Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Truly*Adventurous

Maria Quiteria, the Revolutionary

The secret fight of Brazil’s first female war hero.

Romper

Wackadoo! Bluey’s Hometown Has a Really Cute Nickname

And it’s a for real life place.

Outdoor Life

7 Sneaky Ways Landowners Block Access to Public Lands

And what to do when you run into it.

Fast Company

Four Ways to Build Influence at Work, No Matter Your Job Title

Even if you’re an entry-level employee, you can create a powerful presence.

The Atlantic

The Struggle and Triumph of America’s First Black Doctors

African American physicians have dealt with distrust and misperceptions for more than a century.

Smithsonian Magazine

The Texas City Where Mermaids Inspire River Conservation

“Aquamaids” were once the stars at an amusement park in San Marcos. Now, they are making a comeback to help the environment.

MEL Magazine

What Happens to Spelling Bee Champions When They Grow Old?

Spelling contests have remained a feature in American life since the Puritans landed on Plymouth Rock — but is peaking at 12 years old all it’s cracked up to be?

The Conversation

How to Help Dogs and Cats Manage Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is difficult for both you and your pet, but a few simple changes can make a huge difference if you’re expecting to be away for a longer amount of time during the day.

Bloomberg Businessweek

The Surprisingly Lucrative Business of Recycled E-Waste

In Nigeria and elsewhere, entrepreneurs are making money by dismantling electronics—and sending valuable metals back to the developed world.

Bustle

Why Self-Care Hasn’t Cured Your Burnout

The way out isn’t endless leisure. It’s finding meaningful work, outside of your career.

Smithsonian Magazine

How Museums in Central and Eastern Europe Tell the Story of Life Behind the Iron Curtain

Grassroots exhibitions popping up in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland provide a window into ordinary lives during the communist era.

Atlas Obscura

Medieval Africans Had a Unique Process for Purifying Gold With Glass

And scientists in Illinois have recreated it.

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

Tuesday, August 12

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.

Bitter Southerner

For the Living of These Days

Every summer, locals reenact the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, where Prosecutor William Jennings Bryan remains something of a hero. I wanted to see for myself why this story still resonates.

The New Republic

RFK’s War on Antidepressants Will Hit Pregnant Patients Hard

For years, SSRIs have been effective at mitigating mental health issues during both pregnancy and the post-partum period. But the Trump administration seems bent on reversing these lifesaving gains.

The Guardian

‘I Had Her Right in Front of Me. And Now She’s Gone’: How One Mother Lost Her Daughter to Mental Illness

Studying in London before taking up a high-flying job in New York, Naina Mishra seemed set for a bright future – until she began retreating from friends and family into a paranoid spiral even her mother couldn’t break.

5280 Magazine

Has David Roche Cracked the Code? Or Is He Just Another Crackpot?

The Boulder athlete claims to have developed a radical recipe to revolutionize long-distance running. I decided to find out if it works.

Food & Wine

I Tracked a Wild Salmon From Sea to Plate — What I Learned Surprised Me

Wild salmon is abundant in Alaska and coveted by chefs — but most Americans eat the cheaper, milder farmed kind. Journalist Kim Cross set out to learn why — and how to cook the real thing right.

Slate

The Cult of ’Kill Tony’

Tony Hinchcliffe’s fame skyrocketed after he made a joke that spooked even Donald Trump. In Texas, I watched how he became the most powerful comic in America.

Allure

Inside the World of Professional Back-Scratching

“I just want to pay someone to tickle my back.”

How to Break Free From the ‘One More Year’ Trap and Actually Retire

Despite having more than enough money to retire, some people simply cannot leave their jobs.

Mental Floss

15 Most Popular Baby Names From Disney

These names show up in Disney movies and shows, and they also happen to be some of the most popular baby names today.

The Spruce

4 Cleaning Tasks I Immediately Tackle After Getting Back From a Trip That Save Me Time Later

After coming back from an overnight trip or long vacation, I immediately tackle these four cleaning tasks to set myself up for success during the upcoming week.

Mental Floss

This Lemon Meringue Tart Uses a Secret Ingredient From Your Herb Garden

One ingredient normally reserved for savory dishes makes all the difference in this recipe.

Smithsonian Magazine

This Groundbreaking Initiative Ushers the Rich Tapestry of Mayan Languages Into the Digital Age

Millions of Maya still call Mesoamerica home. The Mayan Languages Preservation and Digitization Project promotes tools designed by and for Indigenous communities, like online glossaries and special phone keyboards.

NPR

What’s the Deal With Claims That Birth Control Is Dangerous?

Social media is full of videos saying hormonal contraception can hurt you and promoting natural alternatives. How did the treatments get such a bad reputation and do alternatives work?

Big Think

How Dell’s Membrane Paved the Way for “Headless Agents”

In the post-AI startup landscape, the role of the entrepreneur will evolve from operator to orchestrator. Are you ready?

Outside

How Canicross Saved My Relationship with My Unruly Rescue Dog

I couldn’t fix my dog’s behavior until we started running toward a shared goal—literally.

The Associated Press

Pete Carroll, Aaron Rodgers Head a List of Familiar Faces in New Places This NFL Season

Aaron Rodgers joined Pittsburgh. Davante Adams went to Hollywood. Cooper Kupp is in Seattle. Russell Wilson’s latest stop is the Big Apple.

CNBC

Travel Card Benefits Are ‘Getting Harder to Maximize,’ Analyst Says. What to Know Before You Apply

Travel credit cards may be worth the cost as long as it fits your lifestyle. Otherwise, it may not make sense to have an expensive credit card in your wallet.