Brooke Faulkner

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How to Help a Friend in Need

Everyone has a friend in need at one time or another. The widespread panic and quarantining of the coronavirus in early 2020 is a perfect example of a time when individuals that are hurting or scared simply need help. This help can come in a variety of different ways including providing emotional, and even physical support, depending on the situation. If you have a friend in need, here are some suggestions and considerations for how you can go about advocating for your loved ones. Always Put Yourself in Their Shoes First When you hear that someone is hurting, it’s often tempting to rush off and “help” them as soon as possible. This help typically revolves around what you think you would want in a similar scenario. Instead, … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Sports Participation in Rural America is Declining: Here’s Why

In many towns in rural America, the Friday night lights of local football fields shine over empty fields, due to a significant and growing decline in sports participation. To put it into perspective, in the year 1983, 355 Nebraska high schools had football programs. Fast forward to 2013, and only 282 programs remained. The problem is exacerbated every year, as participation numbers continue to decline. Socioeconomic concerns, fear of injury, and a lack of available, qualified, and willing coaches seem to be sources of the problem. This is concerning for a number of reasons, as school athletics have a number of significant benefits to students. For one, regular physical activity has been scientifically proven to lower the likelihood of … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Has The #MeToo Movement Helped Prevent Sexual Assaults on College Campuses?

Even in the midst of the #MeToo movement, college campuses across the country continue to see an increase in the number of sexual assaults, with a surge happening from the start of the fall semester until Thanksgiving break — otherwise known as the “red zone.” It’s not exactly clear if the increase in reports is because there are more assaults happening or more assaults are actually being reported, nor does the rise in reports confirm an epidemic, even in the face of high-profile cases. However, the behavior of men is being scrutinized more as a result of the #MeToo movement, and the stigma of speaking up about cases of sexual assault is easing up. There are positive impacts taking place for both current and past generations. Is this … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Why Marijuana Is a Danger to Drivers and Those on the Road

With marijuana use becoming legal in several states, you may be tempted to think of it as harmless. However, it’s not a harmless drug and is indeed dangerous, particularly when combined with driving. Just as it’s illegal to drink alcohol and drive, so is it illegal to use marijuana and drive. The truth is that marijuana has negative effects on drivers. It has caused accidents and ruined many lives. This article will look at what those dangers are, including some statistics, and explore how we can educate children about the dangers of marijuana use. Dangers of Drugged Driving The dangers of drugged driving should be obvious. However, even though awareness of the problem is increasing, we should still brace ourselves for a drastic … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How To Organize and Freshen Up Your Home

Whether you’re working remotely, homeschooling your kids, taking some personal time to maintain work-life balance, or in between jobs, there are plenty of reasons to find yourself suddenly spending more time at home. The quarantines created by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 served as a stark reminder of how difficult it can be to remain cooped up at home for weeks and months on end, especially if your home is a mess. If you’re dealing with a cluttered, unorganized, or otherwise disorderly homefront, here are a few suggestions for ways that you can strategically freshen up your spaces — particularly if you have a chunk of time on your hands with which to do so. Start By Stepping Back Slowing down is one of the best ways to … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Resources for Veterans and their Families Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

No doubt about it: service members and their families are a breed apart. They are braver than most. But in the face of a global pandemic, even our nation’s best and bravest could use a little extra support. Because not only are we staring down one of the most significant public health threats we’ve seen in more than a century, but we’re also struggling with an economy ravaged by nationwide lockdowns. In the face of massive job losses, increasing economic hardship, and the threat of a second surge of the virus, veterans and their families are increasingly in need. But there are abundant resources available to protect the heroes who have devoted their lives to protecting us. Help With Housing Homelessness among … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Working in the Gig Economy

It’s likely you know or have heard of at least one person within your social network who has a flexible working arrangement. It could be they have the luxury of working from home a few days a week, or perhaps they’re full-on freelancers. This schedule may be enviable to someone who works full-time in a brick and mortar building. Who wouldn’t want to have the flexibility to work from the comfort of their bed during the workweek? This growing trend of freelance and short-term work is also referred to as the gig economy. Forbes recently pointed to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that noted 35% of the U.S. workforce in 2018 was gig workers. By 2020, the number is expected to jump to 43%. So why is nearly half of the American … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Decluttering Summer and Getting Ready for Fall

For many of us, autumn is a beloved season. There’s just something about the crisp air, sweet smell of decaying leaves, and overabundance of corn mazes that warms our hearts. And the transition into autumn is the perfect time to clean and organize our homes. After all, who wants to settle into sweater weather in a cluttered home? There’s a world of difference between cozy and crowded. It may sound strange (since there’s quite a bit of work involved in the process), but decluttering is actually a form of self-care — and it’s a great one to engage in during times of transition. Cleaning and organizing the house almost seems purifying in a weird sort of way, and it puts your brain in the right place to handle the hustle and bustle of the … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Dangers Of Enabling Your Children

Few would argue with the fact that a parent, more than anyone else, should have their child’s best interests in mind. The fascinating thing is, this concern for offspring can manifest in a shocking variety of ways. Everything from old-fashioned “tough love” to excessive leniency can be interpreted as a parent trying to give their child the best life possible. In the 21st century, this overt desire to focus on the wellbeing of the younger generation has led to a common phenomenon: the “enabling parent.” Defining an “Enabling” Parent With so much variation in parenting styles, it’s important to begin with a quick rundown of just what an enabling parent looks like. While the term is flexible in nature — as are just about all … [Read more...]

2/7/2026 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Dangers of Surveillance in the Name of Safety

They’re everywhere. Mobile devices in every hand, cameras on every street, and hordes of eager consumers clamoring to claim the latest tech device. To be sure, technology has made our lives more convenient. Today’s tech is even being heralded as a frontline weapon in the war against the coronavirus. But at what cost? We See You Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, big data was using the latest tech to gradually erode personal privacy. In recent years, millions of camera-equipped drones have taken to the sky. On the ground, video surveillance systems, from doorbell cameras to streetcorner CCTVs, are getting to be about as ubiquitous as pimples on a teenager. And that means that when you leave your house, you’re almost … [Read more...]