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News,
Mental Health,
Southern Lifestyle & Recipes


Ripple Effect Therapy: Why Your Progress Lifts Everyone Around You
Learn how personal breakthroughs in interconnectedness can lead to positive changes in your environment and society
Natalie Frank
Sep 132 min read


Editorial: The Politics of Outrage - How Exploited Fury Wins Elections but Tears Communities Apart
Manufactured anger has become the most powerful weapon in American politics, but its emotional toll on communities is leaving scars that no ballot box can heal
Natalie Frank
Sep 115 min read


Southern Heat Survival: Hacks Southerners Swear By To Outsmart Humidity
The surprisingly practical (and sometimes hilarious) ways Southerners keep cool when the air feels like soup
Natalie Frank
Sep 112 min read


Soul-Warming Vegetarian Green Gumbo That’ll Make You Forget About Meat
This plant-based twist on Louisiana’s beloved green gumbo delivers all the complex flavors and comfort food magic without a single animal product
Natalie Frank
Sep 101 min read


Southern Water Pie Revival: The Depression-Era Dessert Making a Sweet Comeback
A forgotten Southern classic born from hardship, this simple water pie with a few additions, proves that resourceful cooking can still surprise modern taste buds
Natalie Frank
Aug 311 min read


Creamy Southern Pasta Salad with a Tangy Twist: A Classic Comfort with a Modern Spin
A soulful Southern side dish packed with flavor, history, and a hint of charm
Natalie Frank
Aug 211 min read


Guilt-Free Southern Vegetables: 3 Air Fryer Veggie Recipes That Keep Tradition Alive
Healthy Southern flavors without the deep fryer — crispy, savory, and perfectly seasoned Foodista [CC BY 3.0] Vegetables have been an...
Natalie Frank
Aug 151 min read


Tragedy Strikes Near CDC Headquarters: Officer Killed in Shooting Outside Emory University
A community mourns as investigators work to uncover why gunfire erupted steps from one of the nation’s leading public health institutions...
Natalie Frank
Aug 93 min read


One-Pot Creole Jambalaya with Chicken & Turkey Sausage: A Healthier Take on a Southern Classic
This bold, flavor-packed one-pot jambalaya swaps in turkey sausage and lean chicken for a lighter yet authentic Creole dish Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
Aug 61 min read


Shift in Chicagoans Attitudes Towards Work, Workplace During, After Pandemic According to Recent Survey, Based on Age
Changes in different age groups view of work, workplace occurred due to pandemic found in new survey Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 5,...
Natalie Frank
Aug 57 min read


Living Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: What It Really Means to Be Southern Today
Exploring the pride, paradox, and evolving identity of Southern life in a rapidly changing world Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 3, 2025...
Natalie Frank
Aug 31 min read


Chicago’s Special Education Shake-Up Sparks Urgency, Uncertainty, and Hope
As CPS restructures its special education department weeks before the start of school, families, advocates are left balancing cautious...
Natalie Frank
Jul 311 min read


Southern Belle Cheesecake with Bourbon Praline Drizzle: A Decadent Twist on Dixie Dessert Traditions
This rich, velvety cheesecake with warm, buttery praline sauce captures the soul of Southern hospitality, one luscious bite at a time...
Natalie Frank
Jul 291 min read


Why Every Southern Home Has a Room No One’s Allowed in
Unlocking the curious case of plastic-covered couches, unused china, and Southern hospitality’s strangest tradition Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D...
Natalie Frank
Jul 271 min read


SATIRE: HOA Gone Historical? This Southern Neighborhood is Run by Confederate Cosplayers
Discover the wild true-ish story of Magnolia Trace, where Civil War reenactors turned HOA tyrants patrol lawns and punish modernity HOA...
Natalie Frank
Jul 231 min read


SATIRE: National Avocado Shortage Leads to Emergency Toast Rationing
Millennials across the country brace as beloved brunch staple vanishes, prompting creative DIY solutions, and a black-market for avocados...
Natalie Frank
Jul 214 min read


Southern Zen: What Boiled Peanuts Reveal About Cultivating Patience in a Hectic World
A meditative journey into slow living, tender flavor, and life lessons tucked inside this humble Southern snack Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D. ...
Natalie Frank
Jul 191 min read


Where to Celebrate National Karaoke Day in Chicago
Try out one of these options to enjoy singing just to sing Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July 19, 2025 Teo Romera /flickr [CC BY 2.0] CHICAGO,...
Natalie Frank
Jul 193 min read


Southern Lemon Meringue Pie with a Buttery Grits Crust: A Tangy Twist on a Dixie Classic
Discover the soul of the South in every bite of this bright, citrusy pie, with a surprising crust that honors Southern roots and elevates...
Natalie Frank
Jul 181 min read


Chicago Mayor Blocks ‘Snap Curfew’ in First Veto in Nearly 20 Years
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stand against controversial curfew proposal sparks fierce debate over youth safety, policing power, civil...
Natalie Frank
Jul 161 min read
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