Latest Stories

Most recently published stories on Vocal.

Semi Champions
Wearing a shirt, tie and white jacket, Dr. Drake Saturday night’s Texas date plans ended abruptly when a west coast text, chimed, “Please come ASAP.”
By Marc OBrien19 days ago in Fiction
How Data and Analytics Are Powering Hospitality Marketplace Growth
The hospitality marketplace is evolving fast, and success now depends on more than great service and competitive pricing. Platforms, hotels, vacation rentals, and travel brands are leaning on data and analytics to make smarter decisions, improve guest satisfaction, and stay ahead of shifting demand. From pricing to personalization, analytics is shaping how businesses attract customers and increase revenue.
By Jason Nissen19 days ago in Education
Thinness, TikTok, and the Algorithm: The Revival of Harmful Beauty Ideals in the Digital Age. AI-Generated.
Scrolling through social media today, it’s hard not to notice echoes of the early 2000s, when the ‘heroin chic’ aesthetic dominated fashion magazines and ultra-thin bodies were widely celebrated. Back then, women above a size two were frequently mocked in headlines, and intense scrutiny of female bodies was considered routine. As we fast-forward to the present day, similar attitudes are making an unsettling comeback—particularly on platforms like TikTok, where viral trends and algorithm-driven content cycles often spotlight a narrow, unrealistic version of beauty.
By Sarah Xenos19 days ago in Viva
Trump Declaration of Greenland Framework Deal Met With Scepticism as Doubts Persist. AI-Generated.
Former US president Donald Trump’s declaration that a “framework deal” on Greenland is within reach has been met with widespread scepticism across Europe and among policy experts, who say the claim lacks clarity, formal backing, and political realism. While Trump has long expressed interest in Greenland’s strategic and economic value, doubts persist over whether any meaningful agreement exists beyond rhetoric.
By Aarif Lashari19 days ago in The Swamp
Raw record of my mental illness on YouTube can’t be erased
During a bout with mental illness that occurred shortly after my dad died and other traumas, I went through a phase where I created YouTube videos while in psychotic states.
By David Heitz19 days ago in Psyche
DLDJ Exchange: Applying Modern Investment Theories in Practice. AI-Generated.
Abstract Modern investment theories, including portfolio theory, behavioral finance, and risk management frameworks, have transformed the way financial markets operate and how investors make decisions. This report examines the practical application of these theories in real-world digital trading platforms, using DLDJ Exchange as a reference point. By analyzing portfolio strategies, risk assessment methodologies, and algorithmic decision-making, the report provides insights into how modern investment concepts are implemented in contemporary digital finance.
By DLDJ Exchange19 days ago in Trader
Stranger Things.
If you like the surreal, if you like the series, then you will love the Broadway version of "Stranger Things The First Shadow". Between the great acting and the illusions (Jamie Harrison); the choreography (Lynne Page); the set design (Miriam Buether); the direction (Stephen Daldry), the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne have written a great musical on many fronts.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).19 days ago in Beat
Dating Over 40: The Rise of the “Beautiful Bum”
You know the drill. You swipe right, you match, and the photos are undeniably great. She’s fit, she travels, she’s holding a glass of wine on a terrace in Tuscany. You send the first message because that’s the rule. You ask the questions. You suggest the venue because “I don’t care, you pick” is the standard response.
By Opinion19 days ago in Humans
Nobody Warned Me That Healing Would Feel This Lonely. AI-Generated.
Nobody warned me that healing would feel like this. They talk about healing like it’s a destination. Like one day you wake up and suddenly everything makes sense.
By Hassnain19 days ago in Lifehack
Eight Stops. Content Warning.
“Excuse me, can you tell me how many more stops to Parkview?” “It’s eight. You can see it up there on the Rail Network Map.”
By Sandy Gillman19 days ago in Fiction
The Cul-de-Sac of Chaos: Why The Couple Next Door is the Ultimate Suburban Guilty Pleasure
I’ve always been convinced that the quieter a street is, the weirder the people living on it are. You know the vibe-pristine lawns, color-coordinated trash bins, and a silence so thick you could cut it with a hedge trimmer. I remember moving into my first apartment and spending way too much time wondering why the woman in 4B only ever left her house at 3:00 AM carrying a yoga mat. Was she a dedicated athlete or a secret agent? It turns out she just worked the night shift at a bakery, but that spark of "curtain-twitching" paranoia is exactly what The Couple Next Door on Starz feeds on.
By KWAO LEARNER WINFRED19 days ago in Confessions
I Hit Rock Bottom Before I Learned the Truth About Success
There was a time in my life when nothing seemed to work. No matter how hard I tried, I always ended up at the same place—tired, disappointed, and questioning my own worth. Every morning began with hope, and every night ended with regret. I watched people around me move forward while I stayed stuck, and slowly, that comparison started to destroy my confidence.
By Iazaz hussain19 days ago in Motivation