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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

The Willpower Muscle: How Your Brain Trains for Resilience

Discover the science and beauty of your brain’s “willpower muscle”, the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC). Learn how cold showers, small challenges, and rest can help rewire your inner resilience.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

Poured, Then Forgotten: The Hidden Economics of the Sommelier

Sommeliers are often the first to be let go, despite driving some of the highest profits in restaurants. This insider perspective explores the overlooked economics of beverage programs and the real value of wine professionals.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

Why We Feel Safer Near Water (Even If We Can’t Swim)

Water calms us even if we can't swim. Explore the psychology, neuroscience, and truth behind the “blue space effect,” and why we instinctively seek the sea.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

Why We Cry: The Biology of Tears and Emotional Release

Not all tears are the same. Explore the strange, beautiful biology of crying: from reflex tears to emotional release, oxytocin to heartbreak, and the healing science of catharsis.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

Nightmare Poetry

This raw poem captures the emotional toll of PTSD and night terrors. Michele writes through the waves of trauma, the stories that won’t burn, and what it means to survive another sleepless night.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

The Lost Smells of the 20th Century

From mimeograph ink to pipe tobacco, explore the forgotten scents of the 20th century, and why smell is the most nostalgic of all our senses. A poetic journey through scent, memory, and the little moments we never meant to forget.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

The Legacy in the Barrel: Remembering Nicolas Potel

Nicolas Potel, beloved Burgundy winemaker, died at 56. Discover how he transformed loss into legacy, and why his wines still speak with quiet power and grace.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

Why Butter Tastes Better in Europe

European butter tastes richer, creamier, and more flavorful than American butter, and there’s a reason why. From grass-fed cows to cultured cream, discover the science and soul behind the better butter across the pond.

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

The Man Who Woke Up Speaking a Different Language

A poetic exploration of foreign accent syndrome and the mysterious case of a man who woke up speaking a language he never learned. How does the brain rewrite identity?

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

The Rise and Fall of Lard in American Cooking

Once the queen of the American kitchen, lard shaped our pies, fried our chicken, and nourished generations. So why did it vanish, and is it making a comeback?

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Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo) Michele Edington (formerly Michele Gargiulo)

How Salt Changed the Course of Human History

Salt shaped civilizations, sparked wars, built empires, and preserved life. Explore the ancient and surprising story of how salt changed the course of human history.

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