“It felt really important to me—both personally, as an Indian American, and as an editor interested in diaspora storytelling—to be able to help shine a spotlight on the diverse Asian American communities across this country. Having weathered many storms over the decades—not to mention having borne the brunt of heartbreaking racism in the pandemic years—these diasporic communities have not just survived, but their existence is more vital to our cultures than ever. From the Japanese American sake makers of California who straddle tradition and innovation to a new generation of Viet-Texans for whom phở and barbecue evoke a sense of home in equal measure, and a love letter to the small businesses that make Koreatowns across the country what they are, this story package is us raising a glass to the diasporas that make our towns and cities (and lives) what they are—abundant, layered, and delicious.” —A.M.
“Sydney Is Going Greener—Here’s How Sustainably Minded Travelers Can Get in on the Action” by Callie Radke Stevens
Brandon Hoogenboom/Unsplash
“For a city that is so back post-pandemic, Callie Stevens’ piece on Sydney’s sustainability places a refreshing spotlight on traveling with the environment in mind. We all know that one of the greatest allures to Sydney is the natural wonders that surround it, but Stevens’ ode is not only to the positive environmental efforts over the last few years but how travelers can have fun with it. Stevens spotlights the hip, trendy cafés, and bars in the city that have partnerships with nonprofits and commitments to reducing their carbon and waste footprint. Of course, covering all the bases, Stevens also encourages travelers to dive back into what the city offers while also fully immersing in nature and culture—whether under water, through its sanctuaries, or its one-of-a-kind native ecosystems. It’s a testament to eco-positivity in travel that actually inspired me to travel in a more eco-minded way, and to destinations where it might not be immediately apparent.” —Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant
Breaking Bread by various writers
Courtesy Birch
“In the cheeky move of sharing a package I helped edit, I can’t resist celebrating Breaking Bread because it is made up of stories, photographs, and videos from so many talented people. How could I pick just one story? Kate Nelson’s piece on fry bread, for example, offers something totally unique to that of Vidya Balanchandar’s spotlight on choon paan vans that wind through Sri Lanka. But to flip through these features and essays, to me, encapsulates the simple joy of going to a new place and seeing how they interpret something that plays a role in your daily life (in this case: bread), in an entirely unique way that you can still deeply relate to.” —M.S.
