Ruth Knafo Setton: Five Things I Learned Writing Zigzag Girl
Ruth Knafo Setton reflects on five pivotal lessons learned while writing her thriller Zigzag Girl, from a harrowing real‑life straitjacket escape to the unique flavor of Atlantic City’s historic underbelly. She describes how the city’s layered past fuels the novel’s atmosphere and how her “Jersey magic” blends streetwise swagger with classic illusion. The author also explores the dangerous chemistry between protagonist Lucy Moon and a suspect‑turned‑love‑interest, underscoring love as the most perilous magic. Setton’s work has earned multiple genre awards, cementing her status in contemporary thriller fiction.
Farm Bill Markup Sparks Debate over Nutrition and Rural Policy
The 2026 Farm Bill preserves existing nutrition programs such as SNAP, TEFAP and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, extending them through FY2031 without additional funding. Democrats and health‑focused NGOs argue the bill fails to address hunger, restore cuts, or...
A Few Spots Left: Sea of Homer
Classical Wisdom announced the limited‑capacity 2026 "Sea of Homer" voyage, a Mediterranean cruise that explores the archaeological sites featured in Homer’s epics. The trip launches July 1 in Athens and is led by renowned translator and Classics professor Emily Wilson. Participants will...
Alan Williams – Floating On the Dreamline
Alan Williams is retiring from his professorship at the University of Massachusetts‑Lowell while releasing his third solo album, Floating On the Dreamline. The record spans indie‑rock, power‑pop, heavy‑metal, bossa nova, and piano ballads, reflecting his diverse musical background. Student collaborators from...
A Quick Hack for Looking A Bit Dressed Up? Just Add a Dash of Shine | Jess Cartner-Morley
Fashion columnist Jess Cartner‑Morley argues that a dash of shine—through earrings, metallic shoes, belts or silk fabrics—offers a quick, low‑effort way to look dressed up without a full‑on red‑carpet ensemble. She highlights specific affordable pieces from retailers like M&S, Oliver Bonas...
SXSW Vice President of Film & TV Claudette Godfrey Talks 2026 Festival Line-Up
SXSW 2026 will run film, TV, music and comedy programming concurrently for the first time, thanks to expanded hotel capacity in Austin. Vice‑President Claudette Godfrey explains the tighter ten‑day schedule forced a more deliberate curation process, emphasizing discovery and diverse...
1 Effective Step We All Take Way Too Late in Life
The article argues that lasting progress comes from tiny, consistent actions rather than occasional grand gestures. It highlights the Stoic principle of focusing on what we can control and letting the rest unfold. Using a one‑degree navigation analogy, it shows...
The Hard Work of Loving Well
Stephen Grosz’s new book *Love’s Labor* reframes love as an ongoing, demanding practice rather than a sentimental refuge. He argues that confronting confusion, pain, and inevitable loss is essential to building authentic connections. The work draws on decades of psychoanalytic...
Save on New Titles in Literature and Literary Studies
Duke University Press is promoting its literature and literary studies titles at the AWP 2026 conference in Baltimore. Attendees can use coupon code AWP26 for a 40% discount on all books and journal issues purchased online through February 29, 2026....
Balanced Week: Easy Miles, Speed Work, Long Run, Rest
Ingredients for an Effective Running Week: - Ample Easy Miles - 2 speed or hill workouts - 1 long run - Nutritious Diet - Quality sleep - Have fun
Pressure Fuels Teen Resistance, Not Compliance
When teens push back, parents push harder. More rules. More consequences. More lectures. What's left? A power struggle. Resistance isn’t solved with pressure.
New Audible Feature Supports the Immersion Reading Trend
Audible introduced the Read & Listen feature, letting users see synchronized text while listening to audiobooks within the Audible app. The tool differs from Whispersync by keeping both formats in a single interface, though users must purchase both the ebook and audiobook....
Mike Myers, Hazel Mae Among Recipients of Special 2026 Canadian Screen Awards Honours
The Canadian Academy announced special honours for Canadian Screen Week, which runs May 27‑31 in Toronto. Mike Myers will receive the Academy Icon Award, sportscaster Hazel Mae the Gordon Sinclair Award, and Canadian Film Centre director Maxine Bailey the Changemaker Award. Chandler Levack’s film...
North America’s First Road Cycling World Championships in a Decade Will Be Brutal
The 2026 UCI Road World Championships return to North America after a ten‑year gap, with Montreal hosting the elite races from September 20‑27. Organizers unveiled a classic‑style circuit centered on Mont Royal, featuring repeated 8% climbs and a total vertical...
Book Publicist Scams Exposed: $1800, Zero ROI
This case study in hiring a book publicity firm is both laugh-out-loud funny and highly informative. As author Kirsten Bell points out, few people share these poor experiences due to shame and embarrassment. So I couldn't be more grateful to her...
Jasmine Warga’s Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan Is Moving Tale of Friendship
Jasmine Warga’s new hardcover, The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan, released March 3, 2026 by Balzer + Bray, follows a rescue dog and an orphaned cheetah cub as they help each other overcome trauma and perform in a zoo...
Why Kayak Fishing Is Good For Your Brain
Kayak fishing merges paddling, angling, and hands‑on customization, turning each outing into a continuous learning experience. Enthusiasts routinely modify their vessels with accessories like anchor pulleys, rod holders, and electronics, fostering a DIY mindset. The sport’s demand for new techniques—such...
Kristin Dwyer’s In Time with You Is Time Slip YA Romance
Kristin Dwyer’s new YA novel In Time with You follows Nieve Monroe, who after her boyfriend Carter dies, is thrust back a year to prevent the tragedy, only to find herself drawn to his best friend Max. The story blends...
Why Most Longevity Advice Gets Weight and Exercise Wrong
In a recent episode of Longevity by Design, Dr. Gil Blander interviews Dr. David Allison, director of the USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Center, to dissect common misconceptions in weight, exercise, and nutrition science. Allison emphasizes that reproducibility and transparent methodology...
Edgar Cayce, Astrology, and the Blueprint of the Soul
The post argues that a cultural reawakening is driving renewed interest in esoteric practices such as Edgar Cayce’s readings and astrology. It suggests that more individuals are seeking self‑knowledge beyond conventional science, positioning the “blueprint of the soul” as a...
How Kindness Is Contagious
Research by Christakis and Fowler shows kindness spreads through social networks up to three degrees of separation, creating exponential ripple effects. A single act can theoretically reach 125 people as it cascades through friends of friends. The article illustrates this...
Big John’s M1011RC Wild Duck Jeans Contain Reed Fibers From Lake Kojima
Big John’s M1011RC Wild Duck jeans blend 94% cotton with 6% recycled reed fibers harvested from Lake Kojima, creating a 13.5 oz selvedge denim with a distinctive green "Midori Mimi" selvedge. The reeds are removed annually to curb lake pollution, and...
Golden Steer’s Mob Mentality
Golden Steer, a storied Las Vegas steakhouse operating for 68 years, has opened a flagship location in Manhattan. The restaurant recreates its neon‑lit, mob‑era ambience with slot‑machine décor, a “Mob Room,” and the city’s “largest baked potato.” Its menu sticks to classic...
Will Fade, Won’t Tear: 3sixteen’s Indigo Ripstop Field Vest
New York‑based 3sixteen has launched the Indigo Ripstop Field Vest, a rugged, eight‑pocket garment built from parachute‑grade ripstop fabric. The vest’s indigo dye is engineered to fade gracefully over time, creating a lived‑in aesthetic. Priced at $240, it is manufactured...
The Daily Heller: Indulging in Maira Kalman’s Capacity for Producing Calm
Print Magazine’s Daily Heller highlights Maira Kalman’s soothing artistic voice, featuring a portrait of Paper co‑founder Kim Hastreiter and a new video promoting Kalman’s 2018 illustrated book *Cake*. The video, directed by Alex Kalman, underscores her talent for delivering calm...
New York’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel Will Stage a Private Broadway Show in Your Suite
The Ritz‑Carlton New York, Central Park has launched a "Curtain Call" package that brings a private 60‑minute Broadway performance directly into guest suites. Guests can select songs from top shows like Wicked, Hamilton, and The Lion King, enjoy light refreshments, and meet...
A Key to the Lock of the Book
The author announces only four tickets remain for a backyard reading with Lauren Groff and will appear on a New Orleans Book Festival panel discussing the pros and cons of writing on Substack on March 14. A one‑hour, $75 Zoom workshop titled...
To Boost Family Formation, Increase Stability for Men and Flexibility for Mothers
The article argues that declining family formation in the U.S. stems less from cultural rejection and more from shrinking economic stability for men and limited workplace flexibility for mothers. Data show that stable, predictable jobs now dominate the prerequisites for...
Penang Travel Guide: Exploring The Island Beyond George Town
The updated Penang travel guide spotlights attractions beyond George Town, including Penang Hill’s funicular, the upcoming cable‑car project, and multiple hiking trails such as Moon Gate. It details practical transport tips, costs for tickets, and highlights cultural sites like Kek...
Choose A Popular Novel Per Decade And We'll Guess Your Best Personality Trait
BuzzFeed has launched a new interactive quiz titled “Choose A Popular Novel Per Decade And We’ll Guess Your Best Personality Trait.” The quiz asks users to select a well‑known book from each decade, then matches those choices to a personality...
Set on Fire for Good
The Day 11 entry of the "Praying the Promises of the Cross" series, titled "Set on Fire for Good," frames the Cross as a catalyst for active zeal rather than merely a symbol of forgiveness. The author urges readers to...
The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood
Robert Thorogood’s fifth Marlow Murder Club novel, *The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts*, opens moments after *Murder on the Marlow Belle* and pits the elderly sleuth Judith against accusations of a decades‑old murder in Cyprus. A new celebrity killing—footballer Gary...
All You Need?
The article examines a growing Western interpretation that the four brahmaviharas—loving‑kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity—constitute a complete path to awakening. It contrasts this view with early Pali canon passages that consistently link the brahmaviharas to rebirth in Brahma realms...
Training for the Pregnant Athlete
Pregnant athletes can maintain training by adapting to physiological changes rather than stopping altogether. Blood volume, cardiac output, and hormone levels shift, making heart‑rate zones unreliable and emphasizing perceived exertion. Strength work remains crucial, but exercises must protect joints and...
Liz Allbee - Breath Vessels (Ni Vu Ni Connu, 2025)
Liz Allbee’s new album *Breath Vessels* redefines folk by using self‑crafted instruments, sine waves and field recordings to imagine a collective sound of a fragmented future. The four‑track record eschews traditional folk tropes, replacing trumpet lines with glass‑jug resonators, tuning...
NA62 Collaboration Refines Measurement of Rare Particle Decay
The NA62 Collaboration announced a refined measurement of the ultra‑rare K⁺→π⁺νν decay, presenting a branching ratio of 9.6 × 10⁻¹¹ with a 40% reduction in uncertainty. The result incorporates data collected in 2023‑2024 and leverages advanced machine‑learning analysis techniques. This measurement aligns...
George Town Travel Guide: Exploring Malaysia’s Most Charming Town
George Town, Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage city, blends restored colonial shophouses, vibrant street art, and a multicultural food scene that draws travelers worldwide. The 2008 heritage designation sparked major preservation investments, while murals by Ernest Zacharevic and successors have turned the...
The Qudos Collection: Redefining Modern British Fireplace & Stove Design
The Qudos Collection showcases modern British fireplace design, blending over 70 years of manufacturing heritage with sleek, modular aesthetics. The brand emphasizes premium materials, intelligent features, and sustainability through its EcoDesign stoves that meet stringent emissions standards. This year Qudos...
Apologizing Reveals Childhood Roots of Self‑Shame
As a therapist, I’m going to ask about your childhood when you: Apologized for how you showed up today. Apologized for crying. Apologized for not figuring it out by yourself. Apologized for slow progress. Apologized for bringing it up again. Apologized for being a burden. Apologized for...
These 3 Simple Knee Exercises Stopped My Pain and Improved My Surfing (Video)
After a teenage tibia fracture left him with chronic knee pain, the author struggled with conventional physical therapy for over a decade. Discovering Ben Patrick’s Knees Over Toes program introduced three simple movements—backward walking, bodyweight squats, and tibialis raises—that eliminated...
Feeding Time at the AGN Zoo
The paper links Fermi‑detected blazars and radio galaxies through their accretion and jet radiation mechanisms, analyzing 838 BL Lacs, 784 FSRQs, 55 LERGs and 17 HERGs. Gamma‑ray photon index versus luminosity separates BL Lacs from FSRQs and shows HERGs align with FSRQs...
Tehran’s UNESCO-Listed Golestan Palace Damaged by US-Israeli Strikes
Tehran’s Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was damaged by a missile strike on March 1 amid escalating US‑Israeli attacks on Iran. The blast shattered windows, cracked glass, and buckled asphalt within the palace’s buffer zone. Iranian officials have secured...
HLYNUR PÁLMASON - Writer / Director
In this episode of the Team Deacons Podcast, writer‑director Hlynur Pálmason discusses his unconventional path from childhood fascination with images and sound to studying photography, working odd jobs, and ultimately graduating from the Danish film school. He explains how collaborative...
True Soulmates Make You Feel Safe Expressing Needs
Reminder from a therapist: Your soul mate won’t make you feel unsafe when you express your emotions & ask for what you need ❤️
Watch a Haunting Theatrical Scene From ‘Hamnet’
Chloé Zhao’s film “Hamnet,” starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In a newly released “Anatomy of a Scene” video, Zhao narrates a pivotal moment where Agnes (Buckley) watches her husband...
Did You Know These Oscar-Nominated Actresses Started in Reality TV?
Hollywood’s newest Oscar nominees—Jessie Buckley, Teyana Taylor and Emma Stone—all began their careers on reality‑TV competitions. The article traces Buckley’s 2008 debut on the talent show I’ll Do Anything and notes similar origins for Taylor and Stone, echoing earlier Oscar...
Does Drinking Hot Water Have Any Health Benefits?
Hot water has become a TikTok‑driven wellness fad, with users claiming it aids digestion, weight loss, and skin clarity. The practice draws from traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, which recommend warm beverages to support gastrointestinal function. Scientific research is sparse;...
Everyday Mindfulness: Definitions & Common Misconceptions
Everyday mindfulness is defined as non‑judgmental, present‑centered awareness that blends intentional attention with an open attitude toward experience. The article debunks common myths—such as mindfulness being a relaxation technique, a mind‑emptying practice, or a quick fix for stress—and clarifies that...
For a Simpler Workout, Try Combining Moves
Fitness experts are promoting combination exercises that merge two or more movements into a single set, allowing trainees to work multiple muscle groups in a short 20‑25‑minute session. The approach engages primary muscles, supporting stabilizers, and the core while raising...
Talk Show Parses Daytime TV Absurdity and Horror at Roulette Intermedium
Talk Show debuted their experimental piece *Miss America* at Brooklyn’s Roulette Intermedium on February 26, reimagining late‑20th‑century daytime television through archival video, live music, and immersive projections. The duo—drummer‑synthesist Qasim Naqvi and trumpeter Steph Richards—were joined by visual artist Steven...