The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), once a steadfast guardian of America’s air, water, and ecosystems, is facing an existential crisis. In the wake of...

At first glance, black licorice seems like just another nostalgic candy—rich, sweet, and deeply flavored. But beneath its seemingly innocent exterior lies a lesser-known risk that can turn a beloved treat into a health hazard. The story took a tragic turn in 2020, when a 54-year-old man in Massachusetts died after consuming an excessive amount of black licorice. How could a candy lead to such a severe outcome? The answer lies in the science behind this unique confection. The Toxicology of Licorice: Dose Matters As Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, famously said, “The dose makes the poison.” Black licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin (also known as glycyrrhizic acid), extracted from the root of the licorice plant...

Some stories don’t begin with a single dramatic event, but Mark Mathew Braunstein’s does. On what was supposed to be a joyful celebration—his birthday in 1990—Mark’s leap from a footbridge into a river wasn’t just a dive, but a plunge into a new reality. A misjudged jump left him paralyzed from the waist down. He calls it his “Rebirthday.” And ever since, he’s been navigating life as a born-again pedestrian—one crutch, one challenge, one revelation at a time. A Moment Becomes a Lifetime Before that fateful dive, Mark was like many adventurous souls—active, curious, and perhaps driven by a touch of ego. That day, watching swimmers plunge into the river, he followed suit, partly to impress his...

For over a decade, my husband and I have opened our home to foster children—17 young souls aged 3 to 17, each carrying their own stories etched in trauma. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, one thread unites them all: the deep impact of trauma, often invisible yet profoundly shaping their emotional worlds. Trauma in children can manifest in many ways—emotional turbulence, behavioral struggles, mistrust, and difficulty forming attachments. More than anything, these children need safety, stability, and grounding. But beyond meeting their basic needs, a vital part of their healing journey is learning to self-regulate emotions. This begins with what I call holding space—a practice of co-regulation, where patience, mindfulness, and empathy create...