Steven thinking very deeply about absolutely nothing
Steven Handel is the founder of The Emotion Machine, an educational website dedicated to self-improvement in the 21st century. He has been writing about psychology and self-improvement since June 2009 and has authored over 500 articles on a wide range of topics such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, positive psychology, mindfulness meditation, social psychology, behavioral economics, and emotional intelligence.
Initially, Steven became interested in self-improvement to overcome his personal struggles with low confidence, social anxiety, and a general lack of happiness and meaning in life. As he discovered tools, exercises, and advice that helped him improve, he delved deeper into the field to continue learning and sharing his findings with others. Steven earned a B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University but decided to forgo graduate school to pursue his goals as an independent writer, coach, and teacher.
In 2018, Ulysses Press published Steven’s book, Small Habits, Big Changes: How the Tiniest Steps Lead to a Happier, Healthier You, which is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and independent bookstores. His current mission is to build on the decade of work he has put into The Emotion Machine and make it the number one website for all things related to self-improvement.
Steven grew up in Levittown, New York, and had a typical childhood. He enjoyed watching baseball, playing video games, and spending time with friends. He initially thought he would become a marine biologist because of his love for otters and dolphins, but his interest shifted towards psychology and human behavior in college. After completing his degree and working at a music and arts venue in Brooklyn, Steven moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he currently resides.
Aside from psychology, Steven is an avid creator of electronic music and has been playing with synthesizers and drum machines for many years. He has taught MIDI classes in college and helped book numerous live music shows throughout New York. In his free time, Steven enjoys reading sci-fi, watching movies, stand-up comedy, writing screenplays, and engaging in philosophical conversations after a couple of drinks. He is also a lifelong recovering Mets fan.
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