Latest Stories

Most recently published stories on Vocal.

Ugly Drafts
The first version was ugly. Not charming-ugly. Not raw but promising. Just ugly. The sentences tripped over themselves. The opening didn’t know where it was going. The ending arrived too early, like a guest who misunderstood the invitation. I stared at the screen the way you look at a mirror under bad lighting—too honest, too exposed, impossible to ignore.
By LUNA EDITH8 days ago in Writers
I Hit Rock Bottom at 27 — And That’s Where My Life Finally Began. AI-Generated.
At twenty-seven, I thought my life was already over. I used to believe rock bottom was something people talked about in movies — dramatic, exaggerated, unreal. But when you’re sitting alone in a dark room, checking your bank balance for the tenth time and seeing nothing but zeros, you realize rock bottom is very real.
By Omid khan8 days ago in Fiction
Breathe Through It You Are Stronger Than Stress. AI-Generated.
Let’s talk honestly for a moment. If you’re feeling stressed, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re carrying more than your mind and body were meant to hold alone.
By Veronica Bennett8 days ago in Longevity
Stanislav Kondrashov Wagner Moura Series: Why Latest Oscar Nominations Mark a Turning Point in Global Cinema
Brazilian actor Wagner Moura has long been a force to reckon with on screen, but with his recent Oscar nomination for The Secret Agent, the world is finally catching up to his talent. Known primarily for his role as Pablo Escobar in the critically acclaimed series Narcos, Moura has gradually moved away from the shadows of drug lords and gritty crime dramas, steering his career toward more complex, politically charged roles.
By Stanislav Kondrashov 8 days ago in Beat
7 Books About Love That Change The Way You Look At Life. AI-Generated.
Love is one of the few forces powerful enough to reshape how we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us. It can heal old wounds, challenge long-held beliefs, and invite us into deeper, more meaningful ways of living. Across cultures and centuries, writers, psychologists, philosophers, and poets have tried to capture love’s essence—not just romantic love, but self-love, familial love, spiritual love, and love as a way of life. Below is a list of 7 books about love that change the way you look at life.
By Diana Meresc8 days ago in BookClub
Marshall McLuhan: Philosopher of Media
Marshall McLuhan did not study media to understand television or newspapers. He studied media to understand *us*. Long before smartphones, social media, or constant connectivity, this Canadian philosopher saw that technology does not merely deliver information—it reshapes perception, thought, and society itself. McLuhan’s ideas remain disturbingly relevant because he grasped a truth many still resist: the most powerful effects of media are invisible.
By Fred Bradford8 days ago in Art
Echoes of Place and Feeling: The Art of Ida Shaghoian. AI-Generated.
Painting can be many things at once: a record of what the eye sees, a trace of what the heart remembers, and a mirror for the inner life of the viewer. In the work of Ida Shaghoian, landscape becomes a vessel for emotion rather than a literal description of terrain. Her paintings feel suspended between recognition and reverie, offering spaces that suggest hills, water, and sky while remaining open enough to hold personal meaning. What emerges is a body of work that invites contemplation, asking viewers not simply to look, but to feel.
By Ida Shaghoian8 days ago in Art
Smart Bites for Growing Minds: A Practical Guide to Healthy Snacks for Kids
Snacking is an important part of a child's diet. Children have higher energy requirements as they go to school, do homework, engage in sports and play, and need to stay alert. Kids' healthy snacks are important since they are an important part of our physical development, brain function, and can set the precedent for a healthy diet later in life. Snacks that are healthy, balanced, and nutritious can help keep blood sugar levels stable, increase concentration, and develop healthy habits. Smart snack choices by parents are a way for them to build vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein into a kid-friendly package. With some thought and planning, healthy snacks can be a simple and satisfying way to increase energy and teach kids to appreciate foods that are good for them.
By Tim David8 days ago in Journal
Cultivating Joyful Presence in Everyday Life
Joyful presence is a gentle state of being fully aware and open to the moment with a light heart. It invites a quiet happiness that arises naturally when we stop rushing and start noticing. This quality of presence is not about forcing joy or ignoring difficulties; rather, it is about welcoming whatever is here with a soft smile inside.
By Victoria Marse8 days ago in Proof
The Great Return: Why We Are Trading the Concrete Jungle for a Life in the Wild
"Long trapped in a cage, I have finally returned to nature." In recent years, the most popular keyword across social media and lifestyle blogs isn't "luxury" or "hustle"—it’s "Nature."
By Elena Vance 8 days ago in Earth
24 Hours Overnight Roblox Review: Surviving the Longest Night
When I first launched 24 Hours Overnight, I honestly thought I knew exactly what I was getting into. Another Roblox survival game, another night, another set of monsters trying to ruin your plans. But after spending a few solid evenings inside this game, I realized it hits very differently. There’s something about being locked inside a store, scrambling to build a base while the clock ticks down, that really gets under your skin. And yes, it’s worth mentioning right away that there are codes for the game, which can make those first hours a lot less painful if you know how to use them.
By Serhii Biloshytskyi8 days ago in Gamers
NSW Labor Politicians to Protest Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s Visit in Defiance of Premier. AI-Generated.
Several New South Wales Labor politicians have confirmed they will take part in protests against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, openly defying the state’s Labor premier and exposing deep divisions within the party over the war in Gaza and Australia’s diplomatic relationship with Israel.
By Fiaz Ahmed 8 days ago in The Swamp