Mike's Top Picks: A Journey Through ILLUMINATION Publications
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Chapter 1: Curated Stories for Every Reader
Greetings, fellow readers and enthusiasts of Medium! I trust you are doing well. I have curated a collection of 98 lists, offering diverse reading options across various subjects. Though brief, I believe there’s something here for everyone. My goal is to unearth valuable narratives that may have been overlooked, ultimately boosting engagement and views for our genuine and inspiring authors.
In today’s highlight, ILLUMINATION editors conducted an interview with Dr. Yildiz regarding a new policy affecting writers of the Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, who can no longer monetize their work. This interview contains insights that all writers should find beneficial.
Recently, my schedule has been busier than usual due to a surge in submissions at ILLUMINATION, as two editors are currently on a break. Consequently, this collection is a bit shorter than usual. We have also welcomed many new writers today, whose profiles I will introduce at the end of this collection so you can start exploring their stories. Adding so many new writers is a time-consuming task.
In addition, I penned a critical story addressing public health, which reveals that intermittent fasting does not increase the risk of heart disease by 91%. Notably, I discovered that the research was funded by Chinese entities.
Here’s a thought from Dr. Mehmet Yildiz regarding this topic.
As both a writer and a reader, if you're aspiring to financial success, I stumbled upon an intriguing business opportunity. However, it is, in fact, a scam 😊. I crafted it satirically to provide some laughs and ideas—please take it lightheartedly!
Recently, I also shared a touching story that inspired me deeply. I shared it with my family and friends, who responded positively. You can find this story alongside my reflections, as well as insights from our senior editors and Dr. Yildiz, included in the list below.
Moreover, I highlighted another remarkable story that may ignite your inspiration.
Quick Updates from Our Publication Activities
I have some quick updates for our writers and followers based on what I've learned from the editors. Just yesterday, we welcomed several new writers, and I introduced them in my previous collection.
In recent discussions, Dr. Yildiz highlighted the harmful effects of hate speech on social media platforms. As a reminder, we maintain a strict policy against publishing harmful content at ILLUMINATION, including defamation and hate speech. His experiences and insights on this matter are certainly worth your attention.
We also launched a new newsletter, which I believe will greatly benefit our new writers. You can find their profiles at the end of this post, along with suggestions to explore their stories further.
Celebrating Four Years of ILLUMINATION
Our beloved ILLUMINATION has recently turned four years old! In honor of this milestone, I crafted a light-hearted story using my funny Aussie accent, which is quite different from my usual writing style. I hope you enjoy it!
I also composed a piece reflecting on the recent bulk suspensions within Medium, where many accounts faced suspension. If you’d like to know more about this issue, we shared a concise article discussing the details.
Dr. Yildiz offered a compassionate perspective on account suspensions, considering both the victims and the Medium platform. Having experienced a suspension myself a few weeks ago, I can empathize with the distress it can cause. However, I understand the necessity for the platform to eliminate ineffective accounts.
We also dealt with scammers attempting to sell Medium's claps and highlights on platforms like Fiverr. I found over 300 individuals offering such services. Please remain vigilant against these scams and always report them.
In a recent special episode, Aiden produced an engaging YouTube video for ILLUMINATION-Gaming, aimed at providing readers and writers with boosting guidelines.
In this episode, I shared several boosted stories that I found engaging. Some readers appreciate exceptional pieces, so I included them here. Aiden covers the latest stories, while I focus on older narratives to offer readers a nostalgic experience. I also incorporate new stories from my daily readings, sometimes prompted by editors to highlight extraordinary pieces. Each narrative is a treasure worth your time. I encourage you to engage with them and share them on social media to help them reach a broader audience.
Due to system restrictions, I learned that I can only follow 150 writers daily, which halted my attempts to connect with those I hadn’t met before. I’ll try again another day.
Aiden’s Collections
Here’s Aiden’s latest collection, featuring my friend’s link for anyone interested in reading it. He has compiled 115 collections, consistently unearthing gems from lesser-known sources.
Now, another talented editor, The Sturg, has joined our curation team, posting his first two meticulously crafted collections. He invested considerable effort into these, and I understand how challenging and time-consuming it can be to create such collections. Please engage with his work and share it across your social media platforms.
The Sturg’s Illumination Editorial Picks: First Edition
The Sturg’s Illumination Editorial Picks: Second Edition
Updates on Boosting Stories
For those interested in the boosting process, Dr. Yildiz recently addressed frequently asked questions from writers and readers about the Medium boost program. His insights were enlightening and surprised me as both a writer and editor. I wish I had encountered this information a year ago. Understanding the reasons behind my stories not being boosted has reinvigorated my motivation to write.
Aiden featured the boosted stories I managed to read, providing valuable insights. As a boost nominator, Aiden introduced stories from frequently boosted writers. He has already posted four and will continue to share more, as they can be advantageous for new writers.
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #1
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #2
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #3
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #4
ILLUMINATION-Curators have assembled our boosted stories, which you can discover in this collection: Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION Publications — V5. They also created a new Reader's Club post containing numerous excellent narratives.
Recent Interviews with Influential Writers
I compiled a list of intriguing interviews with writers that are both captivating and full of life lessons. You may find these interviews insightful.
Influencing Non-Members to Join
I encourage you to read an open letter from Dr. Mehmet Yildiz directed at non-members. He noticed a significant number of readers and writers who do not contribute to the platform's growth. His points are both valuable and relatable.
To persuade non-members, I compiled a list of all the boosted stories I read last month, along with my reflections and some recurring themes in these exceptional narratives. There’s something for everyone, as these well-crafted stories encompass various subjects and writing styles.
Please enjoy my favorite stories and some nominated pieces from ILLUMINATION Publications:
- Dyslipoproteinemia: Why an Abnormal LPIR Score Is the Best Indicator of Heart Disease - Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Why Gaslighting Matters in the Healthcare Sector & How to Deal with It Effectively - Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Here's How I Improved My VO2max After My 60s with Persistence and Guidance - Mike Broadly, DHSc
- Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media's Grip on My Life - Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
- Soaring on Wings of Resolve - Marie Grace, Ph.D.
- Body Mass Index — Is it a Good Measure of Health and Fitness? - Michael R Esco, PhD, CSCS, CEP
- Our Deep Human Need to be Seen - Rebecca Romanelli
And many more insightful pieces...
Thank you for reading these wonderful stories!
ILLUMINATION Reading Club #4
Please share these stories so that more individuals can discover these valuable contributions.
Introduction to New Writers
Now, let’s welcome the new writers who recently joined us. I encourage you to explore their stories, and if they resonate with you, consider connecting with them. This is a fantastic opportunity for both writers and readers to engage and connect.
New writers, please be sure to review the onboarding pack attached in the introduction before submitting your stories. Photos are essential, so familiarize yourself with the image handling policy to avoid returns.
Stay Updated
If you’d like to keep up with my publications, sign up to receive emails whenever I, Mike Broadly, DHSc, publish new content.
If you want to explore more of my life lessons, I have compiled links for your convenience. Your feedback is invaluable to me!