Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

The Foster System: Rachel Hollis Struggled as a Mom

Are you considering becoming a parent in the American foster system? Are you already a foster parent and dealing with the many struggles that come with it? For a time, Rachel Hollis, author of Girl, Wash Your Face was a foster mom in the foster system. She shares the difficult and personal journey she had to go through in her hopes of adopting a daughter. Keep reading to hear about Hollis’s foster system experience and her tips on how to persevere through difficult times.

Idea Diffusion: How Products Become More Popular

What is idea diffusion? Why is the most valuable part of the marketing curve the early adopters and not the late majority? Idea diffusion is a measure of how ideas (and therefore products) spread through a population. It helps you understand why mass marketing strategies no longer work. Keep reading to learn more about idea diffusion and the marketing curve.

The Two Wes Moores: One Name, Two Fates

Two men from behind. One wears an army uniform and the other wears a prison jumpsuit

Who are the two Wes Moores? How could two men with such similar pasts end up in completely different places? In the autobiography, The Other Wes Moore, two young men share a name, birthplace, and similar childhoods. Yet, one of the Wes Moores is a Johns Hopkins University graduate, the first Black Rhodes Scholar, and now the governor of Maryland. The second Wes Moore went to prison for involvement in the murder of a police officer. Read on to learn how the fates of the two Wes Moores collided.

A Healthy Body Isn’t Always a Thin Body

Is your focus on looking like an Instagram model rather than on attaining a healthy body? Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food and distorted body image? Many women turn to food as a coping mechanism, abusing their bodies to help deal with stress or trauma. This can cause a vicious cycle of dieting, gaining weight, and feeling bad about yourself. Instead of losing or gaining weight to match a beauty standard, you should be doing it to attain a healthy body. Keep reading to learn how a healthy body can lead to a healthy mind.

Stop Sinking Money Into the Marketing Loop

What is the mass marketing loop? How could getting stuck in the marketing loop be the downfall of your company? Mass marketing requires mass spending. Many companies will spend the money they earn from mass marketing on advertising, creating a marketing loop. Keep reading to learn how to escape the marketing loop.

The Other Wes Moore: Characters You Should Know

Who are the characters in the book The Other Wes Moore? How did one Wes Moore end up a decorated military veteran and academic scholar, and the other a convicted murderer with a life sentence? The Other Wes Moore tells the compelling story of two men who share a name but not a fate. The characters surrounding each Wes Moore—from devoted mothers to absent fathers, from inspiring mentors to dangerous influences—help explain how their lives diverged so dramatically. Read more about The Other Wes Moore characters and how they influenced the boys’ futures.

Stop Using Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism

Do you use alcohol as a coping mechanism instead of learning to manage stress? Are you concerned that wanting a drink is slowly turning into needing a drink? Drinking may seem like an easy fix, just a few sips can dull the edges of anxiety and frustration. But using alcohol as a coping mechanism comes with many more downsides than positive ones. Continue reading to learn why using alcohol as a coping mechanism is dangerous.

The Failure of the Mass Marketing Strategy

Why does the traditional mass marketing strategy fail? What strategies should companies use instead of traditional mass marketing? There are three major reasons why the traditional mass marketing strategy is failing. The obvious targets are gone, consumers will ignore you, and people who are happy with what they have aren’t looking for new products or services. Keep reading to learn why the mass marketing strategy no longer works in today’s society.

The Impact of Poverty in The Other Wes Moore

What was the impact of poverty in The Other Wes Moore? How did the two Wes Moores try to escape to a better life? Author Wes Moore was able to escape the impact of poverty thanks to his mother sending him to an expensive military school. Unfortunately, the other Wes Moore wasn’t so lucky. Their contrasting journeys reveal how family support, educational opportunities, and community environment can determine whether someone escapes or becomes trapped by economic hardship. Read more about the impact of poverty in The Other Wes Moore.

Encourage Diversity and Enrich Your Life

Do you find yourself surrounded with people who look, think, and act like you do? Do you have any opportunities to encourage diversity in your life? When everything looks like us, we can develop an unconscious bias, seeing the world as “us” and the “others”. If we don’t encourage diversity, we miss out on the chance for understanding and respect, richer relationships, and the chance to grow your world view. Keep reading to learn how you can encourage diversity and enrich your life.