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

Can Long-Distance Relationships Work? Sure… But Let’s Talk Reality

Long-distance relationships are tough.  I’M NOT A FAN, BUT THAT’S ME.
Seriously though…When was the last time you met someone in a long-distance relationship who said: “Oh yeah, my boyfriend lives halfway across the country and it’s… F…I…N…E. FINE!!!!”
Unless you're the avoidant type...(Been there. My marriage was long-distance. Full disclosure—I liked it for a while. I’m not still married to him though. So there’s that.)
The REAL Challenges of Long-Distance Love
 The Fantasy Fog is REAL.Distance has this weird way of warping your view.You’re not seeing the whole picture, so you start filling in the blanks... with fantasies, fears, or both.
 Assumptions Get LOUD.You start getting a little neurotic.Every little thing feels like the end of the relationship.They didn’t text you back? Must be cheating.They went out with friends? Really? 
Idealization is a Trap.“If it weren’t for these damn logistical circumstances, we’d be PERFECT.”
Would you buy a car after only seeing the front end?  Didn’t think so.
In a long-distance relationship, you’re often not really dating—You’re vibing with a version of someone that exists in texts, phone calls, and FaceTimes.
You miss important stuff like:
How they handle stress
If they’re chronically late
Their excuse for that overbearing mother
How they deal with criticism
Or if they sulk for days over spilled almond milk
And that day-to-day messy reality? It’s where true intimacy is built.
So Can It Work?
Sure it can. But so can most relationships.
Here’s what makes a long-distance relationship stand a chance:
 Clear Milestones.You need shared goals and a vision.(If a relationship isn’t growing, it’s dying.)
An End Date to the Distance.The gap between you should be temporary—not just “someday.”
Consistent Communication.Not just texting emojis. Real check-ins. Honest convos.
 Reality Checks.Make sure you’re falling in love with the person, not the fantasy.
And Watch Out For the Paradox…
Distance can lead you to make a HUGE commitment to someone you barely know.
Final Word:
Can it work? Yes.Is it for everyone? Absolutely not.Does love conquer all? Only if “all” doesn’t include a 3-hour time difference, bad Wi-Fi, and no plan.
If you're in a long-distance relationship, just be real with yourself.Because while love can handle a little distance—It can’t survive on fantasy alone.
Otherwise, date your mailman.At least he shows up every day. 😘

Plastic Free July: Nancy Downes from Oceana on Paws n' Claws

Paws n' Claws is a weekly segment on The South Shore's Morning News all about the animal and nature world. It airs every Tuesday morning at 9:22. 
This week, we were pleased to welcome Nancy Downes, the Field Campaigns Manager of Oceana. 
Oceana is committed to protecting the world's oceans and a large part of that protecting process is making sure trash, especially plastic, stays out of it. It has already been reported that plastic 
It was all about the worldwide initiative of Plastic Free July during our Paws n' Claws segment with Nancy. There are things we need to do to help lessen the abundance of plastic in this world...and in our oceans.
Listen to the interview below as Nancy explains alarming plastic statistics, how we can help, and why it is important to invest in reusable products: 
 

AFLAC! Another Cyberattack...Tech Talk with David Snell of ACT Smart IT in Wareham

Another Tech Talk....another data breach to discuss! At least we have David Snell of ACT Smart IT in Wareham to guide us through these cyberattacks and the best plan to keep our information safe.
This week's Tech Talk focuses on the recent cyberattack on insurance company Aflac. If you are a current Aflac member, then there are some important steps to take so that you can be careful with identity theft. 
Read David's full blog post by clicking here and listen to our interview below.
Tech Talk is a weekly segment that airs Tuesday mornings at 8:10 on The South Shore's Morning News. 
 

Mantra for World Peace, More Comfort Monday with Diane Jordan of Natural Body Works

More Comfort Monday was needed more than ever on this Monday June 23rd. Diane Jordan of Natural Body Works understood exactly what Rob, Beth, and the WATD listeners needed: a mantra for world peace. 
Diane Jordan is a Sanskrit Mantra teacher in the lineage of Namadeva Acharya – Thomas Ashley-Farrand, so she wrote a beautiful mantra for everyone to say in the morning:
Whenever we are praying for others, we always want to remember that in order to send our good intentions clearly and not absorb low vibration energies and feelings, we always start by saying “I take on no energy that does not belong to me, I take on exclusively the energy of Love” (say it)
And we will chant the Mantra this 3 times
So, let’s say it first once more
Om Dhumra Ketuve Namaha
Deep breath and we chant 3 times -
Om Dhumra Ketuvae Namaha
Om Dhumra Ketuvae Namaha
Om Dhumra Ketuvae Namaha
 Om Shanti Shanti Shanti - Peace Peace Peace
Listen and learn about this vital practice and feel more at peace: 

The South Shore's Morning News Week in Review -- Friday, June 20th, 2025

Welcome to another week in review! This week Rob and Beth start with Bob Terravecchia from Coastal Heritage Bank as he talks about interest rates and also brings along his youngest son Nick. Then, Beth checks in with our tech guy, David Snell from ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham. Finally, with summer here, it's important to think about sunscreen, but is the sunscreen you're using potentially causing more harm than good? We check in with Dr. John Hayes from Marshfield. 

Be Careful WITH Sunscreen!? Dr. John Hayes Explains on Living and Practicing by Design

Every Thursday morning at 9:20 during The South Shore's Morning News, Rob and Beth get a "check-up" from their favorite medical professional, Dr. John Hayes during his segment, Living and Practicing by Design. 
For today's topic, the Dr. explained that some sunscreens may actually be NOT that good for you. There are certain chemicals that can impact our health that we should stay away from.
You can read Dr. John Hayes' full blog post by clicking here. 
And to see previous blog posts from Dr. John Hayes, please click here. 
Listen to this week's Living and Practicing by Design here:
 

Ever Found Yourself Nodding Yes While Screaming No on the Inside? Love Bites with Lifestyle Coach Francesca Luca

Love Bites is a weekly segment with Lifestyle Coach Francesca Luca on The South Shore's Morning News. You can listen every Wednesday morning at 9:10. 
We’ve all been there—agreeing to plans we don’t want, taking on extra work we don’t have time for, or saying yes just to avoid awkwardness. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation wondering how you got roped into something (again), this post is for you.
So… have you morphed into an ever-expanding sponge?Has saying “yes” become a permanent tattoo?
If you're constantly overcommitted, overwhelmed, and wondering how you keep ending up in situations you never agreed to (except you technically did)… this one's for you.
We’ve all nodded through requests, signed up for things we didn’t want to, or agreed to something while our inner voice was screaming, “OMG, I can’t believe I agreed to that” But here’s the deal: You’re allowed to say no. You need to say no. And yes it’s going to feel awkward—until it doesn’t.
So let’s hit reset and dive in.
Why DO We Say Yes When We Want to Say No?
There are a few all-too-familiar reasons:
1. We don’t want to disappoint people
We fear hurting someone’s feelings, or worse—damaging a friendship. (Newsflash: True relationships can handle a polite “no.”)
2. Fear of confrontation or rejection
Saying no feels like lighting a fuse. But avoiding conflict often leads to resentment—and that’s a much bigger explosion later.
3. Guilt & Obligation — the BIGGIE
You feel bad for turning someone down. So you say yes… then feel worse afterward. That guilt loop is sneaky and exhausting.
4. People-pleasing tendencies
If your self-worth is tied to how “helpful” or “available” you are, you’re probably carrying a backpack full of burnout. Time to unpack.
5. Low self-worth
You might say yes because deep down, you don’t believe you have the right to say no. (You do. Every single time.)
6. Lack of boundary-setting skills
If no one ever taught you how to assert yourself without a panic attack, you're not alone. But the good news? It's a skill—and you can learn it.
Why You SHOULD Say No
Because you deserve respect. Period.
If you don’t respect your own time, energy, and limits, why would anyone else?There is no perfect time to start. There’s no perfect script. JUST DO IT.
And stop obsessing over how to say it “just right.” You're not writing a breakup letter.
Oh, and by the way: The people who get mad when you say no?Yeah, those are often the ones who benefited most from your lack of boundaries—not the ones who deserve your energy. But that’s a Love Bite for another morning…
The “Say No” Toolkit You Didn’t Know You Needed
Stick these phrases on your mirror, laptop, or forehead—wherever they’ll remind you that you’re allowed to take up space and say no without guilt.
Better Phrases Than a Panicked “Maybe”:
"That won’t work for me."
"I can’t give it the attention it deserves."
"It’s not a priority for me right now."
"I have other priorities I have to put first."
Setting Boundaries, Your Way:
"Are you open to other ideas?"
"My experience tells me that won’t work—have you considered…"
"I agree with the goal, but I’d like to tweak a few things."
Whatever You Do, Avoid These Wishy-Washy Responses:
“Let me think about it…” (Translation: I’ll stew over this for 3 days and still feel guilty.)
“Maybe…” (A non-committal yes in disguise.)
“Let’s talk about it later…” (No, let’s not. Say no now.)
Final Word: You're Not a Bad Person for Saying No
You’re not selfish. You’re not rude.You’re just someone who finally decided to stop being available to everything and everyone except yourself.
Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s self-respect. So go ahead. Practice it. Say it in the mirror. Say it in a text. Whisper it. Shout it. Sing it if you have to.
Just start saying it.
Listen to the segment: 
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Can Alexa Hear Me? Tech Talk with David Snell of ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham

It is Tuesday so that means it is time for Tech Talk with David Snell of ACT Smart I.T. in Wareham.
For this week's segment, David wanted to discuss the ever-present question on most people's minds when it comes to interactive electronics: Am I being listened to without even knowing!?
Amazon's Alexa device is one of the most popular at-home digital assistants so David gave a rundown on how to minimize unknowing voice recordings, and also how to auto-delete your data in your account.
You can read David's full blog post by clicking here and listen to the interview here.

We Fix Pain - Part 2 - More Comfort Monday with Diane Jordan of Natural Body Works in Kingston

It is so important to take care of your body - especially when you're feeling any kind of pain. This is where Natural Body Works in Kingston comes in, they are ready to help you alleviate any sort of ache, injury, pain, and beyond!
On Diane Jordan's weekly segment on the South Shore's Morning News, More Comfort Monday, she talks about the various services you can find at Natural Body Works. 
One of their amazing services, is their massage therapy. Diane goes into Part 2 of her series on pain management and how massage can take you from hurting to healing.
Listen in she discusses the amazing sciatic recovery of one of her clients.
Diane would like all our listeners to know not to suffer in pain, call her and talk to her about how to get your pain fixed, at Natural Body Works. The number is 781-585-5130. And please remember to tune in next week for another More Comfort Mondays 

YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR GUT, BUT HOW DO YOU REALLY KNOW IF YOUR PARTNER IS CHEATING?

Most of the time… the signs are there.
Warning signs stretch out miles behind you—long before the moment of truth arrives.
But before we dive into the clues and gut instincts, let’s ask a foundational question:
What is cheating, exactly?
I got a Facebook question recently:“Is having a friend of the opposite sex—someone you share a deep emotional connection with—considered cheating?”
The short answer? Sometimes, yes.
There’s a clear difference between a genuine friendship and what’s called emotional cheating (aka, an emotional affair).Here’s how to tell:
Are you fully disclosing this connection to your partner?
Have you had a romantic or intimate history with this person? (Big one!)
Is there mutual attraction—spoken or unspoken?
Is this a real friendship… or a “back burner” relationship? You know, someone you're keeping warm just in case?
Let’s be honest:You know.And even deeper down... you know you know.
“She’s cool, she thinks I’m cool, how fun is that… we go out, get a little tipsy, kiss... but that won’t happen again.”
Yeah. Right.
Even if nothing physical has happened (yet), emotional affairs almost always pave the way. And even if they don’t—if your emotional investment is shifting away from your partner—something is already off.
FYI: You can’t serve two masters.
No matter how you slice it, if you're emotionally pouring yourself into someone else, there’s a leak in your primary relationship. And leaks don’t fix themselves.
So… How DO You Know If Your Partner Is Cheating?
Here are some classic signs:
Increased secrecy (changing passwords, guarded phone use)
Unexplained absences or sketchy details about where they’ve been
A decline in physical intimacy or a sudden spike that feels performative
Emotional distance—they’re there, but not there
Sudden changes in routine—workouts, late nights, new hobbies they don’t share with you
But here’s where it gets deeper:
Why Do People Cheat?
Let’s talk about the why for a minute.
I know—algorithms aren’t romantic.But let’s be real: cheating isn’t exactly sexy either. So here’s your human algorithm:
We all have basic needs:
Good food
Good sex
Enough sleep
Emotional intimacy
But sometimes those needs conflict.To experience true intimacy, you have to give up some of your self-gratifying behaviors. That means boundaries, commitment, and choosing connection over impulse.
And here’s the core truth:
If someone values self-gratification more than intimacy, they won't sacrifice.
If they value intimacy more than gratification, they will.
It’s really that simple.Picture a scale. On one side: self-gratification. On the other: intimacy.Where that scale tips? That’s what someone is prioritizing.
Final Thought: Cheating Isn’t Always About Sex. It’s About Disconnection.
When someone cheats, what they’re really doing is looking for something they feel they’ve lost—within themselves, or within the relationship. But instead of confronting that loss, they escape it.
And here’s the truth:Cheating doesn’t start in the bedroom.It starts in the distance.In the conversations that didn’t happen.In the resentment that went unspoken.In the glance that stopped lingering.In the quiet forgetting of each other.
If you’re reading this and feeling that gut twist—not because of what someone else is doing, but because of what you might be avoiding—it’s not too late.
Ask the hard questions.Have the uncomfortable conversation.Reconnect. Or, if needed, walk away with clarity and courage.
Whatever you do—don’t pretend not to know what you already know.
Because trust doesn’t just break.It bends, and bends, until the moment it finally snaps. Make sure you’re not holding the scissors.
 
Love Bites is a weekly segment with Lifestyle Coach Francesca Luca - it airs on The South Shore's Morning News every Wednesday morning at 9:10. Sponsored by Meineke 
You can text in your question on the 95.9 WATD Text Line at 781-837-4900, feel free to request anonymity 
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