I didn’t set out to lose 8 pounds in 8 days, but that’s what happened when I paired a clear why with a simple how. This isn’t about shortcuts or extremes. It’s about accountability, consistency, and remembering that change starts when intention meets structure.

For nearly two decades, Motivational Interviewing has shaped the way I communicate with people who are navigating change. At the heart of MI are four practical skills known as OARS. These skills help people feel heard, reduce resistance, and create space for individuals to discover their own motivation. This guide breaks OARS down into clear, usable strategies you can apply in any helping conversation, so you can support people in a way that strengthens confidence, choice, and self-direction.

Executive Order 14359 brings long overdue attention to foster care reform, calling for modernization, transparency, and improved outcomes. But with no new funding attached, many questions remain about what states like Florida can realistically accomplish. This deep-dive examines the key sections of the EO, its potential benefits, and the structural gaps that still need to be addressed.