Imagine life without emotions — no joy, no love, no sorrow or anger. While this may sound peaceful at first, an existence devoid of...

In the early spring of 2010, my life took an unexpected turn thanks to a simple bottle of kombucha. I still remember that grey, cloudy day in New York City when I first tried GT’s Synergy, a kombucha brand that was just hitting the scene. Hungover and desperate for relief, I purchased the $5 bottle from a small Korean deli in Soho and downed all 16 ounces in one go. To my surprise, my headache eased almost immediately and my energy returned. That one small decision sparked a profound transformation in my life, reshaping not only my health but also my entire worldview. At the time, I was immersed in a high-energy, fast-paced life as a...

On a frigid January day blanketed in snow, thirteen citizens stood hand-in-hand in Sherborn, Massachusetts, forming a human chain in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. It was Inauguration Day—January 20, 2025—and also the Martin Luther King Day of Service. The symbolism could not have been more powerful. In this moment of transition, as the nation held its collective breath, these individuals engaged in peaceful civil disobedience, forming what they called the “Peace Chain,” to sound an alarm about the state of democracy. Among them were Quaker activists Bill Holcombe and Lewis Randa, whose refusal to simply go quietly has led them to face charges of “disturbing the peace.” Rather than accept a quiet dismissal...

For many, the glossy shine of a fresh manicure is a simple luxury—a self-care ritual, a confidence boost, a quiet moment of indulgence. But beneath the polish lies a truth that’s less attractive: our nail care routines may be exposing us, and the workers who perform them, to toxic chemicals with lasting health and environmental consequences. The nail care industry, projected to hit nearly $11 billion globally by 2027, is booming. Salons are packed, new colors launch every season, and nail art has become a thriving online aesthetic. Yet as the demand rises, so does concern around what’s known in the industry as the “Toxic Trio”—a group of harmful chemicals frequently found in nail products that...