The traditional perfumer’s mold continues to be cast in the French man’s image, but these women of color are writing new narratives in the scent industry.

“At a certain point, however, I gradually began to realize something much more fundamental had been lost in all the ‘convenience’ I’d been paying for.” How one writer became more subscription-conscious (and why you should, too). Read here: conversationalist.org/2025/06/25/s...

“It’s easy to forget when looking at it through the nostalgic lens that often filters our view of the era, but American fast food was also born in the aftermath of war.” Story by @alexcpark.com.

Azadi is the Urdu word for freedom. Have you chanted it at a protest lately? Are there other chants or protest calls that particularly inspire you? More in the latest Conversationalist newsletter by @mrsslrss.bsky.social. Read it here ➡️ mailchi.mp/conversation...

One Ugandan village has attracted large industries, providing increased employment for the young population. But at what cost? While beneficial to some, these industries are also increasing pollution—threatening the health of the region for tourists, workers, and residents alike.

"Now that the ghastly end game for Gaza has been laid bare, this is what we—the Western world—have done to the Palestinians." Stories from Gaza from people who are trying to survive.

the anti-democracy push isn’t just happening in the US. A look at the protests in Turkey from this past spring after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor on bs corruption charges:

On this International Day of Democracy, we look back on this story by @nimetkirac.bsky.social about student-led protests in Turkey and what they are fighting for.

“She would continue to dress him for the rest of his life, and after it.” One writer’s Ye Ye dressed their Nai Nai every morning for over sixty years. The last time she dressed him was for his funeral.

"When people don’t see, feel, and taste the whole flavor of produce, they also feel less encouraged to eat it." How over-processed produce is disconnecting us from where food comes from.

Staff reads from our Social Media Manager: "I felt so many emotions reading this piece about how Disney represents capitalism at its worst. It follows one family who saved for years to go vs. a wealthy one that gets the red carpet treatment."

This summer, the Conversationalist team was joined by two interns, both journalists who brought great new perspectives and sharp insights to our work. This week's newsletter we're turning the mic over to them. Read it here 🎤 mailchi.mp/conversation...

In defense of throwing more shoes at war criminals. Story by @ginamei.bsky.social.

Azadi, or freedom, is a small word, but its meaning is profound and can symbolize a lifeline. “It crosses borders, languages, and faiths, moving between nations without itself becoming nationalized. It is a global grammar of defiance.” Our latest on why some Americans chant Azadi now.

Despite miscarriages being so common, it is rarely discussed. Read about one writer’s personal journey.

Biological or chosen, mother figures come in many forms. Here’s how one friendship helped guide a writer home to herself.

Knitting and crochet clubs have found new meaning amongst Gen Z and Millennials, who have turned to the age-old practice as a means of bringing back the “third place” and reconnecting with their peers.

A good read

“As immigrants, my friends and I depend on each other in ways I’ve never needed back home.”

Staff reads from our Executive Director: "I’m all for land lines again. I know it’s inevitable for my six-year-old to start begging for a phone in the next few years, but I’m ready to get the neighbor pals on board the landline train, too.”

What is reproductive justice? Why does reproductive justice matter? What does it look like around the world? Answers to these questions and more in our beginner’s guide to reproductive justice.

Your vacation is booked, but what about your summer read? A few unconventional beach reads from the Conversationalist team just in time for your trip. 📚☀️

Love @conversationalist.org for always having intriguing stories from around the world; I never know what I'll see on the front page, and this is a really illuminating story about supermarkets in the Global South.

"Through her, I was also able to see the ways my own mother had inadvertently taught me to hide from myself." Our final story for Friendship Week is how one writer’s friend helped guide her on a journey to self discovery.

“Cousins have our backs. They are our built-in friends. And from an evolutionary perspective, they have a biological stake in our survival.” The next Friendship Week story is by @dianaruzova.bsky.social and all about how cousins can be the earliest friends for some immigrant families.

Since eugenics is a hot topic this week I have to remind everyone that I wrote about eugenics, the rise of Trump, and where liberals and the left fall short for @conversationalist.org earlier this year!

Friendship changes shape in adulthood, but one writer found traveling can help deepen bonds. This Friendship Week story is all about the power of friendship retreats, written by @alannabennett.bsky.social.

Next up in our friendship week is a story about the difficulty of making new friends as we age. Especially for one writer who felt making friends as a mom in her mid-30s was nearly impossible.

To celebrate Friendship Day (and International Day of Friendship), we are posting stories about the power of connection all week long. First up: how one writer depends more deeply on friends in her new home country as an immigrant.

"How much of the breastfeeding debate is really about the health of the child, and how much is about the control of women’s bodies?" In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, here's a look back on @lacywarner.bsky.social's personal journey.

Stories from Gaza from people who are trying to survive.

"In our oligarch-besotted cultural moment, it does make me wonder why this is the kind of blue-blooded wealth we red-blooded Americans seem to be so nostalgic for." On modern wealth’s bland aesthetics, the reopening of the Frick, and the meaning behind our Gilded Age nostalgia.

Knitting and crochet clubs have found new meaning amongst Gen Z and Millennials, who have turned to the age-old practice as a means of bringing back the “third place” and reconnecting with their peers. 🧶

Need a book suggestion? The Conversationalist team has you covered. 📚

Once or so often a week, turn off the news and open 'The Conversationalist'

"After the wall, this divide grew bigger. For Palestinians, the wall separated us from life. It turned our cities and towns into cages, where the sky above us was the only place outside that felt within reach." One Palestinian writer shares their experience.

Staff reads from our Contributing Art Director: "I'm all for stories like this highlighting small pockets of communities. I also love LA's Vidiots and all that they do for the film industry."

Ready to change the way you feel after reading the news? Join us at The Conversationalist. 💥 Unapologetic feminist storytelling 💥 Independent and non-profit media 💥 Global perspectives 💥 No bullshit

It's a good day to support independent and non-profit media. Highlighting some new additions to the list: The Xylom: @thexylom.com Real News Network: @therealnews.com The Conversationalist: @conversationalist.org The Breach: @breachmedia.ca 📌 this feed for more.

Immigration or emigration? Immigration or migration? Asylum seekers or refugees? Here's your beginner’s guide to immigration:

This is Soapbox 🫧, our new series where people make the case for surprising things they feel strongly about. Next up is a writer's plea to unsubscribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe from everything and what we lose when we don't mindfully acquire things. Read more: conversationalist.org/2025/06/25/s...

Staff Reads from Newsletter Editor, @mrsslrss.bsky.social: "I found this recent essay by the great poet Hanif Abdurraqib to be a truly stunning reflection on Mahmoud Khalil’s release from detention, Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral primary victory, and how it feels to be Muslim-American right now."

Classic tomes, beach reads, and everything else we’re reading. The latest Conversationalist newsletter by @mrsslrss.bsky.social. Read it here ➡️ mailchi.mp/conversation...

Hayat Mohamed Obada Naser and Amal, with their children Rolan and Omar Ahmads (Original Ahmad, Child Ahmad) Suad Sisters Malak and Maali Majd Moataz Meet the friends of Fatima Ayub (@thecynicist.bsky.social) who are still trying to survive in Gaza.

From Renée Watson to escapist fantasy and everything in between. This is what The Conversationalist team is reading this summer. 📚☀️

"Supermarkets are rapidly displacing other retailers to become the place of choice to buy food." How grocery chains have done more harm than good for the small farmers in Kenya and beyond. Story by @alexcpark.com.

Fully on board with Gina’s soapbox: we should absolutely be throwing more shoes at war criminals.

Staff reads from our social media manager: "Everyone seems to be traveling to Kyoto these days, but overtourism comes at a cost. I thought this piece did a great job exposing the detrimental effects of having too many 'kimono-wearing bros' in one place."

"While it took me much less time to admit I was also definitively Iranian, it took me nearly 30 years to explore Persian food." How food brought one writer closer to their culture.

“What is America without the physical space to Want?” A brief history on malls and the constant feeling to want everything.