To your health
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Welcome back! I just returned from a trip to Montreal. The chilly weather was perfect for running and spectating some amazing cycling races (more on that below). The trip also gave me the chance to do a bit of a digital detox – also the topic of this week’s feature story.
But before we get into that, here’s the latest health and wellness news:
⚽ On Monday, Atlanta’s NWSL expansion team unveiled its name and branding. Stock up on merch to support Atlanta City FC, which begins play in 2028 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As a refresher, check out Sarra Sedghi’s story on why there’s never been a better time to be a women’s soccer fan in Atlanta.
🚴🏼 Speaking of Montreal, U.S. cyclist Brandon McNulty won the UCI Road World Championships men’s elite race held there last weekend. He is the first American to win the world title since 1993. His teammate, Canadian-American rider Ashlin Barry, won the under-23 title on his 19th birthday.
🤔 Peptides aren’t just for the gym bros. One of the hottest skincare trends for fall, the ingredient is used in a variety of creams and serums for Botox-like results. I’m a big fan of COSRX The Six Peptide Skin Booster, especially as we transition to cooler weather.
💍 Smart ring maker Oura postponed its Nasdaq IPO yesterday, citing market uncertainty despite “strong demand.” The company is aiming to raise at least $2.2 billion.
🔥 In preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, the Olympic torch will make its way across all 50 states starting in the City of Atlanta.
🎻 As a musician and health reporter, I really appreciated this story about a professional violinist (subscription required) performing at the highest level while dealing with a rare neurological disorder.
Be well!
✨ Laura
💬 “How was your day?” “Fine.” Your teen probably isn’t shutting you out. Being asked face to face costs more at that age. Intown Psychology helps parents of anxious kids and teens. Get a free consultation. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Seventh House, Wylde Center Host Screen-Free Activities in Atlanta
📴 Last week in Brooklyn, Phoebe Bridgers’ “boy genius” bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker surprised fans when they joined her onstage during her first-night show at Barclays Center. But you won’t find any viral videos of fans scream-singing “Not Strong Enough” on social media. That’s because no phones were permitted in the arena, and spots in Atlanta are also leaning into this analog trend.
🎲 Read my story about screen-free activities at Seventh House and Wylde Center, designed to help guests connect and recharge, sans screens.
Your teen isn’t shutting you out
SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY
💬 “How was your day?” “Fine.” If that’s the whole conversation at your house, it probably isn’t that your teen doesn’t want to talk to you.
Research shows being watched raises physical arousal more in adolescence than at any other age, so a face-to-face question costs more than it looks. Try this: sit beside them, not across. Skip the first 20 minutes after school. Ask one specific thing, like “What was the most annoying part of today?”
🧡 Intown Psychology helps families of anxious kids and teens. Get a free consultation.
Million Meal Pack Assembly Reaches Milestone for Metro Atlanta
🏀 The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm on Sept. 26 rallied more than 5,000 volunteers for the 2026 Million Meal Pack, assembling one million meals to help combat food insecurity across Metro Atlanta.
Now in its sixth year, the Million Meal Pack remains the Hawks’ largest single-day community service initiative, delivering critical support to local families and communities.
Hawks players Kingston Flemings, Asa Newell, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Wilson, with executives from both the Hawks and State Farm, worked alongside volunteers throughout the day to pack meals and advance the shared mission of addressing food insecurity in Atlanta.
Morgan Falls Dog Park to Reopen With New Shade Canopies This October
🐶 The new and improved Morgan Falls Dog Park with new shade canopies and two fenced areas will open in early October, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 2 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 14. Improvements to the existing dog park include two phases: regrading the 3.4-acre site to alleviate muddy conditions and installing new grass, benches and a washing station.
🌳 Read more about the park improvements here.
The Short List
👗 Dolly Parton had a stunning voice – and a stunning wardrobe to match. Her niece, Rebecca Seaver, is a friend of mine and the director of Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, which opened in Nashville yesterday. Rebecca shared some really touching stories about some of the pieces in the collection in this interview with “Vogue.”
📺 I’ve been a Sharon Horgan stan since “Catastrophe” (ranked number 91 on this “100 Best Shows of the 21st Century” list). I recently started watching “Youth,” her new show about a 50-something literary agent navigating hormonal changes and post-divorce dating life. As someone who recently entered my 50s (!!), it’s refreshing to see a well-rounded, realistic portrayal of a middle-aged woman in popular culture.
🚌 And for your weekly dose of adorable, I loved this photo essay capturing the first day of preschool for New York City’s universal 2-K program’s inaugural class.
💬 “How was your day?” “Fine.” Your teen probably isn’t shutting you out. Being asked face to face costs more at that age. Intown Psychology helps parents of anxious kids and teens. Get a free consultation. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Book It
🏃🏾♀️ Registration is still open for The Race this Sat., Oct. 3 in East Point. With both a 5K and a half marathon, the event is the largest Black distance race in the country. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year, and the vibes are unmatched.
The Race’s founder, Tes Sobomehin Marshall, is one of the pioneers of Atlanta’s running club scene. And even if you’re not a runner, the weekend includes a fitness expo and community service projects, so there are plenty of ways to get involved.
The Rundown
🏃🏼♀️ Professional trail running ambassadors Peyton Thomas and Canyon Woodward will lead a group run followed by a conversation about midterm voting and an in-store performance by S.G. Goodman at Patagonia on the Beltline tonight at 5 p.m.
🪡 The Mood Sewciety Meetup: Open Sewing Session is tomorrow, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. at Mood Fabrics.
🥾 Enjoy a ranger-led sunset stroll and concert on Fri., Oct. 2 at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center. The event will include a health talk with speakers from the Morehouse School of Medicine.
👟 Don’t miss the free community health event and Potter’s House 5K on Sat., Oct. 3 at 8:30 a.m. at Mount Moriah Church in Tucker.
🩷 The Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is this weekend, Oct. 3-4.
🍂 Register for SETTLE: The Retreat, Oct. 9-11 at Kaluna Farm Retreat.
