Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Barbra Streisand: Childhood, Self-Perception, and #1 Value

What was Barbra Streisand’s childhood like? What does she value more than anything else? What question did she ask Queen Elizabeth? We all know Barbra Streisand as a star of theater, movies, television, and music. But, before that, she was a child from a troubled family. In her memoir, she discusses her upbringing and how it affected her. She also shares her top value and how she sees herself—perceptions that are, in part, shaped by that difficult childhood. Read more to learn about Barbra Streisand’s childhood, self-perception, and what she values most.

How to Avoid Toxic Coworkers (or Minimize Interactions)

A male and female coworker failing to avoid toxic coworkers as they

Are there people who are making your work life miserable? Have you considered changing jobs just to get away from them? Your work time constitutes a big chunk of your life. The people you work with can make this time pleasant and productive or difficult and distracting. In The Asshole Survival Guide, Robert I. Sutton offers practical advice on how to avoid toxic coworkers or reduce your interactions with them. Read more for strategies that can vastly improve your work life.

Self-Care for Grief: How to Navigate Mourning (Dr. Julie Smith)

A sad woman looking down slightly who needs self care for grief.

When you suffer a loss, should you dive head-first into mourning or stoically carry on? At what point is professional help advised? In this world, grief isn’t an option. But, healthy mourning is. While you can’t avoid the pain that comes with loss, you can choose to take constructive steps to process the pain in a way that honors your loss and helps you go on with life in a healthy way. Read more for Dr. Julie Smith’s practical insights into self-care for grief.

Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould: A Match Made on Broadway

How did Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould meet? How does she describe their marriage? What’s his side of the story? Barbra Streisand’s first husband was Elliott Gould. They met in 1962, married in 1963, separated in 1969, and divorced in 1971. She talks about their marriage and their relationship since their divorce in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Keep reading to learn about Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould’s relationship.

How to Deal With Difficult Emotions: Self-Care Tips From Julie Smith

A sdepressed woman looking down at the sea as she deals with difficult emotions.

Do you experience anxiety or low moods? Are you dealing with the pain of a loss? Emotions are great when they’re joy, contentment, or excitement. But, difficult emotions are a lot less fun. In Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, Dr. Julie Smith discusses how to understand and relate to your emotions and reduce the power they have over you—without reliance on medication or therapy. Keep reading to learn how to deal with difficult emotions such as low mood, anxiety, and grief.

How to Deal With Toxic People at Work: 4 Practical Approaches

A man knowing how to deal with a toxic person at work by putting his hand up to him.

Are toxic people making your workplace intolerable? Are you afraid that confronting them will make things worse? Just as there’s no one definition of what makes someone toxic, there’s no one way to deal with a toxic person. You must judge for yourself what strategies will be best depending on the situation and the people involved. Keep reading for some practical advice on how to deal with toxic people at work from organizational psychologist Robert I. Sutton.

Barbra Streisand’s Relationships: Gould, Brolin, & Those in Between

A woman and six men behind her on a stage in the lights.

What do Barbra Streisand and Joan Collins have in common? What actor and singer wrote a song about Streisand more than 20 years after they broke up? Although she’s played countless romantic leads on stage and screen, Barbra Streisand’s relationships in real life have been difficult, at least until her current marriage. She writes about her two marriages and a few other love interests in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Read more to learn about husbands Elliott Gould and James Brolin and a couple of relationships in between these marriages.

Barbra Streisand and James Brolin: How They Met & Why It Works

What were Barbra Streisand’s first words to James Brolin when they met? What’s her favorite thing about him? Barbra Streisand and James Brolin are one of those “happily ever after” stories that can be rare among the rich and famous. They met in 1996 (one of them considers it love at first sight), and they’re still going strong after 27 years. Streisand writes about their relationship in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Continue reading to learn about Barbra Streisand and James Brolin’s love story.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: Book Overview & Takeaways

A young woman reading a book outside in town.

How comfortable are you with writing imperfectly—even journaling a “brain dump”? How in touch are you with your inner artist? Many people feel it’s impossible to reach their creative potential—often because they struggle to find inspiration or experience creative blocks. Luckily, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron says that overcoming these obstacles and maximizing your creative potential is possible, and anyone can do it. Continue reading for an overview of The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.

The Artist’s Way: Morning Pages Are a Therapeutic Brain Dump

A man writing in a cabin while is snows outside.

What’s the origin of morning pages? What purpose do they serve? Have you tried this practice? In Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, morning pages are presented as a method to unleash the creative force. They do this by establishing a close connection with your inner artist—the reservoir of unconventional ideas, raw emotions, dreams, and desires inside you. Read more to learn what morning pages are and how you can harness them to declutter your mind and set your artistry free.