Chapter 1: A Tribute to Aiden and Brenda

In this edition, I begin with a captivating tale that deserves a spotlight. This story is dedicated to Brenda Mahler and Aiden, the owner of Illumination Gaming.

If you have concerns or curiosity about Petechiae, this story is a must-read. I have curated 171 collections, providing new readers with diverse topics to explore. Our team has been busy, onboarding new writers and publishing countless drafts. However, I still make time to highlight stories that may have been overlooked. Aiden, our diligent editor, often brings attention to fresh stories that might not receive the visibility they deserve. He has featured an impressive 190 stories recently! 👏

Aiden's farewell from the boost program is bittersweet; while he steps back, he will continue to lend his expertise as an editor and curator. His commitment to quality is something I truly admire.

For those who missed the previous updates, I'd like to discuss the challenges we face as volunteer editors. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to reach out to our virtual help desk if your submissions are delayed. While we have numerous volunteer moderators who can assist, our team of 30 editors is often swamped with drafts, and we do not prioritize self-published stories. Please refrain from sending them as previously noted.

Dr. Yildiz has penned a remarkable piece that every writer should read. It offers valuable insights into the craft.

As we look ahead, I want to share our plans for supporting all writers on Substack.

Daily Highlights: I have begun to showcase boosted stories to enhance their readership, as these stories often struggle to gain views. Each month, I will add older boosted stories to upcoming collections, allowing readers to discover exceptional narratives. Our editors, nominators, and writers invest significant effort into creating these well-crafted stories; they are truly labors of love. While I have no boosted stories myself, I take joy in reading and promoting those that do.

16–31 May 2024: Curated Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION

This section features a selection of edited stories that have not yet been boosted. Aiden has cleverly compiled all his collections into a single narrative, and I plan to follow suit to make sharing easier. Here are the shareable links to my curated collections from ILLUMINATION Publications.

I have also recently written a story on child sexual health that could benefit parents.

Abortion remains a significant issue in the U.S., and I wonder if the situation could improve.

Navigating the Maze of Reproductive Rights: A Comprehensive Overview of Abortion Access in the U.S.

As requested, I have documented the policies in Australian states, hoping they serve as guidance for other nations. The processes here are straightforward and do not incite as much debate as those in the U.S.

I also elaborated on my decision to maintain an optimistic outlook.

Chapter 2: Insights on Various Topics

After Cancer & Suicide, the New Target of Censorship: Dementia.

Do Writers Receive Compensation for Reads and Engagement from Friends of Medium?

A Critical Review: Vascular Access for Chemotherapy by Dr. Bruno Soriano Pignataro MD/PhD.

A Critical Review: Why You Should Read These Two Exceptional Health Narratives by Retired Scientists.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Aiden's feature on the story of Brother Bhunru.

Accountability Masterpiece: Why BoJack Horseman Resonates. Quick Updates on Publication Activities and News.

We are excited to announce a new publication as part of the ILLUMINATION network. This unique platform aims to support Substack writers, and I'm proud to be part of the editorial team. Here are the initial guidelines.

Dr. Yildiz elaborated on our mission and approach for writers.

Although this is a new experience for me, I'm eager to learn. As an initial step, I created my first Substack post, outlining the submission guidelines for my Health and Science publication and sharing a brief narrative to kickstart the process. I believe I am the first contributor to this new publication, marking a historic moment. I eagerly await more contributions from fellow writers.

New Contributors:

• Mike Broadly, DHSc: Finally Joined Substack: A New Chapter in Supporting My Readers.
• Dr. Adam Tabriz: A New Beginning: Join Me on My Writing Journey on Substack.
• Lawson Wallace: Transitioning to a Focus on Newsletter Growth: My Shift from Five Years of Medium Publishing to...
• Brooklyn Muse (editor): Medium Marries Substack.
• Sylvain Zyssman: Dear Medium, I Like Substack.
• Tom Kane: My Journey from Medium to Substack.
• Sonaakshi Sinha Jamwal: My Stats After Two Months on Substack and Medium.
• Dr. Mehmet Yildiz (Tech): My Technology Excellence and Leadership Site on Substack.

Here is a practical guide to help you get started with Substack. Don't fall behind like I did! I'm learning rapidly and populating my site.

It appears that writer introductions and interviews are not being effectively distributed. Our editors believe they are not adequately connecting writers with readers through publication activities.

Why Does Medium Block My Interviews for Influential Writers?

In response to recent concerns and inquiries from several writers, ILLUMINATION editors have clarified that they do not modify paywall settings. Here’s their enlightening perspective.

Setting the Record Straight: We Cannot Change Paywalls on ILLUMINATION Stories.

One significant tip I received is inspiring for writers: An Elderly Lady Gave Me a $100 Tip, My First Significant Tip.

This recent data-driven analysis from our chief editor provided me with eye-opening insights as an emerging writer.

I shared my experiences with boosted stories, initiating a discussion on this topic, as it has often been misrepresented by many as the ultimate solution for audience growth. I welcome your thoughts and would appreciate feedback on my insights.

My New Publication: Health and Science has made a remarkable impact and is growing rapidly, much like its larger counterpart, ILLUMINATION. I wrote my first newsletter in May 2024, and it garnered thousands of views. You can read more about it in my first engaging newsletter.

Exciting Updates from the First Successful Month of Health and Science Publication on Medium.

I have begun curating health and science stories from ILLUMINATION's archives. I hope you find these valuable pieces, some of which were published before I joined Medium, and discovering them was a delightful surprise.

Top 10 Stories Published in Health & Science Publication for Friends of Medium.

Curated Collection for Health and Science Enthusiasts #125.

Here are the latest additions for health and science readers:

• A Public Health Wake-Up Call Regarding Vaping & E-Cigarette Concerns.
• A Sweet Deception: Unwrapping the Sugar Myth and the Reality Behind Sugar Rush.
• Rising Threat: The Increasing Risks of H5N1 Bird Flu.
• The Quiet-Quitting Epidemic: An Exploration of Why Many Employees Are Quiet Quitting.
• Unraveling the Mystery of Atherosclerosis in Patients with Werner Syndrome.

New Writer Interviews

Here are interviews with Matthew Bamberg, Sylvain Zyssman, Payal Koul, Abhishek Biswas, and Øivind H. Solheim. More interviews can be found in this collection.

If you'd like to be interviewed by Dr. Yildiz, feel free to leave a comment on this article.

Community Building: Featuring Interview Stories & Writer/Editor Profiles to Empower Creators.

Writer Introductions:

Meet Douglas Kwon, Lawson Wallace, Karen Goldfarb, Naya Monroe, MA, LCDC-I, Tejus Yakhob, Dr. Adam Tabriz, Jack Kammer, MSW, MBA, Joshua Mason, Seda Anbarcı, Dr. Emmanuel Ogamdi, Jozsef Kovacs, Davor Katusic, Thomas Allen Moon, Sneha Nagre, Zondra Dos Anjos, Ani Vals, Ammara Hassan, Sridhar Pai Tonse — Leadgen Coach - Tech Startups.

We are weary of scammers causing unnecessary stress.

Bravo, Digital Scammers: A Masterclass in Deception and Algorithm Exploitation.

Part II: Bravo, Support Staff, Your Neglect Deserves a Standing Ovation.

Invitation to Self-Curated Collections for ILLUMINATION-Curated.

Here’s a sample to inspire our writers for this generous activity.

Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium.com

Here are self-curated collections from various writers.

Friend Links to the Boosted Stories of Pernoste & Dahl.

Gill McCulloch's Top Boosted Stories on Medium.com with Friend Links for Non-Members.

My Boosted Work on Medium with Friend Links — Joshua Mason.

My Sample Stories for New Readers of ILLUMINATION-Curated — Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).

March 2024: Collection of Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION Publications — V6.

The Boost on Medium: Answering Frequently Asked Questions for Beginners.

Please enjoy my favorite stories and some nominated ones from ILLUMINATION Publications.

Here are the wonderful stories from my reading list:

• The True Science Behind the Health Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating, Including 23 Quality Insights — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Leptin Therapy Historically Failed to Manage Obesity, Yet Research Into GLP1-RAs Brings New Hope — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• The Free Market Delivers Orders from Chaos — Ellen Clardy, PhD.
• Breast Cancer: Why Every Woman (& Man) Should Read This Empowering Narrative — Mike Broadly, DHSc.
• Racism as a Real Cause & Risk Factor for Death & Suffering of Innocent Young People in the U.S. — Mike Broadly, DHSc.
• Effective Treatments for Depression — Dr. Emmanuel Ogamdi.
• Exploring the Psychological Depths Behind Catherine Michelle Kwan.
• Learning to Dance in the Rain: Finding Peace Amidst Adversity — Aiman.
• Are You a Spiritual Badass? — Rebecca Romanelli.
• The Dynamic Dance of Cannabis: Benefits, Risks, and Pain Relief — Adam Tabriz.
• Flow States Start When Obsession Begins (8 Hours of Work Done in 2) — Tim Denning.
• The Overlooked Pain of Perfectionists — Thomas Oppong.
• 25 Years After Starting a First-Aid Business with a 6-Month-Old Baby, We're Still Thriving — Gill McCulloch.
• The Whispered Wishes: Exploring the Power and Intimacy of Prayer — Rajeev Mudumba.
• Creation, Destruction, and Conscious Evolution — Richard Lowenthal.
• You're Not Crazy, the Years Are Getting Shorter — Rudo Manomano.
• Verily — With Every Hardship, There Is Ease: S.a.n.a.h.
• Memento Mori — Sam Pitzer.
• This Gentleman Made $2100+ in His Third Month on Medium — Sufyan Maan, M.Eng.
• 5 Daily Exercises to Achieve Success and Fulfillment — TJ Henry.
• My Best Friend "Forgot" to Have Sex for a Whole Year — Christine.
• What the Hell Is Wrong With Andre and Rene? What Are They Fighting Over Now? — Nkeonye Judith Izuka-Aguocha.
• How to Create Content Through Instagram — Maryam Merchant.
• Hearing Loss — Shock at How Much with Age & The Fix — Bill Myers.
• Why Food Poisoning Matters and What We Can Do About It — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• The Most Important Lessons People Learned Over the Last 3 Years (Brace Yourself) — Tim Denning.
• An Analogy to Calm You When Your Ego Gets Triggered — David Gerken.
• Reasons Why My (European) Husband and I Will Eventually Leave America — Anastasia Frugaard.
• How Can You Tell When a Covert Narcissist Is Playing the Victim? — Melissa Kalt, MD.
• The World Famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra — Tara Desai, PhD.
• Self-Love Is Difficult — Christyl Rivers, PhD.
• Reasons to Manage Your Own Health Data — Dr. Adam Tabriz.
• Explanatory Styles and Their Role in Perpetuating Resiliency — Mark Sanford, Ph.D.
• I Bought a Movie Ticket, and This Is What Happened — Dr. Preeti Singh.
• I Fear Another Lockdown Is on the Horizon — Dr. Deborah M. Vereen.
• In Defense of Positive Thinking — Hollie Petit, Ph.D.
• Experience Unlimited Screens with this AR Laptop, Defying the Concept of Physical Displays — Aiden (Illumination Gaming).
• How Loving Warmth on My Face Taught Me to Joyfully Let Go of the Result — Melinda Blau.
• Alarming Asthma Disparities Among Black Youth: Practical and Immediate Solutions Needed — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• I Got My First Medium Tip! — Jenn Leach.
• The Best Diet Strategy Backed by Research & Cost-Effective — Ange Dim.
• Memoir is Still Hot — Geri Spieler.
• Be Kind and Humble. The World Needs It — Biliz Maharjan.
• Outstanding Stories — Volume 84 — ILLUMINATION-Curated.
• The Shocking Truth: Business Is Booming for Tinder Swindler Simon Leviev — Caryn Leach-Smith.
• Mental Health Imposter Syndrome — Cassie Ring.
• How I Found Explanations for Unexplained Phenomena and Learned to Change Predictions — Christina Sponias.
• Three Tips to Eliminate Insulin Resistance and Shrink Waistline — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• How to End the Russia-Ukraine War (and Save Thousands of Lives) — Clement Brian.
• What You Save = Who You Are — Dakota Duncan.
• Earth Day 2022: The Concert, the Initiatives, and Italy — Francesco Carrubba.
• You are Mind Body Spirit — Gerad Carrier.
• Invitation to Write for ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts Publication — Aiden (Illumination Gaming).
• 7 Major Reasons Why Men Lie to Women — AttractionDiary.Com.
• The True Science Behind the Health Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating, Including 23 Quality Insights — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• How to Center (Part 2) — Harry Stefanakis.
• Why Having a CEO's Mindset is Important — John Cunningham.
• Sunny with a Chance of Rain — Julienne M.
• Scummy People Who Make You Want to Shower Off Their Filth After Talking — KL Simmons.
• Being There for My Mother-in-Law is a Memory I Will Cherish — Lawson Wallace.
• A New Kind of Corporation: A New Way of Measuring Value — Tree Langdon.
• What I Hate About Medium's New Listening Feature — Michelle Jaqua.
• I Challenge You to Spend 60 Minutes on Yourself Every Day — Mofrad Muntasir.
• Drugs. All the Drugs. — Natalie Forrest.
• 3 Types of Keto Diets That You May Customize to Enter Ketosis — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Deep-rooted Barriers: How Formal Education Might Be Subconsciously Limiting You in Life — Nico Sifiso.
• Sexual Pleasure is Better for Women 60+ — Christine.
• I Wish It Was You — Nasar Karim.
• Here's the First Thing You Should Do as You Wake Up in the Morning — Noah Nelson.
• Ladies, How's Your Bladder? — Pam Winter.
• 3 More Nonfiction Freelance Writing Opportunities — Pamela Kazmierczak.
• Help! I've Fallen, and I Can't Get Up — Paula Shablo.
• Retrofitting Our Buildings, Stabilizing Our Own Lives — Philip Siddons.
• Science of Why Some Foods Taste Sweet — Rabinder Kumar.
• Why Gravity Employees Bought Their CEO a $90,000 Tesla — S. M. Mamunur Rahman.
• Last Month, a Miracle Happened: I Wrote a $1,000 Story on Medium — Shannon Piérre.
• NYC in the 70s Reminds Me of Now — Sharon Johnson.
• Feb 2: A Day for Groundhogs and Ayn Rand — Warren Brown.
• How to Select Multiple Images from Gallery in iOS? — Avijit Nagare.
• Here's How Georgia Defeated Clinical Depression in 10 Steps — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.

Aiden's Recent Stories on Health and Science as Samples

• Under the Influence: The Alarming Surge of Alcohol-Related Deaths in the UK — Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).
• Medical Betrayal: Anaesthesiologist's Lethal Injection Exposes a Deadly Trust Breach — Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).
• Can You Imagine a Cambridge-educated MD Having Sex with Multiple Women at His Surgery? — Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).
• Contaminated Blood Scandal in the UK: Up to 6,520 Souls Infected with Hepatitis C — Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).

For Friends of Medium

If you are a friend of Medium, please leave a comment on your experience.

Listing Your Way to Success: Expanding Your Friends of Medium — David C. Wyld.

Have You Heard of This New Thing on Medium? Friends of Medium — Dr. Gabriella Korosi.

Announcement to Join Friend of Medium — Bingfeng Sun.

Is There a Secret Club for Friends of Medium? — Tree Langdon.

Friend of Medium — Antonio Segovia, MD.

Why I Became a Friend of Medium — Dr. Lutz Kraushaar.

Let's Make Friends on Medium — Haimish Mead.

Here's What Happened After I Became a Friend of Medium — Talking with Tan 🤍 BBM, LE.

Why I Chose to Become a Friend of Medium — Yana G.Y.

Impulsed Being a Friend of Medium — Paul Is Positive.

I Took the Plunge and Became a Friend of Medium (FoM) Yesterday — Aiden (Illumination Gaming).

Celebrating My Reading Anniversary with My Upgraded Subscription to New Medium Friendship — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.

Dr. Yildiz has interviewed many writers; if you're interested in being featured, please reach out to me, and I will facilitate the connection.

As promised, here’s a month of exceptional stories for your enjoyment.

Boosted Stories in March 2024

• The Answered Prayer — Shayla Renee 💖.
• Nuances of Serotonin Syndrome: Experts Warn Caution for Elevated Serotonin Levels — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• A Movie Maker's Oscar Predictions — Aiden (Illumination Gaming).
• The Cardiology Procedure That Revolutionized the Way We Treat Heart Attacks — David Mokotoff, MD.
• Do Morals Need Religion? Ask Your Pre-Verbal Toddler — Wayne Stelk, PhD.
• 3 Ways the Drama Triangle Shows Up in Narcissistic Abuse — Melissa Kalt, MD.
• Our Memoirs Are Unlimited Variations on a Theme — Martha Manning, Ph.D.
• How "Black Swan Events" Change Your Life — for Good and Bad — Brian Feutz.
• A Heartfelt Tribute to Akira Toriyama's Worldwide Legacy — Idzard.
• Musicals Had a Strange Effect on My Offbeat Family — Rebecca Romanelli.
• Neurocomputing: Brain Organoid Reservoir Computing Brings Hope to Solving NeuroHIV & Cognitive Disorders — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Horrific Childhood Fears from the 90s That Never Happened — Sharon Meyers.
• How to Build an FPV Combat Drone to Defend Your Country — Dmytro Sazonov.
• My Father Taught Me to Swim — Lisa Duffy-Korpics.
• The Striking Adverse Effects of Night Light Exposure on Mental Health — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• What Do Mystical Experiences Imply? — Vic Shayne.
• The Expression/Mutation Impacts of the Longevity Genes Klotho, FOXO3, SIRT1, APOE, BRCA — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Have You Heard About Obelisks? — Rich Sobel.
• 10 Easy Steps for Better Travel Photos — Silviu-Florin Salomia.
• The Power of Converting Empathy Into Compassion — Sean Kernan.
• How to Be a More Data-Driven Manager in 3 Easy Steps — Lisa Bage.
• β-Hydroxybutyrate: 2 Vital Roles of Ketogenesis in the Brain for Dementia Prevention/Treatment — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• My First Game Jam Was Stressful but Also Awesome — Justin Boyette.
• Unusual Challenges Leading to Successes in Print-on-Demand Services — Jozsef Kovacs.
• The Truth is Simple and Simply Stated, So Why Is There Endless Discussion? — Vic Shayne.
• A Special Forces Soldier Taught Me How Leadership Works in Three Words — Joshua Mason.
• Can Doctors Prevent Complications? — Joan Naidorf.
• Nine Small Ways to Consider Angels — Pernoste & Dahl.
• Saving the Last Virgin Forests of Europe from a Photographer's Point of View — Silviu-Florin Salomia.
• Why Should We Care About Fungi as Much as Bacteria or Viruses? — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Documenting Social Issues New Deal Style — Matthew Bamberg.
• You Can't Find a Coloured Crayon in an Empty Tin — Gill McCulloch.
• Oscar Season is My Favorite Time of Year in My Scene to Screen Class — Denise P King.
• When Religion Collides with Politics, Frozen Embryos Feel the Heat — Wayne Stelk, PhD.
• Sleep Regulation: Neurobiology of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• The "Win-Win Volley" in Sustainable Relationships — Kenneth Silvestri.
• Why Medical Doctors Should Write More and Consider Creative Writing Too — Dr. Julian Barkan.
• Transgender People: Everything I Ever Wanted to Know About Them but Was Afraid to Ask — Martin D. Hirsch.
• Balding and the Plight of Male Body Positivity — Sean Kernan.
• Biochemistry of Ketosis Simplified with Nuanced Perspectives and Personal Experiences — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• When Cultures Clash in the Emergency Room — Joan Naidorf.
• The Origin and Evolution of Black Comic Book Characters — William Spivey.
• The Primal Thought of 'I am' — Vic Shayne.
• Xenotransplantation: First Pig Kidney Transplant in a 62-Year-Old Man — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
• Palliation — Edward Swafford.
• Culture is Everyone's Responsibility at Work — Lisa Bage.
• How Xbox's Video Game, Skate, Helps My Special Needs Son Safely Navigate His Environment — Alexandra Christensen.
• Is Sleep Tourism Your Key to Better Rest? — Suzanne E.
• Vibrant Synaesthesia: The Inner Workings of a Color-Drenched Brain — Donn K. Harris.
• Finding Reciprocal Love After Failing at Relationships — Holly Paige.
• Perspectives from Programmatic Architecture — Matthew Bamberg.
• I Made Over $500,000 by Writing on the Internet — Here Are 50 Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Sooner — Sinem Günel.

More Boosted Stories in the Attached Collection.

Thank you for reading these beautiful narratives.

Cellular Responses to Ketosis: Can Cancer Cells Listen and Behave?

I recommend this post to all my readers, as it has the potential to combat the global obesity epidemic, which leads to diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and cancers. Thank you for engaging with these remarkable stories.

ILLUMINATION Reading Club #4 — ILLUMINATION-Curators

Thank you for exploring these exceptional narratives.

Dr. Yildiz has interviewed many writers; if you're interested in being featured, please reach out to me, and I will facilitate the connection.

Links to My Previous Collections

Please share these so that more individuals can discover these valuable pieces.

If you're interested in boosting content, Dr. Yildiz recently answered frequently asked questions from writers and readers regarding the boost program on Medium, which offered me some surprises as both a writer and editor. I wish I had encountered this information a year ago. It's no wonder none of my stories received boosts, prompting me to pause my writing, but he has ignited hope within us.

As a boost nominator, Aiden has introduced stories from frequently boosted writers. Thus far, he has completed four and will post more, as they can be beneficial to new writers.

• Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #1
• Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #2
• Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #3
• Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #4

ILLUMINATION-Curators have compiled boosted stories that showcase exceptional writing. You can find these remarkable narratives in the Collection of Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION Publications — V5. They also created a new Reader's Club post featuring many outstanding stories — ILLUMINATION Reading Club #9.

I discovered fascinating interviews with writers and compiled them into a post for easy access. These interviews are inspiring and filled with life lessons.

Reading the Stories of 50+ Influential Writers Via Their Captivating Interviews Inspired Me.

Influencing Non-Members to Become Members

To encourage non-members, I compiled a list of boosted stories I read last month, sharing my insights along with common themes observed in these exceptional narratives. There’s something for everyone, as these well-written stories cover a variety of topics and styles.

I Read 100+ Boosted Stories and Here's What I Learned.

Introduction to New Writers

Now, let’s welcome the new writers who recently joined us. Please explore their stories; if they resonate with you, feel free to connect. This is a fantastic opportunity for both writers and readers to engage.

New writers, please review the onboarding pack attached before submitting your stories. Photographs are crucial, so be sure to check the image handling policy to avoid returns.

New writers may find the attached list, which includes many insightful and practical stories written by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.

Would you like to receive an email whenever Mike Broadly, DHSc publishes?

Do You Want to Explore More from My Life Lessons?

I’ve compiled the links for your convenience. Your feedback is invaluable to me.