Sunday Edition | October 5, 2025 | Community
- Olga Nesterova
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Because life is more than politics — and kindness still matters.
This week, let’s focus on COMMUNITY.
When times get rough, we usually find support among people who understand us. Whether you’re an introvert or someone who thrives in the crowd, community is what keeps us encouraged — and grounded.
Only when we step into spaces where others share our goals, our interests, or even just our curiosity, do we realize how much we can learn. Different opinions expand our understanding. Shared laughter lifts our spirits. This week, let’s find ways to connect with those who brighten our days — and those we can brighten in return.
🎥 VIDEOS
New Episode: The High Line — From Freight to Fame
Welcome back to New York City — this time, we’re walking high above the streets on the High Line, a park that rose from an abandoned freight railway to become one of the world’s most admired urban projects.
It’s a story of vision, persistence, and what happens when a community refuses to let beauty be demolished.
Premiering TONIGHT at 8pm ET on our YouTube channel.
🎭 CULTURE SNAPSHOT
“She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess.”
— Ananta Shakya, after his 2-year-old daughter Aryatara was chosen in Nepal as the new Kumari, the living goddess worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists.
In Nepal, the Kumari tradition dates back to the 17th century. The chosen child, believed to be the physical embodiment of divine feminine energy, lives in a temple-palace and appears during festivals and special ceremonies. When she reaches puberty, her reign ends, and the search for the next living goddess begins — a centuries-old reflection on faith, purity, and impermanence.
Madame Tussauds Closes Another Location
The world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum has shuttered another site — this time in Beijing, continuing a trend of closures amid rising costs, declining tourism, and shifting visitor habits. Once synonymous with celebrity glamour, the chain is rethinking how to bring lifelike art to a digital-first audience.
Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” Takes Over the Internet
Cue the confetti — Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album has arrived. In The Life of a Showgirl, Swift explores themes of love, loyalty, and transformation. Her storytelling remains sharp, with songs like:
• “Actually Romantic” — a tongue-in-cheek look at attention and obsession.
• “Wood” — a playful ode to reliable love, full of innuendo and warmth.
Within hours of release, Swift topped Google Trends as fans searched each lyric line by line.
Whatever era she’s in, it’s still Taylor’s world.
Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Shoots Lava Higher Than the Empire State Building
Hawaii’s most active volcano put on a record-breaking display this week, sending lava fountains up to 1,300 feet high — nearly the height of the Empire State Building. While local communities remained safe, scientists noted this as one of the most powerful eruptions in recent years.
Comedy in Riyadh
Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, and Bill Burr headline the Riyadh Comedy Festival, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Their appearance sparks debate: How can comedy thrive in a country known for restricting speech? Yet, as Chappelle joked, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.” The contrast between freedom, humor, and cultural diplomacy continues to raise eyebrows — and questions — worldwide.
A Tribute to Jane Goodall 🌿
Few names embody community in the truest sense like Jane Goodall. For over six decades, she had connected humanity with the animal world through empathy, observation, and quiet courage. Her groundbreaking chimpanzee research redefined our understanding of intelligence, family, and emotion in animals — and reminded us that we share this Earth, not own it.
At 90, Goodall continued to inspire generations to live with compassion and curiosity.
🎥 Watch her final interview here:
🧘 FOR THE BODY
Finding Strength in Community Exercise doesn’t always have to be solitary. Movement shared is motivation multiplied. Whether in a park, a dance class, or a group challenge, community fitness helps us stay accountable, connected, and joyful.
Here are 5 ways to move with others:
Community dance nights — from salsa to swing, joy is contagious.
Park yoga sessions — many cities host free weekend flows.
Group walks or runs — simple, inclusive, and great for conversation.
Charity fitness events — move for a cause, not just a goal.
Neighborhood sports — volleyball, cycling, or just frisbee at sunset.
🌿 DID YOU KNOW?
Your posture is more powerful than you think. Studies show that standing tall not only boosts your mood and confidence but also shapes how others perceive you — within seconds of meeting.
5 simple ways to improve posture:
Shoulder blade squeeze — hold for 10 seconds, repeat 5 times.
Wall slides — align your spine, glide arms up and down slowly.
Core engagement — daily planks, 30 seconds at a time.
Desk breaks — stand and stretch every 30 minutes.
Yoga cat-cow — gentle spine mobility for all levels.
🎥 Try this short guided video:
🍲 LET’S COOK
The Origins of Eating Together
The act of sharing meals is one of humanity’s oldest traditions. Archaeologists have found communal hearths dating back over 12,000 years — spaces where people not only ate but bonded, planned, and celebrated.
From ancient Greek symposia to Middle Eastern feasts, the idea has remained the same: food builds community. Every shared meal reinforces belonging — something modern life often forgets.
Recipe: Homemade Vegetable Lasagna (Family Style)
A perfect dish to make together — chop, layer, and bake as a team.
Ingredients:
2 zucchini, sliced thin
1 eggplant, sliced
1 bell pepper
2 cups spinach
1 pack lasagna noodles
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Olive oil, salt, pepper, basil
Instructions:
Roast veggies until soft.
Layer noodles, sauce, ricotta, vegetables, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
Repeat layers and finish with cheese on top.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.
Let it rest before serving — preferably surrounded by laughter and good company.
💭 FOR THE MIND
In my life — as a professional athlete, a student who moved across four countries, and now as a journalist — I’ve always sought community. It’s the reason ONEST Network exists.
Here, no one is just a follower or a viewer. Every like, every comment, every thoughtful message adds to a shared space built on curiosity and care.
Because what we consume mentally is part of our diet, too. And I’m honored to nurture that.
The news often divides. Here, it connects.
We learn. We discuss. We grow — together.
5 Non-Negotiables for Wellbeing:
Rest — Without guilt. Recovery is part of success.
Movement — Daily, joyful, intentional.
Boundaries — Protect your peace like you protect your passwords.
Connection — Don’t isolate; engage, listen, belong.
Purpose — Know why you get up, not just how.
🌎 FOR THE SOUL
Community is not just about proximity — it’s about shared purpose and empathy.
We find pieces of ourselves in others, and we give others a sense of belonging by being authentic.
Watch tonight:
🎬 The Hundred-Foot Journey — about food bridging cultures.
🎥 Before Stonewall — the story of how the LGBT community organized and found strength before the defining moment of Stonewall.
📽 The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil — resilience through cooperation.
Read:
📚 The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker — a beautiful reminder that every gathering, large or small, has the power to transform connection into meaning.
😀 HAPPY MOMENTS
Videos guaranteed to make you smile.
🕊️ CLOSING WORDS
Community doesn’t just happen — it’s something we create. Through kindness, shared curiosity, and presence, we build small worlds of understanding wherever we are.
Whether it’s online, on a walk, or around a table — someone is waiting to connect. Go find them. And be the reason they feel less alone this week.
As always—Stay ONEST.
O.N.
Happy Sunday—And remember, life is more than politics.
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