Opinions and Advice

Share your insights and guidance on a variety of topics.

So You Want to Join a Boycott: How to Consume Less

A successful boycott is a sustained effort. This calls for long-term adjustments in our spending habits and a reexamination of our relationship with consumption. Reflect on your spending habits and understand how you can stick it to large corporations, reduce impact, and save money. I’ve compiled 13 actionable, simple steps to prompt reflection and start minimizing consumption.

So You Want to Join a Boycott: How to Consume Less Read More »

THE Kingdom OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The SCOTUS is on fire. This is day two of the methodical dismantling of the legal framework that supported and served this nation well for almost two hundred fifty years, with day one being the 2010 Citizens United decision. With each decision and all those in the interim, this court has dismantled the legal framework that sustained this country and expressed the victories and aspirations of its constituents.

THE Kingdom OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Read More »

The Not so Supreme, U.S. Supreme Court

Can there exist justice where there’s not a social contract laying down the rules and the willingness of the underwriters to abide by it?. Can we have a nation or a democracy, where the signatory of the social contract cannot agree about what’s good for the country, and/or compromise for the collective wellbeing?. Can it exist a just society in which a minority cynically and brutally disregards the wishes of the majority and all rules of civilized cohabitation, without being a Plutocracy?.

The Not so Supreme, U.S. Supreme Court Read More »

Neither Pro-Palestinian, Nor Zionist. Just Pro-Human.

The periodic eruptions of armed conflicts on our planet, with their irrational blood-shedding, death, destruction, and the loss of innocent lives, seem permanent features of our daily lives. Most recently Ukraine- Russia, Palestine-Israel, and Sudan-Sudan occupied our “news”.In a world of great ironies, one is that Israel, a country founded in 1948 on the premise of providing a home for the protection of Israelis against persecution, humiliation, suffering, and extermination by others, finds itself in a position of overwhelming supremacy and subjugating others to the conditions they were once freed.

Neither Pro-Palestinian, Nor Zionist. Just Pro-Human. Read More »

Nina’s Advice: Writing with your Roots

In this heartfelt exploration, Badillo offers her guidance for writers seeking to intertwine their identity and heritage with their literary aspirations. She delves into the essence of drawing inspiration from one’s cultural roots, advocating for authenticity as a cornerstone of impactful storytelling. Badillo emphasizes the importance of engaging with a diverse community of writers and thinkers, highlighting how such interactions can broaden perspectives and enrich one’s voice. Furthermore, she underscores the significance of staying true to one’s unique narrative voice, arguing that genuine stories have the power to connect deeply with readers across the globe. Through her reflective advice, Badillo not only illuminates the path for writers grappling with their identity but also celebrates the richness that diversity brings to the literary world.

Nina’s Advice: Writing with your Roots Read More »

Should I Go Back to Grad School?

This post explores the post-grad journey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities young adults face in today’s evolving landscape. From redefining success to embracing a growth mindset, it offers practical advice for navigating uncertainties with confidence and purpose. Encouraging continuous learning, networking, and well-being, it’s a guide for those ready to chart their course and forge a fulfilling path in early adulthood.

Should I Go Back to Grad School? Read More »

Nina’s Advice: Writing is a Balancing Act

Nina Badillo provides her insights on balancing the demands of a writer’s life with social obligations in a bustling environment. In this article, she delves into establishing a structured writing schedule, akin to a professional commitment, to ensure consistent creative time. Badillo emphasizes the importance of communicating the necessity of solitude in the creative process to friends and family, thereby gaining their respect and understanding. She also explores leveraging the collaborative nature of The Olive Branch Review to merge social and writing realms, and the crucial art of saying ‘no’ to prioritize writing. Her approach aims to create a harmonious balance, respecting the need for both community and solitude in a writer’s life.

Nina’s Advice: Writing is a Balancing Act Read More »

sorry we re closed signboard

The Hidden Cost of Living

Arianna Mitchell explores the deep cultural impact of rising living costs on local communities, focusing on how increased expenses are forcing cherished neighborhood restaurants to close. Arianna argues that this trend is not just a financial issue but a cultural crisis, eroding the unique character and communal spaces that define neighborhood identities. She emphasizes the importance of preserving these local eateries as vital to maintaining the social fabric and cultural richness of communities.

The Hidden Cost of Living Read More »

diverse best friends hugging on embankment

Friends Wanted: The Trials and Tribulations of Friend-Making in the Concrete Jungle

Ah, the big city. A place where dreams come true, opportunities abound, and friendships… well, that’s where things get a little dicey. As an ambitious young urban professional, I naively believed that making friends in the city would be a cinch. After all, with millions of people crammed into a bustling metropolis, surely I’d stumble

Friends Wanted: The Trials and Tribulations of Friend-Making in the Concrete Jungle Read More »

photo of people at the street

Making the Most of City Life: Creative Ways to Fill Your Free Time as a YUPPIE

Hey there, fellow urban dwellers! Are you tired of the same old daily grind in your concrete jungle? Are you looking for new and exciting ways to spend your precious free time without breaking the bank? Fear not, my metropolitan comrades, for I have just the antidote to your urban ennui. Buckle up and get

Making the Most of City Life: Creative Ways to Fill Your Free Time as a YUPPIE Read More »

city street photo

The Great Apartment Hunt: A Comedy of Errors and Empty Bank Accounts

Greetings, fellow city dwellers! Gather ’round, and let me regale you with the tale of my epic quest to find an affordable apartment in a major US city – a journey filled with laughter, tears, and more than a few moments of existential crisis. As a single woman in her mid-twenties, I’m ready to bid

The Great Apartment Hunt: A Comedy of Errors and Empty Bank Accounts Read More »

Scroll to Top