For centuries, humans have turned to the natural world for healing. Among the many remedies passed down through cultures, essential oils have always stood out. These concentrated plant extracts carry not only the fragrant essence of herbs, flowers, and roots but also therapeutic properties that have been recognized in both ancient traditions and modern science. Today, essential oils are especially popular for supporting mental health and emotional well-being, but their history and effectiveness go far deeper than just creating a pleasant aroma.

Following our exploration of holistic medicine, it’s only natural to dive deeper into one of its oldest and most enduring practices: herbal remedies. Across centuries and continents, humans have turned to plants for healing. From easing minor ailments to supporting long-term chronic conditions like diabetes, herbal medicine has been foundational in traditional healthcare systems long before modern Western medicine emerged.

On December 6, 2023, I completed “The Craft of the Plot” — the first course in the Creative Writing Specialization on Coursera. Even though I already have published books under my name, I chose to take this course because I believe you’re never too old to learn something new. Writing, like life, is about growth, and every step toward learning helps me see stories and characters in fresh ways.

Every missing child’s story is heartbreaking, but too often, some cases slip through the cracks of media coverage. Tamika Middleton is one such child—a young Black girl whose tragic death highlights systemic disparities in how we pay attention to child safety. Thanks to a reader, Andre B., for bringing her story to our attention and reminding us that every child’s life matters.

Every major change in child protection policy often comes after heartbreak. The AMBER Alert system is no exception. Its origins trace back to one tragic event that shocked the nation and ultimately reshaped how communities respond to child abductions.

In today’s fast-paced world, health often gets reduced to a checklist of symptoms, medications, and quick fixes. But what if true wellness meant more than just treating what’s wrong? Enter holistic medicine, a health philosophy that looks at the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—rather than just isolated symptoms.

Recently I came across someone invoking Genesis 12:3 — “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” — as justification for blind support of the Israeli government. To put it plainly, that kind of reasoning is not only dangerous, it is a betrayal of the very faith it claims to defend. When Christians hide behind scripture to excuse the starvation of children and the oppression of civilians, they expose themselves as fake Christians — people who weaponize the Bible but ignore Christ.

On a warm summer evening in July 2000, the sleepy village of Kingston Gorse in West Sussex, England, was bathed in golden light. Children darted through fields, chasing one another in a game of hide-and-seek while parents chatted nearby. It was the kind of idyllic rural evening that makes you think nothing bad could possibly happen here.

In the still shadows of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, a 13-year-old boy named Dylan Redwine vanished into a heartbreaking silence that would echo for nearly a decade.

On July 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14321, titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” This alarming directive encourages states to criminalize and institutionalize people experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental illness—even when no crime has been committed.

The air in Ciudad Bruma was thick that night—26°C, but the kind of heat that stuck to your skin like guilt. A warm wind rustled through the open balcony of Nico’s apartment, stirring the blinds just enough to cast ghostlike shadows on the wall. He lay shirtless on his bed, phone in hand, scrolling through Instagram reels with the brightness turned all the way down.

Yolanda Rose “LaLa” Brown had a voice that shimmered with promise. A Milwaukee native with dreams larger than her zip code, she was on the brink of making it big when her life was tragically cut short. What happened to LaLa was not just the loss of a rising star—it was a brutal reminder of how often the voices of Black and Brown women are silenced, ignored, and left without justice.