A self help magazine for people who hate self help magazines.

Latest Stories

Preserving Natural Quiet in an Ever-Louder World

5 min read

All living things benefit from experiencing less human-caused noise. Thats why Quiet Parks International is speaking loudly for quiet places.

How Shared Electric Cargo Bikes Are Changing Cities

5 min read

Imagine a neighborhood where cars have been replaced by zippy e-bikes with cargo space. It’s a big dream — and it starts with bike shares.

Welcome to Our New Newsletter: The Spark!

5 min read

This is the first edition of our brand-new monthly newsletter, all about how people just like you are creating positive change, one meaningful step at a time.

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Reasons to be Cheerful Presents: Rocking the Boat

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Relive one of the highlights of our second annual variety show — and get to know a unique organization that teaches high schoolers to build boats.

Reasons to be Cheerful Presents: Free to Be Youth Project

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Relive a highlight from our second annual variety show — and get to know a vital project that supports low-income and homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

Our 2nd Annual ‘Amazing Humans’ Variety Show Was Wild!

2 min read

Photos from an incredible night of music, magic, comedy and surprises.

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Editors’ Picks

Doing the Right Thing is Good Business

4 min read

These days, fossil fuels look like a shakier investment than ever. As more investors decide the smart money is on clean energy, a tipping point appears near.

Can Flexible Pricing be Fair?

4 min read

Opponents say fees for urban services hit poor people hardest. But the data show that, implemented right, dynamic pricing can be a tool for equity.

Edmonton’s New Parking Rule Is an Urban Planner’s Dream

5 min read

For the first time, a major Canadian city won’t require space for cars on any property.

Most Popular

What We’re Reading: A Big Leap Forward for Vaccines

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See what stories caught our attention this week, from a new type of vaccine to preventing gentrification in wildfire-scarred communities.

How Farmers in Oregon Are Preserving Their Land for the Next Generation

6 min read

As more and more U.S. agricultural land is developed, conservation agreements that ensure farmland stays farmland offer landowners peace of mind.

Former Navy SEALs Are Diving to Save the Ocean

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For veterans, efforts like rescuing sea turtles and planting coral go beyond conservation — theyre also an invigorating way to serve again.

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