Culture Archives — EMMpress https://www.emmpress.com/category/culture/ words and images for mindful humans Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:15:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://www.emmpress.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-Screenshot-2026-03-10-at-12.16.43-PM-32x32.png Culture Archives — EMMpress https://www.emmpress.com/category/culture/ 32 32 Staying in my bones and boobs: on pay equality, health care, and how to restructure an organization https://www.emmpress.com/staying-in-my-bones-and-boobs-on-pay-equality-health-care-and-how-to-restructure-an-organization/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=staying-in-my-bones-and-boobs-on-pay-equality-health-care-and-how-to-restructure-an-organization Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:15:01 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=19387 I realized yesterday, the soaring health care costs I’m experiencing are mostly about keeping me in strong bones and boobs. My entire adult life, I’ve avoided being considered…

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]]> The Pieces You See https://www.emmpress.com/the-pieces-you-see/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-pieces-you-see Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:10:19 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=18362 Yesterday, the world lost an amazing painter, David Hockney. He passed away at the age of 88. Has there ever been a painting, an illustration, or even a…

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]]> Orion’s Party Hat https://www.emmpress.com/orions-party-hat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=orions-party-hat Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:38:14 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=17437 There’s not much to say here that hasn’t been said about Artemis program to – and around– the Moon. Watching, thinking, listening, and conversing about this go-round of…

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]]> Breaking Conventions https://www.emmpress.com/breaking-conventions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breaking-conventions Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:55:07 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=17407 Remember when the Democratic party broke with proper convention (and conventions) to nominate Kamala Harris? As a decidedly left-leaning citizen I absolutely wanted Kamala to beat Trump in…

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]]> Sushi Bake Beliefs https://www.emmpress.com/sushi-bake-beliefs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sushi-bake-beliefs Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:57:40 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=16902 On Food Culture, Balls of Beliefs, Paradox, Music, and Menopause Yesterday my daughter found a recipe for a Sushi Bake, and I was immediately skeptical. Who wants to…

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]]> Release the Patriarchy https://www.emmpress.com/release-the-patriarchy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=release-the-patriarchy Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:16:58 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=16207 I have a social activist friend who occasionally warns folks what words folks should use in everyday conversation. Two words in question: army and just. I believe she’s…

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]]> when practicality looks like magic: 222 https://www.emmpress.com/when-practicality-looks-like-magic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-practicality-looks-like-magic Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:36:05 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=15488 “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” -Arthur C. Clarke Years ago I was contracted to coordinate and improve the digital marketing for an explosively growing outfit.…

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]]> Generational Curse Breaking for an Everyday Lady https://www.emmpress.com/generational-curse-breaking-for-an-everyday-lady/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=generational-curse-breaking-for-an-everyday-lady Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:37:08 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=14641 Disclaimer: in order to do this, you don’t actually have to be a lady. I am case in point. I’m also not recommending you believe in curses per…

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]]> Regress, or Congress? https://www.emmpress.com/regress-or-congress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=regress-or-congress Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:34:14 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=14346 In 2016, I wrote letters to a number of GOP Senators asking them to hold the line against the destructive tendencies of Trump. It seemed clear that his…

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]]> Anchors Away https://www.emmpress.com/anchors-away/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=anchors-away Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:36:11 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=14125 There was a time when women undergoing spiritual transformation could take a vow of stability of place, and hole up – practically – in a cell in a…

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]]> Admitting Conflation https://www.emmpress.com/admitting-conflation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=admitting-conflation Sun, 28 Sep 2025 11:54:54 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=14085 See, I’m on a self-study immersion in the English language and American culture so as to become a better writer. And my course is pretty sloppy and more…

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]]> Over-Unders for the Sandwich Generation https://www.emmpress.com/over-unders-for-the-sandwich-generation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=over-unders-for-the-sandwich-generation Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:27:38 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13932 IE the gamble of choosing material renunciation as a middle-class, middle-generation American. Sitting here squarely in a middle class “sandwich generation,” I’ve noticed a few things. Trying to…

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]]> The Helpers https://www.emmpress.com/the-helpers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-helpers Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:15:08 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13683 On building trust and hope in a world we cannot control. Mr. Rogers said, when you are in crisis, look for the helpers. This is a good strategy…

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]]> Sundials & Compasses https://www.emmpress.com/sundials-compasses/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sundials-compasses Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:32:50 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13532 Because my writing like this last post is often a long and complex weave of many ideas1 , I’m writing this short post as a palate cleanser. I…

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]]> low-to-no ownership https://www.emmpress.com/low-to-no-ownership/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=low-to-no-ownership Sat, 19 Jul 2025 13:20:02 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13505 With poorly drawn diagram of a cross-section of Earth and Space. Because Western civilization and most economic systems seem to be centered around “mine” vs. “yours,” there is…

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]]> Concise https://www.emmpress.com/concise/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=concise Sun, 13 Jul 2025 14:04:58 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13488 I made a short 16mm film named Concise. It could be called an avant garde film and it was engrossing to make. I made it as a follow…

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]]> Shame & taking responsibility https://www.emmpress.com/shame-taking-responsibility/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shame-taking-responsibility Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:44:25 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=13197 And a healing plan for this type of overwhelm below. I was talking with family the other day, and heard myself saying, “I feel ashamed all the time.”…

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]]> Service Breakdown https://www.emmpress.com/service-breakdown/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=service-breakdown Fri, 06 Jun 2025 23:30:34 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=12872 Here’s a little “waitress confidential” for you. Yes, that kind of service. I’ve always felt that restaurants raise the finest in service-minded, quick-thinking individuals  in an environment not…

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]]> Ma-stalgia: a term of endearment for ascendant generations https://www.emmpress.com/ma-stalgia-a-term-of-endearment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ma-stalgia-a-term-of-endearment Sun, 04 May 2025 13:22:53 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=12048 Nostalgia as sign it’s time to reboot our childlike sense of self, and how being states help us cope with a heightened sense of responsibility. My brother sent…

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]]> Dragons, science fiction, and how fearsome archetypes can help you heal your inner life https://www.emmpress.com/dragons-sci-fi-and-how-fearsome-archetypes-in-literature-can-help-you-heal-your-inner-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dragons-sci-fi-and-how-fearsome-archetypes-in-literature-can-help-you-heal-your-inner-life Fri, 02 May 2025 11:33:58 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11924 I love stories. And I crave movies that sweep me away… and not just for sake of distraction. Stories help heal my inner cast of characters: that chorus…

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]]> Frequent, see? https://www.emmpress.com/frequent-see/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frequent-see Sat, 26 Apr 2025 17:43:16 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11813 A term of endearment post on Frequency My social media is full of coaches, teachers, and offerings which speak to the power of manifestation using frequencies. The number…

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]]> self-censorship, free speech, and the powers of The People https://www.emmpress.com/self-censorship-free-speech-and-the-powers-of-societal-norms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=self-censorship-free-speech-and-the-powers-of-societal-norms Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:00:10 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11667 What happens when the recently de-privileged1 try to recoup social power by authoritarianism, and what to do about it. No law can save you, if you don’t make…

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]]> Popes, Psychics, Refugees, and the Power of Love https://www.emmpress.com/popes-psychics-refugees-and-the-power-of-love/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=popes-psychics-refugees-and-the-power-of-love Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:20:01 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11643 My mom called me first thing this morning: “Elizabeth, did you call me last night?” No mom. “Are you sure?” Maybe I did a butt dial. What’s going…

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]]> Empathy isn’t pathology, Mr. Musk https://www.emmpress.com/empathy-aint-pathos-mr-musk-or-anyone-who-gets-it/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=empathy-aint-pathos-mr-musk-or-anyone-who-gets-it Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:06:20 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11559 If you are feeling a bit too much empathy, and it has you on the floor feeling terrible, don’t go to war with it, up-level it into compassion.…

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]]> Democracy is a practice: how (and why) to do it. https://www.emmpress.com/democracy-is-a-practice-how-to-do-it/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=democracy-is-a-practice-how-to-do-it Sun, 06 Apr 2025 15:18:42 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11374 No matter how outraged you feel, or how erudite your arguments against Social Security cuts, NIH cuts, Veteran’s care cuts, National Parks pillaging, yanking legal immigrants off the…

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]]> Got George Washington https://www.emmpress.com/wet-george-washington/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wet-george-washington Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:07:38 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11311 And how attention to the present moment yields stories and signs. This rainy grey day, after dropping my son at school, I drove by Job Lot and saw…

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]]> Edge of Seventeen https://www.emmpress.com/edge-of-seventeen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=edge-of-seventeen Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:13:04 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11194 Enjoying the full-bodied rebellion of peri-menopause, and the strength of youth. My well read (and generally badass) friend says to me the other day, “there’s a hormonal link…

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]]> Open Hope https://www.emmpress.com/open-hope/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=open-hope Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:27:12 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11127 Not everyone grew up with the privilege of taking Hope for granted. Hope is a thing of children, even in rough places. It’s a thing of the child…

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]]> Alt Empress E https://www.emmpress.com/alt-empress-e/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alt-empress-e Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:07:55 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=11091 We’ve always had “royal” notables in our culture. I’m talking the King of Rock n Roll1, The Queen of Soul2, The Prince of Pop3, The Godfather of Soul,…

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]]> Helping the Helpers: methodology and pitfalls https://www.emmpress.com/helping-the-helpers-methodology-and-pitfalls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=helping-the-helpers-methodology-and-pitfalls Sun, 02 Mar 2025 13:15:22 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=10656 Like many people, I’ve wanted to make a huge positive impact, but unlike others, I haven’t wanted to be directly acknowledged for doing it, because I’m uncomfortable with…

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]]> Are you freaking out? Try a simple practice for sanity and strength https://www.emmpress.com/are-you-freaking-out-heres-a-pep-talk-and-practice-to-help-you-out/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=are-you-freaking-out-heres-a-pep-talk-and-practice-to-help-you-out Thu, 27 Feb 2025 23:23:10 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=10722 There has been no end of folks reeling since we’ve had crazy makers at the helm of our executive branch. The extra work some of us need to…

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]]> So, I’m at the grocery store, not buying eggs https://www.emmpress.com/so-im-at-the-grocery-store-not-buying-eggs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=so-im-at-the-grocery-store-not-buying-eggs Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:01:07 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=10581 I’m seeing young parents wheeling around their kids in carts, and think: I did that. Yeah, I had kids, am still raising them, and I deserve some kind…

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]]> Diversity https://www.emmpress.com/diversity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=diversity Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:23:00 +0000 https://www.emmpress.com/?p=10559 If we experience life through a lens where the people we deal with seem most like us, it’s easy to think we have a leg up on navigating…

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