / WTVW-TV (Nexstar GBank Plus Pool) |
GWP/World Magazine Inc. (GOD’S WORLD PUBLICATIONS) |
FOX News Channel – New York |
Taiwan TV Enterprise Ltd |
Arise Global Media Ltd – INSTANT ARCHIVE |
Tzu Chi Culture & Communication Foundation |
VOA – Voice of America (USAGM) |
May 17, 2021
How to Be Happy During the Pandemic
The Balance Dilemma Radio Show
Balancing Purpose and Wellbeing
Consumer Reports
A half-century after its bracing debut, sitcom ‘All in the Family’ speaks to today’s conflicts
Trump’s Legacy: An Enduring Contempt for the Truth?
Questions Remain as Election Provides Few Clear Answers
The 2020 Presidential Election May Be Over But the Politicking Has Just Begun
Trump’s Disputed Remarks on U.S. War Dead Become Election Issue
Real Talk from the Barn with Emilio Pardo and Dr. Janet Taylor
August 20, 2020
How to Celebrate Spring Milestones without Breaking the Bank
Live at Four – News 3000 TV
April 23 2019
Podcast, February 20, 2019
How to Cope with Winter Weather
Channel 3000, WISC-TV, February 27, 2019
Money and Relationships
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
January 23, 2019
The Five Money Languages You Need to Speak to be a Successful Financial Advisor
TwentyOverTen.com, December 2018
Consuming Happiness this Holiday Season
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
December 14, 2018
WILD 5 book forward with Dr. Charles Raison
How voting contributes to overall well-being
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
October 29, 2018
SoHE’s Christine Whelan on her time in the media
UW-Madison News, September 25, 2018
Is motherhood the ultimate accessory? Models in labor, breastfeeding on runway
TODAY, September 19, 2018
Doctor’s tips: How to cope with negative news
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
August 29, 2018
Women with these 4 personality traits know exactly how to make men fall in love
Popsugar, August 29, 2018
Get Happy
OnWisconsin, Spring 2018
What’s next? UW professor discusses big picture questions for recent grads
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
May 23, 2018
How the weather affects your mood
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
April 18, 2018
Self-Help gurus like Tony Robbins have often stood in the way of social change
Washington Post, April 13, 2018
Spring cleaning, focusing on yourself
Channel 3000, WISC-TV
March 28, 2018
Valentine’s Day: Talk Money with Your Honey
Public News Service
February 14, 2018
How can I be generous without going broke?
Women’s World Magazine, November 29, 2018
Is motherhood the ultimate accessory? Models in labor, breastfeeding on runway
TODAY, September 19, 2018
Women with these 4 personality traits know exactly how to make men fall in love
Popsugar, August 29, 2018
Get Happy
OnWisconsin, Spring 2018
You pay more than men for comparable products because of the ‘Pink Tax’
People, April 6, 2018
Why online quizzes, personality tests and horoscopes help you feel special
To The Best of Our Knowledge, February 17, 2018
Valentine’s Day: Talk Money with Your Honey
Public News Service, February 14, 2018
New Year’s Resolutions
Capital City Sunday, WKOW, January 7, 2018
Si encuentras una mujer con estas cualidades, no dejes que se vaya
El Confidencial, January 26, 2018
Local experts weigh in on ‘Me Too’ Campaign
NBC15, WMTV, October 16, 2017
Whatever happened to just being type A?
The New York Times, October 7, 2017
Men Divulge the Qualities They Look for in a Partner
CheatSheet.com, September 12, 2017
Finding the Balance Between Heart and Mind: Spotlight on Christine Whelan
Jackson Charitable Foundation profile, August 2017
What to do when life breaks your heart, according to Sheryl Sandberg and Prince Harry
Verily, May 16, 2017
Solitude: When being alone is good for your health
TODAY, April 5, 2017
Making sense of Equal Pay Day [Video]
NBC/WMTV15, April 4th, 2017
Romantic type is a thing, just not what we thought, study says
TODAY, March 24th, 2017
Talking to your kids about purpose
WPR, March 16th, 2017
Americans need to come up with our own form of Hygge
Verily, March 2, 2017
First boy doll, Logan, joins American Girl line
WISC-TV, February 14th, 2017
Top 10 books that will change your life in 2017
LiveHappy, January 18, 2017
Why you should ditch your new year’s resolutions
ConsumerReports, January 17th, 2017
What every twenty-something needs to know about finding life’s purpose
Verily, January 6th, 2017
Victims Angry at Sweat Lodge Guru’s Attempted Comeback
CNN, December 1st, 2016
Expert Talks About How to Reduce Holiday Stress
WISC-TV, November 30th, 2016
Finding Your Purpose at Any Age with Dr. Chrsitine Whelan
Engaging Presence, November 21st, 2016
Dr. Whelan: Enlightenment and Self-Help
School of Human Ecology Blog, November 20th, 2016
How to Beat the “Pink Tax” When You Shop
The Balance, November 3rd, 2016
The War on Stupid People
The Atlantic, July/August, 2016
Should you ever push products on your friends?
AsiaOne, July 27th, 2016
8 Strategies to help you quit the snooze button habit for good
Fast Company, June 30, 2016
UW-Madison Professor Offers ‘Big Picture’ Advice for New Graduates
UW News, June 7, 2016
Purpose Before Paycheck? New Data Says Yes!
School of Human Ecology Blog, June 6, 2016
On “Curvy, Tall, and Petite” Barbie Dolls
On Wisconsin, Summer 2016
7 Expert-Backed Tips for How to Make a New Habit Permanent
Huffington Post, May 3, 2016
How to Talk to Your Kids About Purpose
Life Reimagined, May 2016
Shake Up Your Routine: How to Break the Autopilot Cycle
Yoga Journal, April 29, 2016
‘The Bachelor’ loves 2 women. Can it really happen to anyone?
TODAY, March 1, 2016
OKCupid Report Shows How Many Dates Couples Usually Go On Before Having Sex
TODAY, February 23, 2016
The Pink Tax: Why Women’s Products Often Cost More
USNews & World Report, February 17, 2016
In A Barbie World: Barbie’s New Look
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 11, 2016
There’s Time To Begin Meaningful Ventures in Your Senior Years
Houston Chronicle, January 13, 2016
No Shortcuts to Lifelong Weight Loss
Carroll County Times, January 12, 2016
Six Insightful Reflections on How to Change for the Better
HuffPost Healthy Living, January 7, 2016
Best New Year’s resolutions for your age
FOX News, January 3, 2016
The Pros and Cons of Sharing Your Money Goals
USNews & World Report, June 24, 2015
Empower Yourself Through Exercise
Life Reimagined, June 2015
The Power of True Grit
Life Reimagined, June 2015
The Lunatic Lynching of Sexist Scientist Tim Hunt
The New York Post, June 15, 2015
Real Men Share Why Brains Are Beautiful
Elephant Journal, April 14, 2015
How to Build Good Habits – And Actually Make Them Stick
The Washington Post, March 2, 2015
Revive Your Resolutions
AARP Magazine, Feb/March 2015
Valentine’s Day Credit Card Savings
CardHub, Feb 11, 2015
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
BBC 4 Thinking Allowed, December 31 2014
How to Set & Conquer Your Money Goals
US News & World Report, December 30 2014
Divorce Rates Are Lower… So Are Marriage Rates
TODAY.com, December 3 2014
The Real Threat to Marriage
Wisconsin State Journal, October 17, 2014
Rogue Retreats
Women’s Health UK, September 2014
Why Do You Love Personality Quizzes? Experts Break it Down
NBCNews.com, August 2, 2014
All the Conventional Cohabitation, but No Nuptials
The New York Times, July 6, 2014
How to Protect Yourself Against Bad Self-Help
Scientific American, June 17 2014
5 Ways to Seek a Meaningful Paycheck
US News & World Reports, May 21, 2014
The Dangers of Dumbing Down the Sisterhood
Courier Mail (Australia), April 27, 2014
Married Households Tend to Be Richer
CNBC (Mention Research), January 30, 2014
“Bad advice from all sides on the rush to the altar.”
The New York Post, March 18, 2014
“Study: Why aren’t more female plastic surgeons getting married?”
Washington Business Journal, February 18, 2014
“Raising Kids in an age of TMI.”
The New York Post, January 21, 2014
Do You Suffer from FOMO?
Pittsburgh Tribune, July 23, 2013
Traditional Gender Roles Playing Smaller Role in Matrimony
Essential Pittsburgh – NPR, July 15, 2013
Beware of Self-Help Gurus
USA Today, July 11, 2013
James Gandolfini Created an Enduring Legacy
Pittsburgh Tribune, June 23, 2013
“ ‘Dream College’ Lies.”
The New York Post, April 3, 2013
“A Disturbing Treat for 7-Year-Olds.”
The New York Post, February 25, 2013
“Toxic Friendships.”
Huffington Post LIVE discussion, January 28, 2013
“The Paperback Quest for Joy.”
City Journal, Autumn 2012
Stephen Covey’s Legacy
Wall Street Journal Online video discussion, July 17, 2012
“Extreme Exercise.”
Marie Claire, June 26, 2012
“A Closer Look: Christine Whelan”
The University Times, April 5, 2012
“The M.R.S. and the Ph.D.”
The New York Times, February 12, 2012
Why The New Generation Needs the Old Self-Help Classics
Forbes, April 2011
When Self-Help Harms
Self Magazine, August 2010
Interview with Intersections Match on Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women
Radio interview transcribed, February 2010
To go way back in Christine’s media world, click here

© 2022 CHRISTINE B. WHELAN