Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Scientific American

Who Created Maslow’s Iconic Pyramid?

An investigation into the real origins of Maslow's pyramid.

MEL Magazine

Why Is It So Much Harder to Be Nice to Ourselves Than to Other People?

Psychologists have the answer — and, for once, a fairly straightforward solution.

The Hustle

How Nuns Got Squeezed Out of the Communion Wafer Business

Altar bread was once made by hundreds of communities of nuns across the US. Now, a for-profit company controls nearly the entire market.

BBC Worklife

Why Overly Kind and Moral People Can Rub You up the Wrong Way

‘Do-gooders’ are often judged harshly. Why do we resent their acts of altruism or question their motives?

Stylist

The Scorpion Stretch Will Loosen Your Tight Hips and Lower Back

One of the best ways to release the tissue and decompress the bones and joints.

Outside

The Case for Killing the Campfire

Outdoor tradition or dangerous, polluting, wasteful relic of the past?

Nautilus

Never Underestimate the Intelligence of Trees

Plants communicate, nurture their seedlings, and get stressed.

The Washington Post

This Pasta Dish Makes Brussels Sprouts Taste Positively Indulgent

A recipe from Ed Barrow’s “The Monday Pasta Club” bathes the shredded sprouts in generous amounts of butter, cream and cheese.

Homes & Gardens

12 of the Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots – Easy Crops for Spaces of Any Size

There is a wide selection of vegetables that will happily grow in pots and provide you with a fantastic harvest.

Quanta Magazine

A Child’s Puzzle Helped Unlock the Secrets of Magnetism

People have known about magnets since ancient times, but the physics of ferromagnetism remains a mystery. A familiar puzzle is getting physicists closer to the answer.

Smithsonian Magazine

Seven of the Wildest and Weirdest Attempts to Curb Animal Pests

Why use fences or traps when you can use deadly viruses or lustful snakes?

Fatherly

How to Raise a Child Who Feels at Home in Their Body

A psychologist’s advice on how to talk to kids about their bodies and physical insecurities.

Popular Collections

Curated guides to the best reads on the web

Pocket Collections

The Art of Navigating Thorny Office Politics

From bad bosses to gossipy colleagues and, of course, office refrigerator drama.

Today’s Pocket Hits

Thursday, August 14

The Dial

The Future of Climate Change Is on Mauritius

Freak tornadoes, “explosions” of jellyfish, flash floods and dried up pumps.

The Conversation

Can Air Conditioning Really Make You Sick? A Microbiologist Explains.

Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days.

Travis Kelce on His Upcoming Season, Post-NFL Ambitions, and Life With Taylor Swift

After a grueling Super Bowl loss, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end spent his summer vacation focused on coming back stronger than ever.

BBC

How Kentucky Bourbon Went From Boom to Bust

Tariffs, oversupply and teetotaling Gen-Zs have all contributed to the downfall of one of America’s most iconic liquors.

The Guardian

Why Do I Feel So Much Worse After a Nap – and How Can I Avoid It?

Waking up from a nap feeling groggy, tired or ill? Experts say it’s common. Here’s what could be going wrong.

Condé Nast Traveler

Inside the Leather Workshops of Andalusia

With a history dating back almost 1,000 years, leatherwork remains at the heart of Andalusian life—thanks to the modern-day artisans working diligently to preserve the craft.

BBC

A Dating App, a Niqab and a 9mm Gun—How a US Woman Was Hired to End a UK Family Feud

US woman Aimee Betro was hired to come to the UK to kill a Birmingham man as part of a family feud.

Slate

Rise of the “Marinade Truthers”

Put down those Ziploc bags!

Why Restaurant Workers Are Trading Late Nights for Morning Runs

Connection, community, and wellness are fueling a new tradition in the hospitality industry.

Food & Wine

How to Make the Fluffiest Pancakes, According to Chefs

Here’s the problem with pancakes: they’re deceptively difficult. Whether you’re preparing them from a boxed mix or scratch, there are so many small mistakes you can make along the way that can lead to dense, bland, or burnt flapjacks.

Martha Stewart

11 Natural Ways to Keep Pests Away From Your Garden—for Good

Protect your garden the natural way with these effective methods that don’t rely on commercial pesticides to keep pests away from your garden for good.

NPR

With Replay Review and ‘Robot Umps,’ Who Is Still Trying to Become an MLB Umpire?

Between replay review, automated balls and strikes and viral lowlights on social media, the work of baseball umpires has been transformed by technology. But none of that has deterred aspiring umpires.

Polygon

Are We Finally Getting a Great Fast & Furious Racing Game?

Fast & Furious Arcade is from the same dev behind Cruis’n Blast, Raw Thrills.

Den Of Geek

Bob Odenkirk Thinks ‘Some Version’ of Late Night Comedy Will Survive Streaming

Exclusive: The Nobody 2 star and veteran comic considers the future of comedy, late night, and SNL.

CNBC

The Top 10 Colleges for Financial Aid, According to the Princeton Review

The Princeton Review ranked colleges by how generous their financial aid awards are and how satisfied students are with their packages.

Parents

Why Mel Robbins Says Parents Must Fix Their Own Screen Time First

The author and podcast host gets candid about her own ‘screen time’ struggles and shares her best tips for parents to model a healthier digital balance.

CBS News

Staffing Shortages at VA Health Systems Are on the Rise, Watchdog Finds

The VA’s Office of Inspector General found facilities reported 4,434 staffing shortages this fiscal year, which is a 50% increase from fiscal year 2024.