THE GOSPEL OF WELLNESS
“A REVELATION and a revolution. With humor and insight, Rina Raphael excavates the world of wellness.”
-Lyz Lenz, author of God Land
RECENT ARTICLES
Is This Microbiome Startup Selling a Wellness Fantasy?
Viome—Naveen Jain’s latest company—says its gut-health tests hold the secret to preventing chronic diseases. Scientists and former employees aren’t so sure.
How Fake Science Sells Wellness
Dubious claims in product marketing are everywhere. Don’t fall for them.
The Last Fertility Taboo
Women who use donor eggs speak of shame, isolation, and pangs of inadequacy compounded by a clueless public.
Chill Pill
It wasn’t all that long ago that actresses were lying about their age. Now they’re selling supplements aimed at menopause
Biohackers Without Borders
Sun, sand, and experimental stem cell therapy in Honduras? Sure, but not without risk.
TikTok Is Flooded With Health Myths. These Creators Are Pushing Back
A growing cohort of scientists, physicians, health care professionals and academics are debunking health misinformation on TikTok.
The Goop-ification of wellness is on the way out (you can thank Gen Z)
Pressures to be perfectly happy, beautiful and “healthy” are being replaced with a more realistic and relaxed, less consumerist culture.
Why Doesn’t Anyone Want To Live in this Perfect Place?
Womyn’s lands, established in the 1960s as lesbian utopias, have failed to attract a new generation of members. Should they be saved?
Utopic Wellness Communities Are A Multibillion-Dollar Real Estate Trend
Developers increasingly invest in neighborhoods dedicated to holistic health and wellness–and the growing industry is worth $134 billion worldwide.
Where Group Prayer Meets Group Fitness
Faith-based wellness programs have been grounding for some religious followers.
Will robots ever be better caretakers than humans?
A growing industry is betting on it.
Self-Care Culture is Shifting
Since the pandemic has waned, more people have reassessed their self-care rituals.
Hair Loss Products Are the Next Frontier in Wellness. They Legit?
Supplements, shampoos, and serums that promise impressive results are everywhere.
Sea Moss Is the Hot New Wellness Ingredient
Brands, celebrities and influencers say it has health and beauty benefits. But the evidence is lacking.
Wellness Culture Gone Wrong Comes For Kids
From self-care Barbie and a tot-sized Peloton to kindergarten yoga and healing crystal kits for tweens, questionable wellness practices targets kids.
Pelvic Care Is Such a Hot Market, It's Hard to Get Help
Pelvic health awareness is increasing, but is there enough accessible care?
The ‘Wild, Wild West’ of the American Egg Donor Industry
It’s sold as an easy way to make money and help others. Nobody mentions the long-term risks. ‘I never saw this coming.’
A Fully Furnished Adult Dorm Dedicated to Wellness
This home comes with yoga, sound baths, star energy healing — and 95 roommates
Before Gwyneth Paltrow, There Was Lydia E. Pinkham
For a time, the face of a popular yet ineffective health tonic was the most recognizable woman in America.
“I Refuse to Have a Terrible Death”: Rise of the Death Wellness Movement
Death doulas, dinner parties, and courses all have the same goal: to help Americans embrace mortality.
Should You Buy Your Kid A Fitness Tracker?
Experts caution that they run a risk of promoting harmful behavior or a skewed, narrow idea of health.
Judging what others feed their kids is a blood sport. Why?
What is it about food that brings on the judgment? Experts have some insight.
From Gaslit to Determined
These founders were sick of being told they weren't sick—and now their work is driving real progress in women’s health
Why You Should Be More Skeptical of Health Journalism
News stories exalt the trivial and insignificant.
ABOUT RINA RAPHAEL
Rina Raphael is a journalist who specializes in health, wellness, tech, and women’s issues. She was a features contributor for Fast Company magazine and has also written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, CBS, NBC News, and New York magazine, among other publications.
