I don’t have one simple answer to this.

But I do have two rituals that have helped my husband and I enjoy almost 10 years of marriage - and a lot of life lived in that decade.

Fair Play, by Eve Rodsky: https://bit.ly/3aALiIT

Kat Cole + Daley Ervin Marriage Check-In: https://bit.ly/39BtAUi

The Questions:

1. …The best (thing, event, moment, memory)?

2. …The worst?

3. …One thing I can do differently (more, less, etc.) to be a more effective/better partner for you?

We used to ask for only 1 thing, but a few years in, we wanted to get more specific, so we changed it to 1 thing to stop, 1 to start, and 1 to continue.

4. Your biggest worry?

5. Your biggest point of pride/brag?

6. Your greatest gratitude?

7. Optional share: What is the thing that I/we spent money/time on that provides the most value /least value

8. Goals check in - how can we help each other with goals or interests? Pick 1 or 2 & ask for/offer help

9. Progress check - What is one thing I have improved and/or not improved (from our check-ins or stated commitments and goals)

10. What is an area we want to improve or focus on with family?

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It’s one of the most important things you can do as a resident of the United States. And it only takes 5 minutes.

Complete the census: https://2020census.gov/en.html

Stacey Abrams on the Importance of 2020 Census: https://bit.ly/2UtHwdk

Special Report: 2020 U.S. census plagued by hacking threats, cost overruns: https://reut.rs/2QLx28t

The Census Bureau Wasn’t Counting on the Coronavirus: https://bit.ly/2WMWLkv

The coronavirus is upending the Census — and that could undermine democracy for a decade: https://bit.ly/2QKaQLS

Fair Count: https://www.faircount.org/

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Whether you’re social distancing in these pandemic times or want to make the most of the occasional WFH day, I have tips for you. And things you’re probably better off not doing…

Links:

Alarmy app - https://alar.my/

Peloton app - https://www.onepeloton.com/app

obé app - https://www.obefitness.com/home

Splendid Spoon smoothies & soups - https://bit.ly/hithasplendidspoon

my favorite planner - https://bit.ly/hithasilksonder

the timer I use - https://bit.ly/3dfHqPf

my current needlepoint project - https://bit.ly/39B5Mk6

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This episode explains the virology of COVID-19 (for non-scientists), how we can treat it, and what we can do now.

Links:

https://newsroom.uw.edu/news/covid-19-coronavirus-spike-holds-infectivity-details

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/12/science-soap-kills-coronavirus-alcohol-based-disinfectants

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/16/remdesivir-surges-ahead-against-coronavirus/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/when-will-a-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-be-ready-human-trials-global-immunisation

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/09/coronavirus-scientists-play-legos-with-proteins-to-build-next-gen-vaccine/

https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccines-work/

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/11/flattening-curve-coronavirus/

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Why does 270 electoral votes determine who our President is, and how did that happen?

That’s what this episode unpacks, as well as some thoughts on electability at this stage in the 2020 election.

To learn more, visit the following links:

Why Was the Electoral College Created? (History): http://bit.ly/2TH4MWb

Understanding the three-fifths compromise (Constitution Accountability Center): http://bit.ly/2TF9qnI

Five Common Misconceptions About the Electoral College (The Atlantic): http://bit.ly/2ICOGql

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The world is in a panic over this pandemic.

Me? I’m worried, but not panicking. Here’s everything I know about Covid-19, and what I’m doing to prepare myself and my family.

To learn more, visit the following links:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mortality Rate (Worldometer): http://bit.ly/2Tu2OZj

Where did the new coronavirus come from? Past outbreaks provide hints (NBC News): https://nbcnews.to/2wAeeSl

Key Missteps at the CDC Have Set Back Its Ability to Detect the Potential Spread of Coronavirus (ProPublica): http://bit.ly/32Uk118

Washington state to cover COVID-19 tests for the uninsured (KUOW): http://bit.ly/2IrlVwU

Susan Desmond-Hellmann: The coronavirus is alarming. Here’s why you should not panic (STAT): http://bit.ly/2IDgdrT

R-Lipoic Acid Supplement: http://bit.ly/2TG0mxE

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What are delegates, and why do they decide our election?

This episode explains who delegates are, how they select the party’s nominee, and what could happen in 2020.

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To learn more, visit the following links:

The race for presidential delegates has begun. Track them here: http://bit.ly/2IbqH1i

Democratic delegate rules, 2020: http://bit.ly/2uNJPPU

For understanding each state’s delegate assignment rules: https://www.thegreenpapers.com/ and http://frontloading.blogspot.com/

What’s the deal with a contested convention, anyway?: https://politi.co/2TefiUU

Who’s Afraid of Bernie Sanders?: https://nym.ag/2wgiNkC

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The answer is yes - but it’s probably not the way you think.

In this episode, I’ll share why and how I work with coaches, mentors, sponsors, advisors - at the same time - and how you can start doing the same.

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To learn more, visit the following links:

One And Many Coaching - https://www.oneandmany.co/

Coach Keren Eldad - https://www.kereneldad.com/

How To Be Mentored By Anyone - https://www.hithaonthego.com/how-to-be-mentored-by-anyone/

Mentoring Moments: Kat Cole, FOCUS Brands - https://ihr.fm/2PmWv7l

How A Sponsor Can Skyrocket Your Career - https://theriveter.co/voice/how-to-find-a-sponsor-at-work-career-advancement/

1 Mentor Isn't Enough. You Need to Build a Personal Board of Advisers - http://bit.ly/2TdjPWb

Reach Out by Molly Beck - http://bit.ly/3a645ej

Self Made by Nely Galán - http://bit.ly/2wLFbm7

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It's a good question.

In this episode, you'll learn what exactly the economy and the stock market are, how they're related, and how politics affects them both.

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To learn more about this topic, visit the following links:

The Stock Market, Explained - http://bit.ly/37THpN9

Americans own more stock than ever—how will it change the economy? - http://bit.ly/32kKggH

How Does the US Economy Work? - http://bit.ly/37QZRpx

Democrats vs. Republicans: Which Is Better for the Economy? - http://bit.ly/2SRFnbR

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Welcome to 1 Smart Thing - the show that goes deep on the 1 random thing you wish you knew more about. I'm Hitha Palepu - I'm not a journalist, but I am incredibly curious. I share these findings on my Instagram, every weekday via #5SmartReads and every Friday during my ask me anything sessions.

1 Smart Thing goes deeper into the news and the questions that deserve lengthy answers. On Mondays, I'll delve into a news topic or story, and on Fridays I'll answer one of my frequently asked questions.

Want more? Visit 1smartpod.com and follow Hitha on Instagram @HithaPalepu.

Music: Top Knot Turn Up by Madame Gandhi