Melissa Kirsch

My colleague Jancy Dunn writes a weekly column about wellness. She consults doctors and researchers and other experts on topics like how to sleep better, how to apologize like you mean it, and perfect timing for anyone who's traveling for the holidays, how to avoid getting sick on a flight. She's here with me today to share some of the most useful things she's learned this year. Hi, Janci.

My colleague Jancy Dunn writes a weekly column about wellness. She consults doctors and researchers and other experts on topics like how to sleep better, how to apologize like you mean it, and perfect timing for anyone who's traveling for the holidays, how to avoid getting sick on a flight. She's here with me today to share some of the most useful things she's learned this year. Hi, Janci.

Hi, Melissa. Okay, so I asked you to look back on your year in reporting. I'm very excited to hear what you found. What have you got?

Hi, Melissa. Okay, so I asked you to look back on your year in reporting. I'm very excited to hear what you found. What have you got?

A mentor from your past, like someone who has given you guidance, like in a previous job or when you were a child? Yes.

A mentor from your past, like someone who has given you guidance, like in a previous job or when you were a child? Yes.

Is there some sort of wisdom there in like reaching out to someone who knew you so long ago like they know the essential you?

Is there some sort of wisdom there in like reaching out to someone who knew you so long ago like they know the essential you?

Don't chew ice ever. Okay, as someone who very rarely chews ice, I'm going to guess that the reason why one should not chew ice ever is because one may break a tooth. Is that correct?

Don't chew ice ever. Okay, as someone who very rarely chews ice, I'm going to guess that the reason why one should not chew ice ever is because one may break a tooth. Is that correct?

No, I just have like a really good gut instinct about things having to do with teeth.

No, I just have like a really good gut instinct about things having to do with teeth.

Well, I always think like, well, I'm going to need these things or someone's going to need a cord. You know, I don't want to be caught without a cord.

Well, I always think like, well, I'm going to need these things or someone's going to need a cord. You know, I don't want to be caught without a cord.

Moral beauty. Okay, tell me what moral beauty is.

Moral beauty. Okay, tell me what moral beauty is.

I think that I walk around a lot like a cop looking for social infractions, just like the tiny ways in which people are being rude to one another. And my antennae are always up for that.

I think that I walk around a lot like a cop looking for social infractions, just like the tiny ways in which people are being rude to one another. And my antennae are always up for that.

And so that idea of resetting and reorienting myself, looking for those moments of beauty or where people are being kind and not paying so much attention to these tiny injustices, that seems like a really worthy pursuit.

And so that idea of resetting and reorienting myself, looking for those moments of beauty or where people are being kind and not paying so much attention to these tiny injustices, that seems like a really worthy pursuit.