WRITING
I’m best known for my lifestyle content, having devoted much of my career to covering travel, food, home, celebrities, technology, green living, and human interest stories. I’m still passionate about all of these topics. But these days, I’m also seeking writing and editing work that’s angled more toward social justice, mental health, and public health.
Below is a sampling of articles I’ve written. For a more comprehensive portfolio, check out my Muck Rack and Pinterest pages.
POLITICS + SOCIAL JUSTICE
How having a daughter made me more feminist, GenderAvenger
Working-class politicians aren't always best for the working class, The Week
When animals disappear, so do our social structures, HuffPost
Ways to give back this holiday season, Via
Bold and female, Sierra
"Diversity" is losing its meaning. What should we say instead? Pacific Standard
Visionaries who are doing their most important work after retirement, Pacific Standard
“Eat your vegetables” is easier for low-income mothers who get help, Pacific Standard
Education, interrupted: Young Syrian refugees are becoming a lost generation, Pacific Standard
Young, undocumented, and invisible, Pacific Standard
More on my Pacific Standard author page
HEALTH + PSYCHOLOGY
The Cesarean section is still the safest way to deliver feet-first babies, Pacific Standard
Watching TV is worse for you if you feel guilty about it, Pacific Standard
Journalists can get PTSD without leaving their desks, Pacific Standard
Warmer parenting makes toddlers more empathetic, Pacific Standard
American mothers are breastfeeding less than ever, Pacific Standard
Common knowledge makes us cooperate better, Pacific Standard
Your brain wiring affects whether you get PTSD, Pacific Standard
Want your preemie baby to be healthier? Sing. Pacific Standard
The impossibility of the night shift, The Week
When men who abstain get married, The Week
Do "natural" mosquito repellents actually work? SmarterTravel
Is it OK to bring peanuts on a plane? SmarterTravel
When slumber’s no party, Los Angeles Times
How to cope with acid reflux, Palo Alto Weekly
TRAVEL: GLOBAL
Paradise, if you can find it, Los Angeles Times
At Nobu Hotel, serenity amid the Vegas chaos, Los Angeles Times
How to make your trip really count, Los Angeles Times
Bargains, even in Paris and Tokyo, Los Angeles Times
Unsung cities full of surprises, Los Angeles Times
When it's not where, but how, Los Angeles Times
It's a girl-thing fling, Los Angeles Times
Vegas, baby. Really—what to do in Sin City with your toddler, Chicago Tribune
The best ways to use your frequent-flier miles, USA Today
How to get more out of your vacation dollars, Via
How to plan a camping trip, Via
Easy ways to save money on a cruise, Yahoo Travel
Rookie mistakes to avoid on your first cruise, Business Insider
Ten ways you're sabotaging your ability to sleep on a plane, HuffPost
The Ultimate Side Trip: Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Tripadvisor
Is El Paso safe? Warnings and dangers for travelers (part of a multi-city series), SmarterTravel
Flight attendants reveal their best secrets for a better flight, SmarterTravel
What it’s like to fly on EVA’s Hello Kitty airplane, SmarterTravel
The 14 most unique hotels in the world, SmarterTravel
More on my SmarterTravel author page
TRAVEL: CALIFORNIA
At Vacaville’s Silent Stay, bring on the solitude, Los Angeles Times (image)
The Inn at the Presidio is a march in time, Los Angeles Times
Just a few steps from Hell’s door, Los Angeles Times
San Francisco with kids: Touch tanks, trampolines and clanging cable cars, Los Angeles Times (image)
San Francisco’s Exploratorium set to reopen at triple the size, Los Angeles Times
Alcatraz to host Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s exhibit, Los Angeles Times
An epic road trip down California's PCH, TripAdvisor
An Ahwahnee by any other name, Sierra
Danville is full of all-American charms, Chicago Tribune (and L.A. Times; image)
Get cozy in Petaluma, Baltimore Sun
Hidden hot spots in San Diego, USA Today
The top 10 must-sees in San Diego, USA Today
The coolest things about Disneyland's new Star Wars land, Via
Eight Disneyland tips for adults only, Via
Nine must-see museums in L.A., Via
Explore Los Angeles on foot, Via
How to be a Disneyland pro, Via
CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS
Jane Goodall, for Sierra
Mayim Bialik, for Sierra
Natalie Coughlin, for Sierra
Hannah Teter, for Sierra
Esperanza Spalding, for Sierra
Okee Dokee Brothers, for Sierra
Rachel Dratch, for HuffPost
Kristi Yamaguchi, for Via
D’Arcy Carden, for Via
Jonas Rivera, for Via
PEOPLE + HUMAN INTEREST
Jacob Barnett’s curious and computational mind, Pacific Standard
Boyan Slat’s plan to clean the Earth’s oceans, Pacific Standard
Child prodigy Colin Carlson is finally doing something new, Pacific Standard
30 under 30: 2017’s most exciting young thinkers in social justice, Pacific Standard cover story (2016, 2015, 2014; image 1; image 2)
How Glen Weyl invented quadratic voting, Pacific Standard
Yaa Gyasi’s ambitious and empathetic fiction, Pacific Standard
Haben Girma became the first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law, Pacific Standard
Troy Cambpell studies what makes people happy, Pacific Standard
Six visionaries who are changing the world after age 80, Pacific Standard
FOOD + DRINK
Nine chefs who are changing the world, Sierra
Five foods that are killing the planet, Sierra
Five great biodynamic wines, Sierra
Chef Tyler Florence carves out his niche, Sierra
Big Ag feeds millions but tiny food producers protect the planet, Sierra (image)
Q&A with Whole30 nutrition guru Melissa Hartwig, Via
Must-have food and drinks at Disneyland, Via
Sweet somethings from far, far away, Los Angeles Times
Seattle's top 10 coffeehouses, Los Angeles Times
Have we gone blog wild? Los Angeles Times
Real, tasty, Los Angeles Times
My moment with a Michelin-starred chef, HuffPost
Three recipes for a Michelin-starred meal, HuffPost
HOME + SHELTER
16 things every homeowner should know how to do, Via cover story
16 ways to make your home more sustainable, Via
How to keep your home safe when you're away, Via
Moving? Here’s an easy-to-follow schedule, Via
Ten New Year's resolutions for your home, Via
How Joshua Becker became a minimalist, Via
How to prepare for a flood, Via
Netflix, but for toys, Sierra
Give ‘em shelter: Backyard homes for birds and bees, Sierra (image)
CARS + TECHNOLOGY
How to stay safe while shopping online, Via
How to buy a car during the pandemic, Via
How to protect your privacy online, Via
How to organize your digital life, Via
How to be a smarter car owner, Via
The touchy-feely future: Haptics let us get fresh with our devices, Pacific Standard
Alexander Peysakhovich's theory on artificial intelligence, Pacific Standard
Investing in the future: VCs are mining schools for clean-tech geniuses, Sierra
For a prolific typeface designer, Yosemite is a font of inspiration, Sierra
Dialed in: Eco-friendly accessories for your phone, Sierra
A “flare” for entrepreneurship, Palo Alto Weekly
ECO-LIVING
Cruise lines going to inspiring lengths to protect the planet, SmarterTravel
The 25 best colleges for Outside readers, Outside
America’s greenest schools: The top 10, Sierra cover story (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 , 2011; image, image, image)
Outdoor gear made from unconventional materials, Sierra (image)
Seven eco-friendly baby and toddler necessities, Sierra
Dig in: Why immersive learning matters, Sierra cover story
The 10 coolest schools, 10 years on, Sierra cover story
Do green schools matter? Sierra cover story
Gifts that keep on living, Sierra
Ready to re-wear, Sierra
Drinking buddies: Five great BPA-free beverage containers, Sierra and HuffPost (image)
The five best eco-professors and green college classes, HuffPost
The Leakeys' African jewelry makes more than a fashion statement, HuffPost