In a study of collective narcissism, Virginia and Massachusetts ranked first. But almost every state felt self-important: America is a nation of narcissists, according to two new studies

‘I love things that are absurd’: Meet the Man Who Turned Nathan’s Hot Dog-Eating Contest Into a National Obsession

From ‘rusty rattletraps’ to ‘big black jacked-up’ rides, the vehicles symbolize blue-collar identity while flaunting bourgeois prosperity: The Pickup Truck’s Transformation From Humble Workhorse to Fancy Toy

We do not celebrate perfection on Independence Day — we celebrate the right and the responsibility we have to keep pursuing it: Our wonderful, frustrating, dynamic, messy American republic

A soundtrack for Independence Day that mixes its celebration of America with a dash of skepticism: 5 great non-corny songs about America

I don’t know anything about business, so how could I possibly succeed? I don’t want to get involved in ‘marketing’ because marketers are slicksters who try to get people’s money. When Kate Swoboda started working for herself, these are the stories she carried. She didn’t question them. Instead, she believed them wholeheartedly. She wholeheartedly believed that she innately didn’t understand business-related information, and clearly couldn’t succeed. She wholeheartedly believed that marketing was bad and always used as a manipulative ploy. Many of us do the same. Our stories just have different subjects. For instance, according to Swoboda, spouses may carry the story “I’m just not in love anymore,” making it that much harder to work on their marriage. New moms may carry the story “If I’m not always paying attention to my child, she’s missing out on my love,” losing themselves and their happiness. All of these are examples of limiting stories. Limiting stories are internalized beliefs: Are You Telling Yourself Stories That Are Keeping You Stuck?

Listen to: The Edge Effect – http://one.npr.org/i/625426015:625611494