In celebration of 25 years of Experience Life magazine, our team shares the articles that have stuck with them.
The Stories That Stay with us
“Sleep-Supportive Nutrients”
(October 2022)
This article came out shortly after we had our second child. I was desperate for sleep and tried many different things, all thanks to this article. Supplementing with magnesium is the one I stuck with. I feel like I have a more restful sleep when I take it — even after my children wake me up in the middle of the night.
— Carrie Stafford, senior manager–business and circulation
— Carrie Stafford, senior manager–business and circulation
“Fearless Health”
(January/February 2015)
I experience a lot of health anxiety, and I’m quick to catastrophize about what’s going on in my body. But when I fall into a health spiral, I try to recall Jill Patton’s advice to embrace enjoyment over fear, consume health news more consciously, and make peace with uncertainty. This balanced approach grounds me even when I feel most unmoored.
— Molly King, senior editor/lead fact checker
— Molly King, senior editor/lead fact checker
“The Healing Power of Sleep”
(March 2013)
This article marks a turning point in my personal and professional life. When it was published, I was a breaking-news reporter struggling with insomnia and burnout. The piece was a reality check: Within months, I had transitioned to a dream job at Experience Life and was finally healing my relationship to sleep.
Maggie Fazeli Fard, editorial director of fitness
Maggie Fazeli Fard, editorial director of fitness
“Hope on the Great Barrier Reef”
(July/August 2025)
Kaelyn Riley’s piece on her trip to the Great Barrier Reef was the first thing I read after joining the Experience Life team. I was truly moved, and it provided me with an excellent introduction to the care and knowledge our creatives bring to every piece. I was already over the moon to be joining Experience Life, and this article affirmed that I was coming to the right place.
— Cole Luskey, business and circulation specialist
— Cole Luskey, business and circulation specialist
“Are Artificial Fragrances Bad for Your Health?”
(July/August 2016)
After reading this article on the health effects of common beauty and cleaning products, I stopped using various lotions, cleaners, and laundry detergent that were packed with artificial fragrances and other chemicals. Now, I keep it simple: homemade deodorant; a mix of white vinegar, water, and essential oil for wiping down surfaces; and a few drops of essential oil added to fragrance-free detergent for laundry.
— Christy Rice, digital content specialist
— Christy Rice, digital content specialist
“Purposeful Movement”
(April 2018)
This article by Kara Douglass Thom is always in the back of my mind. Initially, it encouraged me to evaluate how much movement I outsource in my life by reaching for the easiest, fastest way to get something done. Now, years later, I move more slowly and with more intention, something that has benefited all aspects of my life.
— Tatyana McNamara, senior manager–multimedia, email, and social media
— Tatyana McNamara, senior manager–multimedia, email, and social media
“Pan-Fried Halloumi With Cucumber Salad”
(June 2023)
I had never heard of halloumi before we did this article, and this ended up being one of my favorite dishes in the 11-plus years I’ve worked here! Every time I make this dish for friends, they’re impressed with how fancy it looks, but it’s actually quite simple to make! It’s a recipe I reach for over and over.
— Jennifer Jacobson, art director
— Jennifer Jacobson, art director
“The Case for Strength”
(September 2012)
I came of age in an era when “thin was in” — and the exercise routine of choice involved lots of cardio with some highly specific spot training (Abs of Steel, anyone?). This article, as well as “Lift to Lose” (September 2012), about the benefits of full-body strength training signify a major societal shift. Today, finally, it’s common knowledge that building strength, no matter your size or shape, is one of the best things you can do for your health.
— Maggie Fazeli Fard, editorial director of fitness
— Maggie Fazeli Fard, editorial director of fitness
“Rethinking Heart Health”
(September 2016)
For me, it’s Anjula Razdan’s article on heart health, published way back when I was still fairly new to the EL team. This article totally reframed everything I thought I knew about cardiovascular disease, and it serves as an excellent example of what truly sets our content apart: We’re always questioning what we think we know and trying to look at the bigger picture.
— Kaelyn Riley, editorial director of food and nutrition
— Kaelyn Riley, editorial director of food and nutrition
“The Heritage-Wheat Renaissance”
(November 2013)
It's hard to pick just one piece, but this article was a total game changer. I'd been gluten-free for years to deal with chronic joint pain and inflammation, but after reading this piece about how heirloom wheat varietals were often digestible for people like me, I immediately ordered some flour from Sunrise Flour Mill. I used it in various recipes — Indian flatbreads, blueberry muffins, a béchamel sauce — and, to my amazement, I felt none of the stomach pain, fatigue, or joint pain that always followed getting "glutened." Heritage wheat is everywhere now, but back in 2013, absolutely nobody was talking about it. Experience Life was a decade ahead of its time — and I still buy flour from Sunrise Flour Mill to this day.
— Anjula Razdan, senior director–digital
— Anjula Razdan, senior director–digital