Karla McLaren (she/her)
@karlamclaren.bsky.social
Focusing on emotions, empathy, research, social behavior, comedy, art, music, antiracism, justice, equity, protecting vulnerable folks, and surviving end-stage capitalism. With flair.
Decay in the winter can feed the spring; the world waits.
January 5, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Decay in the winter can feed the spring; the world waits.
How's this for a Happy New Year? The Emotions! cards for kids are here!
Emotions! The new card deck for kids! | Karla McLaren
These Emotions! cards help kids develop their emotional vocabulary, identify the emotions they’re feeling, and learn how to trust and work with their emotions.
karlamclaren.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
How's this for a Happy New Year? The Emotions! cards for kids are here!
Are You a Procrastinator? That's Not a Bad Thing | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/on-e...
Are You a Procrastinator? That's Not a Bad Thing
Contrary to popular opinion, procrastination is a valid strategy that can help us access our motivation and our creativity.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Are You a Procrastinator? That's Not a Bad Thing | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/on-e...
We're looking ahead to the New Year with lots of support for our overwhelmed emotional systems!
[1] The Parenting With Emotions workshop is up first, on Saturday, January 10th!
In this live 2.5-hour workshop ...
empathyacademy.org/workshop/par...
[1] The Parenting With Emotions workshop is up first, on Saturday, January 10th!
In this live 2.5-hour workshop ...
empathyacademy.org/workshop/par...
Parenting with Emotions - empathyacademy
Parenting is, among many other things, an emotional adventure. In this live 2.5-hour workshop, you'll explore new ways to understand and work with your own emotions as a parent. You’ll learn skills an...
empathyacademy.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We're looking ahead to the New Year with lots of support for our overwhelmed emotional systems!
[1] The Parenting With Emotions workshop is up first, on Saturday, January 10th!
In this live 2.5-hour workshop ...
empathyacademy.org/workshop/par...
[1] The Parenting With Emotions workshop is up first, on Saturday, January 10th!
In this live 2.5-hour workshop ...
empathyacademy.org/workshop/par...
Reposted by Karla McLaren (she/her)
A gentle reminder that if you’re concerned about erosion of vaccination levels & acceptance, masking up in spaces you share with other humans is a visible way to take care of yourself & your communities.
December 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A gentle reminder that if you’re concerned about erosion of vaccination levels & acceptance, masking up in spaces you share with other humans is a visible way to take care of yourself & your communities.
When I was about seven or eight, and I knew that Santa wasn't real, I would get up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve and walk around my neighborhood, reveling in the silence.
We lived on an island in the SF Bay Area -- Alameda -- and it never snowed, but it was often foggy in the winter.
We lived on an island in the SF Bay Area -- Alameda -- and it never snowed, but it was often foggy in the winter.
December 24, 2025 at 9:02 PM
When I was about seven or eight, and I knew that Santa wasn't real, I would get up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve and walk around my neighborhood, reveling in the silence.
We lived on an island in the SF Bay Area -- Alameda -- and it never snowed, but it was often foggy in the winter.
We lived on an island in the SF Bay Area -- Alameda -- and it never snowed, but it was often foggy in the winter.
Reposted by Karla McLaren (she/her)
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Rx Inspector: ProPublica’s New Tool Provides Drug Info the FDA Won’t
We’ve launched a first-of-its-kind app to help you find out where your generic drugs come from and see the track records of the factories that made them.
www.propublica.org
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Happy Solstice!
December 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Happy Solstice!
I've been thinking so much about agnotology these days -- the intentional production of ignorance. Here's a prescient article from back in the day. theconversation.com/scientists-h...
Scientists have a word for studying the post-truth world: agnotology
There’s never been greater need for the study of what we don’t know, and why we’re not supposed to know it.
theconversation.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I've been thinking so much about agnotology these days -- the intentional production of ignorance. Here's a prescient article from back in the day. theconversation.com/scientists-h...
I wondered, for #BlackHistoryMonday: What were people listening to in the early 1950s as Swing and R&B were transitioning into Rock & Roll?
[1] The answer surprised me because I had never heard of the Treniers! They were everywhere!
youtu.be/KqQ-usOAxCA?...
[1] The answer surprised me because I had never heard of the Treniers! They were everywhere!
youtu.be/KqQ-usOAxCA?...
The Treniers - Go Go Go
YouTube video by Mobilian Music
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I wondered, for #BlackHistoryMonday: What were people listening to in the early 1950s as Swing and R&B were transitioning into Rock & Roll?
[1] The answer surprised me because I had never heard of the Treniers! They were everywhere!
youtu.be/KqQ-usOAxCA?...
[1] The answer surprised me because I had never heard of the Treniers! They were everywhere!
youtu.be/KqQ-usOAxCA?...
I found out this year that all of my books have been scraped by AI without my permission, and I can’t get away from the offensive brainless nonsense.
[2] Every week, another one of my online platforms or programs breathlessly announces they’re offering AI — except I can’t turn down the offer ...
[2] Every week, another one of my online platforms or programs breathlessly announces they’re offering AI — except I can’t turn down the offer ...
December 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I found out this year that all of my books have been scraped by AI without my permission, and I can’t get away from the offensive brainless nonsense.
[2] Every week, another one of my online platforms or programs breathlessly announces they’re offering AI — except I can’t turn down the offer ...
[2] Every week, another one of my online platforms or programs breathlessly announces they’re offering AI — except I can’t turn down the offer ...
The Velvet Voice is born!
Luther Vandross was born in 1951 in New York City. A musical prodigy, he taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of three!
Luther sang throughout his teens in groups, in contests, at the Apollo Theater, and as a background singer for people like ...
Luther Vandross was born in 1951 in New York City. A musical prodigy, he taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of three!
Luther sang throughout his teens in groups, in contests, at the Apollo Theater, and as a background singer for people like ...
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (Live in Concert, Aug 24th 1987)
YouTube video by Luther Vandross
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The Velvet Voice is born!
Luther Vandross was born in 1951 in New York City. A musical prodigy, he taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of three!
Luther sang throughout his teens in groups, in contests, at the Apollo Theater, and as a background singer for people like ...
Luther Vandross was born in 1951 in New York City. A musical prodigy, he taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of three!
Luther sang throughout his teens in groups, in contests, at the Apollo Theater, and as a background singer for people like ...
How do we create off-ramps for ourselves, and become able to offer off-ramps for other people -- especially people we're being urged to distrust, hate, or even dehumanize?
[1] In the 16 episodes of this season, we've looked at some of the complex factors that have led us ...
[1] In the 16 episodes of this season, we've looked at some of the complex factors that have led us ...
Episode 16: Becoming an Off-Ramp
YouTube video by Emotion Dynamics
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
How do we create off-ramps for ourselves, and become able to offer off-ramps for other people -- especially people we're being urged to distrust, hate, or even dehumanize?
[1] In the 16 episodes of this season, we've looked at some of the complex factors that have led us ...
[1] In the 16 episodes of this season, we've looked at some of the complex factors that have led us ...
A living link to the Delta Blues is born!
[1] Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) was born in 1951 in Compton, California, where he was immersed in music, starting with the trumpet in school, and then moving to steel drums and guitar.
His distinctive vintage blues sound garnered him a lot of attention, and...
[1] Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) was born in 1951 in Compton, California, where he was immersed in music, starting with the trumpet in school, and then moving to steel drums and guitar.
His distinctive vintage blues sound garnered him a lot of attention, and...
Keb Mo - "The Whole Enchilada"
YouTube video by Keb' Mo'
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A living link to the Delta Blues is born!
[1] Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) was born in 1951 in Compton, California, where he was immersed in music, starting with the trumpet in school, and then moving to steel drums and guitar.
His distinctive vintage blues sound garnered him a lot of attention, and...
[1] Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) was born in 1951 in Compton, California, where he was immersed in music, starting with the trumpet in school, and then moving to steel drums and guitar.
His distinctive vintage blues sound garnered him a lot of attention, and...
How do you maintain your hope and your humanity in deeply polarized times?
[1] And how do you protect your emotions and your empathy from the "conflict entrepreneurs" who gain power, influence, and money from jacking into your emotions and manipulating you into suspicion, distrust, panic, rage ...
[1] And how do you protect your emotions and your empathy from the "conflict entrepreneurs" who gain power, influence, and money from jacking into your emotions and manipulating you into suspicion, distrust, panic, rage ...
Episode 15: Growing Beyond the Politics of Contempt
YouTube video by Emotion Dynamics
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
How do you maintain your hope and your humanity in deeply polarized times?
[1] And how do you protect your emotions and your empathy from the "conflict entrepreneurs" who gain power, influence, and money from jacking into your emotions and manipulating you into suspicion, distrust, panic, rage ...
[1] And how do you protect your emotions and your empathy from the "conflict entrepreneurs" who gain power, influence, and money from jacking into your emotions and manipulating you into suspicion, distrust, panic, rage ...
Stevie Wonder - As (Full Version Live)
YouTube video by versatilejams
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 4:14 AM
More Stevie! youtu.be/mMTkujnftIs?...
Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (1974)
YouTube video by Musikladen
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
More Stevie! youtu.be/mMTkujnftIs?...
More Stevie Wonder! His work as a songwriter is magnificent, and this version of All in Love is Fair by the incomparable Dionne Warwick is just a master class. All bow down.
[1] A backstory: I've been cranky with fellow singers who add melisma and runs to every song to show off their vocal range...
[1] A backstory: I've been cranky with fellow singers who add melisma and runs to every song to show off their vocal range...
Dionne Warwick - All In Love Is Fair LIVE FULL HD (with lyrics)1975
YouTube video by Shane Mercury
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
More Stevie Wonder! His work as a songwriter is magnificent, and this version of All in Love is Fair by the incomparable Dionne Warwick is just a master class. All bow down.
[1] A backstory: I've been cranky with fellow singers who add melisma and runs to every song to show off their vocal range...
[1] A backstory: I've been cranky with fellow singers who add melisma and runs to every song to show off their vocal range...
Do you remember, back in 2015, when Facebook and Twitter were attacked by Russian operatives who were trying to get Americans to polarize, fight, and see each other as enemies?
[1] They did more than that, but that was a main focus for them. They wanted to create political instability....
[1] They did more than that, but that was a main focus for them. They wanted to create political instability....
Episode 14: Listen to Your Own Depression
YouTube video by Emotion Dynamics
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Do you remember, back in 2015, when Facebook and Twitter were attacked by Russian operatives who were trying to get Americans to polarize, fight, and see each other as enemies?
[1] They did more than that, but that was a main focus for them. They wanted to create political instability....
[1] They did more than that, but that was a main focus for them. They wanted to create political instability....
Stevie Wonder wrote gorgeous songs and gifted them to his friends, like Aretha! Here, they join to sing his song "Until You Come Back to Me."
That's what I'm gonna do.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/pTnCHP-9Wdo?...
That's what I'm gonna do.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/pTnCHP-9Wdo?...
Stevie Wonder - Until you come back to me
YouTube video by miguius
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Stevie Wonder wrote gorgeous songs and gifted them to his friends, like Aretha! Here, they join to sing his song "Until You Come Back to Me."
That's what I'm gonna do.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/pTnCHP-9Wdo?...
That's what I'm gonna do.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/pTnCHP-9Wdo?...
More Stevie Wonder, this time singing Sting's song, Fragile.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/FPjj8edvjgM?...
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/FPjj8edvjgM?...
Sting and Stevie Wonder - "Fragile" (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
YouTube video by Christian McBride
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 9:11 PM
More Stevie Wonder, this time singing Sting's song, Fragile.
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/FPjj8edvjgM?...
#blackhistoryeveryday
youtu.be/FPjj8edvjgM?...
Reposted by Karla McLaren (she/her)
I'm thinking today of all my fellow veterans but especially the more than 5,000 trans service members and their families who were kicked out of the military this year despite being highly qualified and serving honorably. This injustice will be a stain on our nation's history.
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I'm thinking today of all my fellow veterans but especially the more than 5,000 trans service members and their families who were kicked out of the military this year despite being highly qualified and serving honorably. This injustice will be a stain on our nation's history.
I can't let Stevie go! It's still Stevie Wonder celebration on #BlackHistoryMonday
I love this live version of Superstition, and get a hold of the backup singer subbing in for the horn section. Yes!
youtu.be/97hwNY3ni10?...
I love this live version of Superstition, and get a hold of the backup singer subbing in for the horn section. Yes!
youtu.be/97hwNY3ni10?...
Stevie Wonder - Superstition (1974)
YouTube video by Musikladen
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I can't let Stevie go! It's still Stevie Wonder celebration on #BlackHistoryMonday
I love this live version of Superstition, and get a hold of the backup singer subbing in for the horn section. Yes!
youtu.be/97hwNY3ni10?...
I love this live version of Superstition, and get a hold of the backup singer subbing in for the horn section. Yes!
youtu.be/97hwNY3ni10?...
Stevie!!
[1] After his transition from child prodigy to teen virtuoso, Stevie Wonder began writing and producing his own songs. This song, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours was his first self-produced track, and it joined a group of his chart toppers ...
youtu.be/pUj9frKY46E?...
[1] After his transition from child prodigy to teen virtuoso, Stevie Wonder began writing and producing his own songs. This song, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours was his first self-produced track, and it joined a group of his chart toppers ...
youtu.be/pUj9frKY46E?...
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
YouTube video by StevieWonderVEVO
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Stevie!!
[1] After his transition from child prodigy to teen virtuoso, Stevie Wonder began writing and producing his own songs. This song, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours was his first self-produced track, and it joined a group of his chart toppers ...
youtu.be/pUj9frKY46E?...
[1] After his transition from child prodigy to teen virtuoso, Stevie Wonder began writing and producing his own songs. This song, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours was his first self-produced track, and it joined a group of his chart toppers ...
youtu.be/pUj9frKY46E?...