Medium Posts in 2019
Are you looking for one of my Medium posts for 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here.
This “Doggone World” publication is for dog lovers, dog walkers, dog owners and all bark-related, feel-good activity.
17. The funniest trending topic on Twitter: Black dog parents ~ Black folks and their hilarious relationship with dogs
16. Hey lady, you do not have a ‘fur baby’ ~ Why I grudgingly denied the term ‘fur baby’ versus human babies
15. Should you let your dog donate blood? ~ As if veterinary visits aren’t hard enough as is
14. Is your dog racist, or is it really you? ~ What should a dog owner do when a dog expresses a racial preference?
13. Getting over your fear of dogs ~ ‘Ready to Love’: Why Darin letting his Labs run loose wasn’t a bad idea
12. Should homeowners treat dogsitters like guests or clients? ~ Five must-ask questions before dogsitting someone’s home
11. Dogs and dating: The no-dogs-on-bed rule ~ What do you do when your significant other doesn’t like dogs in your home?
10. When Wag! doesn’t pay dog walkers on time ~ Deciding whether to become a professional dog walker for Wag! or Rover
9. Your Airbnb host is not your maid ~ From dog housesitting to vacationing, treat their home like your own
8. Keep your dog on a leash ~ Why dog owners should stop letting their dogs run loose outside
7. Dog poop bags in neighborhood cans: Yay or nay? ~ Should dog owners and walkers return home to throw away dog poop bags?
6. Dogsitting 101: How to sift through dogsitting gigs ~ Bonding with the dog and pet owner
5. 14 supplies for your dog-walking adventure ~ No matter what the owner already has, keep these in your bag
4. When a dog lover understands cat lovers ~ Cat ladies aren’t crazy, according to UCLA study
3. My dog chronicles: Becoming a professional dog walker
2. Dog therapy: A writer’s break ~ Why writers should have an active, non-writing hobby
1. Wag! dog walkers, beware of scammers ~ What independent contractors need to be aware of with the Wag! app
16. Hey lady, you do not have a ‘fur baby’ ~ Why I grudgingly denied the term ‘fur baby’ versus human babies
15. Should you let your dog donate blood? ~ As if veterinary visits aren’t hard enough as is
14. Is your dog racist, or is it really you? ~ What should a dog owner do when a dog expresses a racial preference?
13. Getting over your fear of dogs ~ ‘Ready to Love’: Why Darin letting his Labs run loose wasn’t a bad idea
12. Should homeowners treat dogsitters like guests or clients? ~ Five must-ask questions before dogsitting someone’s home
11. Dogs and dating: The no-dogs-on-bed rule ~ What do you do when your significant other doesn’t like dogs in your home?
10. When Wag! doesn’t pay dog walkers on time ~ Deciding whether to become a professional dog walker for Wag! or Rover
9. Your Airbnb host is not your maid ~ From dog housesitting to vacationing, treat their home like your own
8. Keep your dog on a leash ~ Why dog owners should stop letting their dogs run loose outside
7. Dog poop bags in neighborhood cans: Yay or nay? ~ Should dog owners and walkers return home to throw away dog poop bags?
6. Dogsitting 101: How to sift through dogsitting gigs ~ Bonding with the dog and pet owner
5. 14 supplies for your dog-walking adventure ~ No matter what the owner already has, keep these in your bag
4. When a dog lover understands cat lovers ~ Cat ladies aren’t crazy, according to UCLA study
3. My dog chronicles: Becoming a professional dog walker
2. Dog therapy: A writer’s break ~ Why writers should have an active, non-writing hobby
1. Wag! dog walkers, beware of scammers ~ What independent contractors need to be aware of with the Wag! app
This is a place for homeowners, condo owners, board association reps and contractors to chat.
2. Technology’s influence on the future of interior design
1. 5 lessons I learned as a first-time homebuyer
1. 5 lessons I learned as a first-time homebuyer
“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination are bigger issues.
19. The bigot across the hall ~ The racist neighbor in my building, and the landlord who appeased him
18. That time I had the race talk with white kids ~ How white children would benefit from racial diversity
17. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
16. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
15. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
14. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
13. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
12. Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
11. That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
10. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
9. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
8. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
7. Only seeing upsides to #BlackMenDontCheat hashtag
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear
18. That time I had the race talk with white kids ~ How white children would benefit from racial diversity
17. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
16. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
15. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
14. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
13. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
12. Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
11. That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
10. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
9. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
8. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
7. Only seeing upsides to #BlackMenDontCheat hashtag
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear
Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.
4. Dear Facebook, stop forcing these friend requests on me ~ Mark Zuckerberg, you’re making me relive my kindergarten years
3. Stop talking when I’m meditating ~ Other gripes with YouTube instructors and exercising at home
2. Are you Michael Scott? ~ The job interview question you should ask before accepting employment
1. The hat catastrophe ~ How my smoothie made me so not smooth
3. Stop talking when I’m meditating ~ Other gripes with YouTube instructors and exercising at home
2. Are you Michael Scott? ~ The job interview question you should ask before accepting employment
1. The hat catastrophe ~ How my smoothie made me so not smooth
Let’s chat about my oddball thoughts on family, relationships and activism — with a dose of comedy, too.
14. How being an election judge made me appreciate politics more ~ Enjoy politics? Sign up to be an Election Judge or Coordinator
13. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
12. How a thief gave me an irrational fear of bushes ~ Why asking the reason behind someone’s phobia matters
11. No mandatory sex ed course? No high school diploma ~ The argument for making sex education courses a graduation requirement
10. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
9. When a girl’s guy supports the #MeTooMovement ~ Knowing when ‘locker room talk' at work has gone too far
8. Why I appreciate my dad more after hearing T.I.’s daughter-gyno interview ~ Blaming black men is not the solution to T.I.’s fatherhood antics
7. Thanks to a nail technician, I support John Legend’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ~ How a trip to the spa made me reevaluate this Christmas song rewrite
6. His friend died of AIDS, but he still believes AIDS isn’t real ~ Why contraception talks should happen more than sex
5. My hypocritical views on chivalry ~ Is chivalry dying? In some ways, women may be killing it — me included.
4. Why are some women choosing not to be mothers? ~ Eight responses to opting out of motherhood
3. Finessing the pick-up line ~ Four ways to get pick-up lines to work to your benefit
2. Why I won’t smile on command ~ Guys, please stop asking women to smile just because you’re around
1. That time he spoke my love language ~ When my college crush proved he understood ‘Quality Time’
13. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
12. How a thief gave me an irrational fear of bushes ~ Why asking the reason behind someone’s phobia matters
11. No mandatory sex ed course? No high school diploma ~ The argument for making sex education courses a graduation requirement
10. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
9. When a girl’s guy supports the #MeTooMovement ~ Knowing when ‘locker room talk' at work has gone too far
8. Why I appreciate my dad more after hearing T.I.’s daughter-gyno interview ~ Blaming black men is not the solution to T.I.’s fatherhood antics
7. Thanks to a nail technician, I support John Legend’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ~ How a trip to the spa made me reevaluate this Christmas song rewrite
6. His friend died of AIDS, but he still believes AIDS isn’t real ~ Why contraception talks should happen more than sex
5. My hypocritical views on chivalry ~ Is chivalry dying? In some ways, women may be killing it — me included.
4. Why are some women choosing not to be mothers? ~ Eight responses to opting out of motherhood
3. Finessing the pick-up line ~ Four ways to get pick-up lines to work to your benefit
2. Why I won’t smile on command ~ Guys, please stop asking women to smile just because you’re around
1. That time he spoke my love language ~ When my college crush proved he understood ‘Quality Time’
New posts for this publication have ended as of Sept. 2020. However, you're welcome to read the prior posts. It's for readers who are into retail and food news, business tips and Internet shopping, read on.
17. McGift gift cards: How recipients are scammed out of their money ~ Are people really not using gift card money or just giving up on the companies behind the cards?
16. The laziness that creates fast fashion ~ How ‘The Patriot Act’ made me dust off my fashion design skills
15. Help your teenager understand health risks, insurance at first job ~ The one thing parents forget to tell their teens before a new job
14. 5 tips to gain more customers for your craft store ~ Lessons I learned from selling online and at vendor booths
13. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
12. The rise of ghost kitchens and not so ‘fast’ food ~ Mobile apps and anonymous chefs changing how food is made and delivered
11. Could more bookstores survive if they act like libraries? ~ Are libraries helping millennials be even more antisocial?
10. Walmart’s alcohol curbside delivery is a DUI driver’s dream ~ Why some retail convenience simply isn’t worth it
9. What Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show should’ve taught Victoria’s Secret ~ This Victoria’s Secret customer is reevaluating her shopping choices
8. Walmart banned its open-carry policy and I still won’t shop there ~ Walmart’s business decision on guns came too little, too late
7. The Asurion scam: Do not do business with them ~ With any insurance company, think twice before agreeing to their yearly plans
6. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
5. Boycotting SoulCycle and Equinox: Trump-supporting brands beware ~ Finding fitness brands and businesses that support your social and political leanings
4. Are self-driving cars taking over for drive-ins? ~ When technology meets old-school nostalgia, can self-driving cars be drive-ins for the next generation?
3. What do vegetarians eat? Visit vegan food festivals to find out ~ My 18-year transition from omnivore to “accidental vegetarian” to 15 straight years of vegetarianism
2. Retail shopping on wheels ~ How retail trailers are changing window and online shopping
1. Coworking spaces: The untapped retail market ~ Why startup companies should have their eyes on coworking locations
16. The laziness that creates fast fashion ~ How ‘The Patriot Act’ made me dust off my fashion design skills
15. Help your teenager understand health risks, insurance at first job ~ The one thing parents forget to tell their teens before a new job
14. 5 tips to gain more customers for your craft store ~ Lessons I learned from selling online and at vendor booths
13. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
12. The rise of ghost kitchens and not so ‘fast’ food ~ Mobile apps and anonymous chefs changing how food is made and delivered
11. Could more bookstores survive if they act like libraries? ~ Are libraries helping millennials be even more antisocial?
10. Walmart’s alcohol curbside delivery is a DUI driver’s dream ~ Why some retail convenience simply isn’t worth it
9. What Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show should’ve taught Victoria’s Secret ~ This Victoria’s Secret customer is reevaluating her shopping choices
8. Walmart banned its open-carry policy and I still won’t shop there ~ Walmart’s business decision on guns came too little, too late
7. The Asurion scam: Do not do business with them ~ With any insurance company, think twice before agreeing to their yearly plans
6. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
5. Boycotting SoulCycle and Equinox: Trump-supporting brands beware ~ Finding fitness brands and businesses that support your social and political leanings
4. Are self-driving cars taking over for drive-ins? ~ When technology meets old-school nostalgia, can self-driving cars be drive-ins for the next generation?
3. What do vegetarians eat? Visit vegan food festivals to find out ~ My 18-year transition from omnivore to “accidental vegetarian” to 15 straight years of vegetarianism
2. Retail shopping on wheels ~ How retail trailers are changing window and online shopping
1. Coworking spaces: The untapped retail market ~ Why startup companies should have their eyes on coworking locations
Additional posts (not in above publications)
31. The Mile High Club: Embracing ‘island brain’ in Hawaii ~ How paddleboard yoga helped ease my mind from a family member’s death
30. Live Your Life on Purpose: Should you try to change the mindset of your no-PDA partner? ~ What happens when you love kissing and your partner doesn’t?
29. Live Your Life on Purpose: How a job interview lead me to living in my hiring manager’s home ~ Why you should thank the hiring manager who won’t hire you
28. My doctor is not my boyfriend ~ Politicians and American people, the world still turns when you switch doctors
27. Part 3: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
26. Part 2: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
25. Part 1: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
24. The Mile High Club: Aloha! My 30th birthday on 11/11/11 ~ The Hawaiian vacation that almost didn’t happen
23. The Startup: That time I was a mystery shopper ~ In a tech-dominant world, should companies still hire mystery shoppers?
22. Tips and tricks to keep track of your smartphone ~ Why your smartphone screensaver needs to be a photo of you
21. Des Moines Register: Are journalists their own worst enemies? ~ Reporter gets dismissed for racist tweets — after reporting on someone else’s racist tweets
20. Black people: Don't skip the suntan lotion, identify the skin damage risks ~ Are black people more at risk of eczema?
19. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
18. The battle with dry cuticles ~ Stop covering your hands, just fix your nails
17. Blog 8 of 8: Making odd topics interesting, thanks to Hasan Minhaj ~ Toastmasters, talk about what you want to know, not just what you know now
16. Blog 6 of 8: Hosting 101: Learn speakers’ names ~ Toastmasters, don’t let memorizing odd names kick your butt
15. Blog 5 of 8: Barry Brewer: Chicago comedian keeps us laughing ~ Actor/comedian gives tips on humorous public speaking for Toastmasters
14. Blog 4 of 8: Toastmasters, what’s so funny? ~ The ‘Engaging Humor’ Path launches in Toastmasters Pathways
13. Love a good story? Visit storytelling events Check out Chicagoland’s "Do Not Submit" and Toastmasters
12. Highs and lows of being an Uber and Lyft driver
11. Crowdfunding platform TREF gives back ~ TREF president’s take on ‘first African-American owned, crowdfunding platform’ for urban neighborhoods
10. Meet the fixer: Louis Carter of Best Practice Institute
9. Live Your Life on Purpose: From black thumb to green thumb ~ A caregiver’s thank you to the chaplain who wouldn’t leave me alone
8. The Startup: Common name conundrum: How to brand yourself ~ Make your website stand out even when your name does not
7. Stress saver tips for getting the REAL ID ~ Married couples: Here’s what you need to know about getting the REAL ID
6. The Startup: My worst/most successful job interview ~ Knowing the company you work for can boost your chances — sorta
5. Opting out of ‘Quiet Mode’ in Uber ~ From a former driver’s perspective: Why ride-sharing services got this one wrong
4. The Startup: Don’t wait too late to create your will ~ For entrepreneurs, prioritize a will and testament early on
3. Blog 2 of 8: Why I made my Toastmasters group cry ~ Table Topics is fun, but I turned it into therapy
2. Why daydreaming works for your career ~ How structured daydreaming can help you get ahead in life
1. ZORA: Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
30. Live Your Life on Purpose: Should you try to change the mindset of your no-PDA partner? ~ What happens when you love kissing and your partner doesn’t?
29. Live Your Life on Purpose: How a job interview lead me to living in my hiring manager’s home ~ Why you should thank the hiring manager who won’t hire you
28. My doctor is not my boyfriend ~ Politicians and American people, the world still turns when you switch doctors
27. Part 3: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
26. Part 2: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
25. Part 1: Technology overview of ’60s show “The Jetsons” ~ Where technology went right and wrong on “The Jetsons”
24. The Mile High Club: Aloha! My 30th birthday on 11/11/11 ~ The Hawaiian vacation that almost didn’t happen
23. The Startup: That time I was a mystery shopper ~ In a tech-dominant world, should companies still hire mystery shoppers?
22. Tips and tricks to keep track of your smartphone ~ Why your smartphone screensaver needs to be a photo of you
21. Des Moines Register: Are journalists their own worst enemies? ~ Reporter gets dismissed for racist tweets — after reporting on someone else’s racist tweets
20. Black people: Don't skip the suntan lotion, identify the skin damage risks ~ Are black people more at risk of eczema?
19. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
18. The battle with dry cuticles ~ Stop covering your hands, just fix your nails
17. Blog 8 of 8: Making odd topics interesting, thanks to Hasan Minhaj ~ Toastmasters, talk about what you want to know, not just what you know now
16. Blog 6 of 8: Hosting 101: Learn speakers’ names ~ Toastmasters, don’t let memorizing odd names kick your butt
15. Blog 5 of 8: Barry Brewer: Chicago comedian keeps us laughing ~ Actor/comedian gives tips on humorous public speaking for Toastmasters
14. Blog 4 of 8: Toastmasters, what’s so funny? ~ The ‘Engaging Humor’ Path launches in Toastmasters Pathways
13. Love a good story? Visit storytelling events Check out Chicagoland’s "Do Not Submit" and Toastmasters
12. Highs and lows of being an Uber and Lyft driver
11. Crowdfunding platform TREF gives back ~ TREF president’s take on ‘first African-American owned, crowdfunding platform’ for urban neighborhoods
10. Meet the fixer: Louis Carter of Best Practice Institute
9. Live Your Life on Purpose: From black thumb to green thumb ~ A caregiver’s thank you to the chaplain who wouldn’t leave me alone
8. The Startup: Common name conundrum: How to brand yourself ~ Make your website stand out even when your name does not
7. Stress saver tips for getting the REAL ID ~ Married couples: Here’s what you need to know about getting the REAL ID
6. The Startup: My worst/most successful job interview ~ Knowing the company you work for can boost your chances — sorta
5. Opting out of ‘Quiet Mode’ in Uber ~ From a former driver’s perspective: Why ride-sharing services got this one wrong
4. The Startup: Don’t wait too late to create your will ~ For entrepreneurs, prioritize a will and testament early on
3. Blog 2 of 8: Why I made my Toastmasters group cry ~ Table Topics is fun, but I turned it into therapy
2. Why daydreaming works for your career ~ How structured daydreaming can help you get ahead in life
1. ZORA: Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
Medium Publications (with Shamontiel's posts)
- Age of Awareness (Contemplative letters commemorating special occasions)
- Black Voices in Marketing (Series on diversity tips, book marketing and minority advertising)
- Doggone World (For dog lovers, dog walkers, dog owners and all bark-related, feel-good activity)
- Earth & Me (Now we can all live sustainably, justly, and joyfully.)
- Homegrown (This is a place for homeowners, condo owners, board association reps and contractors to chat.)
- I Do See Color (“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination is the issue.)
- Letters to Myself (Stories providing creative, innovative, and sustainable changes to the education system)
- Live Your Life on Purpose (Feel-good stories on health and fitness, life and learning, personal finance, success)
- Medium @Shamontiel
- The Mile High Club (Travel stories from the stratosphere)
- The Startup (Entrepreneurial advice, creativity tales, freelancing, startups, investing, innovation, web development)
- Tickled (Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.)
- We Need to Talk (Heart-to-heart conversations that challenge unpopular views on family, relationships and activism.)
- Zora (Unapologetic. Ours. A Medium publication for women of color.)
©2008 Shamontiel L. Vaughn | All rights reserved
