Social scientist Dr. Gianluca Grimalda, known for 'refusing' to fly, is on another no-fly journey home after 10 months of climate research in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. On September 29, 2026, he began his 23,000 km trip across 15 countries from the Pacific to Europe, providing once again a unique, first-hand perspective on slow travel and climate change.

Many of us view working for a company as the safe choice due to benefits and security. However, self-reliance and an entrepreneurial spirit offer their own stability and advantages. Mary Contrary delves into an emerging, more nuanced perspective on work.

Globally, air conditioning has become essential during hot summers. But ironically, experts say it exacerbates the extreme temperatures so we end up needing it even more. Luckily, fresh and creative cooling ideas are popping up that mix old-school tricks with futuristic tech and take cues from nature. Let's dive into these new approaches.

'Downshifting'— the perspective on a simpler, more meaningful life often involves moving to sun-drenched locations— but in Part 3 of our New Life Road Movie, we follow our Dutch protagonists who question: can we create that dream life without relocating and leaving everything behind?

We’re revisiting the unpredictable, sensory travel of the 1980s. In Part 1, we follow Harry van Iperen’s Far East notebook as he and his wife Ursula explore packed markets, 'Superdeluxe' buses, roadside banana leaf meals, and awe-inspiring temples. This isn't nostalgia for its own sake, but a reminder of how slow, attentive travel reshapes our worldview.

We humans just love admiring beautiful nature, don't we? But when we admire nature only from a distance — on a big screen, in a curated documentary, or as an Instagram-perfect shot — do we risk turning it into a celebrity, something to idolise rather than to enter fully? Mary Contrary dives into how we relate to something that's been here forever.

A unique project in Nairobi is turning skateboards into tools of confidence, creativity, and community. Led by Jelimo Cheboi and Antoinette 'Tonyii' Apondi, GirlSkate Nairobi shows that everyone can have inner strength and self-confidence, but sometimes, it just needs the right place to help ignite it.

It's pretty amazing how different cultures and times have their own ideas about what happens after we die, right? What's even more interesting is that each group considers their version 'the truth,' especially considering none of us can know for sure what comes next. Today, let's dive into some major cultural takes on death and the afterlife, so we can all expand our horizons together.

Sleeping in is often seen as being lazy, while getting up early is tied to success and prestige. But as we start to understand that everyone has their own peak energy times, with some people being more productive later in the day, this view is shifting. A Danish point of view suggests that tweaking our schedules to allow for different start times could actually be a good thing. We speak with Camilla Kring from the B-Society.

When it comes to something like synchronicity, we're either all in or a bit skeptical. But right between believing and scientific thinking, there's a whole world of possibilities. Want to explore it together? Four experts on synchronicity and coincidence are here to inspire us.

Have you ever considered how the world looks from a blade of grass's perspective? These tiny blades have a surprisingly positive outlook on life. Uncover a hidden perspective in our lawns and meadows: the secret to happiness according to a tiny blade of grass.

If there's one thing we've picked up in recent times, it's that we can successfully rethink big, long-standing beliefs and perspectives. Take work. The meaning of work, the daily grind, the rat race, 'the more we work the more successful we are,' the 5-day week in the workplace? All of that's definitely evolving and work is changing.

In a world overflowing with information, the news can overwhelm us. Columnist Mary Contrary tells us how exploring different news perspectives, backgrounds, and underreported voices, can offer us nuanced insights and context and a clearer picture. It can provide a deeper understanding of our complex world, beyond prevailing beliefs. Let's delve into the quiet news — the news we might otherwise miss.

Have you ever considered that true healing might sometimes come from within, rather than a battle fought externally? Join us in exploring the profound insights shared by Dr. Kim D’Eramo on why it sometimes pays to surrender to our innate healing.

There are people who age, there are people who age positively, and then there are people who have their own unique way of aging gracefully. Mary Contrary met such a person—her remarkable neighbor Rosie, an 'old' lady who saw right through you—yes, you, with all your stereotypes about life and the elderly! This is the story of Rosie, based on a real-life event.

Many of us in the Western world view older people as vulnerable (and a bit comical) and expect our own decline of mind and body to begin as early as middle age, as if it were inevitable. But could these expectations—especially when reinforced by societal norms—actually influence the outcome?

Here's an unusual thought: What if nature had the ability to observe life? What would its perspective be? Mary Contrary suggests nature already imitates us and invites you to see this through rare images. Intrigued? Presenting: Abstract Art: "Life, By Nature".

Did you know that, although we are naturally inclined to focus on the negative, we also possess the innate ability to concentrate on the positive? Our bodies are wired for this, and it promotes our well-being. Deb Dana introduces to us her easy-to-use concept of 'Glimmers' and shows how they can help us fall in love with life again.

A unique café in Vienna is a popular spot for all ages, offering not only authentic dishes but also a fresh perspective on ageing and café culture on the side. Run by savvy life experts—no senior citizens here—Vollpension fosters independence for everyone, and as it turns out, Grandma still has lots to do. This is their story.

They say our fast-paced world needs highly sensitive people, or HSPs as they are often called. But what about their role in the workplace? Can people with this complex, deeply empathetic mind add value here too? Or are they just too sensitive? Dutch Dr. Candan Aydemir-Tam, healthcare psychologist, provides valuable insights.