Amy Fleming

Middle-aged women are increasingly returning to rave and club culture for exercise, stress relief and a sense of belonging. Research from the University of Leeds highlights strong mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, increased energy and enhanced social connection through dancing. Interviews show that initial age-related hesitations fade as participants embrace inclusive club environments, intergenerational mixing and the emotional release offered by beat-driven music. Early-evening events now cater to older clubbers, while traditional late nights still appeal to some. The resurgence reflects both ageing dance culture and a desire for identity, freedom and communal regulation beyond the demands of work and caregiving.

A family sailing trip in the south of France quickly becomes a terrifying week as unexpected strong winds, equipment failures and a series of mishaps leave the narrator anxious and fearing for everyone’s safety. Rough seas, a dragging anchor, broken sheets and a jammed cabin door add to the chaos, culminating in the delicate extraction of her injured mother through a window. Despite the ordeal, the experience strengthens family bonds and provides an escape from everyday concerns.

A German veteran, Annika Schröder, who developed PTSD after the Good Friday Battle in Afghanistan, now runs a farm near Leipzig where she hosts struggling former soldiers. Photographer Jan Kraus, exploring the relationship between state institutions and individuals, captured her as part of a series portraying uniformed personnel in their homes. The project highlights the need for better support for veterans, the diversity within the military, and the value of direct, personal conversations in overcoming social divides.

Sophie Green recounts the making of her photograph of twins on a fast-moving funfair ride in Weston-super-Mare, reflecting on the colours, nostalgia and communal experience of the British seaside. She describes how the lockdown period led her to document coastal life and how her broader projects explore subcultures, belonging and overlooked communities across Britain. Her work culminates in the exhibition and book Tangerine Dreams, presented at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol.

A week-long experiment of avoiding weather apps leads to more spontaneous and enjoyable experiences, revealing how forecast checking can heighten anxiety and create false expectations. Experts explain how apps present risk, why wet bias shapes public behaviour and business outcomes, and how differing data sources and presentation styles contribute to contradictory forecasts. Direct observation and a flexible mindset prove liberating, even as the author eventually returns to checking forecasts for practical planning.

Marisol Mendez explains the inspiration and themes behind her 2019 photograph featuring Marta Salinas, exploring expressions of womanhood, masculine energy and the cultural symbolism of the Bolivian bull costume. Reflecting on personal experiences and societal attitudes toward gender and nudity in Bolivia, she describes how the portrait fits within her Madre series and highlights the collaborative role of her mother during production. The piece also notes her recent win of the Saltzman-Leibovitz prize and her participation in Photo London.

Research increasingly links gum disease and oral infections to cardiovascular problems, strokes, diabetes, arthritis and potentially dementia, as oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream, trigger inflammation and contribute to systemic illness. Experts highlight the complexity of determining causation but emphasize that poor oral health reflects and can worsen overall health. Regular brushing, flossing, diet control and timely treatment reduce risks, while limited access to NHS dental care exacerbates problems. The evidence indicates oral hygiene is a meaningful component of broader long‑term health outcomes.

Psychiatrist Amir Levine expands on attachment theory in a new book arguing that emotional security can be strengthened through consistent, supportive relationships. He highlights how secure attachment correlates with better health, reduced stress and improved cognitive resilience, and explains how behaviors such as availability, reliability and responsiveness help rewire the brain toward security. Levine provides examples illustrating how attachment styles shape work, relationships and wellbeing, and stresses that attachment patterns are flexible and influenced by ongoing experiences rather than fixed by early childhood. He promotes small positive interactions as meaningful drivers of change and encourages people to cultivate secure connections to enhance longevity and emotional stability.

Ron Timehin describes capturing a portrait in Labadi, Accra, aiming to show local community life through collaborative photography that contrasts with typical portrayals of Africans. His project, supported by My Runway Group, involved documenting several communities and will be exhibited in London, with proceeds helping fund local initiatives. He highlights cultural ties, personal heritage, and the pride of the people photographed, noting the impact of the work and his recognition in the Sony World Photography awards.

Two women in a Hungarian retirement home describe long marriages, active lifestyles and financial caution as keys to their longevity, captured in a photograph from János Bődey’s series on ageing with fulfillment despite limited pensions and difficult access to care homes. The project highlights shifting attitudes toward elderly care in Hungary and contrasts with Bődey’s usual work covering conflicts and politics. His series has earned international recognition, including a shortlist position for the Sony World Photography Awards.

Casting directors receive their first dedicated Oscar category after years of minimal recognition despite their deep influence on film development, talent discovery and production dynamics. Figures such as Kelly Valentine Hendry, Avy Kaufman and Nina Gold describe the profession’s demands, from creative judgment and diplomacy to navigating financial negotiations and advocating for overlooked actors. Industry veterans including Richard E Grant highlight how casting directors shape careers and projects while often remaining invisible and undercredited. The new Academy award marks a shift, though many remain doubtful that the complexity of casting will be fully understood or fairly judged by voters.

Photographer John Dean reflects on a 1976 image taken during a student exchange in Nottingham, recalling his daily explorations of a city undergoing redevelopment and his encounters with a man named Joe and his dog Becky, who helped define the scene. His time embedded with a local family and the openness of people he met shaped his photographic approach, reinforcing the role of serendipity throughout his career.

A new docu‑drama, Broken English, captures Marianne Faithfull reflecting on her life and career through a mix of archival material, staged conversations and performances. Filmmakers Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard depict Faithfull confronting her past with humour, candour and vulnerability while avoiding sensationalised myths surrounding her. The film includes contributions from major collaborators such as Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, and Courtney Love, and culminates in Faithfull’s final recorded performance after recovering enough to sing again. Emphasising her artistic resilience and long‑overlooked achievements, the project reframes her legacy beyond tabloid narratives and highlights the personal and professional struggles that marked her career.

Sue Webster reflects on her turbulent past, the end of her long artistic and personal partnership with Tim Noble, and her reinvention as a solo artist ahead of her first institutional solo show. Her new work, centred on the autobiographical installation “Crime Scene” and a series of bold pregnancy self‑portraits, explores trauma, identity, and late-life motherhood following miscarriages and the birth of her son at 52 via IVF. After years of introspection, she embraces a more personal, introspective direction in her art, separating herself from her past collaborative identity and finding renewed confidence in her own voice.

Acupressure mats are increasingly popular, with many users reporting relief from stress and pain despite limited scientific evidence. Experts note that the spikes can stimulate nerve pathways and may create short-term relaxation or increased blood flow, but warn against overuse and emphasize moderation. A small university study found no significant physiological benefits compared with resting on a regular mat, though both reduced perceived stress. While anecdotal experiences are positive for some, research so far shows the mats offer no measurable advantages beyond simple relaxation.

Experts recommend self-help books addressing challenges including relationships, communication, trauma, parenting, focus, and wellbeing, highlighting works that provide practical systems, evidence-based insights, and approaches that cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and healthier interactions.

Circadian rhythms drive cycles in alertness, metabolism, hormone release and behaviour, with individual chronotypes shaped by genetics and regulated by light exposure. Researchers explain how disruptions such as irregular routines, artificial evening light and mistimed eating can impair coordination across bodily systems. Mitochondria also follow daily cycles influenced by sunlight, affecting energy production and physical performance. Experts note large individual variation in daily patterns but emphasize that consistent routines and adequate daytime light help maintain alignment between internal clocks and the external environment.

A White Stripes concert in 2004 sparks a transformative friendship between two colleagues who bond over music, shared anxieties and a desire to break free from expectations. Their spontaneous decision to visit Detroit leads to years of adventurous trips, encounters with musicians, and memorable nights out that solidify a lifelong connection built on curiosity, rebellion and joy.

Fiona Shaw discusses her recent and past roles, reflecting on working on Andor, new Jane Austen adaptations, and her experiences across film, theatre, and audio performance. She highlights collaborations with figures such as Richard Griffiths and Terrence Malick, explores how she approaches complex characters, and describes the emotional and physical demands of stage work. Shaw emphasizes the importance of language, intuition, and empathy in her craft, noting how each role requires a unique entry point while remaining rooted in authenticity.

A former Bradford beauty shop co-owner, Victor Wedderburn reflects on his early photography career, the African-Caribbean community of the 1980s, and the eventual recognition of his work through recent exhibitions supported by cultural institutions. His photographs document a now-dispersed community and have been showcased in multiple venues following renewed interest, while he recounts personal history, career changes, and the short-lived business he once ran with his wife and friend.