Welcome to the first Monthly Edit. I’ve had more time to let discoveries settle—to let them marinate rather than rushing to share. This collection reflects that: fewer pieces, but each one left a mark.
🔴 Read
"What is 'Slow Travel'? Why Leisurely Vacations Will Be All the Rage in 2025" – Fast Company
I learned a new word: hurkle-durkling — the Scottish term for lounging in bed all day. It’s part of a growing movement toward more present, immersive travel. Not about slowness for its own sake, but a rejection of treating vacation like another productivity metric.
"The A–Z of 2025 Cultural Insights: I is for Intercultural" – Square Holes
The authors position intercultural fluency as essential, not optional — a skill rooted in curiosity and adaptability. Their take on cultural exchange (not just representation) feels especially timely, and the nod to K-dramas and Nollywood as vehicles for cultural flow was spot-on.
“These Pop‑Ups Are Reframing Vietnamese Food in New York City” – Eater
Innovative pop‑ups led by Vietnamese chefs in NYC are offering dishes that go beyond pho and banh mì — bringing rare regional specialties, communal dining rituals, and deep storytelling to the table. It’s a thoughtful yet playful exploration of identity: people aren’t just eating Vietnamese food — they’re experiencing its heritage in full, immersive context.
🔴 Listen
"The Culture Guy Podcast" – Christian Höferle
A refreshingly unpretentious take on global working and living. It’s not academic or over-produced — just real stories from people navigating cultural intersections in their careers and lives. The recent Asia episodes offer perspectives I don’t often hear elsewhere.
"Culture Kids Productions" – Multiple Award-Winning Podcast
Technically for children, but adults will feel it too. These episodes take listeners through cities, customs, and stories around the world, with an emphasis on curiosity and empathy. A reminder that early exposure to culture isn’t about checklists — it’s about wonder.
🔴 Watch
"Trending now: Labubu, Veo 3, bbno$ & more" – YouTube Culture & Trends (July 2025)
Labubu — a customizable collectible turned fashion statement — is a surprising cultural pulse-check. The common thread across trends? Self-expression. The ability to remix, reinterpret, and reshape identity in ways that feel personal, not polished.
🔴 Something I Keep Coming Back To
"From Girl Boss to No Boss" - NY Times
I’ve followed Neha’s work since the early days, and seeing her framework now recognized more widely feels like a shift. This isn’t just about opting out of traditional work — it’s about questioning inherited definitions of success. When Ashley McCreary says, “So many of us are told what being successful is, we never really thought about whether we want that or not,” it hit something deep. There's power in naming that gap.
🔴 Summer Wandering
"20 places to travel in summer 2025" – Lonely Planet
I love when travel lists prioritize culture over climate. This one highlights Aarhus for its Viking heritage and jazz festivals, and Sri Lanka during Esala Perahera — reminding us that the best times to travel aren’t always about weather, but about meaningful cultural experiences.
"Top 10 travel trends for 2025" – MyLighthouse
The “coolcation” trend stands out, but what really lingered with me was the spotlight on slow tourism. It cuts against the grain of the pack-and-run vacation, encouraging travelers to choose depth over itinerary.
There’s a thread running through this whole edit: intention over consumption. Travel, work, life—all of it.
What's resonating with you lately? I'd love to hear what you're discovering.
