Whether you grew up idolizing her or you came to know her through modern retellings in television and film, Princess Diana remains iconic and immortal in the minds of many across the world. It may have been her style and glamour that drew people in, but it was her empathy and desire for connection that kept her going. For about a decade, Diana was the most photographed woman in the world, through which the public was able to create a parasocial relationship with her. People projected onto her all sorts of stories without understanding the depth of her struggles behind…

At this point, just about everyone has been told that the cure-all for their depression, anxiety, unease, insert any other ailment, is simple — meditate. Many of those people, including myself, have proceeded to sit down and wonder what the hell we are doing. Instead of reaching some sort of nirvana, I just sit quietly and try to not think about my to-do list. Granted, I’ve gotten better over the years. It is, after all, a practice.

But here’s the thing — seated meditation isn’t for everyone. Sure everyone can do it. But the idea that it is suited for…

I walked into a store the other day and saw a whole display table dedicated to pastel pink rosé-themed gifts— mugs, water bottles, t-shirts, tote bags, koozies, keychains, and of course, wine glasses. This obnoxious branding has become so ubiquitous that we don’t even recognize how truly f*cked up it is.

When did we start selling women the idea that their liberation lies in liquor and wine? When did we decide that “living your best life” means one spent sipping on spirits? Or that self-care is drinking wine with your friend, progressively getting louder throughout the night, and remembering nothing…

As the consumers continue to grow in their affinity for purpose-driven and mission-based brands, the need for mindful strategic planning is perhaps more important than ever before. The nonprofit strategy model provides an especially useful tool for those seeking to make a difference or create an impact.

The goal of strategic planning is ultimately to find the unmet needs of your customer and leave competitors behind. How this plays out in the public service and purpose-driven market is slightly different, but it still applies in a way. Meeting unmet needs requires that we give up our long-held assumptions and create…

TRAVEL. EAST AFRICA

Van Morrison’s voice vibrated into my left ear, well my mama told me there will be days like this. This same voice was vibrating into the ear of the little girl, Dori, who was sitting next to me. We were both resting our heads against the seat in front of us. She was holding my hand, tracing the lines of my knuckles. I closed my eyes, feeling the heat of her stare upon my face. I did not mind being seen by her.

Early that morning, I walked, once again under the cover of darkness, to kivukoni — the village…

In 2020, the global menstrual health market reached a value of $21.6 billion (USD). This massive growth can be directly linked to the ever-expanding conversation surrounding menstrual equity. For most of history, periods have been cloaked in shame and taboo. The first disposable pad was invented in 1886 and became commercially available in 1888, back when periods were seen as unhygienic and any conversation about them was completely unbecoming. It wasn’t until 1933 when the first Tampax hit the market. Then inventors and innovators seemed to throw up their hands and assume that was enough to manage menstruation. …

Over the course of the last three years, I’ve lived abroad in East Africa for a year and then traveled literally around the world, including the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

During that time I’ve seen thousands of piles of trash, plastic water bottles, and garbage being burnt because of lacking infrastructure. I’ve lived in places without running water, electricity, or a flushable toilet. Through word of mouth, I’ve discovered locally owned hostels, restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that completely surpassed my expectations. Mostly, I’ve learned how to be more mindful about every single decision I make while traveling…

Imagine if you had to make the choice between food and toilet paper. We would find that ridiculous, wouldn’t we? Both are connected and completely necessary. Yet, every single month millions of women have to make the decision of whether to buy food or menstrual products. On average, a box of tampons costs around $7.62. Without the financial security and stability to afford such products, many women experiencing homeless must turn to McGyvered resources such as socks, plastic bags, rags, and toilet paper. …