Emily Kitazawa

Emily found her love of reading and writing at a young age, learning to enjoy these activities thanks to being taught them by her mom—Goodnight Moon will forever be a favorite. As a young adult, Emily graduated with her English degree, specializing in Creative Writing and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), from the University of Central Florida. She later earned her master’s degree in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University. Emily loves reading fiction, especially modern Japanese, historical, crime, and philosophical fiction. Her personal writing is inspired by observations of people and nature.

Sea Microorganisms: Their Vital Role in Marine Life

What do the sea microorganisms in the ocean do? What role do they play in the lives of marine animals? According to science journalist Ed Yong, sea microorganisms play a crucial role in the livelihood of marine animals, granting them protection from predators and even influencing how they develop. In his book I Contain Multitudes, Yong explains in detail the relationship between sea microorganisms and marine life. Read on to learn how sea microorganisms influence marine life, according to Yong.

How to Control Negative Emotions: 3 Ways to Take Charge

Do you ever stop to analyze what you’re feeling? What’s a simple way to win small victories throughout the day? Author Damon Zahariades says that learning how to control negative emotions grants you mental strength and allows you to make better decisions in life. In The Mental Toughness Handbook, he offers three ways to regulate your feelings and control negative emotions. Read on to learn how to control (or prevent) negative emotions by practicing Zahariades’s three strategies.

How to Nurture a Healthy Self-Concept in Early Childhood

How can you help your child form a healthy self-concept in early childhood? Why is it important to challenge stereotypes? According to Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, the way you think about your children becomes the way they think about themselves. To foster a healthy self-concept in early childhood, they claim that you should challenge preconceived ideas, stereotypes, and labels about yourself and your children. Read on to learn how to help children form a positive self-concept in early childhood, according to Faber and Mazlish.

Why Is the Price of Eggs Going Up & Is Collusion to Blame?

Why is the price of eggs going up? Why do some believe collusion is to blame? When will egg prices come down? The average price of eggs jumped 60% last year—one of the largest percentage increases of any food or service in the U.S. Some allege that the price of eggs is going up due to collusion between large egg producers taking advantage of Americans’ durable love of eggs to extract profits as high as 40%. Keep reading to learn why the price of eggs is going up and if we will see it go down in the near future.

A Baby’s Immune System: How Microbes Shape Immunity

When do babies develop an immune system? What factors influence the health of a baby’s immune system? According to Ed Yong, your immune system begins forming earlier than you may think—in fact, the health of a baby’s immune system is impacted during the process of birth. In I Contain Multitudes, he explains the role of microbes in the development of a baby’s immune system. Read on to learn more about how babies’ immune systems form, according to Yong.

How to Build Your Confidence With Mental Toughness

Do you want to stop engaging in negative self-talk and be more sure about your abilities? How can practicing mental toughness help? In The Mental Toughness Handbook, author Damon Zahariades teaches readers how to be mentally tough and improve self-confidence through a variety of strategies and exercises. According to him, building self-confidence means becoming sure about your ability to handle difficult situations. Read on to learn how to build your confidence, according to Zahariades’s advice.

What Is the OGL 1.1 Leak? The D&D Controversy Explained

What is the OGL 1.1 leak? Why are people boycotting Wizards of the Coast? A recent leak of possible updates to the Open Gaming License (OGL) owned by Wizards of the Coast sparked outrage across the tabletop gaming community. Though Wizards has since announced that it will not change the OGL, the debacle could weaken its position in the tabletop gaming market. Read on to learn more about the OGL 1.1 leak and the overall Wizards of the Coast controversy.

Gut Health and Mental Health: Are They Related?

What’s the relationship between gut health and mental health? Can poor gut health cause or worsen depression or anxiety? Ed Yong wrote I Contain Multitudes to raise awareness about the trillions of microbes that exist in our bodies and how they influence everything, including our mental health. Your gut health and mental health are closely connected—a lack of certain microbes can even lead to abnormal brain development, claims Yong. Read on to learn more about the relationship between gut health and mental health, according to Yong.

3 Daily Habits to Improve Your Life & Mental Strength

Which key mental habits offer the biggest benefits? What daily habit can make you more confident? Damon Zahariades is a productivity expert and author of The Mental Toughness Handbook, which teaches you habits to improve your life, willpower, motivation, and inspiration. According to him, there are three key mental habits you should develop to improve your life. Read on to discover the three daily habits Zahariades suggests to improve your life.

The Importance of Acknowledging Children’s Feelings

What’s the importance of acknowledging children’s feelings? How can you validate your child’s emotions? In How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, authors Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish claim that one key to communicating better with your children is acknowledging that you understand their feelings. They argue that even babies want adults to acknowledge how they feel. Read on to learn the importance of acknowledging children’s feelings, according to Faber and Mazlish.