2026-07-09T07:01:05
(BPT) – Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common type of uterine cancer, yet it is under-recognized, and patients may feel unprepared or overwhelmed when it comes to making treatment decisions after a diagnosis. The infographic below shares information from a patient survey about the burden of EC and the importance of empowering people living with EC to take control of their treatment journeys.
2026-07-09T04:01:00
(BPT) – Key takeaways:
When a customer hesitates at the register, the problem may not be the product or service. It may actually be the payment method.
In a year when affordability tops the priority list for many consumers, demand hasn’t disappeared. Consumers are just waiting for a better path to purchase. Offering flexible financing options can help small businesses capture that demand and win customers that bigger competitors might otherwise scoop up.
For years, it seemed that only the big chains were able to offer financing. Not anymore. Synchrony partners with more than 500,000 merchant locations across the U.S., including independent auto shops, dental practices, furniture stores, powersports dealers, home improvement contractors and more, giving them the digital tools, training and financing infrastructure to help them compete with brands that have entire teams dedicated to those functions.
It’s worth asking: Are you giving every customer the best possible chance to say yes? No matter your line of business, the right financing tools can help protect your margins, reduce cart abandonment and build the kind of loyalty that keeps customers coming back and helps your business grow.
Here’s what you need to know about giving your customers more financing options.
Smart customer financing solutions help drive sales
Has your small business been resorting to tactics like offering discounts to entice customers? You could be losing out. Not only are you tightening your margins, which hurts your bottom line, but you’re also setting the expectation that if customers wait long enough, you’ll offer another discount.
When you’re ready to launch a customer financing program for your business, Synchrony provides the digital tools, training, marketing support and account management that helps small business owners compete with brands that have dedicated teams for those functions.
Small and medium-sized businesses can use multi-source financing and tools like Synchrony PRISM to offer credit access to customers:
To make these financing tools even easier to offer at the point of sale, Synchrony can integrate financing directly into the systems your team already uses every day.
Independent software vendor (ISV) integrations embed Synchrony’s financing options directly into your company’s practice management systems, point-of-sale platforms and field service tools your team uses every day. This makes financing a natural part of the conversation rather than a separate step your staff has to introduce and manage.
Flexible financing options for your customers
Synchrony provides a suite of consumer financing options that can be offered together through a single application, to help match more customers with more potential payment paths.
Offering multiple financing solutions early in sales interactions helps reduce sticker shock and gives customers more purchasing power.
Through Synchrony, your business can empower customers by offering:
In a market where every dollar is considered, the businesses that make spending feel manageable are the ones customers return to.
Learn more about boosting your business at Synchrony.com/business.
Financing is subject to credit approval.
2026-07-08T08:05:00
(BPT) – Key takeaways:
As people move away from minimalist interiors, whimsy-maxxing has emerged as one of today’s most playful design movements. When everyday routines start to feel a little boring and bland, whimsy-maxxing is the solution. This home trend embraces touches of color and playfulness, adding imagination and joy to your favorite spaces.
Elevating your home and personal spaces with whimsical touches can impact your outlook and attitude, inspiring happiness each day for you and your guests. This doesn’t require major renovations — a beautifully patterned accent or thoughtfully handcrafted piece can instantly brighten a room and spark a whimsical feeling.
Now is the time to embrace and experience whimsy-maxxing because for five days between July 16 and 20, 2026, iconic home decor and lifestyle brand MacKenzie-Childs is having their annual Barn Sale, making it easier than ever to refresh your home without paying full price. This highly anticipated event features daily surprises and deep discounts on their iconic enamelware, hand-painted ceramics, seasonal must-haves and more.
“Whimsy has always been at the heart of MacKenzie-Childs, long before it became a design trend,” said Rebecca Proctor, Chief Brand Officer of MacKenzie-Childs. “We believe every home should reflect the people who live there, which is why our collections are designed to bring joy, creativity and personality to any space. Whether it’s a colorful tea kettle, a patterned serving piece or an unexpected decorative accent, whimsical touches are an easy way to make a home feel more personal. Barn Sale is the perfect opportunity to embrace the trend or refresh your space with artisanal pieces that make distinctive design more accessible.”
Want to get started? Here are 5 simple tips to whimsy-max your home:
Use playful patterns and creative colors
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to whimsy-max a space is to add pattern and color. Embrace combinations that feel collected over time. Think colorful florals, vibrant striped hues or bold polka dots that instantly energize a room. MacKenzie-Childs’s classic Courtly Check pattern is the perfect example of tradition with a twist, and is available in a variety of colors to suit your personality. Check out the gorgeous Emerald Check and viral Mocha Check for inspiration, featured in this year’s Barn Sale for the first time.
Rebecca Proctor, Chief Brand Officer of MacKenzie-Childs
Mix patterns with confidence
Say goodbye to the beige blahs! Pattern layering is often found within the whimsy-maxxing trend, so don’t be afraid to experiment. For example, mix organic patterns and checks or strips and dots. Pattern-on-pattern draws the eye and creates moments of happiness within a space. Designer tip: Incorporate a unifying color that appears in both patterns to ensure cohesiveness that looks intriguing and intentional.
Add imaginative extras that bring you joy
Whimsy is often found in the small extras that make everyday life special, so focus on adding decor and housewares that elevate life. For example, consider fun photo frames, delightful dishes and smile-worthy mugs. MacKenzie-Childs’s best-selling 2-Quart Tea Kettle, available in a variety of colors, is as much a visual feast for the eyes as it is an item you’ll use often to create a moment of magic. The handmade details and artisan craftsmanship give whimsical spaces authenticity, making them feel curated instead of overly themed.
Reach for refined accents to create cozy comfort
A warm cup of your favorite tea. A soft blanket that inspires relaxation after a long day. Accent pillows that make your house feel like a home. Refined accents help you relax and get cozy, and are the perfect whimsical additions to any space no matter the season. Make the mundane more magical with special touches like these that personalize your home. These items also make great gifts for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.
Turn everyday gatherings into occasions
Whimsy-maxxing helps you enjoy your life to the fullest and can inspire you to share that feeling with others. Invite loved ones over and enjoy entertaining them with some fun and functional pieces. For example, patterned serveware, funky tablecloths and that perfect platter that inspires conversation. Think outside the box and consider using items in new ways for your gatherings, such as your teapot as a centerpiece or as a vase for fresh flowers.
Save big when you become a MacKenzie-Childs VIP
For shoppers hoping to score the best selection, MacKenzie-Childs Loyalty Rewards members receive VIP early access to the Barn Sale beginning Wednesday, July 15, 2026, giving them first pick of many of the event’s most sought-after pieces. Not yet a member? Joining is quick, easy and unlocks a whole new level of Barn Sale benefits. Visit www.mackenzie-childs.com/rewards to join today.
Whimsy-maxxing infuses joy and imagination into your living spaces, transforming them into havens of happiness for you and your guests. With the annual MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale, there’s no better time to explore unique artisan-crafted pieces that will elevate your home with whimsical charm.
2026-07-08T09:01:00
(BPT) – The postgraduation season is seen as a major milestone, but it’s just one of many moments when young adults begin taking greater control of their finances. Whether they’re starting a new job, moving into their first apartment, pursuing additional education or becoming more financially independent, many young people are focused on building a strong financial foundation.
However, as they begin to review their finances, certain young adults will discover that they’re entering adulthood without a financial identity.
Why credit matters early on
Roughly 17 million Americans — many of whom are young adults — are considered “credit invisible” or “thin file.” This means they either have no credit report or insufficient credit history to generate a valid score.
Without a credit history, young adults can struggle to rent an apartment, qualify for loans and credit cards, and are locked out of other financial opportunities that are key to gaining independence and financial mobility. This is particularly concerning for Gen Z as they’re entering adulthood during a period of rising costs, growing debt and economic uncertainty.
When young adults try to establish credit, they realize they’re caught in a paradox: They need credit to get credit. The traditional credit system has historically created a catch-22. You need a credit history to access financial products, but you often need those products to build a credit history in the first place.
How to spark a credit history
Data from Intuit Credit Karma found that Gen Z is highly motivated by financial wellness, yet almost half say they don’t know where to start when building credit.
The good news is that digital tools like Credit Spark can help credit-invisible consumers establish credit by using responsible financial habits they already demonstrate. This free financial tool, created by Intuit Credit Karma, helps consumers turn their existing utility and phone payments into credit history.
With Credit Spark, building a credit history is simple. The platform reports positive payments to TransUnion to help consumers establish credit faster. More importantly, the platform does not require consumers to open a credit card or take on new debt, giving them more control over how they begin building credit.
Tools for every stage of the financial journey
For consumers who are just getting started, Credit Spark can help establish a credit history, creating a foundation for future financial opportunities. As their needs evolve beyond building credit, Credit Karma is designed to grow with consumers throughout their financial journey. Whether it’s helping them save interest on their revolving debt with Debt Assistant or maximizing the rewards and perks of the credit cards in their wallet with Cards Optimizer, Credit Karma meets members wherever they are on their path.
As part of Intuit’s Consumer Platform, Credit Karma works alongside TurboTax to help consumers make financial decisions with greater confidence. Together, they support consumers throughout the year to navigate important milestones — from building credit and managing debt to filing taxes and planning for future financial goals.
The first step toward financial progress
Credit building should be accessible from the start. With a little help, Gen Z graduates can build financial confidence and establish habits that support long-term financial progress. To learn more, visit CreditKarma.com/Credit-Spark.
2026-07-07T07:01:00
(BPT) – Sponsored by LEO Pharma
For Jennifer Etienne, 27, what began in her teens as irritation on her hands slowly became a painful, persistent condition that affected nearly every part of her daily life. Her hands often became swollen, blistered, and cracked — sometimes so raw that even light touch caused burning.
While Jennifer was diagnosed with eczema at 8 years old, she first noticed symptoms typical of chronic hand eczema (CHE) when she was about 15. After seeing a physician, she was told it was simply eczema. At the time, she didn’t realize that eczema affecting the hands can sometimes present differently or become chronic over time.
“I didn’t realize the eczema I was experiencing was actually CHE,” Jennifer says. Although she was initially diagnosed with eczema, she didn’t know that hand eczema can present differently — or that symptoms could persist, recur, or worsen over time.
Over the years, everyday tasks became increasingly painful. “Simple things most people don’t think twice about — like washing dishes or using cleaning products — could be incredibly uncomfortable,” she explains. “Sometimes it felt like anything that touched my hands made the irritation worse.” Because hands are so visible, she often felt self-conscious meeting new people and shaking hands. During CHE flares, she avoided physical contact out of concern that fragrances or lotions worn by others might aggravate her symptoms.
“CHE is more than a skin issue,” she says. “It also affects how you live, work, and connect with people.”
For many adults, ongoing irritation on the hands may be attributed to frequent handwashing or exposure to soaps and other everyday irritants.1 But for some, these symptoms may signal something more serious: chronic hand eczema (CHE).
CHE is a persistent or recurrent form of eczema that affects the hands and wrists.1 It can cause redness, itching, swelling, painful cracking, blistering, and even bleeding.2 When symptoms last for more than 3 months or recur frequently they may indicate chronic hand eczema (CHE) rather than temporary irritation.1
Research suggests that approximately one in ten adults in the United States may be living with CHE,3 making it more common than many people realize.
Beyond visible symptoms, CHE can carry substantial functional and emotional burdens. Studies show that it may significantly impact quality of life, one’s occupational choices, work productivity, and daily activities.4,5
Like many individuals with CHE, Jennifer relied heavily on moisturizers for years and went through periods without consistent medical guidance. Feeling dismissed early in her journey made it harder to seek follow-up care. Eventually, when her symptoms worsened again, she chose to pursue further evaluation by a dermatologist and learn more about her condition.
“Looking back, I wish I had known sooner that if hand symptoms are ongoing, recurrent, or interfering with daily life, it’s important to talk to a dermatologist,” Jennifer says.
Dermatologists note that because hand eczema can have multiple triggers and may resemble other skin conditions, it can sometimes be overlooked or misunderstood.1 Recognizing persistent or recurrent symptoms and discussing them openly with a healthcare provider is an important step toward proper evaluation.
To learn more about the symptoms and possible risk factors of CHE, visit www.LearnAboutCHE.com.
*In the photo above, Jennifer participates in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill as a National Eczema Association ambassador.
References
2026-07-07T07:01:00
(BPT) – It’s hard to ignore the creeping price of the monthly utility bill and the sting of gas prices at the pump. These rising costs have made it more difficult for Americans to budget effectively for monthly expenses. How can households afford power sources that feel increasingly unreliable?
Luckily, homeowners and renters can take back control of their energy use, even amid unpredictable energy costs and volatile gas prices. Here are a few ways you can achieve energy independence and stabilize your home energy costs.
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
Refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers are the workhorse appliances of any home. They’re also heavy energy consumers. However, you can still enjoy these modern conveniences and lighten your energy load by upgrading to certified ENERGY STAR appliances.
When you switch to an ENERGY STAR appliance, you can save 10%-50% on energy costs compared to conventional models. That’s because these modern, efficient appliances use significantly less power to do the exact same job as older models. By switching, you can keep your home running smoothly while naturally lowering your energy usage month to month.
Pro tip: Big changes start small. Consider switching your current light bulbs to energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
Install a smart thermostat
Heating and cooling account for the bulk of your monthly energy bill. So, how can you keep your home comfortable and your wallet happy? You don’t need to suffer in the sweltering summer or freezing winter. All you need to do is install a smart thermostat.
A smart thermostat learns your daily routine and adjusts the temperature when you’re sleeping or away from home. In short, it allows you to program your comfort. This instant automated control of your environment is a seamless way to lower heating and cooling costs and enjoy your time at home without the hassle and guesswork of manual adjustments.
Use heavy energy-consuming appliances during off-peak hours
Did you know that electricity costs change depending on the time of day? Check with your utility company. You may be surprised to find that you’re paying premium rates during peak hours, usually in the late afternoon and evening.
Do a little digging and find out your area’s time-of-use rates. Once you know the peak-use window, you can outsmart the grid by using your heavy, energy-intensive appliances during off-peak hours. Try running your dishwasher or doing laundry in the morning or late at night and see how much you save.
Embrace a clean energy home backup
Achieving true energy independence means having the ability to power appliances no matter what the grid is doing. To gain independence and make a sizable dent in energy costs no matter what gas prices and electricity rates are, homeowners and renters should consider always-on clean-home battery backup solutions like Jackery solar generators. Unlike traditional gas generators, these portable power stations are clean and quiet. That means no expensive fuel runs, noxious fumes or noisy operation. Plus, sunlight is free, so once you own a solar-powered generator, you can count on cost-stable energy.
Jackery’s gasless, indoor-safe home batteries pair a portable power station with solar panels so that you can capture, store and use power on your own terms. By using the solar generator’s stored power during peak hours, you can offset your energy bill and keep the essentials like refrigerators, laundry machines, fans and WiFi routers running, even when costs are high or the grid is down. You can even opt to connect a solar generator to your home’s circuits with automatic switchover, like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus combined with a smart transfer switch so backup kicks in seamlessly when you need it the most.
Jackery’s generators are designed with modern living spaces in mind and meant to fit a real home, not to hide in the shed. So, whether you need to charge your computer, power a fridge or run essentials across multiple rooms at once, there are plenty of options that let you ride out price spikes and outages without lifting a finger.
Energy savings and independence are within reach
Lowering your energy costs doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice modern comforts. Using these tips can get you started on the path to energy independence and a better energy budget, no matter the current energy and gas prices.
To learn more about how to take back control of your energy costs and the benefits of solar battery backup solutions, visit Jackery.com.
2026-07-06T23:01:00
(BPT) – Key Takeaways
The rising cost of getting a car in 2026 is causing more Americans to rethink traditional methods like buying or leasing. The upfront cost of higher vehicle prices combined with long-term financing and ongoing expenses add up to a much higher investment. Insurance alone averages almost $2,700 per year, and then there’s ongoing maintenance, repairs and today’s high fuel costs.
Another big issue is that buying and leasing typically require multi-year commitments that don’t take into account lifestyle changes. Instead, they lock drivers into financial obligations without much flexibility.
“Life changes. We move cities, switch jobs. Families grow and plans shift. But one thing hasn’t changed: how we buy cars,” said Jake Marston, VP of Marketing, Flexcar. “Historically, buying a car meant large down payments, unexpected repair bills, long-term debt and fixed contracts out of step with the way people live today.”
A new solution to getting a car without traditional buying or leasing
In response to these concerns, newer car ownership alternatives are gaining traction. For example, Flexcar offers an innovative, more affordable leasing model that bundles the major costs of having a car into a single monthly payment, including insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance.
Flexcar is designed for flexibility, letting members switch vehicles or adjust mileage plans as needs change. Members can upgrade to a larger SUV, choose a more efficient option for a new commute or drive something different for one season. Members can return their car at any time, without early termination penalties.
“Our members have driven over 350 million miles across our markets since 2021. This is a clear sign that drivers are ready for a different model,” added Marston. “Flexcar gives people a simpler, more flexible option, minus the unpredictable costs and multi-year loan commitments of traditional car ownership.”
How Flexcar differs from traditional leasing or buying
Buying a car is a long-term responsibility. You might purchase a vehicle outright, or get financing via a loan lasting several years with fixed monthly payments. In addition to upfront costs and dealer fees, owners are completely responsible for insurance, maintenance, repairs, depreciation and resale value.
While traditional leasing is viewed by many as a lower-commitment alternative to buying, it still comes with a multi-year contract, typically 2-4 years, and fixed monthly payments for the duration of the lease. Drivers may also face upfront fees, strict mileage limits and potential end-of-term charges. In many cases, lease agreements require higher insurance coverage, which can increase monthly costs beyond the base payment.
Unlike traditional leasing or buying, Flexcar provides a flexible, all-inclusive alternative with no multi-year commitment. One monthly payment covers the vehicle, insurance and routine maintenance, plus roadside assistance. Members can switch cars or mileage plans as their needs change, or return the vehicle at any time without early termination penalties. Flexcar offers increased flexibility and more predictable monthly costs, without multi-year contract obligations.
Flexcar’s goal is to offer a more flexible, predictable path to getting a car, while reducing the financial uncertainty traditional ownership can bring.
How Flexcar is a more affordable option
Flexcar’s model is designed to simplify costs and reduce upfront and ongoing expenses.
Built-in savings
All-in-one coverage
Members can save up to $0.60 per gallon at participating gas stations, with savings applied as a credit to their monthly invoice.
Flexcar is available in Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with planned expansions into New York, San Francisco, San Jose and Dallas.
FAQs:
Learn more at Flexcar.com.
2026-07-06T09:01:00
(BPT) – For more than 50 years, opening Valpak’s iconic Blue Envelope has meant discovering savings from businesses across the country. This July, it could also mean discovering something unexpected: the chance to appear in an upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie.
Thanks to a special partnership between Valpak and Hallmark Channel, this month’s Blue Envelope is delivering more than great deals. In addition to exclusive savings from local and national brands, this month, consumers will find the opportunity to enter the “From Mailbox to Movie Set” Sweepstakes, plus an exclusive Hallmark+ subscription offer. Here are four top reasons to make sure you open your Valpak Blue Envelope this month:
1. The envelope, please: Turn your trip to the mailbox into a brush with stardom
This month’s biggest surprise may be waiting inside the iconic Blue Envelope.
Through a special partnership between Valpak and Hallmark Channel, one lucky winner will receive a walk-on role in an upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie. The grand prize also includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience and all-expenses-paid travel for the winner and a guest.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step into the world of Hallmark movie magic and experience it firsthand.
The sweepstakes launches in July 2026. Look for details in your Valpak Blue Envelope or visit Valpak.com/WalkOn for official rules, eligibility requirements and entry information.
2. Enjoy a one-year discounted Hallmark+ subscription
July’s Blue Envelope will feature a new look, spotlighting the upcoming Hallmark+ exclusive limited series, Paris is Always a Good Idea, based on the novel by Jenn McKinlay, and starring fan favorite Lacey Chabert.
As part of the partnership, consumers can take advantage of an exclusive Valpak Hallmark+ offer: a one-year subscription for just $39 — more than 50% off the regular price. In addition, anyone can access the discounted subscription by visiting HallmarkPlus.com and using the code “ValpakParis.”
3. Discover savings from businesses you know, and new favorites too
Whether you’re looking to save on dining, home services, shopping or everyday essentials, Valpak continues to connect consumers with valuable offers from local and national businesses.
Savings matter today more than ever, and the Blue Envelope is filled with deals designed to help consumers stretch their dollars while discovering new businesses, products and services in their communities. And because those savings aren’t limited to a mailbox, consumers across the country can also access savings and offers anytime by visiting Valpak.com.
4. Discover something unexpected
Part of the fun of opening the Blue Envelope is never knowing exactly what you’ll find inside.
Alongside savings from favorite local businesses and national brands, consumers often discover new restaurants, retailers, services and experiences they may not have otherwise considered. This July, that spirit of discovery extends even further with the chance to go from mailbox to movie set.
After all, there’s always a reason to open the envelope.
To learn more, discover savings in your area or enter the sweepstakes, visit Valpak.com.
2026-07-06T07:01:00
(BPT) – At The Home Depot, the goal is to be a one-stop shop that helps Pros manage and grow their business — but running a business means fueling the teams behind it.
A Pro’s workday doesn’t start in the lumber aisle. It starts at 5:00 a.m. with a full tank of gas and a coffee on the road. It hits its stride during a working lunch on the back of a tailgate. It demands gear that can tackle the toughest job site. It wraps up with back-office tasks like invoicing and payroll.
That’s why Pro Xtra, The Home Depot’s loyalty program for Pros, launched partner offers designed to reward members everywhere their workday takes them. This new Pro Xtra benefit is kicking off with trusted, national brands including 7-Eleven, Jimmy John’s, Tecovas and Rosie’s AI Answering Service.
“True partnership means understanding everything it takes to keep a Pro’s business moving,” said Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for The Home Depot. “We’re continuously evolving our Pro Xtra program to deliver meaningful benefits that help Pros save time and money so they can focus on supporting their teams and customers.”
Powering the Pro’s Entire Day
Always Evolving to Meet the Needs of Today’s Pros
Pro Xtra partner offers will refresh quarterly and are available now within the Rewards Hub on The Home Depot mobile app or online dashboard. Offers are available to all members regardless of spend or membership tier.
The Pro Xtra Rewards Hub was recently refreshed to centralize all member benefits in one place, including partner offers, discounts, paint rewards, business tools and tier benefits. Instead of relying on one-off communications that can get lost in a cluttered inbox, members can access all rewards within the exact same app or online dashboard where they manage the rest of their business.
“Our Pro customers live on the go,” said Mike Rowe, executive vice president of Pro for The Home Depot. “They are managing crews, bouncing between jobsites and working long hours. Two-thirds of our Pro online users leverage The Home Depot app regularly to help manage their business, projects, orders and more, so it only made sense to embed these new partner offers right inside the app to give them a frictionless way to access them.”
The Home Depot selected its launch offers based on direct feedback from its Pro customers and will continue to reflect four key categories: food and beverage, fuel and fleet, lifestyle and travel, and business management — providing Pros with added benefits outside of traditional building supplies.
Not a Pro Xtra member? Pros can sign up for free online or in-store at any time to unlock membership benefits.
One-Stop Shop for the Pro
These new lifestyle offers join an already robust suite of capabilities available to Pros, including trade credit accounts, tier-based preferred pricing on millions of SKUs, purchase history and tracking, dedicated on-site support from Outside Sales Representatives (OSRs) and in-store Pro Desks, and more.
To learn more about Pro Xtra, visit https://www.homedepot.com/c/pro-xtra.
If you’re a brand interested in learning more about hosting a Pro Xtra partner offer with The Home Depot, please reach out to Orange Apron Media at OAM_Strategic_Partnerships@homedepot.com for more information.
2026-07-01T11:01:00
(BPT) – After his life shifted into retirement at 68, John (not his actual name) expected to feel relief.
Instead, after the first few months of feeling open and flexible, his days became harder to navigate. He still exercised, ran errands and kept up with friends. Yet mornings stretched longer, and evenings arrived without much to distinguish one day from the next.
There was no single shift that caused concern. He felt a gradual drifting, and the questions that followed were practical: How do I organize my days now? What is this next chapter for?
‘I could keep going, or I could turn back’
Victor Strecher, PhD and professor at University of Michigan School of Public Health, had grappled with those same questions too, but for entirely different reasons.
In 1990, Vic’s newborn daughter Julia became seriously ill from a heart condition. Doctors told him she might have only a month or two to live. There was a slim chance for a heart transplant, but the odds were daunting. Even if Julia lived only a few years, Vic and his wife asked themselves whether they could still give her a life worth living.
They decided they could. Vic shifted his focus from career milestones to what would make her days full.
Julia survived into young adulthood, but at 19, she died unexpectedly. Vic lost his footing. Grief showed up as a numb routine: hours of television, drinking, a sense of dissolving.
One early morning, he climbed into a kayak on Lake Michigan and paddled out alone in the dark. As the sun rose and the water turned glassy, he sensed a choice. “I could keep going, or I could turn back,” he said. “But if I turned back, I would have to live differently.”
He turned back. “I went home, pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote, ‘Vic, you have to help yourself.’ Then I asked: ‘What are you going to do?'”
He listed what mattered most — family, friends — then asked what mattered at work. His answer came quickly: his students. Vic called his university and asked to return to teaching. He committed to teaching every student as if they were his daughter.
Rebuilding a relationship with purpose
Without realizing it, Vic had begun rebuilding his relationship with purpose. He found having purpose changed not just the course of his life, but also the quality. He found greater clarity, a deeper connection, and more meaningful intentions.
“Purpose helps you organize what matters most. It directs your attention and energy toward that,” Vic said.
When he researched the impact of purpose in other people’s lives, he found the science backed him up.
In one study, participants wore identical 25-pound backpacks and estimated how steep a ramp appeared. One group was told the backpack was “dead weight.” The other was told it carried important scientific equipment. Although both packs weighed the same, those who believed the load had meaning perceived the slope as less steep.
Other research linked a stronger sense of purpose with healthier coping strategies. People with greater purpose were more likely to walk, spend time in nature, engage in meaningful rituals and step back during stress. They were less likely to rely on habits that dulled stress in the moment. Studies following people after large-scale trauma found that those who rebuilt purpose showed greater resilience over time.
“When you have a sense of purpose, you’re more likely to step back, see the bigger picture and remember this won’t last forever.”
An app for positive, lasting change
Surprisingly, Vic found purpose isn’t a heroic vision or single-minded vocation a person is born with. It’s a skill that can be clarified and strengthened, shaping daily behavior.
Always a teacher, Vic began looking for ways to share what he had learned. He wrote the book, “Life On Purpose”, gave TED Talks and lectures including at Harvard School of Public Health, structured two online courses rated 4th best in the world by Inc. Magazine, and conducted pioneering research on life purpose, cited in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In 2015, together with a team of psychologists, behavior designers and data scientists, he launched Kumanu (meaning “nourish” in Maori), a company designed to help people and organizations thrive by connecting deeply to what matters most through its app, Purposeful.
The app is based on decades of research across behavioral science, neuroscience, public health and organizational psychology and more than 1,400 scientific studies. It prompts users to address the aspects of their lives they’d like help with, and guides users through the same steps he took to create positive, lasting change: identifying values, writing a purpose statement and building habits that align with it.
Identifying values, such as family, health, faith, creativity, learning or service, creates direction. Putting those values into words shapes daily choices. From there, small practices create rhythm: a morning intention, a brief reflection, a consistent commitment. The consistency matters more than the scale.
“Users of Purposeful tend to be people who are going through transitions in their lives,” Vic says. “I like to say you usually need to rethink your purpose when you need a Hallmark card.”
What matters most now?
For users like John, it was exactly what they needed.
“Getting on Purposeful is part of my morning routine,” a user said in a recent survey. “I have only missed a couple of days in the last year … it has really helped me stay in the present and be more focused and mindful about my days, relationships and my life.”
For others navigating loss, like Vic, the structure has been equally meaningful. The app “gave me a place to share my grief and trauma of loss and channel it toward a meaningful experience … a helpful reminder to keep me connected and do basic self-care tasks,” another respondent said.
For both, the shift began with the question “what matters most now?”, choosing a direction and returning to it, one day at a time.
To learn more, listen to Vic’s podcast, PurposeCast, where he explores the science and stories behind living with purpose. You can also try the Purposeful app with a free account — no credit card required. For those who choose to upgrade, a limited-time discount is available on Purposeful Premium: 29% off ($4.16 per month, billed annually at $49.99). Cancel anytime.
Photo above: Victor Strecher (R), with his daughter Julia Strecher (L) and wife Jeri Rosenberg.
