Malorie Mackey and Michael Maldonado Are Expecting: The Adventure Just Got a Whole Lot Bigger

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

There are expeditions you plan for years, and then there are the ones that find you. For Malorie Mackey and Michael Maldonado, the creative duo behind Weird World Adventures, now streaming Season 2 on Amazon Prime and Roku via the Fawesome app, the biggest announcement of the year has nothing to do with a new destination on a map.

Malorie and Michael are expecting a baby.

The news arrived with the warmth and authenticity that fans of MaloriesAdventures.com have come to associate with Malorie’s brand. It was shared through a charming video released at the Explorers Club Annual Dinner, which, when you think about it, is an excellently fitting venue for a woman who has spent her career treating life itself as one long expedition. For followers who have watched Malorie trek through Transylvanian castles, descend into the context of New Orleans voodoo legend, and hike the haunted trails of the Great Smoky Mountains, this news lands less like a surprise and more like a natural next chapter in a story that has never been short on wonder.

A Partnership Built on Curiosity

What makes this announcement feel so resonant is how much of Weird World Adventures has always been a reflection of who Malorie and Michael are, not just as collaborators, but as people. Michael Maldonado, a director, author, Explorers Club member, and physician subspecializing in neuroradiology, is the visual architect behind the show’s distinctive atmosphere. His direction has a quality that is difficult to articulate but immediately recognizable, unhurried but electric, precise but open to the unexpected. When Malorie is standing inside a volcano in Iceland or tracing the footsteps of Vlad Dracula through the Transylvanian countryside, it is Michael’s lens that translates the experience into something audiences can feel.

Together, they have built a show defined not by spectacle but by genuine curiosity. That curiosity, that shared conviction that the world rewards the people who look closely at it, is clearly something they carry beyond the camera.

Right Timing, Right Season

It would be hard to script a more fitting backdrop for this news. Season 2 of Weird World Adventures, the most ambitious run of episodes the show has produced, is fundamentally a season about the stories we inherit, the traditions we carry forward, and the extraordinary things that get passed between generations. From the Witch Trial history of Salem to the folk mythology of Appalachia to the hidden-elf culture of Iceland, episode after episode asks the same essential question: what do we choose to pass on, and why?

Now, with this announcement, that theme takes on a new and personal dimension. Malorie and Michael are, in the most literal sense, about to pass something on, and if their track record as storytellers and explorers is any indication, their child is in extraordinarily good hands.

Already a Family of Adventurers

For those newer to Malorie’s world, this will be her and Michael’s second child. They are already raising a daughter at home, presumably one who is growing up surrounded by folklore, wide-open landscapes, and the deeply held belief that the world is stranger and more magnificent than it first appears. There are worse things to grow up believing.

Parenthood, for someone built the way Malorie is built, is unlikely to look like a slowdown. It is far more likely to look like a new lens through which to see everything she was already doing, including the fieldwork, the storytelling, and the insistence on approaching the world with wonder rather than certainty. The show continues. The writing continues. And now, so does the family.

Celebrate with Season 2

Season 2 of Weird World Adventures is now streaming. All 12 episodes are available internationally on Amazon Prime Video and on Roku via the Fawesome app, and are also available for purchase on Amazon Prime US. The season ranges from the salt mines of Romania to the inside of an Icelandic volcano, from a fairy tale tour of Germany to a love letter to the strange corners of Washington, D.C., all of it made by two people who are, as it turns out, about to begin the greatest adventure of all.

Congratulations to Malorie and Michael. The world just got a little bit bigger and a little bit more interesting.

Why FREDBITS by Fred Dyke Is the Daily Reset Your Life Needs Right Now

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

In a world flooded with noise, distractions, and endless information, clarity has become a luxury. Enter FREDBITS: A Daily Dose of Wisdom, Wit, and Wonder by Fred Dyke, a refreshingly honest, thought-provoking, and deeply human collection that doesn’t just ask questions… It challenges you to live better.

This is not just another self-help book. It’s something far more engaging.

Structured as bite-sized reflections, FREDBITS delivers powerful insights on life’s most important themes, relationships, responsibility, love, fear, success, and purpose, without ever feeling preachy or overwhelming. Each page stands on its own, making it the perfect companion for daily reading. One page a day is all it takes to start shifting your mindset. 

What makes this book stand out is its raw authenticity. Fred Dyke doesn’t position himself as someone with all the answers. Instead, he invites readers into a shared journey of growth, reflection, and self-discovery. His writing feels personal, like a mentor speaking directly to you, cutting through excuses and getting straight to what truly matters.

From asking simple yet profound questions like “Are you happy?” and “What would you change if you could?” To tackle deeper concepts such as accountability, fear, and personal responsibility, this book pushes readers to confront their realities head-on. 

But here’s where FREDBITS becomes a must-buy: It doesn’t just make you think; it makes you act.

Each entry is crafted to spark reflection and encourage change. Whether it’s reevaluating your priorities, improving your relationships, or taking ownership of your life, the book delivers practical wisdom you can actually apply.

It’s relatable, real, and refreshingly honest. Dyke shares lessons drawn from real-life experiences, the good, the bad, and everything in between. There’s no fluff, no jargon, just straight, meaningful insights that resonate across all ages.

It fits perfectly into your daily routine. Unlike traditional books that demand hours of commitment, FREDBITS respects your time. Read a page in the morning, reflect during the day, and return tomorrow for another dose of clarity.

It challenges your mindset. This isn’t a book you passively read. It’s a book that questions you back. It forces you to think deeper, evaluate your beliefs, and ultimately grow.

In an era where people are constantly searching for direction, FREDBITS offers something rare: perspective. It reminds readers that growth isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and being willing to change.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply looking for daily inspiration, this book delivers exactly what its title advertises: wisdom, wit, and wonder, and yes, even a laugh. 

Now Available on Amazon

FREDBITS: A Daily Dose of Wisdom, Wit, and Wonder is available now in both print and digital formats on Amazon. If you’re ready to reset your mindset, gain clarity, and start showing up differently in your life, this is one book you don’t want to miss.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one page… to change everything.

Learn more about Fred and his other books at Freddykebooks.com

Bob Kawka’s Multifaceted Path from Classrooms to Campfires

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

Specialization often defines professional success, but Bob Kawka has built a career that crosses fields rather than narrowing to one. His work spans education, aviation, emergency response, photography, and culinary arts. Today, he brings that depth of experience into the literary world, where he writes both science fiction and practical cookbooks.

An Author Shaped by Experience

Before becoming an author, Kawka built an extensive career in education. He worked as a college instructor, student teacher supervisor, special education teacher, and speech therapist. His work extended beyond the classroom, with presentations delivered at national and international levels on technology-related topics.

His professional journey also includes a wide range of skills and certifications. He holds a private pilot’s license, operates as a ham radio enthusiast, and has served as an open water scuba instructor. In addition, Kawka has contributed more than fifty years of service to the Red Cross, often participating in disaster response operations.

These experiences are not separate from his writing. They form the foundation of it. Kawka draws directly from his background to create stories and instructional content that feel grounded and authentic.

Exploring Science Fiction with Purpose

Kawka’s science fiction novel, Why Me? reflects his long-standing interest in unexplained phenomena and speculative science. His involvement in UFO-related investigations inspired the book’s premise, which centers on a hidden government discovery linked to extraterrestrial activity.

The story begins with the discovery of a sealed room during post-9/11 reconstruction efforts. Inside, documents point to the existence of unknown sites and a deeper mystery. From that point, the narrative unfolds into a story of secrecy, exploration, and high-stakes discovery.

Kawka’s approach to science fiction is more traditional. He focuses on logical progression, clear storytelling, and themes rooted in possibility rather than fantasy. His work is particularly aimed at young adult readers and those who appreciate classic science fiction.

Practical Cooking Rooted in Real Life

In addition to fiction, Kawka has developed a series of cookbooks that reflect his lifelong involvement in outdoor cooking and community service.

His Catch and Eat Cookbook originated from a fishing club where members needed guidance on preparing their catch in more diverse ways. Kawka responded by creating recipes and practical resources, including tips on making seafood broth and maintaining essential kitchen ingredients.

His Dutch oven cookbook began as a Boy Scout Wood Badge project. Over time, it evolved into a detailed guide designed for both beginners and experienced cooks. The book includes a wide range of recipes, safety guidelines, and practical advice for cooking in outdoor settings or at home.

Early Influences and Culinary Foundations

Kawka’s interest in cooking began early in life. Both of his parents were skilled cooks, and his father co-owned a diner. From a young age, he was expected to learn how to cook, plan, and prepare complete meals.

This foundation grew through his involvement in scouting, where he developed the ability to manage large-scale cooking operations. At one point, he was able to feed hundreds of people with a mobile field kitchen. His experience later extended into Red Cross operations, where efficiency and safety were essential.

Creative Influences

Kawka credits early science fiction writers as a major source of inspiration. Many of these writers were engineers who explored ideas through fiction that they could not pursue in their professional work.

This influence is reflected in Kawka’s writing style. His stories focus on realistic possibilities and thoughtful speculation, combining imagination with a strong grounding in the real world.

Looking Forward

With multiple books across different genres, Kawka is building a body of work that reflects both creativity and practical expertise. His writing connects storytelling with real-life experience, offering readers both entertainment and useful knowledge.

As his upcoming publications approach release, Kawka continues developing his catalog within the literary space. His work appeals to readers who value authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new ideas.

Connect with Bob Kawka: Facebook | Instagram

New Anglia University – An Established Medical School in a British Overseas Territory

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

By: Bernard Ramirez

New Anglia University is an established international medical school built on a deliberately structured academic and clinical model, with its campus located in Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean.

The Legal and Institutional Foundation

Anguilla operates as a British Overseas Territory under UK constitutional arrangements, with a legal system based on English common law and a governance structure that includes oversight through a UK-appointed Governor. Final appellate jurisdiction lies with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.

For an academic institution, this creates a stable and predictable legal environment, with administrative and judicial structures that are familiar within a broader British framework.

This does not place the territory within the United Kingdom itself, nor does it equate its institutions with UK-based universities. However, it does mean that organizations established in Anguilla operate within a system that is internationally recognized and legally consistent.

The decision to establish New Anglia University in this context was therefore structural rather than geographic. The aim was to build within a framework defined by legal clarity, institutional stability, and an English-speaking environment.

A Structured Preclinical Program

The preclinical phase at New Anglia University is delivered over a defined 20-month period, during which students complete integrated biomedical modules including Foundations of Medicine, Human Structure and Function, Pathogenic Interactions and Host Defence, Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics, Pharmacology, and Clinical Reasoning.

This phase is designed to provide a focused scientific foundation before students transition into clinical training. Teaching is delivered on the university’s campus in Anguilla, where the scale and structure of the environment support a concentrated academic experience.

The duration of the preclinical phase reflects a deliberate balance. It is structured to ensure that students acquire the necessary scientific knowledge while limiting the time spent outside the healthcare systems in which many will later pursue training.

Following completion of this phase, students progress into clinical rotations, forming the second half of the MD program.

Early Clinical Exposure

Before beginning formal clinical rotations at teaching hospitals in the United States or the United Kingdom, students at New Anglia University gain early exposure to hospital-based environments in Anguilla.

During the later stages of the island-based program, students attend supervised sessions at Princess Alexandra Hospital, where they are introduced to clinical settings and workflows. This includes observational exposure to pathology services, including post-mortem examinations, as well as structured observation within the Emergency Department.

These sessions are designed to familiarise students with real clinical environments, including patient intake, triage processes, diagnostic pathways, and multidisciplinary care, before they transition into full clinical rotations abroad.

This early clinical exposure changes the quality of the rotation experience that follows. Students who have already spent time in a working hospital environment carry a different degree of readiness compared to those entering clinical training for the first time.

Clinical Rotations Across the United States and the United Kingdom

Clinical rotations at New Anglia University span more than thirty teaching hospital sites across the United States and the United Kingdom, delivered through affiliated hospital partners.

These placements provide students with exposure to established healthcare environments, where they undertake supervised clinical training across both core and elective medical disciplines. Core rotations include internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and family medicine, reflecting the standard structure of clinical medical education.

During this phase, students participate in day-to-day clinical practice, working alongside medical teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They are involved in patient assessment, clinical discussions, and diagnostic processes under supervision, allowing them to apply the foundational knowledge developed during their studies on campus in real-world contexts.

The breadth of hospital sites ensures exposure to a range of healthcare systems, patient populations, and clinical practices, supporting the development of adaptability and clinical competence.

A Deliberate Institutional Model

Medical education is increasingly international, and students are no longer confined to a single country for their training. What matters is not location alone, but how a program is structured, delivered, and integrated across different healthcare systems.

New Anglia University’s model reflects that shift. The choice of Anguilla was not incidental. It was structural, providing a stable legal framework, an English-speaking environment, and a focused academic setting from which a broader international program could be developed.

The island is not a compromise. It is the foundation.

Marcella Guarino Hymowitz: Dance World Powerhouse

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

By: Bennett Marcus

Marcella Guarino Hymowitz is that rare person who was lucky enough to discover her passion for dance as a child, and, through hard work and determination, has made it her life’s work. 

Throughout her school and college years, she studied all forms of the art, from classical ballet to tap, jazz, street, musical theater, and gymnastics. While studying exercise science at Rutgers University, she was a part of the school’s nationally ranked dance team. In 2001, she became a Knicks City Dancer, was featured in publications like Dance magazine, and even appeared on Sex and the City. She wrote, composed, and directed her own off-Broadway show in collaboration with renowned dance-world figures Amy Ryerson, Brice Mousset, and Jon Rua. Later, she formed her own event production company, MGH Creative, which choreographs and directs entertainment for private events like red-carpet galas and Netflix premieres. 

Guarino Hymowitz’s latest venture is The Pearl NYC, a new dance fitness and wellness studio on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she is not only the owner but also teaches some classes. 

 Guarino Hymowitz is active in a number of charitable organizations, including the NYC Ballet, for which she has co-chaired the Nutcracker Family Benefit, and Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), which provides dance education and opportunities for underserved young talents, where she acts as trustee and Gala Creative Chair. 

 When I ask the mother of three and stepmother of three how she defines herself, she laughs and says she’s a little bit of everything. “I’m a philanthropist. I’m a studio owner. I’m an instructor. I’m a creative director. With Studio MGH, when clients bring me on, they don’t bring me on to just choreograph. I come in to help direct the entire night. How do we want people to feel when they walk into the party? What is the music that’s playing? What is the lighting design? What does the room look like? Are there performers? I think of myself as a creative director, a philanthropist, just everything…”, she trails off. “That’s a great question. I like to think that I’m not defined by one thing.”

Marcella Guarino Hymowitz: Dance World Powerhouse

Photo Courtesy: BFA

Collaboration with LoveShackFancy

Another hat that Guarino Hymowitz now wears is that of creative director for events held by the wildly popular fashion brand LoveShackFancy, founded by her dear friend Rebecca Hessel Cohen. 

The Pearl NYC

“Aside from my family, The Pearl is what I’m most proud of,” Guarino Hymowitz says. “It is a studio built not just for dancers, but for anyone seeking strength, confidence, creativity, and connection. It’s a space where girls, teens, and adults can grow stronger in both mind and body; where they can try something new without fear, where movement is joyful rather than intimidating, and where growth is measured in courage, not perfection.” 

This establishment is where Guarino Hymowitz feels she has come full circle, back in the studio where she was happiest as a child. “It’s where I built my confidence through movement, community, and self-expression. It’s a space that exists so people can feel seen, supported, and empowered in their bodies and in their lives.” thepearlnyc.com  

YAGP

Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest dance network, giving countless young dancers the chance to become professionals in the field. Guarino Hymowitz notes that the organization has diversified the dance world. “We bring different dancers to different companies all over the world,” she says. “In 25 years, we’ve given over $5 million in scholarships.” More than 500 YAGP alumni are stars of more than a hundred of the world’s most prominent dance companies, including the Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, New York City Ballet, and American Ballet Theater. “We make young dance artists’ dreams come true. These kids start at nine years old, and they go to 19, and they either get awarded scholarships into the dance schools, or they get contracts into the actual companies.” 

As YAGP’s Gala Creative Chair, Guarino Hymowitz coordinates its annual fundraising event in New York, held at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Misty Copeland hosted the gala, where Rebecca Hessel Cohen, LoveShackFancy founder, was honored along with Melanie Hamrick, a retired ABT ballerina and choreographer, and Mick Jagger’s partner, who premiered two new pieces with 100 young dancers.

Marcella Hymowitz Creative Fellowship and Endowment

At YAGP’s 25th Anniversary Gala in 2024, Guarino Hymowitz announced her newly established Creative Fellowship for Choreography, which gives dancers and choreographers who don’t have access to funding the opportunity to create new works that speak to a younger generation. “It is meant to provide a creative lab for choreographers on the rise to create groundbreaking, innovative work that will push the art of dance into the future,” says Guarino Hymowitz. 

After a worldwide search, the first six recipients of the fellowship are from the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil and Sweden. One piece, by William Dugan of the Royal Swedish Ballet, was performed at YAGP’s gala in Milan last summer.

Duke University Residency Program

Guarino Hymowitz started a guest artist residency program with Duke University in North Carolina, where two of her stepdaughters are students. The program aims to bring in different types of dancers and performers for three to four-day residences. The first was Stephanie Klemons, who was the associate choreographer for “Hamilton” on Broadway, was a cast member of “In the Heights” and more. Klemons was Guarino Hymowitz’s roommate in college. “She’s won many awards. She is just incredible,” Guarino Hymowitz says.

 “She double majored in genetics and microbiology research and modern dance, so she comes from a unique background. She can relate to Duke students who take dance as a secondary major, but they understand the balance of science and dance.” 

The idea is to expose students to different forms of dance. “They have a very modern dance program at Duke, and I thought it would be great to diversify the type of dance that they have, and bring in some mentors who are living as professional dancers and choreographers, for them to see the different sides of the dance world, the different things that you can do after graduation.” This kind of exposure helped Guarino Hymowitz in forging her own career. An ankle injury at age 14 scuttled her ballet ambitions, but through her studies in college, she learned about the many facets of working in the dance world, including choreography, lighting, music, set design and costumes. 

Duke renamed a performance space at the Rubenstein Arts Center, “The Hymowitz Family Dance Cube.” 

Philanthropy as a New Mom

Guarino Hymowitz took a five-year break from work after she became pregnant with her first child. “I really wanted to throw myself into motherhood and be a full-time mom. I wanted to be fully, fully there for every single moment.” 

During that time, she threw herself into philanthropy. “I chaired lots of galas. I am the President of the Associates of The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering and am heavily involved with YAGP, raising money for the Y and the schools that my kids were attending,” she says. In 2024, Guarino Hymowitz was a recipient of the 92NY Extraordinary Women Awards. 

She joined her friend Rebecca Hessel Cohen in co-chairing the NYC Ballet Nutcracker galas. “I found that the combination of dance and philanthropy was something that really attracted me with Rebecca. I noticed she was a big fan of ballet and dance, and then I brought her into Youth America Grand Prix.” yagp.org 

What is the Ideal Toilet Paper for House Plumbing? A Comprehensive Guide

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

When it comes to maintaining a healthy plumbing system, many homeowners overlook an essential factor: the type of toilet paper they use. While it may seem like a trivial decision, choosing the wrong toilet paper can result in clogged pipes, expensive repairs, and environmental damage. So, what is the ideal toilet paper for house plumbing, and how do you make the right choice for your home? Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Why Does Toilet Paper Matter for Plumbing?

Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water to prevent blockages in your plumbing system. However, not all toilet paper is created equal. Some brands are thicker, stronger, or slower to break down, which can cause significant issues in your pipes, especially if you have older plumbing or a septic system.

Using the wrong type of toilet paper can lead to clogged pipes, slow drainage, and even damage to your septic tank. This is why identifying what is the ideal toilet paper for house plumbing is so crucial for homeowners.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Toilet Paper for Plumbing

When selecting toilet paper that’s compatible with your plumbing, you should consider the following factors:

  1. Biodegradability
    Biodegradable toilet paper is specially designed to break down quickly in water, reducing the chances of clogs. This type of toilet paper is ideal for both standard plumbing systems and septic tanks.
  2. Ply and Thickness
    While plush, multi-ply toilet paper may feel luxurious, it can be harder for your plumbing system to handle. Single-ply toilet paper is thinner and dissolves faster, making it a safer option for your pipes.
  3. Septic-Safe Label
    If you have a septic tank, look for toilet paper labeled as “septic-safe.” These products are tested to ensure they break down efficiently and won’t disrupt your septic system’s delicate balance.
  4. Environmental Impact
    Many homeowners opt for eco-friendly toilet paper made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced bamboo. These options are not only better for the environment but also tend to dissolve more easily in water.
  5. Dissolvability Test
    If you’re unsure whether your current toilet paper is plumbing-friendly, you can perform a simple dissolvability test at home. Place a few sheets in a jar of water, shake it, and see how quickly it breaks apart. The faster it dissolves, the safer it is for your pipes.

Types of Toilet Paper and Their Plumbing Impacts

Let’s take a closer look at some popular types of toilet paper and how they affect your plumbing:

  1. Standard Toilet Paper
    Most conventional toilet paper brands are designed to dissolve in water. However, some thicker or quilted varieties may take longer to break down, increasing the risk of clogs.
  2. Flushable Wipes
    Despite being marketed as “flushable,” many wipes don’t dissolve as easily as toilet paper. They often contribute to blockages and should be avoided unless explicitly labeled as safe for plumbing systems.
  3. Recycled Toilet Paper
    Recycled toilet paper is an eco-friendly option that is usually thinner and dissolves quickly. It’s a great choice for both your plumbing and the environment.
  4. Bamboo Toilet Paper
    Bamboo toilet paper is a sustainable alternative that is soft, strong, and biodegradable. This makes it an excellent option for homeowners who want to protect their plumbing and reduce their environmental footprint.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Plumbing

Even if you choose the best toilet paper for your plumbing, proper maintenance is essential to avoid costly repairs. Here are some tips to keep your plumbing system in top shape:

  1. Avoid Overusing Toilet Paper
    Using excessive amounts of toilet paper can overwhelm your plumbing. Teach your family to use only what’s necessary.
  2. Flush Only Toilet Paper
    Never flush items like wipes, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These items can cause severe blockages.
  3. Schedule Regular Plumbing Inspections
    Routine inspections can help identify potential issues before they become major problems.
  4. Use Drain Cleaners Sparingly
    Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes over time. Instead, opt for natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar.
  5. Install a Bidet
    A bidet can significantly reduce your reliance on toilet paper, making it a plumbing-friendly and eco-conscious choice.

What is the Ideal Toilet Paper for House Plumbing?

So, what is the ideal toilet paper for house plumbing? The answer depends on your specific needs, but generally, biodegradable, septic-safe, and eco-friendly options like bamboo or recycled toilet paper are the safest choices. Avoid thick, multi-ply varieties and “flushable” wipes to prevent clogs and maintain a healthy plumbing system.

By taking the time to choose the right toilet paper and practicing good plumbing habits, you can protect your home from costly repairs and contribute to a healthier environment. Whether you’re a homeowner with a modern plumbing system or someone relying on a septic tank, the right toilet paper can make all the difference!

The Body Knows Before the Mind Does. Dr. Manmeet Rattu Explains Why High Achievers Keep Hitting the Same Wall

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

Dr. Rattu, Clinical Psychologist and Stanford Psychiatry YogaX Faculty, on the shift quietly redefining executive performance.

The executive sat across from her, calendar full, quarterly numbers up, team performing. By every external measure, he was thriving. Then he mentioned, almost in passing, that he had stopped sleeping through the night six months ago. He described it the way someone might describe a leaky faucet. Annoying. Manageable. Not worth fixing yet.

That conversation, repeated across boardrooms, clinics, and private consulting rooms, reveals what most performance literature still misses. The people leading our companies, hospitals, and creative industries are not failing at productivity. They are succeeding, at considerable cost, while their bodies quietly signal a limit no one is trained to read.

Dr. Manmeet Rattu, a clinical psychologist who serves on the Stanford Psychiatry YogaX faculty, has spent years at the meeting point of two worlds that rarely speak to each other. One is high-performance leadership, where pressure is currency and recovery is treated as weakness. The other is clinical neuroscience, where the nervous system has its own rules and very little patience for being overridden.

“Burnout isn’t a time management problem,” Dr. Rattu says. “It’s a capacity problem.”

That distinction is where her work begins, and where most traditional approaches fall short.

The high achievers she works with, executives, founders, physicians, and elite performers, are not lacking discipline. They are often the most disciplined people in the room. But discipline cannot override physiology indefinitely. At some point, the system pushes back.

This is where Dr. Rattu’s approach departs from the conventional wellness narrative. The standard advice, meditate more, sleep better, schedule recovery, is directionally correct but often ineffective. It addresses symptoms, not the system. Useful in theory. Often useless in practice, because it treats the symptom and ignores the system underneath.

A nervous system operating in chronic survival mode does not respond to a calendar block labeled “self-care.” It responds to safety, regulation, and a fundamental shift in how it has learned to operate under pressure.

Dr. Rattu came to this understanding through both training and lived experience. Years into her clinical career, she found herself in an abusive marriage that quietly dismantled her sense of identity, safety, and trust. Her first panic attack arrived without warning. What stayed with her afterward was not the panic itself but the strange split she observed in real time. Intellectually, she understood exactly what was happening. Her body, however, was telling a completely different story.

That moment reshaped her clinical thinking. Insight, she realized, was not the same as change. Understanding a pattern did not stop the pattern from running. The work of healing, and by extension the work of high performance, had to happen at the level of the nervous system itself.

It is a perspective that sits uneasily beside the dominant culture of optimization. We are still trained to treat the body as a delivery system for the mind, an inconvenience to be managed with caffeine, willpower, and the occasional spa weekend. Yet the nervous system is the actual operating system underneath every decision a leader makes. It determines whether someone can hold a difficult conversation without dysregulating, whether they can sit with uncertainty long enough to make a wise call, and whether their presence in a room steadies or unsettles those around them.

The Body Knows Before the Mind Does. Dr. Manmeet Rattu Explains Why High Achievers Keep Hitting the Same Wall

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Manmeet Rattu

Patterns that appear in performance reviews as personality traits often turn out to be physiology. Over-functioning, perfectionism, the inability to delegate, the compulsion to please, these are not character flaws. They are adaptive responses, learned by a system that once needed them and never received the signal that it was safe to put them down. Dr. Rattu’s work involves helping people recognize these patterns for what they are, then doing the slower, more honest work of rewiring them.

She built her UNSTUCK™ framework around a simple but often overlooked sequence:

State shapes pattern. Pattern shapes behavior.

If you try to change behavior without first shifting state, the change does not hold. Most professionals have already discovered this the hard way. They have read the books, hired the coaches, and tried the protocols. The strategies are sound. The system underneath was never resourced enough to sustain them.

There is something quietly subversive about this approach in a culture that confuses exhaustion with commitment. Dr. Rattu describes the alternative as calm, grounded power.

Not the absence of ambition, but ambition uncoupled from urgency.

Leadership that is clear because the person leading is regulated, not because they have managed to outrun their own physiology.

The high performers who find their way to her work tend to arrive with a similar question. They have done everything right. The career, the income, the discipline. So why does it still feel this hard? The answer is rarely what they expect. They are not broken, and they are not behind. They have simply outpaced the capacity of the system carrying them, and no productivity hack will close that gap.

What closes the gap is something older and stranger than optimization. It is the willingness to come back into the body, to feel what has been overridden, and to let the nervous system relearn that safety is possible while still doing demanding work. The result is not a softer kind of leadership. It is a more durable one.

Dr. Rattu’s work continues to expand globally through her UNSTUCK™ program, private advisory work with high performers, international speaking engagements, luxury retreats, and ongoing collaborations across leadership and healthcare. Readers can learn more about her approach at drmini.co or follow her insights on Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. The content reflects the perspectives and approach of the featured practitioner and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Readers experiencing mental health concerns or considering changes to their care should consult a qualified licensed professional. 

Taha Ramzi and the Decision That Built AI Exelion

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

There are moments in a man’s life where the version of him that existed an hour ago dies, and a different version walks out of the room. Most of them happen quietly. Most of them don’t make it into the highlight reel.

Taha Ramzi has been unusually open about his.

Before AI Exelion, the San Diego-based AI company he now runs, Ramzi was lying in a hospital bed staring at the ceiling. Severe liver inflammation. Tubes in his arm. Monitors beeping.

He had just been laid off from a corporate job because the company had automated his role. His savings were gone. He was 24-something years old, in the country he had moved to alone at 17, with nothing immediately to show for any of it.

The decision he made in that hospital room is, by his own description, the one he has not deviated from since.

He was never going back to that life.

What rock bottom actually feels like

The cultural script around rock bottom tends to make it sound dramatic. In Ramzi’s telling, it was the opposite. It was quiet. It was the slow recognition that he had done, by every reasonable measure, the right things.

He had immigrated alone. He had borrowed his father’s money carefully and not wasted it. He had worked every shift put in front of him. He had stayed focused at 21 when most of his peers were getting pulled sideways. He had put himself through college. He had landed the white-collar job.

And he was in a hospital bed, broke, with no job, watching his body give out.

That is the version of rock bottom most men never talk about. Not the one where you blew everything in a moment of bad judgment. The one where you did the work, played the game the way you were told to play it, and the floor opened up underneath you anyway.

The discipline most people miss

What Ramzi did next is the part that gets remembered. What he did before that, for years, quietly, is the part worth studying.

He has spoken about turning 21 in America with no family watching, no parents in the room, no real accountability beyond his own. The pull toward distraction, lifestyle, social drift was loud and constant.

Most young men in his situation would have been forgiven for losing a few years to it.

He didn’t. Not perfectly, by his own admission, but deliberately. Every time the noise got loud, he came back to the goal. Every time he felt pulled sideways, he asked himself what he was actually in America to build.

The reason this matters isn’t motivational. It’s structural. The discipline to stay focused during the years where nothing was happening yet, the years where there was no proof, no traction, no validation, is what made him capable of executing when the moment finally arrived.

Most men get this backwards.

They wait for the moment to arrive, and then try to summon discipline they haven’t built. By the time the layoff happened, Ramzi had spent nearly a decade quietly building the muscle of staying focused under pressure. The hospital bed didn’t teach him resilience. It tested resilience he had already accumulated.

Family as the real foundation

The most consistent theme in Ramzi’s story is one that doesn’t fit cleanly into business content: family.

His family back in Iran trusted him with something real when they let him go. His father handed him $3,000 of borrowed money. Not a gift, not surplus, money that had been carefully saved and was now leaving with a 17-year-old who might not make it. The weight of that trust is something Ramzi describes as having shaped every meaningful decision since.

What he is most proud of now isn’t the business success. It’s being able to give back to the people who believed in him when belief cost them something. Through tangible action, not words. The kind of support that makes the original bet make sense to everyone who took part in it.

And the chapter he is most openly excited about next isn’t a business milestone. It is building a family of his own. A home, a partner, children. The dream he has carried since he was young, finally backed by the foundation that makes it possible.

What this story actually says

There is a specific kind of crisis that hits men in their twenties harder than the culture admits. The crisis of having played the game right and watched it stop working anyway. The instinct in that moment is either to grind harder in a way that breaks something, or to disengage and pretend the goal was never that important.

Ramzi’s response was a third path. He used the bottom as a clarifying event. He stopped trying to win the old game. He went home, locked in, invested in mentors who had already done what he wanted to do, and started building a different life on a foundation he could actually own.

The hospital bed is gone. That moment is gone. The discipline that made the difference is the same discipline he had been quietly building all along.

ALL Trial Lawyers Launches “We Show Up” Campaign, Expanding Access to CPS Defense, Juvenile Dependency, Criminal Defense, and Car Accident Representation Across Southern California

NY Weekly Staff on May 5, 2026

Orange County–founded firm, led by attorney Mohammad “Mo” Abuershaid, debuts new OC Bus campaign and consolidated practice-area resource hub for families and accident victims throughout California.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — ALL Trial Lawyers, the Southern California trial firm founded by attorney Mohammad “Mo” Abuershaid, today announced the launch of its “We Show Up” campaign, a multi-channel public awareness initiative now visible across Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses and online at allshowsup.com. The campaign reinforces the firm’s core promise to clients across four high-stakes practice areas: CPS defense, juvenile dependency, criminal defense, and car accident representation.

“Families in crisis don’t need a brochure; they need a lawyer who actually shows up,” said founding attorney Mo Abuershaid. “Whether someone is facing a CPS investigation, a criminal charge, a juvenile dependency hearing, or the aftermath of a serious car accident, our team meets them where they are. That’s the standard this firm was built on.”

Aggressive CPS Defense and Juvenile Dependency Representation

ALL Trial Lawyers handles CPS defense and juvenile dependency cases throughout Southern California. The firm represents parents, guardians, and relatives in juvenile dependency courts throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Diego County, Ventura County, and Sacramento County. Attorney Mo Abuershaid has personally handled more than two thousand juvenile dependency matters and is certified annually as a juvenile dependency practitioner.

In Los Angeles County, where the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) operates one of the largest child welfare systems in the nation, the firm maintains a dedicated Los Angeles CPS defense practice handling DCFS investigations, WIC Section 300 petitions, detention hearings, social worker interviews, and contested jurisdictional and dispositional hearings. The firm’s juvenile dependency lawyers regularly intervene before formal removal occurs, working to prevent CPS cases from escalating into full juvenile dependency proceedings whenever possible.

Trial-Ready Criminal Defense Across California

The firm’s criminal defense practice handles misdemeanor and felony matters at every stage from pre-filing investigations and arraignment through motion practice, jury trial, sentencing, and post-conviction relief. Practice areas include DUI defense, theft crimes, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault and battery, white-collar charges, and serious felonies. Attorneys are admitted in California state courts as well as the Central and Southern Districts of California.

ALL Trial Lawyers are intentionally structured to handle the frequent overlap between criminal cases and juvenile dependency / CPS matters, such as domestic violence, child endangerment, DUI with a minor in the vehicle, or substance-related arrests, where a single incident can trigger parallel criminal and dependency proceedings. Clients facing both fronts are represented by a coordinated team rather than being referred out.

Car Accident and Personal Injury Recovery

On the civil side, the firm represents victims of car accidents and other personal injury incidents on a contingency-fee basis. Clients pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation. The car accident practice covers rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle pile-ups, rideshare and Uber/Lyft crashes, hit-and-run incidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, and commercial trucking collisions. The firm pursues both insurance settlements and full jury trials when carriers refuse to pay fair value.

About ALL Trial Lawyers

Founded by Mohammad “Mo” Abuershaid, ALL Trial Lawyers (also operating as Abuershaid Law, APC and CPS Defense Lawyers) is a Southern California trial firm with offices throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, San Diego, La Jolla, and Sacramento. The firm focuses on four core practice areas: CPS defense and juvenile dependency, criminal defense, car accidents, and personal injury. Mo Abuershaid earned his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2014 and began his career at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office before founding ALL Trial Lawyers.

More information about the firm’s practice areas, attorneys, and California offices is available at alltriallawyers.com.

Office Locations

Orange County: Orange (HQ), Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim. Los Angeles County: Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Diamond Bar. Inland Empire: San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Palm Desert. Other California: Sacramento, La Jolla, San Diego.

ALL Trial Lawyers | (866) 811-4255 | alltriallawyers.com

Cinco de Mayo 2026: Where to Find Deals and Celebrations in New York City

NY Weekly Staff 2 on May 5, 2026

New York City does not need much of a reason to throw a party, but Cinco de Mayo gives the five boroughs one of their most spirited excuses of the year. From free street festivals in the Financial District to rooftop celebrations above the Manhattan skyline, the city is marking the holiday with a full day of food deals, live music, and cultural programming. The holiday commemorates Mexico’s victory over French imperial forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, and has grown into one of the most widely observed cultural celebrations in the United States.

This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Tuesday — but New York started the festivities early, with events running from May 2 through May 9 across the city. Whether the goal is an afternoon street festival, a rooftop margarita at sunset, or an authentic sit-down meal, there is no shortage of options.

The Centerpiece: Stone Street Street Festival

Cinco de Mayo 2026 Where to Find Deals and Celebrations in New York City

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

Stone Street, the pedestrian-only cobblestone stretch between 85 Broad Street and Hanover Square in the Financial District, is hosting a free block party featuring performers, mariachi bands, and outdoor bars from participating businesses. It is widely regarded as one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the city.

The festival runs from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with authentic street food including tacos, elotes, and guacamole, cold Mexican beers on tap, free tequila and mezcal tastings from participating sponsor brands, and daily raffles with a $1,000 cash grand prize awarded on May 5.

Mad Dog & Beans, the street’s original Mexican restaurant, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo for 12 days starting Monday, with tequila and cerveza tastings and daily raffles running from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening. Entry to the street festival is free, though food and drinks are sold by the participating venues along the strip.

The Wall Street after-work crowd typically arrives around 5:30 PM, when the density of the event shifts significantly. Families with children are welcome during the earlier hours, with organizers suggesting arrival before 3:00 PM for a more relaxed experience.

Restaurant Deals Across the City

Cinco de Mayo 2026 Where to Find Deals and Celebrations in New York City

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

La Esquina, marking its 21st year, is running a margarita crawl across all four of its New York City locations. Guests can pick up a Cinco de Mayo Passport at any location, with each spot offering a different party and vibe — including taco specials at the midtown restaurant and an $18 two-taco-and-margarita deal at the Moynihan Train Hall outpost. Guests who successfully visit all four locations are eligible to win prizes including pitchers, tacos, and branded merchandise.

Rosa Mexicano, a longtime Cinco de Mayo staple, is offering $5 margaritas after 9 p.m., taco specials, and DJ-fueled late-night programming. A 50% off tacos promotion ran on May 4 as a preview day ahead of the main holiday.

Dos Caminos is running a multi-day “Five Days of Fiesta” promotion, stretching the Cinco de Mayo celebrations into an extended run of cocktails and high-energy programming across its locations.

Mixteca, the agave bar founded by Please Don’t Tell veterans Jeff Bell and Victor Lopez, is running all-day specials starting with $10 cocktails. The bar is also offering buy-one-get-one tacos from its sister restaurant, Tacos 1986, housed within the same space.

The Yacht Club, a 20,000-square-foot restaurant, is celebrating with a free event from 6 to 9 p.m., flying in oysters from Bendito Mar Seafarm in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, served alongside Mexican beers and margaritas.

Rooftop Celebrations

Cinco de Mayo 2026 Where to Find Deals and Celebrations in New York City

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

New York’s rooftop scene plays a central role in the day’s festivities, combining skyline views with curated cocktails and live entertainment.

Edge NYC is hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration more than 100 stories above the city, pairing panoramic skyline views with live mariachi music and an interactive “Mix Your Own Margarita” bar. Magic Hour Rooftop & Lounge is offering a high-energy party starting at 5:00 PM, featuring DJs and tequila-forward cocktails.

In DUMBO, the Time Out Market New York Rooftop provides a more relaxed option, with a live band from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM alongside specialty margaritas and views of the Manhattan skyline.

National Chain Deals Available in New York

Several national restaurant chains with New York City locations are running Cinco de Mayo promotions today.

Chipotle is offering a free side of chips and guacamole or chips and Queso Blanco with any entrée purchase on May 5. The deal is available through the Chipotle app and website using the code “CINCO26.”

7-Eleven locations are offering a buy-one-get-one-free burrito, free chips and queso, $3 wine-based frozen margaritas, and a newly debuted $6 Walking Taco. Rewards members can also receive $3 off large packs of Mexican beers including Corona, Modelo, and Pacifico.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos is offering a $5 Cinco de Mayo taco party — two tacos, chips, and salsa — through May 5. Rewards members earn five times the points on purchases today and receive a free queso or guacamole reward.

The celebrations extend well beyond Midtown and the Financial District for those looking for a more neighborhood-rooted experience.

Jackson Heights in Queens and the South Bronx are hosting community-driven celebrations with authentic street food and music, reflecting the heart of New York City’s Mexican diaspora communities.

Casa Enrique in Long Island City, Queens — the first Mexican restaurant in New York City to earn a Michelin star — is open for the holiday, offering its full menu of regional Mexican dishes including mole, cochinita pibil, and chamorro de borrego. The restaurant is accessible via a short ride on the 7 train from Midtown.

In Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, Clover Club — co-owned by bartender Julie Reiner — is running a mezcal program featuring small-batch producers from Oaxaca, offering a quieter, craft-focused alternative to the larger celebrations elsewhere in the city.

Planning Ahead

With Cinco de Mayo landing on a Tuesday this year, the bulk of the larger street festivals took place over the weekend, but many venues are continuing programming through the evening. Early arrivals are recommended for major street festivals and rooftop venues, as capacity limits can lead to long wait times later in the day. Ticketed events should be secured in advance, particularly for high-demand locations.

From the cobblestone corridors of Stone Street to rooftop bars above the skyline, New York City is giving the holiday a send-off that stretches across every borough and price point.

Menu

Explore New York Weekly™

Legal & Support

  • Get published in New York Weekly™

Founders, executives, and brands ready to build credibility through publication.

Get Published

Follow Us

Facebook Instagram Linkedin

New York Weekly™ is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Copyright ©2026 Matrix Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Use of any part of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The content on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or used in any way without the prior written permission of New York Weekly.

Explore New York Weekly™

Legal

Explore New York Weekly

Legal

A Matrix Global Publication

New York Weekly™ is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Copyright ©2025 Matrix Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.