Weekly Update: Exceptional Stories from ILLUMINATION-Curated
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Boosted Stories
Greetings to all readers and writers! It's that time again for my weekly recap of notable stories from our ILLUMINATION Integrated publication on Medium.com. Since last Sunday, 13 remarkable pieces have been selected for boosting, which I will outline below. Additionally, I routinely highlight non-boosted stories, as a vast majority of outstanding narratives remain unrecognized. Please help spread the word about these gems on your social media platforms.
Section 1.1: Featured Boosted Stories
Here are some highlights from the past week:
Look What Aiden Found Today — Episode #81
A collection of my favorite reads and community-nominated contributions tailored for devoted followers of ILLUMINATION Publications.
As part of my initiative to educate about boosting, I showcase individual writers sharing their boosted stories and backgrounds. Below are links to featured authors who have achieved a high acceptance rate:
- Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #1: Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #2: Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D.
- Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #3: Joan Naidorf
- Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #4: Jozsef Kovacs
I plan to introduce several more authors soon. Their narratives are sure to inspire you. If you have a high boost acceptance rate, feel free to connect with me via Slack or Discord for a chance to be featured.
Section 1.2: Welcoming New Writers
Today, I welcomed over 150 new writers to our community, with an intriguing note that more than 30% of them are non-members. If you're reading this and have not yet joined, I encourage you to upgrade your account. Navigating Medium without membership can be quite challenging. Dr. Yildiz recently elaborated on this in a compelling story, which you can read for free via our friend link.
An Authentic Open Letter to Non-Members
A reflection on the benefits of membership for inquisitive minds and those seeking global collaboration.
As previously mentioned, Friends of Medium have access to curated content, which is instrumental for new writers looking to enhance their craft. While not every story will resonate with everyone, the ILLUMINATION-Curated collection spans over 100 diverse topics, ensuring something for every reader. I encourage you to enjoy and provide feedback on your favorite pieces. I remain committed to sharing weekly updates to engage our readers and support our writers in enhancing the vibrancy of our platform.
Section 1.3: Submission Guidelines
For aspiring writers, it's essential that submissions to ILLUMINATION-Curated align with Medium’s distribution and boosting standards. We prioritize content that resonates with our discerning audience. We embrace a variety of topics, provided they adhere to Medium’s policies and our core values. Please review our submission guidelines thoroughly before submitting your impactful stories.
If you believe our platform aligns with your writing goals, reach out to Dr. Yildiz in the ILLUMINATION Slack space for writer access. He offers mentorship to many writers, enhancing their chances of boosting or wider distribution on Medium.
Chapter 2: Cultivating Engagement and Collaboration
One of our primary objectives is to foster a collaborative atmosphere that maximizes engagement between writers and readers, especially for Friends of Medium subscribers who support our authors profoundly. If collaboration isn't your preference, you might miss out on the extensive audience we've cultivated since March 19, 2020.
Our senior editor, Mike Broadly, DHSc, is dedicated to curating captivating stories, both boosted and non-boosted, to provide more options for our community.
Section 2.1: Interviews with Inspiring Writers
I would like to introduce some recent interviews conducted by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, showcasing inspiring and collaborative writers:
- Martin D. Hirsch
An interview with a retired journalist and author focusing on imagination and insight.
- Gill McCulloch
An interview with a UK-born Canadian entrepreneur and published author.
- Adelia Ritchie, PhD
Dr. Ritchie shares her journey as a retired scientist and writer.
- Dr. Lutz Kraushaar
An insightful conversation with a health scientist and researcher.
- Lorwen Harris Nagle, PhD
A deep dive into the life of a clinical psychologist and artist.
- Tim Denning
An interview with a successful businessman and blogger inspiring audiences worldwide.
You can explore more interviews from this inspiring collection.
Section 2.2: Spotlight on Boosted Stories
Here are some of the boosted stories from this week:
- My Perspectives on the Ukraine Invasion Two Years Later as a Ukrainian Descendant
An insightful piece by Oksana Kukurudza reflecting on recent events and future expectations.
- We Need a Materialist Approach to Fighting Racism
Rebecca Ruth Gould discusses the politics of defining and resisting antisemitism.
- How I Managed to Be Productive at Every Level During My Employment
Lisa Bage shares her time management strategies across different company levels.
- Pregnancy Requires as Much Energy as Extreme Endurance Sports
Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D., explores the metabolic demands of pregnancy and maternal health.
- It Took Two Divorces for Me to Learn What Destroys a Marriage
Holly Paige reflects on relationships and personal growth.
- 25 Years After Starting a First-Aid Business With a 6-Month-Old Baby, We’re Still Thriving
Gill McCulloch shares her journey of turning passion into a successful business.
- The Most Interesting Thing About Being a Scuba Diving Instructor Happened After I Quit
Andy Murphy reveals unexpected insights from his experiences.
- Our New Hearing Aids — Startling Surprises in the Family
Bill Myers discusses the benefits of new hearing technology.
- What I Think About Wedding Photography After 12 Years
Silviu-Florin Salomia reflects on the evolving landscape of wedding photography.
- The Power of Placebo To Boost High Performance and Self-Belief
Sean Kernan examines the impact of belief on performance and well-being.
- I Harvested 10 Lessons When I Weeded My Portfolio Garden
Mark Armstrong shares valuable insights for freelancers.
- I Stumped Google’s Gemini — But Not ChatGPT
Wayne Stelk, Ph.D., explores the evolving landscape of AI research assistants.
- What Evolutionary Biology Says About the Future of AI
Eliot Bush discusses the potential integration of AI into our lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read about these exceptional stories. I look forward to your contributions to our publications, and together, let’s continue to uplift and inspire through storytelling.