Elizabeth Whitworth

Senior SEO Writer

Elizabeth has a lifelong love of books. She devours nonfiction, especially in the areas of history, theology, and philosophy. A switch to audiobooks has kindled her enjoyment of well-narrated fiction, particularly Victorian and early 20th-century works. She appreciates idea-driven books—and a classic murder mystery now and then. Elizabeth has a Substack and is writing a book about what the Bible says about death and hell.

Expertise

History, Theology, Government

Awards

Contributions to joint task force efforts (FBI), Contributions to Special Operations Division (DOJ & DEA), Efforts to fight the war on drugs (NSA), Contributions to Operation Storm Front (US Customs Service)

Grace Beverley’s Working Hard, Hardly Working: Book Overview

Are productivity and self-care opposites? Do you have to choose between the two, or can you enjoy both? The word “productivity” typically doesn’t bring to mind self-care behaviors such as sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely meal with friends. But, Grace Beverley’s Working Hard, Hardly Working insists that self-care and productivity aren’t opposites—they actually require each other. Continue reading for an overview of this book that might inspire you to reset your lifestyle.

Housing and Poverty: Exploitation vs. Empowerment

Do you want to keep the poor out of your neighborhood? Are you struggling to become a homeowner? In Poverty, by America, social scientist Matthew Desmond addresses the link between housing and poverty. He argues that some public policies and personal choices exploit the poor. But, he says that we can turn things around and offer empowerment instead of exploitation. Keep reading to understand Desmond’s argument.

What Causes Burnout at Work? 3 Cultural Realities to Blame

Do you feel like you want to retire, but you’re only 30? Is work a nonstop reality in your life? Grace Beverley addresses today’s epidemic of burnout in her book Working Hard, Hardly Working. She points to three realities behind it: our culture of overwork, continuous access to technology, and economic uncertainty. Read more to learn what causes burnout at work in today’s world.

Is the 10,000-Hour Rule True? It Depends on Your Goal

Is the 10,000-hour rule true? How long does it really take to become proficient in a skill? There’s a notion going around that you must invest 10,000 hours of practice if you want to adopt a new skill. But, that’s not quite the way it is. In The First 20 Hours, skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman sets the record straight. Read more to learn the truth about the 10,000-hour rule.

Empower the Poor by Cracking Down on Welfare for the Rich

How Economic Outpatient Care Leads to UAW Children

Does the tax code favor the rich? Is a progressive tax system the most fair? Matthew Desmond asserts that poverty in America persists because it benefits many people to keep some others in a state of want. He offers a multifaceted approach to eradicating poverty. One part of this is to crack down on welfare for the rich and use the money to empower the poor instead. Continue reading to get the details of Desmond’s proposal as well as a counterargument to it.

The 3 Stages of Learning a Skill—and the Science Behind It

What’s going on in your brain when you learn a skill? What stages do you go through? According to neuroscience research, you can improve any skill through practice because your brain is designed to learn and grow. During the skill acquisition process, you progress through the phases of cognition, association, and autonomy. Keep reading to understand these stages of learning a skill and the science that makes this growth possible.

2 Common Barriers to Self-Care & How to Overcome Them

Do you feel guilty when you practice self-care? Do you think it’s a waste of time? Grace Beverley wants you to stop seeing self-care and productivity as opposites. She discusses two common barriers to self-care and shares advice on how to overcome them so that you can take care of your health and be more productive as a result. Keep reading to learn about these barriers to self-care and the remedies.

Examine Your Belief: Questions to Probe What You Hold to Be True

What do you believe to be true? How sound are your beliefs? How do your beliefs impact your life? We all believe something, and we all live according to what we believe. So, what we believe matters. It’s wise to examine our beliefs to get clarity on what they are, why we hold them, and what difference they make in our lives. Continue reading for scores of belief questions that will help you move toward clarity and purpose.

The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman: Book Overview & Takeaways

Does it feel like happiness is always a step ahead of you? Have you ever tried to think positively and still felt unhappy? You’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to feel happy no matter how many positive thoughts they force themselves to think. Oliver Burkeman’s The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking sheds light on this conundrum. Continue reading for an overview of this book that might lead you to take a new approach to happiness.

Solutions to Poverty in the United States: 4 Empowerment Strategies

How can taxation be leveraged to empower the poor? What practical action can any American take to fight poverty? To truly alleviate poverty, it’s essential to go beyond providing financial assistance, although that’s undeniably important. Matthew Desmond argues that, to eradicate poverty, we need to empower the poor, granting them economic and political agency to shape their economic futures. Keep reading to learn Desmond’s proposed solutions to poverty in the United States.