Columnists
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 · Bartow
The Curious Case of Competing Truths: Can We All Be Right At Once?
In an age defined by opposing viewpoints, Splurge Sullivan dives into the possibility that multiple “truths” can coexist, and the potential value of embracing this complexity.
The Quiet Life Era: Why Everyone's Suddenly Cosplaying Boring
From "deinfluencing" videos to tradwife aesthetics, Gen Z decided chaos exhaustion is the new vibe. Millennials invented oversharing. Gen Z wants to pretend they never logged on.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Slow Burn of "Slow Horses" and Why We Keep Coming Back
Apple TV+'s spy drama doesn't explode onto screens. It seeps in, one bitter joke and botched operation at a time. Four seasons later, it might be the best show nobody talks about enough.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
My Husband Wants to Quit His Job to Stream Video Games Full-Time
A reader's spouse wants to chase his gaming dream—at 42, with two kids and a mortgage. Darla tells her what she needs to hear.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
When Your Parents Can't Afford Retirement—And They're Counting on You
A 34-year-old discovers her parents have no retirement savings and expect her to foot the bill. She wants to help but has her own family to support. What happens when love and financial reality collide?
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
When Your Partner Earns More Than You Do
A reader asks how to handle the tension when his girlfriend makes twice his salary. The answer matters more than you think.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
When Your Dream Job Turns Into a Nightmare
You got the promotion you worked years for, but three months in, you hate it. A reader asks whether to stick it out or admit defeat.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Should I raid my 401(k) to pay off credit cards?
A reader carries $18,000 in credit card debt at 24% interest and wonders if her retirement account offers an escape hatch. Here's why that door leads to a trap.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
When Your Partner Won't Split Housework, Money Becomes the Weapon
A wife who earns less feels she can't demand equal partnership at home. Vera says the real problem isn't who makes what—it's who gets to rest.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
When Your Teen Wants to Quit the Sport You Paid For
A mother faces her daughter's mid-season meltdown over volleyball. Mama Mae weighs in on when to let kids quit and when to make them finish what they started.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Should I Keep Renting or Finally Buy a Starter Home?
A 28-year-old wonders if she should sink her savings into homeownership or keep building her investment accounts. The math might surprise you.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Federal Reserve Just Blinked, and Wall Street Noticed
Jerome Powell's carefully parsed statement yesterday sent bond traders scrambling and mortgage shoppers celebrating. The question now: did the Fed chairman hint at a policy shift, or did markets hear what they wanted to hear?
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Teenager's Lost Wallet Returns with $1,500 Inside and a Note
A 17-year-old grocery store worker dropped his entire summer savings in a parking lot. Two days later, it showed up at his doorstep with every dollar accounted for.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
On Building Something That Lasts
Albert Camus wrote about gardening while the plague raged. His words cut through every shallow productivity hack you've ever bookmarked.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A Japanese Master Captures Spring in Seventeen Syllables
Matsuo Basho watched a frog jump into an old pond in 1686, and the ripples from that moment still reach us today. His haiku reminds us that poetry doesn't need grandeur to hold the whole world.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
I Choose One Thing Today
Before you drown in your to-do list, try this: pick the single task that would make today feel complete. Not everything. Just one.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Am I Settling? Decoding the "Good Enough" Relationship
Is "comfortable" the same as "right"? A reader wrestles with their feelings in a long-term relationship, and Zoe Speaks Truth.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Price of Privacy: Are We Paying Too Much?
In an age of digital footprints, the debate rages on: how much personal data are we willing to trade for convenience and connection? The scales are tipping, and perhaps it's time we re-evaluate the cost.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Unlocking the Secrets of "Fibonacci" Finance: Making Math Your Money's Best Friend
Think the Fibonacci sequence is just for academics? Think again! This mathematical marvel can offer surprising insight into managing your finances and investments.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Algorithm of Affection: Decoding Mixed Signals
Navigating the dating world can feel like trying to solve an unsolvable equation. This week, we tackle the enigma of mixed signals and the art of deciphering romantic intent.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Finding Focus: Taming the To-Do Tornado
Feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks? This week, we help a reader break free from the chaos and rediscover productive serenity, with actionable tips you can use today.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Gift of the Gab? Or the Grift of the Nag?
One reader finds themselves on the receiving end of unsolicited advice. Darla helps them decide when to listen, and when to nod and smile.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Lost Art of Disagreement: Can We Disagree Respectfully Anymore?
Society seems increasingly polarized, and the ability to disagree respectfully feels like a fading tradition. Can we reclaim the art of healthy debate?
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Algorithm and the Agora: Can Social Media Ever Truly Host Free Speech?
The promise of social media was a digital town square; instead, it feels more and more like a carefully curated echo chamber. Is true freedom of expression even possible in an algorithmically driven space?
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Stadium Effect: Building Community or Just Empty Seats?
New stadiums promise economic booms and community spirit, but do they deliver, or just leave taxpayers with the bill? Let's dig into the promises versus the realities.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Streaming Wars Heat Up: Who Will Win the Remote Control Rumble?
Forget world peace – the real battle is for your eyeballs, as streaming services duke it out with original content and nostalgia bombs. Let's dive into the trenches!
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The App-ocalypse is Nigh! How to Survive the Great Platform Purge
Are your favorite apps on the chopping block? Scoop reveals which platforms are facing the music and how you can future-proof your digital life.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Streaming Services: Are They Worth It Anymore?
With a new service launching every other week, are streaming subscriptions worth their ever-increasing costs? Benny Doubletake examines your options and asks if we've come full circle back to cable!
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Ever-Shifting Sands of Digital Sharing: Finding Your Footing
Navigating the interconnected world of platform strategies, data and audience engagement is like walking on quicksand. Let's explore some firm ground.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Reality Bites: When Fictional Worlds Creep Into Our Own
Has reality begun mirroring our favorite stories? Let's explore how art imitates life, then life imitates art, and then... well, things get weird.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026