psy·chot·ic leop·ard sīˈkädik/ˈlepərd/ noun · anything that is funky, interesting, beautiful, niche, useful, and grabs one's attention

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News — Adolescence

What Matters To A Teenage Boy Is Probably Not What You Think

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

What Matters To A Teenage Boy Is Probably Not What You Think

    The following was a response to a question to a college essay asking, "What matters to you?"  A bit unexpected...  (GUEST BLOG by Izzy Johnson) -- Ever since I was young, one of my biggest fears has been being alone.  That’s why community is so important to me.  Although it has been challenging to feel a sense of belonging within groups, I crave connection.   Who would have thought that spending Wednesday evenings sweating with a bunch of middle-aged women, dancing to R&B music, would be something that makes me happy? I was born almost a month early,...

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RUDE ATTITUDE: How Twenty One Pilots & Panic at the Disco Inspired a "Too Cool For School" Sneaker Fashion Trend

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

RUDE ATTITUDE: How Twenty One Pilots & Panic at the Disco Inspired a "Too Cool For School" Sneaker Fashion Trend

When I was thirteen, a boyfriend of mine was so annoyingly into computers that I vowed never to use one.  And then I ended up marrying a software engineer, who set up my first email account.  Flash forward a couple of decades, and Psychotic Leopard would not exist without the freedom and reach provided by the internet. I used to scoff at the idea of meeting people online, but it does open up a world of possibilities for a former backpacker whose single motherhood forces her to stay local.  Luckily, the computer provides me with chance encounters every so often,...

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Strong Powerful Women: HEATHER FLAHERTY - FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Strong Powerful Women:  HEATHER FLAHERTY -  FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

  This is the first in a series of blogs about strong women I know personally, and today’s obvious choice is Heather, a friend and fellow turbo sweatie.   When I first started classes at the Y, I myself was going through a lot of personal trauma in the wake of my son’s best friend’s suicide, and some severe marital issues.  While normally I am quick to make friends, months passed with only a casual greeting between myself and fellow gym mates. Heather was and remains the friendliest girl in our classes, and was one of the first people I...

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DEEPENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN & THEIR FATHERS AND SONS: STEP BY STEP

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

DEEPENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN & THEIR FATHERS AND SONS:  STEP BY STEP

  When I was little, every Sunday morning started by walking with my dad “to get the paper.”  Instead of The New York Times being delivered to our house, he liked to go down to the local drugstore for it, and I would accompany him.  As the eldest child, my sister still a toddler and at home with my mom, I basked in his full attention.   The neighborhood I lived in was called Indian Village, and all of the streets were named after Native American tribes.  Probably less for tradition and more as a deterrent for cars, almost every...

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Best Friendship and the Teen Girl: Conflict and Courage

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Best Friendship and the Teen Girl:  Conflict and Courage

Like everything unknown and in the future, I had romantic visions of parenthood.  Having traveled all over the world, experienced all sorts of people, culture, and heartbreak by the time I was 22, I envisioned the awesomeness of sharing my life experiences with my daughter and son.  I had really lived my life, gathered wisdom beyond my years, and was ready to be a parent.  I had so much to share with these future children of mine, and would be better than most at making sure they were happy, and was sure I could somehow prevent them from experiencing some of the more...

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