Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Darius Foroux

10 Practical Answers to 10 Powerful Questions

The other day I received an email from a reader with 10 questions she wanted me to answer. No introduction. No small talk. Just a list of questions and “Thanks for your time” at the bottom.

Smithsonian Magazine

South to the Promised Land

Before the Civil War, numerous enslaved people made the treacherous journey to Mexico in a bold quest for freedom that historians are now unearthing.

Greater Good Magazine

A Healthy Social Life Goes Beyond Friends and Family

When we have a variety of social interactions—with not just intimates, but acquaintances and strangers—we may be happier and healthier for it.

The Guardian

The Dead Hang Delight: How This Quick, Surprisingly Simple Exercise Can Change Your Life

Would you like to strengthen your upper body and core muscles, while improving your flexibility and breathing? Here’s how to do it.

Romper

Why Do Babies Do the Newborn Scrunch?

It’s like they’re trying to melt your heart.

Apartment Therapy

Where to Start When Cleaning the Living Room

There’s no wrong way to clean. But where you start matters more than you might think.

Scott Young

Five Scientific Steps to Ace Your Next Exam

Optimize your studying and test prep with these techniques.

Mental Floss

4 of the Best Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists

Protect your skin all year-round with the best sunscreens recommended by experts.

Knowable Magazine

The Untapped Potential of Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood

Long overlooked, menstrual stem cells could have important medical applications, including diagnosing endometriosis.

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.

MIT Press Reader

How the FBI Destroyed the Careers of 41 Women in TV and Radio

At the dawn of the Cold War era, dozens of progressive women working in radio and television were placed on a media blacklist and forced from their industry. Carol Stabile explores this shameful period in American history.

Scientific American

Who Created Maslow’s Iconic Pyramid?

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

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

New York Magazine

The Crypto Maniacs and the Torture Townhouse

How two men charged with an outrageous kidnapping scheme introduced a new kind of crime to the city.

SF Standard

An Alleged Killer Is Living Near Golden Gate Park in a Facility Where Patients Go Missing

Michael Jacobs’ story illustrates how even a ‘homicidal’ defendent can end up living right next door.

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!

Psyche

Why Do We Hesitate to Talk About Our Own Good Deeds?

Disclosing acts of kindness could encourage even more altruism – if we can find a way around the awkwardness.

Stat News

Insecure About Their Looks, More Men Than Ever Are Getting Plastic Surgery

Insecure about their looks, more men than ever are getting plastic surgery.

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.

BBC

Should We All Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?

Vitamin supplements can be an efficient way to add vitamins lacking in our diet. But they're not a silver bullet.

The 5 Best TV Moments You Won’t See Awarded at This Year’s Emmys

It’s time for the Envy Awards: The Envelope’s deeply subjective prizes honoring series, performances and moments you won’t see at the Emmys.

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.

Parents

Teens Can’t Handle the ‘Daddy Prank’—Here’s the TikTok Trend Parents Are Loving

Sometimes it’s worth being called ‘cringe’ for a harmless prank on our kids.

Culture Study

The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

No, it’s not infinite bouquets.

Business Insider

The End of the Mega-Employer

For more than a century, armies of office workers were a necessary cost of doing business in corporate America. Not anymore.

Real Simple

Hair Minimalism Is Trending—Here Are 7 Hair Care Steps You Can Actually Skip

As hair minimalism takes off, more people are recognizing that not every product or step in your hair care routine is essential. Here’s what you can confidently skip without sacrificing great-looking hair.

Money

Over Half of Older Employees Plan to Work ‘Indefinitely’ and Never Retire

A new survey shows 51% of older workers expect to never retire — some because of choice, but others out of financial necessity.

ESPN

MLB Rank 2025 in-Season Update: Ranking Baseball’s Top 50 Players

We asked ESPN MLB experts to give an updated top-50 ranking, allowing us to take stock of the best performances of the 2025 season so far.

Mental Floss

How Jen Pawol Became the First Female Umpire in MLB History

Pawol made history this weekend as the first woman behind home plate at a major league game. What took so long?

Fast Company

Try This Simple 3-Step Process to Overcome Self-Doubt at Work

Here’s one approach to rewrite the story that imposter syndrome creates in your head during key career moments.

Real Simple

We Asked 4 Registered Dietitians to Name the Healthiest Cooking Oil, and They All Said the Same Thing

See the cooking oil registered dietitians say is the healthiest one to use. In addition to its nutritional benefits, this oil is versatile and tastes great.