Book Nook - Shaken to the Core

When life is cut short, what do we do with the time we have left?

 

Joy Stern is a free-spirited photographer who built a jet-setting, child-free life with her architect husband, Andre. They seem to be living the dream—until her mother’s sudden death and the discovery of a secret diary entry unravel her “perfectly” curated life.

 

Just as she begins to question everything she thought she wanted, her husband receives devastating news. What follows is an emotional journey through love and loss, resulting in Joy’s courageous decision to reimagine her future.

 

With themes of chosen family and motherhood, Shaken to the Core is an empowering novel that speaks directly to the emotional core of women navigating major life transitions and rediscovering joy.

Dara Levan is an author, speaker, and the founder of Every Soul Has a Story, an inspiring podcast in which she interviews guests from around the globe. Dara is the author of the award-winning novel, It Could Be Worse, and a contributor to the USA Today bestselling anthology, On Being Jewish Now.

She is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in English and certificate in journalism. Dara earned her master’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. Actively involved in her community, Dara is a board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Foundation, board trustee of Interlochen Center for the Arts, and involved in several other organizations. She is a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University and a member of the Authors Guild and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

When she’s not writing in South Florida, you’ll find Dara with her family and fur babies, traveling, capturing moments through photos, and talking to strangers who become friends.

Book Nook - Ocean Superheroes

A new children’s picture book is making waves by turning ocean science into an empowering adventure for young readers. Ocean Superheroes by Gabrielle Raymond McGee (Tiny Torch Books/June 23, 2026), is a vibrant, educational story that invites children to discover the surprising ways marine animals help protect the planet—guided by renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle.

 

Ocean Superheroes stands out by introducing young readers to real marine “heroes”—from plankton to whales—and the vital roles they play in sustaining ocean health, while seamlessly weaving STEM concepts into an engaging, easy-to-understand story. 

 

The story revolves around a curious classroom that embarks on an unforgettable journey into the depths of the ocean with Dr. Earle, a real-life guide, uncovering the rich biodiversity that keeps Earth healthy.

 

Along the way, one curious student discovers that the ocean is filled with “superheroes” and is inspired to become a “Wavemaker”—joining a real-world movement founded by the author. She rallies her friends to form a Wavemaker team, taking action in their community by cleaning local beaches and helping protect ocean life, showing young readers how small efforts can create meaningful change.

 

“The ocean’s embrace knows no bounds, and neither should children’s dreams,” says Gabrielle, who is also the founder of FutureWavesHQ.org.  “Every child, every parent, every caregiver, and every teacher has a place by the shore, a voice that matters, and the power to create change. This is why I wrote this book.”

 

Ocean Superheroes empowers readers with simple, actionable ways to protect oceans and marine life, and includes a glossary and additional resources for parents, educators, and curious learners who want to dive deeper.

 

At a time when environmental awareness is more important than ever, Ocean Superheroes offers a hopeful, engaging entry point for children to learn about conservation and become stewards of the planet. Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families, the book delivers a powerful message: everyone, no matter their age, can help protect our ocean and our planet.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gabrielle Raymond McGee is a children's book author and founder of FutureWavesHQ.org, an organization inspiring kids to protect our planet through nature, STEM education, and entrepreneurship. She is an inaugural graduate of The Wharton School's Global MBA program, and also holds an MPA from NYU. Gabrielle’s career spans entertainment, fashion, and professional sports—including Major League Baseball—and she spent over a decade empowering women entrepreneurs as the Chief Operating Officer of the Tory Burch Foundation. She serves on the Board of Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue. Gabrielle is also mom to three incredible children—the ultimate Wavemakers—and their sandy-pawed sidekick, Mr. Livingston. She lives in Florida, inspired every day by the ocean and its superheroes.

 

 

 

Tiny Torch Books is devoted to crafting beautiful books that excite, engage, and inspire kids. They publish stories that ignite ideas and curiosity, and that lay the foundation for a lifetime love of reading.  For more information visit: www.TinyTorchBooks.com

 

The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, independent publisher dedicated to creating high-quality, beautifully crafted books that celebrate diverse voices and empower storytelling. Our unique publishing model creates a true partnership between author and publisher, meaning our authors can spend time doing what they love while we take care of everything else.

 

The Collective Book Studio is an independent press based in Oakland, CA.. Their books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com

Healthy Habits - Supporting Fathers This Men’s Health Week: Positive Parenting Mental Health Boosts

This Men’s Health Week (June 15th-21st) mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at the pressures fathers face balancing work, family responsibilities, and societal expectations, and what men can do to support their mental health. Concerns can manifest differently in fathers than they do in mothers and despite opening up a conversation about mental health with a father being challenging, it’s so important for both their well-being and the overall health of the family.

Dads and fathering 

It’s important being a dad in the world today and in some ways, it’s never been more important to society that positive representations of men exist and are visible. Becoming a parent means that one has to reintegrate one’s own experiences of being a child and for many kids' dad was expressed more as an absence rather than a presence. In many very real ways men and dads today are redefining those words and roles. That redefinition allows us the opportunity to choose those aspects of maleness, manhood and fathering that we like the best and want to celebrate. So, what are the things in being a man and a dad you want to shout about? Dads in many ways are ordinary men turned into heroes by their kids and as ordinary men they can struggle with the hero worship. But let’s forget practicalities and step into this becoming for a while the adventurers and storytellers our kids want to experience us as. Disappointment can take a step aside for a while. So, what do kids and research say are great about dads? 

Most important of all is being a stable anchor for our kids, forget all the complexities and focus on three key things:

1 - Being present physically and emotionally - go watch your kid at an activity, have cinema time at home and comment on the film your kid is watching sharing their feelings about it. Once a day let your child define your time together. Most importantly, be present when doing any of these and again don’t look at your phone,

2 - Become a positive role model - our children don’t obey us, they copy us, meaning we are role models whether we like it or not, the only choice you have is being a positive or a negative one. Do you want to be your kid’s inner critic or inner champion? How you behave and how you allow your kid to become is the key, 

3 - Allow your connection to your child to reparent you - what’s the point of having a kid or in fact any love relationship if you don’t let it change you? Let your child in and let them help you grow. If they are old enough, tell them what you have learned from them. Being a dad is not about being the boss, it’s about being the servant. 

This can lead naturally to being a dad for the broader world and our male friends. The key to psychological health is our connections to others and lessons learned in becoming a father is understanding that being a man is becoming a man. Learning to manage the changes we face as we become dads is the perfect training for dealing with the same anxiety as we become men because being a man is a verb these days not a noun. It’s a journey not a destination. So, what might be some useful markers on the journey? 

• Research shows us again and again men are activity based - get active with your mates, not just in the gym but more broadly. Doing things is what men really like and that also means doing the psychological stuff. There has been a significant growth over the last decade of men’s groups promoting healthy psychology through activity-based connection, a footie group, walking group, learning to care for your daughters' hair etc. So, get organising and get your mates doing stuff with you!

• Be a pony that has lots of tricks - code switching is adapting your language, style, dialect etc for differing social, professional or cultural contexts. It comes from linguistics as a concept but has now been adapted to psychology and sociology. You already did it when you became a dad, think of your baby talk for example, so now apply it more broadly. It sends a signal you are flexible, pro-social (safe) and smart. Successful and powerful leaders have no problem sitting and chatting with the cleaner that comes into the office., they code switch. 

• Healthy body healthy mind - an oldie but a goodie, learn and put in motion the four pillars of health and wellbeing from Lifestyle Medicine - 1. Exercise more - 2. Sleep better 3. Manage stress - 4. Eat healthier.  

Mental health expert Noel McDermott comments: “Being a man and being a dad is a privilege so embrace it and live every minute of it with passion and joy. Challenge toxicity when you see it. Set the example of strength and kindness. Your kids are watching how you do life and will copy it. How do you want them to be in the world? Decide and do it first for them to follow in your footsteps.” 

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and co-ordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/ 

Healthy Habits - Fatherhood Mortality Survey

A recent study from Northwestern fatherhood expert Dr. Craig Garfield was published May 4 in JAMA Pediatrics. The study was focused on paternal mortality, and there was a silver lining to the findings: fatherhood appears to be protective.

The researchers looked at the death rate for fathers compared to men who were not fathers and found that at every age from 25-59, men who are fathers died at a lower rate than same-aged men who are not fathers.

But why?

More men would have died at each age if they were not fathers, the study found. Dr. Garfield said it could be that dads are maybe trying to avoid risky situations or are “cleaning up their act” because they now believe they have something more to live for as a dad. They don’t know exactly, but this research suggests these are the sorts of questions they can now start researching.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Can you share a little bit about how and why this study was conducted?
In the last 5 to 8 years there has been really important work being done on maternal mortality and death that could’ve been prevented and are due to pregnancy related complications. The maternal mortality review committees are responsible for a lot of that success where in when a mother dies within a year after the birth of their child there is a very detailed deep dive into that loss. The hope is to identify preventive causes and also take a public health perspective on why this mother died. You can imagine the implications for that child of the loss of a mother are huge.

In my clinical experience where I’ve been a neonatal hospitalist for over 25 years, I’ve had more experiences where it’s actually the father of the new baby who has died rather than the mother. And I realize no one is looking at fathers but from a Pediatric perspective, where I focus on the health and well-being of the child within the family, the loss of either parent is devastating.

So because of the work we have been doing looking at the role of fathers and families and the prams for Dad‘s survey we started in Georgia and now have expanded 211 additional states, we had a relationship with the department of health vital records in Georgia. So that’s why we chose Georgia as a pilot state to see how could you actually get the data on fathers and deaths within five years after the birth of the child.

We hope that this research and defining the term paternal mortality will help scientist and public health practitioners think about the loss of a father in a family soon after the birth of a baby. What we did in Georgia could easily be reproduced in other states and then combined to look across the country. Since this publication has come out we have heard from colleagues in Australia and Japan and the United Kingdom that they are also interested in this type of population health approach to holistic family health and well-being.

What are some possible hypotheses for why fatherhood has a protective effect?
This really is the first study of its kind to take birth certificate data on all births in Georgia in one year and then look at death certificate data for the next five years and find fathers who are on both birth and then death certificates. As this is public health administrative data we cannot point towards any causes or direct relationships, that is an important thing to recognize with this sort of data. However, it is very clear from this data that fatherhood is protective from ages 25 to 59 because we see that when compared to nonfathers at the same age ages, the death rate for men who are fathers is lower than that of men who are not fathers. Our prior research has shown that fathers do try and clean up their act, avoid risky behaviors, and feel responsibility to be around for this new baby. It may be that that leads to some protective aspects. Certainly this is an area ripe for future research.

What are some of the implications of this study?
There are two clear implications from this research. First, from a healthcare system perspective, ensuring that fathers have access to healthcare and health providers is really important. In this way we can enact some of the preventive steps to support fathers as they transition to this role with new responsibilities. We can help Dad be as healthy as a possibly can. Second, from a public health perspective, we can think about how to change our systems to be inclusive of not only fathers but to think holistically about families and avoid simple dyadic conceptualizations of just a mother and a child in a family. Certainly there are families that are like that but there are even more families where we may be missing the inclusion of a key family member namely the father.

Caring Connections - Conversation Survey

A new study from the language learning app Preply, looked at where Americans are most likely to start up a conversation (whether thats with a stranger, neighbor, colleague, or family member). 

People in each city were ranked by:

• How chatty they are
• How frequently do they chat with strangers
• How frequently do they chat with their neighbors
• How frequently do they chat with people at work
• How frequently do they chat with family and friends

The data itself is a conversation starter, as people have varying opinions on whether or not being talkative is a good thing or not. It shows how we connect and is a positive story that brings attention to the small moments we have with the people that we interact with each day. 

The full report can be seen here. 

Healthy Habits - Fake Braces Trend Raises Real Dental Risks, Cooper Orthodontics Warns

 Braces are no longer viewed only as a dental correction. For many patients, they can also represent confidence, self-improvement, personal style, and even social status. But Cooper Orthodontics is warning that the growing interest in braces as a fashion statement has also created a troubling side effect: fake braces.

Fake braces, sometimes called “fashion braces,” are decorative appliances that resemble real orthodontic brackets and wires but are not prescribed, placed, or monitored by an orthodontist. They may be sold online, applied by unlicensed individuals, or used by young people who want the look of braces without professional treatment.

“Braces can absolutely be something patients feel proud of,” said Dr. Bryn Cooper of Cooper Orthodontics. “When a patient needs orthodontic care and also likes the way braces look, that can be a positive thing. Real braces can show confidence, personality, and an investment in your smile. But fake braces are different. They are not fashion accessories. They are unsafe imitations of medical devices.”

A Fake Trend Is No Trend

The trend is especially concerning because braces can carry social meaning. In some peer groups, visible braces may suggest prosperity, self-care, beauty, maturity, or access to professional dental treatment. For young people who want to project that image, fake braces can seem like an inexpensive shortcut. Dr. Cooper compares the issue to counterfeit status symbols.

“Just as some people may buy fake designer watches or handbags to imitate a certain lifestyle, fake braces can be a borrowed status symbol,” Dr. Cooper said. “The difference is that fake braces are attached to the teeth and gums. They can cause real damage, and illness or both.”

According to orthodontic safety warnings from professional organizations, fake braces can cause unintended tooth movement, oral cuts, choking hazards, infection, damage to enamel and gums, and exposure to unsafe materials, like lead. Because they are not designed for a patient’s mouth and are not supervised by a trained professional, they can create problems that are far more expensive and difficult to correct later.

Cooper Orthodontics also emphasizes that the desire to look good in braces should not be dismissed or ridiculed. Many patients, especially teens and young adults, care deeply about how orthodontic treatment fits their appearance, identity, and social life. Traditional braces can be customized with colors, clear or ceramic options may offer a more discreet look, and professionally supervised treatment can allow patients to express themselves safely.

“It is completely understandable that patients care about how their braces look,” Dr. Cooper said. “Our message is not, ‘Don’t make such a big deal about appearance.’ Our message is, ‘Make sure the look you want is part of safe, professional orthodontic care.’”

Times Have Really Changed

The renewed popularity of visible braces also reflects a broader cultural shift. Parents and grandparents may remember a time when braces were viewed as awkward or embarrassing. Today, many young people see braces differently. Social media, selfies, influencers, sports teams, colored bands, and smile-transformation videos have helped make orthodontic treatment more visible and, for some patients, more desirable.

That visibility can be positive when it encourages patients to seek needed care. But it becomes dangerous when young people copy the appearance of orthodontic treatment without understanding the risks.

“Real orthodontics is not just about putting brackets on teeth,” Dr. Cooper said. “It involves diagnosis, X-rays, treatment planning, controlled tooth movement, monitoring, and retention after treatment. Fake braces skip all of that.”

Cooper Orthodontics encourages parents to talk with their children if they see fake braces being promoted online or among friends. Warning signs may include do-it-yourself braces kits, decorative brackets sold on social media, offers from unlicensed providers, or young people wanting braces even when they have not been evaluated by an orthodontist.

Patients who are interested in braces for health, confidence, appearance, or personal style should schedule a professional consultation.

“Braces can be something to smile about,” Dr. Cooper said. “They can be colorful, stylish, and confidence-building. But they must be real braces, placed for the right reasons, by the right professional, with the patient’s long-term health in mind.”

For more information or to schedule an orthodontic consultation, contact Cooper Orthodontics in Houston at (832) 925-8721 or in Lake Jackson (979) 297-0000. or visit https://cooperorthodontics.com/doctors/dr-bryn-cooper/].

About Cooper Orthodontics
Cooper Orthodontics provides orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults, offering treatment options designed to improve oral health, function, confidence, and smile aesthetics. Led by Dr. Bryn Cooper, the practice is committed to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles through personalized, professionally supervised care.

Travel Tidbits - Brazil

BRAZIL! It is energy, vibrant colors, pulsating beats and a vibe that cannot be beat. It's one of those destinations that does not arrive quietly. Rather, it makes a stark impact on your mind and soul and Vivaterra is your go-to for the most buoyant Brazil journeys like... THE AMAZON: 2 1/2 million square miles of living, breathing, howling jungle containing more species than anywhere else on earth. You don't just look at it, you go INSIDE it with luxe riverboat expeditions, night hikes with expert naturalists, canopy walks above the treeline, and pink river dolphin encounters in the black water tributaries. Bucket list worthy. THE PANTANAL: The world's largest tropical wetland that delivers the kind of wildlife encounters that the Serengeti gets all the credit for, except here you have the boat, the trail, and the jaguar entirely to themselves. Horseback riding at dawn, river safaris with expert trackers, and sunrise over a flooded plain with thirty species of birds. P.S. Pantanal jaguar season runs June through September and fills fast. Reply today and we will hold space. THE COAST: Fernando de Noronha, a protected volcanic archipelago 220 miles offshore, has been called the most beautiful island in the world by people who have been to most of the world's beautiful islands, with spinner dolphins and water so clear your clients will surface looking like they just had a religious experience. Ilha Grande offers jungle hiking to hidden coves requiring genuine effort and rewarding it with complete solitude, while Jericoacoara delivers kite surfing on lagoons, dune buggy rides into the ocean sunset, and a village that operates on its own particular version of time. RIO: Hang gliding off Pedra Bonita and landing on the beach while the city spreads below, favela community tours that completely reframe how guests understand the city, and sunset caipirinhas on Sugarloaf while the bay fills with golden light make it an experience no other city on earth can replicate. And don't even get us started on Carnival...the best party on the planet!

Money Matters - How Location Impacts Lawn Care Costs

Lawn care prices are rising: The price of an average mow increased by 6.6% between 2024 and 2025, and the main factor determining the total on your bill is your location.  LawnStarter looked at more than 2 million completed mowing jobs across more than 2,000 cities to find out How Location Impacts Lawn Care Costs in 2026. We found that spending trends (including tipping pros) vary greatly from region to region. Yards in states like Florida and Texas require nearly year-round lawn care due to the climate. For other states like Vermont and Minnesota, it’s more of a seasonal expense. Key Insights: The national average price per mow is $53.59, ranging from $45.08 in Arizona to $78.15 in Vermont. The average price of a mow increased by 6.6%, and — adjusted for property size — the cost of a mow per square foot increased by 4.8% between 2024 and 2025. Mowing costs per square foot increased the most in New Jersey (10.5%), Oregon (9.5%), New York (9.3%), North Dakota (9.1%), and Arkansas (9%).  More homeowners are tipping their lawn pros. In 2024, 19.1% of jobs received a tip, rising to 26.7% of jobs in 2025. Lawn care pros in cities like Chattanooga, Tennessee, Seattle, and Richmond, Virginia, earn an effective tip of over $3 per mow.   Read the full story here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/lawn-care-costs/    Other helpful links: Mow Tips: Where Homeowners Tip the Most Crew Insights: What’s Driving Lawn Care Costs in 2026? Lawn Care Money Wasters More from LawnStarter:  The State of Lawn Care in America: 2025 Industry Report How Lawn Care Pros Can Show You How to Save on Gas Prices Where to Get Free Mulch How to Prep Your Lawn Before a Vacation How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn Weekly vs. Biweekly Mowing: What’s Best for Your Yard and Wallet?

Caring Connections - Best Cities to Celebrate Dad for Father's Day

This Father’s Day, dads across the country are trading in their neckties and grill aprons for a chance to be the true MVP of the weekend. Whether it’s tee times at golf courses, ice-cold beers at the ballpark, or steakhouse dinners, some cities are built for celebrating dad in style.

The team at The Golf Warehouse had this in mind when they analyzed 100 U.S. cities using 14 ranking factors like number of steakhouses, fishing access, number of golf courses, and more to find the best cities to celebrate Father’s Day. Here’s what they found:

You can find the full study here. 

Fun Freetime - Lingokids Soccer Cup

Schools across the U.S. are letting out for the summer as weather warms up and players and fans from throughout the world come together for the greatest soccer competition on the planet. Lingokids, the No. 1 online entertainment platform for young children, has created two sets of interactive content to help kids 8 and under learn more about soccer and engage in safe summer fun.

Kids ready to discover what exceptional soccer players do to build teamwork and maintain healthy habits can explore and play the collection of lessons and games Lingokids created to coincide with the celebration of global soccer. In all, Lingokids has assembled a dozen soccer-themed puzzles, problem-solving games and skill-building activities for kids to enjoy during their online playtime.

Lingokids' wide range of soccer-focused activities includes games that encourage kids to solve puzzles and gain spatial awareness, as well as help improve speaking and collaboration skills. The platform has also added "I Can Be a Soccer Player" to its Career Lesson series, which kicked off with a collaboration with NASA earlier this year and helps kids learn more about popular career paths.

"When children engage with a topic across multiple settings, it can spark a lasting passion," says child psychologist Dr. Diana Barrett. "With soccer taking center stage this summer, screen time can become an opportunity to deepen kids' connection to the game.

"Soccer themed puzzles, problem-solving challenges, and interactive activities not only build knowledge and enthusiasm for soccer culture, but also strengthen important skills that support performance on the field in-including visual attention, processing speed, spatial awareness, following directions, divided attention, communication, and collaboration," Barrett continues. "By connecting learning and play, children can develop both a love of the game and the foundational skills that help them succeed as players."

In July, Lingokids is also launching a collection of dozens of seasonal games and activities that help bring summertime fun to life and inspire kids to get outside and explore, create and try new things. Kids will find fun ways to try new foods, stay hydrated, learn what to do on a picnic, discover inspiration for building sandcastles and ways to enjoy long trips in cars or planes.

According to Lingokids' recently released Kids Interactive Entertainment Report, 71 percent of parents say screentime can be enriching, and 82 percent say their child has learned from time using screens. And, approximately one-third of parents rely on screentime for ease of summer travel.

"We are all about quality screentime that kids enjoy and adults feel good about," says Lingokids Global VP of Brand Maud Cariddi. "A key part of that is inspiring kids to explore the world around them after learning something new on our platform. Our goal is to entertain kids this summer, while kicking some personal development into the net as well."

Find the Lingokids "Soccer Cup" in the "Worlds to Explore" section of the app, and watch for "Camp Lingokids" in July.

About LingoKids

Lingokids is the No. 1 kids' interactive entertainment platform, loved by kids, designed by educators, and trusted by parents worldwide. Used by over 20 million kids each month, Lingokids turns fun screen time into safe, high-quality play that sneaks in learning.

Lingokids sparks curiosity and creativity, helping kids explore who they are and who they can become. With over 4,000 activities, shows, and songs, more than 30 awards, and nearly 200 million downloads worldwide, we partner with the biggest names including Blippi, NASA, BBC Earth, and Oxford University Press.

To learn more, visit lingokids.com. Everything kids love.