The South Shore’s Morning News on 95.9 WATD-FM

The South Shore's Morning News Week in Review -- Friday, May 30th, 2025

Welcome to another edition of The South Shore's Morning News: Week in Review. We start first by talking with Bob Terravecchia from Coastal Heritage Bank about housing prices. Later, it's Dr. John Hayes with a conversation about summer activities and how to prepare your body. Finally, it's our South Shore Chamber of Commerce segment where we focus on mental health. 

Boost Your Health With Summer Fun! Living and Practicing by Design with Dr. John Hayes

Rob and Beth are very excited for the upcoming summer season: beach days, warm weather, and ocean air are some of the things they absolutely love. During their weekly check up with Dr. John Hayes, summer was the topic of conversation as this favorited season offers New Englanders the chance to get outside, exercise in fresh air, and soak up the sun (without a wind chill of -5). 
Listen and learn about the benefits of this season and how to also stay safe. You can read Dr. John Hayes' full blog post by clicking here. 

High Maintenance Partner: Is it Worth It!? Love Bites with Lifestyle Coach Francesca Luca

Francesca Luca is a lifestyle coach and creator Love Bites, which airs every Wednesday morning at 9:10 on The South Shore's Morning News. You can also listen to her on The Francesca Luca Show every Wednesday evening at 8pm. 
Listener Question:“My boyfriend and I have a great physical relationship, but he’s not available for important events. Is he just high-maintenance, or is he a full-blown narcissist?”
This question was addressed in a recent Love Bites segment on the South Shore Morning News with lifestyle coach Francesca Luca, host Rob Hakala, and co-host Beth Foster. You can listen to the discussion on the WATD podcast page. For a deeper dive into narcissism, check out The Francesca Luca Show episode that aired last night—also available on the WATD website.
High-Maintenance vs. Narcissist: What’s the Difference?
There’s a distinction between being high-maintenance and being a narcissist, but the lines can be blurry. Selfishness can easily cross into narcissism, and it’s important to remember that narcissism exists on a spectrum—we all have narcissistic traits to some degree.
But here’s the core issue:If your emotional needs aren’t being met, why are you staying?
Ask yourself:
Do you even like him?
Does staying with him reflect the life you want?
Is there an underlying reason you feel you don’t deserve more?
These are tough but important questions. Staying with someone who is emotionally unavailable or incapable of true intimacy can leave you feeling unfulfilled—or worse, deeply saddened. If he’s overly focused on his own needs and refuses to settle down or support you emotionally, then you’re at a crossroads.
Be clear: tell him what you need. He’ll either meet those needs—or he won’t. If he doesn’t, the healthiest and most empowering choice may be to leave. Yes, it's hard—especially when the physical connection is strong—but physical chemistry alone isn’t enough to sustain a relationship long-term. Love and emotional support are essential for a healthy partnership.
Five Telltale Signs of a Narcissist:
Lack of empathy: They see your empathy as something to exploit.
No genuine remorse: They may apologize, but expect you to “get over it” quickly. For example: “Okay, fine, I cheated. I’m sorry. Let’s move on.” Compare that to how you’d respond if you hurt someone you truly care about.
No moral compass: They lack a consistent sense of right and wrong.
Emotional distortion: They accuse you of overreacting or being too sensitive.
Gaslighting and control: They manipulate situations to confuse and destabilize you.
How it affects you:
You feel more anxious and less confident.
You constantly question if it’s your fault.
You find yourself apologizing all the time.
You feel a deep sense of unease or emotional instability.
Bottom line:If this sounds like your partner, it may be time to leave. The longer you stay, the more emotionally disoriented you may become. Trust your instincts, stay grounded in reality, and remember: even a broken clock is right twice a day.

The South Shore's Morning News Week in Review -- Friday, May 23rd, 2025

Welcome to another edition of the 'week  in review' with Rob and Beth. In this episode we start with a conversation with Bob Terravecchia, the CEO of Coastal Heritage Bank, about a potpourri of subjects; including Memorial Day. Later, it's our tech guy David Snell from ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham with a discussion about the AI driven cybersecurity challenge. Then, we check in with Dr. John Hayes from Marshfield with a warning about ticks and the diseases they spread. Finally, Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga, a Boston-based Filipino-American nurse leader and educator, has been named a finalist for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025. We talk all about it with him. 

Is it My Loved One? Or is it AI? Tech Talk with David Snell of ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham

David Snell is here to help us all during our weekly "software" upgrade on Tech Talk with ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham.
Did you know there are major cybersecurity concerns with AI being able to replicate your loved one's voice.. and even their own image/face!?
It is a scary situation that has been happening with people trying to scam others by hijacking other's likelihoods. Not a great feeling, but David, of course, gives us some much-needed advice. Listen and learn.
For David's full blog post, please click here. 

I Need My Parents' to Notice Me MORE...Love Bites with Lifestyle Coach Francesca Luca

This week’s Love Bites question: It feels like my parents always center everything around my sister, like her life matters more by default.  Even when I have something going on it gets pushed aside the moment she’s in the picture. How do I deal with constantly feeling like the afterthought in my own family?
Siblings often joke about being Mom’s favorite but parents playing favorites is no joking matter.  This kind of preferential treatment has a way of carrying a feeling of unworthiness onto other relationships because your underlying question become, “will I ever be good enough?” 
It creates sadness, anger and eventually if it is continuous, it is not uncommon to disconnect completely and that will then cause feelings of isolation.  The problem is when we believe we don’t measure up, it then stops us from ever attaining that love that we so much want and more important, need.
Some things I would recommend considering.  It is likely that your parents aren’t doing this out of malicious intent.  It’s important to be careful who you discuss this with.  People come from a different frame of reference and your feelings are yours, and yours alone. 
Unfortunately, parental favoritism causes competitiveness among siblings which ultimately leads to a fragmented relationship.  This can have far reaching damage particularly if it is just you and your sister. 
If you are having conflicted feelings such as being seriously annoyed one day and the next day questioning if you are just being overly sensitive, it’s time to discuss this with your parents.
Help them to see that this is a real problem for you and let them know how this is affecting your self-worth.  Watch for triggers.  Notice rather than respond.  Your communication with your parents will have a better chance if you stay focused and calm remembering that feeling disregarded is not a barometer of your value.  Understand though that your parents are human and come from their own frame of reference.  They may be limited in what you are trying to communicate to them. That can make it tricky when they don’t see it and then you further question whether it’s “all in your head”.  I always say, if it’s in your head, well, what a place for it to be, right? You don’t want to be carrying this baggage around.
If your conversation falls on deaf ears you need to look elsewhere for validation starting with yourself. What do you think makes you special?  Do you have some things that you are proud of accomplishing?  Own that you are unique and valuable.  
If this continues, consider seeing a professional counselor who may help you sort through your feelings as well as a resolution.  

The Benefits of a Lymphatic Massage...More Comfort Monday with Diane Jordan of Natural Body Works in Kingston

Another start to the week so it's time for Rob and Beth's weekly realignment with Diane Jordan of Natural Body Works in Kingston. 
It is all about the lymphatic massages for More Comfort Monday, so Diane explained how she received one and the numerous benefits of getting one yourself. Listen in as Diane talks about this amazing service available at Natural Body Works and how it can help lessen inflammation, eliminate toxins, and even melt fat!
To learn more about Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage and have a free phone consult with Ariel to find out if this type of session can help you, call or text Natural Body Works. The number is 781-585-5130. And please remember tune in next week for another More Comfort Mondays for part 2 of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

The South Shore's Morning News Week in Review -- Friday, May 16th, 2025

What Is It Like to Be a Patient in Direct Primary Care Practice? Living and Practicing by Design with Dr. John Hayes

Rob and Beth love their weekly check-ups with Dr. John Hayes during Living and Practicing by Design, which airs every Thursday morning at 9:20.
For this week, Dr. John Hayes discussed what it is like to be a patient in his Direct Primary Care Practice, the benefits from being his patient, and how this can improve your overall health. You can read the full blog post by clicking here and listen to the interview below:
 

My Ex is Mad I Didn't Visit Him in the Hospital...Ask the Hingham Housewife!

The Hingham Housewife, Author Alexandra Slater, joined the morning team once again to help our listener friends with their problems.
This week, we had a woman whose ex-husband made her feel guilty for not visiting him in the hospital when he was sick. They'd been divorced 5 years and never had children. 
Dear Housewife,
 
My ex is upset that I didn’t visit him in the hospital, but I’m remarried and don’t think this would be appropriate in regards to my current husband. Am I in the wrong? Or how can I explain to him nicely that I don't think this is appropriate.
Sincerely,
Not Your Nurse or Wife
The Hingham Housewife agreed that it would be inappropriate for her to visit her ex in the hospital (unless he was in a coma or near death). The HH also suggested having an earnest conversation with her ex to explain that she didn't think it was fair to her current husband to maintain a close relationship with him. Furthermore, by visiting him in the hospital, it would send the wrong message and hurt her husband.
Beth agreed and said it would not be appropriate to visit her ex. After all, it's been five years now, and he should understand that she has responsibilities to her current marriage. 
Rob also felt that, unless the circumstances were dire, this listener should stay home. No hospital visits needed!
We also had a listener text in his opinion:
Peter from Hingham: 
She should NOT visit her ex in the hospital. He should move on.
The Housewife had a final thought: perhaps the listener is giving mixed signals to her ex-husband. Maybe she's doing something to lead him to believe they are closer than they are? Or, that they have another chance at love? She should talk to her ex and explain that, while he was a great part of her past, he is not a part of her future. Her loyalty lies with her current husband, and she has to respect him.