Top Stories
New stories you’ll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 05/08/2025
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal9 months ago in Resources
How Much Is It Worth? . Runner-Up in Tomorrow’s Utopia Challenge.
Never to his face obviously–that would be cruel, far too cruel, and the world today tried to be less cruel than it once was, but his colleagues all laughed at him for how much he spent on the drugs.
By Matthew J. Fromm9 months ago in Futurism
It's NOT a Sign of Weakness. Content Warning.
In my last story, I discussed the topic of mental health and Boston Red Sox player Jarren Duran. Duran exchanged words with a Cleveland Guardians fan during a recent game, which the fan responded with an insensitive remark, referring to the outfielder's suicide attempts in 2021 and 2022. I condemned that fan for his actions and should face some sort of punishment from MLB and/or the Guardians organization. Duran has previously been open about his struggles with depression. He has full support from his fellow Red Sox players and the organization. He's not the only player who has been open about their mental health. Dansby Swanson of the Chicago Cubs recently revealed on a podcast that he also had difficulties with alcohol on top of his mental health issues during the early stages of his career. Last year, I watched an ad from MLB about in times of difficulties, there's always people that will support you unconditionally. People tend to forget that athletes are regular individuals, too. I never put anyone famous on pedestals, because you never know what they're going through. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in the United States since 1949. Athletes, celebrities, and everyday people like me are sharing our stories in order to let others know that they're not alone. One of the misconceptions that I dislike the most about mental health is that seeking help for it or discussing your struggles with it means that you're a weak person. This will only make people reluctant or hesitant to seek help. That's the reason why there's so much stigma behind it. Just because someone is depressed, it doesn't mean that they're less of a person. Someone asking for help when they're feeling down should be commended, not chastised. If you know someone who is suffering from mental health problems, support them unconditionally, because they need all of it.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Psyche
Tomorrow’s Utopia Challenge Winners
For this challenge, we asked you to imagine a flawless future—then show us the cracks. Some stories gave us glossy cities hiding quiet rebellions. Others leaned into satire, where democracy turned chaotic or Taco Bell ran the world. A few hit us with emotional gut punches in places where everything seemed fine—until it wasn’t. From sterile peace to algorithmic intimacy, these visions of utopia were as varied as they were sharp.
By Vocal Curation Team9 months ago in Resources
Why Journaling with a Timer Improved My Writing
When I first started my writing career over twenty years ago, I learned pretty fast that I had a lot to learn. My writing, although it was kind of good, felt a little juvenile at times. Especially now as I look back on it.
By Kathy Tsoukalas9 months ago in Writers
The Chicken We Eat
It’s Tuesday again, which is wild because it was just Tuesday the other day. Tuesdays entail eating dinner at an impossible speed so my husband and I can race both kids off to their overpriced dance classes where they learn a routine they then perform for one whole minute to an auditorium of hostages at the end-of-year dance show.
By Nora Ariana9 months ago in Humor
Phinehas Shaw
Here, before us, is Phinehas Shaw, Brother, Father, Son, Uncle, Cousin, and friend to so very, very many. As I look out into the crowd, I can truly see how well Phinehas was loved or at least known. I must say, I’ve never seen a crowd this large gathered together to see just one person. I’m impressed. I didn’t think that this many people could fit inside the building.
By David E. Perry9 months ago in Fiction
face lift: Digital and Machine Artists
Last week, we focused on outsider artists and creators whose work actively resists the mainstream. From fabric artists reclaiming undervalued mediums to visionaries like Henry Darger and Aloïse Corbaz, we explored how deeply personal, often hidden work can stand in radical opposition to capitalist, algorithm-driven aesthetics. If anything lives far from the reach of artificial intelligence, it's the tactile intimacy of embroidery or the obsessive, unmarketed sprawl of outsider art.
By River and Celia in Underland 9 months ago in Art
10 Things I Love About Me (and No, This Isn't a Rom-Com)
There are people who blush at the idea of loving themselves out loud. Not me. Not anymore. After years of shrinking, apologizing, and making myself small enough to fit inside the fragile egos of others, I’ve learned that self-love isn’t arrogance — it’s survival. So here’s my list of ten things I absolutely adore about myself. Prepare for some sass and a lot of heart.
By Ellie Hoovs9 months ago in Humans
