American Women Suck

By Mark Baxter, The 74 This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Teaching has a retention problem, especially for educators from diverse backgrounds — and the problem could grow even worse. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education withheld funding to states for preparing, training and recruiting teachers, and though it released the funds after facing significant backlash, there is now tremendous uncertainty about the commitment to the quality of educators at the federal level. It is up to states and districts to redouble their efforts to address shortage and retention issues that have impacted schools for far too long. In my home state of Delaware, 30% of teachers overall and 37% of nonwhite teachers leave public education within five years, and the numbers are similar in other states. It’s a big reason why teacher shortages remain such a persistent challenge, particularly in special education and STEM classrooms and in poor and predominantly Black communities. These trends are not new, but the nationwide decline in reading and math achievement over the last 10 years makes addressing them more urgent than ever. The administration’s recent actions have only made that work harder. Even in this fractured political environment, though, there’s continued bipartisan support for career pathway programs that can address these issues by helping young people develop skills that lead to good-paying jobs. Classrooms are filled with talented young people with the potential to become great teachers who understand, through firsthand experience, their communities’ needs. Instead of making them wait until after college to choose teaching as a career, the path to the profession should start in high school. Efforts to connect high school and educator preparation already exist, through organizations like Educators Rising and the Center for Black Educator Development. But school, district and state leaders should seize the opportunity to expand these models much more widely. Here are the first three steps that could make it happen. First, states should use federal policy and strategic funding to address low starting pay and the high cost of training, which are both barriers for aspiring teachers. For example, Delaware has found innovative ways to boost starting salaries for both new teachers and aspiring educators participating in residency programs, in which they spend a year in classrooms observing and learning from veterans. Districts in Delaware have combined state and local funding to increase stipends for teacher residents from $20,000 to over $40,000 in some districts by using strategic staffing models to shift unused budget allocations into funding for these programs. Additionally, the state recently introduced new Grow Your Own grant programs, which help districts or charter schools establish their own teacher pathways. It also registered teaching as an apprenticeship to help lower the upfront costs of certification by placing aspiring teachers in paid positions in schools while they’re completing their training. Second, districts should look to career and technical (CTE) programs as pathways into teaching. CTE leaders, teacher recruitment teams and district career counselors must work together, meeting regularly to identify high school students with potential to become strong teachers and encouraging them to take advantage of education pathways programs. They should also monitor the progress of pathways participants, troubleshoot any issues and brainstorm ways to make programming more relevant and meaningful. These can include offering hands-on learning opportunities, such as tutoring and job-shadowing educators at neighboring schools, that allow students to earn college credit. This, in turn, would help colleges recruit high-achieving students into their education programs to take the next step toward teacher certification. Third, schools must recruit passionate educators to support aspiring teachers of all backgrounds. Students need teachers who reflect their identities and experiences. It’s not news that the U.S. has a teacher diversity problem — nationally, only about 20% of educators at public schools are people of color. But districts and states can work toward staffing high school teacher pathway courses with educators who can build culturally affirming environments that inspire the next generation of teachers. Through its year-long high school CTE course for students interested in teaching, the Center for Black Educator Development has shown that this strategy works. The program, which includes high school students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan, provides a culturally affirming curriculum and pairs students with passionate educators as mentors. Students who completed the program showed an increased interest in teaching — and, specifically, in teaching Black students. Schools can nurture the next generation of education changemakers — teachers who will reflect the diversity of their future students — even before they graduate. If education leaders and policymakers are serious about solving the teacher recruitment, retention and diversity challenges that have bedeviled schools for generations, they must move beyond isolated initiatives and build a cohesive, systemic approach that starts in high school. By fully integrating teacher pathway programs into high schools, they can ignite a passion for teaching among students, create seamless transitions into the profession and ensure more classrooms are led by educators who reflect and understand the communities they serve. The pieces of the puzzle already exist — education leaders just need the collective will to see the big picture and put them together. — This story was produced by The 74, a non-profit, independent news organization focused on education in America. *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post To Tackle the Teacher Shortage, Start the Path to the Profession in High School appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Abhinash Das India is renowned for its diverse range of affordable and flavourful street foods, found everywhere from bustling metro cities to remote villages and everywhere in between. Among these, pani puri stands out as one of the most loved and easily available quick snacks. Its widespread appeal is evident from the fact that it is popular not only in India but also in other South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. A crunchy savoury snack Pani puri is one of India’s most iconic street foods, which is a bite-sized explosion of flavour packed inside a crispy, hollow shell. These deep-fried, golden spheres, called ‘Puri’, are typically stuffed with a mix of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, raw onions, and an array of tangy spices. The spheres are then dunked into a flavoured watery dip that makes every mouthful burst with zest. While the exact origin of this beloved snack remains subject to debate, with many legends surrounding it, a more credible source suggests it originates from the ancient Magadha kingdom (544–322 BCE), located in today’s north-eastern Indian State of Bihar. One popular tale from the epic story Mahabharata says that Draupadi (one of the epic’s heroines), tasked with feeding the five Pandava brothers with limited resources, invented the snack to ensure an equal portion for each. Food historians believe that its earliest version, known as phulki, first emerged in Magadha. These were small, hollow puris filled with spiced water, a simple yet ingenious idea that, over centuries, evolved into the beloved pani puri enjoyed today. From the busy streets of urban spaces to the quiet corners of rural India, pani puri is enjoyed under many names, such as golgappa, phuchka, and gupchup — each carrying its own regional twist. But no matter what one calls it, the joy of that first, delightfully crunchy bite is followed by a rush of spicy, tangy water that lingers long after, is undeniable. The snack varies widely in its preparation and ingredients across different regions of India. In the eastern states, such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, it is commonly known as Phuchka. The primary filling for Phuchka is “Ghugni”, a mixture of black chickpeas or spiced peas, which gives it a distinct regional flavour. In northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, pani puri is referred to as Gol Gappa. This variation typically features a filling of mashed potatoes and is served with zesty tamarind liquid. In contrast, in western states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, the classic version of pani puri is more prevalent. It includes fillings of green or white peas, accompanied by mint-coriander spicy water and a sweet tamarind-jaggery water, offering a delightful balance of flavours. On Facebook, Indian celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor posted a recipe for pani puri, illustrating how phuchka preparation differs from region to region, yet the taste and flavour are delicious regardless of locale. Pani puri’s worldwide reach The reach and popularity of pani puri are not confined to India. In recent years, this iconic street food has gained international acclaim. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) communities in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, and Australia enjoy Panipuri at local Indian restaurants and proudly showcase it at food festivals, introducing its vibrant and irresistible flavours to a global audience. In April 2025, a group of students at a university in Budapest, Hungary, tried pani puri for the first time and enthusiastically praised its delightful taste and unique flavours. Similarly, in June 2024, Curry Corner, an Indian-owned restaurant in Minneapolis, USA, offered free Pani puris to the public and shared a video of the event on Instagram. The video quickly went viral, amassing 3.9 million views and significantly boosting the dish’s popularity. Curry Corner posted a video on Instagram showcasing people’s reactions to pani puri: In March 2023, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tasted pani puri during his visit to India, delighting in its vibrant flavours. In the same year, Japan’s Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki, enjoyed Indian street food, including pani puri, in Varanasi, and praised its exceptional culinary appeal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared this moment on X, highlighting the growing global appreciation for India’s street food culture: As pani puri’s popularity goes global, so too does its evolution. The snack has become a canvas for creative fusions, blending its traditional crunch with international flavours. One popular Mexican-Indian fusion version replaces the classic potato filling with spiced beans and tangy salsa. Similarly, an Italian-style pani puri also exists, showcasing the dish’s remarkable versatility and ability to adapt to new tastes. In 2023, Google celebrated July 12 as “Pani Puri Day” with an interactive Google Doodle to honour a remarkable world record. On this date in 2015, Indori Zyaka, a restaurant based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, set a world record by serving an astonishing 51 unique flavours of Pani Puri, showcasing the dish’s versatility and widespread appeal. Stereotypes around Pani Puri Despite its widespread popularity, Pani puri is not free from gender biases and stereotypes in India. Many perceive it as “a girl’s snack”, often observing more women than men at Pani puri stalls. An article published by The Wire attributes this stereotype to societal norms, cultural expectations, and women’s limited access to public spaces. However, countless men also express their love for pani puri, highlighting its universal appeal and establishing it as a gender-neutral snack enjoyed by all. A common stereotype about pani puri is that street vendor preparations are often unhygienic. However, regulated stalls and homemade versions prioritise safety by using filtered water and fresh ingredients, effectively debunking contamination concerns. Moreover, in recent years, many street vendors have adopted improved hygiene practices, such as wearing gloves and using clean utensils, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for customers. Popular South Korean YouTuber Mhyochi, aka Hyojeong Park, posted on X about her first panipuri experience while visiting India. Pani puri transcends borders, seamlessly blending tradition with global appeal. More than just a snack, it embodies cultural heritage, evokes fond memories of tangy evening treats with friends, and sparks lively discussions. Over time, it has woven itself into popular culture, with people expressing their love for pani puri through videos capturing their first experiences, as well as memes and songs that celebrate its charm. Pani puri’s appeal goes far beyond its ingredients, serving as a powerful symbol of joy and shared memories for many Indians. — Previously Published on globalvoices.org with Creative Commons License *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo Credit: iStock The post Why the Pani Puri Platter Remains India’s Favourite Snack appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The backers of the banned group rallied on Parliament Square on Saturday More than 425 people were arrested in London on Saturday for showing support for the banned activist group Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police said. The group was outlawed under the Terrorism Act in June after its members broke into a military base and spray-painted two planes red in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza. Since then, its supporters have staged multiple demonstrations against the ban. On Saturday, activists gathered on Parliament Square carrying Palestinian flags and signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Police detained people standing and sitting on the lawn, including several activists in wheelchairs. Some protesters were filmed scuffling with officers. The reality: Met police violently assault peaceful protestors including the elderly, in order to try and arrest over a thousand people for holding cardboard signs. So far, the police have only managed to arrest a small fraction of the nearly 1500 sign holders. https://t.co/R0eS53EFVP pic.twitter.com/z676sQiEfo — Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries) September 6, 2025 The reality: the police are punching their way through the crowds to mass arrest peaceful protestors for holding cardboard signs. https://t.co/VEMHstGqjd pic.twitter.com/ofDOgEIBw2 — Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries) September 6, 2025 “In carrying out their duties today, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart said. Officers continue to make arrests of individuals showing support for the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action at the Defend Our Juries protest. There has been a coordinated effort to prevent officers carrying out their duties which has included physical and verbal… pic.twitter.com/c3QTHQawBs — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 6, 2025 Protesters remained in Parliament Square until the evening. Defend Our Juries, the group that organized the rally, described the protest as “one of the biggest mass acts of civil disobedience in British history.” View the full article

By Jeffrey Dixon How will AI affect American workers? There are two major narratives floating around. The “techno-optimist” view is that AI will free humans from boring tasks and create new jobs, while the “techno-pessimist” view is that AI will lead to widespread unemployment. As a sociologist who studies job insecurity, I’m among the pessimists. And that’s not just because of AI itself. It’s about something deeper – what scholars call “American exceptionalism.” While people commonly use this phrase to refer to anything that makes the U.S. unique, I use it narrowly to refer to the country’s approach to work and social welfare, which is quite different from the systems in other rich countries. I suspect AI will “turbocharge” American exceptionalism in ways that make workers more afraid of losing their jobs. When fused with organizations’ adoption of new types of AI, workers’ fears may soon become reality, if they haven’t already. An ‘exceptional’ system for American workers Let’s start with what makes the U.S. different, especially from other rich countries. The U.S. has relatively low levels of unionization, an “at-will” employment system, a modest welfare state, and a two-party system that lacks a social democratic tradition. Many wealthy countries boast higher unionization rates, stricter protections against being fired, and – particularly in Europe – more robust welfare states. In other words, even before AI came into the picture, American workers were facing a system stacked against them. This tendency grew more pronounced starting in the late 1970s, with Democrats and Republicans alike pursuing reforms such as stripping regulations and rolling back the welfare state. Between 1983 and 2022, unionization rates fell by more than 50%; they remain low today. In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton pledged to “end welfare as we know it” and followed with a law slashing support programs. Meanwhile, U.S. workers’ inflation-adjusted wages have stagnated and income inequality has risen since the 1970s. The current Trump administration has taken these “exceptional” traits even further. From firing the head of the National Labor Relations Board to his executive order undermining federal employee unions, Trump has usurped the power of regulatory agencies and workers themselves. And more cuts to the welfare state are coming now that Trump’s domestic policy bill has been signed into law, including reductions in food aid and health insurance. One telling example is the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers. While they are making their way through the courts, these efforts are notable for targeting government positions that have long been thought to be the most secure jobs. As a sociologist, I think it’s fair to say that the U.S. is even more “exceptional” than it was just a year ago. This trend lays the foundation for U.S. workers to fear losing their jobs, for employers to cut workers loose, and for people to struggle making ends meet. American exceptionalism, meet AI To understand what’s happening, it helps to look at the different kinds of artificial intelligence, which generally refers to machines such as computers that can perform tasks comparably to humans. One type is predictive AI, which is what powers your streaming and social media recommendations. The second type is generative AI, which is used to create seemingly novel content. ChatGPT and other large language models fall in this category. The third type, agentic AI, cannot only predict and plan outcomes but also can act autonomously to achieve those outcomes. Self-driving cars are perhaps the most well-known example. Companies are increasingly using generative AI to boost productivity. According to Stanford University’s 2025 AI index report, generative AI has already surpassed human performance on a range of tasks, including visual reasoning and answering competition-level math and Ph.D.-level science questions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has warned that generative AI will affect jobs across a range of industries. I think agentic AI will have dramatic implications for the workforce. Companies are already beginning to use it for customer service in industries from finance to travel. As if on cue, OpenAI recently released ChatGPT agent, which it says can handle “complex tasks from start to finish.” When you combine technological advancements – such as the current transition to generative AI and the likely broader agentic AI transition – with turbocharged American exceptionalism, you get a formula for job insecurity and displacement. How AI might affect the future of job security Interestingly, despite having fewer protections from firing and a more threadbare unemployment system, American workers are no more afraid of losing their jobs than workers in other rich countries, research shows. These perceptions are generally constant over time, but they spike as a result of certain economic reforms and during recessions. Among the findings in my own research on free-market-driven economic reforms in Europe, people were most worried about losing their jobs in countries that had ratcheted up such policies within the past five years. That trend has important implications for the United States. Recent polling shows that about a third of U.S. workers believe AI will hurt their jobs or job opportunities. Business leaders say they expect job losses in the service industries, supply chain management and human resources over the next three years. There’s no shortage of predictions about AI-driven job gains and losses, but solid data is hard to come by – and don’t even bother asking most companies about AI-related layoffs. On one hand, business leaders surveyed by McKinsey in 2024 reported high demand for new jobs such as “AI compliance specialist” and “AI ethics specialist,” which are the kinds of new roles that techno-optimists say will be created by AI. On the other hand, it’s no small irony that AI was reportedly used to facilitate the mass firing of federal workers and may soon replace some Department of Education workers’ jobs. America’s fusion of limited labor protections and aggressive AI adoption could create the perfect storm for widespread job insecurity. While unions have organized for AI-related job protections, and states are attempting to regulate AI, the U.S.’s path realistically depends less on workers’ and local politicians’ actions than what companies do. And I think companies’ increasing integration of AI will likely hurt American workers more than it helps. If nothing changes, job insecurity may become the new normal. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. — Republished with permission from Nevada Current Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post ‘American Exceptionalism’ Mixed With AI Could Be Especially Toxic for U.S. Workers appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Before most people pour their first cup of coffee, David Emerson Frost has already trained. Sometimes it is a row, sometimes a bike ride, sometimes a session of resistance training. The routine is not about chasing youth or clinging to vanity. In his seventies, Frost is practicing something he believes is more valuable: extending his strengthspan, the number of years he can remain capable, mobile, and independent. Frost has a blunt way of framing his philosophy. “Who wants to die earlier and easier?” he asks. His alternative is what he calls Healthitude, an operating system designed not for quick fixes but for a longer and sharper life. The Professional Case for Healthitude Healthitude is not another wellness slogan. It is Frost’s way of telling professionals what they already know about capital and compounding returns, translated into their own bodies. Leaders will obsessively track their financial portfolios, monitoring each movement of the markets, but neglect their health until it collapses. Frost flips the perspective: what if your body was an invaluable element in your total portfolio? What if daily investment in movement and recovery returned years of high-functioning life for your physical portfolio? He often compares exercise to the time value of money. Purposeful movement each week, compounded, should return seven to twelve down-aged years. Those years are not abstract. They are years of climbing stairs without hesitation, years of carrying luggage through airports without fear, years of running meetings with clarity instead of fatigue. The Healthitude payoff, Frost argues, is leadership longevity. The “why” here is urgent. Americans are living longer but often living worse. Cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death, is largely preventable. The average adult will spend more than a decade in physical decline, dependent on pills or caretakers, unless they intervene. Frost’s question to leaders is simple: if you would never tolerate double-digit losses in your financial portfolio, why tolerate them in your physical one? The 7-S Framework Healthitude is built around seven pillars Frost calls the 7-S framework: strengthspan, stability, stamina, stretching, sustenance, restorative sleep, and stress control. Each is deceptively simple, but together they form an operating system that redefines how people should age better than their peers. Strengthspan means mastering five basic resistance patterns: lift, push, pull, hinge or twist, and carry. These movements keep muscles firing and joints moving, not for personal records but for daily competence. Can you lift your own groceries? Can you sit on the floor and rise without help? That is strengthspan. Stability addresses the fear of falling, which erodes confidence long before it erodes ability. Balance, coordination, and proprioception can all be trained, and when they are neglected, independence is lost. Stamina is about cardiovascular endurance, built not through extremes but steady, repeatable effort. Frost cautions about too many punishing marathons or “ultra” events. Sustained inflammation is too often the result of training outside one’s prudent “Dose-Response” curve. What leaders functionally need is the capacity to sustain long days and extended pressure without breaking down. Stretching preserves range of motion for activities of daily life: bending, reaching, twisting, walking. The loss of mobility makes people feel old faster than gray hair or wrinkles ever will. Sustenance refers to nutrients based on a lifestyle strategy. Frost urges anti-inflammatory eating, not as a temporary diet but as a way of life. Food fuels performance, while the standard American diet accelerates decline. Restorative sleep is the unglamorous but indispensable element of recovery and resilience. Leaders who boast about burning the candle at both ends are eroding their performance, not proving their toughness. Sleep deprivation is akin to inebriation. Stress control completes the framework. Frost treats it as deliberate work: breathing practices, reflection, managing urgencies at work, and body scans for play. He frames it not as a luxury but as a hedge against the mental wear that raises cortisol and accelerates physical decline. The Missing Piece: Mental Health and Manopause Frost is careful to remind clients that physical health cannot be separated from mental and emotional stability. Anxiety, depression, and burnout compromise energy and leadership as quickly as high cholesterol or poor diet. Stress control is one piece of the puzzle, but he encourages leaders to treat mental health check-ins with the same seriousness they bring to financial audits. For men in midlife and beyond, Frost points out an often-overlooked factor: manopause. Testosterone declines with age, and so does resilience if it is ignored. Fatigue, irritability, weight gain, and loss of drive are not just aging. They are signals. Frost argues that acknowledging manopause, just as openly as menopause is now discussed, removes stigma and prompts proactive steps in nutrition, training, and medical support. The operating system of Healthitude is not about denying aging; it is about managing it with intelligence and discipline. From the Navy to the Boathouse Frost’s credibility comes from lived proof. A former Navy officer and executive, he reinvented himself after a spinal fusion at 49, becoming a world champion in master’s rowing. His setbacks did not confirm decline; they became platforms for new performance. He coaches with the discipline of the military and the pragmatism of someone who has seen fads come and go. His method does not depend on machines, supplements, or trendy gear. It is rooted in simple, repeatable Healthitude practices that most anyone can adopt. What Frost offers is not theory but operating experience. He has tested this system on himself and others, and the message he brings is designed for people who understand discipline and demand results. Action, Not Aspiration Healthitude is not abstract. It is not about wanting to be healthy. It is about showing up daily. Frost often begins with small assignments that dismantle excuses. Choose one resistance exercise and repeat it twice this week, focusing on safe form before weight. Walk for a few minutes after meals and pay attention to your digestion and blood sugar. Strive to sleep for seven hours and notice how your resilience and clarity improve. These may seem small, but Frost insists they are the foundation of rebellion. Progress happens by persistence, not perfection. The body, like a company, adapts better to what is practiced. Leaders know this principle well: consistent deposits lead to compounding returns. Why Leaders Cannot Ignore This For business professionals, the “why” is sharper than personal vanity. Leaders set the tone for their teams. Their health is not just personal well-being, it is organizational stability. A burned-out leader who collapses early leaves a vacuum in culture and continuity. A leader who models presence, resilience, and discipline becomes a force multiplier. Frost argues that professionals who fail to invest in their health not only shorten their own careers, they jeopardize the organizations and people who depend on them. In contrast, leaders who build their strengthspan extend their influence and legacy. The Choice At the center of Frost’s philosophy is a binary choice. You can drift toward decline, letting screens, processed food, and stress dictate your trajectory. Or you can build a physical portfolio with the same discipline you bring to your business. You can die earlier and easier, or harder and later. The rebellion is not glamorous, yet its operating system works. It begins with motion before coffee, with a walk after lunch, with food that fuels, with sleep that restores, with stress managed instead of ignored. These choices compound. They extend strengthspan. They keep leaders in the game longer, sharper, steadier. For professionals who understand discipline and demand results, Frost’s message is clear. Healthitude is not an option. It is the operating system for a longer career, a longer life, and a stronger finish. To learn more about David Emerson Frost’s approach, or to work with him, visit his website at https://wellpastforty.org/ — This content is brought to you by Noen Noah Photo provided by the author. The post Healthitude and Strengthspan: David Emerson Frost’s Operating System to Die Harder and Later appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

It happens in conversations you can’t quite explain. You say something, and for a heartbeat too long, their eyes stay with yours. Not just looking — staying. Not a glance. Not a polite flicker of attention. A quiet, unwavering focus, like they’ve decided the rest of the world can wait. We’ve all felt it — that subtle shift where time gets syrup-thick, and you wonder if they’re hearing your words or reading you entirely. … The Science Behind That Linger Neuroscientists call it mutual gaze. When two people lock eyes for longer than a second or two, your brain releases a cocktail of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and dopamine (the “this feels good” chemical). That’s why it feels… different. Your pulse ticks higher. You become hyper-aware of yourself — your posture, your breathing, the way your voice sounds when it leaves your mouth. In other words, your brain is quietly flagging the moment as important. … Three Things That Lingering Look Might Mean 1. They’re Listening With Their Whole Self Some people don’t just hear words; they listen to the person saying them. Eye contact is their anchor — it’s how they stay tethered to your story. … 2. They’re Letting You In Longer eye contact often signals openness. It’s as if they’re saying, I’m here. I’m not looking away. You have me. This is how trust begins — unrushed, steady, and almost silent. … 3. They Feel Something They Can’t Yet Name Attraction, admiration, recognition — sometimes the brain doesn’t label it right away. So it lingers, buying time, letting the moment stretch until it almost hums. … When You Notice It, Don’t Rush It Most of us are so used to fast exchanges — quick nods, polite smiles, that when someone actually stays, our instinct is to look away, laugh, or break the tension. But here’s the quiet secret: That tension is where connection grows. Let it stay for three beats longer than feels natural. You’ll be surprised what lives in that space. … Because sometimes, the most honest conversations don’t happen in words at all — they happen in the stillness between them. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: Michael Fenton on Unsplash The post The Way Someone’s Eyes Linger — And What It Secretly Means appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The French president’s rating has sunk to record lows amid a budget deficit Thousands marched through Paris on Saturday, demanding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron and calling for France to leave the EU. Macron’s approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since he took office in 2017, amid a spiraling budget deficit and growing discontent with his government’s financial policies. Around 80% of French people say they do not trust Macron, according to a poll conducted for Le Figaro and published on Wednesday. Trust in Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, the fifth to hold the post in less than two years, has also fallen to record lows. Protesters carried placards reading “Let’s stop Macron, let’s stop the war” and “Frexit,” a French play on Brexit. Énorme ! « #MacronDémission » hurlent des milliers et des milliers de Français ce jour dans les rues de Paris à l’appel des Patriotes ! (cf vidéo ⤵️) Les Français en ont marre : il doit partir ! Parlementaires, reveillez-vous : votez la motion de destitution qui sera déposée… pic.twitter.com/tUa8NWh2cU — Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) September 6, 2025 The rally was organized by former National Rally politician Florian Philippot and his euroskeptic party, The Patriots, which opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine and warns against further escalation with Russia. 🚨 🇫🇷 ALERTE VIDÉO : Une grande manifestation de patriotes se déroule actuellement dans les rues de Paris, à l’initiative de Florian Philippot ! Un mot pour les soutenir ? pic.twitter.com/iwvClzwneP — Wolf 🐺 (@PsyGuy007) September 6, 2025 Left-wing activists and trade unions are planning separate strikes and protests on Wednesday under the slogan “Let’s block everything.” Bayrou is facing a no-confidence vote on Monday as he seeks support for his proposed budget, with France struggling under a fiscal deficit of 5.8% of GDP – nearly double the EU’s 3% limit. His plan includes cuts to public sector jobs, welfare programs, and pensions, measures the opposition has denounced as prioritizing military spending over social support. View the full article

By Helen Flannery Dear Mr. Springsteen, My name is Helen, and I am your biggest fan. I first saw you in concert when I was in high school. It was in 1985, during your Born in the USA tour. Your show at the Pontiac Silverdome had sold out in 15 minutes. But a friend of mine won tickets from a local radio station, so we and 69,842 other attendees got to see you play for — if I remember right — more than four and a half hours, including four encores. Back in those days, I had a picture of you up on the door of my locker. I listened to The River and Nebraska while I was doing my homework. I wrote about you in my college application. I even dated a classmate named Bruce (mainly, in retrospect, because he shared your name). You became my hero, not just because your music is so good — and fun! — but also because your lyrics spoke to me. You understood pain and joy. You wrote about the struggles and triumphs everyday people go through. You were brave enough to talk about class. And you articulated how economic inequality affects real human lives. As someone who lived in southeastern Michigan in the early ’80s, that meant a lot. Now, decades after that show, I research economic inequality for a living. I study how billionaires are raking in more than ever, and how they’re doing it at the expense of the rest of us. I see how that prevents people I love from earning a decent living, owning homes, going to college, getting the medical care they need, retiring with dignity, living on a healthy planet, and living without fear. What I research, specifically, is the relationship between inequality and charity. My work shows that everyday donors are disappearing, unable to give as much as they used to because they’re slipping further into debt and despair. As small donors disappear, charities become more dependent on the random goodwill of wealthy donors. That hurts charities and anybody who depends on them, and it’s getting worse. It doesn’t have to be this way. Billionaires could be paying their fair share of taxes to support the systems we all depend on. We don’t have to let them get out of it with tax cuts, deductions, and shelters. I don’t think anyone actually needs a billion dollars to live a comfortable life — but billionaires always seem to want more. So when I saw that you had made it onto the Forbes billionaires list this year with a net worth of $1.2 billion, I was surprised and, I have to say, a little sad. My working-class hero had joined the ranks of these super-wealthy people I read about every day. What will he do now, I wondered? Now that he’s up there with all those heiresses and Rockefellers? Please, Mr. Springsteen, be a model for your fellow billionaires: Don’t stay one. Please give away some of that money. And not to a private foundation or a donor-advised fund. The typical wealthy donor pours zillions of dollars into those kinds of holding tanks, and only a trickle of that money comes out to charities doing real work on the ground. Our country’s charities need that money now. You’ve already proven you’re a bold and direct giver. At every one of your concerts that I’ve been to since 1985, you donated a portion of the proceeds to local charities — food banks, veterans support groups, farm aid organizations — based in the town where you were performing. You sometimes even invited representatives of those groups up onto stage with you. This all sets a fantastic precedent, and you can continue it now in a bigger way than ever. It’s absolutely true what you said: “Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king, and the king ain’t satisfied until he rules everything.” I’m begging you not to be a typical rich man. I know we can have a country where everyone has an equal chance at a decent life. But the only way we’re going to get there is if the wealth isn’t hoarded at the top. And I believe you know that too. You’ve never shuttered yourself off in that mansion on a hill. You’ve spoken powerfully recently about how authoritarianism is ramping up in our country, putting yourself out on a limb for the most vulnerable among us and earning vicious attacks from President Trump, one of our most pernicious wannabe kings. So I’m guessing that you’re already thinking about this. If you are, I urge you to follow your heart. You can lead the others by example, and you can do it with the brilliance and compassion and humor and wisdom you’ve shown your whole career. Love, Helen — Previously Published on inequality.org with Creative Commons License *** Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * — Photo credit: unsplash The post An Open Letter to the Boss appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— The Emperor, a tarot card symbolizing emotions, can be a strong one, especially in regard to heart concerns. It connotes strength, grounded energy, and the ability to create a stable emotional foundation. If this card appears in a love reading, what is often highlighted about it is the presence of stability, commitment, and responsibility. Having the Emperor as feelings and knowing what this archetype represents, you are able to deal better with relationships with more understanding, not only viewing what a person feels but also how he or she is willing to express it in the long term. Reading the Emperor as Feelings In interpreting Emperor tarot feelings, there are several recurring themes that emerge. Rather than raw passion or transitory feelings, the card signals intense and purposeful energies. The Emperor suggests a feeling of control, protection, and emotional structure. It suggests that one’s feelings are not only present but worked through as well, with the intention of building something that will endure. Thus, that person may feel deeply protective of you. The card typically suggests a subconscious desire to provide care, protect you, and anchor affection with practical action, suggesting that their feelings about you are not fleeting but built on long-term intentions. It represents the need to keep emotional security in abeyance while deciding on the basis of long-term stability. That is, when the Emperor appears, it normally means that someone has ideas about you that extend beyond short-term desire. They may value respect, solidity, and knowing they are there when needed. In plain language, having the Emperor as feelings can be understood through some characteristic features: Control harmonized with devotion Care with reliability Love that is conveyed through the offer of safety All these characteristics reveal a type of love that is stable, steadfast, and committed to long-term safety. Signs of Stability and Commitment One of the most straightforward messages that the Emperor has is that an individual’s desire for a relationship is strong and stable. Instead of uncertainty or emotional turmoil, this card means someone who prefers level ground in their emotional life. They may exhibit protective instincts, offering solidity and support. This stability, however, has its problems. Sometimes there are some underlying attachment issues, and the individual will have a high need so that he/she can retain what is seen to be safe. However, this attachment typically comes up because of the need to secure and hold on to what is most precious. In the same manner, the Emperor card suggests readiness to make long-term investments. It suggests that the person is ready to commit, take ownership, and spend serious energy in making the relationship work. For someone who wants clarity, understanding these signals can help in interpreting not only what one feels but also how those emotions are going to unfold in practice. Love, Responsibility & Emotional Depth Love under the guidance of the Emperor never takes anything lightly. Instead, it is a union with respect and responsibility behind it. In a reading, Emperor tarot emotions show a balance between love and practical commitment. It is love that endures because it combines passion with discipline and intimacy with responsibility. The Emperor’s heart in relationships lies in the balance of emotional depth and responsible action. It is being capable of loving intensely and, at the same time, protecting and maintaining the practical elements that will keep a relationship healthy. Understanding the Emperor as “how someone feels about you” can guide you in making decisions about your future. Thus, this card signals an emotional life of demonstrating love in terms of commitment, reliability, and being able to stand firm when things become difficult. — This content is brought to you by Sky Link Building iStockPhoto The post Interpreting The Emperor as Feelings: Love, Commitment and Emotion appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

This peach chutney recipe blends fruity flavors with savory spices, all in one irresistible recipe. It’s an easy way to turn ripe peaches into a bold, delicious condiment that pairs beautifully with countless dishes. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a jar ready to enjoy anytime at home! A Note From Kristen Despite their complex flavors, homemade chutneys are surprisingly easy (and fun!) to make. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen, and you’ll end up with something that adds loads of excitement to simple meals! In my special recipe, the garam masala infuses the chutney with tons of warmth and flavor. It’s a fantastic addition! I make it a point to cook this chutney whenever I have fresh peaches on hand, and once you try this recipe, I don’t doubt you’ll make it a habit, too! Happy eating! ~Kristen Ingredient Notes Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions! Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used as the base for sautéing the aromatics and spices, allowing them to release their flavors. Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness and savory notes to balance the peach’s flavors. You can use white or red onion, but the final flavor will be slightly different. Fresh Ginger Root: Adds warmth and gentle heat to balance the sweetness. Garam Masala: Infuses the chutney with complex flavors of warm spices like cardamom, cumin, and cloves, giving it a more rounded, aromatic depth. This is my secret ingredient! Ground Coriander: Offers an earthy, mildly citrusy undertone that brightens the chutney. Ripe Peaches: The most important ingredient! They bring natural sweetness, juiciness, and color. As they cook, the peaches soften into a thick, jam-like consistency that makes the chutney enjoyable to eat. Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances the chutney by cutting through its sweetness with acidity. Maple Syrup or Coconut Sugar: Enhances the flavors of the peaches while also giving the chutney a deeper, caramel-like richness. You can use honey or regular sugar, but maple syrup and coconut sugar bring a richer, deeper sweetness. Salt: Improves the natural flavors of the ingredients. Red Chili Flakes: Adds a spicy kick that contrasts well with the sweetness of the peaches. How to Make Peach Chutney 01 SAUTE Warm the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened. 02 ADD Add the ginger, garam masala, and coriander, then cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. 03 COMBINE Stir in the peaches, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and chili flakes. 04 SIMMER Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until thickened and jammy. 05 SERVE Cool and enjoy! Serving Ideas As a topping or glaze for roasted vegetables like my sweet potato medallions. Serve alongside a curry with a dollop of plain yogurt (my favorite!). Spread on your favorite flatbread. Spread inside a grilled cheese sandwich before cooking it (it’s super good – I promise!). Use as a spread with cheese and crackers. It’s particularly tasty paired with extra sharp white cheddar! Expert Tip While you can eat it right after cooling, it tastes even better after it has rested in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. The flavors meld and grow more complex in time! Peach Chutney Recipe Sweet, tangy, and perfectly spiced, this easy peach chutney recipe adds a burst of flavor to any meal or snack! Author: Kristen Wood Servings: 8 servings Prep Time: 10minutes minutes Cook Time: 20minutes minutes Total Time: 30minutes minutes Course: Condiments Cuisine: British, Indian Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root grated ½ teaspoon garam masala ¼ teaspoon ground coriander 2 cups ripe peaches diced 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons maple syrup or coconut sugar ½ teaspoon salt. ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes Instructions Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, or until soft. Stir in the ginger, garam masala, and coriander, and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the peaches, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and chili flakes. Simmer uncovered 15–20 minutes, or until thickened and jammy. Cool and store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Enjoy! Notes Storage Store in a jar with a lid or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Always use a clean tablespoon when scooping the chutney to avoid introducing any bacteria that may shorten its shelf life. Nutrition Serving: 1serving | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg — Previously Published on moonandspoonandyum *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: Kristen Wood The post Easy Peach Chutney Recipe appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Alex Bainbridge, Jordan AK & Solomon Doyle Counterprotests were organised across the country to the far-right March for Australia rallies on August 31. In Naarm/Melbourne and Gadigal Country/Sydney, Stop the Genocide, Stand up to Racism and Fascism rallies were organised. Thousands attended the racist mobilisations, which anti-racist social media activist Tom Tanuki told Green Left were organised on a “slippery” platform. He said the rallies were billed as being about “mass immigration but actually a lot of the people there agree with the neo-Nazis, who originally organised it”. “Half the point of them was for [these rallies] to be a blank canvas for neo-Nazis to show up and be welcomed, which is exactly what happened. “There were only about 10–15 neo-Nazis here in Brisbane, but in Sydney they led the march!” In Naarm, far-right social media content creator Avi Yemini was assaulted and kicked out of the far-right rally for not being white enough. Neo-Nazis told the media they are “proud to be racist”. Jordan AK reported that thousands gathered at the State Library for a Pro-Palestine, anti-fascist demonstration in Naarm, which was a combination of the weekly Palestine rally and a counter-protest called against the racist anti-immigration March for Australia. First Nations, refugee, Jewish, Black and Palestinian community speakers addressed the rally. Refugee rights activist Aran Mylvaganam told the crowd that racism is useful for the major parties: “Blaming migrants distracts from their inability to deliver higher wages, affordable housing and decent services. It keeps the bosses happy, while workers are told to blame each other.” Meanwhile, outside Flinders Street station, up to 5000 people gathered for the March for Australia. The crowd carried Australian flags and placards bearing anti-immigration, racist and white supremacist slogans. They amplified the major parties’ shameful and erroneous attempts to blame migrants and refugees for the housing affordability crisis. Although police attempted to keep the two marches separate, there were multiple incidents where March for Australia protesters entered the pro-Palestine march and instigated brawls. The marches eventually met at the corner of Collins and Elizabeth Streets. Riot police used capsicum spray and beanbag rounds against protesters from both rallies, although disproportionately against the pro-Palestine supporters. March for Australia organisers denied connections with far-right and neo-Nazi organisations, but Tom Sewell, a prominent leader of the far-right National Socialist Network (NSN), spoke at parliament for them. NSN members later attacked Camp Sovereignty, leaving many people injured, including a woman who was rushed to hospital. Camp Sovereignty is a sacred place maintained by First Peoples. Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has called for an investigation into the attack as a hate crime. The attackers stormed the hill at 5.05pm, punching, kicking and swinging weapons at community members, targeting women. Four people required medical treatment, including one with critical head injuries. The group also stole Aboriginal flags and was seen destroying them. Thorpe said when Victoria Police arrived, the group walked away freely. Police did not appear to attempt any arrests or to question the perpetrators. Wangerriburra and Birri Gubba activist Sam Watson opened the Magan-djin/Brisbane anti-racist counter-protest describing one of the organisers of the far-right rally, who is the “son of a property-developing mogul who just develops and keeps heaps of empty houses to drive the price up”. Watson said it is a “ridiculous notion” to blame immigrants for driving up house prices. “It is not; it is absolutely not [migrants]; it is billionaires.” “It’s the people over there [at the far-right rally] who don’t want to blame billionaires, and the politicians who support the mega-rich and the wealthy,” Watson told the anti-racist rally. “They want to blame the people who come here trying to make a better life for their family.” “I get that people have genuine concerns about the cost of living and housing, but to blame immigrants is nothing more than racism.” Thousands marched for solidarity and against genocide through the centre of Gadigal Country. “At the other end of town was a so-called ‘March for Australia’, which was pushing the racist divide-and-rule poison that only helps the filthy rich get even richer,” Socialist Alliance member Peter Boyle said. “Our rally was a great turnout, despite messages sent to people in many migrant communities to stay out of the city, supposedly for their own safety.” Dave B told Green Left that there were thousands at the racist rally, including One Nation members, the neo-Nazi NSN and right-wing libertarians. Refugee Action Coalition Sydney organised a counter-protest at Prince Alfred Park, which was supported by Pride in Protest, Action for Public Housing and Rock against Racism. After hearing several speakers and playing music, activists marched to join the Palestine rally in the CBD. Socialist Alliance (SA) in nipaluna/Hobart helped organise the “Hope not Hate” counter rally. SA member Solomon Doyle said that it is a “strange and pervasive irony” that “a country built upon colonial invasion, forced migration, genocide, and the endless circulation of global capital, could now be the same country staging anti-immigration protests, draped in the language of protecting ‘white Australian identity’. “We will not blame migrants for the housing crisis. We will not blame refugees for poverty wages. We will not blame people of colour for the failures of governments and corporations,” Doyle said. “We know the true enemy, and it does not march in the streets with us, it sits in boardrooms, it governs from parliaments, it hides behind wealth.” The racist “March for Australia” protesters tried to confront the counter-protest. Despite police blocking their way, protesters on the far-right side pushed, spat at and yelled racial slurs towards the anti-racist activists who responded with “Say it loud, say it clear, migrants are welcome here!” and “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land!”. The anti-racist rally in Muloobimba/Newcastle, organised by Food Not Bombs, involved 100 anti-racist protesters facing off against 400 March for Australia attendees, Steve O’Brien reported. Markela Panegyres reported from Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide that thousands attended the anti-immigration march. About 100–150 attended the anti-racist protest, many wearing keffiyehs and holding signs saying “Immigrants welcome here”. Anti-racist protesters in Magan-djin/Brisbane were also outnumbered by the racist side, but several participants told Green Left that, compared to the massive pro-Palestine rallies one week previously. “The numbers on the Nazi side don’t add up” and “we’re on the winning side”, they said. Tanuki said “they numbered in their thousands today, we had a few hundred legends” but “I’ll forever be proud that I showed up and I’m going to continue to show up”. While the national March for Australia protest showed the dangers posed by a more organised far right, the counter-protests and weekly huge pro-Palestine protests show significant numbers are not swayed by racists wanting to blame societal problems, caused by bad policies, on particular ethnic groups. — Republished with permission from GreenLeft *** – The world is changing fast. We help you keep up. We’ll send you 1 post, 3x per week. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: unsplash The post Rallies Against Racism ‘Displayed Hope’ appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

West Jerusalem was taken by “surprise” by the admonition, the Washington Post has reported A public warning from the United Arab Emirates prompted the Israeli government to drop a planned discussion on annexing the West Bank, the Washington Post has reported. A senior UAE diplomat reportedly told Israeli media earlier this week that such a move would be a “red line” that would block Israel’s path to regional integration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to discuss the issue at a major government meeting on Friday, according to local media. On Wednesday, UAE special envoy Lana Nusseibeh told the Times of Israel that annexation would “foreclose the idea of regional integration.” “For every Arab capital you talk to, the idea of regional integration is still a possibility, but annexation to satisfy some of the radical extremist elements in Israel is going to take that off the table,” she stated. The UAE was the first Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel in over a quarter century under the Abraham Accords brokered by President Donald Trump during his first term in office. The public warning from Abu Dhabi “came as a surprise,” an Israeli official told the Post, calling the situation “very unusual.” On Thursday, the issue of annexation was removed from the Israeli ministerial meeting agenda, according to the newspaper. Washington has not taken a stance on the issue so far. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described potential annexation as “not a final thing” earlier this week, adding that he was “not going to opine on that.” The West Bank returned to the spotlight earlier this year after a group of Israeli ministers urged that the territory be formally annexed. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed control could be asserted at any moment. Israel seized the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has been actively building settlements there – which is widely regarded as illegal by the international community. It was close to annexation in 2020 but dropped the idea in exchange for normalizing relations with the UAE and Bahrain. View the full article

– By Adar Kaplan for Northwell Health A staggering 28 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, meaning they have too many lipids (fats) in their blood.That number, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doesn’t even share the entire story. Though high cholesterol is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, the condition has no symptoms. Many people have no clue their cholesterol is too high. A simple blood test can measure cholesterol levels, and the CDC recommends that “most healthy adults” have cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. The test measures LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides. (Those who have heart disease, diabetes, or have a family history of high cholesterol should have their cholesterol checked more often.) Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense against high cholesterol — for good reason: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can drop high cholesterol by as much as 10%. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends following a diet featuring whole grains and plenty of produce while reducing intake of meat and sugar. Nutritional meals, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight, will go a long way to protecting your heart and arteries. However, some patients will need additional help to manage their cholesterol levels, and their doctor may recommend further medical intervention, Northwell Health explains. Cholesterol-lowering treatments Methods for lowering high cholesterol have come a long way, says cardiologist Eugenia Gianos, MD, director of Women’s Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital and director of Cardiovascular Prevention for Northwell Health. “Even as early as five years ago, there was only so much we could do for certain patients, and they’d still end up in the emergency room,” Dr. Gianos says. “They’d need repeated stents and bypass surgery, or suffered from multiple heart attacks or strokes.” High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits in the walls of arteries. That’s how heart disease can begin; as those deposits grow, they can impede blood flow and lead to blockages in arteries, resulting in heart attacks or strokes. Most cholesterol-lowering therapies are aimed at reducing LDL. “To prevent heart disease, we must get patients’ LDL as low as possible,” Dr. Gianos says, and adds, “Thankfully, now we’re in an era of prevention when we can offer far more advanced therapies.” Daily cholesterol medications These medications are the first medical option for patients trying to lower their cholesterol. The drugs are most effective when patients combine them with a healthy lifestyle. Statins: By slowing the liver’s production of cholesterol while also increasing the ability of the liver to clear cholesterol, statins can reduce LDL levels by as much as 55 percent in some patients. Statins may also play a role in reducing inflammation and can help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Ezetimibe: Another common cholesterol medication, ezetimibe interferes with the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol in the gut, and it can lower levels between 15-20%. Patients can take this drug alone or with a statin to gain additional cholesterol-lowering benefits. Using the two types of therapies together after a heart attack may reduce the likelihood of another cardiovascular event. Cholesterol-lowering injections A more recent development, injections can be for patients who didn’t get adequate results from daily medications or they may provide an option that’s easier for patients to adhere to since the shots only need to be given once every few weeks or months. PCSK9 inhibitors: Patients get this injection every two to four weeks. The inhibitors can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. This option can be more expensive and is limited to patients for whom statins and ezetimibe have been less effective. Inclisiran: Another new injectable sold under the name Leqvio, Inclisiran may work better for certain patients. It can lower cholesterol and may work well for patients who have trouble adhering to a medication schedule; the maintenance injections are given every six months. Blood filtering LDL apheresis: Some patients have dangerously high cholesterol levels, and medication or injectables aren’t enough to address the issue. A genetic condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia can trigger very high levels; other patients may need stronger measures due to a combination of high cholesterol and heart disease. For these patients, a procedure called LDL apheresis can help: The plasma portion of the patient’s blood is diverted through an apparatus that filters out LDL cholesterol and returns the plasma back to the body. Patients must get the three- to four-hour treatment every two weeks for the rest of their life, but LDL apheresis can be lifesaving. The reduction in cholesterol also lowers inflammation and reduces the risk of artery damage and other cardiac issues. More protection is on the way One other very important risk marker is lipoprotein(a), a unique type of cholesterol that is linked to early heart disease and aortic valve stenosis — a condition in which a valve in the heart can’t open fully. Identifying this risk factor is key in patients with early disease or when multiple family members suffer from heart disease, especially as new therapies are in development targeting this specific cholesterol and may significantly lower their heart disease risk. Finding the right therapy will require a discussion with a cardiologist, Dr. Gianos says. Sometimes cost, side effects and the ease of taking a medication may have an impact on a patient’s treatment. “For some patients, we may be able to connect them with something new in a clinical trial,” she says. “For others, we may need to take a larger perspective and conduct genetic tests and find out what role their family history may play in their treatment. It’s key for patients to understand how these factors, along with cholesterol levels, affect their cardiovascular health.” This story was produced by Northwell Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. — Previously Published on hub.stacker Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post New Ways to Lower Cholesterol appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

This might be the best 4 minutes of your life. Are you in a relationship and you don’t even know what’s going on anymore? You’re not alone. You lie next to them, but it feels like a stranger’s body. You talk — but nothing real gets said. You argue — but nothing ever gets solved. Maybe this is the sign you didn’t know you were waiting for. “This could be the push you need before you give up, cheat, ghost, or walk out without a word.” Let’s Start Here: What’s Breaking Your Relationship? It’s not always cheating. It’s not always lying. It’s not even always disrespect. Sometimes it’s the silence. The small things left unsaid or undone. The growing gap between “I love you” and “Are you even listening to me?” Take my friend Tyron. He and his girl were solid for years — until they weren’t. They stopped planning dates, stopped asking about each other’s dreams. It wasn’t a big fight that broke them; it was the quiet drift. No effort. No real talk. Just two people sharing a bed but living separate lives. What’s breaking relationships today is simple: Lack of Intentional Effort You stopped dating them after you got them. You used to ask how they’re feeling, now you just assume. You used to plan surprises, now you only react when there’s a problem. Love without intention turns into routine. And routine without care becomes distance. Pride You’d rather win the argument than fix the relationship. You know you hurt them, but you want them to apologize first. You don’t want to look weak — so you end up being cold. Pride kills more love than cheating ever could. Distractions You check your phone before you check in with your partner. You’re more emotionally connected to people online than the one sleeping next to you. The relationship is starving for attention, but you keep feeding it crumbs. Love cannot survive when presence is replaced with preoccupation. And Most Importantly — The Lie That Love Should Be Easy We were sold a fantasy: If it’s real, it’ll be effortless. If it’s true, it’ll never hurt. If it’s love, it’ll last on its own. But the truth? Love is work. Love is choosing each other — even on days when nothing feels romantic. It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be worth it. So… What Is Love? Really. Love is a feeling — yes. But here’s what they don’t tell you: feelings are just hormones. Oxytocin. Dopamine. Serotonin. They come and go. They spike when things are good — and drop when life gets hard. So, when the “in love” feeling fades (and it will), what are you left with? Commitment. Intention. Respect. Trust. For me? Love is honesty when it’s hard. Love is trust when it’s inconvenient. Love is choosing someone every day, even when it would be easier not to. Love is preparing for dark days — together — so when they come, you don’t fall apart. Here’s Another Real Question: Are You All In — Or Just One Finger In? You say you’re committed, but your heart’s half-open. You want them to give their all, while you’re still testing the water. You want real love — but only if it doesn’t inconvenience your comfort or ego. That’s not love. That’s comfort with benefits. You can’t build a lasting relationship when you’re half-invested. How Do We Restore Love? Let’s get practical: Talk. Real conversations. Ask, “How are you really feeling?” not just “How was your day?” Touch without intention. Not just when you want something. Hug. Hold hands. Be present. Rebuild trust. If you broke it, own it. If they broke it, talk it out. Trust isn’t a weekend job. Forgive. Not because they deserve it, but because you can’t love while dragging the past into every tomorrow. Be honest. Especially when it hurts. If you can’t be real, you’re just playing pretend. Let’s Talk About It If you’ve made it this far, I’m asking you again: What broke your relationship? What does love really mean to you? Are you truly all in? Drop your answers below. Be real. And tell me: What’s one small thing you’ve done to keep love alive in your life? This could be the moment we start fixing love in a broken world. Life taught me to speak truth through words. Motivation | Mindset | Real life. New posts weekly, let’s grow together. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: William Recinos on Unsplash The post Love Is Dying. Marriages Are Ending. The World Is Lost. So, How Do We Restore Love? appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Look at these horror themed Thrilljoy Pix! I have only recently started collecting Thrilljoy Pix!, but it has been a lot of fun so far. I bought my first one at San Diego Comic Con on a whim, and was lucky enough to pull the chase. There are all kinds of figures based off of characters that cover many popular fandoms. Recently a few horror themed Pix! were announced and here is my thoughts on them. (c) Thrilljoy The Nun Pix! There are some amazing looking Pix! in this set. The Nun is my favorite and that Super Chase really does fit the character perfectly. Crooked Man turned out great and the chase shows a sinister side of this deadly creature. You can learn more about these Pix! here. (c) Thrilljoy Crooked Man Pix! Most of these The Conjuring Universe items come out November 2025 and are available for pre-order now. You can follow Thrilljoy on Instagram. (c) Thrilljoy Bathsheba Pix! The post Take a Look at These Thrilljoy Pix! From the Conjuring Universe appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Jens Spahn believes there needs to be European-level nuclear deterrence and that Berlin should take the lead on the issue Germany should have access to French and British nuclear weapons, senior lawmaker Jens Spahn has said. In return, Berlin could work with Paris and London to modernize their arsenals, he told the newspaper FAZ. Spahn, who leads the joint CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has emerged as a strong proponent of an EU-level nuclear weapons system. “We… need an ability to deter at the European level … together with the French and the British,” he said in an interview published on Saturday, arguing that US nuclear arms in Europe are no longer sufficient. The MP, a former federal health minister, said debate on the issue “will only happen if Germany pushes it forward.” He suggested that London and Paris could keep most control over their nuclear arsenals, while Berlin could take part in a modernization program. In July, Spahn also spoke about the need “to talk about German or European [access] to the nuclear arsenals of France and Great Britain” in light of what he called the “threat” coming from Russia. Nations without nuclear deterrence will “become pawns in global politics,” he argued. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that Berlin could develop its own nuclear bomb within months if it chose to. Spahn’s remarks come as Berlin took a more hardline stance towards Russia under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz pledged an additional €5 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid to Ukraine after taking office in May. Last month, he claimed that Germany was “already in a conflict” with Russia and accused President Vladimir Putin of “destabilizing large parts of our country.” Moscow has repeatedly dismissed allegations of hostile intent toward Western nations as “nonsense” and fearmongering and condemned what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned recently that growing Russophobia and militarization in Germany signal a slide into a “Fourth Reich,” and accused Western governments of seeking dominance under the guise of democracy. View the full article

Morning arrives at Lakeside Manors. I step into my athletic shoes, put on my sunglasses, and fail, as I often do, to comb my hair. Then I’m out my front door for a vigorous walk before I start my day. On the streets surrounding my house, I see others. Some, like me, are out for their morning walks, jogs, or bike rides. Others are watering their flowerbeds or wheeling their trash to the curb. Some are pulling out of their driveways, heading for work. Every time I see someone, I wave. When I look at my neighborhood, I’m reminded of the song that was so much a part of my childhood: the Monkees’ Pleasant Valley Sunday. Like Pleasant Valley, Lakeside Manors is composed of houses that look pretty much alike. All of them were built within the last 10 years using the same blueprint, with only minor variations in the floorplans. Most of the homeowners are lawn-proud, devoting themselves to landscaping that is both aesthetically pleasing and carefully executed according to HOA standards. Recently, I experienced three major life changes. After being for a decade single, I got married. Then my husband and I bought a new house at Lakeside together, and I moved from the city to the suburbs. Shortly after my move, I retired. I figured that as I enter this later phase of my life, why not shake things up? While the Monkees’ song declares that all the conformity and sameness of a middle-class neighborhood is soul-numbing, I look around and say to myself, “Wow! I’ve finally made it!” After living in a variety of places over the years, most recently in a small city, I’m back in the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up, in the kind of house my parents owned. I feel like I’ve found my way back home. Lakeside is not a retirement community, but many retirees live here, along with young families and midlife folks. The residents are diverse, but we seem to be united by at least one common goal: to keep our neighborhood looking nice. I’m not naturally one who waves to people. A devout introvert, I view a morning walk as an opportunity to build fitness and maintain health — not as a time to socialize. When I lived in the city, I used to walk alone through an area with a relatively high crime rate. Waving to someone on the street could be inviting trouble. I kept my eyes on the road ahead and my waving arm at my side. Now my routine is different. When I see another walker, a bike rider, or a young parent lifting her toddler into a car seat, I feel the urge to smile and wave and call, “Good morning!” Perhaps loneliness drives my urge. Before retiring, I was a university administrator who interacted with many people throughout my workday. I mediated conflicts between students and professors or between parents and the university. I worked closely with faculty and other administrators to solve problems and serve students. After I retired, my days were suddenly quiet and solitary. Perhaps the shock of my new isolation led to my impulse to greet my neighbors. Now, something about waving just seems right. It says, “I see you there, fellow human, and I am glad you exist.” It says, “I acknowledge your right to share with me the sidewalk, the neighborhood, the grass and trees, our world.” Waving to neighbors is a noninvasive way to connect with people in our midst. It creates the possibility that a casual conversation might start — “Lovely weather, eh?” — or a friendship might form. More importantly, the smile and wave may say, “I’m here, neighbor, if you’re ever in need.” Waving to neighbors is a gentle art. It downplays our differences and raises our awareness of our common humanity. For an introvert like me, it’s a bold move forward toward building social bonds. But my introverted self is somewhat relieved by the fact that those bonds won’t necessarily form. They may, but they don’t have to. Sometimes, just a smile and wave are enough. Previously Published on Georgia Kreiger’s blog iStock image The post The Gentle Art of Waving to Neighbors appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Let’s face it—navigating your career can feel overwhelming. With endless job postings, shifting industries, and evolving workplace expectations, it’s easy to get caught up in what you don’t have. But here’s the truth: success starts with knowing what you do have. Understanding your current skill set isn’t just a nice self-awareness exercise—it’s your career compass. When you know your strengths, you can lean into them and shine. When you know your weaknesses, you can start to improve and grow with purpose. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to identify your strongest skills, recognize areas for development, and turn that insight into real-world career results—by using research and planning to accomplish important tasks, from standing out in job applications to actually landing roles that fit you better. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, these strategies will help you highlight what matters most. Developing relevant skills and conducting research are essential steps that can help you accomplish your career goals. Types of Skills To succeed in the workplace, it’s important to understand the different types of skills that employers value. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities—like proficiency in Microsoft Office, programming languages, or technical certifications—that you can learn through formal education or training. These skills are often required for particular jobs and are easy to measure. Soft skills, however, are just as essential. These include abilities like communication, teamwork, and problem solving, which help you interact effectively with colleagues and adapt to new environments. Transferable skills, such as time management and leadership, are valuable because they can be applied across different jobs and industries, making you more versatile and adaptable. Interpersonal skills are a key subset of soft skills, focusing on how you relate to others. Abilities like active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution are crucial for building strong relationships with colleagues and clients. By developing a well-rounded set of hard skills, soft skills, transferable skills, and interpersonal skills, you’ll be prepared to succeed in any workplace and achieve your career goals. The Importance of Identifying Your Current Skills Understanding your own abilities is the first step to achieving success. Self-awareness allows you to make informed decisions in both your personal and professional life. Using critical thinking to determine your strengths and weaknesses is essential for accurate self-assessment. By identifying your strengths, you can focus on opportunities that align with what you do best. Similarly, recognizing your weaknesses allows you to target areas that need improvement and ensure that these areas don’t hold you back. When you understand your skills, you gain the confidence to pursue new challenges, take on leadership roles, and continuously strive to develop. Moreover, assessing your strengths and weaknesses is an ongoing process that can help you navigate changes in your career and life with greater ease. Assessing Your Strengths To succeed, it’s essential to know what you do well. Self-assessment starts with reflecting on past experiences. Self-reflection: Start by asking yourself, “What tasks do I find easiest and most fulfilling?” Think about situations where you performed well and received praise. In those situations, did you demonstrate a high level of skill or energy? Were you able to lead a team successfully? Did you solve a complex problem efficiently? These moments often highlight your strengths. Feedback from Others: Sometimes, we can overlook our own strengths. This is where feedback from others becomes invaluable. Colleagues, mentors, and friends can offer insights into what you excel at. Ask for constructive feedback during one-on-one conversations, performance reviews, or even through anonymous surveys. Their perspective can reveal strengths you might not recognize on your own. Feedback can also help you understand how you perform in different situations and how effectively you share your ideas. Skills Inventory: Create a list of skills that define you. Include both hard skills (e.g., technical abilities, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership). Be sure to note skills you have learned through experience working in different roles. Once you have your list, categorize them according to your professional and personal life, and see which ones stand out most as areas where you excel. Understanding Your Weaknesses While focusing on strengths is essential, equally important is recognizing your weaknesses. This can feel uncomfortable, but understanding your areas for growth is necessary for development. Recognizing Areas for Growth: Start by being honest with yourself. What tasks or responsibilities do you find challenging? Are there situations where you consistently struggle or feel unsure? Identifying these areas of difficulty is the first step toward improvement. Taking time to reflect on your greatest weakness can be helpful, as it allows you to better understand yourself and prepare for answering related questions in a job interview. Recognizing weaknesses doesn’t mean failure; it’s an opportunity to grow. The Role of Constructive Criticism: Feedback isn’t just for acknowledging strengths—it’s also crucial for pinpointing weaknesses. When receiving criticism, try to view it as an opportunity rather than a setback. Constructive criticism, when received with an open mind, can highlight areas where you need to improve. Answering questions about your weaknesses in a job interview can demonstrate self-awareness to an employer and show that you are committed to self-improvement. If possible, ask for specific examples or suggestions for how you can work on those weaknesses. Turning Weaknesses into Opportunities: Once you’ve identified your weaknesses, take proactive steps to address them. Rather than avoiding difficult tasks, find ways to improve. For example, if time management is a challenge, you could implement new techniques such as time-blocking or setting clearer priorities. Remember, improvement is an ongoing process, and each step toward bettering your weaknesses is progress. Learning to motivate yourself in stressful situations can help you grow and turn challenges into opportunities for development. Technical Expertise Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities often tied directly to the requirements of a particular job or industry. These include things like coding, proficiency in Microsoft Excel, data analysis, graphic design, or knowledge of specific tools and platforms. Why it matters: Technical expertise demonstrates your readiness to take on the responsibilities of a role. For example, a data analyst might need to show proficiency in SQL, Python, or Tableau, while a project manager might highlight their experience with tools like Asana or Trello. Relevant skills in research and decision making are also important for technical and management roles, as they support effective problem-solving and strategic planning. How to highlight it: Include certifications, relevant coursework, or project outcomes on your resume. You should also mention related skills such as research and decision making, especially if you are applying for a management position. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—such as reducing processing time by 20% or increasing output with a new tool. Stay current: Technology and tools evolve quickly, so staying updated through ongoing training or self-study shows initiative and adaptability—qualities that employers value. Job Search Preparation Successfully landing a job doesn’t just come from having the right skills—it also depends on how well you prepare and present those skills during the job search process. Tailored applications: Customize your resume and cover letter for each role based on the job description. Use relevant keywords and focus on the skills listed in the posting. Highlighting your relevant skills is essential to be successful in your job search. Interview readiness: Practice answers to common interview questions and prepare examples of your past work using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Practicing answering common job interview questions about your strengths, weaknesses, and relevant skills will help you be more successful during the job interview. Professional presence: Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, share accomplishments, and engage with content in your industry to build credibility and attract recruiters. Networking: Connect with professionals in your field, attend virtual or in-person events, and stay active in industry-specific communities. Resume Building Your resume is your marketing tool—it tells the story of your professional journey and demonstrates your qualifications for a specific job. Tailor to the role: Identify the most relevant experiences and skills for each job you apply to. Include only what strengthens your case for that position. Be sure to highlight related skills and social skills you have learned that help you perform well in the role. Use of keywords and action verbs: Terms like “developed,” “led,” “improved,” and “streamlined” help convey impact and are often picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Visual clarity: Use bullet points, consistent formatting, and white space to make your resume easy to scan quickly. Showcase results: Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., “Increased social media engagement by 40% in three months”). Include examples: If possible, add links to portfolios, writing samples, or relevant projects to provide tangible proof of your abilities. Setting Clear Goals for Skill Development Once you’ve identified your strengths and weaknesses, the next step is setting goals for improvement and development. Creating an Action Plan: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for both enhancing your strengths and addressing your weaknesses. For example, if leadership is a strength but communication is a weakness, you could set a goal to improve your communication skills by attending a public speaking workshop or practicing with a mentor. Additionally, consider setting goals to develop your decision making and critical thinking abilities to solve problems more effectively. Ongoing Learning and Development: Success doesn’t come from a one-time effort; it requires continuous improvement. Stay up to date with the latest trends and skills in your field by attending workshops, enrolling in courses, or reading books. Developing new skills is an ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. Taking time to reflect and practice these skills is essential for meaningful progress. Seeking Mentorship and Resources: A mentor can be a valuable resource as you navigate your journey of skill development. A mentor can offer advice, share experiences, and provide guidance as you work on your goals. Additionally, make use of online resources, books, podcasts, and professional networks to continue learning and expanding your skill set. Monitoring Your Progress To ensure you’re on track, regularly assess your progress. Periodically review your goals and reflect on the improvements you’ve made. This will help you stay focused and motivated. Adjusting Goals: As you progress, your goals may evolve. You might find that your initial goal of improving communication shifts to mastering negotiation skills or developing emotional intelligence. Be flexible with your goals, adjusting them as your abilities grow and your professional needs change. Reviewing your experience working on different projects can be helpful in understanding what you have accomplished and how successful you have been in reaching your objectives. By regularly tracking your progress and adjusting your goals, you’ll remain aligned with your vision of success and continue to develop skills that will serve you well throughout your life. Conclusion Success doesn’t just happen—it’s built on a foundation of self-knowledge, strategy, and continuous improvement. By identifying your current strengths, confronting your weaknesses with honesty, and taking intentional steps toward growth, you’re giving yourself a real edge in today’s competitive job market. Remember: every job description is an opportunity to match your skills with what employers truly value. Every resume is a chance to tell your story. And every skill you sharpen—whether it’s technical, personal, or strategic—is an investment in your future success. So take the next step: reflect, assess, build your plan, and take action. Your most valuable career tool isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s the skills you bring to the table. Make them count. — This post was previously published on Mitch Solomon’s blog. *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post How to Highlight the Necessary Skills Needed for Job Success appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

⌨️ Type faster on Windows 11: Cut down on typos with built-in autocorrect. Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing and toggle on Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard and Autocorrect misspelled words. Works in Word documents, Microsoft Teams and most third-party apps. The post Type faster on Windows 11 appeared first on Komando.com. View the full article

By Marcus Griswold Hey, have you ever seen a brand’s flashy advertisement about how they’re “going green”? Maybe they boast about planting trees for every product sold, or they release an annual report filled with charts and graphs showing how much they’ve reduced their carbon footprint. You probably think, “Wow, that’s great! I’m doing my part by supporting this company.” But what if I told you that sometimes, this green image is just a carefully crafted illusion? This practice has a name: “carbon washing.” A recent study from China reveals a startling new reality: the very tools we’ve created to fight climate change, like carbon emissions trading systems, and even the digital technology meant to make things more transparent, might be making this problem even worse. What Is a Carbon Emissions Trading System? Imagine a pollution cap on a city. The government decides that the total amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted is a fixed number, known as a cap. To stay under this cap, they issue “allowances” to big polluters, like factories and power plants. An allowance is basically a permit to emit a certain amount of carbon. If a company pollutes less than their allowance, they can sell their leftover permits to another company that is struggling to meet its emissions target. This system creates a financial incentive for companies to reduce their pollution. In theory, it forces businesses to either invest in cleaner technology to cut their emissions or pay a price to keep polluting. It’s supposed to be a win-win: the environment gets cleaner, and the market handles the details. The “Dark Side” of the Carbon Trading System The researchers, discovered a major flaw in this system. Instead of making real, costly changes to their operations, many companies opted for a much cheaper solution: “carbon washing”. What is carbon washing? It’s the difference between what a company says it’s doing to reduce carbon and what it’s actually doing. Think of it like this: a company publishes a beautiful report with all the right buzzwords about sustainability and green energy. But in reality, they’ve made no significant changes to their factories or supply chains. They’re just putting on a show to look good. The study found that simply being part of the carbon trading system made companies more likely to engage in carbon washing. The financial pressure of having to pay for carbon allowances or invest in new technology was too high. So, they chose the path of least resistance: making symbolic gestures and misleading disclosures to satisfy regulators and consumers. They weren’t making the world cleaner; they were just getting better at looking like they were. The Digital Transformation Twist This is where it gets even more complicated. The study also looked at how “digital transformation”—the use of advanced digital technologies like machine learning, data analytics, and automation—plays a role. You might think that more technology would lead to more transparency. After all, isn’t it easier to track pollution and verify claims with a bunch of data? Unfortunately, the research found the opposite was true. Digital transformation can actually make carbon washing worse. Here’s why: digitally advanced companies have a huge information advantage. They can use their sophisticated tools to selectively share data, hide unfavorable details, and make their environmental reports look even more convincing. They can create new information barriers that make it incredibly difficult for outsiders—like regulators, journalists, or even you—to figure out what’s really going on. The research article specifically states that firms using digital transformation “may use digital tools to exaggerate carbon information disclosure and conceal the gap between disclosed and actual carbon reduction”. So, while we often hear about the benefits of digitalization for the environment (like better tracking of energy use), this study exposes a darker side. Companies can use these same technologies not to get greener, but to get better at faking it. Why This Is a Big Deal This isn’t just about a few companies being dishonest. It’s about a fundamental breakdown in the policies we’ve designed to save the planet. If our primary tools for fighting climate change can be exploited for “carbon washing,” then we’re not making the progress we think we are. The study shows that companies are doing this to gain legitimacy and maintain their public image, which can even help them get “opportunistic benefits” in the capital market, like better financing. This creates a vicious cycle where appearing green is more profitable than actually being green. What Can Be Done About It? The good news is that the study doesn’t just point out the problem; it also offers solutions. The authors recommend several policy changes: More Government Support Governments could offer subsidies to companies that make real investments in green technology, giving them a financial reason to choose substantive change over superficial “carbon washing”. Smarter Regulation Regulators need to get smarter about how they use digital technology. They can’t just rely on company-provided reports; they need to use their own advanced tools to verify data and monitor emissions in real time. Increased Public and Media Oversight The study emphasizes the importance of media and public supervision. When journalists and environmental groups are empowered to investigate and expose these deceptive practices, it becomes much riskier for companies to engage in carbon washing. — This post was previously published on LITTLEGREENMYTHS.COM and is republished on Medium. — Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post The Dark Side of Carbon Emissions – Corporate Carbon Washing appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Imagine this. You’ve been booked on a huge overseas trip without your consent. You’re going away for an unknown amount of time, but at the minimum, a few years. You have no way of knowing if you have enough money. You don’t know what’s packed in your suitcase. You’re not sure who (if anyone) is going with you. You don’t know who you’ll meet over the time you’re travelling. You have no clue if your destination is safe or if it belongs on a “Do Not Travel” list. Sounds pretty terrifying, right? Now imagine someone says, “Hey, you don’t have to do it alone. I can come with you, I’ve got all the supplies you might need.” Would you say yes, even if you weren’t really sure who they were or whether or not the journey would be better or worse without them? Chances are, you probably would. That terrifying trip? That was my divorce. It was overwhelming and disorienting, and all I wanted was someone — anyone — to come along and make it less frightening. That’s how I found myself in my first relationship after my marriage ended. And that’s how a lot of people find themselves in something new way before they’re ready. What we think we’re missing It’s easy to say we’re just looking for love again. That we want a new relationship to help us move on. I hear this all the time: “I just want to meet someone.” “I’m ready to date again.” “I don’t want to be alone.” And I get it. After a long relationship — mine was twelve years, but for many it’s twenty, thirty, even forty — the end can feel like a kind of death. You’re not just losing a partner, you’re losing the version of yourself that existed inside that life. The shock is brutal. Suddenly, you’re not someone’s person anymore. You’re waking up alone, wondering if you’re still lovable or if something is fundamentally wrong with you. You start questioning everything. Your worth, your choices, your future. Society doesn’t make it easier. There’s this unspoken judgment, like you failed at something you were supposed to hold together at all costs. People look at you differently. Some drift away. Others offer pity, which can feel just as painful. It’s not just about silence or routine. It’s about shame. About being cracked open in front of the world, trying to rebuild something from the rubble — while part of you still wonders if you’re even worth rebuilding. At first, it feels like we miss our marriages and our ex. But more often, what we’re really grieving is something deeper — a sense of identity, security, and connection. We miss the version of ourselves we used to be. And the version of ourselves we haven’t even met yet — the one we know we could become. These are things that can’t possibly come from someone else. It can only come from within ourselves. Divorce is a journey into the complete unknown Separation and divorce completely reshape your identity. Suddenly, you’re trying to live a life that you have no idea how to navigate. Questions that we can’t answer loop in our minds, driving us crazy at times. It’s like stepping into a country you’ve never been to — without a guidebook, money, a map, or a translator. And when it’s that unfamiliar, you want someone beside you. Just someone to make it feel a bit safer. Most of us aren’t truly ready for a new relationship right after divorce. Especially if we haven’t taken the time to sit with our pain and unpack our part in the story. It might feel like healing. Like making progress or “moving on.” Sometimes we’re just craving the affection and attention we went without for so long. But more often than not, that new relationship becomes something else entirely — a distraction. A shortcut. A way to bypass the uncomfortable but necessary work of healing. I struggled badly with being alone. I stumbled out of my marriage and straight into the dating world, desperate to find someone who would take my pain and loneliness away. I rushed it. I wasn’t ready — not even close. But I was in denial and was telling myself that I was. I ended up in a very unhealthy relationship that consumed four years of my life and set my healing back in ways I’m still untangling. I hadn’t grieved my marriage. I still hadn’t sat with my own part in the breakdown of my marriage and done the necessary work to forgive myself. My partner at the time was also avoiding the grief of his own divorce. It was a recipe for disaster, as much as we wanted it to work so we didn’t have to face our own pain and imperfections as partners. I know there are people who meet someone quickly after divorce and it seems to work out. I wonder what truly goes on inside their hearts. But those stories are the exception, not the rule. For most of us, rushing into something new means robbing ourselves of the chance to figure out who we are now. We miss the opportunity to do the deep work, to reconnect with our values, our needs, and our identity outside of a relationship. And that means we’re not meeting someone from a place of wholeness — we’re meeting them from a place of wounding, and often repeating old patterns without even realising it. Set yourself up for future success You can learn to trust yourself first. Most of the fear I had after my divorce came from a lack of trust in myself. I didn’t know if I could do it alone. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it. I didn’t believe that I was enough on my own. But when I did that deeper work — building up my confidence, reflecting on my past patterns, learning to meet my own needs — that’s when the real healing started. That’s when I realised that I was more than capable of taking this journey on my own without needing anyone to rescue me. I know how hard it is to hear that being alone is the path to healing and getting unstuck from divorce pain. I didn’t want to believe it back then either. But looking back now, I wish I’d understood that I didn’t need to rush back in and find someone new to feel less lonely and afraid. I would have saved myself years of stress and heartache if I’d known what I know now. So take a little time before you seek out someone new. Give yourself space. Get to know who you are now. Give yourself enough time to see that you can trust yourself and handle this on your own before you try to put someone in the picture. Healing doesn’t require a partner — it requires presence with yourself. This is how you put yourself in a much stronger, healthier place and can make future decisions about love and relationships based on logic and not fear. Not sure what comes next after divorce? Wish you had a roadmap for what to expect — emotionally, practically, and personally?Join my Divorce Recovery Bootcamp and get the support, tools, and guidance to move forward with clarity and confidence. Click here to learn more and enrol Would you love personalised support as you navigate this chapter? I have two 1:1 coaching spots left to help you move through the pain and into healing with real tools, gentle accountability, and the relief of talking to someone who gets it. Book a free clarity call here — This post was previously published on Carol Madden Coaching. *** You might also like these from The Good Men Project: .. In Modern Relationships, We Cheat Every Single Day Compliments Men Would Love to Hear More Often .10 Things Good Men Should Never Do in a Relationship It’s Not Just Sex That He is Longing For. It’s This Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post Filling the Void – When a New Relationship Becomes Your Escape Plan appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

What makes someone a Christian? I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately. I feel like I should know the answer. I was a pastor in the local church for over two decades. I attended seminary, read, studied, and taught the Bible; delivered hundreds of sermons, and led more retreats and conferences than I can recall. And despite that wealth of experience as a member of the clergy, I’m still not sure how you can tell if someone who claims to be a Christian actually is a Christian (by that, I mean, if they have any real interest in the teachings of Jesus). The story goes that seeing into another person’s heart is difficult. However, I’m willing to go out on a theological limb here and say that if you’re applauding the harassment, fining, and arrest of homeless human beings, you’re not a Jesus Christian. I mean, you can go to church as often as you want, you can stick as many WWJD bumper stickers on your car as you’d like, and you can drop all the scripture quotes into your social media profile that your heart desires—but if you’re celebrating the elimination of reduced lunches, food stamp programs, and low-income housing, well, let’s just say your religion is short one Jesus. As someone who’s spent decades around Conservative Christians, I’ve heard the same tired, pathetic justification for wanting to discard Government-subsidized care programs: that the Church, not the Government, should care for people. Sounds virtuous enough, until you realize that they (the very people who voted in the politicians currently dismantling healthcare, defunding public schools, and eliminating meal programs) are the same people filling many of the country’s churches (which apparently were already supposed to be doing this caring for the poor, and are not). Right now, I don’t see these alleged followers of Jesus rushing en masse to come to the aid of the poor and the homeless, to immigrants and refugees, and to those living in food insecurity (but that’s exactly where Jesus was and where they’re supposed to be). Instead, they’re allowing Fox News anchors, Evangelical preachers, and Republican politicians to fill them with contempt for the hungry, the poor, the foreigner, the homeless—and to feel righteous, to boot. As the Evangelical-fueled Trump Administration is breaking up tent cities, burning encampments, and shutting down healthcare services, we’re not witnessing an overwhelming outpouring of compassion from Conservative church folk who have declared that they’re going to build the homes and make the lunches and pay for the surgeries and watch the children for the millions being kicked to the curb by this Conservative leadership—and we shouldn’t be holding our breath. The truth is, if these same people who call the Evangelical Church home had been following Jesus’ example all along, we wouldn’t be having these conversations at all. If these professed men and women of God were truly burdened to love their brothers and sisters as they would Jesus, this would be a non-issue. But we do have this epidemic of poverty and pain and hunger, and the disheartening truth is that these Christians are the very people always loudly telling the least to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” neglecting the fact that they have no boots to begin with. The sad truth is, Conservative Christians don’t want their Government or the Church to lift people who are in need. They’d prefer to live with the fictional narrative that poor people are poor because they’re lazy, that those suffering with mental illness or massive debt are doing so because of some moral failing or bad decision. This story allows them to keep the stuff they have, to ignore the call to love their neighbor as themselves, and to feel morally superior in the process. Jesus says that whatever we do to the poor and the hurting and the hungry, we do to him. That should be a terrifying proposition to Republicans who claim the Christian faith or call the American Conservative Church home. GOP leadership and voters in the rank-and-file who co-sign their predatory actions toward those who are the most in need of empathy and mercy in these days are saying with great clarity: “To hell with all of you.” White Evangelicals like to claim America is a Christian Nation. Now, putting aside the fact that a country can’t actually claim a collective religion, the reality is that a nation filled with these supposed followers of Jesus, where 11 percent of its people live in poverty and tens of millions more hang above it by the thinnest of threads, has no business invoking the name of Jesus, anyway. I have no interest in seeing America become a Christian nation, but it would be nice to see Conservative Evangelicals in America actually give a damn about Jesus. No, I don’t know what makes someone a Christian, but I know a fraud when I see one. The Beautiful Mess by John Pavlovitz iStock image The post Conservative Christians Are Saying, ‘To Hell With Jesus’ appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

🖼️ Convert HEIC to JPEG on Mac: Photos from your iPhone are often saved as HEIC, which keeps quality high and file size small. The catch? Not everyone can open them. To convert, just drag the photo out of the Photos app and drop it onto your desktop. It’ll automatically copy as a JPEG. The post Convert HEIC to JPEG on Mac appeared first on Komando.com. View the full article

Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has said exports could be diverted if sales to the US plummet Laos could reroute its coffee sales from the US to Russia due to the heavy tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has told RIA Novosti. Trump imposed 40% levies on goods from Laos last month as part of a broader flurry of country-specific tariffs aimed at addressing what he called unfair trade imbalances. “Among the goods that Laos supplies to the US, but can also supply to other countries, are agricultural products such as coffee,” Siphandone told the news agency on Saturday on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Vladivostok. “Laos also supplies coffee to Russia, and now the volume of these supplies can increase,” he added. If US tariffs make our products too expensive and they will not buy them there, then we will increase the volume of supplies to Russia. The US tariffs have also hit top coffee exporters Brazil and Vietnam, with levies reaching 50% and 20%, respectively. Brazil, the world’s largest producer, accounts for 37% of global output, while Vietnam contributes 17%. Coffee prices have spiked sharply in recent months due to harvests being damaged by poor weather, as well as market disruption caused by the new US tariffs, according to the International Coffee Organization. Americans drink coffee more than any other beverage, with two out of three consuming it daily, according to the US National Coffee Association. The group lobbied for an exemption for coffee ahead of the Trump tariffs but so far to no avail. View the full article

I first learned about Project Heaven on Earth when a colleague wrote to me about a friend who was interested in meeting me, but who had not gotten any response to his previous emails. I hadn’t received the emails, so asked him to write again, which he did. After reading about Project Heaven on Earth and its founder Martin Rutte, we met for a brief chat, and it became very clear that Martin was a kindred spirit, and our meeting would be the beginning of a long-term collaboration. I knew I wanted to do an interview with Martin for my podcast, and I ordered his book, Project Heaven on Earth: The 3 simple questions that will help you change the world…easily. It was a wonderfully informative interview that you can watch here. I will admit that I was a bit put off by the book title. Heaven on Earth seemed a bit Airy-Fairy and religious. I’m also put off by programs that promise simple solutions to the world’s problems. “Three simple questions that will help you change the world…easily”? Give me a break. I felt a little better when I saw that the book’s Foreword was written by Jack Canfield, a long-time colleague who created the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, which has more than 250 titles and 500 million copies in print. I soon learned that Martin has had a very successful business career both in the U.S. and Canada. He has worked with such organizations as The World Bank, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Southern California Edison, Virgin Records, Apple Computer, Esso Petroleum, and London Life Insurance helping them expand their outlook and position themselves for the future. He is also the co-author of The New York Times Business Bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, with sales of over 1.1 million copies and translations into 15 languages. In his book, Project Heaven on Earth, Martin offers a clear and honest look at the challenges we face: Humanity is at a crossroads. I’m deeply concerned about the state of our world and pained about the direction we’ve been taking. The sufferings of the world seem overwhelming, they continue and continue — war, hunger, poverty, the threat of global financial collapse. Resignation is being stockpiled. Hope is in short supply. Optimism is hiding in a cave. Martin goes on to say, I believe what’s needed to move us forward at this point in our evolution is the birthing of a new possibility for our world — a new story of what it means to be human (an individual) and what it means to be Humanity (the human condition). I capitalize ‘Humanity’ because I want us to start thinking about experiencing us as one family with extraordinary potential. Here’s how Martin describes Project Heaven on Earth: Project Heaven on Earth as a Noun: This Project is a thing you do, something you put your energy into. It’s a vehicle for the alignment of Humanity. Project Heaven on Earth as a Verb: You project yourself, your Being, your intention, into the world to build the world of your dreams and yearnings. He concludes: The intention of Project Heaven on Earth is to collectively change Humanity’s current story from one that doesn’t work for a great number of people (hunger, war, poverty, etc.) to one that works for you, me, and everyone. Addressing the Three Questions of Project Heaven on Earth Martin invites us to address the following three questions: Question 1: Recall a time when you experienced Heaven on Earth. What was happening? Describe what happened, how it felt, how you perceived the world. What was your experience of yourself, of others, of life? Question 2: Imagine you have a magic wand and with it you can create Heaven on Earth. What is Heaven on Earth for you? Take as much time as you need with this. Open your heart. Let your mind go. Marinate in what Heaven on Earth is for you. What would be present, what would disappear and no longer exist, and what would newly appear? Question 3: What simple, easy, concrete step (s) will you take in the next 24 hours to make Heaven on Earth real? By making the step simple, by making it one you know you can do and by doing it within 24 hours, you’ve actually begun creating Heaven on Earth. Take a baby step. It’s as simple as that. Here are my answers to the three questions Martin invited me to address: Question 1: Recall a time when you experienced Heaven on Earth. What was happening? Heaven on Earth began for me when I fell in love with a young woman in 1965. I was a twenty-one-year-old senior, and she was a seventeen-year-old freshman at the beautiful, newly created campus, at U.C. Santa Barbara. My beloved and I talked about children and agreed we wanted to have a child and, given that the world already had children who needed a home with loving parents, we wanted to adopt a child. Fast forward to Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo. Following graduation, we married, my wife became pregnant, and I was coaching my wife through the relaxation and breathing techniques we had learned in the Lamaze child-birthing classes. After many hours of labor, we were told it was time for my wife to move into the delivery room. I still remember the words of the nurse. OK, Mr. Diamond, your work is done now. You can go to the waiting-room, and we’ll let you know when your child arrives. I was sorry to have to leave at this point, but we had been told the rules. Fathers were not allowed in the delivery room. I kissed my wife, wished her and the baby well, and told her I would see her soon. She was wheeled in one direction, and I went the other way. But as I was going through the waiting-room doors, something stopped me. I felt the call of my unborn child telling me: I don’t want a waiting-room father. Your place is here with us. I immediately turned around and made my way to the delivery room. I came in and took my place at the head of the table as my wife began the final stages to bring our child into the world. There was no question about my leaving. I knew where I belonged. No hospital rules were going to keep me away. It didn’t take long for the final push and our son, Jemal, was born amid tears of joy and relief. Holding him for the first time I made a vow that I would be a different kind of father than my father was able to be for me and to do everything I could to help create a world where fathers were fully engaged with their families throughout their lives. Two-and-a-half years later, we adopted a two-month-old, African American baby girl, who we named Angela. For me this Heaven on Earth experience began with the magic of falling in love, which opened our hearts to wanting to share that love with a child we birthed and with a child who needed a loving family. It culminated with the spirit of our soon-to-be born son calling me to break the rules in the service of love and connection and our reaching outside our comfort zone to find and adopt our beautiful daughter. Question 2: Imagine you have a magic wand and with it you can create Heaven on Earth. What is Heaven on Earth for you? For me, Heaven on Earth is a world of fathers who are fully healed and lovingly connected with themselves, their families, the community of life on planet Earth. In my book, The Warrior’s Journey Home: Healing Men Healing the Planet I quoted my friend and colleague Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly: On Being a Man, The radical vision of the future rests on the belief that the logic that determines either our survival or our destruction is simple: The new human vocation is to heal the earth. We can only heal what we love. We can only love what we know. We can only know what we touch. Heaven on Earth is the end of war as we’ve known it and a new kind of warriorship. In The Warrior’s Journey Home, I quoted Buddhist meditation master Chögyam Trungpa. Warriorship here does not refer to making war on others. Aggression is the source of our problems, not the solution. Here the word ‘warrior’ is taken from the Tibetan pawo which literally means ‘one who is brave.’ Warriorship in this context is the tradition of human bravery, or the tradition of fearlessness. Trungpa concludes, saying, Warriorship is not being afraid of who you are. Question 3: What simple, easy, concrete step (s) will you take in the next 24 hours to make Heaven on Earth real? I will share the answers to these three questions with Martin Rutte and continue exploring ways to collaborate to bring Heaven on Earth for all. You can connect with Martin Rutte and his work here: https://projectheavenonearth.com/ You can watch my interview with Martin here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Krt5t4aYM You can receive my free weekly newsletter and read my latest articles here: https://menalive.com/email-newsletter/ — This post was previously published on Menalive.com. — Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post My Project Heaven on Earth Began When I Fell in Love appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article