American Women Suck

— For those who travel Indiana’s winding roads with a focus on frugality and environmental stewardship, hybrid vehicles represent a rare alchemy that combines thrift and vigor. In the used-car realm, hybrids look like an unassailable bargain – vehicles that whisper about eco-friendliness while roaring with reliability. From urban commutes in Indianapolis to long drives through rural backroads, these vehicles are becoming a favorite among savvy car buyers. At many trusted Indiana auto shops, you’ll find a growing selection of top-rated hybrid models that combine reliability, economy, and surprising comfort. Why Drivers Are Turning to Hybrid Cars Indiana’s tapestry of urban grids and sprawling byways makes it a near-perfect backdrop for the hybrid experience. Here, fuel thriftiness isn’t a fleeting fad—it’s an everyday need for households and daily travelers seeking economy without compromise. Hybrids slash fuel expenses with finesse, trim your ecological impact, and glide with a quiet elegance, often wrapped in cutting-edge tech and intuitive design. As the pre-owned market blossoms with diverse hybrid offerings, accessibility is no longer a barrier. From the tree-lined avenues of Bloomington to the collegiate pulse of South Bend, and the bustling arteries of Indianapolis itself, somewhere nearby, a steadfast hybrid machine likely awaits its next voyage. Top-Rated Used Hybrids Right Now Toyota Prius Renowned for sipping fuel with restraint, engineered with enduring parts, and offering a cabin that breathes with roominess, the Prius continues to cement its legacy. Even iterations from half a decade past still deliver standout mileage and retain their worth with unwavering tenacity on the resale market. Estimated MPG: 50+ Best for: Daily commuting, small families. Honda Accord Hybrid The Honda Accord Hybrid combines excellent fuel economy with the comfort you expect from a classic midsize sedan. Known for its reliability and ease of operation, it’s a smart choice for drivers who want both power and practicality in one stylish vehicle. Estimated MPG: 47 Best for: Business professionals, long-distance drivers. Ford Fusion Hybrid American-made and always dependable, the Ford Fusion Hybrid has become a go-to hybrid vehicle for many buyers. It boasts a quiet ride, smooth handling, and impressive fuel savings. Estimated MPG: 43 Best for: Everyday errands, budget-conscious drivers. Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid offers one of the highest fuel economy ratings in its class and comes loaded with modern safety features. Sleek styling and an upscale interior make it appealing to younger buyers looking for value with flair. Estimated MPG: 55+ Best for: First-time buyers, tech lovers. Toyota Camry Hybrid If you want hybrid performance without sacrificing sportiness, this model is your answer. With sharp handling and a comfortable ride, this vehicle makes hybrid ownership feel exciting. Estimated MPG: 46 Best for: Families, highway commuters. Why Certified Pre-Owned Matters Whether you’re upgrading your daily commuter or adding a second car to your family fleet, choosing a hybrid vehicle helps you save money long-term without sacrificing performance. When looking for them, it’s wise to look for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) options. These models go through extensive inspections and often come with extended warranties, giving you peace of mind and better long-term value. Most auto dealers offer CPO programs with flexible financing, making it easier than ever to get behind the wheel of a reliable hybrid. Always check the vehicle’s battery health, mileage, and service history to ensure you’re making a sound investment. Underrated Hybrid Vehicles Worth a Look While brands like Toyota and Honda dominate, several lesser-known hybrids punch above their weight: Kia Niro Hybrid– A compact SUV with surprising room and excellent MPG. Chevrolet Volt (Plug-In Hybrid)– Offers electric driving range with gas backup. Lexus CT 200h– A luxury compact hatchback for buyers wanting upscale features. These models are often more affordable on the used market and still provide long-term value with proper maintenance. Hybrid Maintenance The most common concern about buying a used hybrid is the battery. Fortunately, modern hybrid batteries are designed to last 8–10 years or more, and many come with transferable warranties. Regular servicing—like oil changes, brake checks, and battery diagnostics—will keep your car in peak condition. Mechanics across Indiana are increasingly hybrid-savvy, especially in metro areas like Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Always confirm that the dealership or mechanic has experience with hybrid systems. Where to Shop for Used Hybrids in Indiana When searching for the best deals, start with trusted Indiana auto dealers. These dealerships typically have broader selections, transparent pricing, and certified programs that help you avoid the risks of private sellers. Also, don’t hesitate to expand your search beyond city limits. Indiana’s used car market has plenty to offer, and hybrids are one of the smartest picks around. With gas prices going up and more people thinking about the environment, hybrids aren’t just a thing of the future—they’re a smart choice today. — This content is brought to you by Hassan Javed Photo provided by the author. The post Top Used Hybrid Cars to Buy in Indiana Today appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Mark Swartz, 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. When Dayonera Rivera drops off her 4-year-old daughter Keilanys at the Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield (HCS) Head Start center each morning, she doesn’t have to worry about traffic or rush back across town to make her classes. Instead, she walks a few hundred yards across the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) campus, knowing that if she needs to check on her daughter, pick up materials from the library or meet with a professor during office hours, everything is within reach. “I was ecstatic when I found out that they were literally right on campus,” said Rivera, a medical assistant working toward her nursing degree. It provided convenience, she said. “It just made it easier. … It made me come to school.” Nearly one in five undergraduate college students in the U.S. are raising children while enrolled, and about half of these student parents attend community and technical colleges, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. A lack of access to affordable child care, college costs, and challenges related to balancing work, school and raising a family, contribute to the fact that students with children are nearly twice as likely to leave college before graduating than students who aren’t parents. The Head Start center at STCC addresses this need. The center educates 25 babies and toddlers while their parents attend school, and while it’s open to all families in the community, leaders expect that it will primarily serve children of STCC students over time as more of them learn about it. The program is part of Kids on Campus, a five-year project launched in 2024 by the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association. By increasing the number of Head Start child care programs on community college campuses, the project intends to remove child care barriers that too often derail student parents from achieving their educational goals. The project represents a strategic convergence of two urgent needs: expanding access to quality early childhood education for low-income families and supporting student parents whose educational aspirations are often constrained by child care challenges. The approach helps colleges gain capacity to support child care, which is a basic need for many students — and that boosts enrollment, persistence and completion. It offers families access to affordable high-quality, early learning opportunities for their children, and it gives future teachers at the colleges opportunities to get authentic classroom experience. Kids on Campus aims to establish at least 50 Head Start programs on community college campuses by 2030. The initiative’s first annual report shows concrete progress: Three programs are fully launched, with two more opening this fall. Furthermore, 87 community colleges and 98 Head Start programs have engaged with Kids on Campus, leading to 18 potential matches between interested partners. The initiative has also launched Kids on Campus —Texas as its first state-focused effort. While the impact report acknowledges that “big initiatives take time to grow and blossom,” results from the first year suggest the model is gaining traction. Perhaps nowhere is the promise more evident than in Springfield, Massachusetts, where HCS Head Start and STCC are providing student parents with exactly the kind of integrated support system the national initiative envisions. Making It Work in Western Massachusetts Like many Head Start programs, HCS Head Start faced acute staffing shortages in the post-COVID landscape. Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start, which operates 11 sites across the greater Springfield area and serves about 650 children from birth to age 5, was searching for solutions when she connected with STCC president John Cook. The partnership that emerged goes far beyond colocation. Students in STCC’s early childhood education program can complete observations and student teaching requirements on-site. Students in the college’s health services program practice screenings and clinical skills with Head Start children. The model creates what Blais calls a comprehensive approach to “rebuilding the early child care workforce” while providing essential services to families and the broader campus community. For HCS Head Start teacher Heidi Fogg, the campus location transforms what student parents can realistically accomplish. She sees how the opportunity plays out in daily schedules: “Some of our moms who are students at STCC aren’t full-time students,” she said, explaining that some take evening classes because they’re raising a family and working. But for those who take classes during the day, she said, “they are able to bring the kids to our center, and then they can go, whether it’s to the library, to make copies, to speak with their professor or for office hours.” “They just have that luxury of not having to drive across town, bring the child to day care to come back,” Fogg added. The convenience of on-site child care can help student parents persist and improve graduation rates. The benefits of these programs also extend to the babies and toddlers who attend them. At home, Rivera watches her daughter enthusiastically share what she’s learning. “She likes to be the teacher. She likes to teach everybody at home what she learns,” Rivera said. “She says, ‘Okay dad, we’re going to learn about the spine of the book.’ So she literally pulled out one of her favorite books and started telling [her] dad, ‘This is the front, this is the spine. Repeat after me.’” While it’s too early for comprehensive outcome data, the Springfield experience suggests the Kids on Campus model addresses several persistent challenges in higher education and early childhood development. By colocating services, the partnership reduces barriers for student parents while creating practical learning opportunities for future educators and health professionals. For Rivera, the impact is clear: quality child care on campus means she can focus on her nursing program goals rather than logistics. “I don’t have to call the school if I have questions [and] wait for somebody to call me back. I can do it all in one go.” As the Kids on Campus initiative works toward its goal of opening 50 campus-based Head Start programs, the Springfield model offers a template for how strategic partnerships can transform isolated challenges into integrated solutions. The promise lies not just in convenience, but in creating the conditions where student parents can succeed academically while their children receive quality early education. — 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 Bringing Head Start to College appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Shelbie Witte, University of North Dakota Each afternoon, a familiar conversation unfolds in many households. “How was school today?” “Fine.” “What did you learn?” “Nothing.” In the classroom, teachers also struggle with stonewalling students. They’ll pose a question, only to be met with blank stares. They might incorporate “wait time” to give students a moment to gather their thoughts. But even then, their students offer brief or vague responses. Students, meanwhile, often get nervous about asking for clarification or diving deeper into a topic in front of their peers. This can have consequences. Children who hesitate to ask or answer questions risk becoming adults with the same habits. Adults who avoid asking questions or avoid admitting what they don’t know can become willfully ignorant: They skirt the consequences of their lack of knowledge and the impact it can have on themselves and others. With the start of school just around the corner, it’s an important time to create opportunities for children to stretch their conversational and curiosity muscles. I’m an educator, researcher and parent who studies adolescent education and teacher preparation. Here are five strategies parents and caregivers can use with children to make them better conversationalists and cultivate curiosity. The suggestions might appear straightforward. But they outline an easy way to avoid being iced out with “yes” or “no” answers. 1. Be creative with your questions Part of the issue arises from asking questions that can be batted away with a one-word response. Children want to know whether the adults in their lives are genuinely interested in their day. Asking the same, rote questions each day says otherwise. Try shaking things up and ask more specific, open-ended questions instead: “What was the most interesting thing you did today?” “If you could turn back time and change how you handled something at school today, what would it be?” “If you were in charge of your class tomorrow, what would you teach?” 2. Engage with their curiosity As important as it is for adults to ask questions that convey genuine interest, it’s just as valuable to engage with questions kids ask. Young children ask “why” so often that adults can find themselves falling back on a classic retort: “Because I said so!” When a “why” gets shut down, a child’s curiosity and wonder are also snuffed out. Instead, try acknowledging and engaging with this curiosity: “Good question. Here’s my thinking …” or “Let’s talk about why this is important …” At the same time, you can also model other ways to ask questions: “I’ve wondered that too. Do you think it’s because …?” 3. Think out loud When adults verbalize their thinking out loud, they’re showing children how their brains work and how problems get solved. “Do you ever wonder why cats purr?” “Do you think I can mix the dry and wet ingredients for the cake at the same time?” “I noticed the flags were at half-staff today in front of your school. Could you ask someone to find out why?” Doing so encourages children to listen to their inner voice – and to trust the questions that emerge, no matter how silly they might seem. 4. Be a seeker Admitting you don’t know the answer to something can be uncomfortable, especially because children often expect their parents to know everything. But simply responding “I don’t know” to a question isn’t enough. It’s important to show children how to find answers, whether it’s through assembly manuals, recipes or a nutrition label. If you come across a confusing passage in a book, you can show kids how to use the tools contained within the book: a glossary, table of contents or index. Then there are the questions that don’t have a single, simple answer. You can explain how more than one internet search might be necessary and it’s probably not a great idea to simply accept the first answer that pops up. By showing children that it’s OK to not know all the answers, you give them the confidence to ask more questions. 5. What I heard you say was … Children can have a hard time articulating what they’re curious or confused about. For this reason, active listening is a critical behavior to model. If you’re confused about what you’re hearing, rather than saying something like, “I don’t get what you’re saying,” you could repeat what you heard, and then ask, “Is that what you’re saying?” If they give a meandering answer to your question – even if they go off topic – you can highlight what stood out to you to show that you were really listening: “What I really appreciated about your answer to my question was …” Avoid the temptation to multitask when children approach you with questions. If you put your phone away, make eye contact and ask follow-up questions, kids will be more willing to keep asking questions in the future. Children are born with a natural wonder and enthusiasm for learning. As Carl Sagan said, “The complex and subtle problems we face can only have complex and subtle solutions and we need people able to think complex and subtle thoughts. I believe a great many children have that capability if only they are encouraged.” Prodding children to tap into their own curiosity while respecting their needs, limitations and fears can have a powerful impact on their ability to ask and answer questions about the world, big and small – or, at the very least, give them the confidence to try. Shelbie Witte, Dean, College of Education and Human Development, University of North Dakota This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. — Previously Published on theconversation.com 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 A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post Getting Beyond Answers Like ‘Fine’ and ‘Nothing’: 5 Simple Ways to Spark Real Talk With Kids appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Your business front is your online site. It should attract users and generate results. But what if it’s not doing either? That could mean it’s time to hire a new web designer Dubai. Many businesses lose customers because their sites look outdated or load slowly. Others fail to reflect the brand or convert visitors. Knowing when to move on from your current designer is essential. A professional site boosts credibility, visibility, and user trust. This article shares clear signs that it’s time to hire someone new. Each sign covers an area where your current designer may be falling short. If even one applies to you, it’s time to consider an upgrade for your website. Your Site Lacks a Bold and Modern Appearance Design trends evolve fast. Your website should never look stuck in the past. If users visit your site and it looks old, they leave quickly. A modern layout grabs attention. It also builds trust. Many outdated sites use heavy graphics and bad fonts. A modern website focuses on clean lines and minimal design. White space matters. When your site looks cluttered or boring, you must find new eyes on it. A qualified web designer knows the latest trends and knows how to use them. They don’t just make your site look nice. They make it effective. Your design should reflect your brand identity. It should feel current and aligned with user expectations. That means strong visuals, balanced spacing, and straightforward navigation. If your website feels flat or tired, you’re losing customers. A modern site can lift your brand and boost engagement. Appearance is the first thing users notice. It Fails to Deliver a Mobile Friendly and Responsive Design The user browses using phones, tablets, and computers. Your site should be responsive to every device. When your site does not work on smaller screens, it is high time to make a switch. A responsive design ensures that a user gets a smooth experience on any device. People won’t zoom in or scroll sideways. They’ll leave. You can’t afford that. Google also ranks mobile-friendly sites higher. That means better visibility and more traffic. If your designer can’t deliver responsive layouts, they’re falling behind. A good designer tests across all devices. They make sure fonts scale correctly and buttons are easy to tap. Responsive features help improve loading times and reduce bounce rates. This creates a better overall experience. It also enhances conversion. Mobile-first design is no longer optional. It’s essential. Test your site on your phone. If anything looks off, your designer missed the mark. A new approach can fix that. Mobile usability drives real business results. Poor Navigation Hurts the User Experience Design A great website guides users. If visitors get lost or confused, they leave quickly. Bad navigation leads to low sales and high bounce rates. A website should feel natural to explore. That’s part of strong user experience design. You want users to find what they need quickly. That includes product pages, contact info, and service details. If users click too many times without seeing results, the site fails. Navigation should never feel like a puzzle. A new designer can rebuild your structure. They can improve your menus and internal links. They also reduce clutter and focus on user flow. This helps improve session time and engagement. Your users want speed and simplicity. They don’t want to search hard. A website with a bad structure turns away loyal visitors. Choose a designer who values user behaviour and clear direction. That’s how you build customer trust and better performance. You Keep Paying Extra for Minor Web Development Services Does your designer charge for every minor update? Do they avoid regular updates? That’s a red flag. A skilled designer includes basic web development services in their packages. You shouldn’t be overpaying for minor tasks. If your content updates, images, or links take days to fix, it’s time for a change. Good designers understand urgency. They fix errors fast and without drama. Waiting long for updates hurts your brand image and Google rankings. Some designers avoid backend work. Others overcharge for simple changes. That’s not right. You need a partner who maintains your site correctly. A skilled developer handles speed, functionality, and updates. They offer long-term solutions. If your designer doesn’t provide that, look elsewhere. Maintenance is part of good service. Your website should always perform at its best. Choose someone who delivers value, not someone who inflates cost without adding real results. Your Site Fails to Convert Visitors into Customers You may get traffic, but no sales. That’s a huge problem. A pretty website is not enough. It must convert. If you see low conversions, you need a new UX/UI design strategy. Your website should guide users to take action. That means strong call-to-actions, fast load times, and trust signals. If visitors bounce after landing, your design is not working. Poor layout, weak copy, and confusing forms cause drop-offs. An intelligent designer knows how to fix this. They focus on human behaviour. They study what makes users act. They test, improve, and optimize. They know how to make pages productive. If your designer only focuses on visuals, you’re missing out. A high-converting site creates real value. It turns visitors into leads and customers. It boosts your revenue and brand authority. You need a designer who builds high-performing websites that support your goals. You Receive Generic Designs Without Any Customized Features A website should reflect your unique brand. If your designer uses the same template for every client, that’s a concern. A strong online presence needs customized features tailored to your goals. Generic designs don’t connect with your audience or support your business model. Your website should include custom visuals, layouts, and functionalities. These help you stand out from competitors. A great designer studies your brand, industry, and audience. Templates are helpful, but they shouldn’t define your identity. Your business needs features that serve your customers directly. These include booking tools, custom forms, and smart integrations. A good designer delivers this with ease and confidence. You Never Work with Certified or Registered Design Specialists Credentials matter. If your designer has no proven track record, you may not get the best results. A registered, licensed, or certified designer follows industry standards. They provide quality service and professional assistance. Collaboration with experts will guarantee quality, safety, and sustainability. Such designers are also experienced. They also understand legal and data regulations. A trusted designer provides clear contracts and transparent pricing. They also give detailed timelines and support terms. You feel confident in their skills and process. That leads to better communication and project results. Conclusion Your website should drive growth, trust, and conversions. If it’s not, you must act fast. A great web designer Dubai can transform your site into a productive asset. Look for someone who offers more than looks. You need responsive layouts, clean navigation, and strong UX strategies. — This content is brought to you by Hussain Ali Photo provided by the author. The post Signs You Need a New Web Designer Dubai Today appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Depression is not always audible. It doesn’t always come with sobs or spectacular outbursts. It comes with the weight of being unable to get out of bed, quietness, and blank looks at the ceiling. However, there are tiny gaps in those quiet ways to convince oneself that there is still hope. 1. Start with the smallest victory possible. Depression makes you think that nothing matters, yet you may show it untrue with only one easy deed. Get into bed. Get yourself a drink of water. In a notebook, write one phrase. They are anchors, not little objects. Each minor triumph tells your brain, “I am still moving.” 2. Re-establish Contact with the External World Isolation is depression’s best friend. It resides on your room’s silent walls. It lives on your room’s quiet walls. Shatter that habit, even if you just step out for five minutes. Breathe the wind, hear the sounds of people, and see the sky above you. The world does not end as long as you hurt; it only waits for you. 3. Modify the Things You Feed Your Mind Swiping through your phone over and over may make the pain disappear, but it won’t. Trade that habit out for information that makes you better, like immersive podcasts, encouraging music, or even a book that challenges you. What you consume quietly affects how you feel. 4. Have Someone Else Carry the Load for a Bit This is not a battle you need to engage in alone. A deceiver who says you’re a burden is sad. You are not causing problems. 5 . Everything is temporary When you are depressed, incorporate it into your mind. Morning light ultimately emerges from even the darkest nights. Hook The goal of depression is to make you forget who you are. But every little choice you make, every walk you take, every phone contact you make, and every deep breath you take builds a bridge that leads to yourself. It’s not necessary to jump across it right away. All you have to do is take one step, followed by another. There is yet hope; it is only waiting for you to try. — 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: Gadiel Lazcano on Unsplash The post 5 Ways to Get Out of Depression Without Giving Up appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial advice. Belize is a jurisdiction that facilitates offshore company formation, opening of bank accounts, formation of shelf companies, and the creation of holding companies. When considering Belize, numerous benefits become evident. This jurisdiction offers several tax advantages and provides asset protection for your business. However, if you are planning to establish a holding company in Belize, it is essential to understand its meaning and its key features. What is a Holding Company? A holding company is a business entity that exists to own and control other companies called subsidiaries. Rather than producing goods or services itself, it manages investments and oversees the subsidiaries’ strategic direction. What are the Benefits of Opening a Holding Company in Belize? Opening a Belize holding company offers you the following advantages: a) Asset Protection Valuable assets are maintained by the parent company, thus safeguarding them from the risks associated with subsidiary operations. Moreover, holding companies protect your assets against potential lawsuits or creditors. b) Tax Efficiency Holding companies can utilize tax strategies that reduce the overall tax burden. Meanwhile, they are generally exempt from Belizean taxes on income derived from offshore sources, such as dividends, interest, and capital gains. c) Offers a Centralized Business Structure A Belize holding company provides a centralized control and governance structure, making it more straightforward to carry out strategic initiatives throughout the organization. It also serves as an effective platform for investors to contribute capital for expansion. d) Ease of Setup Forming a holding company is straightforward, involving standard incorporation. However, its complexity depends on the chosen structure, regulatory requirements, and legal and tax advice needed to ensure proper functioning and asset transfer. While registration is simple, professional guidance is essential to avoid issues and maximize benefits. e) Suitable For Succession Planning A holding company is a parent that owns other companies, making it easier to pass on the business while minimizing taxes. It attracts investors by keeping each company separate, shielding them from potential issues. Overall, it helps protect assets and ensures a smooth transition. How To Open a Holding Company in Belize? While deciding to open a holding company in Belize, you have to follow the steps mentioned below: i) Finalize a Business Structure When you are about to open a holding company, the primary step is to choose a business structure such as an International Business Company (IBC) or Limited Liability Company (LLC). ii) Select a Company Name Secondly, perform a name search and subsequently reserve your business name. Another important consideration is to verify whether the selected name is already in use. iii) Submit the Essential Paperworks Like Belize offshore company formation, when opening a holding company, you must submit the following set of documents: Application form Passport copies for directors and shareholders Proof of address for directors and shareholders A business plan outlining your company’s objectives Company’s incorporation documents iv) Appoint a Registered Agent For incorporating an offshore business, it is mandatory to have a registered agent. The respective agent in BVI will help you out with easing the process. v) Pay the Formation Fees When you form a holding company, you have to pay a formation fee. These fees are paid to government bodies to cover the costs of processing and registering the new companies and to generate revenue. Whether a Holding Company can engage in any Business Activity? No, a pure holding company does not conduct any business activities. Its sole purpose is to own assets and control other companies (subsidiaries) through stock ownership. From all the points mentioned above, it is clear that opening a holding company, especially in Belize, can provide many exciting opportunities. Therefore, using this service will definitely help you preserve your assets and pass them down to future generations. — This content is brought to you by Mala Khan Photo provided by the author. The post Holding Company in Belize appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

A Hour-by-Hour Guide to Healing The world has just tilted off its axis. The text message hangs in the air, the final words echo, and the door clicks shut for the last time. A breakup, whether you saw it coming or it blindsided you, is a seismic event. In its immediate aftermath, the emotional shock can be so profound that thinking beyond the next minute feels impossible. The first 72 hours are the emotional triage unit. This isn’t the time for grand revelations about your future or for stalking their social media. This is the time for survival. Your only job is to be gentle with your heart. Here’s how to navigate the first critical three days. The First 24 Hours: The Shock Phase Your primary mission: Breathe and Feel. Do Not Fix. Your body is in fight-or-flight mode. Adrenaline and cortisol are flooding your system. Logic is offline. Your goal is not to be okay; it’s to simply be. Grant Yourself Amnesty: Give yourself unconditional permission to feel everything. Are you sobbing? Sob. Are you numb? Sit with the numbness. Are you angry? Scream into a pillow (not at them). There is no “right” way to feel. Do not judge your emotions; they are valid signals from your nervous system. Implement the Digital Lockdown: This is non-negotiable. Do not text or call your ex. You are not in a state to have a productive conversation. Anything you send now will likely be fueled by raw emotion and could lead to regret. Mute or block them on social media. Out of sight won’t make them out of mind, but it will prevent the torture of seeing their activity. You do not need to know what they are doing right now. Delete their number if you fear you’ll break. You can always get it back later. Call in the Cavalry: You are not meant to do this alone. Text your most trusted friend or family member a simple, “Hey, things ended with [Name]. I’m not okay. Can I call you?” True friends will not ask for details; they will just show up, bring ice cream, sit in silence with you, or listen to you repeat the same thing for hours. Embrace the Cliché (Judgment-Free Zone): It’s a cliché for a reason. Put on the sad playlist. Watch the tearjerker movie. Eat the junk food. If you can sleep, sleep. If you can’t, just rest. Your body is processing a trauma. Give it what it’s asking for. Hours 24–48: The Reality Phase Your primary mission: Gentle Routine and Basic Self-Care. The initial shock is wearing off, leaving a hollow, aching quiet. The reality of the situation is beginning to set in. This is where you must be fiercely kind to yourself. The Shower and Nourish Rule: You may not have an appetite. You may not want to move. Set tiny, achievable goals. Goal 1: Take a shower. Don’t aim for a “good” one. Just get in, let the water run over you, and get out. This simple act can symbolically wash away some of the stagnation. Goal 2: Eat something. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet meal. A piece of toast, a bowl of soup, a smoothie — something to fuel your body. Grief is physically exhausting. Change Your Environment: If you’ve been cocooned in blankets on the couch for a day, move to a different room. If you can, go outside for just five minutes. Sit on a bench and feel the sun on your face. The change of scenery signals to your brain that life is still happening around you. Write, Don’t Type: Get a pen and paper and dump everything in your head onto it. Don’t craft a letter to send; this is for your eyes only. Write about the anger, the sadness, the questions, the memories. Getting it out of your head and onto paper is a powerful way to release the mental pressure valve. Avoid Major Decisions: Do not quit your job, cut all your hair off, or book a one-way ticket to Bali. Your judgment is still compromised. The most adventurous thing you should do is try a new flavor of tea. Hours 48–72: The Glimmer Phase Your primary mission: Reconnect with “You” and Look Forward, However Briefly. The intense, all-consuming pain may start to break into waves, giving you moments of respite. You might have a five-minute window where you didn’t think about them. Celebrate that. The One-Minute Future: Thinking about “forever without them” is overwhelming. Instead, just plan the next hour. “In one hour, I will make a cup of coffee.” Then, plan the next few. “This afternoon, I will walk to the park and back.” Tiny, manageable increments of future. Reclaim a Piece of Yourself: What did you love before the relationship? Or what have you always wanted to try? It can be infinitesimally small. 1.Listen to a podcast about a hobby you love. 2. Reorganize a bookshelf. 3. Cook a recipe you used to enjoy. 4. This isn’t about moving on; it’s about reminding your brain that your identity exists outside of this relationship. Practice Gratitude (Yes, Really): Force yourself to name three things that weren’t terrible today. “The coffee was hot.” “My friend sent a funny meme.” “The sun was out.” This isn’t to minimize your pain but to train your brain to see that not everything is darkness. Re-read Your “Why”: If you’re wrestling with “what ifs” and nostalgia, go back to the letter you wrote. Remember the pain and the reasons it ended. This grounds you in reality. The Golden Rules for All 72 Hours The No-Contact Rule is Sacred: It is the single most effective tool for healing. Every text you send resets the recovery clock. Be Your Own Best Friend: Talk to yourself as you would to your devastated best friend. You would not tell them to “get over it” or that they’re “being dramatic.” You would be kind, patient, and compassionate. Offer yourself that same grace. There is No Timeline: Do not measure your pain against anyone else’s. Your healing is your own. The first 72 hours are about building a life raft, not sailing to shore. You are in survival mode, and survival is enough. You will not feel this raw forever. The waves of grief will eventually become less frequent, less intense. For now, just focus on breathing through this one. And then the next. You’ve got this. — 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: Natasha Hall On Unsplash The post How to Survive the First 72 Hours After a Breakup appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Adam Zewe | MIT News Synthetic data are artificially generated by algorithms to mimic the statistical properties of actual data, without containing any information from real-world sources. While concrete numbers are hard to pin down, some estimates suggest that more than 60 percent of data used for AI applications in 2024 was synthetic, and this figure is expected to grow across industries. Because synthetic data don’t contain real-world information, they hold the promise of safeguarding privacy while reducing the cost and increasing the speed at which new AI models are developed. But using synthetic data requires careful evaluation, planning, and checks and balances to prevent loss of performance when AI models are deployed. To unpack some pros and cons of using synthetic data, MIT News spoke with Kalyan Veeramachaneni, a principal research scientist in the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems and co-founder of DataCebo whose open-core platform, the Synthetic Data Vault, helps users generate and test synthetic data. Q: How are synthetic data created? A: Synthetic data are algorithmically generated but do not come from a real situation. Their value lies in their statistical similarity to real data. If we’re talking about language, for instance, synthetic data look very much as if a human had written those sentences. While researchers have created synthetic data for a long time, what has changed in the past few years is our ability to build generative models out of data and use them to create realistic synthetic data. We can take a little bit of real data and build a generative model from that, which we can use to create as much synthetic data as we want. Plus, the model creates synthetic data in a way that captures all the underlying rules and infinite patterns that exist in the real data. There are essentially four different data modalities: language, video or images, audio, and tabular data. All four of them have slightly different ways of building the generative models to create synthetic data. An LLM, for instance, is nothing but a generative model from which you are sampling synthetic data when you ask it a question. A lot of language and image data are publicly available on the internet. But tabular data, which is the data collected when we interact with physical and social systems, is often locked up behind enterprise firewalls. Much of it is sensitive or private, such as customer transactions stored by a bank. For this type of data, platforms like the Synthetic Data Vault provide software that can be used to build generative models. Those models then create synthetic data that preserve customer privacy and can be shared more widely. One powerful thing about this generative modeling approach for synthesizing data is that enterprises can now build a customized, local model for their own data. Generative AI automates what used to be a manual process. Q: What are some benefits of using synthetic data, and which use-cases and applications are they particularly well-suited for? A: One fundamental application which has grown tremendously over the past decade is using synthetic data to test software applications. There is data-driven logic behind many software applications, so you need data to test that software and its functionality. In the past, people have resorted to manually generating data, but now we can use generative models to create as much data as we need. Users can also create specific data for application testing. Say I work for an e-commerce company. I can generate synthetic data that mimics real customers who live in Ohio and made transactions pertaining to one particular product in February or March. Because synthetic data aren’t drawn from real situations, they are also privacy-preserving. One of the biggest problems in software testing has been getting access to sensitive real data for testing software in non-production environments, due to privacy concerns. Another immediate benefit is in performance testing. You can create a billion transactions from a generative model and test how fast your system can process them. Another application where synthetic data hold a lot of promise is in training machine-learning models. Sometimes, we want an AI model to help us predict an event that is less frequent. A bank may want to use an AI model to predict fraudulent transactions, but there may be too few real examples to train a model that can identify fraud accurately. Synthetic data provide data augmentation — additional data examples that are similar to the real data. These can significantly improve the accuracy of AI models. Also, sometimes users don’t have time or the financial resources to collect all the data. For instance, collecting data about customer intent would require conducting many surveys. If you end up with limited data and then try to train a model, it won’t perform well. You can augment by adding synthetic data to train those models better. Q. What are some of the risks or potential pitfalls of using synthetic data, and are there steps users can take to prevent or mitigate those problems? A. One of the biggest questions people often have in their mind is, if the data are synthetically created, why should I trust them? Determining whether you can trust the data often comes down to evaluating the overall system where you are using them. There are a lot of aspects of synthetic data we have been able to evaluate for a long time. For instance, there are existing methods to measure how close synthetic data are to real data, and we can measure their quality and whether they preserve privacy. But there are other important considerations if you are using those synthetic data to train a machine-learning model for a new use case. How would you know the data are going to lead to models that still make valid conclusions? New efficacy metrics are emerging, and the emphasis is now on efficacy for a particular task. You must really dig into your workflow to ensure the synthetic data you add to the system still allow you to draw valid conclusions. That is something that must be done carefully on an application-by-application basis. Bias can also be an issue. Since it is created from a small amount of real data, the same bias that exists in the real data can carry over into the synthetic data. Just like with real data, you would need to purposefully make sure the bias is removed through different sampling techniques, which can create balanced datasets. It takes some careful planning, but you can calibrate the data generation to prevent the proliferation of bias. To help with the evaluation process, our group created the Synthetic Data Metrics Library. We worried that people would use synthetic data in their environment and it would give different conclusions in the real world. We created a metrics and evaluation library to ensure checks and balances. The machine learning community has faced a lot of challenges in ensuring models can generalize to new situations. The use of synthetic data adds a whole new dimension to that problem. I expect that the old systems of working with data, whether to build software applications, answer analytical questions, or train models, will dramatically change as we get more sophisticated at building these generative models. A lot of things we have never been able to do before will now be possible. — Reprinted with permission of MIT News *** 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. — Photo credit: unsplash The post 3 Questions: The Pros and Cons of Synthetic Data in AI appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Other released documents include the sex offender’s will and his 2007 non-prosecution agreement with authorities The House Oversight Committee has published hundreds of pages of records from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including the financier’s so-called “birthday book,” with chair James Comer (R-Ky.) accusing Democrats of selectively “cherry-picking” documents to smear President Donald Trump. The disclosure on Monday evening followed a subpoena issued to the Epstein estate in late August. Alongside the 238-page “birthday book,” the panel released Epstein’s will, his 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, and sections of his personal address book. The professionally bound book, compiled in 2003 by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, features contributions from dozens of acquaintances, among them former President Bill Clinton and attorney Alan Dershowitz. Some pages include lighthearted tributes, while others contain sexual jokes, staged photographs, and redacted names of women. Republicans said the release was intended to provide transparency after Democrats publicized only the alleged Trump note earlier in the day, shaping headlines around the president and overshadowing the wider trove of documents. The disputed page contained typewritten text inside the outline of a nude woman and appeared to be signed “Donald” below the waistline of the sketch. Trump has called the note a fabrication and is suing The Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion in a defamation case. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated on Monday that the president “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.” Democrats on the Oversight Committee highlighted the alleged Trump message and demanded further disclosure of Epstein-related files, accusing the president of concealing damaging information. Comer criticized Democrats for “cherry-picking documents and politicizing information received from the Epstein Estate,” while insisting that “President Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing.” Epstein, convicted in 2008 on state charges of soliciting prostitution, was later arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019. He died in a Manhattan jail the same year, in what authorities ruled a suicide. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence. Epstein’s long-standing ties to prominent political, business, and academic figures continue to spark bipartisan calls for transparency, though the Department of Justice has said there is no “client list” linked to his trafficking crimes. View the full article

Link for non-medium members We’re in the golden age of dating apps, text games, situationships, and aesthetic couple posts. Yet more people feel lonely than ever. More people are confused, anxious, avoidant, or just plain tired. And somehow, love, the thing that should feel grounding, feels like another thing we need to win at. I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately. Not from a theoretical place, but from watching people around me. Breakups. Situationships. Labels that change by the month. Loyalty that doesn’t always mean commitment. Emotional unavailability dressed up as independence. Relationships today are different. They’ve become quicker to start, easier to end, and harder to understand. We’re more connected than ever, and somehow more guarded too. We talk about vulnerability, but we rarely show it. We crave depth, but settle for chemistry. And in the middle of all this, I keep coming back to one simple belief: Your partner should be your best friend. Not because it sounds romantic. But because in a world where so much is uncertain, friendship offers something that most modern relationships lack — stability, equality, and emotional safety. Here’s why: You stop filtering your truth. When your partner is your best friend, you don’t need a script. You can say, “I’m scared,” without feeling weak. You can admit, “I messed up,” without fearing abandonment. You can be your weird, awkward, loud, quiet, chaotic self, and it’s not just tolerated, it’s welcome. There’s no need to pretend. No image to maintain. No constant pressure to impress. That kind of emotional freedom is rare. And when you have it in your relationship, everything else gets easier. … You’re not afraid of the hard conversations. Best friends fight. They disagree, they call each other out, they hit rough patches. But the bond stays not because it’s conflict-free, but because it’s honest. You stop being scared of discomfort. You can talk about the awkward stuff: money, mental health, insecurities, boundaries. And those conversations don’t feel like threats. They feel like maintenance. Like care. Because you’re not arguing to win. You’re communicating to understand. … They call you out, with love. Because they care more about who you become than what you build. They’re the ones who’ll say the hard thing when everyone else stays quiet. They won’t hype up your bad idea just to be nice. They won’t pretend you’re okay when they can see you’re falling apart. Not to tear you down but to hold you up. They’ll tell you the truth. The real truth. Even if it stings a little. Even if it means risking an argument. Because to them, protecting your growth matters more than protecting their comfort. When your partner is your best friend, you stop walking on eggshells. You get someone who’s rooting for you, fiercely, honestly, and without filters. That’s not harsh. That’s love, the kind that lasts. … You never feel like you’re “less than.” Friendship has no hierarchy. There’s no one “above” or “below.” No silent competition. No scoreboard. When your partner is your best friend, you don’t feel like you have to shrink yourself to be loved. You feel equal. And that kind of emotional parity? It’s what makes love feel like safety, not survival. When life gets hard, you have a teammate. Not just a lover. Not just someone who shows up on the good days. But someone who’s there when things are messy, uncertain, and scary. Someone who sees you and chooses to stay anyway. Someone who helps carry your load, not add to it. Modern love comes with a lot of filters. But a best friend doesn’t just show up for the highlight reel. … But here’s the thing… Relationships have changed. People date with walls up. Everyone’s scared of getting hurt. We confuse validation for love and aesthetics for depth. We think chemistry is everything. But the reality is: Chemistry fades. Friendship doesn’t. You won’t always feel butterflies. But if you’re with someone who respects you, listens to you, challenges you, and laughs with you, you’re already halfway there. And this isn’t coming from a love guru or someone with a perfect relationship track record. It’s just a simple truth that keeps showing up in real, lasting connections. That’s when love is built on friendship; everything else gets easier. You just need someone who sees you, knows you, and stands beside you. Even when you’re still figuring it all out. — 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: Aziz Acharki On Unsplash The post Modern Love Is Messy. This One Rule Still Works. appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— When I rescued a 1920s wedding photo of my grandparents, it was yellowed, faded, and scratched. So, I tried some traditional tools like Photoshop and retouch pens to restore my picture. Suddenly, I discovered AI-powered old photo restoration as a solution to transform their pictures into a vibrant image. Unlike traditional editing, these tools offer precision and accessibility for beginners to use. In this article, you will explore the 7 most effective old photo restoration tools of 2025. Part 1. Manual vs. AI Old Photo Restoration — What You Should Know Traditional photo restoration techniques have been a dominant feature in the market, which has been overtaken by AI-driven alternatives. To better understand how these two differ in old photo restoration, follow the points discussed below: Manual Restoration Each photo can take hours for restoration in terms of scratches and faded areas. High fees per image are charged to professionally restore old photos. Some tools, such as Photoshop, demand advanced skills, such as retouching techniques. AI Approach It detects surface damage automatically and removes all the scratches effortlessly. Algorithms analyze black-and-white photos and faded areas to restore natural colors. An AI approach can smooth grainy textures and reduce digital noise to preserve low-resolution photos. Part 2. What Criteria Should the Best Old Photo Restoration Tool Meet? There are numerous old photo restoration online free tools in the market, so it is important to set criteria for the best restoration tool, as mentioned below: The best tool offers automatic fixes for common problems, such as color fading. Easy to navigate for beginners and offers a drag-and-drop function with preview features. Batch support is essential for users to process multiple images simultaneously. AI-powered tools ensure security for cloud-based platforms and high-end systems. Quick sharing features and high-quality export are available for the user’s convenience. A good old photo restoration tool should offer free trials and budget-friendly subscription plans. A tool that meets all the above-mentioned criteria for photo restoration is HitPaw FotorPea. This incredible tool offers various image enhancement features with an easy-to-use interface. Part 3. Top 7 Tools to Restore Old Photos in 2025 With so many tools available in the market, a narrowed-down list of the top 7 tools to restore old photos is provided next: 1. HitPaw FotorPea [One-Click AI Enhancement] Planning to post old family pictures, but dealing with scratches and poor lighting? Using HitPaw FotorPea, you can modify facial features with Face Model, remove blemishes with Scratch Model, and apparent blurring of photographs with Blur Model. Key Features The Colorize Model adds vibrant colors to your black and white images. Different Models can be chosen from the Choose Model, such as FLUX, Template, and SD. You can add a text prompt to make your results more accurate and according to your preferences.. Multiple image sizes are offered for users to choose from before old photo restoration. 2. Fotor Fotor offers a range of portrait retouching features, batch editing capabilities, and AI-driven editing techniques like background removal. It performs smoothly on most systems with minimal lag. Key Features Fotor supports multiple image formats, including JPG, PNG, and HEIC. It offers AI-powered features such as Denoising and Upscaling to enhance the overall quality. Multiple photos can be edited at once using a batch photo editor. 3. PhotoGlory This AI-powered tool features an intuitive interface that allows you to restore old photos using colorized mode and remove creases, tears, and scratches. It offers automatic as well as manual colorization. Key Features It helps to add coloration to the photos using Colorize B&W. Photos can be enhanced by retro pics using 100 built-in effects. Damaged photos can also be cropped and straightened using this tool. 4. Picsart Picsart uses AI for old photo restoration to revive damaged photos using an image resizer. It also offers a color correction feature for adjusting color tones and removing objects with Object Remover. Key Features This tool can automatically restore, refine, and enhance photos using an AI-enhanced tool. To upgrade the quality of old photos, use an Image Upscale tool. Renew photos by boosting the image quality using AI Image Enhancer. 5. VanceAI This tool supports features like face enhancement, colorization, and scratch removal. It also delivers automated results for old photo restoration, providing clarity and a natural effect. Key Features AI Photo Repair is used to remove scratches, spots, and other damage from photos. All uploaded images are deleted within 24 hours to provide a safer photo restoration environment. Face enhancement detects human faces in damaged photos and enhances them. 6. AI Ease Restore old photos with AI Ease, an old photo restoration online free tool. It enlivens your precious memories, as it removes and repairs spots and tears, enhances fine details, and improves the clarity of the images. Key Features AI Magic detects the damage automatically and improves all fixes. Free restoration is offered with AI Ease without losing its quality. B&W features black-and-white photos with colorization. 7. PicWish Restore old photos by enlarging them and adding complementary colors through PicWish. It is easy to obtain high-resolution images within seconds using Enhance Portrait and change the background with the “Remove Background” feature. Key Features A watermark remover is offered to remove watermarks from images. Photos can be refined using Product Retouch, and fine details are added. AI Face Cutout is used to get big head cutouts and change their place. Part 4. Which is the Best Tool to Restore Old Photos: An In-depth Tabular Comparison Choosing the right AI old photo restoration tool is challenging; therefore, a table is mentioned below to present a comparison based on their key features: Tools Platform Batch Support Rating Privacy Sharing HitPaw FotorPea Windows, macOS Yes 4.9/5 GDPR Standards Link, email transfer Fotor Windows, Mac, Online Yes 4.2/5 GDPR Standards, CCPA Direct Share to AI Community PhotoGlory Windows Yes 3.9/5 GDPR Standards No Direct Share Picsart Online, iOS, Android Yes 4.5/5 US Straight Privacy Right Link VanceAI Windows, Online Yes 4.8/5 GDPR Standards Not Available AI Ease Online, iOS, Android Yes 4.6/5 AI Ease Privacy Not Available PicWish Online, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Yes 4.8/5 GDPR Standards Not Available Part 5. Old Photo Restoration Online Free vs Dedicated Desktop Photo Restoration: Which is Safer To make our discussion fruitful, old photo restoration online free tools and desktop solutions have been compared in terms of security, limitations, and depth: Security Risks: Desktop software poses minimal risk as online tools are vulnerable to breaching privacy. Limitations: Offline restoration offers no restrictions on the number of uploads, whereas old photo restorer tools have limited file sizes and depend on the internet. Depth of Restoration: These online tools offer automated fixes and light restoration, whereas desktop software offers advanced manual edits, deep restoration, and layered correction. Conclusion: Restore Memories Today To sum up this article, you can restore precious memories with the top 7 essential tools for old photo restoration. Using HitPaw FotorPea, both beginners and professionals are able to achieve the criteria of editing and photo enhancement with outstanding results. — This content is brought to you by Hussain Ali Photos provided by the author. The post 7 Essential Tools to Revive Old Photos with Ease — 2025 Guide appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Stephanie Lam Along International Boulevard in Oakland, a metal fence surrounds a sealed off block. There’s the typical signs of ongoing construction: skeleton frames, workers and trucks full of supplies rolling in and out of the area. Come next year, however, the dilapidated site will transform into affordable housing units and a dental clinic. The future five-story building, named Flicker, will have 32,500 square-feet of space. The ground floor will feature a cultural community center and a dental clinic with 20 patient rooms. Above, 76 brand new apartments will be built for local families in need. The completed project is expected to bring more than 50 long-term jobs to the community. It’s an initiative spearheaded by the Native American Health Center (NAHC) in collaboration with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, a Berkeley-based affordable housing developer. Housing advocates say Flicker’s arrival provides much-needed relief to Oaklanders as the city, and wider Bay Area, grapples with rising income inequality among residents and skyrocketing housing prices. Chirag Patel, NAHC’s director of planning and development, says many of NAHC’s members who need affordable health care also struggle to find a stable place to live. Oakland is especially in need of more affordable housing options, he says. “As an Oakland resident, you see tent cities, and all these [housing concerns] happening in the community,” he says. “I see the need out there growing and compounding year after year.” The NAHC is a nonprofit that serves the Bay Area’s Native population and other underserved communities. The region’s population of Indigenous people native to the Bay Area is currently around 18,500, and is projected to grow over the next few decades, according to U.S Census data. The center provides a mix of health, vision, behavioral and dental care for 15,000 members annually across its 17 facilities in Alameda, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties. In the past few years, the Bay Area has seen real estate prices rise due to high market demands but limited housing options. Residents say they are struggling to afford even the simplest apartments and rental spaces. In Oakland, for instance, city data reveals almost half of all rental households are rent-burdened, meaning they spent more than 30 percent of their annual income on rent. In Alameda County, which Oakland is a part of, renters need to earn $49.66 per hour — three times the city’s minimum wage — in order to afford the average monthly asking rent of $2,582. In Oakland, a family of four needs to make roughly $120,800 or less to be considered low-income, according to California’s Department of Housing and Development. The new housing project is already revealing how great the need is for affordable housing, according to Nicole Guzman, a project manager for Satellite Affordable Housing Associates. The nonprofit is overseeing Flicker’s housing applications, which opened and closed in July. For the 76 spaces available, there are more than 1,470 applicants, Guzman says. The building contains one-, two- and three-bedroom units, and rents will range from 20 to 60 percent of the area’s median income. In Alameda County, that range is between roughly $31,140 to 93,420 for a family of four. “We are aiming to start moving in by the end of the year,” Guzman says. The apartments themselves are called Flicker Bird Homes. NAHC chose the name to honor California’s Native people, who use feathers from the Northern Flicker bird in traditional regalia and headdresses. “These feathers are deeply meaningful, representing strength, continuity and spiritual connection,” according to the center. The development, which began construction in 2024, will cost about $90 million. Funding for the building comes from NAHC funds, community donations, and state and federal dollars; Patel says one of the biggest federal sources was $8 million in Community Project Funding requested by former State Sen. Nancy Skinner. Flicker is the NAHC’s largest housing and health center. The center collaborated with other affordable housing developers to open a similar model — Seven Directions Apartment, also along International Boulevard in Fruitvale — in 2008. The first and second floors of the complex are a health clinic while the upper floors have 36 housing units. “We’re seeing this model as something that’s innovative and new and exciting and clearly speaks to multiple community needs at once,” Patel says. He says the Seven Directions project has received positive feedback from community members. Many said they appreciated the convenience of having dental and medical clinics so close to their homes. In addition to housing, Flicker will welcome 20 new dental treatment rooms. These facilities will help serve 10,000 new NAHC members. The NAHC noticed that dental services especially were in high demand, according to Patel. The surrounding clinics currently don’t have the capacity to meet the community’s dental needs, with some NAHC members waiting six months to a year for an appointment. To help grow the number of Native American cultural spaces in the Bay Area, a community center will also be built at Flicker that can fit up to 300 people. The site will be a welcoming place for critical services, cultural events, community gatherings and educational workshops, Patel says. Patel says the overall sentiment for Flicker, especially for the cultural center, has been a mix of “curiosity, excitement and gratitude.” “It’s a big need in the Oakland community to have a safe space for folks to gather of that size,” he says. Lorena Rivera, executive director for the Intertribal Friendship House in Oakland, says she is excited to have these cultural and housing resources available to the city. This past year, the organization hosted a community information session with NAHC for members to learn more about the building and housing application process. Intertribal is an organization that provides different Native American tribes in the Bay Area with cultural programs and spaces. The organization has around 8,000 people participating in our programs each year, from more than 100 different tribes. “Anytime we can acquire more space for the community is a win,” Rivera says. “I’m excited for that too.” This story was co-published with Next City, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on solutions for equitable and just cities. This article first appeared on California Health Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. — Previously Published on calhealthreport.org with Creative Commons License *** – 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 A Native American Health Center Is Building Housing in the Bay Area. Here’s Why appeared first on The Good Men Project. 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— Understanding the basics of contact lenses Before diving into specific tips, it’s essential to understand what contact lenses are and how they work. Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed on the surface of the eye to correct vision. They can address issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Made from materials that allow oxygen to reach the eye, these lenses ensure comfort and maintain eye health. Understanding these basics is crucial for anyone considering or currently using contact lenses. Check the basics here: https://www.contactlenses4us.com/. Different types of contact lenses are available, including soft lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and extended wear lenses. Soft lenses, made from flexible plastics, are popular due to their comfort and ease of use. Rigid gas-permeable lenses are more durable and offer sharper vision for certain eye conditions. Extended wear lenses allow for overnight use, but they require careful monitoring to prevent complications. Knowing these options can help you choose the right lenses for your lifestyle. Proper hygiene practices Maintaining proper hygiene is vital when handling contact lenses. Clean hands are the first line of defense against infections. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your lenses. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel to avoid transferring any particles to your eyes. This simple practice can prevent various eye infections and complications. When it comes to cleaning and storing contact lenses, it’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by your eye care professional. Use the recommended cleaning solution to disinfect your lenses, and never substitute it with water or saliva. Rinsing your lenses with the correct solution removes deposits and bacteria, keeping your eyes safe. Additionally, replace your contact lens case regularly, at least every three months, to avoid contamination. This routine ensures your lenses remain clean and safe to wear. Ensuring comfortable wear Comfort is a priority for contact lens wearers. To achieve this, ensure that your lenses fit properly. Ill-fitting lenses can cause discomfort and even damage your eyes. Visit your eye care professional regularly to check the fit and prescription of your lenses. They can make necessary adjustments to improve comfort and vision. Hydration is another key factor in ensuring comfort. Dry eyes can be a common issue for contact lens users. To combat this, use lubricating eye drops designed for contact lenses. These drops help maintain moisture and reduce irritation. Also, try to blink frequently, especially when using digital devices, to keep your eyes hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can also support eye moisture, contributing to overall comfort. — This content is brought to you by contactlenses4us.com Photo provided by the author. The post Tips for Comfortable and Safe Contact Lens Wear appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Change minds by understanding how people think. It’s not about your ideas. It’s about their way of seeing the world. Get out of your head and into the heart of others to learn how to change minds. 1. Change Minds by Connecting with Their Reality You can’t lead people to a new perspective until they feel seen in their current one. When someone is upset, don’t tell them to calm down. Validate their emotion. Say, “That’s frustrating!” or “I’d be mad, too.” Match their emotional state first. Then guide the shift. 2. Change Minds by Getting Curious, Not Critical Don’t assume someone’s beliefs are irrational. Ask yourself, How are they making sense of this? Find the reasons behind beliefs. Get to the point you can argue for someone’s position, even if it isn’t yours. 3. Influence by Shifting from “Should” to “Could” “Should” creates resistance. Asking what they could do opens possibility. Explore options together. Ask, “What needs to be true for you to consider this alternative?” 4. Influence by Crafting Solutions Together People adopt ideas they help shape. Ask questions that guide reflection: “What would success look like for you?” “What’s the risk if nothing changes?” Create ownership by letting others do the work. The ideas in this post are inspired by the new book The Difference that Makes a Difference by, Josh Davis, PhD, and Greg Prosmushkin. 5. Change Minds by Co-Creating a Desirable Future Help people define what they want, not what they want to avoid. Change is easier when the path forward is energizing, specific, and attainable. Bottom line: Changing minds starts with understanding people. Influence grows not through pressure, but through empathy, clarity, and partnership. Which idea in this post can you apply to your leadership? What is essential to influencing the way people think? How to Change People 3 Creative Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Connection — Previously Published on leadershipfreak 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! *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * 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. On Substack? Connect with us there. — Photo credit: unsplash The post How to Change Minds (Without Losing Yours) appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The Democrats published a note featuring a drawing of a woman’s body and allegedly signed by the US president The Trump administration has reacted to the release of a note that Democrats claim was written by President Donald Trump for Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, dismissing it as “fake news” designed to fuel a political hoax. The note, published Monday as part of congressional documents, included typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, ending with the words: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” It appeared to be signed “Donald” below the waistline of the drawing. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letter was not authentic and reiterated that Trump’s legal team is pursuing a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. “The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire ‘Birthday Card’ story is false. As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” she wrote on X. Leavitt also accused the Journal of deliberately timing its reporting to prevent the White House from responding. “No one is falling for this BS,” Vice President J.D. Vance wrote on X, accusing the Democrats of exploiting Epstein’s victims to smear Trump. “The Democrats don’t care about Epstein. They don’t even care about his victims. That’s why they were silent about it for years.” The Democrats don't care about Epstein. They don’t even care about his victims. That's why they were silent about it for years. The only thing they care about is concocting another fake scandal like Russiagate to smear President Trump with lies. No one is falling for this BS. https://t.co/u3pHgBtQDf — JD Vance (@JDVance) September 8, 2025 Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published the alleged note on social media, asking what “secret” Trump was hiding and demanding the release of additional files. Republican committee chairman James Comer accused Democrats of “cherry-picking documents” from the Epstein estate and pledged to run a comprehensive investigation. The disputed note was included in a professionally bound “birthday book” compiled for Epstein by his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The album contained contributions from dozens of acquaintances, including prominent businessmen and politicians, some of which featured sexual jokes and explicit imagery. Trump has previously dismissed the allegations as a hoax and sued Wall Street Journal owner Rupert Murdoch for libel, seeking $10 billion in damages. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was found dead in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His long association with wealthy and influential figures continues to fuel controversy in Washington, where both parties have accused each other of using the case for political gain. View the full article

My to-do list was a monument to my own importance. I prided myself on juggling multiple projects, saying “yes” to every request, and thriving under pressure. I was productive, efficient, and utterly exhausted. My calendar was a mosaic of colored blocks, but my life felt monochrome. I was achieving a lot, but none of it felt significant. The breakthrough came during a forced slowdown, a period of burnout that left me no choice but to stop. In that silence, a revolutionary thought occurred to me: What if the path to more isn’t doing more, but doing less of what doesn’t matter? This wasn’t about laziness. It was about strategic subtraction. It was the deliberate practice of removing the trivial to make space for the essential. And it led to more meaningful success than I had ever experienced. Here’s how doing less helped me achieve more. … I Swapped “Busy” for “Intentional” I was stuck on a hamster wheel of activity, mistaking motion for progress. I was busy, but I wasn’t moving toward anything that truly mattered to me. The Shift: I started using the 80/20 Principle as my guide. I identified 20% of my activities that were generating 80% of my desired results and my personal satisfaction. I then ruthlessly eliminated, automated, or delegated the other 80%. The Result: I freed up hours each week. This created space for deep, focused work on high-impact projects. By doing less overall, I accomplished more that was actually important. … I Embraced Strategic Neglect I used to believe a good employee or leader had to be across every detail. This led to constant context-switching and shallow work. The Shift: I learned the power of conscious neglect. I permitted myself to not know every piece of information, to not be in every meeting, and to not have an opinion on every minor issue. I focused only on the areas where my input was critical. The Result: My mental energy was no longer diluted across a hundred tiny concerns. I could pour my full focus into the one or two tasks that would truly move the needle. The quality of my work — and my innovative ideas skyrocketed. … I Protected My Energy, Not Just My Time Time management is a myth. You can’t manage time; you can only manage your energy within it. I was scheduling every minute, but was constantly drained. The Shift: I started scheduling breaks and protected them as fiercely as important meetings. I identified the activities that drained me (like unnecessary conference calls) and those that energized me (like strategic thinking walks). I deliberately designed my days to include more of the latter. The Result: My creativity and problem-solving abilities increased dramatically. I was no longer running on empty. By doing less draining work, I had more energy for the work that required my best thinking, leading to better outcomes with less effort. … I Learned the Power of “No” My desire to be helpful had made my calendar a public park for other people’s priorities. My own goals were constantly being postponed. The Shift: I adopted a simple but powerful mantra: “If it’s not a ‘hell yes,’ it’s a ‘no.’” I became intentional with my commitments. Every “yes” to one thing is a “no” to something else, often my own priorities. The Result: My time became my own again. By saying “no” to good opportunities, I was able to say “yes” to the great ones that truly aligned with my goals. This selectivity accelerated my progress in the directions I cared about most. … The Paradox of Less Doing less isn’t about emptiness; it’s about creating space. Space for focus, for energy, for strategic thought, and for a life that isn’t just full, but fulfilling. I achieved more not by adding more tasks, but by removing the wrong ones. I found success not by moving faster, but by having the clarity to know exactly where to go. The world will always encourage you to do more. The real power lies in having the courage to do less. It’s in the space you create that your greatest work and your best life finally have room to grow. — 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: Eilis Garvey on Unsplash The post Why Doing Less Made Me Achieve More appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Introduction to Siding Contractors Near Me When it comes to protecting your home and enhancing curb appeal, siding plays a crucial role. From keeping your house insulated to providing a fresh, modern look, siding is more than just an exterior cover—it’s your home’s first line of defense. That’s why many homeowners search for siding contractors near me when planning repairs or replacements. A trusted siding company can ensure quality installation, durability, and long-lasting beauty. Why Hiring a Professional Siding Company Matters While DIY projects may seem appealing, siding installation is not something to take lightly. Hiring a professional siding company comes with benefits such as: Expertise– Professionals know how to handle different siding materials. Proper Tools & Equipment– Installation requires precision, which is hard to achieve with basic tools. Warranty & Guarantee– Reputable siding contractors offer warranties on both materials and labor. Time & Cost Savings– A siding company can finish the job faster and prevent costly mistakes. In short, investing in a skilled contractor ensures your siding not only looks great but also performs its protective role effectively. Types of Siding Materials Offered by Contractors One of the most important decisions when working with siding contractors is choosing the right material. A reliable siding company will offer multiple options to fit your budget and style. Vinyl Siding Affordable & Durable Low maintenance and available in many colors Resistant to moisture and insects Fiber Cement Siding Long-lasting & Stylish Mimics the look of wood but requires less maintenance Resistant to fire, rot, and pests Wood Siding Classic & Natural Look Offers warmth and timeless beauty Requires regular upkeep to prevent rot and insect damage Metal & Other Options Steel or Aluminum sidingoffers high durability Resistant to fire and extreme weather Great for modern and industrial-style homes How to Choose the Best Siding Contractors Near Me Finding the right contractor can feel overwhelming, but focusing on a few key factors helps: Check Online Reviews– Look for feedback on Google, Yelp, or the company’s website. Ask for References– A professional siding company should provide past project details. Verify Licenses & Insurance– Always ensure contractors are properly licensed and insured. Get Multiple Quotes– Compare services and pricing before making a decision. Look at Experience– Contractors with years of experience usually provide better results. Top Benefits of Hiring a Local Siding Company Choosing local siding contractors near me provides additional benefits: Quick Response– Local companies are easier to reach for inspections and repairs. Knowledge of Local Climate– They understand how weather affects siding materials in your region. Community Trust– Local siding companies rely on reputation, so they often deliver better service. Support for Local Business– Hiring locally helps strengthen your community’s economy. Cost Factors: What to Expect from Siding Services The cost of siding installation or replacement varies depending on several factors: Factor Impact on Cost Material Type Vinyl is usually the cheapest, while fiber cement and wood are more expensive. Home Size Larger homes require more materials and labor. Labor Charges Experienced siding contractors may charge higher fees but deliver quality work. Repairs & Prep Work Removing old siding or repairing damage increases costs. On average, homeowners spend between $5,000 and $15,000 on siding installation, depending on material and home size. Always ask your siding company for a clear estimate before starting the project. Signs You Need Siding Repair or Replacement Not sure if it’s time to call siding contractors? Look out for these warning signs: Cracks or Gaps in the siding panels Warping or Buckling from water damage or poor installation Fading or Peeling Paint that affects curb appeal Mold, Mildew, or Rot around the siding edges Rising Energy Bills due to poor insulation If you notice these issues, it may be time to hire a siding company for inspection and repair. Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Siding Contractor Before signing a contract, be sure to ask: What siding materials do you specialize in? Do you provide a written estimate? How long will the project take? What warranties do you offer on labor and materials? Can I see photos of your previous work? Asking these questions ensures transparency and helps you choose the right siding company. Why Tino’s Inc. is a Trusted Siding Company Near You If you’re searching for siding contractors near me, Tino’s Inc. stands out as a trusted choice. Here’s why: Expert Installation– Skilled professionals with years of experience Variety of Materials– From vinyl to fiber cement, offering flexible options Affordable Pricing– Competitive rates with transparent quotes Local Reputation– Known in the community for reliable siding services Customer Satisfaction– Many homeowners trust Tino’s Inc. for long-lasting results Whether you need siding repair, replacement, or a full installation, Tino’s Inc. ensures your home stays protected and stylish. Conclusion: Finding the Right Siding Contractors Near Me Your home’s siding is more than just a design element—it’s essential for protection, insulation, and value. By hiring a reliable siding company, you ensure quality work, durable materials, and peace of mind. If you’re searching for siding contractors near me, don’t settle for less—choose a trusted name like Tino’s Inc. and give your home the protection it deserves. — This content is brought to you by Mala Khan iStockPhoto The post Top Siding Contractors Near Me: Trusted Siding Company Services for Your Home appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The US president’s son has accused social media activists of hypocrisy Donald Trump Jr. has criticized social media users who display the Ukrainian flag in their online profiles but have remained silent about the recent killing of a young Ukrainian woman in North Carolina. Irina Zarutskaya, who fled Ukraine after the escalation of the conflict in 2022, was fatally stabbed on August 22 while riding a Charlotte light rail train. Surveillance footage released by authorities over the weekend shows her being ambushed and brutally attacked from behind. “Strangely, all the clowns with Ukraine flags in their bio are also all silent on this one,” Trump Jr. wrote on X on Monday. Strangely, all the clowns with Ukraine flags 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 in their bio are also all silent on this one. https://t.co/IxqKINziU8 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 8, 2025 His post came in response to conservative podcast host Liz Wheeler, who shared a screenshot of a New York Times search for the victim’s name. The search showed no results related to the 23-year-old’s murder, in contrast with thousands of articles the outlet published on George Floyd, whose 2020 death in police custody triggered nationwide unrest. President Donald Trump also addressed the killing in a statement on Truth Social, calling the video “horrific” and blaming Democratic leaders for enabling repeat offenders to remain on the streets through policies such as cashless bail. “Now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail,” he wrote, also questioning why the mainstream media has been “silent” on the case. Both Trump and his son have framed the incident as an example of selective outrage and double standards in US politics and media coverage, particularly in cases involving victims who do not fit prevailing political narratives. Police arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, a man with a long criminal history, and charged him with first-degree murder. He is being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center without bond, pending further psychiatric evaluation. View the full article

. Here is a summary of the transcript from YouTube, slightly edited with AI. Did You Miss It? What a lot of us are afraid of when we say sorry is that we will get eaten. Yes. Like if I show weakness and admit fault, I can’t trust the other person not to take full advantage of the fact that I’m admitting some fault. Hey, you seem to have perked up. He’s been really miserable all day. He has been a bit sheepish, hasn’t he? Yeah. Down. Oh, I was absolutely gutted, Steve. I’ve been beside myself. Why is that, Matt? Well, you remember the Dating Made Simple event I did on the 20th? The one attended by over 10,000 people. Lovely day. I missed it. Do you mean you missed it? I missed it. I was so busy doing the event, I wasn’t able to see it, and I wanted to see how I did. Ah, that makes sense. Well, you do know you can just go online and watch the whole event again right now? You are a liar and a cheat and a deceptionist. No, it’s just a fact. If you go to lovelifereplay.com, you can watch the whole event in its full glory. Here you go. I pulled it up on my phone. Oh, I suppose there it is right there. Sorry about the whole deceptionist thing. No, it’s fine. Well, it does say here that you can only watch this until the 30th of May. That’s right. So if you want to see it, and I will be watching it right now after this podcast, go to lovelifereplay.com—but only until the 30th of May. Unpacking the Red Flag of Defensiveness Defensiveness is self-protection in the form of denying responsibility, making excuses, or flipping blame to someone else. You’re never really taking accountability. You might say, “Oh, it’s not my fault we’re late—you always take forever.” This is one of the ultimate red flags that makes relationships really hard, because if someone can’t take ownership and can’t say sorry, then they can’t grow. They can’t improve. A psychologist once told me that narcissism is often associated with incompetence. The reason is that narcissists have an almost impossible time admitting fault. And if you can’t admit fault, you can’t learn. If you can’t learn, you can’t improve. So you remain incompetent. This happens in relationships all the time. Even if someone does improve, they often do it quietly, away from you, without humility. It’s not about, “I’ve heard you, and I’m going to improve this for us.” Instead, it becomes a solitary journey. That’s why being in a relationship with someone who can never apologize and who only gets defensive is such a lonely experience. In my opinion, it’s one of the biggest red flags. And the blaming always comes with it. If you can’t take responsibility, you shift it to the other person. “You’re crazy.” “You’re overreacting.” “You’re too much.” All of those things. Why Stonewalling Feels Like a Betrayal Stonewalling means withdrawing from interaction to avoid conflict. Shutting down. Going silent. Walking away without resolution. The problem is that it makes your partner feel abandoned and disconnected. You don’t solve things together. They’re left to just “move on” because you won’t engage. That can feel incredibly lonely and activating for someone—almost like a betrayal. I liken it to a child left alone to cry. At first, there’s fear and survival panic. But eventually, because it’s too painful to stay in that state, the child goes numb. They dissociate. The same thing happens in relationships when someone stonewalls: we’re left ruminating until we either dissociate or distract ourselves, but we lose a deep sense of safety. It’s like: “I can’t trust you with my emotions. I don’t trust you not to hold me hostage.” That breaks something in the relationship. It feels like a loss of innocence, because you realize you’re not playing by the same rules. If I saw you hurting, I’d want to comfort you. But when I was hurting, you froze me out and then came back acting as if nothing happened. I can’t trust you with my feelings anymore—and I resent you for it. “Keeping Score” So much of this comes down to the idea of keeping score. Many of us were raised to believe relationships are power struggles—that someone always loves more, that there’s always a seesaw of who’s on top. Often, people with wounds from childhood try to control their way into feeling safe. On the extreme end, that becomes narcissism. But on the less toxic side, it’s simply people who aren’t emotionally mature enough to see they’re putting their partner on the back foot to feel in control. The truth is, a relationship can only thrive if it’s a partnership of equals. Two people coming to the table willing to be wrong, willing to apologize, willing to work on themselves. Relationships that succeed are built on humility, not power games. In Order to Admit Fault, We Have to Feel Safe A lot of us are afraid that if we say sorry, we’ll get eaten alive. That our admission of fault will be the only truth of the situation and we’ll lose all our power. This usually comes from past dynamics where being wrong was shameful or unsafe. We felt we couldn’t admit fault without being punished for it. And so, we stop feeling safe enough to admit when we’re wrong. But to admit fault, we have to feel safe. Audrey, you’ve been a healing presence for me in this. Even though I’m generally good at taking ownership in life, I carried a fear in romantic relationships about admitting fault. It felt too vulnerable. But you were always willing to approach it with generosity toward my character, reminding me of the good in me, even when I messed up. That created safety. And you also modeled it. Even when I was the one who owed the apology, you were still willing to say, “I know I didn’t approach that very well.” That healed something in me, because I realized arguments don’t have to be about one person being “the bad one.” How to Show Up in Arguments If you’re arguing, you should both be sorry. Unless one person is literally doing nothing wrong and being yelled at, arguments usually involve two people contributing to the conflict. There’s almost always something both can own. The way you show up matters. It’s about strength—expecting people to own their mistakes. But it’s also about humility—being willing to own your part. And it’s about generosity of spirit—acknowledging the best in someone even while they’re apologizing. Strength, humility, and generosity together are incredibly powerful. They solve so many of the issues we’ve been talking about: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling. That combination creates a truly great relationship. Restore Your Hope If you want to restore your hope in love and the ability to find something real, go to lovelifereplay.com. You can watch the replay of the live online event I did on May 20th, attended by thousands of people, where I shared a plan for finding enduring love in today’s chaotic dating world. If you’re tired of situationships, casual flings, or people who never invest, and you want something real, watch the replay before it goes away on May 30th. Once it’s retired, it won’t be available anymore. Don’t miss it: lovelifereplay.com. — This post was previously published on YouTube. Blog → https://www.howtogettheguy.com/blog/ Facebook → https://facebook.com/CoachMatthewHussey Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thematthewh… Twitter → https://twitter.com/matthewhussey ▼ Connect with Stephen ▼ Youtube → https://bit.ly/StephenHusseyYoutube Instagram → http://bit.ly/StephenHusseyIG *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. — Photo credit: unsplash The post The Subtle Habits That Kill Relationships (Without You Realizing) appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— In an era of on-demand digital experiences, the evolution of streaming platforms has drastically reshaped how audiences consume content. As technology continues to shift, businesses are rapidly adapting to stay ahead in the competitive OTT (Over-the-Top) market. From smart TVs to connected devices, consumers demand immersive, intuitive, and consistent experiences across platforms — and companies like Oxagile are helping bring those visions to life through custom media and entertainment solutions. The Growing Demand for Cross-Platform Streaming With the global OTT market projected to reach $316 billion by 2027, media companies are prioritizing innovation to deliver high-performance, scalable, and personalized content streaming platforms. Viewers now expect: Seamless cross-device synchronization High-quality video delivery AI-driven content recommendations Real-time analytics for viewer behavior Delivering such complex requirements requires robust engineering, architectural foresight, and expertise across platforms — including Roku, one of the most widely used streaming ecosystems in the U.S. Why Roku Remains a Powerful Force in OTT Ecosystems Roku commands a significant portion of the U.S. streaming device market, with over 80 million active accounts as of 2025. Its simplicity, affordability, and expansive channel ecosystem make it a preferred choice for content publishers and viewers alike. However, building apps for Roku requires deep understanding of its proprietary development environment (SceneGraph and BrightScript), performance constraints, and unique UI/UX demands. This is where roku application development services become critical for businesses seeking to launch high-impact channels tailored for the platform. Oxagile’s Expertise in OTT and Roku Solutions Oxagile has established itself as a trusted technology partner for media brands, broadcasters, and content aggregators looking to unlock digital potential. With a strong focus on custom video delivery platforms, the company provides end-to-end OTT engineering services — from video CMS and backend architecture to cross-platform app development and monetization integrations. In the context of roku application development, Oxagile offers: 1. Custom Roku Channel Development Oxagile’s Roku engineers craft bespoke channels with native BrightScript coding and SceneGraph frameworks. Their development services span VOD (Video on Demand), live streaming, hybrid monetization models (AVOD/SVOD), and enhanced features like: Continue watching In-app purchases DRM integration Roku Pay enablement 2. Design and UX Optimization Roku users often navigate via remote control, not touch screens. Oxagile optimizes navigation flows, menu structures, and content grids to ensure frictionless user journeys that align with Roku’s visual and technical standards. 3. Analytics and Monetization Integration By integrating third-party analytics tools (e.g., Roku Analytics, Google Analytics for Roku) and monetization SDKs, Oxagile enables clients to track KPIs like ad impressions, viewer retention, and conversion rates — fueling data-backed decisions. 4. Cross-Platform Media Ecosystem Support For brands operating across multiple platforms (Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Web, Mobile), Oxagile ensures synchronized backend management and consistent brand experiences across all devices — with Roku as a core component. Real-World Impact: Future-Ready OTT Applications Whether it’s launching a niche streaming service for a targeted audience or scaling an enterprise-grade media solution, businesses need a partner that understands the nuances of video delivery, compliance, and scalability. Oxagile’s ability to merge AI-powered personalization, microservices architecture, and Roku app expertise gives clients a competitive edge in the market. Some notable success areas include: AI-driven recommendation engines Real-time audience analytics dashboards Secure DRM workflows for premium content Serverless backends for cost-effective scalability Final Thoughts As OTT platforms become the new norm for media consumption, companies cannot afford to rely on generic streaming templates. Custom development — especially on high-impact platforms like Roku — enables deeper engagement, revenue growth, and long-term user retention. With its holistic approach and proven track record, Oxagile stands at the forefront of the streaming revolution — helping clients not just build apps, but shape future-ready digital experiences that captivate and convert. Whether you’re a broadcaster, sports league, education provider, or media startup, Oxagile’s roku application development services can turn your content vision into a fully immersive, scalable streaming platform. — This content is brought to you by Hassan Javed iStockPhoto The post Embracing Innovation: The Rise of Custom Media Platforms and the Future of Roku Application Development appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Beata Mostafavi Transitioning from diapers to the toilet is a major step for young children — and their parents. Now a report shines a light on just how bumpy that journey can be. One in five parents say their child had potty anxiety during toilet training and another one in five say the process was harder than they expected, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. “Learning to use the toilet is a major step in a young child’s development and requires time, patience, and consistency,” said Mott Poll Co-Director and Mott pediatrician Susan Woolford, M.D. “Our report demonstrates that parents are approaching potty training thoughtfully but for many families and their kids, the process often includes setbacks, frustrations, and moments of uncertainty.” The nationally representative report – based on 820 responses from parents of children ages one to six – found that more than half of parents started potty training around age two. However, 21% began earlier, and another 22% waited until age three. Most felt they chose the right time, though a small number said they may have started too early or too late. Timing isn’t everything Parents factored in a variety of reasons before starting potty training. Some needed their child to be out of diapers to enter daycare or preschool. Others were motivated by the cost of diapers — with one in five saying this financial burden played a role in the decision. “Waiting until a child is truly ready can make the process smoother for everyone,” Woolford said. “Pushing it too soon often leads to frustration and delays. But some families don’t have the flexibility to wait.” Readiness signs can include staying dry for longer periods, showing interest in the bathroom, following simple instructions, and being able to help dress or undress themselves. Some children may also hide when they need to go or start mimicking adult bathroom behavior. Common struggles, from regression to resistance Among parents who reported difficulty, the most common challenges included a child’s refusal to cooperate, busy family schedules, coordination between home and daycare, and household disruptions. Children may resist for a range of reasons, Woolford notes, from fear of flushing noises to discomfort with adult-sized toilets. Some may struggle with this type of change. Even once progress is made, regression is common: about a third said their child seemed trained but then took a step back. Eight percent reported issues with constipation or encopresis. “Potty training isn’t always a straight path,” Woolford said. “Understanding that it’s a gradual process can help parents stay patient. Setbacks are normal, particularly when there are stressful events in the child’s life such as a new sibling or a move to a new home.” Routines and a calm approach work best Parents reported using a variety of strategies to support their child during potty training. The most common ones included taking their child to the toilet regularly, offering small rewards, letting their child go diaper-free during the day, or turning the process into a game or something fun. Another 16% tried the “three-day potty training” method, which can work well when time is short but may feel too intense or stressful for some families, Woolford says. For children with high potty anxiety, Woolford recommends turning the bathroom into a pressure-free space where they can read books or play songs that help them feel more relaxed. Simple tools like sticker charts, potty-only toys, and consistent routines can also go a long way as well as using a child-sized potty to help kids feel more secure. “Regardless of the method, the most important things are consistency, encouragement, and keeping the experience as low-pressure and supportive as possible,” Woolford said. “If a child continues to struggle, especially if there’s pain, withholding, or ongoing anxiety, parents should talk to their pediatrician for guidance and support.” Sign up for Health Lab newsletters today. Get medical tips from top experts and learn about new scientific discoveries every week. Sign up for the Health Lab Podcast. Add us wherever you listen to your favorite shows. — Previously Published on michiganmedicine.org with Creative Commons License *** – 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. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post Potty Pressure: 1 in 5 Parents Report Struggles With Toilet Training appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Alex Orellana for Instacart While we’re still in the thick of summer, many are already looking forward to what they consider the best time of year: pumpkin spice season. This iconic fall flavor often makes its debut while it’s still technically summer, which inspired Instacart to explore how popular pumpkin spice products are nationwide and when they’re showing up in carts.Pumpkin Spice Seasonality If it feels like pumpkin spice season creeps up earlier every year, you’re not imagining it. In 2024, the seasonal peak for orders containing pumpkin spice items occurred on September 17, a full 10 days earlier than in 2023. But this early surge came with a faster cooldown, with demand taking a dip by the end of the month. There’s also a reliable second spike in late November, likely driven by Thanksgiving’s fondness for all things squash and spice. Flavor Explosion: Fastest-Growing Pumpkin Spice Items In addition to the usual suspects, pumpkin spice is finding its way into new corners of the pantry and beyond! Check out the top 10 growing product categories for pumpkin spice in 2024: Pumpkin Spice is a clear seasonal favorite, and it’s also evident that people are looking for new ways to incorporate this flavor into their meals and homes. From starting your day with a dose of protein in Greek and Icelandic Yogurt, to filling your home with the scent of pumpkin spice, this trend shows there is no one way to enjoy it. Cream of the Crop: What’s Stirring in Coffee This Fall Coffee creamer is one of the easiest ways to transform a plain cup of coffee into a seasonal treat, delivering that perfect blend of spice and sweetness. While longtime favorites like Coffee mate and International Delight remain go-to picks for pumpkin spice lovers, health-forward options like nutpods and Laird Superfood are fan favorites in their own right. Pumpkin spice flavored creamers are up 1,459%* during the fall compared to the rest of the year, which brings up the other flavors people are buying to jazz up their morning cup of joe. Here’s what Instacart found: *Methodology: Instacart calculated the share of grocery orders on the Instacart platform that contained Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee creamer in September-November 2024 and calculated the percentage difference from the rest of 2024. And while there are nationwide favorites, it’s evident that there are also regional preferences when it comes to coffee creamers, and Americans have diverse taste when it comes to their ideal creamer: Nuts for Coconut: States like Oregon, Arizona, Hawai‘i, and Alaska crowned coconut as their top creamer. Sweet on Sweet Cream: The Carolinas and Virginia love a smooth, sweet finish to their morning brew. Massachusetts’ Pick? Coffee Cake: Why just have it on the side when you can sip it too? Who is the Pumpkin Spiciest? Drumroll, please…West Virginia tops the pumpkin spice leaderboard, ordering 91% more pumpkin spice products than the national average. Pennsylvania (+56%) and Oklahoma (+52%) round out the top three. On the flip side, Hawai‘i takes the title for the least pumpkin-spicy state, ordering 63% less than average. From lattes to waffles, yogurt, air fresheners, and baby food, pumpkin spice has become a true seasonal staple. This story was produced by Instacart 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 Falling for Pumpkin Spice: A Fan Favorite Returns to Aisles Early This Season appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The US president has accused the Democrats of letting “a mentally deranged lunatic” roam the streets President Donald Trump has condemned the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, describing the incident as a “horrific” act committed by a “mentally deranged lunatic,” according to a statement posted Monday on Truth Social. The victim, Irina Zarutskaya, left Ukraine after the escalation of the conflict in 2022 and was killed on August 22 while riding the city’s Lynx Blue Line. Surveillance video released by authorities over the weekend shows Zarutskaya being ambushed from behind and stabbed multiple times in the neck by a man later identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown. Trump referenced the footage in both his social media post and during a public speech in Washington, D.C., saying the suspect had been arrested and released 14 times on cashless bail and should not have been free at the time of the killing. “What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP,” Trump wrote. “The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and ‘Wannabe Senator’ Roy Cooper,” he added. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged Brown with first-degree murder. Officials say he had a long criminal history, including armed robbery, and had previously served more than six years in prison. A judge ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation earlier this year, but the assessment was not completed. Trump also criticized the media’s response to the killing, asking, “Where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?” During his remarks at the Museum of the Bible, Trump said, “We’re all people of religion, but there are evil people. We have to confront that. If we don’t handle that, we don’t have a country.” Authorities confirmed that Zarutskaya died at the scene. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the attack and is currently being held pending further psychiatric evaluation. View the full article

… I want to sacrifice for something… Something true. Something that feels real. Something that helps me affirm that all of this nonsense I’m forcing myself to comply with, just because the world I live in today makes it seem important, is actually completely unnecessary. No, not just unnecessary… But…threatening to the thing that calls me. It’s something old. Ancestral. Something that demands answers. Something more than just transactions and work and fitting in. Something that doesn’t feel like a searing, heavy chain holding down a lively, fantastical soul. … Here’s the thing about sacrifice though: It doesn’t play for any team. It exists regardless of what we want, and even more so when we act. And I think that’s something we don’t understand when we’re trying to choose. There is no such thing as no sacrifice. The flaw of any human brain that dreams, is that it convinces us, we convince ourselves, that we can have it all. And even if we get the “all”, wealth, the job, the vacations, the partner and two kids…we had to sacrifice to get these too. In process, we have to sacrifice time, indulgence, money, our own ego, our rest, our time with friends, our hobbies. We have to sacrifice all other paths, even when we decide, with complete unapologetic satisfaction, in what we want. … So, what’s the lesson? What question must we answer? I think, it’s that we must fall fully into one path. It’s unavoidable. We must gather the few most important things to us and give every part of our being to them. Or else, the worst thing that could come from a life happens: Mediocrity. Because we can’t choose to give up having every option. Can you really imagine FOMO being the thing that steals your life? When we can’t choose to sacrifice, we sacrifice all the amazing experiences we can’t even see that lie on the chosen path. Things that would take steps in directions we didn’t expect that would lead us to the unfathomable. When we can’t choose to sacrifice, we lose our growth, our strength, our social attractiveness, our lust for life. And we end up cycling ourselves into a fear that makes us feel like someone we can’t stand to be, and without even knowing why. We find ourselves as the indecisive, the dull and unattractive, the bitter. The body and mind used as pawn with no power but forward, flailing movement through mortality, waiting for time or enemy to end us. … So, what do we do? Trusting ourselves to be our greatest ally. Trusting and executing on the sacrificial fires. Burning off the parts of us that have never fit. And more importantly, bringing everything we love into our lives that we fear, because only the exposure can prove to us what is real for us, and what is false and burn-worthy. Finding out what we would do anything for and sacrifice all other things for, and not talking ourselves out of it. And if it’s right… If it truly is for you, and not something to make you just feel important or to do right by others, the release of all other things should feel like freedom. Maybe not at first. Opinions of you might change. Others may be confused, hurt, or aggressive toward you. But what matters more? Filling your life with intentional direction? Or a constant anxiousness about which path to choose and never choosing because of what you might lose? WHEN YOU CHOOSE ONE LIFE, ALL OTHERS MUST DIE. Truth and Love, Reader. If you like my writing and the things I question, you might(I mean…probably) also like my newsletter. If not, you can still get all my stories here on Medium! Substack is where you can subscribe to my newsletter and get not just my medium stories, but chat with me directly, have access to all of my content in one place, and have access to The Art of Questioning audio. Only at https://zackaryhenson.substack.com There are so many great stories on Medium! If you want to have access to some of the best writing by thousands of creators, start your membership with the link below, which will also support my writing. Remember…question everything! https://zackaryhenson.medium.com/subscribe — 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: Ryan Carpenter On Unsplash The post What Should We Sacrifice? appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The US has reportedly terminated Biden-era agreements to jointly police “disinformation” The United States has withdrawn from a series of international agreements aimed at countering alleged foreign “disinformation,” effectively ending joint efforts with EU governments to police online content, the Financial Times has reported, citing unnamed European officials. The US State Department notified participating nations last week that it would terminate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed under the Biden administration, according to the report published on Monday. The agreements with some 22 countries, mainly in Europe and Africa, were part of a broader initiative led by the now-defunct Global Engagement Center (GEC). The GEC was formally disbanded in April after congressional Republicans blocked a funding renewal in December. Originally established in 2011 to fight online terrorist propaganda, the center’s mandate was later expanded to cover alleged foreign state-backed “disinformation.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously characterized the GEC as a taxpayer-funded tool for political suppression, alleging it was used by the Biden administration to target conservative voices under the guise of combating propaganda. “Under the previous administration, this office... spent millions of dollars to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving,” Rubio said in April. The move marks another step in a broader campaign by President Donald Trump to dismantle “ineffective” institutions perceived as vehicles for political censorship. Since taking office, Trump has also defunded the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees the Cold War-era broadcasters Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), widely regarded as Western propaganda outlets. Washington has also pushed back against the EU’s Digital Services Act, which mandates the removal of content deemed illegal or harmful. US diplomats were reportedly ordered in August to lobby against the legislation, calling it a threat to free expression and a burden on American tech firms. Critics of the EU law have argued that it institutionalizes censorship across the bloc and unfairly targets non-EU media and platforms. The EU imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian media after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Outlets like RT, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti have all been banned across the bloc, while their personnel have been targeted with sanctions. Moscow described the crackdown as “global censorship and a regime of zero tolerance for dissenting opinions.” View the full article